Americans React to Morecambe and Wise's Andre Previn Sketch
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- Опубликовано: 18 май 2024
- Hey guys! Thanks for recommending we watch this video. We couldn't find it for a while, but a loyal commentator supplied us a link on RUclips.
Video Link: • André Previn - Morecam...
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My grandad was in this! He was the bassoon player in the orchestra.
They all seemed to love it by their reaction
@Harrow Bangkok Drama Department Well, I don't know all the details, but I'm pretty sure they did, yes.
I love the guys in the orchestra, they're killing themselves laughing :-D
Surely you mean the band?!🤣🎼
Watching the orchestra in this always makes me laugh. Even if they knew what would happen they still loved it, as do so many of us still.
“I’m playing all the right notes, but not, necessarily, in the right order” must be one of the best lines ever written.
I was going to write the exact same. I was lucky to see this when it first aired on TV a while back :-)
Funniest joke ever.
Do you know that there is an earlier recording available on RUclips?
Eric’s other famous line which I still hear a lot is said whenever I hear an emergency vehicle’s siren - “He’ll never sell any ice cream going that fast”.
@Suðringa o Give over! It feels like yesterday :-)
How Ant and Dec are even mentioned in the same breath as Eric and Ernie is a total mystery. This is Brilliant.
They are the complete other end of the scale regards talent/entertainment.
Those two would not be fit to wipe Eric and Ernie's shoes I know they are desperate to plant the image of them being the new Morcombe and Wise in the minds of the hard of thinking and maybe they do see them as such but for normal thinking people they are a cheap knock off.
Couldn't agree more
@@ynotnilknarf39 The luckiest duo in showbiz, devoid of talent and epitomises how we declined over the years in the UK.
Ant and Dec will never in my eyes be in the same league as Morcambe and Wise.
No swearing, nothing racist, not political, just a fantastic family comedy program. Andre Previn demonstrated he was a world class performer & entertainer - with a great sense of humour. All sadly missed today.
Because families must avoid politics? Pfft.
@@lizziebkennedy7505 no - but sometimes it’s nice not to include politics in Saturday evening family entertainment.
@@leelarson107 No of course not.
Imagine comedy being political! Imagine common language being used! The horror!
Have you stopped doing videos.
Andre Previn needs credit for acting his part throughout this magnificently.
with hardly any rehearsal
He was asked to act as if none of it was funny and it worked perfectly.
@@chrisdavidson911 yes. He learned his lines on the plane to the Uk
I loved it when some time later on a TV chat show Andre Previn said whenever his orchestra played Grieg's Piano Concerto at a concert it got laughs.
And Alfred Brendel on the piano. ;)
The humour has so many British nuances that it would be difficult for any non-British people to fully 'get' how hilarious this really is. Eric & Ernie were so 'home grown' they are National Treasures - never to be forgotten - never to be repeated. God Bless them
It’s not just the Britishness of this it is also that some of the references are now obscure to anyone below about 50.
@@highvoltageswitcher6256 Agreed - of its generation - golden
@@highvoltageswitcher6256absolutely - I’m just amazed (and pleased) it was valued by a transatlantic duo of 20 somethings despite the age and culture shift.
@@highvoltageswitcher6256 Precisely.
"Arthur Negus".
"The Henry Wood Promenade".
Even "Yehudi Menuhin" (who also made a couple of very well-received appearances on Eric and Ernie's show.
I can't imagine that anybody who wasn't British at that time can fully appreciate *just* how wonderful this sketch was at the time but I had a German girlfriend who still loved it the first time she saw it.
M&W at their best put a huge smile on the faces of almost everybody in Britain in the wake of their Christmas shows. There's a good reason that the British public simply loved them!
Arthur George Negus, OBE was a British television personality and antiques expert, specialising in furniture.
Sir Henry Joseph Wood was an English conductor best known for his association with London's annual series of promenade concerts, known as the Proms. He conducted them for nearly half a century, introducing hundreds of new works to British audience
Yehudi Menuhin, Baron Menuhin, OM, KBE (22 April 1916 - 12 March 1999), was an American-born British violinist and conductor who spent most of his performing career in Britain. He is widely considered one of the great violinists of the 20th century.
I loved Andre's face of thunder when Eric starts playing. For someone who had never acted, and never rehearsed, Andre's performance was a work of art.
if I remember correctly, he learnt the script in the cab on the way in from the airport
@@anneodonnell102 I just came to say that! 🥰
You can see Eric Morecambe's excitement when he suddenly realises this is going to be good.
If you think it wasn't rehearsed, you are dreaming.
In your humble opinion
Back in the 90s, I had the privilege of chatting to "Mr. Preview" after a concert here in Los Angeles. Naturally I brought up this sketch. He told me that everywhere he goes in the world people always commented on it. He just couldn't believe the lasting impact it had - and this was before RUclips! Nice to see you enjoying this piece of classic British comedy ❤️
They were so loved by the British. Previn said he was not known in the local pub, but the day after this aired he became a celebrity. Andre Previn was a great conductor.
He was an all round musical genius - composer of jazz scores, film scores and classical scores and a fine musician in his own right.
@@Stevieboy130664 and able to let Morecombe and Wise make fun of him with a good grace and humour.
He sure was that no 86 always ran on time.
Andre was struck by lightning many times.
He also said that the LSO couldn't perform the Grieg piano concerto after this sketch without it getting laughs.
Previn was the perfect straight man in this sketch. He could have broken at any point in this sketch. He took on the comedy, went with it and made sketch absolutely memorable. We know what we’re going to get from Eric and Ernie. Andrew makes this so special. He’s all in, and never misses a beat.
