The Norwegian Hancock

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BBC Radio 4 - The Norwegian Hancock

Paul Merton explores Galton and Simpson’s unexpected Scandinavian success.

Fleksnes Fataliteter is Norway’s most beloved TV comedy, but unbeknown to Scandinavian audiences, it’s a re-imagining of Hancock’s Half Hour. Paul Merton investigates.

Its 50 years since the first broadcast of Norway’s most successful comedy - the misadventures of Marve Fleksnes (Rolv Wesenlund), a proud, arrogant storage consultant who, over 30 years, became a beloved figure for generations.

But unbeknown to the audiences in Scandinavia, this cultural icon was in fact a reimagining of Galton and Simpson’s Hancock. Four years after his death, Tony Hancock’s iconic down-at-heel comedy persona had found a new lease of life.

Culminating in 2002, the finale was watched by half the Norwegian population. While most episodes were translations of existing scripts, the finale featuring Marve’s death, was written especially for Fleksnes by Galton and Simpson - making it truly the final Hancock script.

Paul Merton investigates just how the character was transformed from Anthony Aloysius St John to become Marve Almar, what he means to Norwegian society, and why Norway was a perfect cultural fit for duo’s comic creation.

Featuring interviews with the original director and cast, as well as actor Kevin McNally and archive of Galton and Simpson.

Producer: John Wakefield

Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

Photo: Marve Fleksnes played by Rolv Wesenlund (NRK TV)

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