Friday, March 29, 2024
NewsHemphill reveals inspiration for much-loved Chewin' the Fat sketch

Hemphill reveals inspiration for much-loved Chewin’ the Fat sketch

CHEWIN’ the fat star, Greg Hemphill has finally revealed the inspiration behind the ‘ooooh’ sketches which mocked anything that sounded slightly posh.

The Still Game actor asked his Twitter users yesterday to try to guess where the infamous hand gesture originated from.

His tweet received hundreds of responses, several of whom correctly identified a moment fromthe 1975 classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

This scene from the film was the inspiration for the series gag. (Credit: Fantasy Films/United Artists)

The scenes normally starred Hemphill and Kieran along with co stars Paul Riley and Mark Cox, using the hand gesture to make fun of pretension.

Scottish-Canadian actor Hemphill uploaded a photo of himself and Kiernan with the caption: “The thing Ford is doing with his hands.

Jack Nicholson imitates the action. (Credit: Fantasy Films/United Artists)

“I’ll send a prize to the person who can tell me where it originated. (Because we didn’t come up with it, we stole/homaged it!) Go!”

His Twitter post was favourited more than 565 times and received more than 140 comments from people trying to guess where it originated.

Taggart actor Colin McCredie joked: “It was Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler if I’m not mistaken??”

Phillip Hills commented: “Vic and Bob wasn’t it?”

However, Hemphill replied saying: “Never seen them doing it!”

Another Twitter user said: “Was it Pops in League of Gentlemen? “Mary Queen”

Thomas Mcleod said: “Billy Connelly.”

Gordon Wilson also joked: “Some wee ned from Shettleston?”

However, Twitter user Lawrence Keen was able to guess the correct answer.

He said: “Little MaryAnne! Cuckoo’s Nest!”

The same gesture being made in the series. (Credit: BBC)

To which Hemphill retweeted his tweet saying: “We have a winner!”

The infamous scene Hemphill is referring to involves main character played by Jack Nicholson having a group session with Nurse Racthed.

Dale Harding, played by William Redfield, asks Taber, played by Christopher Lloyd, “Have you ever heard the word peculiar? What you trying to say?”

To which Taber retaliates by sticking his tongue out at him.

Dale then says: “You trying to say I’m queer is that it? Little MaryAnne is that it?”

The movement became a frequent favorite with the audience for the BBC comedy. (Credit: BBC)

Dale places the backs of his hands, pointed down at 45 degrees, on either side of his face.

In a separate tweet Hemphill revealed why it’s such an iconic scene.

He said: “Here it is. Watch for Nicholson’s brilliant reaction to it. Looks improvised to me. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest 1975 Best scene.”

One user said: “100% that is real they just kept it class.”

Another said: “Def don’t make ’em like they used to. Awesome actors too.”

Related Stories