The Morecambe & Wise Show

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The Morecambe & Wise Show is the third TV series by English comedy double-act Morecambe and Wise. It began airing in 1968 on BBC2, specifically because it was then the only channel broadcasting in colour, following the duo's move to the BBC from ATV, where they had made Two of a Kind since 1961. The series was popular enough to be moved to BBC1, with its Christmas specials garnering prime-time audiences in excess of 20 million, some of the largest in British television history. After their 1977 Christmas special, retaining its title, the show moved over to ITV.

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Creators and Cast

Creators

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Cast

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Eric Morecambe

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Ernie Wise

Self

Episodes

Specials

15 episodes

S0 E1 · Christmas Show (1969)

The musical guests are Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen, The Pattersons, Nina van Pallandt and Frankie Vaughan. Ernie starts the show dressed as a hippy. Eric and Ernie visit Fenella Fielding who is to star in Ernie's play about Lord Nelson.

S0 E2 · Christmas Show (1970)

1970-12-25

The second seasonal offering saw the return of recurring guest star Peter Cushing who still hadn't been paid (a joke that was to continue well into their Thames Television days); also starring was William Franklyn who, at the time, fronted an advertising campaign for Schweppes lemonade with his "Shhh, You Know Who..." tagline. Much comedy was drawn from this, especially in light of the fact that the BBC was forbidden to advertise products. He appears in one of the duo's legendary plays at the end of the show in which the Three Musketeers are parodied. Well-known actor Edward Woodward also sang The Way You Look Tonight rather than appearing within a sketch has he had done in previous appearances.

S0 E3 · Christmas Show (1971)

1971-12-25

Considered by many to be their finest hour, the festive edition for 1971 contains several all-time classics such as Shirley Bassey singing Smoke Gets in Your Eyes whilst the boys re-arrange the scenery, with Bassey memorably ending with Eric's boots on, the Hollywood Melody with Glenda Jackson and the BBC newsreaders and, of course, André Previn conducting Eric's rendition of Greig's Piano Concerto (by Grieg!). The BBC's other headlining star Dick Emery also makes a brief but memorable cameo appearance in the opening spot of the show. Bassey also sang Diamonds Are Forever which of course had been the titular song to the James Bond film of the same years' release.

S0 E4 · Christmas Show (1972)

1972-12-25

No series was produced in 1972 with the duo concentrating on a high-quality spectacular for Christmas Night, by this time their show had become a staple part of festive viewing and the pressure was on to deliver the goods. Braben had suffered a breakdown and was not producing material for some time, but they bounced back with another successful show. This show is a curious mix, showing that the by now established formula worked. For instance, the ridiculing of a guest singer by providing backing vocals and/or dancers is featured twice here, once with Vera Lynn and once with Jack Jones in what are basically similar routines. Also, there are two "plays", one with Pete Murray in the Great War epic Dawn Patrol and of course, the Prince Albert spoof at the conclusion of the show.

S0 E5 · Christmas Show (1973)

1973-12-25

By this time, an established running gag was the fact that our intrepid duo could not get stars to work with them, and this show features four cameo appearances from Yehudi Menuhin, Rudolf Nureyev, Laurence Olivier and André Previn all making excuses not to appear. Perhaps the most memorable is Lord Olivier who pretends to be a Chinese Laundry attendant over the telephone! Vanessa Redgrave joins in the Latin American Extravaganza, and the Napoleon & Josephine play, with music (suitably interrupted!) by John Hanson. The other memorable scene from this show is Hannah Gordon's effort to sing the song The Windmills of Your Mind used in the film The Thomas Crown Affair against a wind generator with "help"...

S0 E6 · Parkinson Takes A Christmas Look At Morecambe & Wise 1974

1974-12-25

This was the only year that the duo were with the BBC that no festive programme was made and there was a decrease in their output after this time. Instead of a brand new show the pair were instead interviewed by Michael Parkinson who also introduced some of their most memorable clips from previous shows. Again, the programme was broadcast on the evening on 25 December but, other than the interview, there was no new footage available. Their slot was filled by the Mike Yarwood Show and the interview shown at 11.20pm.

S0 E7 · Christmas Show (1975 )

1975-12-25

The musical guests are Diane Solomon, Brenda Arnau, Des O'Connor and Diana Rigg. Eric and Ernie go to the psychiatrist. Des O'Connor has trouble singing. Diana Rigg stars as Nell Gwynne in Ernie's latest play called 'Nell Gwynne'.

S0 E8 · Christmas Show (1976)

1976-12-25

The only BBC show that Eric and Ernie made (save for series one) that wasn't penned exclusively by Eddie Braben. Instead, established writers Barry Cryer and John Junkin (among others) were drafted in to create what became another iconic show, with The Sweeney stars John Thaw and Dennis Waterman in the play, Elton John in the Won't You Play A Simple Melody? routine and, Angela Rippon's legs! The opening credits were a comic strip presentation, whilst closing credits had baby photographs of all the stars.

