Colin's Sandwich. Colin Watkins (Mel Smith). Copyright: BBC
Colin's Sandwich

Colin's Sandwich

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 1988 - 1990
  • 12 episodes (2 series)

The story follows the life of an amateur writer and his attempts to get his work published. Stars Mel Smith, Louisa Rix, Mike Grady, Tony Haase, Lee Cornes and more.

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 5 - Back From Bengal

Colin sends of his script to Langley but a week later hasn't had a reply and is worried it going to be bad news. His anxiety is taken out on Sarah and Richards slide show when he throws the slides in the air.
Sarah and Stuart split soon after the evening and Sarah uses Colin as a shoulder to cry on.
Colin finally gets the courage to phone Langley who tells him to be in his office on Tuesday. When Colin arrives Langley tells him he has not read his script.

Further details

Colin finishes his script at dawn and heads off to the post box. However he is worried the postman won't deliver it and is doubly certain when a mail van goes straight passed the post box.

The following day Colin attempts to phone Langley who is busy. His secretary eventually confirms receipt of his work.

One week later and Langley hasn't rung. Colin is in a constant state of worry that he will miss his call or when he does phone it'll be bad news. This is not helped when Jen drags Colin around to Sarah and Richard's to view their slides as they've just returned from a trip to Bengal. Colin is bored witless all evening and ends up taking over and whipping through the slides finally throwing them in the air much to Jen's anger.

The following morning Colin goes around to apologise constantly rehearsing his lines. However when Sarah answers the door he says 'Sorry you were so boring last night'. She bursts into tears. She and Stuart have split.

The following day Sarah comes over and has a massive eight and half hour comforting session with Colin. Jen falls asleep.

Sarah returns for more moaning the next day causing Colin to take out his frustration on a milk carton.

Sarah phones the next day and spends hours moaning about Richard. Jen comes in and unplugs the phone. Colin objects because he's waiting to hear from Langley. Jen attempts to phone Langley but Colin tries to stop her for fear that he will come over as desperate.

Colin takes Sarah to the airport to leave for an assignment abroad and finally decides to phone Langley. He answers but is in bed with a much younger woman. He tells Colin to be in his office Tuesday at eleven. Colin keeps the appointment only to be told that Langley hasn't read his script yet.

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 14th November 1988
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Mel Smith Colin Watkins
Louisa Rix Jenny Anderson
Mike Grady Des
Kim Clifford Mandy
Jane Booker Sarah Venables
Michael Medwin John Langley
Jonathan Coy Stuart
Guest cast
Robin Driscoll Postman
Nick Wilton Postman
Claire Toeman Langley's Secretary
Writing team
Terry Kyan Writer
Paul Smith Writer
Production team
Jamie Rix Director
John Kilby Producer
Jamie Rix Producer
Phil Southby Editor
Jo Day Production Designer
Andrew Mackenzie Costume Designer
Vicky Pocock Make-up Designer
Bert Postlethwaite Lighting Designer
Christine Büttner Graphics
John Barclay Vision Mixer
Nicholas Barrett (as Nicolas Barrett) Properties
Jim Cadman Sound Designer
Sarah Cobbe Production Assistant
Alec Curtis Camera
Michael Spencer Sound Designer
Paul Kay Camera
Peter Laskie Production Manager
Christine Mellor Production Assistant
Kerry Waddell Floor Manager
Mike Jarrett Technical Co-ordinator
Richard Wilson Technical Co-ordinator

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