SCOTTISH TV COMEDY By Michael Cain, Charlotte Cragg & Janine Croft

SIR HARRY LAUDER Born 1870, died 1950 Probably most successful in terms of overseas fame, along with Billy Connolly Variety theatres, panto Some very famous songs Knighthood in 1919 as a result of his war work

SIR HARRY LAUDER (cont.) Scottish identity: Scotland's image in the world today owes much to the caricature presented by Harry Lauder's stage performances, particularly in England, Canada and the 22 tours in the United States. His extravagant highland dress, glengarry at a jaunty angle, pawky humour, "ultra-thrifty" attitudes and sentimental songs endeared him to many audiences. (rampantscotland, 2010)

RIKKI FULTON Comedian & actor, born in Dennistoun in 1924, died in 2004 Early career as a serious broadcaster for BBC, performed in Theatre Popular in panto from 1950s Francie & Josie, Scotch & Wry, The Tales of Para Handy

RIKKI FULTON (cont.) Retired from stage in mid-1990s Very popular in Scotland, but not so successful elsewhere BBC Scotland Controller John McCormick: ‘He was a legend for people across the whole country. Scotch & Wry was watched by half of this population. Those figures will never be exceeded and it was Rikki they made an appointment with on Hogmanay’

SCOTCH & WRY Traditional sketch show on BBC Began in ran for 14 years 2m Scottish viewers at its peak The Reverend I. M. Jolly Shown once in England (1982) Working class, references to Scottish culture

SCOTTISH TV COMEDY Usually set in Central or West of Scotland. Scottish dialect can be a challenge to understand for people outside of Scotland and even outside the region by some. Situation comedies are expensive to produce if they are only watched by a small proportion of Scottish viewers. However, there has been 3 very successful series: City Lights ( ), Rab C. Nesbitt (1990-present) and Still Game ( )

SCOTS VS ENGLISH No programme made in Scotland can compare to the best English comedies. Only Fools and Horses is the only sitcom ever to have attracted half of the British population to watch its final episode. Scottish comedy is almost invariably working class. Whereas many English programmes including: Vicar or Dibley and Keeping up appearances are set in exclusively middle-class surroundings.

SCOTS VS AMERICAN In contrast is much bigger business than Scottish and English Comedy Friends, Frasier and The Simpsons are examples of hugely successful American TV comedies. Very famous actors and quite common to use guest appearances. Class is completely different- most are exclusively middle-class

COLIN GILBERT Joined the BBC as assistant floor manager, 1975 First programme in Scotland- Naked Radio Moved on to start The Comedy Unit

CITY LIGHTS Scottish TV sitcom made by BBC Scotland Modern-day living 20 th Century

RAB C NESBITT Began in 1990 Glaswegian dialect Most successful comedy to go from Scotland to England

CHEWIN’ THE FAT “Chewin’ the Fat is a Scottish comedy useful for an illustration of the ‘ned’ phenomenon (aimless cropped-haired council- scheme male hooligans), which itself goes a long way towards describing modern Scottish culture. “ (Gardiner, 2005: 180). Started as a Radio series on BBC radio Scotland in Produced many series and Hogmany specials.

STILL GAME Originally part of the Still Game sketch show until 2002 when it became a sitcom in its own right. The show focuses on two Glaswegian pensioners, Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade and live in the fictional Craigland. Also Broadcast on BBC1 Scotland, with later screenings being shown in England on BBC2.

STILL GAME (cont.) Played by actors approximately 30 years younger than their characters This is quite surreal but adds greater humour to the programme. It can be suggested that “Last of the Summer Wine (1973-), One Foot in the Grave ( ) and Waiting for God (1990-4) preceded it by several years in dealing humourously with the problems of old age” (Ian Mowatt, 2008).

BURNISTOUN Set in fictional Scottish town, Burnistoun. Written and performed by Robert Florence and Iain Connell and produced by The Comedy Unit for BBC Scotland First episode of the series was Broadcast on 1st March 2010.

LIMMY’S SHOW Written, animated and directed by Brian Limond. Created as a result of the success of Limmy’s live performances at the Fringe and Glasgow International Comedy Festival First series aired on 11 January 2010 for 6 episodes.

RECENT SCOTTISH COMEDIES Limmy’s Show Burnistoun Have they got the same appeal as previous comedies, and what do they do for our national identity?