S0 E9 · Eric & Ernie's Christmas Show (1977)

1977-12-25

The final BBC Christmas Show attracted audience figures of 28.5 million, a record that has still to be broken; this was also the first time that Christian names were used in the opening titles, the "boys" having become something of a national institution by this stage. The following opening sequence features a parody of Starsky and Hutch, in which the comics star as 'Starkers' and 'Krutch', driving through the streets in a red Mini Clubman emblazoned with the same white vector stripe as seen on the TV crimefighters' Ford Torino. Boasting the longest guest list of all their shows, the casts of both Dad's Army (which by that time had finished its run) and The Good Life all appeared, as did Elton John (eventually!), and the classic There Is Nothing Like A Dame routine featuring a host of BBC news presenters. Angela Rippon also reprised her high-kicking role from the previous Christmas show and Angharad Rees struggled against the blizzards to duet with Ernie.

S0 E10 · The Best of Morecambe & Wise

2001-10-01

A collection of some oof your favourite sketches from an irreplaceable comedy partnership, including: Anthony and Cleopatra Monty on the Bounty The meeting of Byron and Keats Eric being well and Truely Laquered The classic Singing in the Rainn sketh.

S0 E11 · Christmas Show (1981)

This show marked in some ways the fact that Morecambe & Wise were no longer a prime asset; it was the first time in their television careers that their festive offering had not been broadcast on Christmas Night, the schedulers opting instead for 23 December. This was also because, until 1982, Thames Television only operated from Monday at 9.25am until Friday at 7pm; as Christmas Day fell on a Friday, London Weekend Television (LWT) held the franchise to broadcast that evening. The guest list was nonetheless impressive with Ralph Richardson heading up a stellar list, Suzanne Danielle doing a Razzle Dazzle routine with the boys, a re-hash of the BBC health food shop routine, now featuring Valerie Minfie, and the obligatory play, which was Julius Caesar, a thinly covered remake of the popular BBC sketch Antony & Cleopatra from ten years earlier. This show saw M&W use technology more to gain laughs with blue screen techniques being used in some sketches.

S0 E12 · Christmas Show (1982)

No summary.

S0 E13 · Night Train to Murder (1983)

No summary.

S0 E15 · Song and Dance

2012-12-24

Penelope Keith throws a spotlight on Eric and Ernie's passion for music with a waltz through the archives, showcasing the most brilliant Morecambe & Wise routines and unearthing the stories behind them.

S0 E24 · 1970: The Lost Tape

1970-10-08

As a Christmas treat for comedy fans, this is a complete episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show, that had been considered lost for over 50 years. Eric’s son Gary Morecambe discovered the programme in an unmarked film can last year, and now it has been lovely restored and can be enjoyed in full for the first time since being broadcast on October 8th 1970. This remastered version was broadcast on 25 December 2021. The show, written by the legendary Eddie Braben, was episode one of Eric and Ernie’s first series to appear on BBC1, and was originally watched by over 14 million viewers. As well as some classic sketches from Eric and Ernie, the show also features songs and music from Paul Anka, Patricia Lambert, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, and the boys themselves rounding things off with a burst of Bring Me Sunshine.

Season 1

9 episodes

S1 E1 · 12 October 1961

1961-10-12

No summary.

S1 E2 · -

1961-10-19

No summary.

S1 E3 · Acker Bilk

1961-10-26

Acker Bilk

S1 E4 · 2 November 1961

1961-11-02

No summary.

S1 E5 · 9 November 1961

1961-11-09

No summary.

S1 E6 · 16 November 1961

1961-11-16

No summary.

S1 E7 · -

1961-11-23

No summary.

S1 E8 · -

1961-11-30

No summary.

S1 E9 · -

1961-12-07

No summary.

Season 2

13 episodes

S2 E1 · -

1962-06-30

No summary.

S2 E2 · -

1962-07-07

No summary.

S2 E3 · 14 July 1962

1962-07-14

No summary.

S2 E4 · 21 July 1962

1962-07-21

No summary.

S2 E5 · -

1962-07-28

No summary.

S2 E6 · -

1962-08-04

Chris Barber and Otilie Patterson

S2 E7 · -

1962-08-11

Clyde Valley Stompers

S2 E8 · -

1962-08-18

No summary.

S2 E9 · -

1962-08-25

No summary.

S2 E10 · -

1962-09-01

No summary.

S2 E11 · -

1962-09-08

No summary.

S2 E12 · -

1962-09-15

No summary.

S2 E13 · -

1962-09-22

No summary.

Season 3

13 episodes

S3 E1 · -

1963-06-15

--Joe Brown

S3 E2 · -

1963-06-22

No summary.

S3 E3 · -

1963-06-29

--The King Brothers

S3 E4 · -

1963-07-06

No summary.

