Comedy in Scotland

Comedy in Scotland is described as "cheeky rather than edgy", largely in part due to its use of language and innuendos.^[1] The country has produced a number of comedians who have gathered an international audience, as well as a number of highly successful comedy television series, such as Still Game, Rab C. Nesbitt, Two Doors Down, Chewin' the Fat, Scot Squad and Gary: Tank Commander. Shows such as Still Game and ScotSquad are only shown on television channels, such as BBC Scotland, past the watershed due to its content of comedy. Liam Smillie of Glasgow World argues that "Scotland has got to be one of the funniest countries in the world, and there’s no funnier city in the country than Glasgow".^[2]

Billy Connolly

Craig Ferguson

Billy Connolly and Craig Ferguson, two of Scotland's best known comedians internationally

Celtic Life claim that the ability of Scottish people to "laugh at themselves make them irresistible".^[3] As a result, many Scottish comedians, such as, Billy Connolly, gained an international audience during the 1960s–1970s, often sharing jokes in Scots with a sense of crudeness and mockery of Scotland and Scottish culture. He is considered by Celtic Life as the "king of Scottish comedy", and was considered one of the most popular comedians internationally during his career.^[4] Similarly, Craig Ferguson became known in countries such as the United States, again, displaying mockery towards Scottish life. He later ventured into television hosting, where he hosted The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson between 2005 and 2014, with many satire jokes aimed at Scotland, Scottish culture and Scottish life. Ferguson brought his Late Late Show to Scotland for one week for filming.^[5] Other comedians from Scotland – Frankie Boyle, Kevin Bridges, Ronnie Corbett and Janey Godley – have become successful around Scotland, the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe.