British Comedy Guide

Remember Nelson's Column

Does anyone remember the show Nelson's Column? I saw it on PBS in maybe '94. Would love to find a place to see them again.

It ran for two series.

You can find the final episode here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r66yX2kjQgs

The series concerns the activities of Gavin Nelson, who writes a column for his local newspaper.

When no third series was commissioned, I hear the writer Paul Mayhew-Archer pitched a series entitled "Trafalgar's Square" set in the late 1950s which tells the story of Tommy Trafalgar, a classical music fan who gets a lot of stick from his friends and workmates because he has no interest whatever in rock 'n' roll, skiffle or any type of modern music.

When that was rejected, he pitched another series entitled "Big Ben" about a young man called Benjamin Brown who decides to become a porn star.

I understand the BBC turned it down but that Channel 4 are still thinking about it.

Yes I remember that. It was quite funny in places. DVD release would be good.

Turns out I was confusing it with Colin's Sandwich which is also set in a newsroom, starring Mel Smith. Nelson's Column was John Gordon Sinclair and Sophie Thompson.

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