S3 E5 · -

1963-07-13

--The King Brothers

S3 E6 · The King Brothers (20 July 1963)

1963-07-20

--The King Brothers

S3 E7 · The King Brothers (27 July 1963)

1963-07-27

--The King Brothers

S3 E8 · -

1963-08-03

No summary.

S3 E9 · -

1963-08-10

No summary.

S3 E10 · -

1963-08-17

No summary.

S3 E11 · -

1963-08-24

No summary.

S3 E12 · 31 August 1963

1963-08-31

No summary.

S3 E13 · -

1963-09-07

No summary.

Season 4

13 episodes

S4 E1 · The Raindrops

1964-04-04

--The Raindrops

S4 E2 · -

1964-04-11

Kenny Ball

S4 E3 · -

1964-04-18

--The Beatles - ""I Want To Hold Your Hand,"" ""All My Loving"" & ""This Boy"" --In a comedy segment, the Beatles sing ""Moonlight Bay"" with Morecambe and Wise.

S4 E4 · The Viscounts

1964-04-25

The Viscounts

S4 E5 · Acker Bilk / Jackie Trent

1964-05-02

Guests: Acker Bilk Jackie Trent

S4 E6 · -

1964-05-09

Patsy Ann Noble

S4 E7 · -

1964-05-16

No summary.

S4 E8 · -

1964-05-23

The King Brothers

S4 E9 · -

1964-05-30

Joe Brown & His Bruvvers

S4 E10 · -

1964-06-06

The Four Macs

S4 E11 · -

1964-06-13

No summary.

S4 E12 · 20 June 1964

1964-06-20

No summary.

S4 E13 · Susan Maughan / The Migil Five

1964-06-27

Susan Maughan The Migil Five

Season 5

9 episodes

S5 E1 · Lulu / Paul and Barry Ryan

1966-01-22

--Lulu --Paul & Barry Ryan

S5 E2 · -

1966-01-29

No summary.

S5 E3 · -

1966-02-05

--Jackie Trent

S5 E4 · -

1966-02-12

No summary.

S5 E5 · -

1966-02-19

--Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames

S5 E6 · -

1966-02-26

No summary.

S5 E7 · -

1966-03-05

No summary.

S5 E8 · The Shadows

1966-03-12

--The Shadows

S5 E9 · -

1966-03-19

--Herman's Hermits - ""This Door Swings Both Ways""

Season 6

10 episodes

S6 E1 · -

1967-10-01

Music: --The Kinks - ""Dandy"" & ""Well-Respected Man"" --Engelbert Humperdinck - ""Release Me"" and ""Country Girl"" --Millicent Martin - ""Call Me"" Comedy: --Morecambe and Wise take a flight in a model airplane. --Morecambe and Wise do a ventriloquist act. Aired 29-Jul-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 1-Oct-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)

S6 E2 · -

1967-10-22

Music: --The Small Faces - ""I Can't Make It"" & ""All or Nothing"" --Bobby Rydell - ""The Impossible Dream"" & ""The Joker"" --Millicent Martin - ""The Day the Circus Left Town"" (with the Paddy Stone Dancers) Morecambe and Wise comedy sketches: --A parody of Adagio dancers --A spoof of a popular soap opera Aired 03-Jun-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC, colour) Aired 22-Oct-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)

S6 E3 · -

1967-11-12

Music: --The Hollies - ""On a Carousel"" & ""Stop, Stop, Stop"" --Tom Jones - ""That Old Black Magic"" and ""Detroit City"" --Millicent Martin - ""Fever"" and ""Eleanor Rigby"" Morecambe and Wise comedy sketches: --A pie throwing demonstration --The problems of the nearsighted Aired 27-May-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 12-Nov-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)

S6 E4 · -

1967-12-10

Music: --Manfred Mann - ""Ha Ha, Said the Clown"" & ""Just Like a Woman"" --George Maharis - ""Baby Has Gone Bye-Bye"" & ""All Right, OK, You Win"" --Millicent Martin - ""Singin' in the Rain"" & ""Make It Easy on Yourself"" Morecambe and Wise comedy sketches: --The duo play figures on a Greek vase --A look at English village life Aired 01-Jul-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 10-Dec-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)

S6 E5 · -

1967-12-31

Music: --Frankie Avalon - ""I Could Write a Book"" & ""What Is This Thing Called Love?"" --The New Vaudeville Band - ""If I Had a Talking Picture of You"" and ""Finchley Central"" --Millicent Martin - ""Window Wishin'"" Morecambe and Wise comedy segments: --A version of Grieg's Concerto in A Minor --Impressions of Samson and Delilah, Julius Caesar Aired 15-Jul-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 31-Dec-1967 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)

S6 E6 · -

1968-01-14

Music: --The Moody Blues - ""Fly Me High"" & ""Really Haven't Got the Time"" --Tommy Leonetti - ""Once Upon A Time"" and ""This is the Life"" --Millicent Martin - ""Light Another Cigarette"" Comedy: --Morecambe and Wise spoof Hollywood westerns and musicals. Aired 22-Jul-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 14-Jan-1968 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)

