Wiki Entries:2DTV

'''''2DTV''''' is a [[British animation|British]] satirical sketch show featuring caricatures of various politicians and celebrities. It was created by [[Tim Searle]] for [[Triffic Films]] and lasted for five seasons between 2001 and 2004, airing on [[ITV1]].

==Production history==
Tim Searle previously used the [[CelAction]] system in ''[[Rolf's Animal Hairdressers]]'', a short film for [[Channel 4]]'s ''Comedy Lab''. Deciding that the time-saving process could be used to make animation quickly enough for a topical series, he conceived of ''2DTV''. Channel 4, at the time interested only in animated series in the sitcom format, rejected his proposal and the series instead went to ITV1.

The series pilot was broadcast on 27 March 2001, with the first full season beginning on 14 October 2001. The episode length was increased with the third season.

==Voice cast==
* [[Jon Culshaw]]
* [[Dave Lamb]]
* [[Lewis Macleod]]
* [[Kate O'Sullivan]]
* [[Mark Perry]]
* [[Jan Ravens]]
* [[Enn Reitel]]
* [[Courtney Webb]]

==Reception==
The series was nominated for the 2002 [[British Animation Award for Best Comedy]] but lost to ''[[People's Britain]]''. It later in at #52 on a list of the 100 greatest cartoons as voted for by Channel 4 viewers.

The series sparked some controversy in 2002 when its video release was promoted with a pair of television commercials featuring the show's caricatures of then-President George W. Bush and footballer David Beckham. As in the series itself, the two men are portrayed as dim-witted, with Bush inserting the video cassette into a toaster and Beckham asking his wife how to spell "DVD". The Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre pulled the ads, on the grounds that they violated the Independent Television Commission's code on advertising by depicting real-life individuals without their permission - and, more specifically, by portraying them in an insulting manner. Producer [[Giles Pilbrow]], who objected to the decision, was reportedly told by the BACC that any potential adverts featuring Osama Bin Laden or Saddam Hussein - also recurring characters on the series - would similarly be pulled unless permission was obtained from the individuals in question. The ITC later overruled the BACC's decision.

==References==
* ''British Animation: The Channel 4 Factor'' by Clare Kitson
* [http://www.celaction.com/2dtvpage.html CelAction: 2DTV page]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/2527501.stm BBC News: Satire ad ban 'too hasty']
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2003/jan/13/advertising.broadcasting Guardian: TV ad industry to regulate itself]
* [http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/cartoons/results.html Channel 4: 100 Greatest Cartoons]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298617/fullcredits#cast 2DTV at IMDB]

[[Category:2000s animated series]]