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.

Background[edit]

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[edit]

The Winifred Atwell Show[edit]

Main article: 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[edit]

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 OrchestraRonnie Taylor11 August 1957 (1957-08-11)
1.2Morecambe and Wise, Eileen Dyson, John Gower, Ted Lune, The Jack Billings Dancers, The BBC Northern Dance OrchestraRonnie Taylor18 August 1957 (1957-08-18)
1.3Morecambe and Wise, Eileen Dyson, John Gower, Ted Lune, The Jack Billings Dancers, The BBC Northern Dance OrchestraRonnie Taylor25 August 1957 (1957-08-25)
1.4Morecambe and Wise, Eileen Dyson, John Gower, Ted Lune, The Jack Billings Dancers, The BBC Northern Dance OrchestraRonnie Taylor1 September 1957 (1957-09-01)
1.5Morecambe and Wise, Eileen Dyson, John Gower, Ted Lune, The Jack Billings Dancers, The BBC Northern Dance OrchestraRonnie Taylor8 September 1957 (1957-09-08)

It's Childsplay[edit]

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
1.1Jean Anderson, Alfie Bass, Ralph Bates, Joan Benham, Edward Hardwicke, John Laurimore, Gillian Phelps, Rudolph WalkerBrian PendersJohnny Downes30 July 1976 (1976-07-30)[4]
1.2Arthur Lowe, Suzanne Neve, Hilary Tindall, Michael Bevis, Roger Bizley, Tony Cundell, Bill PearsonBrian PendersJohnny Downes6 August 1976 (1976-08-06)[5]
1.3Sinead 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 ShawBrian PendersJohnny Downes13 August 1976 (1976-08-13)[6]
1.4Michael Aldridge, Blake Butler, Peter Jones, Penelope Keith, Bert Palmer, Peter Sallis, Zena Walker, Edward Burnham, Jane Cussons, Alison Glennie, Roy Holder, Donald MorleyBrian PendersJohnny Downes20 August 1976 (1976-08-20)[7]
1.5Christopher Cazenove, Beryl Cooke, Glynn Edwards, Clifford Evans, Carmel McSharry, Richard Morant, Angharad Rees, Helen Shingler, Joshua Le TouzelBrian PendersJohnny Downes27 August 1976 (1976-08-27)[8]
1.6Keith Barron, Dora Bryan, Michael Gough, Norma West, David King, Colette O'NeilBrian PendersJohnny Downes3 September 1976 (1976-09-03)[9]

Guest appearances[edit]

The Ed Sullivan Show[edit]

Main article: 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,[a] 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
16.24Paul 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]
16.25Chubby Checker, Tommy Cooper, Totie Fields, Joy Kaye, Dave Madden, Morecambe and Wise, The Saddri Dancers, The Spencer Trio, Barbra StreisandRobert 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 SmithRobert 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 WorsleyRobert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht3 November 1963 (1963-11-03)[17]
17.21Acker Bilk, The Beatles, Gordon MacRae, Sheila MacRae, Cab Calloway, Dave Barry, Gloria Bleezarde, Morty Gunty, Morecambe and Wise, Pinky and PerkyTim Kiley, Robert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht23 February 1964 (1964-02-23)[18]
17.33Professor 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]
18.40Cairoli and Company, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Kessler Twins, Rich Little, Morecambe and Wise, The Three Hermanis, Jerry Vale, The WomenfolkRobert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht29 August 1965 (1965-08-29)[20]
20.18Norm Crosby, Linon, Julia Meade, Morecambe and Wise, Rasha and Tiby, Sandler and Young, Dionne WarwickRobert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht7 January 1967 (1967-01-07)[21]
21.12John Byner, The Doodletown Pipers, Connie Francis, Al Hirt, Morecambe and Wise, Jane MorganRobert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht26 November 1967 (1967-11-26)[22]
21.22Sergio Franchi, Peter Gennaro, Gil and Freddie Lavedo, Stu Gilliam, Michele Lee, Morecambe and Wise, Regina Resnik, Stiller and Meara, Jackie VernonRobert 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 ValeryRobert Bleyer and John MoffittBob Precht3 March 1968 (1968-03-03)[24]
21.34Bing Crosby, Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians, Peter Gennaro, Robert Goulet, Bob Hope, Harry James, Ethel Merman, Morecambe and Wise, Diana Ross and the SupremesRobert 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[edit]