S6 E7 · -

1968-02-04

Music: --Peter Nero (pianist) - ""A Walk in the Black Forest"" & ""Variations on a Theme"" --The Tremeloes - ""Silence Is Golden"" & ""Here Comes My Baby"" --Millicent Martin - ""How Insensitive"" & ""Coronet Man"" Comedy: --Morecambe & Wise parody silent films --Eric Morecambe joins Peter Nero for a piano duet. Aired 12-Aug-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 4-Feb-1968 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)

S6 E8 · -

1968-02-25

Music: --Eric Burdon & the Animals - ""When I Was Young"" & ""Good Times"" --Gene Pitney - ""Town without Pity"" & ""On the Street Where You Live"" --Millicent Martin - ""Something Missing Now"" --Millicent Martin (with the Paddy Stone Dancers) - ""Running Wild"" Comedy: --Gladys Whitred joins Morecambe and Wise for a selection of arias. --Millicent Martin does an apache dance with Morecambe and Wise Aired 5-Aug-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 25-Feb-1968 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)

S6 E9 · -

1968-03-17

Music: --Georgie Fame - ""Sweet Thing"" & ""Funny How Time Slips Away"" --Bobby Vinton - ""Mr. Lonely,"" ""To Life"" and ""Sunrise, Sunset"" --Millicent Martin - ""You're Gonna Hear from Me"" Morecambe and Wise comedy: --An Arabian sheik's first impressions of London. --A parody of pop singing groups (with Morecambe & Wise and the show's writers) Aired 24-Jun-1967 (US - ""Piccadilly Palace"" ABC-TV, colour) Aired 17-Mar-1968 (UK - ""The Morecambe & Wise Show"" ATV, b/w)

S6 E10 · Cliff Richard / The Dave Clark Five

1968-03-31

No summary.

Season 7

8 episodes

S7 E1 · Georgia Brown / Los Zafiros

1968-09-02

No summary.

S7 E2 · Acker Bilk / Roy Budd

1968-09-09

No summary.

S7 E3 · -

1968-09-16

No summary.

S7 E4 · -

1968-09-23

No summary.

S7 E5 · -

1968-09-30

No summary.

S7 E6 · -

1968-10-07

Skit: The stag night, Eric wants to play shadow-grams on his stag night. The performance is Desert Song. Singing performers are Edmund Hockridge, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen,

S7 E7 · -

1968-10-14

No summary.

S7 E8 · -

1968-10-21

No summary.

Season 8

5 episodes

S8 E1 · Episode 1

1969-07-27

The musical guests are Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen, Bobbie Gentry and Vince Hill. Ernie is sick and then Eric and Ernie play tortoises. Peter Cushing stars as King Arthur in the final sketch "King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table".

S8 E2 · Episode 2

1969-08-10

Musical guests are Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, Malcolm Roberts and Trio Athenee. Ernie reads some poetry and then Eric disrupts Ernie's sleep. They go bird watching but Ernie has an ulterior motive. Finally, Eric remembers D-day.

S8 E3 · Episode 3

1969-08-24

Musical guests are Kennyball & His Jazzmen, The Pattersons and Moira Anderson. Juliet Mills is the guest actor. The sketches include Eric reading Ernie's body, Ernie has an au pair, and Ernie's play is called "The Tea Planter's Wife".

S8 E4 · Episode 4

1969-09-07

In the opening, Eric has brought an Incan talisman from Peru to show Ernie. Kennyball and His Jazzman perform "I Wan'na Be Like You". Eric is bored again at home and reminisces with Ernie about their school days. The Pattersons sing "What Would You Do If You Married A Soldier?". Peter Cushing makes a cameo asking for his payment for his last appearance. Kenneth McKellar performs "I Will Wait for You". Edward Woodward is the guest actor and is in the role of a policeman in Ernie's play called "Murder at the Grange".

S8 E5 · Christmas Special

1969-12-25

Guests: Frankie Vaughan, Nina, The Pattersons, Fenella Fielding, Sacha Distel

Season 9

7 episodes

S9 E1 · Episode 1

1970-01-14

Ern the baggy pants comic Ticket clipper In bed: the secret of long life Monks smoking The world’s strongest man Lost voice Record shop Ernie is getting married

S9 E2 · Episode 2

1970-01-28

Ernie’s award, Ernie leaves, Passing the joke, Buskers, Monks: the epilogue, Routine with Nina, Ian Carmichael introduction, Frankenstein’s Monster

S9 E3 · Episode 3

1970-02-11

Ernie gets with it Playing in the park Ernie takes a bath Window-cleaning See you at seven Visiting Fenella Fielding Monks: feeding the birds Bowling Fenella Fielding stars in the Ernie Wise play "Nelson And Lady Hamilton"

S9 E4 · Episode 4

1970-03-11

Eric’s wig Meeting Diane Cilento for dinner At the cinema Soaking feet Play introduction Diane Cilento starts in the Ernie Wise play "The Barrats Of Wimpole Street"

S9 E5 · Episode 5

1970-03-25

The permissive show, Edward Chapman introduction, Trouble At Mill, A Shot In The Dark, Whistling at bus stop, Monks: shopping, Princess Anne

S9 E6 · Episode 6

1970-04-08

This episode was entered for the Golden Rose Of Montreaux. The opening spot see the duo attempting to exchange trousers, then Nina performs the Banana Boat Song with some backing and percussion from the duo; a powerful binoculars skit is followed by Eric's enormous ventriloquist doll "Oggy" closing the show with Bring Me Sunshine.

