 The Morecambe and Wise Show
1 9 6 1 - 1 9 6 4 (UK)
1 9 6 6 - 1 9 7 6 (UK)
1 9 8 0 - 1 9 8 3 (UK)
Eric Morecambe (born Eric Bartholomew - the tall one with the
glasses) and Ernie Wise (Real name, Ernest Wiseman - the
straight-man with the short fat hairy legs!) first appeared
together in 1941. Arguably Britain's most popular TV comedy team,
they absolutely ruled British small screen comedy variety for
almost a quarter of a century on both ITV and BBC.
In the early 1960's they appeared in a series of comedy music
shows. Eric would be striding around singing "Boom Oo Yatta
Ta Ta" off-key and grabbing Ernie by the throat demanding
"get outta that!".
 Some
of the running jokes throughout their career were; Des O'Connor;
Luton Town FC (Eric was a director of the club); Ern's hair
("you can't see the join"); Ern's plays; Eric wobbling
his glasses and saying "what do you think of it so far? -
Rubbish!"; The fat lady ("I love you all") . .
.
And the running gag at the end of the show, where Ernie would
get Eric to leave, pretending the show was over, and then sneak
back to do a closing number with the special guest. We all knew
that Eric would walk along the back of the set in his mac with his
carrier bag, but the repetition never ruined the appeal of the
joke. In fact, if anything, it heightened it.
Unusually for the sixties, in the series Eric and Ern were
supposed to share a flat together (unusual for two adult single
men).
 This
was seen in every show during Ernie's 'play wot I wrote' sketch
where the weeks guest star would be humiliated and embarrassed.
Even more questionable for the era, they shared a bed together.
But Eric and Ern are probably best remembered for their
spectacular Christmas shows from the 1970's and 1980's.
Their Christmas specials starred the likes of Glenda Jackson,
Andre Previn (who Eric called Andrew Preview), Vanessa Redgrave,
Laurence Olivier, Diana Rigg, Des O'Connor, Angela Rippon, Former
Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Diana Dors. To this day, watching
an episode of the Morecambe and Wise Show immediately recreates
the epoch and memory of my childhood Christmases.
The duo last worked on TV together in a 90 minute comedy
thriller in 1985 called Night Train to Murder. They were
truly comic geniuses and I will always miss them dearly . . .
IN LOVING MEMORY
Eric Morecambe collapsed and died on May 29, 1984 after
appearing in a Sunday concert in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. He
was 58 years old.
Ernie Wise died on March 21, 1999 having recently undergone
emergency heart by-pass surgery in the USA. He was 73 years old.
Bring me sunshine in your smile
Bring me laughter all the while
In this world where we live
There should be more happiness
So much joy you can give
To each brand new bright tomorrow
Make me happy through the years
Never bring me any tears
Let your arms be as warm
As the sun from up above
Bring me fun, Bring me sunshine, Bring me love
|
