Elis James: Funny Nation. Elis James
Elis James: Funny Nation

Elis James: Funny Nation

  • TV documentary
  • BBC One Wales
  • 2019
  • 3 episodes (1 series)

Documentary series looking at Welsh comedy. Features Elis James, Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones and Rhod Gilbert.

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 1

Elis James delves into the world of Welsh stereotypes. From sheep to miners, historically there's been no getting away from them in Welsh comedy.

Further details

Elis James delves into the world of Welsh stereotypes. From sheep to miners, historically there's been no getting away from them in Welsh comedy.

Discussing his early stand-up comedy days, Rob Brydon recalls a gig in Greenwich in which he was relentlessly heckled by the English audience with a barrage of sheep noises. Meanwhile, Rhod Gilbert explains how many of his early gigs in London were met with abuse due to his Welsh accent. The episode looks at the development of the Welsh stereotypes through the years from its first appearance in a 1949 comedy 'A run for your money' to the latest generations of comedies that have included authentic Welsh characters such as Gavin and Stacey. Ruth Jones reminisces of her time writing the comedy with James Corden and remembers the pair in hysterics when writing the rape alarm scene which was performed by Uncle Bryn.

We also hear from Sioned Wiliam, the former Controller of Comedy for ITV who shares an unexpected story of when Ruth and James Corden visited her at ITV to pitch the idea of Gavin & Stacey. But when presented to ITV, the series was rejected due to it not being "broadly accessible enough because it was Welsh".

The Welsh have always been able to get a laugh, whether it's with us or at us. But as our comedy is breaking into the limelight, is it time for us to say, with confidence, that Wales is a funny nation?

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 9th December 2019
Time
10:45pm
Channel
BBC One Wales
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Friday 13th December 2019 11:30pm BBC1 Wales
Friday 17th April 2020 10:45pm BBC1 Wales
Tuesday 26th January 2021 10:15pm BBC2

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