S9 E7 · Episode 7

1970-04-22

Ernie the scout The Nose Blowers Trying to sleep/Richard Greene Love In A Mist Pocket radio Monks: dancing Richard Greene introduction Richard Greene stars in the Ernie Wise play "The Lost Valley"

Season 10

7 episodes

S10 E1 · Episode 1

1970-07-01

This Is Your Life, Moon landing, It’s over between us, Eric Porter’s dressing room, Tarzan’s last adventure, Six weeks to live, Bill-posting, The glove puppet, Monks: 007, Wuthering Heights

S10 E2 · Episode 2

1970-07-15

Fox hunting, Record shop: bird calls, Visiting Eric’s parents, Three in a bed, Boarding house, In the park with baby, Telephone clock, Barbers shop, Frankie Vaughan’s son, Monks: sign posts, Pregnant lady calls for Ernie

S10 E3 · Episode 3

1970-07-29

Health food, Contagious disease, Underwear shop, Miss Holiday resort, Nina’s cake, Monks: pay day, Writing in bed

S10 E4 · Episode 4

1970-08-12

Ernie’s ballet Accident, Christening, Fenella Fielding comes to the flat, Directions from a policeman, The big record, Monks: dice, Sing Something Simple, I’ll See You Again

S10 E5 · Episode 5

1970-08-26

The stool, The diet, Messing up Ernie’s plays/famous guest stars, Ticket collector, The drama critic, Monks: the organ, Barbara Murray introduction, There’s No Business Like Big Business, Politicians

S10 E6 · Special (8 October 1970)

1970-10-08

Moustache seeds, Ernie in hospital, Ear specialist, Honeymoon couple next door. This episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show, had been considered lost for over 50 years. Eric’s son Gary Morecambe discovered the programme in an unmarked film can last year, and now it has been lovely restored and was broadcast on 25th December 2021 for the first time since its original broadcast in 1970. The show, written by the legendary Eddie Braben, was episode one of Eric and Ernie’s first series to appear on BBC1, and was originally watched by over 14 million viewers. As well as some classic sketches from Eric and Ernie, the show also features songs and music from Paul Anka, Patricia Lambert, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, and the boys themselves rounding things off with a burst of Bring Me Sunshine

S10 E7 · 1970 Christmas Special

1970-12-25

Season 11

7 episodes

S11 E1 · Episode 1

1971-04-08

Sketches: Piano: sixty seconds, Employment office, Shoes, Impressing Flora Robson, Flora Robson, Queen Elizabeth The First Of England part one, Draughts, Talking doll

S11 E2 · Episode 2

1971-04-22

Sketches: Arthur Lowe meets Janet Webb, Marriage guidance, Ernie Wise sings, Going up to the flat, The facts of life, Out with baby, Piano: whizzing creature, Pulpit: accordion, Play introduction, Monty On The Bonty

S11 E3 · Episode 3

1971-05-06

Sketches: Eric’s replacement, Monks; no talking, The Connoisseurs: antiques, Milk, Falling dream, Coming-and-going illness, Jewellery shop, Boarding ramp, The fellow writer

S11 E4 · Episode 4

1971-05-20

Sketches: Modelling Ern's body, Wind, Record shop, Love letters, Dracula books a room, Goodbye, Harmonicas and Arthur Tolcher, The Invisible Man, Nasty thing flu

S11 E5 · Episode 5

1971-06-03

Sketches: Ernie’s retirement, Train compartment full of vicars, No more lettuce, Glenda Jackson visits the flat, Felling safe, Antony & Cleopatra

S11 E6 · Episode 6

1971-06-17

Sketches: Ernie’s education - 23 A levels, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Wig shop, Fed-up and listless, Police visit, Hands across the table, Jake The Peg, Ian Carmichael introduction, Murder In Mayfair

S11 E7 · Episode 7

1971-07-15

Sketches: Newspaper review, Piano: explodes, Multilingual Hotel, Pulpit: personal prayer, Fishing, The reversals, Going to Hollywood - Bobe Hope's scriptwriter

Season 12

8 episodes

S12 E1 · Episode 1

1971-09-19

Eric's new tape recorder; the book shop: The Language Of Birds; The House Of Terror

S12 E2 · Episode 2

1971-09-26

Doom and disaster; Submarine; Whistling; Bobo the glove puppet; Accident at work; The Legion Of The Lost

