Des O'Connor on the 1975 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show

[@Stratboy999]

I think Des was very underrated as an entertainer. He was definitely a very talented and professional guy, also very self deprecating and humble.

[@paulgoddard8133]

What brilliant timing these guys had.. absolutely fantastic ! wish today's shows were as good.. loved them.. all were great entertainers.. such enjoyable tv 👌

[@margaretlizlieberman5959]

I'm so proud to have been a dancer in the kick line with Angela Rippon. Christmas Special 1977! Loved them.

[@davidellis2021]

Amazing! Which one were you?

[@peterwise2814]

How fantastic is that. I remember being absolutely stunned watching that when it aired as I only ever saw Angela Rippon as a news reader, all very serious and measured.

[@CreationBrosZone-km5be]

Thanks for sharing!

[@muff-puff.]

How amazing 👏, thanks for sharing such wonderful memories ❤🇬🇧😇👏

[@richardphillips6281]

These three along with many other entertainers after WW2 performed in variety shows in many places with maybe a handful of people in the audiences. Just like the working men's clubs this was hard work with lots of noise off stage and no warm up comedians to exercise the chuckle muscles of the audience. It's a joy to see Eric, Ernie and Des together just as they were back in the early days of their careers. Thank you to all those who still make us laugh and entertain us.

[@MarkReynolds-c2o]

Times when we were lucky to have so much talent and performers having fun with each other. What do we have now, very little, all the greats are no longer with us, but heaven must be a fun place with Eric,Ernie, Bob, Freddie and many more gone but never forgotten.

[@LdevArt]

freddie.. mercury wont be there. he played south africa under apartheid

[@caroline-janehall1984]

​@@LdevArtthey mean Freddie Star.

[@LdevArt]

@@caroline-janehall1984 and where is your proof?

[@daviebevan]

The older I am getting, the more I appreciate this type of comedy. I was watching on yt The Comedians from the 70... Brilliant

[@donb3557]

I am so fortunate to have been born at a time when entertainers actually entertained. Three of my favourites here and they still make me laugh. No need to go into a celebrity jungle or twat about struggling to be funny or miming to a song they couldn’t sing live, just three incredibly funny talented men and a complete absence of four letter words in their sketch. RIP lads God must be loving having you with him in entertainers heaven 👍

[@martinosborne2842]

Couldn't agree more👍👍

[@MrDorbel]

What the fuck is wrong with four letter words?

[@Trev359]

@@MrDorbel There's always one ! and this time it appears to be you. The point is real entertainers don't need to swear to get a laugh. Get it?

[@MrDorbel]

@@Trev359 Undoubtedly true as far as it goes. However the reverse isn't true. Using "swear" words doesn't mean that the humour isn't funny, only that it doesn't appeal to you. Of course there were no swear words on the telly then, but that's what you get with censorship. Be honest now, was there really a time that you believed Des O'Connor was "incredibly talented"? Oh, I see that you believe in God and heaven, so I guess anything is possible!

[@dan4lau]

I was born in the 80s, and while as I've grown up I've come to reckon the stuff of the 80s and 90s wasn't too bad, I love most of all the entertainment of the 50s, 60s and 70s, and even going back further into the 40s and 30s. They were good regular people doing a good regular job. They were unassuming and didn't want to eat their hearts out in your face, or either shock or depress you with profanity or politics. Real, simple, joyful entertainment.

[@timjones1368]

Truely magnificent entertainers! No one begrudged paying their licence fee in those days, God bless you guys 💖

[@lsmith9249]

tv was good back then

[@flywheel8541]

Back then we didn't have hundreds of channels full of crap. We had two broadcasters in competition, BBC and independent ....in COLOUR! :)

[@paulgardner5441]

Just brilliant could watch these 2 all day long better than the crap today

[@Spookieham]

48 years old and it still makes you laugh out loud. Lots of adlibs and cracking up

[@redd605]

Saw the intelligence film a few days ago, on tv there where very good, so many well known actors that you remember straight away , Francis Mathews, William Franklin, terance Alexandra from Bergerac ..this clip with des and others in the programme ,was so funny

[@dallasreid7755]

I was about to say the same. I literally spat my drink across my computer screen laughing at one point. Just finished mopping it up!