Eric was very worried before the sketch as he stressed hugely about the Christmas Special; insisted on practising everything dozens and dozens of times.
Andrew Preview was touring worldwide and couldn't make any rehearsal, and arrived literally on the morning of the show. Read the script on the way to the studio.
When Mr Preview gets the timing spot on for the Chicago joke the reaction on Eric's face is genuine joy and relief.
I've been watching this same sketch for maybe 35 years, I'm still crying with laughter. The orchestra is great they are laughing as hard as anyone else. Morecombe and Wise absolute comic genius.
Even as a.kid when I saw this, at maybe only ten or eleven years old I also noticed that the orchestra was having a difficult time holding it all together. Their faces lit up with mirth.
Did you see their appearance on The Sweeney? John Thaw and Dennis Waterman had the same problem.
Curiosity, it turned out to be quite lucrative for Andre. After this he was recruited to do an advertisement by an electrical company, selling televisions.
Well said , Mr Privet!
To you both: Just to make you aware. This is one of the most legendary and beloved sketches in British TV comedy history. The Eric Morecambe rejoiner to Previn "I was playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order" has gone down in folklore as one of the best and most quoted of his many memorable famous comic lines. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant...
We mustn't forget that Eric and Ernie, like most of Britains great comics, relied on our greatest comedy writer's, now mostly no longer with us.
I have seen this sketch before and I think possibly on TV.
But unfortunately I feel this , the routine is far above these two young people. A generation gap 🥺🥺🥺
@@DRpokeme
Agreed, I don't think the husband got it at all.
Personally, I was rolling around with laughter, tears running down my cheeks...
Absolutely... I grew up on this sort of thing. However, there are references in here which Brits under 30 won't understand, yet alone Americans. "for another £4 we could have got Edward Heath" etc. will be lost on them.
Let's face it, no one who wasn't there can have any idea how big and influential Eric and Ernie were at their peak. This was a time when there were just 3 TV channels and no video recorders. Major stars queued up to be pleasantly ridiculed on the Christmas show! This is one of many superb examples! It made the guest stars more famous than ever. I loved them when I was growing up and I remember my father almost falling off his chair with laughter at their antics.
Dear Eric and Ernie, so missed. When I first saw this live on TV, I missed large bits because I was just convulsed in laughter. The NOT TOO HEAVY ON THE BANJOS,, I almost stopped breathing. They were simply the best, and by a long long way. Mr preview, Privett read the script on the plane from America that day, then went straight on stage...thats why Eric is so relieved when he did the Get My Baton...From Chicago line.....Eric new at that moment that Andre had it under control. Pravin deserves huge credit for his part......RIP all 3 lads.....so so missed.
and he was told not to laugh as it wouldn't work so well, dont know how he managed that
Tut get a life.
@@ufoman4468 thank you for that contribution, you must be very proud of yourself.
I also missed the baton line and I have seen this dozens and dozens of times so thank you I listened carefully to hear this quip x
Well said, back in the day I remember this well, you sort of have to know about Eric and Ernie, lots of real subtle gems 👍👍
Previn was, at the time, one of the greatest musicians in the world, both conducting and playing the piano. The audacity of Eric grabbing him by the lapels was stunning, and the right note quote is comedy legend! Recorded in one take, if I remember correctly?
Yes one take a they hadn't told Previn what they were going to do
This sketch pretty much immortalised him to a much broader audience than would otherwise have known of him.
And without rehearsal,I believe ❤️
André Preview was the best!
@@neilmcintosh5150 Andre Privet, no Pre-view...
Look at the reaction of the Orchestra too, they were loving it. What an experience that must have been for them! Yes sadly missed, we'll not see their like again.
If anything, that's what I enjoy more and more these days when I see the sketch.
Eric Morecambe said that this was his favorite ever sketch. He told Andre Previn that he knew it would be a great sketch if Previn kept a straight face throughout. Which he did.
Previn's face when he heard the first notes of what was supposedly Grieg's piece, was priceless.
Ironic that Morecombe liked it so much given that it wasn't made in the way that they preferred.
"I am playing the right notes - but not necessarily in the right order.....!" - classic....!
😂😂😂
One of the all time classic comebacks , Eric was a genius
That line was used on The Repair Shop just last night to describe a defective instrument.
@@chrisst8922
Didn't see it but if a gagis good, it's good,
"MrJoecool9999
2 weeks ago
"I am playing the right notes - but not necessarily in the right order.....!" - classic....!"
It would be cool Mr Joe, it would be ...and also "classic", if you hadn`t omitted the word ALL! Comedy writing genius by Eddie Braben and Eric Morecambe`s exquisite comedy timing, ruined by you :(
After this sketch, Andre Previn became the most well known and loved conductor in the UK. He did a fantastic job of going along with Morecambe and Wise in this sketch, and showed a great sense of humour. Later they had a small sketch of Andre dressed up as a bus conductor, and Andre says, 'I was on the Morecambe and Wise show, and look what happened to me.'
He also appeared in another sketch; they had him playing a kazoo or something. I've only seen a tiny clip of it and I can't find it again, dammit
Just reading this cracked me up. Thank you :)
@@franl155 You are of course perfectly correct. Andre Previn came on the Morecambe and Wise show a second time. That performance starts out with Andre complaining to the lads that whenever he conducts a rendition of the Greig Piano Concerto that everyone breaks up laughing. Yes, they get Andre playing a kazoo. Andre Previn, what a straight laced person anyone would think of him, but totally wrong. An absolutely perfect sense of timing and a brilliant sense of humour. Andre was an unfound comic genius, until Morecambe and Wise discovered him. It must have been a joy, especially for Eric Morecambe, to work with Andre. I have only ever seen a short clip from that episode here on You Tube. RIP lads. You were stars down here, but up there you are still stars, forever immortalised in both worlds. We will never forget you.
