Billy Connolly is now fronting his very own two-part series on death.
Billy Connolly’s Big Send Off
Billy will look death squarely in the face.Death has always been a subject of interest to the 71-year-old.
He said: “I’m fascinated by death, how we deal with it, fear it and hopefully come to terms with it.”
Visiting his home town of Glasgow as well as different parts of the USA, Billy aims to get an insight into the rich variety of attitudes, belief systems, rituals and customs relating to death that are woven into different cultures and communities.
In his trademark manner Billy examines the ‘death industry’, and how and where we lay our loved ones to rest, as he tackles a subject considered by many to be the last taboo.
Along the way, Billy shares his own thoughts on death, what he hopes will happen at his own funeral and how he would like to be remembered.
The comedian also talks about being diagnosed with both prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease on the same day.
He describes how one Monday he got a hearing aid then on the Tuesday he was given heartburn pills.
“On the Wednesday I got news I had prostate cancer and Parkinson’s disease,” he revealed. “They told me on the phone, they said, ‘Look we’ve had the result and it’s cancer.’ And I said, ‘Oh no-body’s ever said that to me before.’
“The funny thing is I never felt close to dying at any point and even the first thing the doctor said to me was you’re not going to die and it was news to me I might die!”
Billy‘s quest brings him into the company of people from diverse backgrounds. Learning what death means to different communities, he immerses himself in a range of experiences, witnessing a voodoo ceremony, visiting a drive-through funeral parlour, meeting a dying man and talking frankly about death with his pal Eric Idle.
Starts Wednesday 7 May at 9pm on ITV
Funeral Magazine will follow the program and offer links and articles.
Editors review
The Big Send Off
Billy Connolly was obviously moved by the experience, some aspects of death and dying are not for the faint hearted. Considering his own problems I thought it was a very brave attempt to help us all understand and face our fate. Without being over the top in his documentary he showed us how to bring a smile to our final hours. I loved the ending with Eric Idle singing to him ‘Always look on the bright side of life’. We will be watching part two next week
The Big Send Off. Part Two. Below: Direct links to subjects covered
This episode seemed to speed up and cram in as much info as possible.
Conclusion, its the last party you will attend!!
