These were the glory years of comedy on the BBC. I was a junior writer for the BBC and this was my favourite show to work on. Eric was an absolute comic genius.
@@petergarlick8251 Thank you very much for that nice comment. I have had a really wonderful journey as a writer. I've always considered how fortunate I have been, in getting paid for something that I love doing. But it's not all about financial reward, success to me is anyone, regardless of age, gender, wealth, education, profession, trade or occupation, simply loving what they do.
I'm sure that working with these two were a privilege. But let's not forget Jim Davidson and the late Bernard Manning along with shows like Love Thy Neighbour were every bit as much a part of the same era.
I've got a Police record.... "Don't Stand So Close To Me!"....😂 an apt song for the time - alas! .... I met Des O'Connor about 15 years ago - there was also a group in from a school for children with learning difficulties etc. he was great with them... and us! - Great guy, much missed!
It wasn't just Eric & Ernie who made fun of Des' singing. Russ Abbott made a funny cigar commercial with Des the butt of the joke- czcams.com/video/Q4hhOU2BBeo/video.html
The bit where Eric holds the LP to Des face and says i like him is priceless, we all know they thought the world of each other in real life. Des seemed such a nice guy and he was so good with people on his TV shows, one of the last real old entertainers gone theres not many left now. RIP.
Can just picture Des at the gates of heaven being received by St Peter,and two voices in the far distance calling out,he can come in as long as he doesn't start singing.RIP Des and thanks for the memories
He was the butt of most people's jokes, but he went on undaunted. A great entertainer. The sketches with Morecambe and Wise show what a real trouper he was. I miss you already, Des.
RIP Des, you brought such laughter to everyone with those two rascals. My mum met you in 1958 when you were the comedian hosting Buddy Holly and the Crickets tour in the UK. She saw you at The Ritz in Wigan. After the show she asked for your autograph along with her mates they were all around 17 years old. You gave them all the time in the world whilst everyone else waited for Buddy Holly to come out. A true gent. (She got Buddy's autograph too!)
The last few weeks for famous deaths in The UK has been dreadful. Besides those great names, we have lost John Sessions, Frank Bough, Ray Clemence, Nobby Stiles, Dame Diana Rigg, Sean Connery and a few others too.....
After his near fatal heart attack in 1980 eric heard des had asked his audience that night to pray for eric - eric quipped "those 7 people might have made the difference" 🤣 Sadly theyre all gone now 😪 We wont see their like again.
Saw Des O'Connor live once and he was absolutely brilliant, his comedy was fantastic and his singing was amazing. He is of the generation of good old fashioned music hall/light entertainment that is sadly missed in our society.
actually comedy like this is still very common in many parts of the world - semi-improvised skits where the performers often laugh at their own jokes. Only in the Uk did it cease decades ago, in favour of panel shows etc.
As I pointed out in an earlier post, shows like Love Thy Neighbour and comedians like the late Bernard Manning and Jim Davidson were just as much a part of this era as this was. Let's not have too rose tinted a view of the past.
That is not true in the slightest. Check out The Consultants or The Pin or Tom Wrigglesworths Hang-ups, all on Radio4 xtra. Or you could go for The IT crowd, The Mighty Boosh if you want stuff on TV. Not too mention the stuff you can find on the stand-up circuit. it seems to me people complain about the lack of 'innocent comedy' but don't really appreciate the vast spectrum of comedy that is available. I do agree with the panel shows, too many of those.
After Eric had his second heart attack in 1979 and went into hospital for serious heart surgery, Des was on stage with his one man show and asked the audience to "if you are religious, say a prayer for Eric". When Eric found out Des had said this he said, and I paraphrase "that was very nice for Des to do that, and those 6 or 7 people made all the difference".
I remember reading that interview; ISTR Eric actually said "he'd asked both houses if they'd say a little prayer and those half dozen people made all the difference." Des joked afterwards that it was only one house.
All three are gone now. But what a legacy. Des, such a self deprecating chap, brimful of talent and charm and a really good sport to put up with those two rascals.
Even though he reached a grand age of 88, it's still sad news that he's yet another of our greats who's moved on to that great big laughter bash up in heaven! I should imagine that Jimmy Tarbuck would be feeling particularly sad at the news as there's not many of his old gang left now. Such great comedy back then, before the "alternative" (a.k.a. not very funny, but the sarcastic & anarchic) kind of "comedy" took over in the '80s. R.I.P., Des, thanks for all the laughter (& not just at the singing, which was really quite good. ;) ).
