List of other television appearances by Morecambe and Wise

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The English comic double act of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise made their first appearance on television in 1951. Following this first appearance, they were to star in four separate television series of their own, as well as making many appearances on other television shows. The following is a list of appearances that the pair made, both together and separately, on television, apart from their four own series.

Contents

Background

In the late 1940s, the comedy duo of Morecambe and Wise had begun to make a name for themselves on the variety theatre circuit, and had also made some forays onto BBC Radio. At this time, although still in its infancy in the United Kingdom, television was beginning to assume a greater level of importance in entertainment. Morecambe and Wise's first television audition was at the BBC in 1948, which was when they began a firm resolution that they should appear on television as soon as possible. [1] Their first actual television appearance came in 1951, on a half-hour variety short called Parade of Youth. [2] Following this, they were to make a number of appearances prior to being given the opportunity to do their own television series, Running Wild , in 1954. The failure of Running Wild led to the duo subsequently returning to live variety for a period, until they were invited back to television on The Winifred Atwell Show in 1956. [2]

Full series appearances

The Winifred Atwell Show

Following the failure of Running Wild in 1954, Morecambe and Wise returned to the variety circuit in an effort to restore the fortunes of their act. Having made a successful return to the public eye, after two years they felt ready to make a second attempt at television. Dicky Leeman, a producer with ATV, one of the new independent broadcasters on the ITV network, contacted them with a view to their becoming regulars on a planned new variety show fronted by the pianist Winifred Atwell, with material provided by the writer Johnny Speight. [3] Morecambe and Wise eventually became the resident comedians on the show for the duration of its first series. [2]

No. Guests Producer Writer Broadcast
1.1Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig21 April 1956 (1956-04-21)
1.2Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig28 April 1956 (1956-04-28)
1.3Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig5 May 1956 (1956-05-05)
1.4Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig12 May 1956 (1956-05-12)
1.5Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig19 May 1956 (1956-05-19)
1.6Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig26 May 1956 (1956-05-26)
1.7Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig2 June 1956 (1956-06-02)
1.8Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig9 June 1956 (1956-06-09)
1.9Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig16 June 1956 (1956-06-16)
1.10Winifred Atwell, Morecambe and Wise, Jennifer Jayne, Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson, The George Carden DancersDicky LeemanBill Craig23 June 1956 (1956-06-23)

Double Six

Morecambe and Wise, having achieved success on The Winifred Atwell Show, felt comfortable enough with television the following year to return to the BBC, where they headlined a new variety show called Double Six. [2]

No. Guests Producer Broadcast
1.1Morecambe and Wise, Eileen Dyson, John Gower, Ted Lune, The Jack Billings Dancers, The BBC Northern Dance Orchestra Ronnie Taylor11 August 1957 (1957-08-11)
1.2Morecambe and Wise, Eileen Dyson, John Gower, Ted Lune, The Jack Billings Dancers, The BBC Northern Dance Orchestra Ronnie Taylor18 August 1957 (1957-08-18)
1.3Morecambe and Wise, Eileen Dyson, John Gower, Ted Lune, The Jack Billings Dancers, The BBC Northern Dance Orchestra Ronnie Taylor25 August 1957 (1957-08-25)
1.4Morecambe and Wise, Eileen Dyson, John Gower, Ted Lune, The Jack Billings Dancers, The BBC Northern Dance Orchestra Ronnie Taylor1 September 1957 (1957-09-01)
1.5Morecambe and Wise, Eileen Dyson, John Gower, Ted Lune, The Jack Billings Dancers, The BBC Northern Dance Orchestra Ronnie Taylor8 September 1957 (1957-09-08)

It's Childsplay

In 1976, at the height of their success at the BBC, Morecambe and Wise fronted a new children's series called It's Childsplay. Unlike previous series, the duo only played a hosting role in this, as it was a showcase for teenage screenwriters to have their work produced for television with casts of respected actors.

