Creaters: Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan
Producers: Colin Gilbet, Ewan Angus and Michael Hines.
Director: Michael Hines
Stars: Greg Hemphill, Ford Kiernan, Paul Riley, Sanjeev Kohli, Jane McCarry and Mark Cox,

This Scottish based comedy ran for 6 series in all, starting in 2002 and creating 44 half hour episode, following the lives of a group of Scotsmen as they struggle through life in the heart of Glasgow

However, in this box set there are only the first 5 episodes of this brilliant comedy, so there are none of the 6th series and none of the Christmas specials, although they can be purchased separately…

With the pensioners Jack Jarvis, (played by Ford Kiernan) and Victor McDade, (played by Greg Hemphill) being the two main characters, the show focuses mostly on them… although there are many other characters who really do make this comedy one of the best that the BBC have come up with in a long time

** IN BRIEF **

This spin off from the sketch show 'chewing the fat' is a simply story of two Glaswegian pensioners, Jack and Victor, living in a fictional town called Craiglang, who are trying to get by on their pension… grumbling and complaining about anyone and everyone to who ever will listen… their unhappiness in life shared by their friend, and fellow pensioner, Winston Ingram, (played by Paul Riley)…
Their humble lives consisting of a weekly shop on pension day, usually to their local shop which is run by Navid Harrid, (played by Sanjeev Kohli), with his dry wit and bad advice. Then a slow and steady daily walk, usually to the their local pub the Clansmen, (later Jenny's) , ran by landlord, Bobby, (played by Gavin Mitchell), who the regulars constantly like to belittle for their own satisfaction.

But unfortunately for the grumpy duo, things don't always go to plan, usually leaving them in some very awkward and embarrassing situation… mainly because of there ability to ignore then fact that they are actual pensioners and not still youngsters with energy.

But, as with all close friendships things do tend to boil over, especially when women are involved, (including a very comical incident when Jacks fall for the lady in one of the shops).

As you would expect from a show about pensioners, there are some funerals to contend with, which are sometimes sombre, but always with a hidden humour…
There are also many political issues which are discussed by the pair, usually in the pub, with a comical approach, but underneath the humour the topic of conversation is probably relevant to all who are watching…

So as the series continues, opening the doors to many situation for the town folk of Craiglang and the hardships they face, Victor and Jack simply moan on with a humorous attitude what ever life throws at them… and it looks like life has a hell of a sense of humour when Jack, Victor and Winston are involved, forcing them to deal with everything possible, from a hap-hazard birthday treat on a boat to the possibility of one of them being a father… plus many, many more eventful scenarios…including a splendid trip to a whiskey distillery, which is a taste of heaven for Victor and Jack..

** IN CONCLUSION **

Well what can I say about this show…
As I said, it is the best the BBC have come up with in years, almost worth paying the licence fee for… almost.

The story lines are fantastically written and the acting from everyone concerned can not be faulted at all, giving this Glaswegian comedy something special indeed.
Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill play the parts as the moaning pensioners to perfection, and when the duo became a trio, joined by the excellent Paul Riley, the side splitting comedy just gets better…there ability to adapt to any situation is just brilliantly comical.

Some of the outrageous scenarios that the pensioners get themselves into do look like they can be easily resolved, for most people, but these guys are not most people, they are Glaswegian hard men who are a little passed there best, only no one has had the heart to tell them…
Other scenarios are just simply stupidity at its best…, like taking a boat trip along the nearby polluted river to celebrate Victors 75th birthday, only to fall foul to the local yobs, or even knocking a hole in a wall to watch your neighbours sky tv… plus many more hilarious plans which really needed thinking out a little more.

The other characters throughout the series really do help bring the comedy alive, especially the brilliant acting from Sanjeev Kohli as Navid Harrid, the corner shop owner with a very witty dry sense of humour and Jane McCarry as Isa Drennan, the busy body of the show, interfering in many lives…

You will laugh throughout the entire 5 series, wanting to watch them over and over again, noticing things that you missed first time round… clutching your sides as the tears role down your face… always expecting something else to happen to the hapless pair and their unfortunate friends.

In all… a worth while show to watch and you wont be disappointed with this box set.

Although some people may feel upset by the stereotyping of the characters it is in no way meant to insult anyone, it is simply a comedy which wants people to laugh… ( I mean, even the people of Glasgow find this show hilarious, but they are a great bunch anyway)

Also, some people may find the deep Glasgow accents a bit daunting, struggling to understand what is being said by the pensioners, but the shows humorous visual treats make some of the incoherent vocals understandable… although, after you've seen a few minutes of the banter amongst the Craiglang characters you soon begin to understand the Glaswegian accent as clear as day…

Would I recommend this…?

If I said no I would be lying…
I have said it once and I'll say it again, this is the best thing from the BBC for years.
It is none stop dry wit with so many hilarious scenarios if you blink you'll miss something…
It is simply hours and hours of comical entertainment for all to enjoy, (although it does have a 15 certificate due to some possible innuendoes)

The box set contains 6 disc but has no extras to speak of… not a good deal you may be thinking, but you can get the package from www.amazon.co.uk fro as little as £23.97 and have over 15 hours of hilarious Glaswegian entertainment you can't crumble at all.

Boring bit so you do not have to read the episode list…

* Some Other Characters

Mark Cox as Tam Mullen
Grant Thomson as Charlie
James Martin as Eric
Lynne McCallum as Peggy McCalpine
Jamie Quinn as Fergie
Jake D'Arcy as Pete
Paul Young as Shug
Sandy Nelson as Chris the Postie
Kate Donnelly as Frances Mullen
Matt Costello as Stevie
John Buick as Joe
Stevie Allen as Manky Frankie
Maureen Carr as Edith

Series 1 (2002)

1) Flitten
2) Faimly
3) Cauld
4) Courtin
5) Waddin
6) Scones

Series 2 (2003)

1) Gairden
2) Wummin
3) Doacters
4) Brief
5) Tappin
6) Scran
7) Shooglies
8) Buntin
9) Dug

Series 3 (2004)
1) Hoaliday
2) Swottin
3) Cairds
4) Big Yin
5) Oot
6) Aff

Series 4 (2005)
1) Kill Wullie
2) Wireless
3) Dial-A-Bus
4) Ring
5) Hatch
6) Who's the daddy

Series 5 (2006)
1) Drama
2) A fresh Lick
3) Smoke on the Water
4) Hard nuts
5) All the Best
6) Saucy

****** Not in Box set ******

2005 Christmas special
Cold Turkey

2006 Hogmanay Special
The Party (new years eve)

Series 6 (2007)
1) Hot seat
2) Fly Society
3) Lights out
4) Seconds out
5) Hyper
6) Recipe
7) One in one out

2007 Christmas special
Plum Number

2007 Hogmanay Special
Hootenanny