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Hot Metal

1986·Show
13Episodes in2Seasons
65
GoodGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in any country yet.

Hot Metal fingerprint

Very funny, immersive world, emotionally cool.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Tension4
  • Spectacle3

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Nostalgia4
  • Pathos3
  • Catharsis3

Humor

Plenty of satire and sharp wit

  • Satire & Parody10
  • Wit & Wordplay9
  • Dark Humor9

World

Society, history, and politics

  • Dialogue Centrality10
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout dialogue and performances

  • Dialogue Quality9
  • Acting8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition5

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6

About

Hot metal is a London Weekend Television sitcom about the British Newspaper industry broadcast between 1986 and 1988. The daily crucible, the dullest newspaper in Fleet Street, is suddenly taken over by media magnate Terence "Twiggy" Rathbone. Its editor Harry Stringer is 'promoted' to managing editor, and is replaced in his old job by Russell Spam. Spam then takes the paper shooting downmarket and turns the crucible into a sensation seeking scandal rag, very much in the style of the British tabloids of the 1980s. He is helped along by his ace gutter journalist, Greg Kettle, who intimidates his tabloid victims by claiming to be "a representative of Her Majesty's press" and produces stories such as accusing a vicar of being a werewolf. Throughout the first series, a running plot involved cub reporter Bill Tytla gradually uncovering an actual newsworthy story that went to the very heart of government. Written by David Renwick and Andrew Marshall, it is very much a continuation in style from their previous sitcom Whoops Apocalypse!. It was produced by Humphrey Barclay.
British SatireDark ComedyWorkplace SitcomNewspaper IndustryPolitical HumorSocial CritiqueSharp Dialogue80s NostalgiaCharacter-Driven

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Hot Metal

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Hot Metal legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Hot Metal in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Hot Metal worth watching?

65
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 65/100 (IMDb 7.7). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Hot Metal rated?

Strong language

Content advisories: strong language.

How many seasons does Hot Metal have?

2 seasons

It has 2 seasons with 13 episodes of about 30 minutes each.

When did Hot Metal air?

It ran from 1986 to 1989 and has ended.

What language is Hot Metal in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom.