RAB C NESBITT IS BACK!!! (this post has nothing to do with photography)
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I am a huge and utterly unrepentant fan of Rab C Nesbitt, who featured in numerous BBC comedy series years ago. Who is he? Well, a rougher than rough, totally workshy, drunk from Govan in Glasgow – and something of a philosopher too. His dress code? Dirty, torn, old suit above a grimy string vest, and a dirty headband below unkempt hair.
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His words? All of the characters in the series speak broad Glaswegian, and many people that I know, including some family (OMG, that’s a bit close to the bone … almost shameful, really), can’t understand a word they’re saying – but for me that only adds to the programme’s allure. And my having worked in Scotland years ago probably helps things too. I often found myself between trains in Glasgow’s Queen Street station in the middle of the night, and loved the atmosphere – especially on the night I was carrying a set of Red Deer antlers …
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Well, the good news is that – maybe only for a couple of Christmas programmes – he’s back >>> and I totally, 100%, urgently urge you to see them on Catch Up TV (BBC iPlayer – www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer ; look under Comedy), while you still can. They were broadcast on BBC2 last Thursday evening – 2nd of January – and so will be available on the iPlayer until late afternoon or so next Thursday.
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HEALTH CHECK: the content is wonderful >>> but its also certainly raw, indecent, crude, profane, blue and a tremendous affront to civilised sensibilities, with a vast, vast absence of good taste – so don’t say I didn’t warn you!!!!!!
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There are two programmes. At 10pm (well after British TV’s decency watershed!!!) on Thursday 2nd Jan, there was a 45 minute, new episode. I’m not a great fan of remakes of long past TV shows, but despite that this is worth a look.
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But better I think is the programme that followed, at 10.45pm on that Thursday – “John Sergeant Meets Rab C Nesbitt” – in which the veteran and very well respected TV reporter and commentator, John Sergeant, interviews Rab. John does it very well, and the programme contains many Rab gems from long ago.
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Both programmes had me laughing deeply and guffawing, in a way that modern “comedy” rarely does.
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I urge you to take a look at them while they’re still available – I’m hoping that this presages a new Rab presence on TV. Meanwhile, I’m going on to www.play.com to see if I can get any of the old series on dvd.
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ENJOY – BUT DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU! (I can hear the reactions now …. “and we thought Adrian was such a nice young man … and … clean cut … and … and … he told us that … most days … he prays ….”)
I used to enjoy watching old Rab back in the day. I also remember watching ‘Naked Video’ where he first appeared. It was a sketch show.
The episode which sticks in my mind is the one where he and his wife along with Jamesie and his wife go to Spain – I think. I remember Jamesie getting horribly sunburnt and looking like a lobster and having to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. Funny the things which stick in your mind!
I didn’t realise these shows were on over Christmas. Thanks for the heads up.
My pleasure – and I remember the Spanish episode too – there’s a bit of it in the John Sargent programme – Jamesie in a thong … seen from below waist level – not for the faint hearted! 🙂
I’ve ordered the first 8 series from Play.com for only £30, which as a reviewer says is only £4 or so per DVD, which can’t be bad. Now at last I’ve got something to fight back with against my wife’s devotion to Eastenders and Coronation Street – but then I’ve always been able to threaten her with Das Boot – “three hours under the North Atlantic … in a German submarine …” … 😉 …
Oh that’s a shame, although what you might have made of it heaven only knows – you might have broken off all contact with this rotund hooligan, on the grounds of severe disillusionment, together with breakdown of civilisation as we know it! 🙂
I was so impressed, and so reminded of the Old Days – and then received a 100% supportive Comment from Patti Kuche – that I went straight onto play.com and bought a set of the first 8 series, which I’m eagerly awaiting. Trouble is, my wife can’t understand a word of it and hates it – you can’t win ’em all! A
Actually, I’d like to have a look it sometime, if the opportunity ever arises. And don’t worry about severing communications: I have really liked some bits in the past that others can’t seem to find even remotely humorous–Monty Python, Black Books (fell in love with Fran), Mel Brooks, etc.
As I posted the other night on Facebook, I had forgotten how much I love the old Rab and his crew. As you say, the interview with John Sergeant was so good and it all had me rolling around. So good to know I wasn’t on my own!!
Haha! >>> and I’m so glad to know I’m not on my own!!! If anyone takes the time to look at these programmes I’m seriously wondering what they’ll make of them but >>> I’ve nailed my colours to the mast!!! A 🙂
FATman Photos 
I used to enjoy watching old Rab back in the day. I also remember watching ‘Naked Video’ where he first appeared. It was a sketch show.
The episode which sticks in my mind is the one where he and his wife along with Jamesie and his wife go to Spain – I think. I remember Jamesie getting horribly sunburnt and looking like a lobster and having to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. Funny the things which stick in your mind!
I didn’t realise these shows were on over Christmas. Thanks for the heads up.
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My pleasure – and I remember the Spanish episode too – there’s a bit of it in the John Sargent programme – Jamesie in a thong … seen from below waist level – not for the faint hearted! 🙂
I’ve ordered the first 8 series from Play.com for only £30, which as a reviewer says is only £4 or so per DVD, which can’t be bad. Now at last I’ve got something to fight back with against my wife’s devotion to Eastenders and Coronation Street – but then I’ve always been able to threaten her with Das Boot – “three hours under the North Atlantic … in a German submarine …” … 😉 …
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Oh, yes: the thong! I must have erased that memory from my mind 🙂 You’ve quickly brought it back, however!
I have a fair few box sets of old classic comedy series – they don’t make ’em like that anymore!
But …. you have mentioned the classic movie: ‘Das Boot’. It’s one of my favourite films.
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Das Boot????? You never cease to surprise me! 🙂
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Hey, Adrian, tried to watch Rab & the Sergeant, but the TV video only plays in the UK. Thanks for the invitation, anyway–hopefully some day!
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Oh that’s a shame, although what you might have made of it heaven only knows – you might have broken off all contact with this rotund hooligan, on the grounds of severe disillusionment, together with breakdown of civilisation as we know it! 🙂
I was so impressed, and so reminded of the Old Days – and then received a 100% supportive Comment from Patti Kuche – that I went straight onto play.com and bought a set of the first 8 series, which I’m eagerly awaiting. Trouble is, my wife can’t understand a word of it and hates it – you can’t win ’em all! A
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Actually, I’d like to have a look it sometime, if the opportunity ever arises. And don’t worry about severing communications: I have really liked some bits in the past that others can’t seem to find even remotely humorous–Monty Python, Black Books (fell in love with Fran), Mel Brooks, etc.
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Have you ever seen any of Blackadder, another old BBC series? I’m a huge fan of that too.
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Yesssss
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As I posted the other night on Facebook, I had forgotten how much I love the old Rab and his crew. As you say, the interview with John Sergeant was so good and it all had me rolling around. So good to know I wasn’t on my own!!
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Haha! >>> and I’m so glad to know I’m not on my own!!! If anyone takes the time to look at these programmes I’m seriously wondering what they’ll make of them but >>> I’ve nailed my colours to the mast!!! A 🙂
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