The Comedy Unit is one of the most successful independent production companies in Scotland. Established in 1995 by former employees of BBC Scotland and based in Glasgow, The Comedy Unit uses a specifically Scottish voice in its productions — a factor that increases its success outside Scotland. This article examines the national specificity of The Comedy Unit's television productions and explores the reliance of the independent sector in Scotland on the BBC. This includes an exploration of the role and importance of Scottish national identity in four programs made by The Comedy Unit. The paper contributes to the body of work examining the national specificity of comedy, the nature and structure of the television industries in the United Kingdom, and the largely neglected area of television production and television entertainment in Scotland.
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