Main article: Tonight at the London Palladium

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
1.10Tommy Trinder (host), Morecambe and Wise, Elizabeth Seal, David Whitfield, Arthur Worsley27 November 1955 (1955-11-27)[26]
1.20Tommy Trinder (host), Morecambe and Wise, Joan Regan, Derek Roy, Ganjou Brothers and Juanita5 February 1956 (1956-02-05)[27]
6.7Don Arrol (host), Morecambe and Wise, Connie Francis, Ugo Garrido, Beryl Grey23 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 Sisters1 January 1961 (1961-01-01)[30]
9.10Bruce Forsyth (host), Morecambe and Wise, Nina & Frederik24 November 1963 (1963-11-24)[31]
300th edition
10.3Bruce Forsyth (host), Morecambe and Wise, The King Brothers, Millicent Martin, The Wynchwoods4 October 1964 (1964-10-04)[32]
10.24Norman Vaughan (host), Morecambe and Wise, Potassy21 March 1965 (1965-03-21)[33]
The London Palladium Show
S.3Roger Moore (host), Morecambe and Wise, Millicent Martin, Arno and Rita van Bolen14 August 1966 (1966-08-14)[34]
2.2Bob 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]
2.7Roger 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[edit]

Morecambe and Wise[edit]

Series title Episode number Transmission date Channel Production company
Parade of Youth 1 28 September 1951 BBC Television BBC
Stars at Blackpool 2 28 August 1953 BBC Television BBC
Variety Parade 1.1 24 October 1953 BBC Television BBC
Face the Music 2.5 12 December 1953 BBC Television BBC
This Is Show Business 7.4 28 November 1956 BBC Television BBC
Blackpool Show Parade 1.1 3 June 1957 BBC Television BBC
Stars at Blackpool 5 23 September 1957 BBC Television BBC
The Good Old Days 6.2 1 May 1958 BBC Television BBC
Blackpool Show Parade 2.3 3 July 1959 BBC Television BBC
The Good Old Days 7.4 26 December 1959 BBC Television BBC
Little Miss Music 1.4 3 March 1960 BBC Television BBC North
Saturday Spectacular 5.12 9 July 1960 ITV ATV
The Jo Stafford Show 1.4 4 November 1961 ITV ATV
Juke Box Jury 1.278 28 November 1964 BBCtv BBC
Those Two Fellers 1.6 15 June 1967 ITV ABC Weekend TV
One Pair of Eyes 1.29 7 June 1969 BBC1 BBC
Parkinson 2.20 11 November 1972 BBC1 BBC
Omnibus 6.15 18 February 1973 BBC1 BBC
The Dean Martin Comedy World 1.1 6 June 1974 NBC Greg Garrison Productions
Looks Familiar 14 September 1976 ITV Thames Television
22 February 1978
19 April 1978
The Sweeney 4.11 23 November 1978 ITV Euston Films

Eric Morecambe[edit]

Series title Episode number Transmission date Channel Production company
Looks Familiar 26 January 1976 ITV Thames Television
1 March 1976
Everyman 1.4 1 May 1977 BBC1 BBC
World of Sport 24 December 1978 ITV London Weekend Television
Channel Interview 27 November 1980 ITV Channel Television
Pebble Mill at One 14 September 1981 BBC1 BBC
Russell Harty 4 November 1982 BBC2 BBC
The Saturday Show 2.30 7 April 1984 ITV Central Television

Ernie Wise[edit]

Series title Episode number Transmission date Channel Production company
Looks Familiar 23 September 1975 ITV Thames Television
2 February 1976
13.1 2 August 1984
13.12 18 October 1984
What's My Line? 24 December 1984 ITV Thames Television
Look Who's Talking 124 3 January 1985 ITV Border Television
Too Close for Comfort 5.14 5 October 1985 Syndication D.L. Taffner Productions
The Lowdown 2.3 18 April 1989 BBC1 BBC
Rainbow 18.9 3 November 1989 ITV Thames Television
Countdown 19.14 18 January 1990 Channel 4 Yorkshire Television
19.15 19 January 1990
19.16 22 January 1990
19.17 23 January 1990
19.18 24 January 1990
19.19 25 January 1990
20.38 22 August 1990
20.39 23 August 1990
20.40 24 August 1990
20.41 27 August 1990
20.42 28 August 1990
20.43 29 August 1990
40 Minutes 13.11 27 April 1993 BBC2 BBC

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  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

References[edit]

  1. ^ McCann, p.99
  2. ^ a b c d 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.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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