The second part of our look at legendary comedy sketch show The Two Ronnies which celebrates fifty years since it was first broadcast on BBC1 in 1971.
Iconic Sketches
There are some very famous Two Ronnies' sketches that are much-loved and still talked about today.
Four Candles (1976) - A series of misunderstandings causes a shopkeeper to become fed up with the requests of a very vague customer. The Two Ronnies most iconic and talked-about sketch.
A round of drinks (1976) - A man tries to order a round of drinks for a large party while becoming increasingly drunk each time he attempts to order.
Mastermind (1980) - A contestant on the quiz show Mastermind answers each question before last. One of the greatest pieces of comedy ever created with the duos comedic timing being on point. Sheer genius!
The Sweet Shop (1980) - Never say 'nothing is too much trouble' unless you really mean it! Barker's sweet shop owner realizes he may have to change his catchphrase after his encounter with Corbett's awkward customer. Anyone who's ever worked in retail will relate!
Crossed Lines (1981) - Two men using payphones next to each other, making two separate calls, sound as though they're having the same conversation with each other. Hilarious!
The Name Guessing Game (1982) - A party guest insists on guessing the name of a man he's just met. If he gets it right, he gets to spend the night with the man's wife.
The Sheikh in the Grocery Store (1985) - Chocolate mouse, anyone?A sheikh struggles with the pronounciation of the items on his shopping list, making the grocer really work for his money.
Solo sections
Most of The Two Ronnies sketches involved both performers, but most episodes would feature solo skits from each of them. Barker's would often be a fast-paced, word-play sketch, where he was the head of a ridiculously-named organization in an effort to send up authority figures. And Corbett would have his 'armchair monologue' in which he would sit in a darkened set with the spotlight on him, facing the camera while he told a humorous story to the audience, in which he would often digress on the way to the amusing denouement of the story and by the time he got there, Corbett would have told a handful of unrelated anecdotes.
Continuing Sagas
One of the highlights of The Two Ronnies were the various continuing spoof serials which ran throughout many of the series which would often feature special guests.
Hampton Wick (1971)
The first serial of The Two Ronnies was a humorous costume drama about a governess called Henrietta Beckett. Barker played a randy aristocrat called Sir Geoffrey, and Corbett played his son Edward, though as the serial progressed, Barker and Corbett played a variety of different characters as well as their main roles.
Done to Death (1972)
Featuring the characters of Piggy Malone (Barker) and Charley Farley (Corbett) these private detectives investigate a mass murder in this serial. The first seven episodes of Done to Death ended with the same phrase:
"Only one thing was for certain. There would be very little sleep for anyone that night."
Death Can Be Fatal (1975)
In the second serial to feature Piggy and Charley, a frogman delivers a note, and the private detectives are sent in search of the formula for the Clumsy Drug. Corbett and Barker also played the roles of the two villains in the story, Mr Greensleeves and his Japanese henchman Bobjob. The endings of each episode of Death Can Be Fatal had a Dick Barton-esque vibe to them.
The writers are credited as "Spike Milligan and a Gentleman" - with the "Gentleman" being Ronnie Barker! A Jack the Ripper parody in which a mysterious figure goes wondering around Victorian London late at night and terrorizes members of the establishment... by blowing raspberries at them! The raspberry-blowing sound effects were said to have been done by another legend - David Jason; Granville to Barker's Arkwright in Open All Hours.
Stop! You're Killing Me (1977–78)
Another case for Piggy and Charley as they investigate the murder of Devonshire yokels whose bodies are discovered in London
The Worm That Turned (1980)
A bit of feminist sci-fi here in this very memorable serial in which it's women who rule the country and gender roles are completely reversed - which prompts Barker and Corbett's characters to want to escape to Wales along with a lot of other disgruntled men.
Band of Slaves (1981–82)
Piggy Malone and Charley Farley on the case again where an all-girls orchestra is sold into slavery. Not only was this the final Piggy and Charley mystery serial but it was also the last in The Two Ronnies collection of serials as the following series of the show did not include any.
A real shame if you ask us!
Famous Faces
There were a whole host of famous faces from seventies and eighties TV who had guest roles in The Two Ronnies. These included Carol Hawkins; Diana Dors; Kate O'Mara; Julia McKenzie; John Cleese; Joan Sims; Barry Cryer and Patricia Routledge to name but a few.
Special Guests
There were often special well-known guests invited to the show to perform and these included Elaine Paige; Barbara Dickson; Pan's People and Elkie Brooks.
What We Think
We think you know what we think - that The Two Ronnies is comedy gold! There are so many things that made this show a hit, and since it left our screens with no new series being made, there has never been anything quite like it. And certainly nothing that has endured or made a lasting impression on viewers the way The Two Ronnies did.
First of all there was the unmistakable chemistry between Barker and Corbett which makes you wonder if the double act ever could have worked half as well as it did if either of the two had teamed up with another entertainer. Barker and Corbett had a strong friendship that came through in their work - even if the characters they were playing were meant to be mean to each other!
Another thing that came through was their love and enthusiasm for their work and you could see that they thoroughly enjoyed what they did. And where the public were concerned, they just loved Barker and Corbett! There was something sweet and lovable about these two and even though we didn't know them, we felt as though we did. And how endearing was it that Corbett often poked fun at his lack of height! There was no ego; no arrogance, and no scandal - you felt that with them what you saw was what you got. It's no surprise then that the public felt the loss of Barker and Corbett very deeply when the two comedy legends passed away in 2005 and 2016 respectively.
Then there was the writing! The Two Ronnies had some of the best writers in the business working on this show and this came through in scenes that were well-written, sharp, and absolutely hilarious - in fact many of these sketches can't be described as anything other than sheer genius. The comedy was always centered around the dialogue and the character, with Barker and Corbett being spot on with their comic timing, and many of these scenes were laced with lots of funny double- entendres.
The Test-of- Time Test
Fans of the show will say that The Two Ronnies are as watchable today as it was fifty years ago due to it being so well-written and acted. It's as laugh out loud now as it was back then. The magic of the show and of the partnership of Barker and Corbett cannot be compared to anything that's around today. Back then there was quality and real craftsmanship. But today there's a never-ending churning out of boring soaps; dire reality TV shows and talent contests where viewers will probably never see or hear from the winner after a couple of months! We'd rather have The Two Ronnies than any of that drivel!
But while those of us who grew up watching The Two Ronnies will always see the magic of this show, there are many others, especially those who didn't experience the programme the first time around, who will see The Two Ronnies as typical of its time. And we can't argue with that as the show just screams seventies and eighties! But as we all know viewing habits and preferences change as the years go by, and the whole comedy sketch genre isn't really en vogue right now. And neither are comedy double acts (unless you're Ant and Dec!) So admittedly there are those who will find it all a little old hat. And many other features of the show - the gags, the musical finales, the musical acts etc. - will seem a little dated to modern ears and eyes.
Furthermore the non-PC material which is so typical of comic material from back in the day will not go down well with audiences today - and that's putting it mildly. So fifty years later, it will be very difficult to repeat the show. By the time The Two Ronnies had come to an end, comedy had started to move on to satire and alternative humour anyway, and was beginning to leave Barker and Corbett's brand of comedy behind.
But to the die hard fans, even fifty years later it's comedy heaven.
That's all we have time for tonight so it's good night from us!
What are your favourite memories of The Two Ronnies?
Photos: YouTube
Word Cloud: Angel Noire
Those Fork handles and Mastermind sketches are legendary. It's a pity that The Two Ronnies aren't repeated as often as they could be.