Sunshine And Laughter By Louis Barfe

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Getting Together

20210830

20240318 (BBC7)
20240319 (BBC7)

Both were successful child stars, and each recognised a kindred spirit instantly. They were soon touring together with Sadie, Eric's redoubtable mother, finding them digs and looking out for them.

They learnt their trade the hard way with periods of 'resting' and several flops – on the Ed Sullivan show in New York they had to re-write virtually the entire act for the American sense of humour. But the hard won experience gained on the way up proved the making of them.

With brilliant writers like Eddie Braben, Morecambe and Wise found success first at ATV, then at the BBC with The Morecambe and Wise Show, which included stunning and legendary sketches with Andre Previn, Shirley Bassey and Angela Rippon.

Morecambe and Wise became a national institution. Their shows topped the ratings right up until the death of Eric Morecambe in 1984. Ernie Wise soldiered on professionally, but he was now only half a star, and it was clear that for the rest of his life, after a partnership of five decades, Ernie would be searching for his dear friend.

Sunshine and Laughter: The Story of Morecambe & Wise written by Louis Barfe

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2021

The story of Morecambe and Wise. Eric and Ernie meet as teenagers in a variety show.

Young Ernie Wise and Eric Morecambe's first meeting in Jack Hylton's variety show in Swansea. Read by Penelope Keith.

The story of Morecambe and Wise. Eric and Ernie meet as teenagers at a variety show.

You're Only Young Once

20210831

20240319 (BBC7)
20240320 (BBC7)

The pair become flatmates with an easy going landlady and join Sanger's Circus. Ernie meets a dancer called Doreen and Eric meets a former Miss Margate called Joan - weddings are announced.

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2021.

Eric and Ernie get a radio show in post-war London.

Eric and Ernie are back in post-war London with an agent, leading to their first radio show. Read by Penelope Keith.

The story of Morecambe and Wise. Eric and Ernie get a radio show in post-war London.

We Want A Writer

20210901

20240320 (BBC7)
20240321 (BBC7)

Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise adapt their material to appeal to American audiences for appearances in the 1960s on The Ed Sullivan TV Show in New York. The pair then appear in a film called The Intelligence Men. Eric suffers his first heart attack in Leeds. Eddie Braben is unsure about writing for them - until he watches them interact in real life 'closer than many brothers' he said.

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2021.

Morecambe and Wise are in New York.

Eric and Ernie perform for Ed Sullivan and writer Eddie Braben joins them to make a BBC series. Read by Penelope Keith.

The story of Morecambe and Wise, read by Penelope Keith.

Mr Preview And Company

20210902

20240321 (BBC7)
20240322 (BBC7)

How long do you want him for?' André Previn's agent says his client can't possibly rehearse with Eric and Ernie for a whole week! Before long, other well-known people are just longing to get the call inviting them on to the Morecambe and Wise Show - including news anchormen and women - all frustrated song and dance performers!

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2021.

Morecambe and Wise perform the most memorable sketch of their lives.

Eric and Ernie's producer books a musician for one of their shows - and the rest is history. Read by Penelope Keith.

The story of Morecambe and Wise. The duo perform one of their most successful sketches.

05 LAST

He Didn't Want To Go

20210903

20240322 (BBC7)
20240323 (BBC7)

In 1979, Eric Morecambe has a procedure for a faulty heart valve. In 1980 the duo start working for Thames TV. Eric, by this time, with a pacemaker fitted was enjoying performing with a friend at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire in 1984. 'The audience didn't want to let him go - and he didn't want to go'. Eventually he went into the wings and collapsed. Eric was to die that evening in Cheltenham General Hospital.

After Eric's death, Ernie Wise - too young to retire - soldiered on professionally, but without his 'brother' he was now only half a star, and it was clear that for the rest of his life, after a partnership of five decades, Ernie would always be searching for Eric.

Sunshine and Laughter: The Story of Morecambe & Wise - book by Louis Barfe

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2021.

Eric and Ernie are at the top of their game - then tragedy strikes.

Morecambe and Wise's act closes in Tewkesbury as Ernie gets the call he's been dreading. Concluded by Penelope Keith.

The story of Morecambe and Wise. At the height of their fame, Eric has a heart attack.

OMNI

20240324

The story of Morecambe & Wise, Britain's greatest ever comedy double act.

Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise met for the first time in the 1930s, while appearing as separate acts in one of Jack Hylton's touring variety shows.

Both were successful child stars, and each recognised a kindred spirit instantly. They learnt their trade the hard way with periods of 'resting' and several flops, but the hard won experience gained on the way up proved the making of them in a career that lasted half a century.

Sunshine and Laughter: The Story of Morecambe & Wise is written by Louis Barfe

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2021

The story of Britain's greatest ever comedy double act - Morecambe & Wise.

