Long-running BBC variety show presented by Britain's best-loved comedy duo, Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Based around irreverent stand-up routines, comedy sketches and comical song and dance numbers involving a stream of beleaguered guests, the series ran for nearly a decade from 1968 to 1977 and included sketches such as 'Singin' in the Rain' and 'The Breakfast Stripper'.
Producer: John Ammonds, Ernest Maxin
Writer: Eddie Braben, Dick Hills, Sid Green
Self
Self
Christmas Specials
21 episodes
A laughter-packed holiday special starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Eric and Ernie's guests: Susan Hampshire, Frankie Vaughan, Fenella Fielding, Nina, The Pattersons, Sacha Distel, Alan Curtis, Diane Keen, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. Featuring Deryck Guyler, Frank Thornton and Ann Hamilton with Janet Webb, Rex Rashley.
Runtime: N/A minA laughter-packed holiday special with a star-studded array of guests. Peter Cushing, William Franklyn, Nina, Eric Porter, Edward Woodward and featuring Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton, Alan Curtis, with Rex Rashley and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minA star-studded holiday special with special guests Shirley Bassey, Andre Previn, Glenda Jackson, and featuring Los Zafiros, Ann Hamilton with Arthur Tolcher. Guest appearances of Frank Bough, Robert Dougall, Dick Emery, Cliff Michelmore, Patrick Moore, Michael Parkinson, Eddie Waring.
Runtime: N/A minWith guests Glenda Jackson, Jack Jones, Vera Lynn, Pete Murray and Kenny Ball alongside cameos from previous guests who've faced difficulty gaining employment in acting since last appearing...
Runtime: N/A minA star-studded holiday special starring Eric Morecambe, Ernie Wise and special guests Vanessa Redgrave, Hannah Gordon, the New Seekers and John Hanson. With guest appearances from Yehudi Menuhin, Rudolf Nureyev, Laurence Olivier and Andre Previn.
Runtime: N/A minWith highlights from their award-winning shows, starring Shirley Bassey, Peter Cushing, Glenda Jackson, Tom Jones and Andre Previn.
Runtime: N/A minA star-studded holiday special starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, with special guests Diana Rigg, Des O'Connor, Gordon Jackson, Diane Solomon, Robin Day, Brenda Arnau and Pan's People.
Runtime: N/A minGuest stars include Elton John, The Nolans and Angela Rippon in addition to The Sweeney stars John Thaw and Dennis Waterman, playing both British and German soldiers in a World War II comic sketch.
Runtime: N/A minEric Morecambe and Ernie Wise star with Paul Eddington, Richard Briers, Penelope Keith, Elton John, Francis Matthews, Angharad Rees, Kenneth Kendall, Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, John Laurie, Michael Aspel, Eddie Waring, Richard Whitmore, Barry Norman, Richard Baker, Frank Bough, James Hunt, Angela Rippon and Peter Woods.
Runtime: N/A minAs a Christmas treat for comedy fans, this is a complete episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show that had been considered lost for over 50 years. Eric’s son Gary Morecambe discovered the programme in an unmarked film can in 2020, and now it has been lovely restored and can be enjoyed in full for the first time since being broadcast on 8 October 1970. The show, written by the legendary Eddie Braben, was episode 1 of Eric and Ernie’s first series to appear on BBC1, and was originally watched by over 14 million viewers. As well as some classic sketches from Eric and Ernie, the show also features songs and music from Paul Anka, Patricia Lambert, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, and the boys themselves rounding things off with a burst of Bring Me Sunshine.
Runtime: 45 minA BBC Trailer for the first series
Runtime: N/A minA documentary of the restoration of the lost episodes of Series 1
Runtime: N/A minMarty Feldman talks with Eric Morecambe
Runtime: N/A minAn audio only studio recording of the famous Christmas '71 special with Andre Previn
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie give an interview to the BBC World Service
Runtime: N/A minDeleted Scenes from Series 1 Episode 2
Runtime: N/A minSurviving footage from the otherwise lost Series 1 Episode 4.
Runtime: N/A minA scene cut from Series 1 Episode 6.
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie talk with Michael Parkinson and introduce some of the musical highlights of the Morecambe and Wise shows over the years, featuring Vanessa Redgrave, Cliff Richard, Diana Rigg and Angela Rippon.
Runtime: 57 minSketches and stand-up comedy from Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise from 1968, remarkably restored after being feared lost for decades. Among Eric and Ernie's guests in this episode is Michael Aspel. Chris Langford, a new face to television, sings an old favourite - Old Devil Moon, and regulars Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen play Shine.
