The Two Ronnies Four Candles HD

If you are going to succeed with your customers, you have to be absolutely sure that your communication is crystal clear. Are you really on the same wave length as your customer or is that a dangerous and frustrating assumption?

[@robthegardener9631]

This sketch was so well loved that when Ronnie Corbett died his coffin was preceded into church by four men, each carrying a large candle.

[@joejs4613]

However, 4 candles isn’t what he wanted!

[@scottwall9783]

Luckily they didn't get any hoes carrying the coffin.

[@jamesmclean6651]

That's a much appreciated video

[@jonnyc429]

When they arrived the vicar swiftly told them nooo, fork 'andles

[@example2844]

Is that actually true?

[@johnhill1947]

This sketch was originally derived from a woman who ran a hardware shop in Hayes Middlesex when someone came in and asked for 4 candles meaning fork handles. She wrote to the BBC pointing out the peculiarities of the English language.

[@jonathanmills5662]

Ronnie C steals the show in this one. Love the way his indignation builds as he chunters to himself. The comic timing of each of them is brilliant.

[@chrisevans5259]

Genius writing, and Barker and Corbett's timing and deliverance is spot on, one of comedy's greatest sketches of all-time. CLASSIC

[@Oakleaf700]

And the irritability is spot on,...Shopkeepers used to be just like this, long before the likes of boring superstores.

[@helenbailey8419]

Based on a letter from a shop like this in Sheffield ,England.

[@coolcat9351]

After getting a damaged parcel from Aldi yesterday I had to go and return "4 candles!" I nearly burst out laughing! Thankyou for posting this brilliant sketch!

[@richallenxbox1976]

And the Checkout girl would've looked at you like you're daft lol.

[@freespeechadvocate7492]

been voted the best comedy sketch of all time and its well deserved

[@mizofan]

excellent but the punchline is weak, and Barker himself was dissatisfied with it

[@MikeyJMJ]

mizofan Not the show's fault though, blame BBC for cancelling the original punchline.

[@terminalfrost3645]

sir klopp what was the original punchline?

[@MikeyJMJ]

Andromeda Barker wanted a woman with big breasts to come in at the end rather than the other male assistant and her line would've had something do with knockers.

[@terminalfrost3645]

Sir Klopp cheers, seems daft they changed it. I also though billhooks was supposed to be pillocks but apparently meant to be bollocks lol

[@HooDie-Trench-GoTh2022]

"Saw tips" " What ya want ointment or something like " 🤣🤣🤣

[@Dark_Autumn]

That makes me laugh so much every time I watch it, even more than four candles. It must be one of the best comedy lines ever, in my opinion. I must be getting old, but prefer this to modern comedy, especially if it's vulgar with a lot of swearing and bad language. Yep, I do sound old!

[@rexharrison6827]

@@Dark_Autumn I don't mind swearing if it has context, but swearing for swearing's sake doesn't equal comedy. My daughter used to love "Inbetweeners". so I dutifully watched it a couple of times and found it to be utterly unfunny to my sense of humour. The F-Bomb seemed to be the actual punchline more often than not. Whereas I cherished "The Young Ones" as a classic piece of surreal comedy, where "Bastard!" was both funny and in context. So, yeah, I think the generation gap does play a part in one's appreciation!

[@kofiastra9837]

How did the two Ronnies keep a straight face during this sketch? Simply amazing 🤩

[@judithshone3681]

Lol. Every now and then you see smile emerge but that makes it all the funnier. None of this silly faked bloopers like you see today. This is my 2nd fave 2R's my fave is the crossword puzzle.

[@georgeowain]

Ronnie Barker in an interview stated he was never satisfied with how the sketch ended. And shortly after it had aired, he encountered a woman with large breasts, and from a spark of inspiration, came up with an alternate ending he regrets never doing. Where instead a woman with large bosoms walks on set to deal with him and after reading his list replies "Right, what size knockers do you want?".

[@sarahbatschelet1202]

I don’t get ANY if it😢

[@nnenne1]

@@sarahbatschelet1202 lol

[@mahmoodjsunderji4456]

Neither do I

[@gilliankirby]

That's a classic!