Sad news to hear of DES O'Connors passing away. Long now may these three funny men reign in the afterlife together. RIP DES O'connor ERNIE Wise and ERIC Morecambe. 🙏😊❤️
Shows like Love Thy Neighbour and comedians like the late Bernard Manning and Jim Davidson were just as much a part of this era as this was. Let's not have too rose tinted a view of the past.
@gopher wiretap I will. It was unforgivable that such humour was seen as acceptable when support for the National Front was running high and plenty of people of different ethnic origin faced discrimination and violence. The likes of Manning and Davidson pandered to the attitudes that fed that.
@gopher wiretap " Feeling ashamed is so much more PC than feeling proud, virtue signalling easier than actually standing up for something." Like the National Front?
Many of the delightful insults directed to Des by Eric and Ernie was actually written by him, he had a great sense of humour and could certainly take it as well as dish it out. They must be causing hilarious mayhem up there can you imagine. Gone but never forgotten a lovely legacy to leave with Eric and Ernie. R.I.P Des with your dear friends. As Steve said... he's found us.
The best ever, no one to this day can match them for the joy and laughter they gave us. Christmas was never Christmas without Morecambe and Wise. Still miss them so much. Thank you for this.
Every single modern comedian (or aspiring comedian) should watch this and marvel at the dialogue, the timing, the body movement, the pauses etc etc. An object lesson in what comedy is. Simply delightful.
So sad to hear the news that Des O’Connor has sadly past away. One more of the grate’s from my childhood gone. So hope there all reunited. Thank you for the laughter. 🇬🇧 15/11/20
RIP .. Des .. He was so well loved in the U.K. He never took himself seriously, They now slag of these times when we were all supposed to be uncouth , but comedy was at a all time high like this in the 70’s , M & W was the biggest watched show ever on U.K. TV each Christmas, even with a population some 20 million less then 👏🏻 , it’s still as never been beaten , it didn’t have to have endless profanity to be funny. Strangely it all seemed to change after the 70’s ,more or less ended , Not The Nine O’clock News , Young Ones although I loved , did bring with it that alternative edge , that would eventually evolve into what we have presently so probably my generation fault . Comedy as never been the same thou apart from a few Alan Partridge, The Office & Friends are the only ones I can think I’ve ever wanted to watch since , Fawlty Towers was the greatest ever comedy sitcom followed by Porridge & Rising Damp. Strangely after all that , when Des had is own interview type show , a favourite guest of his on his show was Lee Evans who swore like a trooper & was probably with Peter Kay the funnest stand ups we have ever had , both like chalk & cheese tho , Peter Kay’s old school no profanity ! I’m rambling here .... 🙄😂 I forgot to add the classic 70’s show the comedians I loved too ... Charlie Williams, Bernard Manning’s haha now he was funny as fook , sssshhhh but keep it quiet it’s not very PC these days to say that, that why alternative came along with all the swearing & that , cos of all those old “supposed” dinosaurs !!! 🤭🧐🧐🤔🤔🧐🤫🙄😂
Before I’m hammered over the missed ones !! Yess Yes Yes ... I forgot Jasper Carrot , Dave Alan ... I definitely should’ve added also ... can’t think off anymore........ !
What a great and funny routine, with Des being there equal in this sketch. My uncle Ray met them when he was on the bill with them during a Summer Season during the fifties, long before they were famous and remained lifelong friends. It took them all many, many years before they had their first successful TV series, "Two of a kind" and Ray for his childrens' TV series "Titch and Quackers". Ray and Eric bought him a pound note tea towel for one of his birthday's. Eric said " Just you watch. He'll spend that". Those were the days when you had to be very talented and very experienced to stand a chance of making it to the top. They all toured around the UK for many years honing their act. When they had Eddie Braben write for them they reached their peak. They were the greatest and funniest double act ever.
Just heard about des, so sad, had to watch this it's probably my favourite comedy sketch of all time, bet the 3 of them are having a great laugh up there, god bless all 3 of them
I just watched that from beginning to end and its the first time I have actually been entertained in years, no bad language, not political rubbish, just good humour. Really makes me feel old and sad, watching them as a kid with the family was something to look forward to.......Quality..........not todays quantity
Pure Class, tv today is just not the same. Thanks Des for being such a good sport. I miss these feel good shows from the 70's. Today's tv leaves a lot to be desired.
