The Thick of It (UK)

Hugh Abbot was the Minister for Social Affairs for the first six episodes of the show. He was parachuted into the department by the Prime Minster when the previous minister, Cliff Lawton, was abruptly sacked. Hugh was confused about his role... and just about everything else for that matter!

Hugh was constantly trying to figure out, with the help of his team, the conflicting messages and agendas within the cabinet but never quite succeeding. For example Malcolm told Hugh he had carte blanche, a fresh slate, the chance to take the department by the scruff of the neck and take it in a new direction... but at the same time he must also put every single idea he is even considering through him!

Abbot owed his position to being a malleable flack-catching yes-man. But his vanity lets him believe he has been ear-marked for greater things. Turns out he wasn't - he has now been replaced by Nicola Murray.