Ernie Wise

A history of the British television comedy double act Morecambe & Wise to coincide with the BBC drama about their early lives.

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Jonathan Ross introduces the story of British television's greatest double act as they told it themselves, using television appearances, rare radio material and correspondence from the BBC archives to build up a fascinating portrait of their lives and careers. The programme reveals how, as young performers, Eric and Ernie really did share a bed, and reveals the BBC's rather lofty response when they first auditioned for television in 1948.

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Running from 1969 until 1977, the BBC Christmas shows were usually on Christmas Day. These classic sketches revolved around famous guest stars, such as Eric Porter, Fenella Fielding, Ann Hamilton, Peter Gushing, Glenda Jackson, Andre Previn and Des O'Connor, being made fun of by Eric and Ernie.

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Compilation of sketches featuring the much-loved funnymen Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Includes 'Anthony and Cleopatra' with Glenda Jackson, 'Monty in the Bounty' with Arthur Lowe, the famous 'Singing in the Rain' routine, and Eric and Ernie making breakfast to the sound of 'The Stripper'.

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A collection of some of your favourite sketches from an irreplaceable comedy partnership, including: "Anthony & Cleopatra", starring Glenda Jackson (but without Caesar, who'd come down with a touch of the "hieroglyphics"). "Monty On The Bounty" - with Arthur Lowe as Captain Blight, Eric Morecambe as Fletcher Christian and Ernie Wise as Midshipman Tinkle. "The meeting of Byron and Keats" - including such unforgettable lines as "two cows eating grass on a sunny hillock, by four tomorrow that grass will be mil-lock!" "Eric being well and truly "lacquered" as a long-standing member of a bar-football team - with new recruit, Ernie, strapped alongside him on the wooden bar. The classic "Singing In The Rain" Sketch. And, most famous of all, Eric & Ernie making breakfast to the sound of the stripper music.

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Michael Parkinson looks back at his 1972 interview with comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, who he describes as 'the funniest double act we ever produced. The interview, which Parkinson cites as the wittiest he ever conducted, sees Morecambe and Wise at their absolute best, speaking about their pasts, their heroes and their friendship.

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Ernie Wise was always part of a double-act. As one half of Morecambe and Wise, Britain's most successful comedy team, he enjoyed the lifestyle of the rich and famous. It was a partnership that lasted 46 years - until Eric died in 1984. Then his "little fat friend" had to go on alone. Being number two in their act was never easy for Ernie, and a new solo act has proved even more difficult. Last Christmas, for the first time in 20 years, he appeared in pantomime. This film examines what drives him to want to make a comeback when he could be enjoying his retirement. He is seen preparing for panto, remembering the great times, reliving the jokes; Ernie reveals all, including the hairpiece and the join.

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When Eric's niece Kathy becomes one of the heirs to a considerable fortune, her life (and those of the other heirs) is placed in jeopardy by the actions of a mysterious inter-loper.

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40 Minutes was a BBC TV documentary strand broadcast on BBC Two between 1981 and 1994. The documentaries could be on any possible subject, the only connection being that they last forty minutes. Some documentaries in the original series were revisited and updated in a 2006 version, Forty Minutes On.

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"You told me you'd take me to Hollywood!" cries Glenda - but Ernie quips, "No, Cricklewood". Thus the wisecracks begin in this entertaining appeal for blood donors starring a reluctant Glenda Jackson and a crafty Ernie Wise. The tradition of using well-known film and TV personalities in charity appeals and public-spirited health campaigns goes back to the earliest days of the public information film. The National Blood Service definitely struck gold with this right royal pairing of the queen of costume drama and an acknowledged king of comedy.

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The Thames ITV series that ran from 1978 to 1983.

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Jack Regan, an unethical officer of the Flying Squad, uses unorthodox methods to pursue criminals with the help of his partner, George Carter.

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Narrated by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, this documentary is about "Laurel and Hardy", one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. It features interviews with Jerry Lewis, Dick Van Dyke, Babe London, Marcel Marceau, Lucille Hardy (Ollie's wife), Bob Monkhouse, Hal Roach, Marvin T Hatley, Jack McCabe and many more.

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For the first time ever on video, Morecambe and Wise are once again live in concert. This video shows the only ever live recording of what some would say are Britain's top all time comedy double act, featuring all their famous routines as they perform for over an hour at Fairfields Halls in Croydon in the mid-70s. Morecambe and Wise delighted millions with their unique brand of humour, they reigned supreme in the 60s, 70s and 80s as comedy kings and their success and popularity has never since been equalled. The filming of this concert was a present from their long time manager as a way of showing thanks and admiration for all their hard work over the years. When you watch this video, you will be witnessing comedy history in the making, for the first time in years Morecambe and Wise are once again live in concert. Marvel at their comedy genius.

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Valerie Singleton and an audience of children put their questions to a celebrity guest.

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Children's puppet programme featuring music and stories. Join George, Bungle, Zippy, and all their friends at the Rainbow House, always an exciting place to be.

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Running from 1969 until 1977, the BBC Christmas shows were usually on Christmas Day. These classic sketches revolved around famous guest stars, such as Eric Porter, Fenella Fielding, Ann Hamilton, Peter Gushing, Glenda Jackson, Andre Previn and Des O'Connor, being made fun of by Eric and Ernie.

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Marty Feldman, for many years a successful comedy writer before turning to performing, explores humour through the people who create it, comparing their traditions, motivations and anxieties with his own. Among the people Marty talks to are Peter Sellers, Eric Morecambe, Peter Brough and Archie Andrews, Dudley Moore and Barry Took.

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Long-running BBC variety show presented by Britain's best-loved comedy duo, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Based around irreverent stand-up routines, comedy sketches and comical song and dance numbers involving a stream of beleaguered guests, the series ran for nearly a decade from 1968 to 1977 and included sketches such as 'Singin' in the Rain' and 'The Breakfast Stripper'.

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Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.

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Two salesmen travel to a small South American Country to peddle their wares. However the country is in the middle of a major conflict between the Government led by Diaz and the rebels led by Torez. When Torez is accidentally killed the rebels mistaken pick up one of the salesmen, Eric, as he looks like Torez. Eric and Ernie are promised millions to carry on the charade once the rebels take charge. However once Eric takes charge he finds himself back in danger as scheming general Carillo plans to remove the impostor from his role.

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A monthly series of highly personal documentary films in which individuals are given a platform to discuss issues close to their heart.

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A peek behind the scenes at the business of the comedian and how it is being expanded for film and television.

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Eric and Ernie decide to take a holiday to the South of France and unwittingly become mixed up with a band of jewel thieves.

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A chance meeting with a Schlecht agent forces a humble coffee shop manager into the secret world of spies in Swinging London. With the help of his MI5 friend, he poses as the recently dead Major Cavendish who had managed to infiltrate the dreaded organization; he knows that they are intending to assassinate someone - could it be the famous Russian ballerina who has recently arrived for an appearance at Covent Garden?

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Ernie tells Eric to ‘be wise’ and not drive home after their Christmas party.

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Two of a Kind was an early TV series for comedy duo Morecambe and Wise. It ran from 1961 to 1968 on ATV.

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The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

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