"TV is better today." Hmm, considering that modern 'comedy' in particular seems to increasingly elevate the substandard and the talent-lite to success purely because they tick a few precious boxes (especially via the BBC of course) that's a contentious assertion to put it mildly. That said to each their own I guess....
Oh boy, I am so glad I was around when these shows were made. I truly feel sorry for anyone who was born past this era as it was the zenith of high quality variety, after this the eighties came with acerbic so called alternative humour and insults. The whole family could watch this and I remember how the streets were deserted when these Christmas shows were broadcast and how for weeks after at work or in school people would talk about them and laugh. Happy days!
I was young enough to love M&W in their heyday (and don't forget the repeats, for years...!!) but also old enough to appreciate (very much) the "alternative" 80s comedy as well. In fact, they were pretty similar: M&W were pretty sarky and acerbic, even in this sketch here - although as many have pointed out, Des O'Connor was happy to be the (not really) butt of their jokes, and they were actually all good friends. And hey - the "acerbic 80s" (honestly, that really doesn't describe it fairly - how about Blackadder, Not the Nine O'Clock News, Harry Enfield, Lenny Henry, Only Fools, etc. etc.?) were surely orders of magnitude funnier than the so-called "comedians" of the modern, po-faced, Politically Correct Age of the Social Justice Warrior - and the blight of unfunny and often very vulgar and distasteful "memes" spread via anti-social "meeja"? My own kids, who are of an age to know modern stuff, can see only too well that the 70s-90s comedy era absolutely flattens today's so-called "comedy". At least we have recorded memories of those halcyon days :)
Trust me. I’ve just watched loads of M&W episodes on CZcams and I’m so pleased I didn’t grow up in this era. The comedy is so painful to watch. I’m perfectly happy with today’s comedy.
Absolutely agree going back to school you could guarantee that we would be talking and laughing again as we discussed watching the show . everybody and all ages loved them
Matt Burfield Today's comedy, for example? And do you honestly believe it will be looked upon in 40 years from now as classic? The fact is there is very little in the way of British comedy on TV now that isn't a repeat from the 70s, 80s or 90s and what little there is, is pretty awful and will quickly be forgotten. Comedy simply isn't the integral part of television it once was and unless you grew up in that kind of environment, it would be hard to understand. I too am glad I grew up with it and I can't imagine a childhood without it.
This would be mid 1970s and I would be around 13 or 14 when this was on. As a child you laugh but you don't appreciate how much skill and talent is in this comedy. The timing is perfect and the delivery is fantastic; like a great acting performance you forget this is a script delivery down to the last comma and full stop. I have been a performer on the stage at theatre level, and I appreciate the stress that one goes through when performing. There is so much to remember and get right. This is top-level comedy genius which is in another class from the dross we get in the 21st century. Life had so much more depth back then. Truly Marvellous.
I saw his tribute show last night 4 weeks after his passing...what a genius and what a gentleman...he was my parents fave entertainer, and I loved his shows too...this sketch with Morcambe and Wise is so hilarious and has golden memories attached to it. Rest in peace dear Des, we shall all miss you.
The line if you want me to be a goner get me an LP by Des O'Connor was written by him. You can see the genuine love and affection that they had for each other. Three great entertainers we've never seen anybody as good since. Sadly missed .
'Are they for keeps or just for lenses?' .... classic comedy, smart, quick, witty, no need for smut or foul language ... RIP all three, have some fun again!
One of the reasons I love this is that on many occasions all three of them go off script. The most obvious is when Eric fluffs the line about a suit and a sense of humour. It's a brilliant example of something that's funny on the page getting even funnier with the performances, and to be fair, Des is Eric and Ernie's equal here, and must have loved being the victim of a running gag from two men he obviously adored.
Des wouldn't be half the figure he grew to be if not for his ability to deal with this; and deal with it so well . There is an interview on YT where he admits sometimes he took it a bit seriously and it brought him down. His response was to use their Des gags in his own shows and so people laughed with him rather that at him. Quite something. I don't know if there is another showbiz story quite like it.
You have to remember that all three were very good friends. It was only because of this friendship that the boys could do the gags against Des that they did. Eric said so in an interview a year or to before he died.
Eric was a brilliant ad-libber and got an extra belly-laugh after getting the original 'suit' gag in the wrong order (as it was with the musical notes in Grieg's Piano Concerto with Andrew Preview); I was lucky enough to watch this as a little lad when it originally went out and it's still funny.