[@oneworldfamily]

The humour of Ronnie C taking the time to go up and down the ladder and also repositioning it reminds me of the time that Julie Walters took staggering across the restaurant floor in the Two Soups sketch. Wonderful!

[@shaneD7378]

Who is still watching this in the madness of 2020

[@johnpierpoint5813]

A lot of us, it would seem!

[@ashleystansfield4888]

Guilty

[@Househeadz]

oh god aye - makes me howl everytime

[@patrick88705]

Corbett & Barker, Will Still be Chuckling in their graves

[@janksolid]

2024 😊

[@mrsanity]

I work in a hardware/general store - This is far more accurate than most people would realise.

[@leifvejby8023]

I used to, and yes!

[@boxesofnoise9784]

Worked in one 46 years and your right...

[@djdeemz7651]

How many times were you asked " do you have one of them thingy magiges " you must have at least once

[@djdeemz7651]

@@boxesofnoise9784 at a guess i would say 90% of customers were completely clueless to what they needed or what it was called

[@michaelpettersson4919]

A nearby town here are named the same as a neighbouring country. Spelling is different but pronunciation are the same. This has led to some confusion.

[@oludotunjohnshowemimo434]

One of The Two Ronnies best and funniest sketches of all time. I was crying with laughter when I saw this and still find this funny today. RIP Barker and Corbett.

[@elizabethwhyman7507]

Even the audience laughing makes me enjoy it even more- the whole thing is just wonderful

[@barryalford5513]

Laugh box.

[@mitch2620]

Ronnie C is incredible in this sketch. His reactions and timing are first class!

[@Treviscoe]

Best comedy sketch of all time. I've seen this loads of times and it's still funny.

[@danieldavid3160]

You two were and still are, naturally, gifted and talented human beings!

[@user-rw4fs2qy7w]

What a Brilliant Scetch by two legends of comedy Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett sadly no longer with us may they Rip 🙏 xx.

[@hotelmario510]

I always love how Corbett's character cottons on to what is going on right away and yet he still manages to grab the wrong type of plug.

[@VauxhallViva1975]

Gotta be one of The Two Ronnies best ever sketches.

[@elliotchinneryhinks8554]

Easily greatest comedy sketch of all time.... Love it when you see RC has to hold off a small smile after RB sais sawtips, just added to the brilliance of this sketch..... Easily best in history...

[@lawsontennant8564]

There is no comedy better than british comedy!. Absolute genius!

[@mediaboxproductions4866]

four candles - fork handles bath plugs - electric plugs saw tips - sore tips hoe, hose - O (letter, e.g. to form the word Mon Répos) P's - peas foot pump - pumps (shoes) washers - tap washers

[@arthurread3059]

Mediabox Productions Ltd iossuff

[@arthurread3059]

Suffolk reg malaya 1952

[@arthurread3059]

D4

[@LampoonGoon]

Thanks sooo much, Helpy Helperton.

[@CooterCoy]

@@nn-ro1lvWhat was the last joke about bill hooks?

[@ScutchP1]

4:54 - that audience reaction to "no, tins of peas" is priceless.

[@jamesgrimwood1285]

Back when audiences were real people and not recordings added to say "this bit is the funny bit, you laugh now" :)

[@philippap2860]

I thought he was going to put the Ps in tins XD

[@ShannonFreng]

@@jamesgrimwood1285 I loathe laugh tracks! With an actual audience, than it is really televised theatre.

[@teamstr259]

I've watched this at least a hundred times and i laugh just as much now as i did the first time! Lmao

[@beverleypearson2646]

Me too! I’ll never get tired of watching this ……. comedy Gold ❤

[@th3st1g55]

Total CLASSIC!!! BRILLIANCE at it's best. I love this sketch. TOTALLY AWESOME!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@samlong4895]

agree , the best of the best.

[@commentfreely5443]

back in the day when you could wear ratty clothes in public.

[@jessiejames7492]

i have 2 others i think are just ss brilliant. in ALLO ALLO the 'I just gave you a light' sketch and in Aint It half Hot MUM' THE raising the flag episode' when lofty says' i was the drummer' NO matter how many times one watchces it youll laugh!

[@redsquirrel1086]

Probably the cleverest sketch in the history of comedy.

