Harry Potter influences and analogues Potter" involve an average eleven-year-old, better at sport than academic study, who is sent to boarding school. Upon arrival, the boy gains a best friend (in Tom's case, East, in Harry's case, Ron Weasley) who helps him adjust to the new environment. They are set upon by an arrogant bully – in Tom Brown's case, Harry Flashman, in Harry's case Draco Malfoy. Stephen Fry, who both narrates the British audio adaptations of the "Harry Potter" novels and has starred in a screen adaptation of "Tom Brown", has commented many times about the similarities between the two books. "Harry Potter –
The New Adventures of Old Tom When Peter sulks out of Tom's apartment, he sees Tom about to jump off the roof and runs to the roof to try and stop Tom. When Dallas and the news crew arrive, Peter takes credit for the suicide attempt and has Tom anchor it. When he is asked about the "suicide", Peter states that he is remorseful for causing Tom to lose his job. Tom tells Peter that he is very appreciative of Peter's act. Tom eventually gets his job back due to the high ratings the potential suicide drew. Meanwhile, at the mall, Brian falls for a girl