The
lowdown: 'Rab C. Nesbitt' was a BBC2 comedy series which starred
Gregor Fisher as the title character,
a heavy-drinking idler who
habitually wore a string vest and philosophised about the affairs of the
world direct to
camera. The show was made
by BBC Scotland, with a total of 52 episodes broadcast between 27 September
1990 and 18 June 1999, as
well as a number of specials. The character of Nesbitt had first appeared
in the sketch
comedy series 'Naked Video',
which was made between 1986 and 1992. Nesbitt later appeared in a Christmas
special in 1989, before
getting his own series.
'Touch' was the second episode
of the third season, and was first broadcast on 25 November 1993. It featured
David Tennant in just his
second television role. He played the role of the new barmaid at Nesbitt's
local pub, a
transexual named Davina,
who is saving up to have a sex change operation. Much of the scenes in
the pub involve
Nesbitt's drinking mates
wondering if Davina is actually a man. The episode also sees Nesbitt's
wife, Mary, getting
a job as a cleaner in order
to pay the bills. Her boss, Mr Friel (played by Andy Gray) is lecherous
and completely
repulsive, and is constantly
trying to have his way with Mary. However, he gets his comeuppance (and
a nasty
surprise) when Davina fills
in for Mary when she is sick. The final scene, in which a clueless Friel
makes a pass at
Davina, is a masterpiece
of acting, particularly by Tennant. However, although Tennant is brilliant
in this episode -
and shows what a talent
he will become in coming years - it is Gray who steals the show.
The
verdict: While 'Rab C. Nesbitt' can be
extremely funny at times, it is definitely not the sort of comedy that
will
appeal
to all viewers. The strong Glasgow accents are often very hard to understand
for non-Scots, and the humour
is
often very coarse. However, it is highly recommended for people who enjoy
British (sorry, Scottish!) sitcoms that
break
the mould of the genteel humour that Britcoms are famous for. If you like
shows like 'The Young Ones' or
'Bottom',
this is well wortha look.
Quote:
Mr
Friel: 'You've got lovely calves... you've got lovely thighs...
you've got lovely- Arrrghhh!'
(runs
out of the office clutching his hand in horror).
Davina:
'Bollocks!'
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