Anyone here after hearing the sad news today? RIP Des.
Yep me unbelievable they’ve all gone now YT is the only place to find them to remember
Me! And just about to share this as tribute.
Yeah,he can join eric and ernie in heaven rip des o connor
Yeah, just heard. Another entertainment legend has left us. What a dreadful year 2020 is
@@craig1538 very true thankfully it's nearly over
Not quite sure how anyone can ‘dislike’ this . . proper comedy . . sleep well Des 😢
Totally agree.
Never to be repeated.... Comedy at its Best!!
True comedy by legendary men.
Being from Northampton makes me feel proud how he went from Working at Churches shoes to the dizzy heights. God bless and sleep well.
All legends des o Connor Freddie Starr Bobby ball bruce forsyth so many erine wise Eric Morecambe
RIP All three of them. They dont make entertainers like them anymore
They don't Sean. And no bad language, just good writing and superb timing
and Arthur Negus !
These were the glory years of comedy on the BBC. I was a junior writer for the BBC and this was my favourite show to work on. Eric was an absolute comic genius.
Thku so much for sharing that … I hope u had a great career … comedy writing is a true art ….
@@petergarlick8251 Thank you very much for that nice comment. I have had a really wonderful journey as a writer. I've always considered how fortunate I have been, in getting paid for something that I love doing. But it's not all about financial reward, success to me is anyone, regardless of age, gender, wealth, education, profession, trade or occupation, simply loving what they do.
@@comedywriter8408 couldn’t agree more .. working for Eric and Ernie would have been a memorable experience
Excuse me, can i ask how you got into that profession? It's something i would love doing
I'm sure that working with these two were a privilege. But let's not forget Jim Davidson and the late Bernard Manning along with shows like Love Thy Neighbour were every bit as much a part of the same era.
Des O Conner deserves great respect for being able to laugh at himself. RIP Eric and Ernie. Gone but not forgotten!!!
I went for a job interview once and they asked “do you have a criminal record “ i said yes I’ve got a Des O’ Connor LP, they didn’t get the joke
brilliant
😂😂😂 - i'd have given you the job! 😂😂😂
🤣
I've got a Police record.... "Don't Stand So Close To Me!"....😂 an apt song for the time - alas! .... I met Des O'Connor about 15 years ago - there was also a group in from a school for children with learning difficulties etc. he was great with them... and us! - Great guy, much missed!
It wasn't just Eric & Ernie who made fun of Des' singing. Russ Abbott made a funny cigar commercial with Des the butt of the joke- czcams.com/video/Q4hhOU2BBeo/video.html
The bit where Eric holds the LP to Des face and says i like him is priceless, we all know they thought the world of each other in real life. Des seemed such a nice guy and he was so good with people on his TV shows, one of the last real old entertainers gone theres not many left now. RIP.
Can just picture Des at the gates of heaven being received by St Peter,and two voices in the far distance calling out,he can come in as long as he doesn't start singing.RIP Des and thanks for the memories
Omg yes 😂😂😂
I can see my mum sitting in her chair watching these two and I can almost hear her laughing. Miss you mum ❤️🌹❤️
RIP Des, I could watch this clip a million times and it will always make me laugh.
RIP des. Don’t make em like this anymore. I’m always in stitches every time watch this. 3 legends greatly missed.
All three are together again now, RIP Des say hello to Eric and Ernie for us all...
He was the butt of most people's jokes, but he went on undaunted. A great entertainer. The sketches with Morecambe and Wise show what a real trouper he was. I miss you already, Des.
Ernie: "Des O'Connor is a self made man."
Eric: "I think that's very nice of him to take the blame"
That part slayed me haha! 🤣🤣
Haha🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
RIP Des, you brought such laughter to everyone with those two rascals. My mum met you in 1958 when you were the comedian hosting Buddy Holly and the Crickets tour in the UK. She saw you at The Ritz in Wigan. After the show she asked for your autograph along with her mates they were all around 17 years old. You gave them all the time in the world whilst everyone else waited for Buddy Holly to come out. A true gent. (She got Buddy's autograph too!)
Great story. These guys weren't just great entertainers but top blokes as well.
In this day and age, isn't it great just to watch some clean, no frills, funny stuff.
What about the anti-Semitism?
@@markharrison2544 WTF are you on about?
What about The Workers?