No. Guests Director Producer Broadcast Note
1.1 Jean Anderson, Alfie Bass, Ralph Bates, Joan Benham, Edward Hardwicke, John Laurimore, Gillian Phelps, Rudolph Walker Brian Penders Johnny Downes30 July 1976 (1976-07-30) [4]
1.2 Arthur Lowe, Suzanne Neve, Hilary Tindall, Michael Bevis, Roger Bizley, Tony Cundell, Bill Pearson Brian Penders Johnny Downes6 August 1976 (1976-08-06) [5]
1.3 Sinead Cusack, Ian Ogilvy, Jill Townsend, Simon Williams, Darien Angadi, Roger Bizley, Ray Callaghan, Susan Field, Patrick Jordan, George Little, Keith Marsh, Norman Mitchell, Conrad Phillips, Joe Ritchie, Jo Rowbottom, Richard Shaw Brian Penders Johnny Downes13 August 1976 (1976-08-13) [6]
1.4 Michael Aldridge, Blake Butler, Peter Jones, Penelope Keith, Bert Palmer, Peter Sallis, Zena Walker, Edward Burnham, Jane Cussons, Alison Glennie, Roy Holder, Donald Morley Brian Penders Johnny Downes20 August 1976 (1976-08-20) [7]
1.5 Christopher Cazenove, Beryl Cooke, Glynn Edwards, Clifford Evans, Carmel McSharry, Richard Morant, Angharad Rees, Helen Shingler, Joshua Le Touzel Brian Penders Johnny Downes27 August 1976 (1976-08-27) [8]
1.6 Keith Barron, Dora Bryan, Michael Gough, Norma West, David King, Colette O'Neil Brian Penders Johnny Downes3 September 1976 (1976-09-03) [9]

Guest appearances

The Ed Sullivan Show

In 1962, with their new television show for ATV, Two of a Kind having completed its second series, Morecambe and Wise were appearing at the London Palladium for a live variety date. In the audience was the American variety host and impresario, Ed Sullivan. Sullivan, a noted fan of British acts, was at the performance to look at the night's host, Bruce Forsyth, but was so impressed with Morecambe and Wise that he offered them the opportunity of three appearances on his variety show on CBS in the United States. [10] Despite lukewarm responses from audiences, Sullivan remained a fan of the duo, and they made a number of appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show between 1963 and 1968. [11] These including appearing on one of the first shows to feature the Beatles, [lower-alpha 1] as well as being invited to take part in a special edition to celebrate the 80th birthday of Irving Berlin. [12] [13]

No. Guests Director Producer Broadcast Note
16.24 Paul Anka, Sid Caeser, The Chad Mitchell Trio, Judge Pigmeat Markham and Shorty, The Maguire Sisters, Morecambe and Wise, RicoRobert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht17 March 1963 (1963-03-17) [14]
16.25 Chubby Checker, Tommy Cooper, Totie Fields, Joy Kaye, Dave Madden, Morecambe and Wise, The Saddri Dancers, The Spencer Trio, Barbra Streisand Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht24 March 1963 (1963-03-24) [15]
16.41The Antonio Ballet Espanol, Pat Buttram, Danny Costello, Jackie Mason, Morecambe and Wise, Joya Sherrill, Kate Smith Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht4 August 1963 (1963-08-04) [16]
17.6The Augsburg Jungle Wonders, Richard Burton, The Cincos Brutos, Dave Madden, Morecambe and Wise, Arthur Worsley Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht3 November 1963 (1963-11-03) [17]
17.21 Acker Bilk, The Beatles, Gordon MacRae, Sheila MacRae, Cab Calloway, Dave Barry, Gloria Bleezarde, Morty Gunty, Morecambe and Wise, Pinky and Perky Tim Kiley, Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht23 February 1964 (1964-02-23) [18]
17.33 Professor Backwards, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Lipizzaner Stallions, Liza Minnelli, Morecambe and Wise, Shirley Verrett, Jean-Paul Vignon, The Watusi DancersRobert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht24 May 1964 (1964-05-24) [19]
18.40 Cairoli and Company, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Kessler Twins, Rich Little, Morecambe and Wise, The Three Hermanis, Jerry Vale, The Womenfolk Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht29 August 1965 (1965-08-29) [20]
20.18 Norm Crosby, Linon, Julia Meade, Morecambe and Wise, Rasha and Tiby, Sandler and Young, Dionne Warwick Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht7 January 1967 (1967-01-07) [21]
21.12 John Byner, The Doodletown Pipers, Connie Francis, Al Hirt, Morecambe and Wise, Jane Morgan Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht26 November 1967 (1967-11-26) [22]
21.22 Sergio Franchi, Peter Gennaro, Gil and Freddie Lavedo, Stu Gilliam, Michele Lee, Morecambe and Wise, Regina Resnik, Stiller and Meara, Jackie Vernon Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht4 February 1968 (1968-02-04) [23]
21.26The First Edition, Sergio Franchi, Alan King, Jack E. Leonard, Morecambe and Wise, Lou Rawls, Joan Rivers, Dana Valery Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht3 March 1968 (1968-03-03) [24]
21.34 Bing Crosby, Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, Peter Gennaro, Robert Goulet, Bob Hope, Harry James, Ethel Merman, Morecambe and Wise, Diana Ross and the Supremes Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht5 May 1968 (1968-05-05) [25]
80th birthday tribute to Irving Berlin

