Rab C. Nesbitt and Still Game: Glasgow on the Telly
Contents
Two television comedies have defined Glasgow humour for audiences across Scotland and beyond. Rab C. Nesbitt, starring Gregor Fisher as a string-vested, headband-wearing Govan philosopher, began with a 1988 Christmas special and ran on BBC Two through the 1990s, mixing slapstick with sharp social commentary. Still Game, created by and starring Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill as pensioners Jack and Victor in the fictional Craiglang, ran from 2002 and ended with a record-breaking run of live shows. Both drew on the language and wit of working-class Glasgow. This card explores them.
TL;DR
- established Rab C. Nesbitt, created by writer Ian Pattison and played by Gregor Fisher, first appeared in the BBC Scotland sketch show Naked Video in the 1980s.
- established After a 1988 Christmas special, Rab C. Nesbitt ran as its own series on BBC Two from 1990 to 1999 and was revived from 2008 to 2014.
- established Still Game, created by Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, began as a stage play in the late 1990s, became a BBC Scotland television series on 6 September 2002 and ran until 2007, returning from 2016 to 2019.
- established In 2014 the Still Game live show sold out 21 nights at Glasgow's SSE Hydro, one of the largest runs for a comedy show in Britain.
- shared Both shows have been praised for capturing Glasgow speech and humour, and criticised by some for reinforcing stereotypes of poverty and drinking.
Key Facts
- Rab C. Nesbitt
- Gregor Fisher; writer Ian Pattison
- Origin
- Naked Video sketches
- Series
- BBC Two, 1988–1999; revived 2008–2014
- Setting
- Govan
- Still Game
- Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill
- Stage origin
- Late 1990s (stage play filmed at Cottiers Theatre, 1999)
- Rab C. Nesbitt episodes
- 65, all written by Ian Pattison
- Still Game series
- 9 series, 62 episodes
- Hydro live run
- 21 shows, 19 September–10 October 2014; about 210,000 tickets
- TV series
- 2002–2007; 2016–2019
- Setting
- Fictional Craiglang
- Live record
- 21 nights at the SSE Hydro, 2014
A Note on Claims and Evidence
Each major claim carries one of three labels. established means supported by primary records, official bodies or several independent reliable sources. shared means the core fact is sound but sources disagree on details, dates or interpretation. traditional means widely repeated but not traceable to a primary or independent source.
Broadcast dates are documented by the BBC. Assessments of the shows' social effects are matters of opinion.
Timeline
Naked Video begins, featuring Rab C. Nesbitt.
Rab C. Nesbitt's Seasonal Greet Christmas special.
Rab C. Nesbitt series on BBC Two.
Rab C. Nesbitt first appears in Naked Video.
Rab C Nesbitt's Seasonal Greet is broadcast.
The first series of Rab C. Nesbitt begins on BBC Two.
The Still Game stage play is filmed at Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow.
Still Game television series begins.
Still Game ends its first run.
Rab C. Nesbitt revived.
Still Game live at the SSE Hydro.
Still Game returns for final series.
Details
Rab C. Nesbitt
established Rab C. Nesbitt, an unemployed Govan man in a string vest and headband, first appeared delivering monologues in Naked Video, a BBC Scotland sketch show. Written by Ian Pattison and played by Gregor Fisher, the character combined drunken bluster with sharp, often philosophical commentary on politics, class and society. His own series ran on BBC Two from 1990, after a 1988 Christmas special, and was revived in 2008.
Still Game
established Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill created Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade, two pensioners living in a tower block in the fictional Glasgow scheme of Craiglang, first in a late-1990s stage play and then in their sketch show Chewin' the Fat. Still Game became a television series on BBC Scotland in 2002, later shown across the UK. Its humour, about old age, friendship and death, was gentle and dark by turns.
Hydro record
established In 2014 Kiernan and Hemphill brought Still Game back as a live show at Glasgow's SSE Hydro, selling out 21 nights between 19 September and 10 October 2014, with about 210,000 tickets sold and some £6 million in ticket sales. The run was originally planned as four shows. The success led to a television revival from 2016 to 2019.
Glasgow humour
shared Both shows drew on Glasgow speech and a tradition of comedy that includes music hall stars and comedians such as Billy Connolly. Supporters praise their warmth and realism; some critics have argued they reinforced stereotypes about poverty, drinking and Glasgow.
Did You Know?
- Rab C. Nesbitt began in the sketch show Naked Video.
- Rab wears a string vest and headband.
- Still Game began as a stage play.
- Still Game sold out 21 nights at the Hydro.
- Jack and Victor live in the fictional Craiglang.
- Ian Pattison wrote all 65 episodes of Rab C. Nesbitt.
- Mary Nesbitt was played by Elaine C. Smith, and Jamesie by Tony Roper.
- The 2014 Still Game Hydro run was first planned as four shows and grew to 21.
- The 2016 Still Game revival drew 1.3 million viewers in Scotland.
FAQ
1Who played Rab C. Nesbitt?
Gregor Fisher.
2Who created Still Game?
Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill.
3Where are they set?
Rab in Govan; Still Game in fictional Craiglang.
4When did Still Game end?
In 2019.
5Why were they popular?
For their Glasgow humour and memorable characters.
6Who wrote Rab C. Nesbitt?
Ian Pattison, who wrote all 65 episodes.
7Where is Still Game set?
In the fictional Glasgow scheme of Craiglang, filmed largely in Maryhill.
8How many people saw Still Game at the Hydro in 2014?
About 210,000 across 21 shows.
Sources and Further Reading
General
- Wikipedia, "Rab C. Nesbitt" (en.wikipedia.org)
- Wikipedia, "Still Game" (en.wikipedia.org)
News and reviews
- Chortle, "Live show for Rab C Nesbitt", 11 October 2016 (chortle.co.uk)
Caveats: Myths and Disputed Claims
- Do not present the shows as documentary portrayals of Glasgow.
A Arts story