"City Lights" (1986) TV series 1986-1991

Director:

Ron Bain

Writer:

Bob Black (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Genre:

Comedy

Cast

Dave Anderson	...	Mr. McLelland (37 episodes, 1984-1991)
Andy Gray	...	Chancer (37 episodes, 1984-1991)
Gerard Kelly	...	Willie Melvin (37 episodes, 1984-1991)
Iain McColl	...	Tam (37 episodes, 1984-1991)
Elaine C. Smith	...	Irene (37 episodes, 1984-1991)
Jonathan Watson	...	Brian (37 episodes, 1984-1991)
Jan Wilson	...	Mrs. Melvin (37 episodes, 1984-1991)

Runtime:

30 min (30 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

''I'm a writer''

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

'City Lights' was writer Bob Black's first sitcom. Black had spent most of his career writing sketches for B.B.C Scotland sketch shows such as 'A Kick Up The Eighties' and 'Scotch & Wry' before he created this long-running and hugely popular comedy series which frequently topped the ratings.

'City' first sprang to life as a pilot (seen only in Scotland), broadcast on B.B.C-1 on 21/12/84. Gerard Kelly starred as 'Willie Melvin', a man in his late 20's who still lives at home with his domineering mother 'Doris'. Willie works as a bank clerk at the 'Strathclyde Savings Bank' (whose logo is uncannily similar to that of the 'T.S.B' logo) where the bane of his life is his boss, the obnoxious 'Adam McLelland' (Dave Anderson).

Willie also has dreams of becoming a successful writer. Most of the show's story lines revolved around Willie attempts to get his book, 'My Childhood Up A Close', published. His plans were thwarted each time by either his own ineptitude or lack of support and encouragement from his mother and friends.

Willie's friends are 'Chancer' (Andy Gray), a devious young man who makes a living by selling second-hand junk at 'The Barras'. 'Tam' (Iain McColl), a scruffy looking man who assists Chancer in his sales pitch but is also light on brain cells. 'Brian' (Jonathan Watson), also a bank clerk at the S.S.B and a right twerp too and 'Irene' (Elaine C. Smith), a lovelorn young woman with the I.Q of a toaster.

At the beginning of the series he is going out with the sharp-tongued 'Janice' (Elaine Collins) but the relationship flounders by the third series. In the show's final few years, Willie is courting the more pleasant and much better looking 'Fiona' (Ann Bryson).

Gwyneth Guthrie initially portrayed Willie's mum in the pilot episode, but left due to starring in S.T.V's 'Take The High Road', to which point her place was taken by Jan Wilson. Billy Greenlees originally played Chancer in the pilot, but he left the acting profession to become a bricklayer, so then the part was taken by Andy Gray.

The second series saw Willie move out of his mother's home to live in his own apartment (which was in fact, writer Bob Black's own flat).

With its catchy theme music (supplied by David McNiven), brilliant acting and consistently funny scripts, 'City' was an amiable six season hit. Gerard Kelly was great as the hapless Willie, though he was upstaged by the excellent Andy Gray as the appropriately named Chancer. One of my favourite moments concerning these two were when they were reminiscing of their schooldays and Chancer claimed to have had learning difficulties at school, to which Willie responds: ''Aye, you were never there, that was your biggest one!''. Guest appearances included Gregor Fisher (whom Elaine C. Smith and Iain McColl would star alongside in 'Rab C. Nesbitt'), Kenny Ireland, Paul Young and Roger Sloman.

Since its last series in 1991, 'City' has not been seen since. Reasons as to why remain unknown. Hopefully in the near future the show may surface on D.V.D, I don't see why it shouldn't considering some of the trash that has received that honour.