The Morecambe and Wise Show ITV, SE.3 EP.5 1982

[@charliemills8785]

Thank you for sharing this... my dad is actually Royce Mills who guest stars in this. Thank you so much

[@obsoletearchive4201]

You are most welcome.

[@npc3po301]

Your dad was a master of that flustered schtick, loved him as Knotweed and Nausius in the 'Up' movies, a mainstay of vintage tv, sad to hear of his passing, you should be very proud

[@applemask]

@@npc3po301 He was a good Dalek too.

[@ITVWeatherFans]

Thank you for sharing :) This is one of the Thames shows M&W made - Wikipedia states this is Series 3, episode 5, originally broadcast in 1982. For all that people have said about the material being weaker, it's still a joy for me to see the Thames shows. Although, the switch from M&W to The Young Ones at the end is very, very jarring and a perfect illustration of the changing appeal of comedy at that time. Thank you once again!

[@obsoletearchive4201]

No, Thank you. I will amend the date. Excellent feedback and info and citation.

[@ITVWeatherFans]

@@obsoletearchive4201 No worries at all - I know Wikipedia isn't always 100%, but seems pretty accurate in case as the article correctly lists the dates for all other M&W Thames shows. I assumed the 1987 was actually when it was repeated :) Thanks again for the upload.

[@obsoletearchive4201]

Yes, this was a repeat sandwiched by 1987 shows and commercials.

[@colinwilliams553]

That's RIGHT, there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with that just because Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise went over to THAMES Television late in their careers.They were still funny and entertaing.R.I.P to the both of them.

[@jnuttso1]

thank you for sharing this classic tv show

[@johnking5174]

12.2 million tuned into this show when it first aired on Wednesday November 24th 1982 on ITV. A very decent audience rating, around 4 million less than they had for a regular edition of their final BBC series in 1976 but still reasonable for a half hour slot on mid week ITV in 1982.

[@janmcdonald3896]

Thank u SO much for this gem!

[@johnking5174]

The opening sketch in front of the curtains was a rehash of a BBC routine they did in the early 1970s with the dog behind the curtain. The ten years hence sketch was another rehash of a BBC routine in 1971. So it does reveal how the lack of new material was evident in 1982.

[@obsoletearchive4201]

Yes this is true, however it still made me laugh 😂

[@johnking5174]

@@obsoletearchive4201 I read from Eric's son Gary's book that his father and Ernie hated going over old material, but there was very little left in the pot for new shows on Thames. They had used up so much material from 1968-1977 on the BBC, after the hype of their move to Thames in 1978 it all dried up, especially the long pause from 1979-1980 whilst Eric had his heart surgery and recovered. Many feel their 1978 specials on Thames was the best they did at Thames and from 1980 when they returned to the series, that was when it all fell apart. You agree?

[@obsoletearchive4201]

@@johnking5174 I didn't know about Gary's book to be honest. All I can say is that it's sad that they ended up doing routines they hated. So yes I agree that's when and how it all fell apart. I'd rather remember them for the great entertainers that they were throughout the 70's.

[@johnking5174]

@@obsoletearchive4201 Gary said that many people thought they went to Thames for the money, that was not true. They went there because the BBC didn't have a commercial film making arm as they do now with BBC Films, however Thames Television had one, called Euston Films, and they wanted to make a movie. That was part of the deal to jump channels.

[@obsoletearchive4201]

@@johnking5174 I take it the film with Euston never happened. I only know of the three movies shot in 65, 66 and 67.

[@anaccount8474]

It was the same joke every week with Eric walking at the back of the stage in his raincoat - it was always funny though.

[@bpage4132]

Originally broadcast for ITV on the 24/11/1982,With special guests Patricia Brake,Ruth Madoc and Royce Mills [sadly passed away on the 21/5/2019,nine days after his 77th birthday].

[@johnhastings7841]

RIP Royce Mills Patricia Brake Ruth Madoc & of course - Morecambe & Wise.

[@dlamiss]

Even the great Morecambe and Wise BBC days had plenty of ordinary material amongst the gems and the problem was after the move to Thames television in January 1978 the ordinary material was the norm added to the fact their humour began to feel dated with Morecambe coming out with the same lines "this boys a fool" "can i have a word with you please" etc time and time again.

[@MS-zu8ds]

Charlie Mills Your dad is a fine actor & much loved too.

[@AntarcticaTelevision]

It is a somewhat more "stilted" show that the more efortless and "natural" feel that their BBC shows had, but even at their supposed worst M&W were still very watchable.

[@johnking5174]

The problem was the material they used for these Thames Television shows were simply reused or rehashed routines from their BBC days. This is why they came across as stilted, as Eric and Ernie had already performed these routines before, so they were really just going over old ground. Gary Morecambe, son of Eric said that his father and Ernie were far better with new material. Johnny Ammonds their producer at Thames said the same thing, he noticed the difference in energy with the duo when presented with new routines.

[@johnhastings7841]

Vert surprised that the BBC allowed Ruth Madoc onto the show given their anger when Eric & Ernie went to Thames.

[@johnking5174]

By 1982 the BBC didn't care about Morecambe and Wise, as their Thames shows were terrible, and their ratings were sliding. So the BBC got over their departure in 1978 to Thames very quickly.

[@jademelissataylor8077]

Funny x