Eric and Ernie were masters of their craft
@@markharrison2544 Fuckin tool
Eric and Ernie, Des, Freddie Starr, Bruce Forsyth, Bobby Ball, Eddie Large....... just imagine the Laughter in Paradise.
The last few weeks for famous deaths in The UK has been dreadful.
Besides those great names, we have lost John Sessions, Frank Bough, Ray Clemence, Nobby Stiles, Dame Diana Rigg, Sean Connery and a few others too.....
After his near fatal heart attack in 1980 eric heard des had asked his audience that night to pray for eric - eric quipped "those 7 people might have made the difference" 🤣 Sadly theyre all gone now 😪 We wont see their like again.
It wasn't it was in 1968.
His first was in '68, he had another in '79.
Credit where it's due- O'Connor's more than holding his own here. One of my favourite guests.
I'd say his presence turns a great duo into a trio.
They were all good friends off stage, which you can see here.
Eric Morecambe's son wrote a lovely book.
RIP des you'll be missed. 2020 sucks.
Saw Des O'Connor live once and he was absolutely brilliant, his comedy was fantastic and his singing was amazing. He is of the generation of good old fashioned music hall/light entertainment that is sadly missed in our society.
An age of innocent comedy that is sadly long gone
actually comedy like this is still very common in many parts of the world - semi-improvised skits where the performers often laugh at their own jokes. Only in the Uk did it cease decades ago, in favour of panel shows etc.
Might I suggest, Tim Vine. He has a channel on here now. Tim Vine Televisual.
As I pointed out in an earlier post, shows like Love Thy Neighbour and comedians like the late Bernard Manning and Jim Davidson were just as much a part of this era as this was. Let's not have too rose tinted a view of the past.
That is not true in the slightest. Check out The Consultants or The Pin or Tom Wrigglesworths Hang-ups, all on Radio4 xtra.
Or you could go for The IT crowd, The Mighty Boosh if you want stuff on TV.
Not too mention the stuff you can find on the stand-up circuit.
it seems to me people complain about the lack of 'innocent comedy' but don't really appreciate the vast spectrum of comedy that is available.
I do agree with the panel shows, too many of those.
Pure family entertainment 😀
He was brilliant with Eric and Ernie, great comedy. RIP Des. You will be greatly missed
Never has the word "unscrupulous" raised such a big laugh!
After Eric had his second heart attack in 1979 and went into hospital for serious heart surgery, Des was on stage with his one man show and asked the audience to "if you are religious, say a prayer for Eric". When Eric found out Des had said this he said, and I paraphrase "that was very nice for Des to do that, and those 6 or 7 people made all the difference".
John King 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😍😘😘😘😍😘😘😘😍😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
John King is
John King class
That's funny!
I remember reading that interview; ISTR Eric actually said "he'd asked both houses if they'd say a little prayer and those half dozen people made all the difference." Des joked afterwards that it was only one house.
Eric and Ernie. And. Des are stars. And to mr Barry. Cryer a fabulous writer for Eric and Ernie two Ronnies. And more. Rest in peace sir
RIP beautiful souls.
All three legends 🙌
A lovely sentiment and so true. They were the best bar none
He’s a legend.
A shining light in the world of entertainment. A talented musician and very funny man, rest in peace Des.
All three are gone now. But what a legacy. Des, such a self deprecating chap, brimful of talent and charm and a really good sport to put up with those two rascals.
Even though he reached a grand age of 88, it's still sad news that he's yet another of our greats who's moved on to that great big laughter bash up in heaven! I should imagine that Jimmy Tarbuck would be feeling particularly sad at the news as there's not many of his old gang left now. Such great comedy back then, before the "alternative" (a.k.a. not very funny, but the sarcastic & anarchic) kind of "comedy" took over in the '80s. R.I.P., Des, thanks for all the laughter (& not just at the singing, which was really quite good. ;) ).
Sad news to hear of DES O'Connors passing away. Long now may these three funny men reign in the afterlife together. RIP DES O'connor ERNIE Wise and ERIC Morecambe. 🙏😊❤️
R.I.P. Des O'Connor, he was a truly great entertainer, from Game Show Presenter, to Singer and Chat Show Host. Farewell to a wonderful gentleman.
No smut...no swearing ................& its still funny in 2019!
Shows like Love Thy Neighbour and comedians like the late Bernard Manning and Jim Davidson were just as much a part of this era as this was. Let's not have too rose tinted a view of the past.
@gopher wiretap #RancidLittleEnglander.