[@robertmcqueen289]

Absolutely brilliant comedy. The boys and their good friend having fun. They don't make legends that this anymore. The fact that Des himself wrote some of the insult jokes, makes this routine a classic. Deeply missed gentlemen. Never forgotten.

[@JamesS805]

It’s the subtle mannerisms of Eric Morecambe that make this so excellent. You can tell he had a background in dance, he understands the difference little movements make. Magnificent television, made by two best friends. This double act will never ever be topped.

[@Crazy1Clive]

Hmmm, I don't know about that. Nothing I've seen or read suggested anything about Eric studying dance. If anything, he learned all that off Ernie, who was the song-and-dance man of the two before they met.

[@keithfenwick9992]

No-one suggested Eric *studied* dance!

[@Crazy1Clive]

@@keithfenwick9992 That was the implication of his comment, but you have a different interpretation.

[@freddiem8801]

This is when you had to have talent to be called a celebrity.

[@martm216]

Well said.

[@npc3po301]

And you had to be recognised from the back

[@ianmedium]

They along with a few others at the time were the last of the Variety acts who worked night after night to craft their acts. It will never be the same again. Today’s acts just have to go on reality TV and then fame is there, no hard work or real sacrifice. Perhaps on or two genuinely talented people are around but no where near the number there were back then. Hype is all now, you can be crap but if you get the hype you get the air time leaving real talent to be not appreciated simply because they can’t market themselves as well. I gave up owning a TV back in 1999, frankly, apart from a very few exceptions it is a decision I have not regretted. I can just come here and watch the old stuff which is just as fresh now as it was fifty years ago!

[@kevinwilliams1421]

100%

[@flywheel8541]

Look at a celebrity today and you ask 'who?'

[@samuelholmes3696]

My favourite story about Des O'Connor and Eric Morecambe (who were really good friends in real life) was after Eric had his heart attack. Des came to visit him in hospital and told him that he'd been doing a show and had asked the audience to pray for him. Without missing a beat Eric replied that "Those five or six people surely made all the difference". I'm told Des O'Connor was deeply flattered to be roasted by Eric and Ernie and in fact wrote a few of the jokes himself!

[@marcusp905]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TheUrbanmeister]

What a lovely story, thanks for sharing.

[@vincentharriman3283]

The story about the hospital visit was told on a special Christmas show (basically David Frost and guests) in which Des was one of the guests. And yes, Des wrote many of the jokes used by Morecambe and Wise himself.

[@NPA1001]

The stairs scene is still a work of genius..🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@julieanita9587]

Please, please take me back in time.

[@melbeeswax6087]

You have to love how much of a good sport Des was.

[@astonmartin4360]

I have a criminal record.Des O'Connor's first album.🤣🤣🤣

[@wightangel]

These two helped my childhood be filled with laughter. Along with Tommy Cooper they had the ability to make me laugh without even saying a word. Unfortunately we will never see the like again, their comedy was so innocent with no need for obscenities or crudity (I mean who would get away with two men lying awake in the same bed and make it so innocent).

[@photodom2000]

Laurel and Hardy

[@photodom2000]

@King Royal But only if you were old enough to understand it. Nothing explicit or in your face.

[@photodom2000]

@King Royal So, you don't like M&W then?

[@photodom2000]

@King Royal Well I suppose some people did get a sense of humour bypass when they were young. Thatcher the Snatcher didn't come to power until 1979, almost at the end of M&W's peak years. And who cares about Eric's politics? They never transferred into the sketches. Anyway, if you hate them so much, why are you on this site.

[@photodom2000]

@King Royal Can you point me to the credible sources for that please.

