Dear Channel Five,
Below is an idea for a TV show I think you should seriously consider producing. I've been working on it for years now and it really could be the next big series to hit our screens.
Called ‘Grey Dawn’, my vision is for a crime series, but not any old crime series. Set in 1974, the main character is Malcolm Grey. Tall and rugged, Malcolm is the young Provost of a respected London university by day, but by night he becomes rogue undercover detective Malcolm G! (Think Hector the Inspector meets Sylvester Stallone.) G fights crime and corruption on the capital’s seedy streets, but is back in time for graduation! On longer cases, his detective work will also spill over into the day, while Malcolm hilariously juggles his true and secret identities — concealing his mysterious double life with a trendy fake moustache.
He is helped by his trusty sidekick Bashir, a straight-laced Indian student who shares his hatred of civil disobedience. Whenever Malcolm needs to sift through paperwork or communicate with local ethnic minorities Bashir is always on hand to save the day! (At first I thought the demeaning portrayal of Bashir may be construed as racist, but then I realised that the show is set in the 1970s and so this would in fact be historically accurate.) Malcolm is also aided by Adam Lansbury, his good friend and confidante. As Health Minister, Lansbury gives Malcolm unparalleled access to the heart of government and the sinister conspiracies residing within. Together this slick threesome tackles crime with 70’s style and efficiency.
I've already thought of how the opening credits will roll. To the serene soundtrack of Greensleeves, the opening shot will be of Malcolm Grey purposefully striding across a calm and pleasant university campus. He makes his way through the historic halls of university architecture and into his office - 0ozing tranquillity. But, as he shuts the door behind him, the classical soundtrack ceases. He re-emerges as Malcolm G, moustached up and ready to kick some ass. Suddenly, Motor- head’s ‘Ace of Spades’ kicks in and the viewer is sent into a rollercoaster montage of car chases, punch ups, violent acrobatics, and glamorous women. The final shot is of Malcolm, revolver in hand, casu- ally walking straight towards the camera as a huge warehouse explodes behind him. The visual then fades out to reveal the title “Grey Dawn”, and the episode begins.
I've even got a catchphrase for Malcolm. At the end of each episode once the bad guy’s been ar- rested, he'll say, “I’s a grey day for justice... though I'm not quite sure what he could mean by this.
I look forward to your reply,
Malcolm Grant
PS: I have attached a short transcript to whet your appetite.
Cut to scene in Lansbury’s office in Whitehall
LANSBURY: You're the only one I can trust, Malcolm. This goes right to the top, all the way up to Number 10. Nowhere is safe.
MALCOLM: You can count on me, Health Minister.
LANSBURY: That's what I like about you Malcolm, you've got balls.
MALCOLM remains steely eyed, silently acknowledging the existence of his own balls
BASHIR: What are we going to do Mr Grey?
MALCOLM: We're going get Mr Lansbury out of here, he’s not safe. s But they’ve got men everywhere — we'll never make it out alive! That's where you're wrong, Health Minister. (draws pistol) Let’s do this. Bashir, turn on the Volvo!
Cue dramatic shoot out and car chase through central London in Malcolm’s classic Volvo estate car; culminating in some sort of explosion — though I've not decided what sort yet