FORD KIERNAN TALKS ABOUT THE AGONY HE ENDURED AFTER STILL GAME LIVE SHOW

Exclusive
Beverley Lyons
STILL Game’s Ford Kiernan has spoken for the first time about the agony and pain he endured before having to go under the surgeons knife following his last run of shows at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro.
The comedian and actor who will star as Jack alongside Greg Hemphill’s Victor as well as actors including Jane McCarry, Paul Riley, and Sanjeev Kohli in Still Game Live: The Final Farewell stage show from September 27 until October 13, endured a complex back operation following his run of shows in 2017.
Asked about any luxuries he’d indulged in since having success with his comedy, Ford said: “The starriest thing that I’ve done is that I had two of my vertebrae removed and never waited on the National Health to give me a date for it. I went round the corner to the Nuffield and I got them to whip it out and that’s something I couldn’t have done if I hadn’t been working on the telly. It was my lower back, vertebrae five and six.”
Ford said the operation took place following his last sell out run of Still Game: Bon Voyage shows at the SSE Hydro in February 2017. And he revealed he couldn’t go on stage without receiving medical treatment before each performance.
He added: “And it was just after I finished the Hydro in 2017. I was getting a cortisone injection into my spine in 2017 before every single show.”
Showing off the scar at the base of his back he added: ”Put it this way, before I got into Chewing the Fat they’d say ‘You know who would be ideal for this?’ - Stretch Kiernan. I did the damage lifting barrels off the back of a van when I was twenty one.”
Greg laughed: “The truth of the matter is there was nothing wrong with Ford back then. It was just a Daniel Day Lewis thing. I was slouching and he was committed to be the wee one and took two vertebrae out and that is commitment.”
Ford and Greg will be saying farewell to their beloved TV and stage characters following their final bout of stage shows in Glasgow.
Greg said: ”It’s one of my favourite things going to the Hydro to do the show and it’s great fun and it feels like the end of the road. It took us six or seven months to write it, to make sure it was a fitting show, picking up where the tv show left off. It’s like getting to be a rockstar for fifteen nights and it’s pretty cool. We’re not doing the Eagles. It’s the end.”
Ford said: “People say ‘Is it the same show as before?’ but we’ve written a brand new show because it’s the finale with the big splash at the end. In the last TV episode Jack and Victor walked into the mist and they were gone. It’s all down to interpretation. If you think they are dead you might get a surprise either way. If we were designing a funeral for Jack and Victor it would be a pire.”
Greg said: “Don’t say we killed them. Maybe we differ on this. My feeling is they live their life full. I don’t think anyone would invite 150 thousand people into an arena to make them cry. I think you can’t kill them off. It would be too sad. Jack and Victor have always been about life and living it to the full.”
Following the run, both men say they want to spend more time with their families.
Greg said: ”I’m celebrating my twentieth wedding anniversary in a week and I remember buying my mum and dad a gift for theirs. It’s really freaking me out. Twenty five is silver, fifty is gold and forty is ruby. There’s other things we want to do together down the line, together and separately.”
Ford added: “We’ve got a body of actors here who are dynamite and phenomenal not just for comedy bit for everything which we are extremely lucky to have. I’d be surprised if we don’t bump into them in some professional capacity in the future.” 

FRANZ FERDINAND TALK HOTELS , JANICE FORSYTH RAVES ABOUT RECORDS AND HELEN FLANAGAN GETS LOVED UP

FRANZ Ferdinand’s bass player Bob Hardy has just published a very personal account and unusual of his touring experiences.
Bob, who has always been an artist in addition to his musical talents, managed to take pictures of the hotel rooms he stayed in during his time with the Scots band.
He’s now got them published in the latest issue of Performance Research.
He said of the quirky project: “I provide a sample of a larger project termed World Tour. The images, in their accumulation, provide a record of the interior spaces – the hotel rooms – that I have moved through in my position as a bassist in the band Franz Ferdinand. The images detail, in their own unobtrusive way, my attempt to re-appropriate and dwell in spaces that are not my own.”



Greg Hemphill and Janice Forsyth were amongst the first in the queue for the newly reopened Fopp music store in Byres Road.
Both had campigned for its opening alongside Alex Kapranos and Tam Dean Burn.
Janice, who I last met at the Scottish Music Awards bought lots of goodies including DVD’s of Funny Life, Funny Girl,  The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp and the Billy Wilder collection.
I love it when people put money where their mouth is.


Helen Flanagan was a special guest of Fake Bake at their latest hotel party.
The Corrie star took time out of being a busy mum to indulge in a host of goodies at the bash including a hot tub filled with balloons.
The event in aid of Galentines - Valentines for gal pals saw guests showered with bottles of tan eraser, tanning water and other glowing products.
Helen even managed to take home a gift for her wee one Matilda in the shape of a froggy balloon.
She said: “Matilda will be delighted. She’s princess and frog obsessed.”

STILL GAME ON THEIR STATESIDE DREAM

Exclusive
STILL Game's Jane McCarry, Gavin Mitchell and Mark Cox say they'd love to film in Vegas for the new series of Still Game.
Mark said:,"Its pretty much out there that we are going to be doing s new series and we'd probably like to see a filming in Las Vegas episode for the new series."
The trio were guests of the Young Scots awards in association with the Sunday Mail.
They presented the environmental award to young wild explorer Zeki Basan.
Gavin said: "It's been quite emotional. I'm environmental daft."
Rather than stay till the wee small hours Gavin joked they were going back to his to have some spicy soup.




- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

FORD AND GREG WANT NEW STILL GAME STAGE SHOW TO BE MORE THEATRICAL

Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill decided not to record their new stage show because they claim the last one felt 'a bit flat' when they watched it back on a screen.

The Still Game: Live 2 show is on at Glasgows SSE Hydro from February 4-16 and Ford said: "We wanted it to be a theatrical experience and we felt when we saw the DVD played back from our last show that there was a third hand feel to it. It was all there but there was a flatness about it we were not entirely comfortable with when we saw it back.

Greg added: "This show is kind of unique in that it's the first time we've done Still Game where it hasn't been been recorded. All the TV episodes we've recorded are obviously on DVD and the original stage show we did at the festival in 1997 is also on DVD but this is uniquely theatrical and by the fifteenth of February it will be gone forever. It kind of feels good. That's how theatre should be. I know you can go to the GFT and watch a big production because people can't go to London and whatnot but I think theatre has to be experienced live.

"You can watch Kevin Bridges or Frankie Boyle on a DVD because you are used to seeing them live. It's them and a mike so it's not that much of leap to watch a DVD of them live but to watch a theatre show with lots of actors, you've got to be here."

The two actors who play Craiglang pensioners Jack and Victor in the comedy admitted there was a huge pressure on them to fulfil the expectations of their audience.

Ford said: "There is a huge pressure because everybody raved or passed comment on the last one and said they had a terrific time and a big part of the audience is repeat business who have been before so we've got to keep them entertained and surpass what we've done before."

Greg added: "It feels like a very different animal from the TV show but that has its own pressure and it feels like we are used to that. When the show was on, people loved it and there was the pressure to continue it at the level we were at and there was the pressure to bring it back after seven years and now we are doing the stage show again, it's got to be fresh and different and are kind of used to it and thrive on it .

The duo also suggested a new series of Still Game may soon be on its way.







- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

ROBERT BURNS WOULD FIT INTO CRAIGLANG WITH JACK AND VICTOR

STILL Game's Isa reckons Rabbie Burns would love a night out at The Clansman with the rest of the Craiglang pensioners.
Actress Jane McCarry who plays the gossipy shop cleaner in Navid's corner shop appeared at Ayr racecourse Burns Supper to reply on behalf of the lassies.
Speaking of Scotland's National Bard who has brought us gems like Tam O' Shanter and Ae Fond Kiss, she said: "Rabbie would love a night at the Clansman. With a wee goldie in his hand, one of Boabby's microwaved pies and the bonny Isa and Peggy to gaze at over the puggy."


Jane even reckons Still Game creators Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill should make a special edition of the show dedicated to the Ayrshire lad.
She said: "A Burns night Still Game special would be a great idea. Boabby would mix up some tinned haggis with some pedigree Chum and we would all be happy. Jack and Victor would do the immortal memory, Winston would toast and Isa would reply."
The Ploughman Poet and his tartan bunnet might well fit in perfectly to the surroundings of Osprey Heights - and we could see him having a good old chinwag with Isa and her pals.
Jane who appeared at the bash with Grant Stott, said: "My favourite Burns night tradition has to be the immortal memory...as long as it's not too long. I genuinely love Burns and I've heard so many different versions of the immortal memory over the years and I've always come away with some new information. That and the haggis of course."








- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

STILL GAME GETS NEW TITLES AND MUSIC

STILL Game producers got together with the world-renowned BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra to make the new title music for the show.
And they engaged the services of BAFTA award-winning TV & film composer Ben Foster.
Recorded last week at the City Halls in Glasgow, home to the BBC SSO, Foster arranged and orchestrated the new titles, re-recording the Frank Chacksfield song ‘Cuban Boy’.


The track has long been associated with the Still Game series since its debut in 2002, originally using a version by The Cuban Boys.
The new title music was conducted by BAFTA award-winning British composer, Ben Foster whose TV and film credits include Doctor Who Live, Torchwood, Prometheus and The Grey, amongst others.


The iconic opening titles of Still Game which see evergreen pensioner pals Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade (Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill) age through the years, have also been reshot for the new much-anticipated seventh series.
The new titles remain faithful to the original style seeing Jack and Victor through the ages from schoolboys, to teens and adults in the 60s, 70s, 80s to the present day.



Jacqueline Sinclair, Producer, said: “Jack and Victor may not have aged and the original titles have been fabulous for 14 years but as the whole series is getting a polish, we really needed to make the titles sparkle for HD widescreen televisions too. The re-recording of the title music has been the icing on the cake and it really did bring a tear to my eye to hear it being performed live!”


Joan Morrison, Orchestra and Events Manager for the BBC SSO, added: “We are thrilled to be a part of the new series of Still Game and had great fun recording the soundtrack. The orchestra plays a vital role in contributing to programmes across the BBC, entertaining and enlightening audiences throughout Scotland, the UK and beyond.”
After a nine year hiatus, Still Game returns to BBC One on Friday October 7.


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

WATCH STILL GAME BEFORE ANYONE ELSE IN SCOTLAND

FANCY watching the new episodes of Still Game before anyone else?
Jack, Victor and the rest of the Craiglang gang return to our screens for for some brand new Still Game frolics later this year.
The sitcom by ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill which sold out its live shows at the SSE Hydro is schedule for BBC One later in the year.
Now you can watch the episodes from the brand new series in advance as the show records audience laughter tracks. This is your chance to attend the screening and be part of this exclusive audience.
Tickets will be allocated by random draw after you click to apply here
You can register at any time until 5pm on Friday 2 September.
You can apply for a maximum of two tickets per screening and, should you be successful in the random draw you will only receive tickets for one screening.
Good luck!
All information is correct at time of publication.


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com