[@1061andy]

Brilliant. The timing is just wonderful.

[@carolpaterson122]

Pure gold. Still hilarious, thank goodness for KZbin and archives

[@blackpoolbarmpot]

The beauty of all the "insults", was that they were all tongue-in-cheek, and we as the audience were all in on it. I understand that Eric did have some records of Des O'Connor, and maybe Ernie did aswell. But in reality, they were all good friends. Sadly, all three are now a memory, but will be preserved on film, tape & record for future generations to enjoy.

[@rupert-j8f]

When Eric Morecambe was in hospital after a heart attack Des rang him in hospital. When Des asked Eric if there was anything he could do for him he said "yes, retire".

[@garethdowns2051]

their Christmas shows were the highlight of Christmas T.V back in the day. First show you checked the T.V schedules for as it was a family event, even now Jan 1st 2022 better than the current rubbish that is on tv. Top celebs like Des took it as an honour to be ridiculed by these two. Such a privilege to be invited on a Christmas special. You can see the pure respect they had for the guests. Des, Bassey, Previn, the list is endless & the sketches. the stripper, nothing like a dame, singing in the rain. Never bettered, the two Ronnie's came close but only close. M&W respect guys.

[@kcuhc84]

We used to buy the TV Times and the Radio Times during Christmas so we wouldn't miss the best couple of weeks of Telly of the year. The only time we bought the two magazines in the year.

[@SuperFerdie1965]

And Peter Cushing continually coming back for his money!

[@corbe1970ify]

Absolute big shout to des for letting them rip him to pieces and then let him have his own way anyway, was gutted last year when des died, rip to all 3 hope they're having fun somewhere else now

[@madabbafan]

As you know, the 3 of them were good friends. In one show M&W didn't do any Des jokes, Des jokingly wrote to them asking them if they had gone off him.

[@corbe1970ify]

@@madabbafan yes I have heard that on a documentary programme, also heard Eric's wife say he used to play des O'connors records too lol

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

@@madabbafan I believe Des helped Eric and Ernie with some jokes

[@bsrlpar]

So much talent here, and Des O'Connor was a great entertainer, singer, and good sport. Hilarious show. Very funny people.

[@paulshorney3465]

Morecambe and wise or Ant and Dec? No contest!!!!! Eric Morecambe was a comic genius and little Ern the perfect straight man,legends👍👍

[@johnking5174]

Never forget the unseen genius of Eddie Braben, their writer, who wrote all of their BBC shows apart from the 1972 and 1976 Christmas shows and their first series on BBC.

[@SanFran51]

I remember Ant and Dec was asked if they are the new Morecambe and Wise during one interview. They both flatteringly laughed it off. And Ant simply replied. "FOR ONE THING THEY ARE A LOT MORE FUNNIER THAN US!" and the interview went on.

[@Hanamy7777]

Who are Any and Dec?

[@Steve-gc5nt]

I wouldn't even compare that pair to Mike and Bernie Winters.

[@gillr1149]

Ern wasn't really a straight man in the old fashioned sense.. He was extremely funny himself. They complemented each other

[@JohnCoughtrey]

Nobody will ever come close absolutely TV legend's without doubt, nobody today comes close the entertainment world is a poorer place the GOAT in my opinion RIP

[@Ben-lx6zy]

Brilliant, what do we have now I’m a “celebrity” how standards have dropped

[@martm216]

Yep.

[@williamkanegateshead]

I couldn't have put it better myself.

[@GarethColquhoun]

Correction. "I'm a Z list celebrity that barely anyone knows"

[@graemestarkey7524]

There was plenty of rubbish around then as well.

[@thejfg7741]

That is a ridiculous comment. Times have changed because, things do change. There is good comedy now. Standards have not dropped, it’s just change

[@johnking5174]

Des did sing a song in full. Eric and Ernie really enjoyed it. According to Eric's son Morecambe, both Eric and Ernie were standing in the wings watching Des sing, and both men lost all the jokes, and both were emotional, with Eric saying that Des performance was beautiful. The real Eric and Ernie seen in those back stage moments.