@gopher wiretap I will. It was unforgivable that such humour was seen as acceptable when support for the National Front was running high and plenty of people of different ethnic origin faced discrimination and violence. The likes of Manning and Davidson pandered to the attitudes that fed that.
@gopher wiretap " Feeling ashamed is so much more PC than feeling proud, virtue signalling easier than actually standing up for something." Like the National Front?
dumbellgym pretorian no it’s not it’s out dated there comedy is dead.
Many of the delightful insults directed to Des by Eric and Ernie was actually written by him, he had a great sense of humour and could certainly take it as well as dish it out. They must be causing hilarious mayhem up there can you imagine. Gone but never forgotten a lovely legacy to leave with Eric and Ernie. R.I.P Des with your dear friends. As Steve said... he's found us.
The best ever, no one to this day can match them for the joy and laughter they gave us. Christmas was never Christmas without Morecambe and Wise. Still miss them so much. Thank you for this.
As Bruce Forsyth said about the Grieg sketch; you can watch this every day and it always makes you laugh.
Every single modern comedian (or aspiring comedian) should watch this and marvel at the dialogue, the timing, the body movement, the pauses etc etc. An object lesson in what comedy is. Simply delightful.
Time is moving on and we are loosing all the Greats. Soon they will all be gone. REST IN PEACE Des 🙏🏻
You can see they all great fun doing this, and you can see the respect between the 3. Watching this Christmas 2022 from Mexico.
So sad to hear the news that Des O’Connor has sadly past away. One more of the grate’s from my childhood gone. So hope there all reunited. Thank you for the laughter. 🇬🇧 15/11/20
Back of the net !
A very funny Talented man xxx thanx Des for so many years of laughter R.I.P xxx
I can imagine Eric and Ernie at the Holy Gates saying "Your late Dimples" RIP
This still cracks me up every time.
Hello BBC this is called talent ........
Back when people could laugh at themselves and eachother....
RIP .. Des .. He was so well loved in the U.K. He never took himself seriously, They now slag of these times when we were all supposed to be uncouth , but comedy was at a all time high like this in the 70’s , M & W was the biggest watched show ever on U.K. TV each Christmas, even with a population some 20 million less then 👏🏻 , it’s still as never been beaten , it didn’t have to have endless profanity to be funny. Strangely it all seemed to change after the 70’s ,more or less ended , Not The Nine O’clock News , Young Ones although I loved , did bring with it that alternative edge , that would eventually evolve into what we have presently so probably my generation fault . Comedy as never been the same thou apart from a few Alan Partridge, The Office & Friends are the only ones I can think I’ve ever wanted to watch since , Fawlty Towers was the greatest ever comedy sitcom followed by Porridge & Rising Damp.
Strangely after all that , when Des had is own interview type show , a favourite guest of his on his show was Lee Evans who swore like a trooper & was probably with Peter Kay the funnest stand ups we have ever had , both like chalk & cheese tho , Peter Kay’s old school no profanity !
I’m rambling here .... 🙄😂
I forgot to add the classic 70’s show the comedians I loved too ... Charlie Williams, Bernard Manning’s haha now he was funny as fook , sssshhhh but keep it quiet it’s not very PC these days to say that, that why alternative came along with all the swearing & that , cos of all those old “supposed” dinosaurs !!! 🤭🧐🧐🤔🤔🧐🤫🙄😂
Before I’m hammered over the missed ones !! Yess Yes Yes ... I forgot Jasper Carrot , Dave Alan ... I definitely should’ve added also ... can’t think off anymore........ !
This is to me the greatest british comedy show of all time with Des.
What a great and funny routine, with Des being there equal in this sketch. My uncle Ray met them when he was on the bill with them during a Summer Season during the fifties, long before they were famous and remained lifelong friends. It took them all many, many years before they had their first successful TV series, "Two of a kind" and Ray for his childrens' TV series "Titch and Quackers". Ray and Eric bought him a pound note tea towel for one of his birthday's. Eric said " Just you watch. He'll spend that". Those were the days when you had to be very talented and very experienced to stand a chance of making it to the top. They all toured around the UK for many years honing their act. When they had Eddie Braben write for them they reached their peak. They were the greatest and funniest double act ever.
They were just the best double act ever. Never missed any of their shows. R.I.P. You're now making them laugh in Heaven ❣
"Unscrupulous!" I knew what was coming but it was still marvellous when it arrived. 😊
RIP Des .
