MovieChat Forums > The Thick of It (2005) Discussion > Malcolm's previous occupations?

Malcolm's previous occupations?

posted 11 years ago by unexplained98
13 replies | jump to latest

Was it ever mentioned what Malcolm did before becoming director of communications? An advisor like Glenn & Ollie? Something in the press?

Ice-cream man?

[–] vanityfair01 11 years ago

I'm not sure if it has ever been mentioned but for some reason I've always seen him as a former newspaperman. Pure speculation.

[–] unexplained98 11 years ago

Yeah that would make sense.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] vanityfair01 11 years ago

I seem to recall a scene in Spinners and Losers where Malcolm is talking to Adam (when he was Daily Mail Editor) and he says something along the lines of 'I don't have your education, in fact I don't even know what that means'. So I would rule out lawyer or professor for that reason. Also law is very procedural and Malcolm doesn't strike me as the type to be bothered by procedure. I'm probably reading too much into his character at this point.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] vanityfair01 11 years ago

I see what you mean but I still feel the law is too procedural for someone like Malcolm, I guess we'll never know.

I read an interview with Paul Higgins once and he was also saying that, while Jamie wasn't given a backstory, he always assumed that Jamie and Malcolm met whilst working for the same newspaper and then Malcolm moved into politics and took Jamie with him.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] vanityfair01 11 years ago

I'm glad my powers of persuasion are so strong.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] vanityfair01 11 years ago

Thank you. I tend to be the good cop but with a terrifying enforcer standing behind me so people know I mean business.

[–] cactusx 11 years ago

Uhm, let me see. Torturer, Grand High Inquisitor, something along those lines...

I think ex newspapers is the best shout, especially when you consider the tie-in book. Malcolm's response to an Oxford professor that wanted to offer him a lecturing post in Communications rules an academic background out, and we know that Jamie used to write for the Guardian.

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You're about as on the ball today as a dead seal

[–] OpiateOfTheMasses 8 years ago

It's widely speculated that his character is at least loosely inspired by Alistair Campbell:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastair_Campbell

So he would have been a journalist/newspaperman.

If you're happy and you know it, go sit in the corner and think about your life.

[–] Irishdrummer007 7 years ago

I always thought Malcolm worked for a newspaper some time in the past. Malcolm did mention he has connections and could get Nicola some good press.