Sunday Night at the London Palladium / The London Palladium Show

In 1955, prior to their joining the cast of The Winifred Atwell Show, Morecambe and Wise made their first appearance on Val Parnell's variety show for ATV, Sunday Night at the London Palladium. Over the next decade, the duo made a total of eleven appearances on the programme, both before and after they had achieved success with their own ATV television series, Two of a Kind.

No. Guests Broadcast Note
Sunday Night at the London Palladium
1.10 Tommy Trinder (host), Morecambe and Wise, Elizabeth Seal, David Whitfield, Arthur Worsley 27 November 1955 (1955-11-27) [26]
1.20 Tommy Trinder (host), Morecambe and Wise, Joan Regan, Derek Roy, Ganjou Brothers and Juanita 5 February 1956 (1956-02-05) [27]
6.7 Don Arrol (host), Morecambe and Wise, Connie Francis, Ugo Garrido, Beryl Grey 23 October 1960 (1960-10-23) [28]
6.10Don Arrol (host), Morecambe and Wise, Ravic & Babs13 November 1960 (1960-11-13) [29]
6.15Don Arrol (host), Morecambe and Wise, The Andrews Sisters 1 January 1961 (1961-01-01) [30]
9.10 Bruce Forsyth (host), Morecambe and Wise, Nina & Frederik 24 November 1963 (1963-11-24) [31]
300th edition
10.3 Bruce Forsyth (host), Morecambe and Wise, The King Brothers, Millicent Martin, The Wynchwoods4 October 1964 (1964-10-04) [32]
10.24 Norman Vaughan (host), Morecambe and Wise, Potassy21 March 1965 (1965-03-21) [33]
The London Palladium Show
S.3 Roger Moore (host), Morecambe and Wise, Millicent Martin, Arno and Rita van Bolen14 August 1966 (1966-08-14) [34]
2.2 Bob Monkhouse (host), Morecambe and Wise, Millicent Martin, Tom Jones, Kate Smith, Jack Parnell and his Orchestra, The Mike Sammes Singers2 October 1966 (1966-10-02) [35]
2.7 Roger Moore (host), Morecambe and Wise, The Bachelors, Joe Brown, Jack Parnell and his Orchestra, The Mike Sammes Singers27 November 1966 (1966-11-27) [36]

Other appearances

Morecambe and Wise

Series titleEpisode numberTransmission dateChannelProduction company
Parade of Youth128 September 1951 BBC Television BBC
Stars at Blackpool228 August 1953BBC TelevisionBBC
Variety Parade1.124 October 1953BBC TelevisionBBC
Face the Music2.512 December 1953BBC TelevisionBBC
This Is Show Business 7.428 November 1956BBC TelevisionBBC
Blackpool Show Parade1.13 June 1957BBC TelevisionBBC
Stars at Blackpool523 September 1957BBC TelevisionBBC
The Good Old Days 6.21 May 1958BBC TelevisionBBC
Blackpool Show Parade2.33 July 1959BBC TelevisionBBC
The Good Old Days7.426 December 1959BBC TelevisionBBC
Little Miss Music1.43 March 1960BBC TelevisionBBC North
Saturday Spectacular5.129 July 1960 ITV ATV
The Jo Stafford Show 1.44 November 1961ITVATV
Juke Box Jury 1.27828 November 1964BBCtvBBC
Those Two Fellers1.615 June 1967ITV ABC Weekend TV
One Pair of Eyes1.297 June 1969BBC1BBC
Parkinson 2.2011 November 1972 BBC1 BBC
Omnibus 6.15 18 February 1973 BBC1 BBC
The Dean Martin Comedy World 1.16 June 1974 NBC Greg Garrison Productions
Looks Familiar14 September 1976ITV Thames Television
22 February 1978
19 April 1978
The Sweeney 4.1123 November 1978ITV Euston Films