Runtime: 37 minSketches and stand-up comedy from Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise from 1968. Ronnie Carroll joins Eric and Ernie in two sketches - Irish of course! - and sings Once upon a Time. Kenny Ball plays Samantha from High Society.
Runtime: 30 minFirst series was aired on BBC 2
8 episodes
The first of a new series, starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Guest artists, Georgia Brown, Los Zafiros, Jenny Lee-Wright and Bettine Le Beau.
Runtime: N/A minGuest artists, Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band, Roy Budd with Jenny Lee-Wright, Sheila Bernette, Caron Gardner, Bettine Le Beau, Judy Robinson, Tina Martin, Jenny Russell.
Runtime: N/A minTonight Eric and Ern welcome as their guests the all-girl singing group The Paper Dolls and the Trio Athene from Greece, whose TV appearances here have established them as firm favourites. They'll be performing that typical Greek song 'Lefteris'. Eric and Ern will be having quite an energetic evening, with a few rounds in the boxing ring, and a visit to a nudist colony. With Jenny Lee-Wright, Ann Hamilton and Jimmy Lee.
Runtime: N/A minThis week's special guest, Bruce Forsyth, with Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, and Jenny Lee-Wright.
Runtime: N/A minRonnie Carroll joins Eric and Ernie in two sketches - Irish of course! Also singing 'Once Upon a Time'. Kenny Ball plays 'Samantha' from High Society. With Jenny Lee-Wright, Michele Barrie, Jane Bartlett, Wendy Hillhouse and Bebe Robson.
Runtime: N/A minIn tonight's show Edmund Hockridge joins Eric and Ernie in a hilarious Desert Song spoof. He also sings the solo Cole Porter number 'I've Got You Under My Skin'. With Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen and Jenny Lee-Wright.
Runtime: N/A minAmong Eric and Ernie's guests tonight will be Michael Aspel. Chris Langford, a new face to television, will be singing an old favourite, 'Old Devil Moon', and regulars Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen will play 'Shine'. Also starring Jenny Lee-Wright, Jimmy Berryman and Lesley Roach.
Runtime: N/A minSpecial guest Matt Monro sings 'On a Clear Day' and joins Eric and Ernie in their none-too-successful attempts to put on a musical. With Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Jenny Lee-Wright, Sandra Fehr, George Fisher, Jane Bartlett, Thelma Bignall and Linda Hotchkin.
Runtime: N/A minNo overview available.
4 episodes
Tonight's special guests: Peter Cushing, Bobbie Gentry, Vince Hill and Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. With Ann Hamilton, Janet Webb, Constance Carling and Diana Powell.
Runtime: N/A minTonight's special guests: Trio Athenee, Malcolm Roberts, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, and featuring Ann Hamilton with Janet Webb, Constance Carling and Gilly Fraser.
Runtime: N/A minWith guest stars Juliet Mills, Moira Anderson, The Pattersons and Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, also featuring Ann Hamilton with Janet Webb and Lynda Thomas.
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie's guests are Edward Woodward, Peter Cushing, Kenneth McKellar, The Pattersons, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, and featuring Ann Hamilton. With Janet Webb, Karen Burch, Rex Rashley and Richard Scott.
Runtime: N/A minNo overview available.
7 episodes
Eric and Ernie's guests Herman's Hermits, The Pattersons, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. Featuring Ann Hamilton, Robert Webber with Janet Webb, Jenny Lee-Wright.
Runtime: N/A minErnie leaves home after a practical joke from Eric and Ian Carmichael stars in Frankenstein’s Monster. Music comes from Kenny Ball, The Pattersons and Nina van Pallandt.
Runtime: N/A minGuests include Fenella Fielding, Sacha Distel, The Pattersons, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton, Janet Webb, Alan Curtis, Rex Rashley and Diane Keen.
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie's guests Diane Cilento, Vince Hill, The Pattersons, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. Special guest appearance of Deryck Guyler, and featuring Frank Thornton with Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minGuest starring Edward Chapman, Clodagh Rodgers, The Pattersons, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton, Janet Webb, Alan Curtis, Eddie Braben and Leslie Murphy.
Runtime: N/A minWritten by Eddie Braben, who won the award for the Best British Light Entertainment Script of 1969 from the Writers' Guild of Great Britain for his work on this series. The BBC entry for the Golden Rose of Montreux. Eric and Ernie's special guest, Nina.
Runtime: N/A minWith guests Richard Greene, Nana Mouskouri and The Athenians, The Pattersons, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton, Rex Rashley and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minNo overview available.
