NO DOWNTON ABBEY VOICES AS STILL GAME RETURNS TO NETWORK

Beverley Lyons
STILL Game is finally returning to our screens after a nine year gap and although Isa will now be using Google and the show will now be networked Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill reckon the series will remain the same.
It's the news we've all been waiting for as BBC Scotland’s iconic comedy series returns to BBC One this year with a new six-parter starring all the original cast.
The new series will film from July 4 at BBC Scotland’s Dumbarton Studios in a purpose built set – the first time the comedy has filmed there – and will air on BBC One later in 2016.
Ford told the showbizlion: "Time has moved on but Jack and Victor's age hasn't. We're hoping to get back and that the audience are as comfy as they are when we left, like pulling on an old pair of slippers or going into a warm bath.
"Greg said: "It's the longest that we've probably ever spent on one series of Still Game. We started writing scripts in November and are filming in July so we wanted to get it exactly right. It's as if no time has passed from 2007 till now. "
"I don't know about it being funnier than ever really, but we are happy with the scripts. We worked harder on them than before. We were on a treadmill before and have had a lot of time to polish these scripts and get it right for newer audience and keep the chore audience happy."
Ford and Greg will reunite to play pensioners Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade for the sitcom which last aired on BBC One in 2007. The new series will also see the return of Still Game favourites Jane McCarry as Isa, Sanjeev Kohli as Navid, Gavin Mitchell as Bobby, Paul Riley as Winston and Mark Cox as Tam.
The series will now be networked but Ford and Greg claim they're not about to get posher or use subtitles so others can understand their Glasgow accents.
Ford said: "We're not going to start talking like Downton Abbey."
Greg added: "The show is what it is. We've been at great pains to look after our core audience. We've tried to expand it as well."
Ford joked: "There are lines like (in posh accent) 'I'm just nipping down to Navids for some totties' but we are trying to keep it down to a minimum. We couldn't possibly do it. They asked us to do the network for what is is not what it might become."
The two Scots talents can't wait to get their make up on to play their older counterparts but they admit they need less slap than when they first started.
Greg said: You can step back into the characters but we need less make up now."
Ford laughed: "When we started doing the characters at the Edinburgh festival we took two hours to get our make up on and when we did the Hydro it was forty minutes.
Greg added: "It's unique in that sense that we can park it and return.
We don't want to leave it for another nine years again. We love it and the rest of cast and Audience who watch it love it too. Hopefully they are back for good.
Ford joked: "It's always difficult to tell the mortgage people you've taken nine years off. I'm probably the only person whose used PPI."
The lads also claim the series will be updates slightly to fit in with modern times.
Greg said: "Time has moved on and the world turn and we will turn and there are contemporary issues like demolition and the changing face of the community. Isa has the internet and was Google before Google existed. There will be nods to those kind of things because we live in the present day.
Ford chipped in: "You could make a Scottish search engine and call it Isa."
He added: “We’re super happy to come back with the show - we had no idea how much it had been missed until we played the Hydro! Myself and Greg are really excited about getting the gang together again and we are putting our all in to make our fantastic audience feel like we’ve never been away.”
Greg Smiled: "We are thrilled to be given this opportunity, with the full support of the BBC Network, to don the bunnets once more! On behalf of all the cast, I'd like to thank Still Game fans for keeping the show alive after all these years. We'll save a seat for you in the Clansman."
The new series of Still Game will be a BBC in-house production and was commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning. Shane welcomes a Still Game reunion. He said: “A comedy phenomenon, Still Game’s return is much-anticipated as we, once again, meet up with Jack, Victor and their friends. The new series revisits one of the most iconic comedies of its time, a show which holds a very special place in the hearts of our audience. Ford and Greg are an exceptionally talented writing partnership and we’re looking forward to catching up with Jack and Victor after all these years.”
Ewan Angus, BBC Scotland’s Commissioning Editor, TV and Still Game executive producer added: “It’ll be fantastic to see Ford, Greg and the rest of the gang getting up to more comedy capers in Craiglang. Our audiences love Still Game. Whenever we show past episodes we are guaranteed big audiences and I know this new series will again delight Still Game’s legions of fans.”
The new six-part series will be executive produced by Ewan Angus, BBC Scotland and Steven Canny, BBC Comedy. It will be directed by long-time Still Game collaborator Michael Hines and produced by Jacqueline Sinclair.
Following a mammoth 21-night run of live shows at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro Arena in 2015, audiences have been waiting in anticipation for Still Game to make its TV return.
The original run of the sitcom, which stars Kiernan and Hemphill as evergreen Glaswegian pensioners Jack and Victor, aired for six series between 2002 and 2007, transferring from BBC Scotland to BBC Two. The new series of Still Game will air on BBC One network when it returns later this year.



- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

JUSTIN SAYS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AHEAD OF SCOTS GIGS

JUSTIN Bieber won't be posing with his Scots fans when he comes here later in the year.
The singer, who already cancelled his meet and greet packages on tour, has had enough of having his picture taken with fans and doesn't want to be treated like an animal in a zoo anymore.



He posted a message to his Instagram on saying he is 'done taking pictures' .
On the upsetting post Justin who performs at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on October 27, 29 and 30 wrote: "It has gotten to the point that people won't even recognize me as a human, I feel like a zoo animal, and I wanna be able to keep my sanity.
I realize people will be disappointed but I don't owe anybody a picture. and people who say "but I bought ur album" know that you got my album and you got what you paid for AN ALBUM! It doesn't say in fine print whenever you see me you also get a photo."



- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

HIGHLANDER: A HOMECOMING FOR CHRISTOPHER LAMBERT, SEAN CONNERY AND CLANCY BROWN?

COULD Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery be returning to Scotland along with the rest of the cast of Highlander?
The Edinburgh International Film Festival has just announce that a special 30th anniversary screening of the newly 4K restored HIghlander, with special guests in attendance, will take place on Saturday June 18 2016, as part of the celebrations marking EIFF’s milestone 70th edition.
The cult favourite and one of the great action-fantasy romps of the 1980s, is packed with quotable lines, stylish sword-fighting moments and a memorable soundtrack from Queen.
The story has its dramatic origins in the 16th century Scottish Highlands where Connor MacLeod (Christophe Lambert) first discovers he is not like other men. After doing battle with a rival clan he is stabbed by a strange mercenary fighter called the Kurgan (Clancy Brown), but finds that he cannot die.
Befriended and trained by the charismatic Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Sean Connery), he finds out he is part of a group of immortals who must do battle until there is only one left alive.
Clancy Brown is acclaimed as a cult icon thanks to his mesmeric and maniacal performance as the Kurgan whilst Christophe Lambert is soulful and heroic as Connor, and Sean Connery quite sublime as the foppish yet skilful Ramirez.
Clancy Brown commented: “It’s taken a while, but I swore to myself that I would return again to Scotland after filming Highlander 30 years ago where I first learned of Robert the Bruce, James Macpherson, The Fortingall Yew and, most blissfully, single-malt scotch whisky."
Mark Adams, EIFF Artistic Director said: “We are truly delighted to be screening this cult classic on its 30th anniversary. It is a vibrant, fun and thrilling film and just as entertaining as it was all of those years ago. Plus it features some magnificent Scottish locations. This will be a great celebratory event for the 70th edition of EIFF.”
Clancy and other special guests will be in attendance at the screening on Saturday June 18 at Cineworld, Fountain Park.
Tickets priced £8/£6 will be on sale at 12noon on Monday 9th May and can be purchased here: bit.ly/1WjSfEm
The film will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on 11th July complete with brand new bonus material.


- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

IONA CRAWFORD AND THE LADIES WHO BRUNCH

SCOTS fashion designer Iona Crawford launched her new collection with extra fizz at Hutchesons restaurant in Glasgow.
Stirling born Iona, whose tailored fashion combines art with style and unusual textiles, entertained a hundred people at the stylish venue in The Merchant City.


Guest enjoyed four glasses of Laurent Perrier champagne - Le Jardin cocktail, Ultra Brut, Vintage 2006 and Cuvée Rose along with a specially created menu.


Homemade waffles with confit duck egg, Champagne poached pear salad, and Parma ham eggs benedict were amongst the dishes on the brunch menu.


Guests including veteran Scots hair stylist Rita Rusk, former newsreader Viv Lumsden and TV presenter Jean Johansson enjoyed the delights on offer.


