Taking the Flak

Name: Taking the Flak
Genre: Comedy, Drama, War
Cast: Bruce MacKinnon, Damian O'Hare, Doon Mackichan, Joanna Brookes, Martin Jarvis

TV Series200930m1 season · 7 episodes

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7Episodes, 1 season 0Member reviews 0Lists include it

Comedy Drama War

An acerbic, authentic and caustic comedy drama that covers the entire progress of a small African war, as seen through the eyes of a team of journalists sending back the nightly reports for the BBC News at Ten. Taking the Flak is a comedy drama about how journalists in war zones live in a state of perpetual danger not just from bombs but from disease, dysentery, bedbugs, bugged beds, their colleagues, their competitors and their loved ones, who are out of sight and out of mind. If they can't get themselves embedded with the army, they'll get embedded with each other. The team includes the smooth, veteran correspondent; the harassed, but infinitely resourceful, producer; and the green and gauche rookie stringer, dropped into a hotel and forced to choose between a room on 'the shooting side' and 'the mortar side'. Football-mad boy soldiers, corrupt car dealers, intestinal discomfort, unexploded landmines, old flames, impromptu hostage situations, YouTube viral videos and colossal egos all combust under the African sun. There is a story to be told in Karibu - but who will get to tell it?

Stars: Bruce MacKinnon Damian O'Hare Doon Mackichan

Where it airs

BBC TwoNetwork, from TVmaze

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Episode guide

Episode scores–––––––

E1BigfootingJul 8, 2009 · 30m · A small African war suddenly becomes global news and a team of BBC journalists arrives in the country of Karibu, ready to cover the conflict for 'the Ten' back home. But football-mad boy soldiers, corrupt car dealers, intestinal discomfort, landmines, old flames and colossal egos all get in the way. There is definitely a story to tell, but who will get to tell it?Not rated yet

E2Black GoldJul 15, 2009 · 30m · In London, new desk jockey Alex sparks a panic among the BBC team in war-torn Karibu by declaring a Code Red. Are the Americans on their way? Chief Foreign Editor David thinks so, and is terrified that they may park their tanks on his lawn. Stringer Harry tries to find a story he can sell to London, but like the team's new hotel, he is suffering an energy crisis.Not rated yet

E3Cursed is the CountryJul 22, 2009 · 30m · There's more conflict in the African country of Karibu as junior journalist Harry meets his girlfriend's father for the first time. Senior correspondent David and new cameraman Rory clash over the uses of root ginger, and producer Jane loses her patience after David's passport comes to a sticky end at the hands of the local militia - who soon want much more than a bribe. There's good news as charity worker Samantha organises a summer fete in aid of boy soldiers, but will Fiona Bruce be forced to witness the BBC's Chief Foreign Editor terminated live on air?Not rated yet

E4The Past is a Different ColonyJul 29, 2009 · 30m · The civil war in Karibu seems far away as the team look for a human interest story in an old colonial house. They find themselves in a much older, scarier Africa - where ancient traditions live on, ancestors pop round for tea, and death and dancing are the only constants.Not rated yet

E5Unfriendly FireAug 5, 2009 · 30m · A trip to a school out in the bush takes a turn for the lethal when the team finds itself caught in the crossfire between government and rebel forces, and a driving lesson ends in a near-death experience as Harry and Grace go off road. If the team survives, everything will seem different in the morning.Not rated yet

E6Big BeastsAug 12, 2009 · 30m · BBC Brussels correspondent and media darling Jeremy Morrison is parachuted into Karibu to report on the ceasefire, much to David's disgust. As the world changes around him, he fears for his future, while producer Jane must try and keep both her 'big beasts' happy with just one cameraman between them. Elsewhere, Margaret is recording the sound of a zebra's breath, and Harry is teaching local reporter William how to be a famous TV journalist - until a humanitarian crisis brings them all together.Not rated yet

E7Viva AfricaAug 19, 2009 · 30m · It's a new democratic dawn for a war-torn country as the exiled 'Lion Queen of Karibu' returns to a heroine's welcome, a rally and an election. The war is over, and the world news spotlight is about to move on, but what does that mean for Harry, Grace, and Samantha? What does the future hold for them and for the country? There's good news and bad as hopeless Harry finally hits his stride but loses his phone, his friends, and maybe his future. Meanwhile, David's lack of action in the sack starts to affect his work and his colleagues.Not rated yet

Top cast

Full cast and crew

Bruce MacKinnonHarry Chambers Damian O'HareRory Wallace Doon MackichanJane Thomason Joanna BrookesMargaret Hollis Martin JarvisDavid Bradburn

Cast from TVmaze. People photos show only when a licensed image exists.

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Details

Premiered: July 8, 2009
Ended: August 19, 2009
Status: Ended
Network: BBC Two
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Language: English
Episode runtime: 30m
Official site: bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lpnvd
TVmaze ID: 2991