Hot Metal

Seasons

1986

UK

7.8

The 'Crucible' is a new muck-raking tabloid newspaper in London. Managing editor Russell Spam is always on the lookout for the latest dirt and gossip, while senior editor Harold Stringer struggles to preserve some sense of dignity (usually to no avail). Spam writes such questionable stories as lurid details about Prince Andrew's girlfriend, a campaign to bring back capital punishment, and accusing a bishop of being a werewolf.

Episode List

S1 • E1

The Tell-Tale Heart

What will the tycoon owner of Rathouse International do to Harry Stringer's respectable but doomed Daily Crucible? Who is the mysterious new editor, Russell Spam, that no one has ever heard of? And what scandalous front-page story will they have to think up to rocket the Daily Crucible to the top of the market? All is revealed.

S1 • E2

The Modern Promethius

After successfully relaunching the Daily Crucible with his Royals Porno Storm story, editor Russell Spam is about to unveil his Sensational Sex Secrets of the Soviets - from the mouth of Nikita Khrushchev, who reporter Greg Kettle has found alive in Switzerland. Meanwhile, the government would like a little support on a humanitarian matter.

S1 • E3

Beyond the Infinite

Twiggy Rathbone's Daily Crucible is determined to keep abreast of the competition and Page Three is an outstanding target area. Meanwhile, young reporter Bill Tytla unearths the first clues to an international scandal bigger than anything Russell Spam could ever dream up.

S1 • E4

Casting the Runes

While the Daily Crucible makes hay with its outrageous depiction of Father Teasdale as a militant Marxist, its proprietor Twiggy Rathbone finds reason to denounce public misrepresentation. Meanwhile, Bill Tytla's on the trail of a murderer.

S1 • E5

The Slaughter of the Innocent

Russell Spam has come up with yet another gimmick to boost the sales of the Daily Crucible - and Harry Stringer finds himself smack in the firing line as usual. Summoning all his courage, he decides to do something about it - and a story begins to develop.

S1 • E6

The Respectable Prostitute

With Bill Tytla threatened at gun point, pressure to suppress the story he's been unearthing is getting very heavy - and is about to get heavier still.