New comedy shows unveiled in ±«ÓãtvÌýScotland's season launch
Programmes M-Z
Ìý
McLevy Drama
±«Óãtv Radio 4
Ìý
McLevy stars Brian Cox in the title role, with Siobhan Redmond as Edinburgh's leading madame, the perpetual thorn in McLevy's flesh and heart.
Ìý
Since it began in 1999, McLevy has been one of ±«Óãtv Radio 4's most popular programmes.
Ìý
This new series finds McLevy investigating crimes from the boxing booths of Leith Links to the art galleries of the New Town, and – as the series concludes – risking his life for the sake of a woman.
Ìý
JG2
Ìý
Movie Connections Comedy & Entertainment
±«Óãtv One
Ìý
It's a case of lights, camera, action as Movie Connections reveals the tales behind some of the world's best-loved movies.
Ìý
This new series continues to trace the movie genealogy of some of the biggest box office hits in British cinema history.
Ìý
Falling under the Movie Connections spotlight this time around are Calendar Girls, Monty Python And The Holy Grail, Summer Holiday, Sliding Doors, Trainspotting, Shirley Valentine, Buster and Local Hero.
Ìý
Each week, the inside story of one of the British movie industry's most successful films will be told by the insiders.
Ìý
Featuring specially filmed interviews with Dame Helen Mirren, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Sir Cliff Richard, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah, Peter Howitt, Irvine Welsh, Ewen Bremner, Pauline Collins, Tom Conti, Willy Russell, Phil Collins, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi, Peter Reigert, and many more.
Ìý
JW4
Ìý
No Holds Bard Comedy & Entertainment
±«Óãtv One Scotland and ±«Óãtv Four
Ìý
A star-studded Scottish cast of Ashley Jensen, Bill Paterson, Tony Curran, Denis Lawson, Ford Kiernan, Greg Hemphill, Barbara Rafferty, Paul Higgins, Laura Fraser, Ron Donachie, Katy Murphy and Forbes Masson star in No Holds Bard, a new ±«Óãtv Scotland 60-minute comedy drama celebrating next year's 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.
Ìý
No Holds Bard follows the lives of five competitors as they prepare to vie for the 2009 Cup O'Kindness – the trophy awarded to the champion in Burns recital.
Ìý
This contemporary comedy drama captures the ups and downs of each participant's progress as the pressure intensifies, the poems are recited and the champion is crowned.
Ìý
Held in Alloway, the birthplace of Burns himself, this prestigious competition is the centrepiece of the annual celebrations devoted to the Bard's immortal memory.
Ìý
And this year it may prove memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Ìý
No Holds Bard is written by Simon Carlyle and Gregor Sharp, directed by Brian Kelly, and produced by John Docherty.
Ìý
SV
Ìý
Nordic Noir – Henning Mankell Factual
±«Óãtv Four
Ìý
Nordic Noir, on ±«Óãtv Four, is a one-hour companion documentary from the three drama adaptations of Henning Mankell's crime novels, Wallander, coming to ±«Óãtv One.
Ìý
This film shines a light onto the genius of writer Mankell – Sweden's most read author internationally and world-famous as the creator of the Kurt Wallander mystery series.
Ìý
By examining Mankell's anti-hero Wallander, it also reveals the hidden angst affecting present day Sweden.
Ìý
This is a country of massive contrasts – the best welfare system in the world, yet two shocking and recent political assassinations.
Ìý
What do Mankell's characters say about Sweden and how do his books inform the rest of the world about Scandinavia's largest land mass?
Ìý
Mankell's novels have been translated into 37 languages with more than 30 million copies in print worldwide.
Ìý
In Germany, his top market, Mankell outstrips Harry Potter and is the biggest-selling author since the Second World War.
Ìý
In Britain, he's creeping up to the million-sale mark and his prodigious output shows no sign of slacking.
Ìý
Front Desk
Ìý
The Old Guys Comedy & Entertainment
±«Óãtv One
Ìý
The Old Guys is new six-part series for ±«Óãtv One starring Roger Lloyd Pack (Only Fools and Horses) and Clive Swift (Keeping Up Appearances) as two elderly delinquents, Tom and Roy.
Ìý
They both resolutely believe there is life in the old dog yet – but it might just need a kick.
Ìý
That is, of course, when they are not lusting after sexy neighbour Sally (Jane Asher).
Ìý
The series is written by award-winning writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong with Simon Blackwell (Peep Show), and will be produced by John Docherty.
Ìý
SV
Ìý
One Star Comedy & Entertainment
±«Óãtv Two Scotland
Ìý
Welcome to One Star – the worst B&B in space.
Ìý
It's the year 2050 and space tourism is booming as humans continue to holiday further out into the Universe.