@@MrMoggyman - I applaud every word you said! They had a gift for finding secret talents in their guest stars. The fact that people made repeat appearances says a lot for the affection we all felt for M+W.
And they discovered Glenda Jackson's talent for comedy, too: after she appeared in their "Cleopatra" she got offered "A touch of class" for which I think she won an Oscar.
@@franl155 Shirley Bassey too. Shirley was known for her no nonsense attitude. In clubs, when Shirley was singing they were not allowed to serve beer at the bar. That's how it was at The Batley Variety Club. Nope! No drinks served while Shirley was singing. So how she managed to put up with Morecambe and Wise is anyones guess, but what a performance. Another memorable one in the annals of Morecambe and Wise, and what's more, after this Shirley mellowed to comedy. Les Dawson in particular was one of her favourites. Another superb comedian that we will never see the likes of again in our lifetimes. Try Les Dawson's , 'There's something nasty in the castle yard.' It's on You Tube. Brilliant!
It's still the funniest sketch ever but it's quintessentially British and absolutely part of its time.
You can't fully appreciate its genius unless you were part of British culture at that time.
You had to BE there!
More than half of the British population watched this show live and together we all laughed about it for weeks afterwards.
Nothing united the entire nation more than our universal love for the utterly magical joy of a M&W BBC Christmas show. It was the undisputed highlight of the Christmas TV schedule for years.
It was not just eagerly anticipated but it never failed to surpass hopes and expectations.
It's impossible to appreciate the impact that this sketch had on the public if you didn't live through it.
It's a bit like trying to understand, sixty years later, what was so sensational about first hearing the "long-haired" Beatles singing "She Loves You". There had never been anything like it and for those who experienced it at the time, it made an indelible impression.
One of the greatest sketches of all time. Humour doesn't really cross the pond. So much of the beauty of Eric and Ernie comes from the cultural history of our country up to that point. We were a national family, with shared memories of war, deprivation, struggle and survival...and throughout that, the will to survive and keep laughing. My working class parents went through the war - the bombing, little food and absolutely NO security. Loved ones serving in the war. Surrounded by death, at home and abroad. They always used to say to me, "Have fun, you could be dead tomorrow".
Eric and Ernie came out of the music hall. Their humour was based on human frailty, relationships, absurdity and wonderful timing. Song and dance. Pure life enhancing entertainment. This is is the art that conceals art. A unique degree of timing and nuance underpins their childish clowning.
Our country loved them deeply. They were a national institution. Such happy days. We still had very limited material possessions in the 1970's. But we had the best music (60's and 70's) and the BBC, then, was our jewel in crown. Alas no longer.
Thank you for posting. All the best.
It's a shame that some of the topical references, like to Edward Heath, Henry Wood and Ivy Benson have lost their resonance, but still a fantastic bit of TV history.
Thank you for your lovely description of our once beautiful country and our love for wonderful people like Eric and Ernie. I grew up in the 60s and 70s and therefore was fortunate enough to experience Eric and Ernie's wonderful shows and their Christmas shows......well, truly magical.
Deborah Robertson. I lived in London in the early 1970s and had a small black and white tv in my attic room in Putney. I watched the sitcoms and specially loved Eric and Ernie. You are right - best music, and i learnt so much from people who told stories about how they managed during the war. I stayed with people who were too old to enlist, but did fire duty and other jobs. That is what made Britain great, this sense of "we are all in this together and we must all get through it. I returned to England at the end of the '70s and beginning of '80s and all the people I got to know (those who haven't departed for Heaven) are still my British family.
@@vilmamaritz8265 Lovely to read your story Vilma. I have been to see Eric's bronze statue in Morecambe (his home town) a few times and I often wish they'd added Ernie's statue next to him as they were truly inseparable. Ernie was from Leeds (on t'other side of t'hill). I remember seeing recently on RUclips Ernie's reaction on the morning following Eric's sad passing in 1984. Incidentally, it is said that Ernie Wise was the first person to send a text message on a never seen before 'mobile' phone. Rest in peace Eric and Ernie, thank you for all the laughs. The world surely needs your kind now.
@@npr1300A8 Thank you. Yesterday I received a Christmas present from my British family, a photo calendar depicting five generations of the family. Posted on 16 December in London, arrived on 16 February in Cape Town. I do miss England, and none of us can get there for the time being.
Eric was really worried because normally they would rehearse for hours with their guests to guarantee success. Due to Previn's commitments they hardly had any time to practise...but when Previn keeps a straight face and times his responses perfectly (as he would) Eric knew things would be fine... Nearly 50 years ago...timeless...
Andre said he learned his lines by the light of a torch in a taxi from the airport. Dedication.
When Previn told Eric and Ernie that he wouldn't be able to reherse for hours like they liked Eric said 'That makes us very nervous.
@@medler2110 Yes, they rehearsed EVERY aside and off-the-cuff remark...so that it looked natural!!!
@@markshere1022 Yes, I remember hearing that not long after Eric's death and felt really disappointed. Everyone thought Eric ad-libbed many of his quips! Brilliant pair!
@@markshere1022 Though apparently not where Eric goes "Pow ! I like him" after the Chicago joke. That was, apparently, when he realised just how good Previn, and thus the sketch could be (despite the minimal rehearsal)
The Morecambe and Wise sketch I always remember is the bit where they are in their flat and an ambulance drives past outside with its siren on. Eric looks out the window and says "He won't sell many ice creams going at that speed".
My favourite too.lol
Lololololo just brilliant
I still say that when I hear a siren. Best line ever.