[@classicgamer4451]

Both of them are legends if thay were still alive then we would have some decent TV on now

[@67lionsoflisbon37]

Sad these ENTERTAINERS couldn't go on forever. Because these very funny men were 100% REAL ENTERTAINERS! God rest and keep them. Class acts in the finest meaning of the word.

[@jodavies8952]

Eric Morecambe was a genius, just his look would send you laughing, when he beat Steve Davis at snooker has me howling with laughter, it's priceless😀

[@markwhittaker6866]

That one has me laughing out loud.

[@johnking5174]

This 1975 special was the only new episode produced by Eric and Ernie in 1975, after the chose not to produce a 1974 Christmas Show and no new series at all in 1975, so a lot of people were keen to see them back on Christmas night in 1975 and they did not disappoint.

[@mickdeedeefoster1234]

He's nicer than I thought he was. Great line. Des,taking all those insults for years is pure class. Most in that industry wouldn't do it. Des,was great to keep doing this. Eric and Ernie were two great friends and comics. Great show.

[@scottsmith1413]

I still laugh as much now as I did when I was a child, Sadly modern British comedy is none existent.

[@bsrlpar]

Don't forget the greatest singer since Mario Lanza, Joe Longthorne. Joe had the best voice, and I listen to him every day.

[@davidmansell5986]

"A nose like Concorde coming out of the hangar for the first time!" Superb. Des was such a good sport.

[@petersutton2182]

Wish my dad was still hear to watch this, brilliant!

[@brianmarshall4753]

Des o'connor RIP 1932- 2020

[@Richard-ck7sr]

Pure Gold.

[@richards6332]

The ad libbing just shows how professional and gifted they were.

[@vincentharriman3283]

Most of it was rehearsed and only appeared to be adlibbed.

[@annmozdzer1258]

Singing in the rain was brilliant,with eric and ernie,hard to find now xx

[@vincentharriman3283]

Its on youtube.

[@MickCampin-jp9kb]

I had the pleasure of meeting Des and his lovely girls in the Hotel Coral Playa in Ibiza many many years ago. He is a true gentleman and his daughters were also lovely, as I'm about the same age it was great to play crazy golf with them and my sister.

[@sharoncarter4086]

Talented and able to make us laugh. Wonderful times. Loved Eric, so brilliant to see xxxx still makes me laugh

[@scottb4697]

Those of us of a certain age who grew up with all of these comic legends who are mostly no longer with us were extremely privileged. They were great days of entertainment. Today we have shows like mock the week, the mash report, and the last leg and so called comics like Frankie Boyle, Nish Kumar, Jo brand, and Adam Hills who are about as funny as a dose of the clap.

[@imbatman2868]

1 benny hill 2 Morecombe and Wise 3 the 2 ronnies 4 Dick Emery 5 Dave Allen Today Sean Lock RIP Milton Jones Shows 1 The fast show 2 Smith and Jones 3 Not the 9 o'clock news I do like would I lie to you But nowadays nothing I don't own a TV anymore just not worth switching on

[@capcompass9298]

... 4-lettered words.

[@andyclayton9204]

Well, at least Mock The Week's been cancelled

[@mesparky9]

We had nothing but wasn't our world better

[@hhithailand1421]

I think your displaying your politics here

[@surreyanglia268]

God im so glad to see what real comedy was like unlike the crap nowadays

[@alanwitton5039]

Hilarious! This is proper comedy! It's funny

[@odettewiddicombe4583]

All three are in heaven now

[@sharonjones873]

i have so much love for Eric and Ernie, I feel they are part of my family, my childhood Christmas' were made by their shows. I know its nostalgic and romantic, but I genuinely love them both for the laughter and joy they gifted. And thanks also to legendary writer Eddie Braben, he was the man indeed. x

[@lesmcarthur3960]

Eric and Ernie, quite simply CLASS.