6 episodes
With guest stars Janet Webb, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Eric Porter, Jan Daley, Trio Athenee and Michael Ward.
Runtime: N/A minGuest starring Janet Webb, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, George A. Cooper, Kenneth McKellar, Samantha Jones, Margery Mason, Jenny Lee-Wright and Rex Rashley.
Runtime: N/A minGuests include Nina, Craig Douglas, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton, Jenny Lee-Wright, Thelma Bignell, Lillian Padmore, Melita Clarke, Penny Beeching and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minWith guests Fenella Fielding, Ray Stevens, Sylvia McNeill, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton, Janet Webb, Frank Tregar and Leslie Noyes.
Runtime: N/A minGuests include Barbara Murray, Dusty Springfield, Sir Michael Redgrave, Dame Flora Robson, Sir Felix Aylmer, Robin Day, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Bruce and Peter Davis, Ann Hamilton, Alan Curtis, Janet Webb and Penelope Beeching.
Runtime: N/A minA new programme to mark their Thursday night date on BBC1. Eric and Ernie's guests Paul Anka, Patricia Lambert, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. With Ann Hamilton, Gordon Clyde, Janet Webb and Brychan Powell.
Runtime: N/A minNo overview available.
7 episodes
Guests for this episode include Dame Flora Robson, Esther Ofarim, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Peter and Alex, Ann Hamilton, Alan Curtis, David March and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie's special guests Arthur Lowe, Robert Young and Susan Maughan. Featuring Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton, Rex Rashley, Frank Tregear and Janet Webb. Guest appearances of John Le Mesurier, John Laurie, James Beck, Arnold Ridley and Ian Lavender.
Runtime: N/A minWith star guests Frank Ifield, The Settlers, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Richard Caldicot, Michael Ward, Gordon Clyde, Ann Hamilton, Grazina Frame, Brychan Powell and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minGuests include Jack Jones, Sheila Southern, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton, Gordon Clyde, Rex Rashley, Grazina Frame, Frank Tregear, Janet Webb and Stanley Mason.
Runtime: N/A minGlenda Jackson, Mary Hopkin, Ronnie Hilton, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton and Janet Webb appear as guest stars.
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie's guests Ian Carmichael, Matt Monro, Kiki Dee, Peter and Alex. Featuring Ann Hamilton with Charles Rayford, Melanie Fraser and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minGuests include Trio Athenee, Design, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Ann Hamilton, Rex Rashley, Gerald Case and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minFirst series to be aired on BBC1
6 episodes
Francis Matthews, Anita Harris, Robert Young, Ann Hamilton, A. J. Brown, Bert Palmer and Ann Way appear as guests.
Runtime: N/A minCaptain Michell and Sgt Wise of the French Foreign Legion are holding out against great odds. Relief is on the way - but it turns out to be Pte Eric complete with deck chair and rubber duck in search of a holiday camp. Eric and Ernie's special guests Keith Michell, Design, and Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. With Christine Shaw, Angie Grant and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minGuests include Cilla Black, Ronnie Carroll, Percy Thrower and Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. It is 1981: Eric and Ernie are no longer together. Eric lives in a garret whereas Ernie is president of four banks and has 14 wig boutiques. When they meet...
Runtime: N/A minJohn Mills plays the part of a senior British officer in charge of an escape attempt from a German POW camp. Eric Morecambe is tunnelling underneath the stove. Also featuring Mrs Mills, Trio Athenee, Arnold Diamond and Tony Melody.
Runtime: N/A minErnie is entering for a newspaper competition. There is the chance of winning £250... Guest stars include Nina, The Pattersons, Ann Hamilton, Frank Tregear, John Scott Martin, Christine Shaw and Jennifer Watts.
Runtime: N/A minErnie is writing his memoirs. Eric is interested until he learns that Ernie intends to make no mention of his partner. Eric and Ernie's special guests Tom Jones, Design, and Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. With Gordon Clyde, Rex Rashley and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minNo overview available.
12 episodes
First of a new series starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, with their guests Cliff Richard and Vikki Carr.
Runtime: N/A minLegendary comic geniuses Eric and Ernie are joined by guest stars Robert Morley, Vicky Leandros, New World, Ann Hamilton, Reg Lye and Janet Webb.
Runtime: N/A minThe show starts with an emergency and the Harpenden String Quartet play a tune. Percy Edwards stars in Summer in the Garden and music is provided by Rostal and Schaefer and Lulu.
