Ronnie Barker: A Life in Comedy (1997) - FULL EPISODE

Ronnie Barker discusses his double life as the mysterious Gerald Wiley and the art of comedy writing in this retrospective which was broadcast on Thursday, 28th August, 1997. Fans of the Two Ronnies will of course enjoy this, but I think fans of comedy in general will at the very least find it interesting, if only to see how things were done back then. (And when I say "full episode" in the title, I'm afraid the 'Content ID' system insists that some of the sketches be cut out - sorry about that.)
Apparently this was Ronnie's first television interview nearly a decade on from his retirement, and to be honest I suspect it may be every bit as scripted as one of his skits, but it's still nice to hear the stories from the horse's mouth. Meanwhile, minor points of interest include the dystopian future with the women in charge serial apparently being set in 2009, while the Phantom Raspberry Blower doesn't even get a mention. (Possibly because Barker was merely adapting Spike Milligan's original concept.)
On a tangent, that Bloomin' Marvellous programme trailed in the junction after the main show with Sarah Lancashire and Clive Mantle looks ace, and not at all like a parody of a mid-90s hacky British sitcom. Extraordinary.
(If you're a copyright holder and have any objections, please feel free to contact me. Alternatively, I haven't monetised the video, so you're welcome to do so, and that way everybody wins.)

[@VideotapeFTW]

Many apologies, but I'm afraid I've had to unceremoniously edit out five minutes' worth of sketches due to 'content matches'. Sorry about that. If you want to see the bits that I can't upload to KZbin, you can do so here. The link won't be maintained, so grab it while you can, because once it's gone, it's gone: mega.nz/file/o9hxWC4Y#0J6gu4fc982UM9DAYMRn7h6wIlQFHZicGDyfbJawcYI

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

Thanks for the links to the rest. Whew, a full gigabite for an hour. Now that's quality. But big.

[@TheStevenWhiting]

Odysee is good for this instead

[@VideotapeFTW]

@@TheStevenWhiting That's definitely a site to keep an eye on. I wonder whether it will ever get a sizable audience.

[@helmsly2010]

Thanks for making it available

[@neilfitzgerald712]

@@VideotapeFTW HELLO MY NAME IS MR NEIL FITZGERALD REQUEST FOR MR NEIL FITZGERALD PLEASE RAINBOW WITH GEOFFREY BUNGLE ZIPPY GEORGE ROD JANE AND FREDDY FOR MR NEIL FITZGERALD PLEASE RAINBOW FOR MR NEIL FITZGERALD PLEASE

[@j.dmetalhead7517]

Ronnie Barker was a true comic genius

[@martincronk1304]

We will never see another comedy genius like this again. I was lucky enough to be a kid when I first saw him. He is an absolute legend

[@ComtesseRochefort]

About 24 years ago, I was walking down Piccadilly, London one afternoon and passed a book shop. I happened to turn my head and noticed a lone figure, sitting behind a desk. Not realising he was promoting a book he had written. There was no one, as it must have been the end of a book signing. I went straight in and got him to sign a copy for my father, who was a huge fan (me as well). We chatted for a about 5 minutes. About what? I cannot remember. But what I do remember is how warm and affable he was. I left and was on Cloud 9 for weeks.

[@dnorfed]

I’ve just finished the biography of Ronnie barker, it’s a great read of how he started out in Oxford, it details how he got the characters together and the casts for his sketches, and how he moulded them together, a very clever man in many ways, and so sadly missed

[@garrettmeadows2273]

Ronnie Barker was a master of making the English language funny.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

I like the Two Ronnies and their Christmas Specials are a real treat. I suspect this will be too. Thanks for all the information you put into the information section. It was really helpful.

[@TheMarathonomahos]

The four candles skit is probably the greatest stretch in comedy history.

[@David-mz1yp]

Ronnie will always be the best 😂

[@naveedrafiq7923]

BBC1 Continuity On Thursday 28th August 1997.

[@glennqualters7377]

Talented Man ,and still sadly Missed

[@AutoMaverickPete]

My favourite comedy genius of all time, the greatest with him and Ronnie Corbett. Anyone knows the music 🎶 at the end of the film?

[@chrisnorton4382]

When the credits are rolling? It sounds like the Cole Porter number, "I've got you under my skin".

[@stephentaege6255]

This is comic royalty my neighbour who owned a pub looked sounded exactly like Ronnie Gordon could tell jokes for hours but never repeat a joke ,👍✌️✌️😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@vikkic403]

Comedy Genius

[@Jayfive276]

Blimey, don’t remember a thing about either of those sitcoms trailered. Also 13:09 - this has got to be the one that inspired that Not the Nine O Clock news “Two Ninnies” bit.

[@VideotapeFTW]

I thought exactly the same! All that marching on the spot with the barely concealed innuendos - precisely what the Two Ninnies was parodying.

[@dalediamond]

Brilliant

[@justinmanser7525]

Golfer cough. Still with us Mr Barker.

[@bethhaines6340]

Him and robbie corbett were such geniuses they were as funny as robin williams and spike milligan put together

[@gordontaylor5373]

I did so enjoy the singing slot where they're dressed as dustmen. I'd so love to see that one. Have you got it?

[@VideotapeFTW]

Not the whole thing, I'm afraid - just the clip at 13:46. Sorry!

[@clivestuarteardley6049]

He was an 💯 brilliant genius 😂

[@QueenofVHS]

Was this Ronnie part of The Two Ronnies or am I wrong

[@VideotapeFTW]

That's right, yes. He was also in the sitcoms Porridge and Open All Hours.

[@stephenduncan3605]

​@@VideotapeFTW along with Clarence and The Magnificent Evans.

[@TheStevenWhiting]

He was very private apparently so not very approachable like Ronnie Corbit was.

[@VideotapeFTW]

Yeah, one of those famous people that never really got on with the life of being a celebrity.

[@chookaschookas444]

👍

[@Insert.anger50]

The guess a holic

[@TheStevenWhiting]

I could be completely wrong but I still wonder if the posh voice is put on and his real voice was like it was in Porridge :) bit like David Jason. I get the feeling his real voice is Del Boy and the posh voice is put on :) they are both from the eera where they didn't want to expose their commen voice. But I could be wrong for both.

[@DieFlabbergast]

You're wrong. His parents were middle class.

[@stephenduncan3605]

​@@DieFlabbergast and Ronnie Corbett knew his place.

[@bethhaines6340]

Im so glad that i dont work in a bar

[@Insert.anger50]

9:20 on the rocks??? Why not just drink it inside the pub

[@Insert.anger50]

You can get away with it once