Wednesday 18 August 2010

TV: MINDER - 'WRONG NUMBER, PAL' (1984)


 TP was away on location when the script for this episode of Minder arrived and his agent was being pressed for an answer.
 
Normally he would have read any prospective script through at least twice before making a decision but here was an offer to guest in a series he greatly admired. 

Also, the episode had been written by Minder creator, Leon Griffiths, who had not only forged the template for lovable rogue, Arthur Daley, but also minted many of the shows best catchphrases such as 'er' indoors', 'diabolical liberty' and 'the world is your lobster'. 

In a heavy casting hint Griffiths had actually named  TP's character, 'TP'.  So, after a quick precis of the storyline from one of his son's at home, he gave instructions to accept the part, script unseen.

Flattering as the casting hint was, on the first morning of shooting TP spoke with the director Terry Green who agreed that they would rename the character, so 'TP Mooney' became 'JJ Mooney'.
 


No comments:

Post a Comment