I went to see the stage show "The Play What I Wrote" and at one point in the show there's the sound effect of an ambulance going past. There was a pregnant pause and the whole audience had already started laughing as they were waiting for that line!
yes; I have said it many times myself , always with the same result: probably the best one liner ever.
this is 50 years ago and we are still watching it , it is timeless
Brilliant. I remember this so well. Morecambe & Wise’s reputation, at this point in their career, was such that their Christmas shows especially could regularly draw guests of the calibre of Andre Previn. His timing, as you would expect, was impeccable and he clearly understood how it would play out. Such a good sport and an incredible talent. RIP all.
I saw a report in the press at the time that HM Queen Elizabeth arranged her Christmas Day so she wouldn't miss Morcambe and Wise on TV.
Think it was this Christmas show that launched them into the stratosphere. Shirley Bassey and Glenda Jackson also guest starred and from that moment. Celebs from all walks of lives were queueing up to come on the show
You are looking at the two most loved comedian's in British comedy history they are missed by many people
For me personally I can't pick between Morecambe & Wise and The Two Ronnies, both timeless classics who I miss greatly.
@@8-bitsteve500 yes totally agree with you loved them both won't see their like again we will never see
Anyone like Morecambe and Wise or Ronnie B or Ronnie
C
Ever again
Previn was an undiscovered comedy genius. His straight face must've been agony; especially as most of the orchestra were openly pissing themselves laughing.
Agree! So much credit to André
They told him, the straighter he played it, the funnier it would be. Damn, they were right.
I love his ad-lib line about going to get his baton - from Chicago..
Playing the straight man is sometimes the most challenging role in a comedy act, and often the least appreciated.
I think Previn said that he wouldn't mind at all if the only thing the wider public remembered him for was that sketch.
Andre Previn used to joke about the fact that years later, London cabbies, used to greet him with: 'Hello, Mr Preview!'
The British (and I guess most people), love people, especially highly accomplished ones like Andre, who don't take themselves too seriously.
I am a thousand years old and remember watching this live on tv. They were the biggest thing on tv and so funny, but we must give praise to Andre Previn who clearly is a masterful and talented musician. He was a composer also and conducted some of the biggest orchestras in the world. RIP all of them.,
The orchestra had never seen it all thier reactions are honest. this was a top level international conductor not someone orchestras tend to fool around with.
Hence they all found mocking a conductor hysterical.
This shows that a lot of the comedy is because the audience already know Eric and Ernie: they know their back story, they know their characters, they are best friends, the funny, friendly but ultimately hapless Uncles that everyone wishes they had. In fairness, you don't have that awareness of them.
And Andrew Previn was a superstar, a huge international celebrity. These days celebrities send themselves up all the time; not then.
The delight throughout this sketch is that it's too cheeky lads, making fun of someone who we are supposed to treat very seriously. And Previn is fantastic in it, to his credit.
Previn said every taxi driver in London called him 'Mr Preview' after this sketch: it cemented Eric and Ernie's place in the hearts of the nation.
Previn made this - absolutely nailed his part
In a documentary I watched years ago, following Eric Morecambe's tragic death, Ernie Wise said that, about a week before they were due to film the sketch, they'd sent a basic script to Andre Previn (it WAS actually scripted, although Eric always had free rein to ad-lib, because he was a master at it.) Andre had been doing concerts all over the globe in the run-up to the filming session, and was actually flying back from New York to London on the day they were due to film. After they'd filmed the sketch, Ernie asked Andre how he'd found the time to learn the script, what with everything going on. Andre told him "I learned it in the back of the cab, on the way here from the airport." And, according to Ernie, he was word perfect.
That’s because musicians are wired differently to us mortals. I heard that John Williams only read the music to Cavatina once then played it through without looking at the sheet again.
This sketch is genius but it only works due to the fact that Andre Previn bought into the gag 100%.
And he kept a straight face. How he did that when Eric grabbed his collar and brought him right up face to face I've no idea.
The look on Previns face when Eric started playing the wrong music
As did the boys in the orchestra, they don't often get that kind of opportunity. Bobby McFerrin was great at including his musicians too! XXX
Previn said he was as proud of this as any other musical thing he'd done.
If you can find it there is a very early black and white version of this sketch without previn
Hi Lilian and Félipe. Morecambe and Wise was the pinnacle of entertainment during the golden age of television, and their Christmas Show was always eagerly awaited. The major stars of the day regarded an invitation to appear on the show as a career must. This one sketch endeared André Previn to the nation. As others have said, Mr Previn didn't have much time to learn his lines, and his remark about going to collect his baton - it's in Chicago, was a complete ad-lib which Eric Morecambe appreciated immensly. At this time, following mr Previn's passing, no obituary failed to mention the sketch.
Great summary :)
Just listened to a podcast that said he did two days worth of rehearsals so he did learn his lines. part of why he was chosen was because he was so good at looking like it wasnt rehearsed! But it's true he as libbed some lines.
Comedy genius. There’s nothing that even comes close to this today. Credit to Andre for going along with the gag and managing to keep a straight face
What people do not realise is that, at the time this was recorded, Previn had a reputation for being really, very serious. That made it all the more funny (and shocking)
I watched it when it was broadcast and I've matched it dozens of times since. It never fails to make me laugh.
People used to wait until Morcambe and Wise had been on tv before they went to the pub on a saturday night !
the one thing that needs to be remembered about Morecambe and Wise is they were the last of the Music Hall generation of entertainers and their show does follow that line of entertainment :-)
As Eric said: it took them forty years to become famous overnight. They honed their skills and then some.