Back together again with Eric and Ernie.
RIP x
Classic. Moving when they both walk off, arms around each other. RIP Des.
Three legends and all having a laugh for our entertainment. All sadly missed - good clean humour!!
We've lost a national treasure. This never fails to make me smile, thank you for entertaining us.
Love the fact that des o'connor wrote most of the gags in the sketch
Legends....pure and simple.
Comedy like this needs to be cherished and remembered for it's nostalgia.They were great friends though❤❤
The best trio in history. The love between them is so obvious!
Just heard about des, so sad, had to watch this it's probably my favourite comedy sketch of all time, bet the 3 of them are having a great laugh up there, god bless all 3 of them
More comedy in 9mins than Christmas day 2023 will offer in 12hrs!! 70's and 80's Christmas's were something special. Miss the good old days 😪
We miss you Des. Friends for 46 years or more. God bless you. Brenda x
I just watched that from beginning to end and its the first time I have actually been entertained in years, no bad language, not political rubbish, just good humour. Really makes me feel old and sad, watching them as a kid with the family was something to look forward to.......Quality..........not todays quantity
I totally agree..couldn't wait to see the Morecambe & Wise show..always hugely funny..what stars they were...miss their comedy...🤤🤗
Sleep sweetly, Des. May you and Eric and Ernie forever laugh and joke together!
Love & Bless you all. xxx
Pure Class, tv today is just not the same. Thanks Des for being such a good sport.
I miss these feel good shows from the 70's. Today's tv leaves a lot to be desired.
Gary Dunn TV is better today.
Des didn't mind the micky taking of his music as it boosted sales of his records....lol
"TV is better today."
Hmm, considering that modern 'comedy' in particular seems to increasingly elevate the substandard and the talent-lite to success purely because they tick a few precious boxes (especially via the BBC of course) that's a contentious assertion to put it mildly.
That said to each their own I guess....
@@mattissotrendy How old are you? 12? well, 13 now?
Paul Bantick 34
Eric and Ernie is in for a disappointment because Des will be singing in heaven
When TV was entertainment.
Oh boy, I am so glad I was around when these shows were made. I truly feel sorry for anyone who was born past this era as it was the zenith of high quality variety, after this the eighties came with acerbic so called alternative humour and insults.
The whole family could watch this and I remember how the streets were deserted when these Christmas shows were broadcast and how for weeks after at work or in school people would talk about them and laugh. Happy days!
It is possible to enjoy both this (which I love) and later, more satirical, humour. It's called "variety".
I was young enough to love M&W in their heyday (and don't forget the repeats, for years...!!) but also old enough to appreciate (very much) the "alternative" 80s comedy as well. In fact, they were pretty similar: M&W were pretty sarky and acerbic, even in this sketch here - although as many have pointed out, Des O'Connor was happy to be the (not really) butt of their jokes, and they were actually all good friends. And hey - the "acerbic 80s" (honestly, that really doesn't describe it fairly - how about Blackadder, Not the Nine O'Clock News, Harry Enfield, Lenny Henry, Only Fools, etc. etc.?) were surely orders of magnitude funnier than the so-called "comedians" of the modern, po-faced, Politically Correct Age of the Social Justice Warrior - and the blight of unfunny and often very vulgar and distasteful "memes" spread via anti-social "meeja"? My own kids, who are of an age to know modern stuff, can see only too well that the 70s-90s comedy era absolutely flattens today's so-called "comedy". At least we have recorded memories of those halcyon days :)
Trust me. I’ve just watched loads of M&W episodes on CZcams and I’m so pleased I didn’t grow up in this era.
The comedy is so painful to watch. I’m perfectly happy with today’s comedy.
Absolutely agree going back to school you could guarantee that we would be talking and laughing again as we discussed watching the show . everybody and all ages loved them
Matt Burfield Today's comedy, for example? And do you honestly believe it will be looked upon in 40 years from now as classic?
The fact is there is very little in the way of British comedy on TV now that isn't a repeat from the 70s, 80s or 90s and what little there is, is pretty awful and will quickly be forgotten. Comedy simply isn't the integral part of television it once was and unless you grew up in that kind of environment, it would be hard to understand. I too am glad I grew up with it and I can't imagine a childhood without it.
Love the Xmas specials they were so good nothing comes close these days
The Christmas specials were not to be missed..great entertainment !!
This would be mid 1970s and I would be around 13 or 14 when this was on.
