The Nelson Touch (1979) User Reviews (2)

The Nelson Touch

[Prismark10 · 8/10 · 11 August 2019]

I used to be inspired by Shelley. James not Percy Bysshe Shelley. With a degree in Geography and a Phd I was amazed as a kid how he managed to be on the dole for so long. That takes some doing.

Mr Forsyth turns to a ghostly hue each time Shelley turns up late to sign on for the giro. Shelley was down the pub in the morning although I doubt the dole money was so princely back then that he would be able to afford getting the barmaid a drink. Shelley is appalled that the pub is turning into a theme pub celebrating Admiral Nelson.

At the dole office, the Inspector demand to see Shelley. He is also surprised that someone with his qualifications cannot get a job. It turns out that both have someone in common.

Back at the flat, Shelley is appalled to learn that the sardines he stole from Mrs Hawkins cat is from South Africa. He now has to boycott lunch.

However Shelley is in for a surprise when Fran announces she is pregnant. Shelley now needs to look for a job.

It is notable how much an eye for the ladies Shelley had back then as he flirts with the barmaid. Even in his school days he was not averse to try to put his hand up a schoolgirl's skirt.

The jokes pepper throughout the episode at a good rate yet there is an economy to the writing and the plot.

"I am not eating apartheid fish!"

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 26 January 2008]

Shelley is appalled to learn that his favourite pub is to undergo a refit, to be renamed 'The Victory' and the staff are to dress as Admiral Nelson. But that is the least of his problems. At the Unemployment Benefit Office, the Dole Inspector wants to know why, with his qualifications ( ten O Levels, 4 A Levels and a Phd ) he has hardly ever worked. "I don't like work.", says Shelley.

Back home, Fran has some exciting and worrying news for him - she is pregnant. Shelley dashes back to the U.B.O. to beg for a job. They make him the temporary barman of 'The Victory' pub...

Peter Tilbury had been an actor before turning to writing, and had spent time on the Dole, hence his experiences came in handy when writing the 'Shelley' shows. There is a certain amount of wishful thinking in Shelley's confrontation with the Inspector; anyone who openly refuses offers of work does not qualify for benefit.

Excellent though this episode is, it makes what I regard as a fundamental mistake with the character. Having Shelley become a father so early into the run unfortunately transformed the show into a cosy domestic sitcom.

Funniest moment - Shelley's interview. There's a laugh on practically every line. INSPECTOR: What did you like doing at school? SHELLEY: Putting my hand down Beryl Wilson's skirt. ( Later, Shelley learns that Beryl Wilson is the Inspector's wife ) Nicholas LeProvost is superb as the Inspector, he would go on to play the psychiatrist in Tilbury's underrated 'It Takes A Worried Man'.