Iona revealed that she very rarely puts size labels on her clothing as she likes to create bespoke items that will satisfy her customers who come in all shapes and sizes. She showcased some of her deconstructed fashion alongside accessories, outerwear and cashmere.


- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

X FILES STAR DAVID DUCHOVNY GOES WALKABOUT IN GLASGOW

Exclusive
Beverley Lyons
DAVID Duchovny got juiced up before his gig at Glasgow's O2 ABC tonight - with a trip to a local health food restaurant.
The X Files and Twin Peaks star only has a couple of dates in the UK and was keen to enjoy some of the delights of the city ahead of his concert.
And proving he's nothing like his alcoholic Californication character Hank Moody, he headed to the KCal Kitchen in West Regent Street for an energising green smoothie as he strolled around town.
David, whose mum is from Whitehills near Aberdeen says he loves coming back to Scotland.
He said: "Whenever I'm in Glasgow I'll jump at the chance to wear a kilt whenever I can. My mother is Scottish and I've not been here for twelve or thirteen years."
David who is a fan of the Average White Bend also revealed he's still figuring out his sound as a singer.
He added: "I started playing my guitar five or six years ago to amuse myself. I'm figuring out my sound as a singer. I have a good friend who is a virtuoso guitarist who says maybe one day he'll get back to playing like he was sixteen. I want to get back to that initial passion and curiosity you have as a beginner. As an actor I've done some sure things that turn out to be terrible failures and some terrible things turned into huge successes."


- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST BAR IN SCOTLAND?

VOTE, vote and vote...for your favourite PUB or BAR.

It's not just politicians that are looking for votes...pubs and bars across Scotland are too.

Do you know of a hot shot whisky bar or an exciting craft beer pub, a quirky gastro pub or a cool pub that's dog friendly?

If so, the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards want to have your vote!

The Oscars of the licensed trade give out gongs to the best of the best in the Scottish licensed trade and entries are open to pubs and bars from right across Scotland.

Initially set up 21 years ago to recognise excellence in the Scottish licensed trade, the awards underwent a revamp last year which saw the name change to the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.

The awards are backed by the biggest names in the drinks industry including the BII, Caledonian Brewery, Diageo, Disaronno, Gordon & Macphail, Inverarity Morton, Isle of Arran Distillers, Kopparberg, Mixxit, Molson Coors and Tennent's, as well as Glencairn Crystal, Bright Signals, Flow Training, A Wee Dram, and The Sunday Mail.

The swish award ceremony will be held at Glasgow's Hilton Hotel on August 16 and will have a Brazilian theme in honour of the Rio Olympics.

Organiser Susan Young can't wait to receive more entries from bars, pubs and punters who think their locals come come top of the tipples.

She said: “For 21 years we have been rewarding excellence in the Scottish licensed trade, and as of last year, we have opened up the voting so that it's not just people in the industry who can vote, but pub customers who can also vote for their favourite pubs.

She continued: “The event now has a significant online presence and is being promoted in the DRAM as well on social media. To date the response has been great. Last year over a three month period more than 1,000 nominations were received, the highest entry for the awards since its inception. But already this year, only a fortnight in, more than 250 votes have been received. So it looks like it will be a bumper year for votes."

If you would like to enter your favourite pub or bar go to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com
You'll be able to see all the categories and can register your vote.
The closing date for nominations is May 31 2016.

- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com

BGT'S BAILEY MCCONNELL SINGLE AND READY...

BRITAIN'S Got Talent's Bailey McConnell reckons splitting from his girlfriend has given him the motivation to write even better music.
The 17 year old talent has been writing new material for his album and was in Glasgow this week touring with The Brooks twins at the Classic Grand.
He said: " I've been writing in the studio and trying to play my song and make it sound amazing and get on stage in Glasgow and show my tracks."
He added: "I've been through a few things that have spurned me onto writing songs. I was at school and stuff and just split up with my girlfriend and that. I guess I'm single now. It was quite a while to be fair."
Of the new tracks, he said: "My music is deeper and darker and if I have to describe a genre I'd say it's like Zane, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran mixed up."
"You just need the motivation to do what you love especially when you can turn a tough experience into something crazy like a song or dance. I aspire to have that quality and like seeing it in others."

- From Scotland with love from theshowbizlion.com