The story of Britain's greatest ever comedy double act - Morecambe & Wise. Read by Penelope Keith.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Getting Together	20210830	20240318 (BBC7) 20240319 (BBC7)	Both were successful child stars, and each recognised a kindred spirit instantly. They were soon touring together with Sadie, Eric's redoubtable mother, finding them digs and looking out for them. They learnt their trade the hard way with periods of 'resting' and several flops – on the Ed Sullivan show in New York they had to re-write virtually the entire act for the American sense of humour. But the hard won experience gained on the way up proved the making of them. With brilliant writers like Eddie Braben, Morecambe and Wise found success first at ATV, then at the BBC with The Morecambe and Wise Show, which included stunning and legendary sketches with Andre Previn, Shirley Bassey and Angela Rippon. Morecambe and Wise became a national institution. Their shows topped the ratings right up until the death of Eric Morecambe in 1984. Ernie Wise soldiered on professionally, but he was now only half a star, and it was clear that for the rest of his life, after a partnership of five decades, Ernie would be searching for his dear friend. Sunshine and Laughter: The Story of Morecambe & Wise written by Louis Barfe A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2021 The story of Morecambe and Wise. Eric and Ernie meet as teenagers in a variety show. Young Ernie Wise and Eric Morecambe's first meeting in Jack Hylton's variety show in Swansea. Read by Penelope Keith. The story of Morecambe and Wise. Eric and Ernie meet as teenagers at a variety show.
02	You're Only Young Once	20210831	20240319 (BBC7) 20240320 (BBC7)	The pair become flatmates with an easy going landlady and join Sanger's Circus. Ernie meets a dancer called Doreen and Eric meets a former Miss Margate called Joan - weddings are announced. A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2021. Eric and Ernie get a radio show in post-war London. Eric and Ernie are back in post-war London with an agent, leading to their first radio show. Read by Penelope Keith. The story of Morecambe and Wise. Eric and Ernie get a radio show in post-war London.
03	We Want A Writer	20210901	20240320 (BBC7) 20240321 (BBC7)	Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise adapt their material to appeal to American audiences for appearances in the 1960s on The Ed Sullivan TV Show in New York. The pair then appear in a film called The Intelligence Men. Eric suffers his first heart attack in Leeds. Eddie Braben is unsure about writing for them - until he watches them interact in real life 'closer than many brothers' he said. A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2021. Morecambe and Wise are in New York. Eric and Ernie perform for Ed Sullivan and writer Eddie Braben joins them to make a BBC series. Read by Penelope Keith. The story of Morecambe and Wise, read by Penelope Keith.
04	Mr Preview And Company	20210902	20240321 (BBC7) 20240322 (BBC7)	How long do you want him for?' André Previn's agent says his client can't possibly rehearse with Eric and Ernie for a whole week! Before long, other well-known people are just longing to get the call inviting them on to the Morecambe and Wise Show - including news anchormen and women - all frustrated song and dance performers! A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2021. Morecambe and Wise perform the most memorable sketch of their lives. Eric and Ernie's producer books a musician for one of their shows - and the rest is history. Read by Penelope Keith. The story of Morecambe and Wise. The duo perform one of their most successful sketches.
05 LAST	He Didn't Want To Go	20210903	20240322 (BBC7) 20240323 (BBC7)	In 1979, Eric Morecambe has a procedure for a faulty heart valve. In 1980 the duo start working for Thames TV. Eric, by this time, with a pacemaker fitted was enjoying performing with a friend at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire in 1984. 'The audience didn't want to let him go - and he didn't want to go'. Eventually he went into the wings and collapsed. Eric was to die that evening in Cheltenham General Hospital. After Eric's death, Ernie Wise - too young to retire - soldiered on professionally, but without his 'brother' he was now only half a star, and it was clear that for the rest of his life, after a partnership of five decades, Ernie would always be searching for Eric. Sunshine and Laughter: The Story of Morecambe & Wise - book by Louis Barfe A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2021. Eric and Ernie are at the top of their game - then tragedy strikes. Morecambe and Wise's act closes in Tewkesbury as Ernie gets the call he's been dreading. Concluded by Penelope Keith. The story of Morecambe and Wise. At the height of their fame, Eric has a heart attack.
OMNI		20240324		The story of Morecambe & Wise, Britain's greatest ever comedy double act. Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise met for the first time in the 1930s, while appearing as separate acts in one of Jack Hylton's touring variety shows. Both were successful child stars, and each recognised a kindred spirit instantly. They learnt their trade the hard way with periods of 'resting' and several flops, but the hard won experience gained on the way up proved the making of them in a career that lasted half a century. Sunshine and Laughter: The Story of Morecambe & Wise is written by Louis Barfe A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in August 2021 The story of Britain's greatest ever comedy double act - Morecambe & Wise. The story of Britain's greatest ever comedy double act - Morecambe & Wise. Read by Penelope Keith.