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Rab C. Nesbitt
Title card (1988–2014)
GenreComedy
Created byIan Pattison
Written byIan Pattison
Directed byColin Gilbert
Starring
Theme music composerDavid McNiven
Opening themeTheme from Rab C. Nesbitt
Ending themeTheme from Rab C. Nesbitt
Country of originScotland
Original languagesScots, Glaswegian dialect
No. of series10
No. of episodes67 (including 6 specials) (list of episodes)
Production
ProducerColin Gilbert
Production locationGovan, Glasgow
Running time30–50 minutes
Original release
Network
Release22 December 1988 (1988-12-22) –
2 January 2014 (2014-01-02)
Related
Naked Video

Rab C. Nesbitt is a Scottish comedy television series that originally aired between 1988 and 1999. The show returned for a one–off special in 2008,[1] before being re-commissioned in 2010. Its second run was broadcast from 2010 to 2014.[2] The series has been described as "Glasgow's greatest ever sitcom" by BBC Two.[3]

Produced by BBC Scotland, it focuses on the title character, Robert "Rab" C. Nesbitt (portrayed by Gregor Fisher), an alcoholic Glaswegian who seeks unemployment as a lifestyle choice.[4] Rab C. Nesbitt was originally a recurring character in the BBC2 sketch series Naked Video (1986–1990).

The revived series broadcast attracted an audience figure of 2 million.[5] At its peak, Rab C. Nesbitt attracted viewing figures of roughly 5 million.[6]

Background

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The pilot episode, made for BBC Scotland in 1988, was a Christmas special entitled Rab C Nesbitt's Seasonal Greet, which was broadcast on 22 December 1988 and then repeated on the network the following year. The first series began on 27 September 1990 and continued for seven more, ending on 18 June 1999. The show returned for a one-off special on 23 December 2008.[1] The special saw several developments for Rab, which would eventually carry on into the revived series which would be broadcast firstly in 2010. In the special episode broadcast in 2008, Gash now has a daughter, Peaches; Mary and Ella have set up in business together as cleaners (and Jamesie, Rab and sometimes Gash all work for their company, House Mice); and Rab himself has converted to Christianity and given up alcohol.

A ninth series of six episodes began airing on 21 January 2010. The show's return received a good critical response and high audience figures, leading to a tenth series being commissioned by the BBC for broadcast in 2011. Filming for the series commenced in February 2010, and began broadcasting in October 2011.[7] Following a two-year break, Elaine C. Smith confirmed on her Twitter page that a new year's special had completed filming on 10 October 2013, and was aired on BBC Two on 2 January 2014.

Ian Pattison created and wrote all 65 episodes, and Colin Gilbert produced and directed all 65 episodes as well. Topics include alcoholism, Neo Nazis and sexually transmitted infections.[7] Often several normally unapproachable subjects were used in the same episode. The series is also known for its uncompromising use of Glaswegian accents and dialect, and its technique of breaking the fourth wall by frequently having Rab address the viewer directly.

The series has featured guest appearances from the likes of Norman Lovett, Peter Mullan, Rikki Fulton, Mary Lee, Anita Dobson, Timothy Spall, Stanley Baxter, Kevin McNally, Clive Russell, Jerry Sadowitz, Viv Lumsden, Sylvester McCoy, Russell Hunter, Peter Capaldi and then-unknowns David Tennant, Ashley Jensen, Ford Kiernan, Greg Hemphill, Karen Dunbar, Elaine Ellis, Jane McCarry and Paul Riley. Series 10 episode 2 notably featured an appearance by Scottish singer Susan Boyle, who was the runner-up on Britain's Got Talent in 2009.

The series was taken live on tour in 1991, known as Rab C. Nesbitt: In the Flesh, thus meaning that no new series was broadcast that year. A live recording of the tour was released on VHS in 1992 as Rab C. Nesbitt: Live. Two script books accompanying the series have also been released, alongside Rab's autobiography, a novel entitled A Stranger Here Myself.

In October 2016, it was announced that plans were in place for Rab C. Nesbitt to return with a series of live shows at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, following in the footsteps of Still Game.

