Watch City Lights
- 2007
- 1 Season
-
7.7 (114)
City Lights is a British sitcom that originally aired on ITV from 1984 to 1991. Starring comedian and actor Dave Anderson, the show revolves around the daily lives of the residents of a fictional housing estate in Glasgow, Scotland. The show's central character is Larry Grogan, played by Anderson, who works as a janitor at the local school. He is married to Beth (Elaine C. Smith) and they have two children, Joanne (Angela Bruce) and Brendan (Scott Neil).
The series was known for its humour, which often revolved around the residents' efforts to get by on limited resources and make the best of their situations. Many of the scenes centred on the communal areas of the housing estate, such as the local pub or social club.
City Lights was a highly successful show for ITV, running for seven seasons and 52 episodes in total. It was awarded various accolades, including several Scottish BAFTAs, and is still fondly remembered by fans of British sitcoms.
The show's creator, Bob Black, had previously written for another successful Scottish sitcom, Rab C. Nesbitt. City Lights was notable for being one of the first television shows to prominently feature Glaswegian accents, which had previously been relatively uncommon on national television.
One of the most memorable aspects of the show was its use of music. The theme tune, "City Lights", was written and performed by Anderson and became a hit in the UK charts. Each episode also featured a musical interlude, often featuring local talent, which helped to give the show a distinctive character.
Another recurring theme of City Lights was the social and political issues facing working-class communities in Scotland at the time. The show's characters were often depicted as struggling with unemployment, poor housing and limited opportunities.
Despite its roots in Scottish working-class culture, City Lights gained a nationwide following in the UK and was a rare example of a successful sitcom not based in London or the southeast.
The show came to an end in 1991 after Anderson decided to step down from the role of Larry Grogan. The final episode was a poignant farewell to the characters that had become beloved by audiences across the UK.
Overall, City Lights remains a classic example of British sitcom, combining humour with a social conscience and celebrating the resilience and determination of working-class people in Scotland. It is well worth revisiting for anyone interested in the evolution of British television comedy.
City Lights is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between April 4, 2007 and on ITV