S12 E3 · Episode 3

1971-10-03

Eric buys a painting; ten years hence - life in 1981; Record contract; Gardeners' world

S12 E4 · Episode 4

1971-10-10

Eric receives a threatening letter; Top Of The Form; Fruitcake; Autographed banana; Escape From Stalag 54

S12 E5 · Episode 5

1971-10-17

Great Men Of Our Time; Car accessory shop; The Brian Rix Trousers Down Competition; Leg rejuvenating machine; Milkman; Sunday papers and spot the ball

S12 E6 · Episode 6

1971-10-31

Family tree; Cement buckets; Wife's fancy man; Eric's dog; Dentist; Trying to work; Ernie's memoires

S12 E7 · Christmas Special 1971

1971-12-25

S12 E8 · Christmas Special 1972

1972-12-25

No series was produced in 1972 with the duo concentrating on a high-quality spectacular for Christmas Night, by this time their show had become a staple part of festive viewing and the pressure was on to deliver the goods. This show is a curious mix, showing that the by now established formula worked. For instance, the ridiculing of a guest singer by providing backing vocals and/or dancers is featured twice here, once with Vera Lynn and once with Jack Jones in what are basically similar routines. Also, there are two "plays", one with Pete Murray in the Great War epic Dawn Patrol and of course, the Prince Albert spoof at the conclusion of the show. Several guests from previous shows returned, as well as Vera Lynn singing Pass Me By with Eric and Ernie as backing, and Kenny Ball joining in the fun with the Cabaret finale to the Victoria & Albert play with Glenda Jackson.

Season 13

13 episodes

S13 E1 · Episode 1

1973-01-05

The series opened with a visit from pop star Cliff Richard to the pair's fictional flat, interrupting Eric's painting of his model Spitfire; whilst Ernie tries valiantly to be "hip" and "with it" sporting a terrible purple-flared trouser suit and red kaftan, the scene concludes with the three appearing as sailors for one of their most memorable routines based on The Fleet's In Town ending with Morecambe stepping off the ship and notable for the Playschool parody mid-way through.

S13 E2 · Episode 2

1973-01-12

Respected thespian Robert Morley appears in The Curse Of Tutankhamen in which it is discovered that the mighty king took some unusual items to his grave including a fan belt and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps! It is also revealed that his had a sister (Tutantesi, a parody on Two-Ton Tessie) who is revealed to still be alive and played by none other than Janet Webb otherwise known as the lady who comes down at the end.

S13 E3 · Episode 3

1973-01-19

The inured bird, Getting a violin for the Harpenden String Quartet, The Harpenden String Quartet, Bully on the bench, Nelson, Lulu introduction, Dance routine with Lulu, Summer in the garden with Percy Edwards / bird calls

S13 E4 · Episode 4

1973-01-26

This show featured The Mighty Kong as the closing play and featured the actress Susan Hampshire as the love interest; the comedically crude special effects including a chimpanzee wreaking havoc on a terrible scale model city (complete with biplane on string!) is a memorable moment, and the blue-screened apes at the back of the set are also one of their most fondly-recalled scenes. Fame & Price sang You Are My Sunshine and the show closed in the familiar way, with Bring Me Sunshine and an appearance from the amply-proportioned lady who comes down at the end.

S13 E5 · Episode 5

1973-02-02

Fresh from his appearance in the BBC's own adaptation of Casanova in which he played the title role, Frank Finlay appears in the play Lust Of London which centres around the main characters of Casanova and (of course!) Moveova with long-time collaborator Ann Hamilton providing the love interest. With music from Design and Wilma Reading who sang I Don't Know How to Love Him the show concluded with the usual appearance by the guest stars and Janet Webb.

S13 E6 · Episode 6

1973-02-09

Not all the shows concluded with a play What Ern Wrote and this is one notable case; instead there is a riotous scenario with Ernie deciding to get healthy, appearing at the flat with a large box of supposed health foods which were in vogue at the time. Eric fishes out a tin of "Sugar-Raspa" which of course turns out to be an asparagus tin upside down (!) before they both visit the associated shop, run by Frank Williams, at the time famous for playing the vicar in Dad's Army.

S13 E7 · Episode 7

1973-02-16

Mr Memory, Soap advert, Pretty baby song, Greeting card poetry, Northwest frontier of India 1890 This programme was the subject of a documentary made by the BBC's Omnibus team entitled Fools Rush In which traced the production of a Morecambe & Wise show from its inception at the script read-through stage, through to the filming of the final product. It featured a scene set in 10 Downing Street which was closely followed in the documentary, with music from Anita Harris. The show was written by Eddie Braben, as was the majority of their output, and he is featured on the accompanying documentary being interviewed, as is producer John Ammonds among others.