[@adamwilson232]

Check out 'Who's on first' by Abbott and Costello: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYXGg4WXjbtgnMk

[@TinfoilTuxedo]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnfPdmCblsmXY80

[@lcfcgrayforeverafox3603]

Absolutely brilliant i remember this sketch as if it was yesterday 😎

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

I love the two Ronnies it brings back all my happy memories of watching it with my grandad when I was a kid and didn't get the jokes until I was an adult 🤣🤣

[@peterlittlejohns9290]

Probably the finest sketch ever written!

[@jtyler9130]

Best sketch ever! Ronnie C definitely got his own back in Sweet Shop though! 😂

[@RFED2O]

This sketch and when Morecambe & Wise meet Andre Previn is surely the two greatest comedy moments...I couldn't even tell you who comes third !!

[@itsmegordy]

And the dead parrot Monty Python sketch! I think :)

[@ukp42]

@@itsmegordy Agree

[@1515327E]

I’d have to go across the pond to either Abbot & Costello’s Who’s on First or Tim Conway’s Dentist sketch for third.

[@ShannonFreng]

I like M & W's sketch with Eric Porter (dressing room one).

[@annh9225]

Absolutely brilliant! Only in England!!!

[@jamesmason9925]

This has got to be the greatest comedy sketch of all time! :)

[@owenjones-wells9395]

Greatest comedy sketch there is. Just what is needed in these strange times!

[@petrichorthoughts]

I'll never forget the day my Dad first showed this to me, we were pissing ourselves 😂

[@atlantataylor7380]

Brilliant sketch the most hilarious sketch ever I love The Two Ronnie's 😂😂

[@raerae3844]

Spring/Summer 1976. This is what was once great British comedy, still stands the test of time.

[@carlkane653]

I like at how Ronnie Corbett is trying not to laugh and looking annoyed at the same time when Ronnie barker says no fork handles. it was funny.

[@nitinkataria5002]

Superb stuff. That's why I keep on going nostalgic over and over again. Though I have never seen this series before but such actors that never actually did anything over at all.

[@autism_and_niamh]

Anyone working in a retail store dealing with tools etc (you know the ones) - SO MANY of these I have actually encountered, more than once! Both hilarious and frustrating 😂

[@basicboi9999]

If you don't cry with laughter, seeing this, you aren't human. This is the best comedy sketch I've ever seen. ❤ Absolutely bloody fucking brilliant. I'm not kidding. Aaron

[@marion3386]

How brilliant were they! Will miss them always. 😞🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@giles852002]

This is funnier once you’ve worked in retail, you get customers mis-pronouncing what they want causing this kind of frustration.

[@wilsjane]

The funniest time that I can remember was when we were running the film 'Taxi Driver' at a central London theater. People were queuing for up to an hour to buy tickets, then when they got to the box office they gave the cashier the destination of where they wanted the taxi to take them. It happened several times a day. Needless to say, none of them were English. LOL

[@commentfreely5443]

he only gave him one fork handle

[@Oakleaf700]

@@commentfreely5443 That still works though... You could say ''Where are the brooms?'' and only buy one.

[@aishwariyasweety2433]

*pis-pronouncing

[@mikewatt8706]

I once asked a girl after a date could I come in side her asss ( house)

[@EagleOneM1953]

This sketch is perfect too the last detail. the shop and both their clothing.... Where I grew up in Belgium we had a shop like that...the owner knew to find everything in one of the drawers or cardboard box somewhere under the counter... you asked something and she would get it... Look at Ronnie Barker;s when out woolen pullover, all ripped at the bottom, and his woolen cap....

[@kailashpatel1706]

I don't think you get those shops in England anymore either..there was one in shepherds bush market, west london, my mum was always getting parts or stuff for the house in there in the late 1970's, even the guy in htere dressed the same as ronnie barker..

[@EagleOneM1953]

@@kailashpatel1706 Dressed as Ronnie Barker or Ronnie Corbett the sales person? I remember those brown coats were pretty popular with shopkeepers in those days, at least in my native Belgium. Also very popular with people breeding racing pigeons... My oldest brother had a closet full of them... and hundreds of pigeons.....

