There is a fine line between singing the descant and just randomly singing something that isn’t the tune – or, to put it another way, when I sing along I may be singing the right notes but not necessarily in the right order. With a link as seamless as that (so seamless, in fact, that you can’t see the join) it is of course time for Morecambe & Wise.
From 1969 to 1977 on the Beeb (with 1974 off), and from 1978 to 1983 on ITV, their Christmas Specials have become the stuff of legend – and even though Eric and Ernie are no longer with us, showings and reshowings have allowed them to remain a part of our Christmas ever since.
1971’s legendary Andre Previn sketch is the bit of telly that I have seen more than any other; and it still makes me laugh every time. It may well be the funniest routine they ever did, although my absolute favourite, and from the same year, is the Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers routine with Glenda Jackson. (Or rather, the Fred Astaire & Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers routine).
Arguably it only contains one gag, and it probably wasn’t a ‘new’ joke even then, but the business with Eric’s cane getting larger and larger, the brilliance of the way that it gradually dawns on him, and the various ways that the routine uses the canes as props, is just wonderful.
Maybe the age of the traditional double act has gone, but at least we’re lucky enough to still be able to watch the greatest of them all. I for one am very happy for them to keep bringing me sunshine every Christmas.
Andrew Curnow's Ramblings 