S13 E8 · Episode 8

1973-02-23

Wilma Reading, Springfield Revival, Allan Cuthbertson, Ann Hamilton, Jan Rossini

S13 E9 · Episode 9

1973-03-02

Hannah Gordon, Mary Travers, Christopher Neil, Anthony Sharp, Raymond Mason, Christine Shaw, Hatti Riemer

S13 E10 · Episode 10

1973-03-09

Roy Castle, Pete Murray, Anne Murray, The Pattersons, Raymond Mason, Les Rawlings, Johnny Vyvyan, John East, Hugh Elton, Charles Finch, Eric French

S13 E11 · Episode 11

1973-03-16

Nana Mouskouri, The Black & White Minstrels, Sooty with Harry Corbett, George Hamilton IV, Grazina Frame, Constance Carling, Johnny Vyvyan

S13 E12 · Episode 12

1973-03-23

Peter Cushing, Bernie Winters, Wilma Reading, Alan Price, Georgie Fame

S13 E13 · Christmas Special 1973

1973-12-25

Season 14

7 episodes

S14 E1 · Episode 1

1974-09-27

André Previn, Magnus Magnusson, Wilma Reading, Mrs Mills

S14 E2 · Episode 2

1974-10-04

Ludovic Kennedy, Wilma Reading, Allan Cuthbertson, Gordon Gostelow, Anita Tibbles, Arthur Tolcher

S14 E3 · Episode 3

1974-10-11

The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Wilma Reading, Jo Rowbottom, Aimee Delamain, Grazina Frame, Roy Sampson, Arthur Tolcher

S14 E4 · Episode 4

1974-10-18

Richard Baker, Wilma Reading, A.J. Brown, Raymond Mason, Arthur Tolcher, Frank Finlay, Susan Hampshire, Glenda Jackson, Francis Matthews

S14 E5 · Episode 5

1974-10-25

Hughie Green, David Dimbleby, Arthur Tolcher, Ann Hamilton, Wilma Reading

S14 E6 · Episode 6

1974-11-01

June Whitfield, Arthur Tolcher, Wilma Reading, John Quayle, Jenny Lee-Wright

S14 E7 · Christmas Special 1975

1975-12-25

The pair make a welcome return with a memorable festive offering penned by Eddie Braben; the opening routine which features the much maligned Des O'Connor is the most repeated piece of material still today, aside from Grieg's Piano Concerto from 1971. The show concludes with the historical romp Nell Gwynne which is a brilliant finale to the show and features the first location shots used for an end-of-show play with Diana Rigg in the title role and Gordon Jackson parodying his own character from Upstairs, Downstairs effectively. The show is interspersed with Robin Day who, over the course of the programme has his "friendly" discussion turned into a brawl, at the end of the programme, as Morecambe and Wise close with the song Positive Thinking, he is seen to stagger past with the aid of a walking stick.

Season 15

11 episodes

S15 E1 · Episode 1

1976-01-07

Gilbert O'Sullivan, Dilys Watling, The Vernons, Peter O'Sullevan, Arthur Tolcher, Clare Russell, Eve Blanchard

S15 E2 · Episode 2

1976-01-21

Michele Dotrice, Frankie Vaughan, Patrick Moore, Tammy Jones, Jenny Lee-Wright, David Prowse

S15 E3 · Episode 3

1976-02-11

Lena Zavaroni, The Spinners, Ann Hamilton, Allan Cuthbertson

S15 E4 · Episode 4

1976-03-10

Jackie Darnell, Kenny Ball, Allan Cuthbertson, Ann Hamilton, The Geraldine Yates Dancers

S15 E5 · Episode 5

1976-03-24

The Karlins, Vincent Zarra, Ann Hamilton, Steven Payne, Norman Percival, The Geraldine Yates Dancers

S15 E6 · Episode 6

1976-04-19

Diane Solomon, Maggie Fitzgibbon, Champagne

S15 E7 · Christmas Special 1976

1976-12-25

S15 E8 · Christmas Special 1977

1977-12-25

S15 E9 · Thames Special 1978

1978-10-18

No series was made in 1978 in an effort to make the Christmas Show stronger, but there was one hour-long offering (the same length as the BBC shows had been, but with adverts. This opened with an amusing sequence whereby a lorry with a BBC logo emblazoned on its side, appears at Thames Television's studios, the back doors are flung open, and Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise are thrown out, in a direct nod to the bad feeling that was present at the time the partnership had departed their previous employers. The format remained reasonably faithful to that used previously although Eddie Braben did not join them immediately. There's the familiar end-of-show play "What Ern Wrote", this time it is a pastiche of Dr Jekyll & Mrs Hyde: however, there is a more cinematic feel to the parody and it moves beyond the confines of being a single set stage piece.

S15 E10 · 1978 Christmas Special

1978-12-25

No summary.

S15 E11 · Christmas Special

1979-12-25

No summary.

Season 16

7 episodes

S16 E1 · Episode 1

1980-09-03

Content: the sketch featuring Terry Wogan is largely a re-hash of a routine done with Cliff Richard some years earlier although there are updates, and the production number at the end is different. However, Morecambe appears to be in good health and he is clearly relishing the opportunity to be performing again. A good start to a fine series.

