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Ian Pattison delves into the archives to tell the story of four decades of comedy 

Comedy writer Ian Pattison delves into the archives to tell the story of four decades of comedy and explores the influence BBC Radio Scotland had on breaking new talent.

Radio Roots: Episode 2

Episode 2

BBC Radio Scotland - Radio Roots, Episode 2

Comedy writer and author Ian Pattison celebrates four decades of comedy on Radio Scotland.

Comedy writer and author Ian Pattison celebrates 40 years of comedy on Radio Scotland and, using classic archive, showcases the part the station made in breaking new comic talent.

To celebrate BBC Radio Scotland’s 40th anniversary comedy writer and author Ian Pattison looks at highlights from four decades of Scottish Radio Comedy and explores the influence Radio Scotland has had on breaking new talent and much-loved comedy shows such as Naked Video, Chewin’ The Fat, Still Game, and Ian's very own Rab C Nesbitt. 

Using archive, Ian will feature classic shows and hidden gems from the last 4 decades and how BBC Radio Scotland has helped Scottish comedy talent to thrive.  Ian will also explore how comedy helped map our personality as a nation and reflected our culture and society.

In this 2nd and final episode Ian brings the story right up to date since 2000 and looks at Radio Scotland hits such as the hugely successful Watson's Wind Up, which for an incredible 14 series saw producer Phil Differ and performer Jonathan Watson dominate the radio comedy landscape. At a time of huge political change in Scotland "The Wind Up" had the self confidence to satirise the emerging Scottish Parliament and political characters such as Cathy Jamieson, Alex Salmond, Tommy Sheridan & Jack McConnell.   

Ian will look at the Doric genius of ‘Desperate Fishwives’, and panel show ‘Breaking The News’ which has since 2015 allowed emerging comic voices from the vibrant stand-up circuit a platform to satirise social and political themes in Scotland.  Ian will also look at the story behind The Franz Kafka Big Band who had a controversial sketch comedy series in the mid-noughties which led to headlines all around the world. Using his own experience Ian will also offer some advice for would-be comedy writers.

Written/presented by Ian Pattison.

Radio Roots is a Gusman Production for BBC Radio Scotland.

Image credit: Gibson Digital/Herald & Times Group.

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