Paul Mayhew Archer scripted a vehicle in 1991 for John Gordon Sinclair entitled 'An Actor's Life For Me' which had him cast as a failed actor. It was not particularly successful ( because it was not particularly funny ) and only lasted for one series. Three years later, Mayhew Archer scripted another show for John in which he was a bungling journalist. The result was 'Nelson's Column'. It was better received than the earlier show, managing to run for two series, however it still didn't really move the earth and now it seems to have just disappeared completely, which is sad as it was a far better show in every way.
Sinclair had played a journalist in sitcom before, in David Renwick and Andrew Marshall's 'Hot Metal' for LWT. Here he played Gavin Nelson, who worked for The Weekly Herald. His boss Jackie ( the gorgeous Elisabeth Counsell ) would be continually frustrated at his inability to get that crucial story. His colleague Mike ( Steven O'Donnell ) was no better at his job. The only one who seems to take her job seriously is the shy but sexy Claire Priddy ( Sophie Thompson ) who Gavin has feelings for.
The second series saw Gavin form an uneasy relationship with blond bimbo Lorraine Wilde ( played by the gorgeous Camille Coduri ), who is well aware of Gavin's feelings for Claire and puts Claire down at every opportunity.
It was a pity it didn't get as much recognition as it deserved. Maybe some felt it to be a cheap knock-off of Channel 4's more widely known 'Drop The Dead Donkey'. Both shows were funny in their own right, however 'Nelson's Column' wasn't as near the knuckle as Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin's creation. I remember a very funny scene in which Gavin got a date with an attractive woman, only to discover that her daughter is the same girl who he wrote a derogatory review about in the paper about a play she was performing in! Sinclair was far less unlikeable here as he was in 'An Actor's Life For Me'. The support cast were superb, particularly Sophie Thompson and Elisabeth Counsell, the latter who many may remember from John Esmonde and Bob Larbey's 'Brush Strokes'.
It is not out on DVD yet unfortunately. Why they released 'An Actor's Life For Me' ahead of this I'll never know.
Sinclair had played a journalist in sitcom before, in David Renwick and Andrew Marshall's 'Hot Metal' for LWT. Here he played Gavin Nelson, who worked for The Weekly Herald. His boss Jackie ( the gorgeous Elisabeth Counsell ) would be continually frustrated at his inability to get that crucial story. His colleague Mike ( Steven O'Donnell ) was no better at his job. The only one who seems to take her job seriously is the shy but sexy Claire Priddy ( Sophie Thompson ) who Gavin has feelings for.
The second series saw Gavin form an uneasy relationship with blond bimbo Lorraine Wilde ( played by the gorgeous Camille Coduri ), who is well aware of Gavin's feelings for Claire and puts Claire down at every opportunity.
It was a pity it didn't get as much recognition as it deserved. Maybe some felt it to be a cheap knock-off of Channel 4's more widely known 'Drop The Dead Donkey'. Both shows were funny in their own right, however 'Nelson's Column' wasn't as near the knuckle as Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin's creation. I remember a very funny scene in which Gavin got a date with an attractive woman, only to discover that her daughter is the same girl who he wrote a derogatory review about in the paper about a play she was performing in! Sinclair was far less unlikeable here as he was in 'An Actor's Life For Me'. The support cast were superb, particularly Sophie Thompson and Elisabeth Counsell, the latter who many may remember from John Esmonde and Bob Larbey's 'Brush Strokes'.
It is not out on DVD yet unfortunately. Why they released 'An Actor's Life For Me' ahead of this I'll never know.