As a child you laugh but you don't appreciate how much skill and talent is in this comedy.
The timing is perfect and the delivery is fantastic; like a great acting performance you forget this is a script delivery down to the last comma and full stop.
I have been a performer on the stage at theatre level, and I appreciate the stress that one goes through when performing. There is so much to remember and get right.
This is top-level comedy genius which is in another class from the dross we get in the 21st century.
Life had so much more depth back then.
Truly Marvellous.
A wonderful comedy routine by 3 good friends. Boy do we miss this era of comedy today.
Good old Des. Always up for a bit of fun at his own expense. Thanks for the laughs.
I saw his tribute show last night 4 weeks after his passing...what a genius and what a gentleman...he was my parents fave entertainer, and I loved his shows too...this sketch with Morcambe and Wise is so hilarious and has golden memories attached to it. Rest in peace dear Des, we shall all miss you.
RIP Des ,properly laughed at this sketch.
They were so naughty. I'm sure that they will be at it again when Des arrives in heaven. RIP guys.
Rest in peace Eric and Ernie you are true comedians
When Eric's statue was vandalised a few years ago, the standing joke was that Des did it.
Why would anyone vandalise it?
They're all together now.
RIP Des
Such a shame that Des has passed away. The art of comedy such as this clip has sadly been lost
Eric - "Des and me are good friends, in fact he came along to my daughter's wedding ... he wasn't invited, but he came along anyway".
Des was very close to Eric and Ernie and actually helped write a few of the jokes they used on him.
Laughed so much that there were tears running down my face. We will never see the likes of them again. Unfortunately.
Greatest double act just brilliant they just crack me up
"What's the matter?"
"I like him!"
3 legends, all together again. RIP Des
Rip des, hope you three having a laugh up in heaven ✌🏻
Hope their all together having a good laugh RIP x
rest in peace Des, you made a lot of great tv that not once preached anything to the people other than trying to make them happy
Saw him once in a summer show many moons ago, mid 1970s, always a laugh and never took himself seriously, RIP Des.
Hard to take that all this is gone, never thought that what as a kid made me cry with laughter, now just makes me cry
Something about Eric made you feel like he was a member of your family, Still does.
+Lucia Tilyard Ah yes, with us by the fireside at Xmas every year.
mizofan That's right. He was incredibly human.
He's like a favourite uncle
Des O’Connor album sales doubled after been on there shows. Fact. Brilliant
The line if you want me to be a goner get me an LP by Des O'Connor was written by him.
You can see the genuine love and affection that they had for each other.
Three great entertainers we've never seen anybody as good since.
Sadly missed .
Best Christmas tv back then..rip lads..
Never has the word 'unscrupulous' ever been so funny.
Or the word Burke !
Des always said he could never have bought the publicity like he got from morecombe and wise
Andrew Munn This sketch is amazing!
@James Henderson wow , a critic
'Are they for keeps or just for lenses?' .... classic comedy, smart, quick, witty, no need for smut or foul language ... RIP all three, have some fun again!
Miss them,,, just so funny,,, you will never see the likes again
One of the reasons I love this is that on many occasions all three of them go off script. The most obvious is when Eric fluffs the line about a suit and a sense of humour. It's a brilliant example of something that's funny on the page getting even funnier with the performances, and to be fair, Des is Eric and Ernie's equal here, and must have loved being the victim of a running gag from two men he obviously adored.
Des wouldn't be half the figure he grew to be if not for his ability to deal with this; and deal with it so well . There is an interview on YT where he admits sometimes he took it a bit seriously and it brought him down. His response was to use their Des gags in his own shows and so people laughed with him rather that at him. Quite something. I don't know if there is another showbiz story quite like it.
It's fair to say there was quite a bit of mutual career benefit from this sparring relationship.
You have to remember that all three were very good friends. It was only because of this friendship that the boys could do the gags against Des that they did. Eric said so in an interview a year or to before he died.
Eric was a brilliant ad-libber and got an extra belly-laugh after getting the original 'suit' gag in the wrong order (as it was with the musical notes in Grieg's Piano Concerto with Andrew Preview); I was lucky enough to watch this as a little lad when it originally went out and it's still funny.
Still very funny clean fun .
God bless you Des you kept me entertained over the years ..RIP.
Des Oconnor one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet. we will never see his like again.
Always takes me back years ago..watching Morecombe and Wise with my Dad..so funny 🤣🤣
These guys were hilarious! there is just no substitute for British humour.