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Born and raised in Scotland but of Canadian parentage, Greg Hemphill is a comedian, actor, writer and director, who has taken Scottish television by storm.
He is most recognized for his partnership with Ford Kiernan and developing and acting in BBC Scotland sitcoms Chewin’ The Fat (1999–2005) and Still Game (2002–2007 and 2016–2019).
Such shows are popular in Scotland for realistic characters and interesting plot; one can conclude that Hemphill is good at comedy.
Education and Early Career
Greg Hemphill left for Scotland at 18 to undertake a course at the University of Glasgow that earned him a MA Honors Degree in Theatre, Film, and Television.
It was during this time that he molded his comedy style. He first worked at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1990 as part of the “Trio Brothers Troup” and from this gained experience that influenced his comedy and the development of the TV programmes “Chewin’ The Fat” and “Still Game”.
The Birth of “Chewin’ The Fat”
Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan met on BBC Scotland comedy series “Chewin’ The Fat” in 1999 and continued on the show until 2005.
It was a show of funny characters and their funny stories that put the show on top in Scotland as Hemphill, Kiernan, and other talents such as Dunbar rose to fame.
It also saw them featured in a spin-off show “Still Game” as a way of proving their impact on the Scottish comedy industry.
Their work is characterized by irony, character-centric approach and narratives, which has made them rather popular within the industry.
Transition to “Still Game”
“Still Game” began as a stage play in 1999 with Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade as main characters.
It became a TV show in 2002, changing the characters a bit to make the stories more interesting and funny.
Jack and Victor, played by Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, became famous in Scottish comedy, showing what life is like for older people.
Their friendship and funny moments about life’s challenges have made the show very popular and important in Scotland.
Character Development
Greg Hemphill‘s performance as Victor McDade in “Still Game” is a mix of humor, warmth, and depth, earning him a place among the show’s most cherished characters.
Victor is seen as a clever and slightly smarter friend to Jack, often acting as the voice of reason during their funny mishaps.
He’s known for being honest, having strong morals, and being vulnerable, especially about his complicated relationship with his son, John.
Victor’s memorable moments include his funny but touching efforts to bond with John, like pretending to be sick for attention, and his quick comebacks to Jack, like cutting him off with “That’s plenty, Jack.”
The Dynamic Duo
Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan’s comedy chemistry has been key to their success in Scottish humor, especially in shows like “Chewin’ The Fat” and “Still Game”.
They understand each other’s comedy well, making their humor blend well and resonate with viewers.
This led to creating memorable characters like Jack and Victor, who show true friendship.
Their teamwork made humor more relatable and influenced the show’s unique comedic style, making “Still Game” a popular and cultural hit in Scotland.
The Supporting Cast of Craiglang
“Still Game” is a show with a lively group of actors who make the story more interesting with their unique personalities and relationships.
The main characters, Jack and Victor, are supported by Winston, a silly friend; Isa, the neighborhood gossip; Tam, who’s always looking for a handout; and Navid, the snappy shop owner.
Each character adds their own funny and interesting traits, making the show about aging in a tight community.
The actors’ good chemistry and their individual stories make the show funny and deep, touching on friendship, memories, and life in Craiglang.
Their work is crucial in showing Scottish life in a real and engaging way, making the show appealing to many.
Themes and Humor in “Still Game”
There are jokes that are woven with the important issues in life such as aging, friendship, community, and the unreasonable aspects of life, and this makes Still Game one of the best.
It depicts the good and bad parts of aging, majoring on the elderly people’s power and unity.
Of course there is Greg Hemphill’s writing, making situations realistic and close to heart, like using gadgets, dealing with relationships, confrontation with death.
It never loses its humor or its pathos, of which he is equally fond of writing and of which the show is full of.
Hemphill’s Other Ventures
Greg Hemphill is a multi-talented person, he also works as comedian as well as actor, writer, and a director for all kinds of media.
They began his career in the early 1990s performing at the Edinburgh Fringe as part of “Trio Brothers Troup ” and became main presenter of the football show “Off the Ball” in BBC Radio Scotland.
Hemphill also contributed children’s telly, writing “Hubbub”. Some of the works that are associated with him include Eilbheas, a Scottish Gaelic drama written jointly with Dan Arbeid; an appointment with the Wicker Man, a stage written jointly with Roy Battersby.
He also directed his first full length drama in ‘West Skerra Light’, and came to Hollywood to act in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ as a bartender.
The collaboration with Ford Kiernan on different projects proves that Hemphill can work and develop Scottish comedy and television.
The Legacy of “Still Game”
The 2019 finale of “Still Game” ended a beloved era for Scottish TV but its impact is still felt deeply.
The show mixed comedy and emotion, making viewers love the characters and their lives in Craiglang.
Victor McDade and Jack Jarvis, played by Hemphill and Kiernan, showed friendship and aging in a way that felt real and relatable.
Even after the show ended, the characters are still popular, with fans remembering their favorite scenes and lines.
The show’s mix of universal themes with a Scottish twist has made it a favorite, ensuring its humor and warmth will be remembered for a long time.
Recent Projects and Future Endeavors
Greg Hemphill has been busy lately, appearing in a big movie called “Deadpool & Wolverine”, which is coming out in July 2024.
This role is making fans excited because it’s his first in Hollywood and shows off his funny side.
He also played Ade in a TV show called “Dinosaur” and hosted a show called “Jules’ and Greg’s Wild Swim” on BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer.
Soon, Hemphill and his co-star Ford Kiernan will release a comic book about their characters Jack and Victor from the show “Still Game: He Who Hingeth Aboot Getteth Hee Haw” in September 2024.
This comic book shows their love for the characters and suggests they might work together more in the future, keeping the show’s legacy alive and loved by fans.
Greg Hemphill’s work in comedy and TV shows how important it is to tell stories that people can relate to and create memorable characters.
He keeps finding new ways to be creative, but he still connects well with viewers, suggesting his work will last a long time. Whether it’s movies, radio, or future work, Hemphill’s impact on Scottish comedy will be remembered forever.