That is true and their first attempt into tv was a failure. I think that was because the BBC messed around with their material but I do know Eric kept a copy of a review from their first venture in his pocket for the rest of his life
@@HA1LILPALAZZO "Definition of the week: TV Set "The box in which they buried Morecambe and Wise"". They only really worked after the equity actors strike, which means there was no supporting cast, just them and the writers Hills and Green, which focused the show much more.
For me , the best comedy sketch ever , really wish Eric and Ernie was still here we need people like these 2 more than ever . Good old fashioned comedy where you can laugh at yourselve and others without being criticised for something society has lost good old fashioned values , community spirit and humour to name but a couple .
I'm English and of a certain age. I grew up with Eric and Ernie. Their 70's shows and especially the Xmas specials are legendary over here. Practically, for the whole of the 70's, Xmas wasn't Xmas without their shows.
This is one their most fondly remembered routines. It is such a joy to watch for me and NEVER fails to make me laugh.
Eric and Ernie, always liked to rehearse their routines with guest stars, but on this occasion, Andre was unable to join them in person, but WAS given his script and knew what to say. It makes the routine all the more remarkable, because Andre plays it SO well. Classic and one I love.
Agreed! However, there were so many contemporary references which even a Brit under the age of about 60 just wouldn't get, which makes the sketch much funnier for us but I'm sure a big puzzle to Americans and younger Brits. There's also the factor of Eric & Ernie's regular physical interplay, such as the hand with the note, or Eric flapping about to find the opening in the curtain, and the double-palm face-slap (which Eric usually did to Ernie, but was brilliant in this sketch when he did it to Andre Previn). Finally, I don't think our American friends understood who Previn was. He was a famous conductor (and I think he was the conductor of the LSO when the show was aired, so he would have been well known in the UK -- I certainly knew who he was, and I was just a kid) and Eric and Ernie were at the peak of their fame so it was a meeting of star entertainers. And tremendous respect to Previn for playing along with the whole thing and not corpsing all the time. A great comedy sketch all round.
@@xmfclick Previn was not just a conductor, he was a composer, a music arranger, a classical pianist and a first-class jazz pianist - I strongly recommend finding on RUclips his interview with Oscar Peterson, one of the greatest American jazz pianists - they end up playing together, and it is sublime.
"Fishing off Henry Woods Promenade" - Henry Wood's Promenade Concerts are better known as The Proms.
Yup, I think that went straight over their heads.
@@richardhemingway6084 I think most of it went over their heads, there's a lot of era related gags and some of it isn't easy to get especially when they don't seem to get the whole premise of M&W style.
Andre Previn was the conductor of the London Symphony orchestra who was also present. Even today Andre Previn is called Mr Preview. Not improvised but worked out. Andre Previn was told to act the sketch straight. Which he did wonderfully.
He worked very hard not to burst out laughing at some points.
I've heard Previn was told to act as though he was the only person not to realise that this was hilariously funny. Brilliant advice, masterfully executed.
Andre Previn was a god in the orchestral circles, treating him like they did was unthinkable but that was what was so great about Eric and Ernie, they could have fun with guests but never be horrible to them. The fact Andre did not have anytime to rehearse was a concern but he was great.
Check out Eric and Ernie with Shirley Bassey, who was know as a brilliant singer but a real diva with it. She was putty in Eric’s hand and loved every minute of it. If anyone else had sent her up like they did there would have been a riot but noone minded with Eric and Ernie. To be on their Christmas show in the early seventies was the peak for any performer in any field and the greats queued up to have the mickey taken out of them.
As a kid in the late 6t's, in a car with four others we were told to not turn around, twas the yard of W S TRY, Carpenters bd funeral directors, Cowley.
We kids all did turn round, there to see a coffin being wheeled across the yard. Twas Shirley Bassets hubby within. Respect to Adrian Nevard.
I'd have to say that Previn, in this sketch, elevates the very British art of being a "good sport" to unimagined, and (at least to me) hitherto unimaginable heights. Which, considering he was born Jewish in Hitler's Germany - to a family which fled the Nazis, ultimately to the relative safety of America - a lineage rendered more opaque still by his later assumption of a French stage name (they had lived in Paris on quitting Germany), is quite the class act.
Full marks to Andre Previn for sending himself up like that!
You mean, André Preview?
You may not know but Arthur Negus was a British antiques expert that specialised in furniture, hence the ‘three piece suite’ gag, ie a sofa plus two arm chairs.
Also then Prime Minister Edward Heath was an organist and conductor, hence another joke.
Gentle comedians, not in any way political. They are missed for those qualities as well as their humour.
They were never ever funny.
I know no one who misses them because they 'weren't political'. That's just you dumping your hangups onto their history.
@@maxmacpherson1957 True, they were ALWAYS funny
@@maxmacpherson1957 ...now that's worth a like or two but i'll save mine till it turns out nice again.
You are obviously a right winger. All great comedians are left wing because they have to be intelligent to be truly funny. Right wingers hate intelligence because it exposes their dishonesty, stupidity and arrogance.
I love seeing the Orchestra laughing throughout the sketch!
Apparently, the odd asides to the musos were adlibbed (Is this the band ? Who's the fixer ?)
For US and other viewers who might not know some of the references: 4:00 "fished off the end of Sir Henry Wood Promenade" - a pun on the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts started by famous conductor Wood in the early 20th century to bring popular classical music to the masses by having cheap tickets for standing listeners (the promenaders), and a promenade being a seafront walkway. 4:34 "the Three Piece Suite by Arthur Negus". Arthur Negus was a famous expert on antique furniture on TV in the 1960s and 1970s. A Three Piece Suite is a couch and two chairs. 4:45 Glenda Jackson is a famous actress who had also been on the show. 4:55 "The other world famous conductor Ivy Benson" she was conductor of an English Swing band. 5:16 "I'll get my baton - it's in Chicago" and Eric says in delight in an aside "Wow, he's in! I Like him." The story was that, not having had proper rehearsal time, Eric was delighted with the perfection of Previn's comic timing at that moment.