[@kailashpatel1706]

@@EagleOneM1953 ronnie corbett

[@capitol7950]

brilliantly written and exquisitely executed

[@brucesharpe1079]

The two Ronnies are great this is a brilliant sketch one of there best (it’s brilliant ha ha )

[@BritishComedyUK69]

Best sketch ever

[@marcuswalters8093]

A classic sketch well deserving or the accolades heaped upon it. Utterly brilliant in concept and execution. We believe this farce continues because of the character hinted at by both characters as well as the situation.

[@stevethompson1421]

This sketch will NEVER be bettered!!

[@TonyEnglandUK]

Best sketch definitely. Their Mastermind sketch was good, too - and Del Boy falling through the bar in Only Fools.

[@phillipphillippson8456]

This sketch is so good I’ve even posted this on the 1990’s, 2000’s and 2010’s kids and teens on FB

[@MissWizard]

You can see Ronnie Corbett trying not to laugh when RB says, “saw tips.” He has to turn away. 🤣

[@shieldaigbencher]

The best. Fork handles, Four candles, 13 amp. Brilliant.

[@sudo_nym]

Or... it's just classic comedy and not some marketing lesson.

[@donaldasayers]

I actually bought a fork handle in a hardware shop the other day. There was much grinning all round.

[@trevorjohnson4927]

Hi, there.My hardware shop sells almost everything from household cleaning materials, envelopes, lighters,tobacco tins,zippos, sticky tape,magnets,plasma balls, screwdrivers ,spanners, hinges, faux flowers, Christmas lights,gardening stuff,mouse and rat traps, bulb's for your oven and house,fridge bulbs,bulbs for lamps, children's colouring books, Tupperware,jugs,pans,pots,Glitter, pens, pencils, sanitary towels, blue light,disco lights, towels, buckets and spades children's and adults, poisons,shoe laces,fork handles, plugs rubber bathroom 13 amp, letter ohs, number ohs, hoses, garden hoe and painkillers...G... That's my hardware store,also plumbing supplies forgot that one...

[@Woad25]

But can you get four candles?

[@mofitz5056]

Probably the greatest comedy sketch ever ....

[@jessiejames7492]

'' why didnt you bleedingl tell me.......'' hilarious

[@donaldasayers]

I love the slow build of laughter at 0:36, as the audience slowly realises where the rest of the sketch is going.

[@TAJEEish]

Brilliant piece of comedy

[@janbrugge1407]

I did first understand and heard "folk handels" - but these are the politicians, aren 't they ? I wonder why but That skech is more than wonderful ... I see it everytime, when the day seems to be "dark" on my mind, you know. Thanks a lot to that beautiful interruption of my day ! Go on

[@Turbo1985]

Am I the only person who is happy with this ending? Ronnie Barker said he felt it was too obscure but I am glad they didn't go down the easy route with what kind of knockers he'd like. Would still have been funny but I personally prefer the obscure route where you have to think a little.... the traditional British way.

[@coldeb8911]

Ronnie Corbett is the Star here...just watch him..the face’s he pulls..the mumbling comments..the looks of exasperation... Classic!

[@jamesgrimwood1285]

That's what makes it funny. Sure, the "four candles / fork handles" gag is funny the first time, but after the third one, we've got the joke. Everything else around that is what carries it for six minutes without becoming boring. A modern version of this wouldn't work, it'd be complete billhooks.

[@leonjones7120]

genius. the best sketch ever!

[@The_Spuddler]

My favourite. great comedy is timeless.

[@luzmilaarias3198]

Love it😍

[@samlong4895]

BRILLIANT.

[@rexstonbull250]

brilliant sketch 👏 the best ever.

[@michaelgarforth3526]

Absolutely Brilliant

[@vxenon67]

I had a coworker ask me do you have a torch? Dumbfounded I'm thinking a wood stick and light up the other end with fire, then i realized he was talking about a flashlight.

[@Tim_Small]

I think they're called flashlights in the U.S. because the batteries used to be so low capacity the users only flashed them on and off. In Britain "electric torch" got shortened to just "torch", just like "horseless carriage" ended up as "car".

[@michaelacoulthard]

For me, what made this was Ronnie Corbett's performance.... You could see a couple of times that he almost laughed... They were both great actors, and are both sorely missed. RIP Messrs Barker and Corbett. I'm in stitches right now.... Ronnie Corbett got annoyed with Ronnie Barker at the end, you could see that.