S16 E2 · Episode 2

1980-09-10

Content: the sequence that features Hannah Gordon re-uses material from her previous appearance on a BBC show, only the song at the end changes, and the sketch with Hugh Paddick as the "fellow writer" is directly copied from a previous BBC incarnation too. Only the nature of the comedy in this sketch have dated it somewhat, with stereotypical allusions to homosexuality – although Morecambe's jibes are good natured and largely inoffensive. Frank Coda also features.

S16 E3 · Episode 3

1980-09-17

Contents: the opening scene sees Dave Prowse as Ernie's bodyguard "Cosmo" fresh from his fame as Darth Vader in the Star Wars films, and also features a new sketch set in a Chinese Restaurant which is something of a return to form; Anthony Chinn, Raymond Mason and Fiesta Mei Ling also star.

S16 E4 · Episode 4

1980-09-24

Contents: Deryck Guyler appears in a flat scene as a local vicar who turns out to be a champion spoon and washboard champion; one suspects this routine was re-worked and written especially for Guyler who was himself a keen washboard player and percussionist. Gerald Case also stars and, in line with other programmes in this series, Guyler performs the signature tune Bring Me Sunshine with Wise, whilst Morecambe "goes and waits for the bus" only to disturb the song.

S16 E5 · Episode 5

1980-10-01

Contents: With further reworkings from the BBC era Suzanne Danielle appears as a budding writer (the BBC routine featured a character that Morecambe refers to as "Miss Flanagan & Allen", and there's also a travel agent sketch featuring Valerie Minfie as Morecambe's largely mute wife. The pay-off to the flat-based sketch sees sit-com star Tessa Wyatt appear and she also performs the final song with Wise, whilst Morecambe again disappears only to re-appear and disrupt the proceedings.

S16 E6 · Episode 6

1980-10-08

Contents: In another re-working of a popular BBC routine, Morecambe appears as a "Hell's Grandad" complete with three-wheeled bike. This had previously been a feature showing him as "Spick Sparkle" (the new singing sensation) and is re-used here to good effect. Harking back to the glory days of the BBC, Gemma Craven joins Little Ern in another Gene Kelly recreation, this time to a clever arrangement of "Bring Me Sunshine" whilst Morecambe interrupts the proceedings in usual riotous style.

S16 E7 · Christmas With Morecambe & Wise 1980

1980-12-25

Another outing sees further material re-used; the opening spot on-stage is however largely new and sees Eric presenting Ernie with a life-sized monogrammed wallet which he is at times. duly trapped inside; following this Mick McManus replaces Henry Cooper in a re-worked sketch, Jill Gascoigne visits the duo for dinner (previously Ann Hamilton had appeared in this sketch), a new Rolf Harris sketch also features, Alec Guinness is the doctor who sees two as one, and Peter Barkworth provides the butt for jokes in the Ernie Wise's Hamlet skit at the end.

Season 17

8 episodes

S17 E1 · Kate Lock / Kay Korda / Gemma Craven

1981-09-01

No summary.

S17 E2 · Max Bygraves / Richard Vernon

1981-09-08

No summary.

S17 E3 · Diane Keen

1981-09-15

No summary.

S17 E4 · George Chisholm / Hannah Gordon / Richard Vernon

1981-09-22

No summary.

S17 E5 · Peter Bowles / Faith Brown / April Walker

1981-09-29

No summary.

S17 E6 · Ian Ogilvy / Kay Korda

1981-10-06

No summary.

S17 E7 · Joanna Lumley / Richard Vernon

1981-10-13

No summary.

S17 E8 · Christmas Special

1981-12-23

No summary.

Season 18

8 episodes

S18 E1 · Diana Dors / Richard Briers / Peter Salmon / Bonnie Langford

1982-10-27

No summary.

S18 E2 · Jimmy Young / Wayne Sleep / Trevor Eve

1982-11-03

No summary.

S18 E3 · -

1982-11-10

No summary.

S18 E4 · Isla St. Clair / Colin Welland

1982-11-17

No summary.

S18 E5 · -

1982-11-24

No summary.

S18 E6 · -

1982-12-01

No summary.

S18 E7 · -

1982-12-08

No summary.

S18 E8 · Christmas Special

1982-12-27

No summary.

Season 19

7 episodes

S19 E1 · Maggie Moone / Anna Dawson / Margaret Courtenay

1983-09-07

No summary.

S19 E2 · -

1983-09-14

No summary.

S19 E3 · Cherry Gillespie / Anita Graham / Jenny Meredith

1983-09-21

No summary.

S19 E4 · -

1983-09-28

No summary.

S19 E5 · Margaret Courtenay

1983-10-12

No summary.

S19 E6 · -

1983-10-19

No summary.

S19 E7 · Christmas Special

1983-12-26

No summary.