Runtime: N/A minErnie's play tonight stars Susan Hampshire, who accompanies her famous explorer father and her fiancé, newspaperman Scoop Morecambe, in a dangerous expedition to capture and bring back to London Zoo the 'Mighty Konga'. Susan, no beginner to dealing with animals as film fans will know, finds Scoop Morecambe more difficult to tame. Don't miss Ern's brilliant - his own word - portrayal of the intrepid explorer! The musical guests are Georgie Fame, Alan Price and The Settlers.
Runtime: N/A minFrank Finlay stars in Lust over London and Eric visits a record shop with his wife. The musical guests are Design and Wilma Reading.
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie visit a health food shop and The Connoisseurs taste some chips. Featuring Allan Cuthbertson, Frank Williams, Michael Brennan, Raymond Mason and the voice of Mike Yarwood. The musical guests are Alex Welsh and his Band and Helen Reddy.
Runtime: N/A minEric dreams of the British Empire, Downing Street and India. The musical guest is Anita Harris who also stars in The North-West Frontier of India 1890. Including Anthony Sharp, Ann Hamilton and Reg Lye.
Runtime: N/A minErnie performs his Hollywood impressions, Eric tries to get him to join his special cinema club, and the pair visit the bank to secure Ernie’s inheritance. Guests: Wilma Reading, Springfield Revival featuring Allan Cuthbertson, Ann Hamilton with Jan Rossini.
Runtime: N/A minMary Travers, who rose to fame within the American folk band Peter, Paul and Mary, stars alongside Eric and Ernie in this episode. Also featuring Hannah Gordon, Christopher Neil, Anthony Sharp and Raymond Mason.
Runtime: N/A minErnie decides to get himself a new showbiz partner in Roy Castle. Meanwhile, Eric gets himself a wig in order to impress a lady. With Pete Murray, Anne Murray and The Pattersons.
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie attempt some Greek dancing with Nana Mouskouri, The Sooty Show is spoofed, and the Black and White Minstrels perform. Featuring Harry Corbett and George Hamilton IV.
Runtime: N/A minErnie Wise reads excerpts from Dickens, Alan Price and Georgie Fame perform You Are My Sunshine, and Peter Cushing pops by to demand his payment. Eric and Ernie end their series - but not fast enough to elude a guest from their past...
Runtime: N/A minNo overview available.
6 episodes
Eric and Ernie participate on Mastermind and reminisce about their childhoods, while Andre Previn calls at the flat. Starring Magnus Magnusson and Arthur Toicher, with musical guest Wilma Reading.
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie discuss the art of conversation with Ludovic Kennedy and meet a colonel on a train before spending a night at Death Cottage. The music guest is Wilma Reading.
Runtime: N/A minEric wants to be a pop star and changes his name to Spick Sparkle, while Ernie gets a new secretary. The Syd Lawrence Orchestra and Wilma Reading provide the music.
Runtime: N/A minEric has lost his voice and the duo are a pair of wine tasters on The Connoisseurs. Ernie talks to Richard Baker about his writing and his latest play is Murder in Mayfair.
Runtime: N/A minErnie tries to write the show in bed and the pair appear on David Dimbleby’s Talk-In to discuss morals. Opportunity Knocks for Eric alongside Hughie Green. Music is from Wilma Reading.
Runtime: N/A minEric is the Bard of Harpenden, Ernie talks about his lost love, and June Whitfield stars in the Plantation of Passion. Music is from Wilma Reading.
Runtime: N/A minNo overview available.
6 episodes
The first of a new series. Ernie introduces his new play, The Legend of Dick Turpin, and there are appearances from some dancing drunks. With guest stars Gilbert O'Sullivan and The Vernons.
Runtime: N/A minFrankie Vaughan presents his Cabaret with the Harpenden Hot Shots, and Ernie has written a saucy new play. With guest stars Patrick Moore and Michele Dotrice.
Runtime: N/A minThe Connoisseurs return to discuss the wonders of the British sausage, The Spinners guest star, and Lena Zavaroni performs Something 'Bout Ya Baby I Like.
Runtime: N/A minThere is music from Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen, Ernie performs a Scottish Country Sword Dance, and Jackie Darnell guest stars.
Runtime: N/A minEric quits showbiz after 36 years, because Ernie irritates him. Vincent Zarra and The Karlins guest star, and Eric and Ernie also enjoy a bit of sunbathing.
Runtime: N/A minEric and Ernie make breakfast to The Stripper, and Maggie Fitzgibbon, Champagne and Diane Solomon guest star.
Runtime: N/A min