Diary of a Nobody – Nostalgia Central

1 9 7 9 (UK)
9 x 15 minute episodes

This BBC2 series presented the comic tales of Charles Pooter (Terrence Hardiman), an amiable but undistinguished city clerk living at “The Laurels” in Brickfield Terrace, Holloway (London), with his wife Carrie (Sheila Steafel) and son, Lupin (Richard Willis), towards the end of the 19th Century.

Pooter determines to keep a daily journal – which is how we learn that he is more concerned about his son’s prospects than the boy is himself, and resolves to speak to his employer, Mr Perkupp (John Welsh).

He is also irritated by a surfeit of blancmange and by a lack of respect from his junior clerks. To top it all off, Lupin suddenly announces his engagement to Miss Daisy Mutlar (Judy Buxton).

Lupin is eventually sacked, much to his father’s horror. Other diary-worthy events include a burst water main, a gas leak and a stale egg.

James Grout and Timothy Bateson play Pooter’s friends Gowing and Cummings.

Entries from the (fictional) journal of Pooter, written by George and Weedon Grossmith, originally appeared in the magazine Punch in the 1890s, and the brothers achieved a gentle satire of English suburban life beginning with an accident-dogged move into a new home.

Humorist Basil Boothroyd adapted the Grossmiths’ classic into nine short extracts.

Charles Pooter
Terrence Hardiman
Carrie Pooter
Sheila Steafel
Lupin Pooter
Richard Willis
Sarah
Ann Beach
Gowing
James Grout
Cummings
Timothy Bateson
Mr Perkupp
John Welsh
Pitt
Ian Sharp
Wilkins
Christopher Hurles
Daisy Mutlar
Judy Buxton
Foster
Alan Norburn

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