Anthony Head Credits

Hotel Babylon

Television guest star appearance (UK)

Series Summary: Series set in a hotel that shows the behind the scenes scandals

Role: Mr. Machin
Episodes: 1.02
Original air date: January 26, 2006
Network: BBC1
Availability: currently available on DVD

Summary of Anthony Head's storyline: The staff at Hotel Babylon are unhappy to learn that Mr. Machin has booked a room. He is a jingle writer who comes to London once a year to pitch ideas to advertising agencies. Through a flashback, we learn that, on his last stay, he took an overdose of pills after failing to sell any jingles. Charlie, the new deputy manager of the hotel, and a member of housekeeping found him and revived him by dragging him to the bathroom and forcing him to vomit. The hotel manager, Rebecca, places Charlie in charge of watching Mr. Machin during this visit to make certain he checks out alive.

Mr. Machin arrives at the hotel and is immediately hit by bird droppings. At the front desk, he is met by Charlie who has upgraded him to a suite. The receptionist who selected the suite made certain to pick one with a balcony, with the reasoning that if Mr. Machin jumps, the hotel is not responsible for the body. Charlie escorts a suspicious Mr. Machin upstairs. Machin wants to know why Charlie is going out of his way with the room upgrade and offers of complimentary coffee. He finally realizes that they are worried he is going to try and kill himself again. He decides to play along and tells Charlie he'll also need sandwiches with the coffee to stay happy.

Later, Machin calls Charlie up to his room and tosses him a tambourine asking Charlie to help him with his jingles. Charlie tries to get of it but Machin reminds him he is supposed to stay happy. Two advertising execs show up and Machin plays and sings them a jingle for sanitary towels, with Charlie doing backup on the tambourine. It is an obviously bad jingle and the execs leave. Machin is upset at how poorly it went. He complains that he is a classically trained musician and is above this. Charlie tries to reassure him that it went well, but Machin knows better. Charlie gets the idea to have Machin play the piano in the hotel restaurant. He adds a £5.00 note to a glass, telling Machin it will encourage tipping. Machin can keep whatever he makes. Cut to Machin playing Chopin's Prelude in C Minor. The diners start to leave, not wanting to eat with such somber music being played. The tip glass has noticeably not had any additions to Charlie's £5.00 note.

Charlie finds out that, although Machin played well, he drove all the diners away and has retreated to his room. Charlie is concerned and decides to check up on Machin. Machin doesn't answer the phone and when Charlie knocks on the door, there is no answer. He hesitates for a moment but then lets himself into the room with the master key. He sees the door to the balcony open and rushes to see if Machin has jumped. No body can be seen on the ground below. Charlie then notices a plugged in electrical cord running into the bathroom. He rushes in and sees Machin in the tub with an electrical keyboard. He grabs the keyboard and tosses it to the side. Machin is shocked by the intrusion and shouts that he was composing. Charlie apologizes but explains that he was concerned. He holds up a towel for Machin to get out of the tub. Once wrapped in the towel, Machin admits that he returned to his room and considered suicide - he even had the belt around his neck. But then a melody came to him and he decided to write a new song. He passionately proclaims that he is going to write real songs from now on. A relieved Charlie starts to leave. Machin stops him and tosses him the tambourine, asking for help with the chorus. Charlie demurs saying he is about to go off duty. Machin reminds Charlie not to make him unhappy.

The next day, a cheerful Machin checks out. He is on his phone to someone, saying that he has enough material for an album, or at least an EP. He makes plans to book a recording studio. Rebecca and Charlie are at the desk and Machin tells them that it is a beautiful morning.

Screen captures