[@rachelsirett8809]

Truly magnificent my childhood absolutely loved Morecambe and wise , des o Connor rip

[@IanHutchings_KTF]

I grew up with this incredible period of British comedy. So many more real stars back then. Modern tv is shite. Freeview sometimes, but KZbin mostly.

[@johnking5174]

10:23 - A very cleverly constructed set here. The BBC builders were good, as it was placed at the perfect eye level for the camera. This was of course a pre-recorded segment, before the audience came into the studio, and the audience watched it on the studio monitors. As the way the set was constructed, the audience would see the giveaway cut out section for Des to disappear down into.

[@npc3po301]

There's so so much going on in that first sketch, every movement honed to look natural, look when Eric first says hello to Des, how Ern keeps doubled over for that split second longer so he's out of the way of the interraction, your focus is being guided at all times, effortless pros

[@andrewbriggs6083]

Only glad to say, i was alive to appreciate these brilliant artists.

[@mancyank564]

Eric fainting is a reference to when all 3 were on the music hall circuit. Glasgow was a notoriously rough audience and Des fainted on stage whenever he played there.

[@chrissheppard5068]

The highlight of Christmas was watching Morcombe and Wise with your parents. I was 18 that Christmas home on my first leave.

[@lindamanas6735]

Apparently Eric had a collection of Des O’ Connor LPs. I remember when you could buy records at Boots!

[@michaelocyoung]

"I like him." Perfection.

[@JamesGamby]

Des took it all so well❤❤❤

[@colinwilliams553]

I just bet that when Des o Conner passed, Eric and Ernie tried their best not to let him through the pearly gates.May they all R.I.P.

[@richardsawyer5428]

I heard that Des wrote a fair few of those insults himself. Whilst he wasn't my cup of tea as a kid, fair play to an utter professional that could take the piss out of himself in front of the entire country.

[@vincentharriman3283]

Yes he did write many of the insults himself although originally he wasn't the target. It was Frankie Vaughan who was originally targeted by Morecambe & Wise but apparently Frankie threatened legal action so the change was made to aim at Des instead.

[@johnalcorn8079]

They were great comedians,and today there saying “Ant and Dec”are much better.This was class and we all remember the best.

[@marknestbox]

I saw this at the time and found admiration in life, though to date.

[@TheLifeEvents]

I did like Des too. 1975! A great year in my life.

[@annmozdzer1258]

Shirley Bassey was another good sport on their show,and also with Les Dawson

[@eddieday-reilly5144]

They first paired up during WW2. In those days and prior to the War when they were just getting started it was to live audiences in the Clubs of Northern England and Glasgow. Tough crowds to cut their teeth on, but their hard work and perseverance paid off. This made them one of Britains most loved and talented Comedy Acts of all time. This was REAL TALENT

[@mmcc8022]

Pure class..Eric brilliant

[@larrymclarnon-pd8xf]

Those guys are obviously enjoying themselves.

[@martinpawley647]

They brought us sunshine in abundance.

[@hugolindum7728]

They were in fact all of a similar age, and knew each other before they were famous, and were good friends in real life.

[@Sjmby95]

Those were the days

[@mrsgsatractor8925]

I absolutely love Morecombe and wise, I grew up with them and will watch them always. Des o Connor was also a great laugh

[@algie-t2w]

It's so obvious during this sketch how very fond Eric and Ernie were of each other. Not bad after 30 years together.

[@ninarizzo7312]

They were 💯brilliant ❤❤❤❤❤❤🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Morecambe and Wise and the two Ronnies were my favourite comedians👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🤗❤️👍

[@afroscifizianzcomix7836]

Amazing. No words can describe this.

[@christopherwaring8285]

THAT WAS THE BEST SINGING PERFORMANCE IVE SEEN FROM DES AT FAST SPEED

[@stevenmitchell1504]

2nd only to the Andre Preview sketch !-They had a wonderful relationship with Des and he was actually quite a good singer despite your dubbing!!

