Karen Dunbar

Jack Docherty brings together a jam-packed cast of comedians, actors and famous faces for a riotous celebration of Scotland's most valuable export – its sense of humour. Scotland is a small nation with a big funny bone. It's known the world over for self-deprecation, quick-witted patter and deadpan asides. But what makes it so funny? To find out the answer, this programme delves deep into the BBC Scotland archives to find a century’s worth of classic characters, catchphrases and comedy clips.

Jack Docherty brings together a jam-packed cast of comedians, actors and famous faces for a riotous celebration of Scotland's most valuable export – its sense of humour. Scotland is a small nation with a big funny bone. It's known the world over for self-deprecation, quick-witted patter and deadpan asides. But what makes it so funny? To find out the answer, this programme delves deep into the BBC Scotland archives to find a century’s worth of classic characters, catchphrases and comedy clips.

As the hype reaches fever pitch ahead of the big kick-off in Germany, a stellar line-up work their magic in an essential selection of comic set pieces. Featuring favourite characters and brand new scenarios. Mixing running gags, quickies, send-ups and musical numbers. The top team includes Jonathan Watson, Grado, Greg Hemphill, Jack Docherty, Ford Kiernan and Karen Dunbar.

Pip is just your average wee guy – happy with his lot and not much of a complainer (though you really wouldn’t blame him if he was!). Regularly tortured and terrified, in what is, it must be said, a truly hard life, he still finds time to laugh, smile and dream of a brighter future, even though no-one expects anything of him. Or so he thinks…

Join Karen Dunbar for an amazing night of side-splitting comedy. Karen is one of Scotland’s most recognisable comedy performers ever, from her breakthrough on Chewin’ the Fat to her success with The Karen Dunbar Show. Her stage career spans everything from Glasgow pantomime to London’s West End, and now she is taking on stand-up comedy in her hometown. This year has seen Karen out on the road with her brand new show, and she is bringing it back to Ayr for one more sold-out night. From delving through her experiences growing up in the 80s to hosting wild karaoke nights in Glasgow in her 20s and revisiting some of her favourite characters, this is Karen like you’ve never quite seen her before.

Funny woman Karen Dunbar considers how a comedian navigates taste and offence in the current cancel culture climate. She explores the new boundaries of offence, meeting old friends, producers, comics and commissioners as she sets out to perform a live comedy show to an audience too young to have known her first time round.

In 1561, Mary Stuart, widow of the King of France, returns to Scotland, reclaims her rightful throne and menaces the future of Queen Elizabeth I as ruler of England, because she has a legitimate claim to the English throne. Betrayals, rebellions, conspiracies and their own life choices imperil both Queens. They experience the bitter cost of power, until their tragic fate is finally fulfilled.

Phyllida Lloyd’s final installment of the Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy concludes with an all-female version of The Tempest starring Harriet Walter as Prospero. This captivating reimagining explores themes of freedom and justice in the context of a women’s prison.

The first installment of Phyllida Lloyd’s groundbreaking all-female Shakespeare Trilogy sees Harriet Walter take on the role of Brutus, who wrestles with his moral conscience over the murder of Julius Caesar.

Harriet Walter takes the lead in the second installment of the Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy directed by Phyllida Lloyd. Featuring a diverse company of women, this unique interpretation combines both parts of Shakespeare’s history plays about King Henry IV and his son Prince Hal.

See how the Smokers plan for the Bells while wannabe star Ronald Villiers finally lands a walk-on part, causing mayhem down Shieldinch as a postman in River City. This Chewin' the Fat Hogmanay special is jam packed with all your favourites.

The Chewin’ the Fat gang return for another Hogmanay special, bringing a fresh batch of sketches, familiar faces and gloriously daft Scottish humour to see in the New Year.

A Hogmanay helping of classic Scottish sketch comedy, as the Chewin’ the Fat gang see in the new millennium with a collection of festive characters, familiar faces and gloriously daft sketches.

The final Hogmanay special of Chewin’ the Fat, bringing the much-loved Scottish sketch show to a close with one last helping of familiar faces, recurring characters and gloriously daft end-of-year comedy. Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill and the gang see out 2005 in typically irreverent fashion, marking the end of an era for one of Scotland’s most popular comedy series.

The Chewin’ the Fat team return to see out 2004 with another Hogmanay helping of Scottish sketch comedy. Ford Kiernan, Greg Hemphill and the cast serve up a fresh collection of outrageous characters, familiar favourites and gloriously daft observations on Scottish life as the countdown to the New Year begins.

The stars of Scotland's "Chewin' the Fat" take to the stage in a live show recorded live at the King's Theater, Glasgow.

This short film takes place in a tacky disco, which is the setting for a wedding reception. Kelly Marie (Jenny McCrindle) is a jilted bride whose husband has just left her for another woman. She goes to the ladies room and tries to remove her wedding ring. Her mother Lulu (Karen Dunbar), aunt Ruby (Jan Wilson) and friend Gracie (Kay Galle) follow her into the ladies room, but are unable to offer any constructive advice. A drunk girl (Jenny Foulds) named Adele bursts into the room suddenly and passes out before saying anything. Kelly Marie calls for an ambulance as the other women try to revive Adele. This life or death drama places Kelly Marie's problems into perspective.

A festive helping of Chewin’ the Fat as the gang return for Hogmanay 2001, serving up another collection of outrageous characters, recurring favourites and distinctly Scottish sketch comedy to ring in the New Year.