[@gilijo4206]

U r having me on come on ..loved 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ShannonFreng]

Barker certainly had it quite easy, in terms of effort expended, compared to Corbett, in this skit. Nor did they have to affect much, in the way of speech, either, using basically almost their normal voices. This is a testament to how minimalism can still create an hilarious performance. Probably the fact that this skit was so matter-of-factly, everyday, in its composition, that people were so easily able to relate to it, went far in it's being so classic.

[@reggienone966]

Good skit but the volume on the laugh track needs to be cut by at least 3/4ths.

[@bruceheath9748]

Four candle's well there you are,no hañdles for forks

[@philippaine]

Barker wanted to conclude with Corbett clearly hacked off with the customer so calls upstairs to a busty assistant to come down and deal with the customer to whom she says after a briefing from Corbett "okay, what sort of knockers do you want?" ...the BBC would not allow it go out as it was pre watershed time so we ended up with the poor ending.

[@Qwobble]

This isn't quite true. They didn't come up with the knockers ending until after the BBC airing of the sketch. In their touring version, Barker's list says "Knockers", which is when Corbett goes to fetch the Busty assistant. It's more easily got across than the "bollocks/billhooks" joke, which is still good for the sketch.

[@markgc1316]

That makes more sense, and would have finished the sketch off better. Because their forte was language and their sketches were very wordy, the humour was most often the original premise of the gag and the subsequent exchanges between the two Rons. As a result, many sketches didn't even have an obvious punchline, and often fizzled out a bit (or ended with some corny d'dum tish, or trombone-slide moment) (See The Two Ronnies: Round of Drinks)

[@simonjohnstone6671]

Love this sketch 😍😍😆😆😆

[@dih9788]

Perfect!!!

[@Shelldamage]

Brilliant!

[@OwMyHead]

This sketch will never age even my 9 year old laughed at this

[@abbafanmalta]

Pure solid gold

[@MrHamster150]

It's amazing how you can get all this in one store! 😂

[@jessiejames7492]

in the old days , possible!

[@samlong4895]

we have stores like this the UK , even today in small villages. great places.

[@jessiejames7492]

oh so lucky. !!!

[@mackenziewhethers1257]

A general store!

[@animaltvi9515]

Most of this type of shop have closed down now killed off by big supermarkets. Used to be loads in the 70s

[@tommyandrewd]

Four Candles/ ForkHandles was so genius it makes the rest of the sketch appear weak! Although the plugs line definitely gets the audience thinking.

[@normansoutar5597]

Best comedy double act ever

[@SEAN-jx6yu]

TIMELESS

[@bruceheath9748]

Is it four candle's or fork handles

[@user-pq3de1zl8y]

800th sub, les goo, btw love the vids

[@michaelsandford1015]

RIP Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie barker

[@stephenstokes8318]

The wordplay is absolutely genius

[@leahelizabethjones2377]

So funny .R.I.P.

[@ImranAhmed-bm1os]

Love you the two ronnies so does jesus christ

[@aquarianfirehorse667]

we use to have this kind of general merchandise store, you get everything you need in those small old shops. but now killed by those big shops, with cheap brands came from China

[@andrzejagria1391]

that's an amazing development! now more people can afford nicer stuff, it's really great!

[@LampoonGoon]

Andrzej Agria u damn fool.

[@swinetrek]

Like Arkwright's in Open All Hours

[@stevenmichaellewis5720]

what size.........13 amp lmfao !!!!!!!!!

[@chrisbyrne3937]

The best ever. Ronnie Barker is the funniest man to ever live 🥲

[@ryanwhyte672]

Four candles, Handles for Folks🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@karenluty4748]

It's the taking the ladders back and forth that kills me

[@darrenlangton3996]

It's Candlemas Day when I take my candles to church to be blessed, but I hope I don't get my four candles and fork handles mixed up, again!

[@smooth_sundaes5172]

Ronny Barker is a greater loss than many realise. RIP Ronny

[@overdoseiinstereo]

Ronnie

[@TonyEnglandUK]

R.I.P. to both Ronnies.

[@mizieapple2952]

i love this one hahahha

[@cosmotheumbreontrainer]

If you've ever worked in retail (or worked with customers in general) you've had moments like these