Cast and characters

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Rab C. Nesbitt characters (early 1990s). From left to right:
Seated Rab (Gregor Fisher), Mary (Elaine C. Smith), Burney (Eric Cullen), Ella (Barbara Rafferty)
Standing Gash (Andrew Fairlie), Jamesie (Tony Ropper)

Nesbitt family

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Robert "Rab" C. Nesbitt
Gregor Fisher (1988–2014). An alcoholic without denial, sarcastic, deadbeat, self-styled "street philosopher" and "sensitive big bastard", although "sensitive by Govan standards". Described by his wife Mary as not "an unemployed person" but "the original unemployed person", Rab is very rarely seen in anything other than a shabby pinstripe suit, plimsolls, a filthy headband and a string vest. He has two sons, Gash and Burney. Rab has four brothers, all dead; Rab only survived because he was the only one out of the five who was able to understand the benefits form. He claims to have been talented as a teenager, but never went anywhere with it due to Govan-dwellers being scared of talent when they saw it and tried "tae batter it tae death wi' empty wine bottles". At some point before the episode "Clean" he managed to clean up his act, giving up alcohol, helping around the house, finding religion, and presiding over a temperance group; so far he has only relapsed on-screen twice. He is also shown to break the fourth wall.
Mary "Mary Doll" Nesbitt
Elaine C. Smith (1988–2014). Rab's long-suffering wife, more functional and aspirational than her husband. Claims that on the day she was born it was a toss-up whether she or the dog's litter would end up at the bottom of the river Clyde in a sack (Burney: "She won. There's nae bloody justice, eh?"). Currently runs a successful house-cleaning business with Ella Cotter called the "House Mice". Mary has repeatedly split up with Rab over the course of the show as has often flirted with other townsfolk to try to get back at him. However, somehow, she and Rab always seem to get back to together, usually for the sake of the "weans" ("little ones"). Mary has had a lot of odd-jobs over the years, often taken as a quickie to pay off a final demand bill or outstanding arrears. Mary has stuck by Rab through many tough situations over the years.
Gash Nesbitt
Andrew Fairlie until 2008, Iain Robertson 2010–2024 (1988–2014). The Nesbitts' elder son. Described by his father as "so anal-retentive he's still shitein' rusks." Has dabbled with Christianity, hard drugs, Hare Krishna, Scottish nationalism, and ram-raiding BT shops in his efforts to find himself. He has an on-off girlfriend, Bridie, and by the time of the show's return, now has a teenage daughter, Peaches, whom the Nesbitts dote upon. Rab has often taken more interest in Gash than his other son, Burney, and seems to favour Gash as he doesn't give as much lip. Fairlie left the role following the 2008 special, and Robertson was re-cast in the role and appeared from 2010.
Burney Nesbitt
Eric Cullen (1988–1993). The Nesbitts' younger son, who briefly dabbled with neo-Nazism. Was also discovered to be gifted at painting, although gave up this avenue when he realised it wasn't getting him any sex. Burney often gave his father more grief than his brother, and often became more of a nuisance in his father's eyes. Actor Eric Cullen left the programme following series three due to personal issues, and was replaced by David McKay's Screech. Cullen died in 1996, shortly after he was asked to return to the role of Burney for the 1997 series. In the 2008 Christmas special, it is revealed that Burney died in a "ramming" accident and was buried nearby.
Screech Nesbitt
David McKay (1994–1997). Rab's nephew, who replaces Eric Cullen's Burney from 1994. Screech comes to live with the Nesbitts after Burney goes to live in at a boarding school. Screech is much more outspoken that his predecessor, and has much more of a rebellious side. He seems to get along with Gash better than Burney did. Actor David McKay earlier portrayed Young Young McGurn's son Bimbo in "That's Entertainment", and was cast in the role of Screech following his initial appearance in 1992. McKay left the role in 1997.
Natalie Nesbitt
Played by Scottish actress Elaine Ellis[8]

Cotter family

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James Aaron "Jamesie" Cotter
Tony Roper (1988–2014). Rab's longtime friend, as well as chronic serial philanderer and self-described 'scumbag'. Jamesie is always seen with his trademark shabby sports jacket and bottle of Irn-Bru. On one occasion, he was described by his wife as "a slippery-lookin' article, about 93-year-old, wearing crusty jeans, with the eyes of an unemployed rapist". On several occasions he has played the part of the devil on Rab's shoulder, urging him to take up drinking again in "Clean". His attitude towards women (he is very keen on having sexual relations with any number of women but refuses to trust them) is implied to have stemmed from a traumatic relationship with his cancer-ridden mother; he spent much of his childhood tending to her, receiving little but abuse in return. It was known that he was once a football player until sustaining a shoulder injury which had forced him to quit.
Ella Cotter
Barbara Rafferty (1988–2014). Jamesie's fiery wife, with her red beehive haircut and leopard skin coat. Seems to loathe her husband and frequently considers murdering him. In the meantime, she enjoys torturing him on occasion, notably breaking his shoulder with a crowbar and scratching his sunburnt chest. She has stabbed him at least once. She is every bit as promiscuous as Jamesie. She is part of a house-cleaning business with Mary, called The House Mice. Ella and Jamesie have never had children, due to the fact that Ella had gynaecological problems, a fact which Jamesie cruelly rubs in her face when he gets another woman pregnant.

