City Lights

Watch City Lights

  • 2007
  • 1 Season
  • 7.8  (113)

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
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Seasons
Episode 6
6. Episode 6
May 9, 2007
Handcuffed and locked in a filthy trailer, Colin and Howie finally come face their pursuers. At the safehouse, Pauline refuses to tell the police who she has been contacting, setting off an intense conflict with her sister. Their husbands are in danger.
Episode 5
5. Episode 5
May 2, 2007
Howard is convinced that Pauline is having an affair, but Colin tries to assure him it's in his imagination. Eventually, the two friends track her down to a local hotel. Unfortunately, they're not the only ones who have been staking out the establishment.
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
April 25, 2007
Howard and Pauline continue to drift apart as she looks for love and comfort elsewhere. Desperate to get her back, Howie agrees to follow Colin's advice. Meanwhile, the gunmen searching for the two families finally make a breakthrough.
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
April 18, 2007
Holed up together in a London safe house, tensions rise between the two families. Colin and Howie find an outlet when they secure part-time jobs. However, Pauline's need for a distraction puts everyone in danger.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
April 11, 2007
Both families go into the witness protection program, cut all ties with their past lives, and take on new identities. But Jackie finds part of Colin's old identity so disturbing that it makes her question whether she can ever trust her husband again.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
April 4, 2007
The two friends are innocent bystanders in a pub during a gangland killing. Their faces are quickly on the front page of the local newspaper, where they are identified as the key witnesses to the crime--a very interesting fact to the killers, pursuing them.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    April 4, 2007
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (113)