morecambe-and-wise tvradio tvheroes Virgin Media
Names: Eric Morecambe, real name John Eric Bartholomew, and Ernie Wise, real name Ernie Wiseman.
Comedy: The Morecambe and Wise Show (1968-83). Although they started their double act in 1946, it wasn’t until they began their eponymous telly comedy that they really rose to fame and were Britain’s best-loved comedy duo. Sadly, Eric Morecambe died in 1984 and Ernie Wise in 1999.
Set-up: A sitcom/sketch show where Wise was the straight man to Morecambe’s silly, taller show-off funnyman. In it, the pair not only shared a flat, but a bed, in a totally platonic way. Wise would also supposedly put on completely inept plays featuring the show’s star guest.
Standout moment: ‘The Stripper’ kitchen breakfast dance routine, featuring sausages as feather boas, plus every single Christmas special.
Memorable catchphrases: “What do you think of it so far? Rubbish!”, “He’s got short fat hairy legs”, "The play what I wrote", “More tea, Ern?”, “Wahey!”
Lowest ebb: Whenever they struck up with the song Bring Me Sunshine because it meant the end of the show.
Big screen potential: Maybe Hollywood will one day make a movie of the play about writing a play about Morecambe And Wise - The Play What I Wrote, which was directed by Kenneth Branagh. Though somehow, we doubt it.
Why are they heroes? They are quite simply Britain’s greatest ever double act with their sharp yet often surreal scripting and superb comic timing. They’re also the only duo who manage to easily provide a link between old-fashioned variety music hall and today’s fashionably off-the-wall comedy from the likes of The Mighty Boosh.
Factoid: Eric Morecambe was a director of Luton Town FC and often made visual gags about the Hatters in the show.
A new DVD, The Morecambe & Wise Show: The Thames Years The Complete First series is out on 24 March.