Missed "another four pounds and could have got Edward Heath" ...
@@andrewwigglesworth3030 Oh yes! For those unfamiliar, Edward Heath was a British big band conductor, not to be confused with the Prime Minister of the same name.
@@DavidBoycePiano The sketch was made in 1971.
Ted Heath (the band leader) died in 1969.
Edward Heath, the Tory Prime Minister in 1971, was famously a piano player (amateur).
@@andrewwigglesworth3030 Yes.
The Andre Previn sketch is comedy gold. One of the best Morecombe & Wise sketches ever, if not the best.
At the end Eric is applauding in a very genuine way. He recognised that Previn had elevated the sketch in a way he hadn’t expected.
Previn?
Don't you mean Preview?
😄
@@gerrycoogan6544 ..
When Eric was desperately worried that Previn hadn't had time to read the script or rehearse, it was pointed out to him how quickly Andre Previn could learn every note of a concerto before conducting it but he only really relaxed when the sketch started, and said afterwards they'd never do better than that.
I don't know how many times I have seen this, but I never before noticed Previn's response to "Could you wear high heels?"
"Again?"
Yeah. Didn't really get a laugh from the audience. Pity. Timing was spot on.
I've no idea how many times I've seen this over the years, it never ceases to be hilarious. Morecambe and Wise were comic genius at its best and Andre Previn played the part brilliantly. It was actually an update of a sketch that Morecambe and Wise had done in different circumstances some years earlier.
The singing in the rain sketch was also brilliant.
Apparently they showed that sketch to Gene Kelly, and he cracked up laughing.
And the breakfast sketch. Right up there with their best.
And The Stripper and There is Nothing Like a Dame!
Gene Kelly saw it and was pissing himself laughing.
"I'll go get my baton....it's in Chicago!"
Possibly the best line in the whole sketch!!
And she talked over and missed it.
Yes and Eric's timing is just incredible,this is their best ever stuff-they actually did an earlier version of this that was on 12inch vinyl on BBC records that my dad bought me for 8th or 9th birthday back in the 1860s and some of the jokes were different-saw a documentary years ago with Eric's son Gary and even he wasn't too sure about it's existence
I don't get it? Perhaps I should with being an old geezer.
My favourite line?
"For four pounds more we could have had Edward Heath!"
He was Britain's Prime Minister in the early 70's, also a fairly good orchestra conductor.
@@BernardWilkinson Andre was acting a bit miffed at being brought to the show under false pretences. Morecambe and Wise had “promised” him that Yehudi Menuhin would be playing, and that’s why he made the excuse of his baton being in Chicago, so he wouldn’t have to appear.
I was fortunate enough to see this when it was first aired & it’s as funny now as it was then.😂🤣😂🤣
Me too. Oh how lucky we were compared with the young today.
Same here, spoiled rotten with great viewing....and now, it's just rotten.
@@scottishbombolini7794 Well put. Political correction added with a cynical society mean that true comedy isn't allowed to flourish. Thank goodness for DVD and other media so we can relive the glory days as often as we want. Escaping today's awful world is essential for survival.
@@npr1300A8 Much has been said about political correctness today. Where in any of Morcambe and Wise sketch or in the Two Ronnies is there any actual NEED for political correctness? They were never hateful comedians, never rude, sometimes a little innuendo. So much nonsense talked about political correctness gone mad, and then using these two shows as an example. It shows the opposite to be the vase: that you can have a 1/2 hour show without any need for hate language or racism either suggested or openly stated.
A masterclass in comedy from all three of them. Mr Preview learned it by torchlight in a taxi cab travelling from Heathrow airport to the BBC. Some feat.
For years after this broadcast whenever Andre Preview did perform Griegs Piano Concerto, the audience without fail would giggle after the orchestral intro. Indeed Morecambe and WIse were the most loved and addored double act in Britain (closely followed by The Two Ronnies). The Queen postponed her Christmas Radio Speech, so she could watch the highly anticipated Christmas Specials.
Yes they teased the most famous people of that time period, but always making themselves look fools, instead of the celebrities.
Morecambe and Wise are still funny today because, just like Laurel and Hardy, their source was simply making people laugh, by using skills that are universal.
Stan Laurel was often asked the question What is humor? Stan always replied: I have no clue, all I know is how to make people laugh, that is all I do.
Great to see a new generation reconnecting with Morecambe and Wise, please give Laurel and Hardy a try. They will make you laugh ... I promise you.
Agreed. My two favourite comedy duos are Morecambe and Wise and Laurel and Hardy. When Eric was told we'll do a sketch with you and Ernie in bed together, Eric said no, I don't think so. Laurel and Hardy did he was reminded. Well if it was ok with them, it's good enough for us. I love the two duos. The best the world have ever seen. No one will ever emulate them.
The Morecambe and Wise show was probably one of the very few shows that could have a world famous conductor be grabbed by the lapels and have his face slapped and no one would complain!!
Previn originally was a bit sceptical about the sketch as he was worried it would be making a mockery of classical music but he said until his dying day he would always love it when taxi drivers called him ‘Mr Preview’ and it was a highlight of his career!
This sketch has become a classic. I remember on Christmas night when it was first broadcast my entire family cried laughing. Morecambe and Wise always pulled in huge ratings. Pure gold. Great memories.