[@vincentharriman3283]

Yep. Although the butt of many jokes, Des was actually a decent singer.

[@andrewhudson8966]

Not a swear word in sight

[@johnking5174]

They would never have dared. This aired in 1975 on BBC One Christmas Day - never ever ever going to happen!

[@andrewhudson8966]

@@johnking5174 the implication is that they didn’t need to use bad language to be funny,we’re as modern day comedians don’t seem to be able to raise a laugh without swearing.

[@flywheel8541]

Swear words today are because writers have lost the art of pure comedy

[@LdevArt]

@@johnking5174yes.beeb were to busy keeping the rape and corruption covered up

[@paulmcshane7796]

Des O'Connor when do I get to sing?& I want to get paid😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@brianw9242]

Brilliant ! and Des was so professiona.l they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. My grandad sued to do ernie Wises` gardening in peterborough , so there !! brian

[@esmeephillips5888]

Ah, 'Lord Ern of Peterborough'. 'I probably got it for those plays what I wrote.'

[@whatduck943]

I love this episode!! 💓💓

[@NorthernIrelandConflictVideos]

Great days of tv, with the family around

[@robertwilliams9234]

After the shit we just witnessed over Christmas this is brilliant

[@capcompass9298]

It was brilliant before Xmas, too.

[@kimcolligan7948]

Morcame and wise christmas show is what made christmas magic and special

[@theqslearningmethod]

Those were the days - with my family at Christmas looking forward to good family entertainment whether 8 years or 80 years old. So many good programmes (and I'm not wearing rose-tinted glasses) ... lol

[@GaryProffitt-pt2go]

Pure laugher, guaranteed 🤣🤣😂😂👍 The late Erik Morecambe & late Ernie Wise.

[@johnhenshaw7655]

Superb stuff 👍👍👍👍😂😂😂😂😂

[@iainclark5964]

Buying records in Boots, god that takes me back!

[@1960jammy]

Just brilliant!!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@davidrea9898]

Loved this show growing up...Eric was a genius....

[@richardbrown1189]

Imagine constructing and lighting that huge set for a sketch that lasts barely thirty seconds.

[@dereksheils3536]

Pure gold

[@macca8562]

Back in the days when we had talent entertaining us without the need to swear.

[@Livinglife595]

I think Eric morcambe must of been the funniest man to ever be on stage. You only have to look at him and he’s hilarious

[@barryrudge1576]

The days when variety was th main stay of British TV. with Morecambe & Wise being the biggest back in the 1970's when they could pull TV audiences of over 12 million. Their on going gag with Des O'Connor was always hilarious. Today's comedians can't even approach them as family entertainment because their acts are always peppered with blue jokes. And as of those jacket lapels in this footage they're something else.

[@johnking5174]

12 million? More like 15 to 16 million, with over 20 million watching their Christmas shows.

[@johnkennethwiseman5460]

The face smacking must have been ad libbed? Priceless

[@vincentharriman3283]

No, carefully rehearsed although sometimes I think Eric did slap harder than intended.

[@Crazy1Clive]

@@vincentharriman3283 Yes, agreed: definitely all rehearsed, down to the last movement.

[@russelljenkins5620]

Timeless magical just the best

[@badger300100]

Absolutely brilliant think it must be a certain age thing 😊

[@dan4lau]

Well I've liked Morcambe and Wise since I was... oh not absolutely sure, 14/15 at least. And I was born in 84. I had tapes of their radio show that I used to listen to in the car or various other places.

[@vincentharriman3283]

​@@dan4lauthey had two radio series which are occasionally repeated on BBC Radio 4Extra. One was in the 1960s and the other in the 1970s.

[@oldrikky]

This was when artists were really talented, they came up the hard way, paid there dues. No talent shows putting them on the fast lane.The good ones made it. The rest did not. When Morcambe and Wise were on the tv ,I would come home early from the pub to watch them. So many great memories with these guys..