This Is David Lander (Channel 4 1988, Stephen Fry)

Sitcom This Is David Lander focused on the investigative TV Journalist of the title. Lander would do anything to get a story. He often found himself in difficult situations because of his tendency to act first and think later. As often as not, the only reward for his efforts was a good beating.

The character was clearly influenced by ITV’s popular door-stepping journalist Roger Cook.

When Stephen Fry was unable to commit to a second run of episodes Tony Slattery took over and the title was changed to This is David Harper.

production details
UK / Channel 4 – Hatrick / 6×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 31 October – 5 December 1988 Mondays at 8.30pm

Writer: Tony Sarchet / Script Editor and Producer: Paul Mayhew-Archer / Executive Producer: Denise O’Donaghue / Director: Graham Dixon

cast
Stephen Fry as David Lander