When they say: “not too heavy on the banjos” there is nothing to get - it is just totally hilarious 😹
This was the best sketch ever. But a close second is the one they do with Shirley bassey.
As Bruce Forsyth said, you can watch this every day and it will always make you laugh.
@@andrewpepper4071 i've just watched it for a second time today. Brilliant, brings tears to my eyes. I saw it when it was originally broadcast.
what about the making breakfast sketch.
Angela Rippon was also Great
Sadly such marvellous entertainment is not made anymore, the British sense of humour is dying
@@JWS1968 My personal favourite
Absolute magic but audience enjoyment is based on 20 years of knowing Eric and Ernie's work and mannerisms so in fairness I wouldn't expect two Americans to appreciate the finer points...
Exactly. The Americans did look a little puzzled at times, due to the fact that there were so many references that only a British audience would get. I loved that they picked up on the Andrew Preview joke, though. Poor Andre - he would get called that for the rest of his life!
I was thinking the same thing, I do think that American humour is different. Most of us looked forward to their Christmas shows.
The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show on BBC in 1977 scored one of the highest ever audiences in British television history with more than 20 million viewers (the cited figure varies between 21 and 28 million)
Well said I grew up loving Morecombe and Wise myself and my family have great fondness for them...your right they didn't seem to laugh at the little things they did they seemed bit bored
Tbh I don't believe an audience of twenty something brits would appreciate the finer points either, for exactly the reason you say. That and not getting any of the references or even knowing who Andrew Preview was.
Yes. The American guy didn't seem to find it as funny as his partner.
In fact, their reaction video was rather lackluster.
I’ve always loved this - the musicians were wonderful and Previn was such a world leader and played his part so well
It’s an age thing, not an Anglo-American thing. I am old enough to remember this. No one back then could believe Andre Previn would appear on a comedy show and be belittled. Andre Previn was the best known serious classical conductor and film score arranger, he’d won 4 oscars and been nominated for others, he was the husband of Mia Farrow who was huge at the time, but he was thought of as intellectual and aloof. When Eric grabbed his lapels and patted him on the face, it caused a sensation. The biggest laugh for the audience was the reference to getting Tory PM Edward Heath to play for £4, Heath famously moved a grand piano into Downing Street and was serious about music, he often played for guests; but the line that became legendary was ‘ I was playing all the right notes, just not necessarily in the right order’. There were many other references that I don’t think younger people would usually get, references to decimalisation and Glenda Jackson etc. She was the first acclaimed serious to appear on their show and be ridiculed and once she’d done it the others lined up.
Nailed it, Tom. Exactly.
All good points you make here!
Previn was a brilliant communicator about music - he did a TV series with the LSO educating viewers about how a symphony orchestra works, and it was quite obvious that he was a man with a sense of humour as well as wonderful musician.
@@MarkSlaterMusic Indeed, Heath conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the English Chamber Orchestra, amongst others.
I think I taped Previn playing "Gee officer Krupki" from West Side Story some years ago, talk about flying fingers.
"... I'll just go and get my baton,.... Its in Chicago". Genius!
it is funny because previn kept a straight face
4:33 "The Three Piece Suite by Arthur Negus"; a gag based on a well known star of the Antiques Roadshow on TV (1979-1983). Arthur was a British television personality and antiques expert, specialising in furniture.
So glad that you enjoy our vintage UK comedy. Maybe I'm just an old man now but there's really nothing to compare with it nowadays.
This is a real classic and great that Andre Previn agreed to do it :-)
Sadly ,now no longer with us
They always rehearsed things, even the stuff that is "improvised" was rehearsed. They were great comedians from a different era, never needed to swear or be smutty. Much loved and much missed
Brilliant sketch, probably over the heads of our friends in USA
Andrew Preview said, "Eric was the perfect gentleman - he never failed to apologise both before and after he hit me."
You mean Mr Privett!
Like it when the boys in the band are cracked up laughing .
Who's the fixer?
@@allenwilliams1306 ?
@@brianraymen3085 When Eric stands in front of the orchestra he asks them that. They crease themselves, and point to the fixer, if you had not noticed. It is an “in” joke for the orchestra alone - the fixer is the member with good connections who will get other members of the orchestra potentially lucrative freelance jobs. The fixer will usually take a commission, which is why Eric says “It's the one in the gold lame suit”. Nobody other than the orchestra understands this joke, but they think it is brilliant, and the whole orchestra is immediately brought on-side. This confirms that this never had a full detailed rehearsal, because the orchestra's reaction would never have been replicated.
Thank you for re-posting one of the best ever comedy sketches from British tv history. I cried with laughter, again. You appear to quite enjoy bits of it as well, but spend much of your time looking faintly confused, and as it builds to its crescendo and gets ever funnier, the more lost you seem. "It's about a yard"; "Can we get in touch with Greig?"; these brilliant lines leave you unmoved! I suspect we shall ever remain two countries that share one language but have quite different reactions to it!
"For a few quid more, we could've had Ted Heath"... the [ex?] Prime Minister, a fair pianist whose ambition of conducting an orchestra had been realised shortly before at the Albert Hall (for a charity concert, IIRC). No American would get the irony:
André Previn had conducted the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and was the most celebrated Conductor in the.world at the time - up there with Herbert von Karajan of the Berliner Philharmoniker - conducting the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic amongst others.
Saw this sketch when it first aired on TV and by far the greatest sketch ever done by Eric and ern, Andre previn learnt the script on the plane to the UK, for him to keep a dead pan straight face when the orchestra and audience are pissing there pants laughing shows what a true professional he is. Nothing like this calibur of entrainment exists on TV today. So thanks Eric and Ernie for all the wonderful laughs and joy you gave me in my childhood and bringing sunshine and smiles to all who loved you may you both rest in peace.
this is and the four candles sketch best of all time in British comedy.
