I love this sketch. You could argue that it brings the influence of more alternative comedy from the early and mid 70s into the primetime mainstream (it certainly owes a debt to Monty Python's dead parrot, and Fawlty Towers' pedigree Siberian hamster) ... or you could call it derivative. You might say it's a classic example of popular humour of the time ... or you might say that the popular humour of the time was only so popular because of the limited televisual choice. You might say that not one line of this script is wasted ... or you might say it's all predictable nonsense.
Me? I say it features two performers at the top of their game, with an enviable, easy, balanced rapport. I say that it bears repeated viewing, not least because there are so many good lines crammed into five and a half minutes. And most of all, I say it's funny. It just is. It might be a soft humour, by today's standards, because it's not trying to make a point, or criticise anybody or anything; it's not trying to shock, or subvert. It probably wouldn't even get made today, except possibly for children's television. But it's still funny, nonetheless.
And sometimes, some days, I just need a smile. You might too.
Absolutely superb,made me chuckle. I remember looking forward to The Two Ronnie's every week at my parents house as a lad. So many great and clever sketches,bring back that humour!!
ReplyDeleteDitto, mate. So much clever writing in such sketches, often not revered in the same way that ostensibly similar scenes from "edgier" comics are.
DeleteLovely stuff. Your description is spot on, and made me think about how we've become so accustomed to harsh humour making some point or other, that we just don't get much of the more gentle material any more, and it's a great shame; there's room for both. Smile duly delivered!
ReplyDeleteOf course this naturally brings to mind the 'Four Candles' sketch - incredibly familiar to most people, I'm sure, but you know, whenever I watch it I still get a bit more out of it each time - Ronnie Corbett's acting in particular, the little expressions of puzzlement and frustration, the body language, it's so much more than just a clever script with wordplay. Perhaps it's time for a new incarnation of the Two Ronnies to soothe our souls!
Interesting things about Four Candles is that Barker, who wrote it, was not happy with the pay-off line, feeling billhooks were too obscure. When they did this live, as apparently they did sometimes, they had a female shopkeeper's assistant, which enabled Barker's final item to be a much more 1970s/saucy "knockers".
DeleteI laugh repeatedly. Out loud. Not often that happens these days. Wonderful performers.
ReplyDeleteIt's excellent, isn't it? "Where'd'ya find it?" [beat] "Over the duck pond." Genius script and performances.
DeleteYour second paragraph nailed it completely. What an absolute joy. '...you don't like birds, you're illogical to feathers ain't ya...?'
ReplyDeleteSo many good lines.
DeleteLike slipping on an old cardigan from the back of the wardrobe; there when you need it.
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy, exactly right.
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