Satellite City (sitcom)
Encyclopedia
Satellite City was a Welsh sitcom which started out originally as a radio show on BBC Radio Wales
in 1994 and then evolved into a TV version made by BBC Wales
and was first broadcast in 1996.
The setting was an imaginary small town in the South Wales Valleys
. The plot centred on the arrival of Randy (Michael Neill), an American visitor, who was taken in by the Price family (but had to share a bed with pensioner Idris, played by Islwyn Morris. Randy soon formed a relationship with local girl Mandy (Shelley Miranda Barrett). The other main characters were Idris's son, Gwynne (played by Boyd Clack
, who also co-wrote the series), Gwynne's wife Moira (Ri Richards
), barman Dai (Rhodri Hugh), and Mandy's friend Bridget (Einir Sion), replaced in the final series by the character of Donna (Kirsten Clark). In the final episode Randy moved into his own house with Mandy. There are continual references to Idris's ferret
Sylvester (his beloved pet), and he eventually discovers that it is, in fact, a girl ferret.
The reason for the title is explained in the first episode: the district had been used for the initial testing of satellite dish
es, but when the time came to return the dishes or pay for the service, no one returned them and no one paid. Satellite City thus suggests a run-down area.
In 1999 the series won a BAFTA Cymru Awardhttp://www.bafta-cymru.org.uk/english/awards/index.php for Best Light Entertainment.
Eighteen 30-minute episodes and a one-hour special were made in all.
BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Wales is the BBC's national radio station broadcasting to Wales in the English language. Operated by BBC Wales, it began broadcasting on 12 November 1978 following the demise of the old "Radio 4 Wales" when BBC Radio 4 became a national network and moved from medium wave to long wave...
in 1994 and then evolved into a TV version made by BBC Wales
BBC Wales
BBC Cymru Wales is a division of the British Broadcasting Corporation for Wales. Based at Broadcasting House in the Llandaff area of Cardiff, it directly employs over 1200 people, and produces a broad range of television, radio and online services in both the Welsh and English languages.Outside...
and was first broadcast in 1996.
The setting was an imaginary small town in the South Wales Valleys
South Wales Valleys
The South Wales Valleys are a number of industrialised valleys in South Wales, stretching from eastern Carmarthenshire in the west to western Monmouthshire in the east and from the Heads of the Valleys in the north to the lower-lying, pastoral country of the Vale of Glamorgan and the coastal plain...
. The plot centred on the arrival of Randy (Michael Neill), an American visitor, who was taken in by the Price family (but had to share a bed with pensioner Idris, played by Islwyn Morris. Randy soon formed a relationship with local girl Mandy (Shelley Miranda Barrett). The other main characters were Idris's son, Gwynne (played by Boyd Clack
Boyd Clack
Boyd Clack is a Welsh writer, actor, and musician.He was born in Vancouver, Canada but grew up in Tonyrefail in Wales. His acting credits include Twin Town, High Hopes and Satellite City. He also co-wrote both High Hopes and Satellite City...
, who also co-wrote the series), Gwynne's wife Moira (Ri Richards
Ri Richards
Ri Richards is a Welsh actress who is best known for playing Moira Price in the award winning comedy Satellite City.She was born in November 1964.-Filmography:* 2006 - Present - Belonging * 2006 - TARDISODE #8...
), barman Dai (Rhodri Hugh), and Mandy's friend Bridget (Einir Sion), replaced in the final series by the character of Donna (Kirsten Clark). In the final episode Randy moved into his own house with Mandy. There are continual references to Idris's ferret
Ferret
The ferret is a domesticated mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo. Ferrets are sexually dimorphic predators with males being substantially larger than females. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur...
Sylvester (his beloved pet), and he eventually discovers that it is, in fact, a girl ferret.
The reason for the title is explained in the first episode: the district had been used for the initial testing of satellite dish
Satellite dish
A satellite dish is a dish-shaped type of parabolic antenna designed to receive microwaves from communications satellites, which transmit data transmissions or broadcasts, such as satellite television.-Principle of operation:...
es, but when the time came to return the dishes or pay for the service, no one returned them and no one paid. Satellite City thus suggests a run-down area.
In 1999 the series won a BAFTA Cymru Awardhttp://www.bafta-cymru.org.uk/english/awards/index.php for Best Light Entertainment.
Eighteen 30-minute episodes and a one-hour special were made in all.