Ìý
The One Star B&B lies at the very edge of existence – at the gateway to the space wilderness known as the Universal Highlands.
Ìý
Its owner Gray, an ex-Scottish border farmer, is convinced that when the area is successfully developed he'll be in pole position to make his fortune from alien trash dropping in on Earth for low-budget holidays.
Ìý
Like The Emerald Cafe in Star Wars, One Star is a place populated by strange, exotic, sometimes dangerous, alien tourists, human travellers and things unknown.
Ìý
One Star is voiced by Perrier Comedy award winners Brendan Burns and Phil Nicol alongside Gavin Mitchell (Still Game) and Greg McHugh (Blow Out).
Ìý
Produced by Tern TV Productions and Superumami, this is a 30-minute 3D animation for ±«Óãtv Two Scotland.
Ìý
One Star – it's Scotland Jimmy, but not as we know it.
Ìý
±«Óãtv Scotland Press Office
Ìý
P.A.s Drama
±«Óãtv Three
Ìý
Set against an emotional backdrop of friendship, ambition, sex and filing, P.A.s is a new offbeat drama following the fortunes of four fabulous personal assistants in the city.
Ìý
Bringing together many of the elements which make up office life, through the characters of Lucy, Midge, Sid and Nicole, P.A.s explores the secrets and lies the women hold, the men they date and work for and the balance of power between them and their highly-paid, hugely-privileged bosses.
Ìý
The four female leads are played by Laura Aikman, Annabel Scholey, Ruth Negga and Maimie McCoy.
Ìý
Also starring Olivia Grant, Mark Benton, Robert Gant, Archie Panjabi, Darren Boyd, Joe Absolom, Emily Bruni and Jamie Davis, amongst others.
Ìý
Created by Gabbie Asher, P.A.s is a 2AM TV production for ±«Óãtv Scotland.
Ìý
JW4
Ìý
Phil Cunningham's Grace Notes Factual
±«Óãtv Two Scotland
Ìý
Religion in Scotland has inspired extremes of emotion – love, hope and terror.
Ìý
In this new two-part series Phil Cunningham sets out to discover how music has echoed that story.
Ìý
It's a historic rollercoaster with moments of high drama set against a bittersweet soundtrack.
Ìý
At key moments Scotland's greatest musical treasures have been discarded, forcing a fresh start with a clean sheet, and religious composers who represented minority faiths have even been murdered.
Ìý
The series will reveal Scotland as a country with rich cultural links – from an outward-looking nation with sophisticated Renaissance composers linked to the most influential cities in Europe, to an insatiable appetite for toe-tapping Yankee evangelism in the 20th century.
Ìý
HM
Ìý
Primetime Factual
±«Óãtv Two Scotland
Ìý
A joint project between the BIG Lottery Fund and ±«Óãtv Scotland, Primetime has £3m in the pot to go towards projects aimed at helping improve life for the country's over 50s.
Ìý
Almost 150 groups applied when it was launched last year and now, after a rigorous selection process, 18 of those have made it through to the television series.
Ìý
Each week three groups from one of six regional areas across the country will go to the public vote with the opportunity to clinch up to £500,000 of Lottery funding for their project.
Ìý
Two regions have already featured with a further four programmes transmitting Monday nights at 8.00pm on ±«Óãtv Two Scotland with the groups also featured on Primetime Extra at 11.00am on Tuesday mornings and the winners announced on the following week's television programme.
Ìý
HM
Ìý
Purves + Pekkala Drama
±«Óãtv One
Ìý
New Town, Edinburgh. Taking today's obsession with urban redesign to a murderous level, Purves + Pekkala proves that there are some neighbourhoods people would kill to live in.
Ìý
Two architects, Purves and Pekkala, long for more ambitious projects than renovating New Town kitchens.
Ìý
So when they are offered the chance to transform a Georgian church into "high end retail units", they are thrilled.
Ìý
Only their nemesis Archie Linklater, the head of Scottish Heritage, stands in their way.
Ìý
However, when Archie mysteriously falls from the top of the church tower, mystery surrounds.
Could Purves and Pekkala be responsible? And why does ruthless New Town estate agent Meredith McIlvanney think Archie's death is her fault?
Ìý
Written and directed by acclaimed writer Annie Griffin and starring Mark Gatiss, Max Bremer, Daniela Nardini, Paul Higgins, Omid Djalili, Gabriel Quigley, amongst others.
Ìý
Purves + Pekkala is a Pirate Production for ±«Óãtv Scotland.
Ìý
JW4
Ìý
Raven Children's
±«Óãtv One and ±«Óãtv HD
Ìý
The ever popular Raven is now in its sixth year, returning for an eighth series.