Eric Morecambe

Series titleEpisode numberTransmission dateChannelProduction company
Looks Familiar26 January 1976ITV Thames Television
1 March 1976
Everyman 1.41 May 1977BBC1BBC
World of Sport 24 December 1978ITV London Weekend Television
Channel Interview27 November 1980ITV Channel Television
Pebble Mill at One 14 September 1981BBC1BBC
Russell Harty 4 November 1982BBC2BBC
The Saturday Show 2.307 April 1984ITV Central Television

Ernie Wise

Series titleEpisode numberTransmission dateChannelProduction company
Looks Familiar23 September 1975ITV Thames Television
2 February 1976
13.12 August 1984
13.1218 October 1984
What's My Line? 24 December 1984ITVThames Television
Look Who's Talking1243 January 1985ITV Border Television
Too Close for Comfort 5.145 October 1985 Syndication D.L. Taffner Productions
The Lowdown 2.318 April 1989BBC1BBC
Rainbow 18.93 November 1989ITVThames Television
Countdown 19.1418 January 1990 Channel 4 Yorkshire Television
19.1519 January 1990
19.1622 January 1990
19.1723 January 1990
19.1824 January 1990
19.1925 January 1990
20.3822 August 1990
20.3923 August 1990
20.4024 August 1990
20.4127 August 1990
20.4228 August 1990
20.4329 August 1990
40 Minutes 13.11 27 April 1993 BBC2 BBC

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Two months after the 23 February 1964 edition of The Ed Sullivan Show, The Beatles were the special guests on Morecambe & Wise's own show, Two of a Kind, in the UK

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References

  1. ↑ McCann, p.99
  2. 1 2 3 4 Oliver, John. "Morecambe, Eric (1926–1984) and Wise, Ernie (1925–1999)". BFI Online. British Film Institute. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  3. ↑ McCann, p. 125
  4. ↑ "It's Childsplay episode 1". BBC Genome. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  5. ↑ "It's Childsplay episode 2". BBC Genome. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  6. ↑ "It's Childsplay episode 3". BBC Genome. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  7. ↑ "It's Childsplay episode 4". BBC Genome. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  8. ↑ "It's Childsplay episode 5". BBC Genome. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  9. ↑ "It's Childsplay episode 6". BBC Genome. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "Morecambe & Wise In America Episode 1". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  11. ↑ "Ed Sullivan – The Shows". morecambeandwise.com. 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  12. ↑ "Ed Sullivan Appearences[sic]". morecambeandwise.com. 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  13. ↑ "Going to America". morecambeandwise.com. 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  14. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 16.24". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  15. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 16.25". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  16. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 16.41". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  17. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 17.6". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  18. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 17.21". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  19. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 17.33". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  20. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 18.40". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  21. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 20.18". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  22. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 21.12". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  23. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 21.22". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  24. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 21.26". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  25. ↑ "The Ed Sullivan Show 21.34". IMDb. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  26. ↑ "Sunday Night at the London Palladium 1.10". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  27. ↑ "Sunday Night at the London Palladium 1.20". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  28. ↑ "Sunday Night at the London Palladium 6.7". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  29. ↑ "Sunday Night at the London Palladium 6.10". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  30. ↑ "Sunday Night at the London Palladium 6.15". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  31. ↑ "Sunday Night at the London Palladium 9.10". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  32. ↑ "Sunday Night at the London Palladium 10.3". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  33. ↑ "Sunday Night at the London Palladium 10.24". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  34. ↑ "The London Palladium Show S.3". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  35. ↑ "The London Palladium Show 2.2". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  36. ↑ "The London Palladium Show 2.7". IMDb. Retrieved 6 January 2019.

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