No, we never described it as a Scottish show, though others have.
There were four Scottish people, so it definitely had a Scottish flavour.
So it was other people who decided to call it a Scottish show we never did.
Did anyone ever come up with good material that just wasnt suitable for the show?
Not at all the style was what we thought was funny.
Unlike now, there was very little editing done by Channel Four they just trusted our judgement.
Therefore the show is very particular to us.
We never rejected stuff because it was too much of us that was just the stuff we wanted!
There was a post-mortem at the end of every season!
We always looked to improve the show all on our terms, obviously.
And then wed push it with new characters and new ideas.
Was it a good venue to get rid of grudges?
Im thinking of your over-officious security guard.
I supposed were all victims of officiousness at some time.
But no, there wasnt one particular security guard that haunted me and led up to that.
How big an influence was Python onAbsolutely?
So with experience of that we said Why do you need a punch line?.
Especially ones as eclectic as ours.
Or we would find ways of linking, like Pete [Baikie] and his piano.
Not really it was just part of the mix.
There was always going to be that mix.
The context he was in was very good, very real and honest.
[laughs] The little girl definitely did.
They were just hilarious.
So hopefully the DVDll help jog a few memories as well.
[laughs] We didnt remember it at all.
And then it went on and we went Oh, yeah, I kind of remember….
This journalist thought he was dealing with Alzheimers victims.
Well I think it was a different time.
Things changed rapidly once we stopped doing the show.
[laughs] Not because we stopped doing the show, but television just changed.
It changed very rapidly, in a very short space of time.
That was the difference.
That time has long passed.
[laughs] Just with a very different effect!
To their bank-balance, I guess.
I dont think there ever is a particular era for comedy.
I think every era has its triumphs and its abject failures.
And then there are fantastic shows.
So I think every age will have its peculiarities and its triumphs and its failures… Thats a very good question.
I think I would cheat.
I would point them towards the nice family, and then I would very rapidly turn them towards Stoneybridge.
Thats only cos Im in them both.
Though thatll be only my back in the nice family.
In particular, youve often said that maybe some of the sketches were too long?
Its interesting to read the reviews, because none of the reviewers picked up on that.
I think we were always aware of it.
Maybe other people dont mind.
But then maybe the show would suffer overall.
I happen to think not, but it might do.
I think it shows its there, four series; all quite different series, but theyre all good.
What you dont wanna do is watch series 6, mate.
Ive never seen the difference between performing and producing.
Youve got to convince people that youre someone that youre not.
Ive never seen the difference, and I never will, Im afraid.
Did you enjoy working on The Russ Abbott Show?
[laughs] I loved working onThe Russ Abbott Show!
It was a very steep learning curve, and I used to keep bumping into the sets.
I was far too big for the show.
It was great fun, and a fantastic first experience.
And much under-rated, I think.
I dont think he regrets anything, and hes a nice man.
Can you give us your own Brit-comedy pick for this particular period?
Im sorry to be pretty conventional about it, but for meThe Mighty Booshis fantastic.
I think they will inspire a whole new generation of people that hopefully we inspired when we didAbsolutely.
The cycle continues, and thats brilliant.
Gordon Kennedy, thank you very much!
See our review of the new Absolutely DVD box-sethere.