Ìý
Presented by James Mackenzie, who plays the character of Raven, this series showcases the stunning and rugged scenery of the Cairngorms and is the first series to be shot in high definition.
Ìý
The series will feature 16 "warriors" – child contestants – aged between 11 and 13-years-old who are from various parts of the UK, the premise being that Raven and his 16 young warriors have travelled to the North to test themselves to find who amongst them will be the "ultimate warrior".
Ìý
Over the course of the 20 programmes comprising the quest, the warriors will take on many arduous tasks during which some of them will be eliminated until only the ultimate warrior remains.
Ìý
The tasks undertaken by the warriors are the most demanding in Raven to date and utilise the fabulous natural features that abound in the North of Scotland.
Ìý
The rivers, gorges, rocks and lochs are all used as the warriors prove themselves.
Ìý
Tasks include plunging into gorges, rock abseiling, white water kayaking and precarious rope trials high above rushing water, amongst other activities.
Ìý
The series was shot entirely on location in the area surrounding Aviemore in the Cairngorm National Park.
Ìý
Front Desk
Ìý
River City Drama
±«Óãtv One Scotland
Ìý
Life in Shieldinch takes an interesting turn this autumn when the Tall Ship finds itself with a new landlord and landlady – Jimmy and Scarlett Mullen.
Ìý
Following the recent loss of her grandmother, an upset Sharon reveals to Tall Ship proprietor Raymond that she has suffered yet another family bereavement – this time her brother has passed away.
Ìý
Raymond's exes Eileen and Shona are convinced that she is lying, leaving Raymond to worry that his girlfriend is conning him.
Ìý
However, when it becomes apparent that Sharon's brother has indeed died, Raymond feels terrible for having had doubts and decides to go away to help her cope with her grief.
Ìý
Eileen and Shona are left stunned at Raymond's announcement declaring a delighted Jimmy and Scarlett Mullen as landlord and landlady of the Tall Ship in his absence.
Ìý
And, much to their horror, late night lock-ins seem to be the top priority on Scarlett's agenda as she adapts very nicely to her new temporary role.
Ìý
WM
Ìý
Scotland's Clans Factual
±«Óãtv Two Scotland
Ìý
Scotland's Clans returns to ±«Óãtv Two Scotland this autumn.
Ìý
Presenter Paul Murton continues his journey uncovering the fascinating stories behind the family names that have shaped our nation.
Ìý
Paul travels across Scotland to find out about the Armstrong, Cameron, Douglas, Stewart, Maclean and Grant clans.
Ìý
The new series begins in early October with Clan Armstrong.
Ìý
This programme reveals the turbulent history of the families who lived on Scotland's border with England and the raiding tradition that was central to this violent society.
Ìý
Scotland's Clans gives a unique and personal insight into our collective history and reveals the little-known stories behind the names that many of us share or know day-to-day.
Ìý
The series is a Mentorn Scotland production.
Ìý
HM
Ìý
Scotland's History Factual
±«Óãtv One Scotland and ±«Óãtv Two
Ìý
Scotland's history is the focus for a major new project from ±«Óãtv Scotland, spanning television, radio, online and events.
Ìý
A History Of Scotland, which is being co-produced with the Open University, is a new HD television series.
Ìý
Presented by Neil Oliver, the series is the catalyst for a whole raft of ±«Óãtv Radio Scotland programming ranging in subject from what wasn't taught about Scottish history at school to an innovative series taking two differing perspectives from the Lowland and Highland points of view, bi-lingually with a Gaelic and English version and a series of audio walks.
Ìý
The overall umbrella title for the project is called Scotland's History and a new website – bbc.co.uk/scotlandshistory – will provide more information and detail the unfolding story as the TV series rolls out.
Ìý
Another major attraction will be an ongoing build-up of clips from the ±«Óãtv's archive of history programmes, plus the opportunity for online debate.
Ìý
In the wake of the series, a range of events is being planned to help keep audiences going until the second batch of five hour-long episodes in late 2009 brings the Scottish story up to date and the advent of devolution.
Ìý
HM
Ìý
±«Óãtv Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Ìý
In his final season as Chief Conductor of the ±«Óãtv Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ilan Volkov leads a roster of conductors that includes his successor Donald Runnicles and Associate Guest Conductor Stefan Solyom.
Ìý
The season also includes performances by some of the world's foremost conductors and features appearances by a string of internationally-celebrated soloists.
Ìý
The ±«Óãtv SSO's flagship series of Thursday night concerts at its home base in Glasgow City Halls includes a live ±«Óãtv Two broadcast of Beethoven's Choral Symphony and Russian Winter, a concert series focusing on the music of Rachmaninov and Stravinsky with live broadcasts on ±«ÓãtvÌýRadio 3.