I love it that Ernie wise is dancing ti Eric morecambe’s playing.
Wonderful comedy from two classic comedians at the very top of their game. Full marks to Previn, playing his part superbly.
What few these days realise, is that before this sketch, Andre Previn was renowned as a brilliant, world renowned classical conductor. Well known for being VERY serious. This sketch, brought him to a whole new audience!
I've always loved the orchestra's reaction. They are in stitches!
Andre Previn is forever remembered as Andre Preview in the UK because of this sketch!😅
Previn was absolutely brilliant!!!! And with this one sketch humanised all classical musicians
Eric was always silly/funny, but the best thing about this sketch was Andre Pravin didn't mind participating and was very good with his own humour! XXX
When comedians worked hard to make their comedy look spontaneous...and hilarious. No swearing. No crudity. No political views. André Previn loved it. And as a comedian...he had the timing of a superstar! Classic stuff. Timeless.
I agree. I loved all three of them, my favourite comedians and conductor.
It still makes you laugh. Much missed. The best ever I think.
A quick mention of Ted Heath though.
I don't know if spontaneity came into the Morecambe and Wise shows as they were very well rehearsed and choreographed down to the last detail. Eric was notorious for being a perfectionist and getting it right. I don't think that gives much room for non scripted stuff.
@@carolross6583 and four pounds.
As an Englishman living in the States, I find most comedy here to be too obvious. Subtlety is not a facet of American humor.
I'm afraid Americans do not make funny comedy films. When I see that the film is a comedy/drama I know it's going to fall between two stools. There's only a handful of American comedy films that make me laugh; all the others make me cringe and I switch off! Also, "subtlety is not a facet of American" drama. Their acting is full of facial contortions as well as a lot of semaphore hand/arm movement, as taught by the acting schools of New York. With British-trained actors there need be only movement of the eyes, or a dropping of the head to convey buckets of emotion. A case of "a little is more".
I don't think the guy watching this with his wife was all that impressed, guess American humour is totally different, same as the spelling of it. M&W are icons to us British.
Humour. ;)
Fart
Are you sure that you are an Englishman?
We spell it 'Humour'.
I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiment about 'subtlety!"
@@MauriatOttolink I live, as I said, in the States where it's lacking the u. Also, flavor, color, etc.
Another Morecombe and Wise set-piece. They got all the then current BBC newsreaders to dress and sing as the sailors a rendition of there is nothing like a dame from South Pacific. That was very very tightly run.
Previn MADE this sketch. He was amazing.
OMG, I'm in tears - this is so much funnier than I remembered!
I remember seeing this when it was originally broadcast and I still cry with laughter so many years later.
Imagine watching this on original broadcast (as we probably did) without knowing you are going to view one of the greatest sketches of all time. The impact was much greater. Also some of the contemporary cultural references are lost. For example the reference to Ted Heath the PM of the time who was also known as a musician.
It was rehearsed. In an interview, Previn said that Eric Morecambe, during rehearsal, had counted all the steps out loud so that his performance would be spot on. He was impressed with professionalism.
Eric Morcambe was a good piano player. It actually takes great skill, to play 'all the wrong notes' in such a convincing manner. Some of the jokes went over American heads, like references to some famous British people. Like Ivy benson, Ted Heath etc.
Husband looked bored to tears, and looked like he had never heard of Andre Previn - one of the best conductors of all time.
For so many people of a certain age here in the UK, this is a much loved sketch from Eric & Ernie. So well written and so well executed. It still amazes me that they got Andre 'Preview' to be a guest on the show. Andre played the sketch to perfection. Not sure how Americans would have reacted to it but I think this is shown by the reaction of the two watching this with us. Many of the references in the sketch were specifically aimed at the British audience. Some fell flat with the two of you which I'd have expected but clearly the slapstick bits went down well. The days when these classic shows were produced and watched by millions live on tv are long gone with the advent of Smart tv's and streaming etc. It will not have the same reaction today that it had when Eric and Ernie were in their prime because many of the guests, and of course Eric an Ernie, have now passed.
If anyone reading this would like to watch another classic of British comedy tv loved by millions watch 'Only Fools and Horses'. Like the Morecambe and Wise Show it too is a classic comedy tv series albeit from a later time during Margaret Thatcher's controversial period in office in the UK.
got to be the greatest UK comedy sketch , respect to Mr. Preview lol
Andre Previn passed away not too long ago. In a later episode Andre appeared in a clip as a binman saying 'I appeared on the Morecambe and Wise Show and look what happened to me!'. RIP Andre.
Bus conductor.
@@samleigh7817 Indeed he was...and as the old-style open back bus pulls away, he can be seen waving his baton!
Eric Porter was the dustman if my memory serves me correctly.
That wasn’t funny, it was hilarious.
I love how the members of the orchestra are grinning from ear to ear at the end.
Hubby looks like he’s just watched someone painting lines on the road. Wife tried unsuccessfully to fire up more of a reaction.
As Americans, they wouldn’t have got the references to Sir Henry Wood’s Promenade concerts, decimalisation, Ted Heath, etc., as the humour is very British and of its time, too - almost fifty years. I just think a lot of the jokes went over their heads, and that’s why it took a bit of time to sink in.
The funniest thing about this is how most of it goes right over their heads. eg: the Fingals Cave joke
Indeed. And the Ted Heath gag which got a big laugh from the audience. Sadly for today's viewers some of the famous names they dropped into the dialogue back then were people who would not be as well known now, and few people today would know that former PM Heath was also a classical pianist.