Only An Excuse?
- TV sketch show
- BBC One Scotland / BBC Two Scotland
- 1993 - 2021
- 31 episodes
Famous Scottish football satire show. Every Hogmanay, Jonathan Watson mimics Scotland's top personalities and the heroes and villains of football. Also features Grant Smeaton, Julie Austin, Louise McCarthy and Matt Costello.
- Highlights Special repeated Friday 10th January at 10:30pm on BBC Scotland
Press clippings
Only An Excuse had 'a good kick of the ball'
Only An Excuse stars Jonathan Watson and creator Phil Differ say the show "had a good kick of the ball" but now is the right time for the final whistle.
BBC, 31st December 2020Only An Excuse? review
Only An Excuse? was indeed Scotland laughing at itself for the good stuff - the fitba craziness, the sentimentality, the inextinguishable dreams of greatness regained.
Alison Rowat, The Herald, 31st December 2020Interview: Jonathan Watson on the last Only An Excuse?
He has none of the familiar props - no flyaway hair or sheepskin collars or on-parade red, white and blue ties or glinting sovvy rings or twinkling comedy gnashers. This time Jonathan Watson relies on a hesitant smile, sad eyes and a telltale cough.
Aidan Smith, The Scotsman, 26th December 2020BBC Scotland sketch show 'Only An Excuse?' to end after 27 years
Only An Excuse?, the sketch show which has formed part of BBC One Scotland's festive schedule since the 1990s, is to end this December.
British Comedy Guide, 10th November 2020Jonathan Watson on 40 years in showbiz
It may have been part of the Hogmanay TV schedules since 1993, but Only An Excuse? star Jonathan Watson says he never takes the programme for granted.
Murray Scougall, The Sunday Post, 28th December 2019Review: Only an Excuse makes a welcome return to form
Happy new year, but I'm afraid to say I'm not all that optimistic about 2019. It's begun in a tedious, predictable and oh-so-wrong fashion with everyone slagging off Only an Excuse. What's wrong with you people?
Aidan Smith, The Scotsman, 1st January 2019Viewers slam 'dreadful' BBC Hogmanay TV programme
Jonathan Watson's annual impression show Only An Excuse was once again eviscerated online, with viewers unhappy with the 'same-old' characters and urging the BBC to look elsewhere for festive laughs.
The Scotsman, 1st January 2019Jonathan Watson interview
Only An Excuse? star Jonathan Watson has a career that's moving along faster than Santa last week.
Brian Beacom, Glasgow Evening Times, 31st December 2016Judy Murray to make a cameo in 'Only an Excuse?'
In an unlikely encounter, the 57-year-old will feature in a skit alongside Frank "Macca" McAvennie, a caricature of the former Celtic and Scotland footballer, as played by Jonathan Watson, the star of the sketch show.
Marytn McLaughin, The Scotsman, 24th December 2016BBC missed an open goal
Only Only an Excuse could not manage to see the comedy in 12 months of slapstick that was Scottish football 2014.
Gordon Parks, Daily Record, 4th January 2015