Ìý
The diversity of American music provides a backdrop to the orchestra's season at the Music Hall in Aberdeen, and it will also give concerts in Inverness, Ayr, Haddington Perth and Leeds.
Ìý
The ±«Óãtv SSO continues to be an integral part of ±«Óãtv Scotland's broadcast output, contributing over 80 programmes to Radio 3, including performances from the ±«Óãtv Proms and Edinburgh International Festival, and broadcasts on ±«Óãtv Radio Scotland.
Ìý
The orchestra continues its commitment to the promotion of new music, and will contribute to Scotland's History, a major multi-platform project for ±«Óãtv Scotland beginning in November 2008.
Ìý
SD3
Ìý
Stake Out Children's
C±«Óãtv
Ìý
This high-risk hidden camera game show dares to prank the same kid five times in one day, using state-of-the-art covert cameras, as three of their friends watch trying to predict just how they'll react.
Ìý
If they manage to guess the outcome correctly, then a trolley full of "Killa-Dilla" prizes is theirs for the taking.
Ìý
Front Desk
Ìý
Thatcher And The Scots News
±«Óãtv One Scotland
Ìý
Thirty years after the so-called Iron Lady came to power, Thatcher and the Scots examines why she had such a tempestuous relationship with the Scots.
Ìý
±«Óãtv World Affairs Correspondent, Allan Little, looks back at the Thatcher years and asks what her legacy is.
Ìý
Speaking to key members of her governments, including two of her Scottish Secretaries, as well as those who led the fight against her, Thatcher And The Scots is a compelling TV history of that contentious period.
Ìý
It's a provocative look at Scotland's recent history which deflates myths, and reveals some uncomfortable truths about the battles which were fought in the Thatcher years.
Ìý
JG2
Ìý
The Dark Side Of Fame With Piers Morgan Factual
±«Óãtv One
Ìý
In a new series of one-to-one interviews, Piers Morgan talks to eight celebrities who have found themselves at the centre of media storms, to find out what is was like when the tabloids decided it was their turn to get it.
Ìý
Each programme in the series will focus on one person, and will document in detail their traumatic story.
Ìý
Those interviewed by Piers are Pamela Anderson, Mickey Rourke, Jim Davidson, Jason Donovan, Nancy Dell'Olio, Tracey Emin, Bruce Jones and reality star Chantelle Houghton.
Ìý
The Dark Side Of Fame is produced by Crackit Productions North.
Ìý
Front Desk
Ìý
Wallander Drama
±«Óãtv One
Ìý
Kenneth Branagh returns to ±«Óãtv One to play Swedish detective Kurt Wallander in three new single dramas based on the best-selling books by Henning Mankell.
Ìý
One Step Behind, Firewall and Sidetracked follow Inspector Kurt Wallander – a middle-aged everyman – as he struggles against a rising tide of violence in the sleepy backwaters of Southern Sweden.
Ìý
Branagh, who is also a co-producing partner, has had a long-time passion for the books, and the project came into fruition after he met with Mankell in Sweden.
Ìý
Kenneth Branagh says: "Wallander is a wonderfully complex and compelling character and, as a long-time admirer of Mankell's novels, I am very excited to be playing this fascinatingly flawed but deeply human detective."
Ìý
IJ/RM
Ìý
Why Reading Matters Factual
±«Óãtv Four
Ìý
Presenter Rita Carter journeys into the silent world of reading.
Ìý
With testimony drawn from experts, writers and readers, plus practical demonstrations, this hour-long one-off programme will recreate a handful of key experiments such as advances in brain scanning which help to demonstrate the profound way that reading rearranges the very organisation of our brains.
Ìý
Front Desk
Ìý
The World According To Robert Burns Factual
±«Óãtv Two Scotland and ±«Óãtv Four
Ìý
To mark the 250th anniversary of his birth, one of Britain's leading writers, Andrew O'Hagan, presents a major new three part series on Robert Burns.
Ìý
Often accused of sentimentality, Burns' life is as compelling – and at times as tragic – as the best lines of his best work.
Ìý
He achieved worldwide fame in his own lifetime yet never escaped from the shadow of financial ruin; he considered becoming a "poor negro driver" on a slaving plantation in Jamaica but wrote A Man's A Man For A' That; he believed in God but satirised the church; he admired the French revolution but joined the British militia.
Ìý
And he gave the language some of its most powerful ideas, becoming in the process the writer who appears to stand most for the universal values of humanity.
Ìý
O'Hagan was brought up in Ayrshire and earlier this year edited a new collection of Burns poems.
Ìý
The programme will also become a 90-minute special for screening on ±«Óãtv Four.
Ìý
HM
Ìý
Printable version