Pub regulars

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Andra
Brian Pettifer (1988–2014). One of Rab's best friends, described more than once as looking "like a Ninja Turtle". Married to a woman called Bobbie whom he finds so repulsive that he dry heaves when thinking about sleeping with her. Andra has a comb-over haircut and is often mocked for being less adventurous than his counterparts. Andra was a regular in the Two Ways Inn before its closure, and quickly transferred his custom to the Giblet. Pettifer reprised the role for the 2014 special, the only pub regular to appear in the episode.
Dodie
Alex Norton in 1988, Iain McColl from 1990–2011 (1988–2011). Another of Rab's best friends. Dodie is implied to be fond of unconventional methods of intoxication, e.g. sniffing shoe polish, and had an interest in crossdressing also. He too, like Andra, has an insufferable wife whom he loathes and he retches when he thinks about sleeping with her. Dodie did not appear in the 2008 special or Series 9. He also did not appear in the 2014 special, as McColl had died in 2013 following complications from a cancer diagnosis. McColl was not replaced in the role.
Dougie
Charlie Sim (1988–1992). The barman of the Two Ways Inn. He was the original owner of the pub before handing the pub over to Norrie following his retirement. Dougie was much more bitter and sour than his successor, and was less tolerant of the acts of the pub regulars than his successor. Sims left the role in 1992 and was replaced by Kazek in the role of Norrie.
Norrie
John Kazek (1992–1999). The barman of the Two Ways Inn. Norrie takes over the running of the pub after Dougie gives up the job. Norrie is much more tolerant but often steps in when violence is about to break out. Norrie has more of a sensitive side and is willing to show some sympathy when required. He tries to update the pub with foreign grub and games machines. Before he worked in the pub, he was a psychiatric nurse.
Camille
Cora Bissett (2010–2014). The barmaid of The Giblet since its opening in 2010. During the episode "Passion", she was the object of both Gash and Jamesie's affections. Bisset did not appear in the 2014 special. Again, it is not known whether she had left the role or was unavailable at the time of filming. She replaced Kazek when he decided not to return to the series.

Recurring cast

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Hugh "Shug"
Sean Scanlan (1990–1999). Mary's maternal cousin, Hugh feigns Englishness or at least pretends to be a middle-class Scot due to Scottish cultural cringe and to the distaste displayed at anything working-class and/or Scottish by his wife Phoebe. Hugh is Mary's cousin, and moved to Sidcup at some point in the 1980s.
Phoebe
Sara Corper until 1993, Sarah Crowden until 1996, Juliet Cadzow in 1999 (1990–1999). An extremely middle-class English woman, married to Hugh. Phoebe is ashamed of his Scottish roots and often displays her disgust when his heritage begins to show.
Bridie
Nicola Park (1998–2011). Gash's on-off girlfriend, with whom he has a daughter, Peaches. Bridie first appeared in Series 8, and returned to the role for the ninth and tenth series. Again, Park did not appear in the 2014 special, and it is unknown whether Park has left the role or was unavailable for filming.
Peaches Nesbitt
Rachael Crossan (until 2011), Anna Devitt (2011–2014). Gash and Bridie's daughter, upon whom all the Nesbitts dote. Peaches is a teenager by the time of the 2014 special. Crossan originally portrayed Peaches for series nine and ten. However, she did not return for the 2014 special and Devitt was cast in the role instead, making her first appearance.

Episodes

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Main article: List of Rab C. Nesbitt episodes

Awards and nominations

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Year Group Award Result Ref
1989 Celtic Media Festival Best Entertainment Programme Won [9]
1991 Royal Television Society Best Situation Comedy Won [10]
Rose d'Or Special Mention for 1991 episode "Holiday" [11]
1992 BAFTA Scotland Best Entertainment Programme Won [10]
1994 BAFTA Best Comedy Programme Nominated [12]
1997 BAFTA Scotland Best Entertainment Programme Nominated [10]
2009 BAFTA Scotland Best Entertainment Programme Won [13]
2011 BAFTA Scotland Best Entertainment Programme Nominated [14]
2012 BAFTA Scotland Best TV Actor: Gregor Fisher Won [15]
Best TV Actor: Elaine C. Smith Nominated

Ratings

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Series Episode Airdates Total viewers
(in millions) 		Rank
7 1 21 August 1998 3.70 5
2 28 August 1998 3.23 5
3 4 September 1998 2.73 8
4 11 September 1998 2.94 10
5 18 September 1998 3.16 13
6 25 September 1998 3.46 5
8 1 14 May 1999 2.71 11
2 21 May 1999 3.09 9
3 28 May 1999 2.80 9
4 4 June 1999 2.70 11
5 11 June 1999 2.47 8
6 18 June 1999 2.20 19
Special: Clean 23 December 2008 3.70 2
9 1 21 January 2010 2.28 24
2 28 January 2010 2.02 25
3 4 February 2010 1.94 27
4 11 February 2010 1.70* N/A
5 18 February 2010 1.66 30
6 25 February 2010 1.74 27
10 1 5 October 2011 2.32 7
2 12 October 2011 1.92 16
3 19 October 2011 1.40* N/A
4 26 October 2011 1.50* N/A
5 2 November 2011 1.40* N/A
6 9 November 2011 1.30* N/A
Special: Hoodie 2 January 2014 2.32 16

(*) Asterisk indicates overnight figure.

Home releases

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The first five series were initially released on VHS in the 1990s, with each series being split into two parts, with three episodes on each video. "Seasonal Greet" and "Fitba" were each released on separate VHS volumes. A "best of" compilation was also released on VHS. DVD releases of the series began in July 2004, with John Williams productions issuing series one through five on DVD, with "Seasonal Greet" available on a separate DVD volume, and "Fitba" and "Home" being released together on a separate DVD volume. A complete box set of series one through five was later released, including "Fitba" and "Home" but omitting "Seasonal Greet". 2|Entertain then purchased the rights to the series, releasing series six through eight on separate DVD volumes, and all together as one DVD box set, on 15 October 2007. 2|Entertain released "Clean" on DVD three days after its initial airing on TV. In 2009, a complete box set of series one through eight and all subsequent specials was released, making "More" available on DVD for the first time ever. DVDs of series nine and ten were subsequently issued in 2010 and 2011 respectively, leaving the 2014 special the only episode yet to be released on DVD.

Series Episodes DVD release date
Region 2
"Seasonal Greet" 1 29 November 2004
1 6 5 July 2004
2 6 18 October 2004
"Fitba" and "Home" 2 26 February 2007
3 6 28 May 2005
4 6 1 August 2005
5 6 4 December 2006
1–5 32 8 October 2007
6 6 15 October 2007
7 6 15 October 2007
8 6 15 October 2007
6–8 18 15 October 2007
"Clean" 1 26 December 2008
1–8 53 19 October 2009
9 6 1 March 2010
10 6 12 December 2011
"Hoodie" 1 TBA

Legacy and influence

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Johnny Depp based his Glaswegian accent for the role of Tarrant Hightopp, The Mad Hatter in the 2010 film Alice in Wonderland, on Rab C Nesbitt's.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b Welsh, James (23 August 2008). "'Rab C Nesbitt' to return on BBC Two". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  2. ^ Bennett, Steve. "Rab's return". Chortle: The UK Comedy Guide. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Who is Rab C Nesbitt?". BBC Two. BBC. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Rab C Nesbitt to return for 10th series". The Telegraph. 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Rab C Nesbitt return draws 2m". Broadcast. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Rab C Nesbitt". Comedy Connections. Season 6. 26 August 2008. BBC One. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b Deacon, Michael (15 January 2010). "Gregor Fisher on Rab C Nesbitt". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019.
  8. ^ "Rab C Nesbitt star shares her precious Glasgow panto memories". Glasgow Times. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  9. ^ "ROSCOFF 1989". Celtic Media Festival. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  11. ^ "TV Shows". Comedy Unit. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  12. ^ "1994 Winners". BAFTA. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  13. ^ "2009 Winners". BAFTA Scotland. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  14. ^ "2011 Winners". BAFTA Scotland. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  15. ^ "2012 Winners". BAFTA Scotland. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  16. ^ MacDonald, Stuart; Horne, Marc (14 March 2010). "Rab C Nesbitt inspired Mad Hatter accent says Johnny Depp". The Sunday Times. London. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
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