Little and Large Christmas Show 1980
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- On the evidence of this Christmas "special", it's hard to imagine why Little and Large had their own primetime BBC show until 1991. They are so deeply unfunny it's almost painful.
Large's impressions are woeful, and Little is a complete charisma vacuum who seemingly exists only to be bullied by Large. Oh, and the casual racism too (see the doll's hospital sketch). Music is provided by Lena Zavaroni and Sheena Easton.
A product of their time? Sure. Doesn't stop them being bloody awful. Consider this upload as being for educational value about how terrible primetime TV could be way back in the supposed "golden age of television entertainment".
As Eddie Large’s granddaughter I would just like to say thank you for posting this video on RUclips as I am only 20 I did not get to see him on shows like this. Videos like these are very very special to me! And as for your description of the video I would just like to say you are completely entitled to your sh*t opinion but let’s be honest HE WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE A LEGEND!❤️
I loved them as a kid as did many millions of others did both old and young. Just look at the contemporary comedians who have come out to pay their respects to Eddie since his sad passing.
They were fabulous and wonderful part of my childhood, just like to send my condolences to you and your family 🤗💕
Your Grandad was a really funny man & I wish more TV programme s were like this funny , clean & good family viewing 💜💚💜 rest in peace Mr large you will be missed
I am so sorry for your loss, although I never found the act funny I am sure he was a good man, please forgive my earlier comments and I am sure you have lots of happy memories of your granddad, peace to you and your family, I wish I could retract my comments.
Your Grandad and Syd gave me and my family many years of enjoyment. You should be proud of Eddie. Yes, that style of humour is now very dated but at the time, it was brilliant and fit for all the family to watch together, unlike much of today's television sadly.
RIP Eddie. A well-lived life, you brought us laughter in an unkind world.
David Holdstock I’m his granddaughter thank you so much for this x
@@katelily2356 True. And no malice and no bad language. Thanks for the memories Eddie.
@@katelily2356 Thank you. I am sure you are proud of your Granddad.
He was part of a golden age of comedy, an era when comedians
just wanted to make people laugh.
From the mid 80's onwards "comedy" became unkind and political.
Take care of yourself and your family. x
David Holdstock you’re absolutely right that’s all he ever wanted to do was make people like! Thank you for your kind words it’s appreciated so much x
Beautifully written. Thank you. Eddie was so talented.
Ah ...what a great blast from the past.....when Christmas programs were fun,...cheery....and just great festive entertainment for all the family....miss those wonderful times when Christmas telly was a real highlight , and a great to look forward to.. 🎄🎀💝
you mean abject racism and women wearing almost nothing? A joke about a pair of tits? Yes, classic family fun.. I'm watching this as I wanted to see what Ricky Gervais was talking about when he said they were rubbish. I agree
@@welshfinn1Well quite frankly I find him about as funny as tooth ache. And as for the office, I watched about the first 10 minutes of the very first episode and then switched off, and have avoided it like the plague ever since.
The uploader is "having a laugh" with his comments as well as the viewers such as i who found this funny. Saturday nights with Little and Large and not forgetting the best of all Russ Abbots Mad House " ( he was a genius) sure beats some the dross and primetime today. Thanks Eddie and Syd for making us laugh, 20 million viewers at one time could not all be wrong ?
I could never decide out of Little and Large and Russ Abbot which were the shittest
@@markevans7916 I think these two were shitter. Russ Abbott had his moments, and he did have the great Bella emberg
There were only 4 channels at the time..!
Just brought back some wonderful memories 🌈RIP LARGE🙏
What would we have done without the comic genius of Syd Little?
How long have you got?
OH wow that takes me back!, I was there in studio at BBC TVC when Lina Zavaroni sang her song, and then shot the "Christmas day in the Workhouse" sketch (that's me far right in the blue cap,) don't blink or you will miss it, as always more of scenes are cut than used, I also worked on one of there normal shows on a Top of the Pops sketch. would love to see that if anyone put's it on here, think it was early same year or maybe the following year, featured Foxy Feeling dace group singing their new song (Foxy Feeling) was I the ONLY person to buy the BBC RECORD of that song!!!!.
RIP Eddie large, cv19 took a childhood great 😟
Noname 1st I’m his granddaughter this is much appreciated
@@katelily2356
Sorry for your loss, but he didn't die of Cv19 did he?
Eman Puedama when he died he did have the virus and unfortunately his heart just couldn’t take the strain anymore
@@katelily2356 aw, I hope you are doing ok, I know how tough bereavement is at This time believe me, your grandad has a wonderful legacy left behind,so I hope you can take some comfort from that,his memory is eternal,👍✌️
Noname 1st this is so amazing to read thank you so much x
This is about as funny as a burning hospital. Eddie's impressions wouldn't even pass muster down the local Wetherspoons
Little and Large were a British comedy double act comprising straight man Syd Little (born Cyril John Mead; 19 December 1942) and comic Eddie Large (born Edward Hugh McGinnis; 25 June 1941 - 2 April 2020).
Comedy duo
They formed their partnership in 1962, originally appearing as singers in local pubs around north-west England. According to an interview with Eddie Large in Metro newspaper (11 January 2019), they went professional in October 1963. After deciding to concentrate on comedy, Little and Large's big break came in 1971 when they appeared on ITV talent show Opportunity Knocks.
They won the programme's vote, turning them into household names virtually overnight.
Within five years, the duo had their own prime-time show on ITV called The Little and Large Tellyshow. It began with a pilot episode in 1976, which earned the pair a commission for a series in 1977. However, the duo transferred to BBC1 with a new show called The Little and Large Show from 1978, and remained on the channel for over a decade until its cancellation in 1991. At its peak, the series was watched by an estimated nearly 15 million people each week.
Eddie Large was generally the funny man while Syd Little was the more serious 'straight guy'. Eddie Large performed a number of impressions, particularly cartoon characters like Popeye, Deputy Dawg, Fred Flintstone, Barney Rubble and Woody Woodpecker, while Syd Little simply stood next to him, looking perplexed and distressed.
They continued to appear in theatres and pantomimes, including Babes in the Woods, written by Ian Billings. The partnership's popularity peaked in the 1980s but, as mainstream comedy moved away from their pantomime style towards alternative comedy, it dwindled.
Eddie Large was told he might have a heart attack at any moment. The partnership split up when Large had to have a heart transplant.
Syd Little performed on cruise ships, such as the QE2, during September 2007, and used to run The "Little" Restaurant at the Strawberry Gardens pub and now runs a restaurant in the oldest pub in his home town Fleetwood, called The Steamer.
Eddie Large remained in showbusiness. Large said in a 2010 interview he had not spoken to Syd Little for several years.[1] They did subsequently have a reunion in 2018 when they appeared on Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, featuring in the sketch serial "Saturday Knight Takeaway", and in February 2019, appearing together on Pointless Celebrities. They reached the head-to-head round (in effect, the semi-final).
On 2 April 2020, Eddie Large died following contraction of COVID-19.
This show was and is terrible, yet paradoxically it's so bad, it's actually hilarious.
you could say it's reputation grows with each passing year... can remember so many people meticulously taped stuff like this back then but then when they died, they just got tossed into wheelie bins... certainly what's left of the mainstream channels appear to be in no hurry to ever unleash them from their archives
i doubt jazz why-man? encoded this himself, or has ever plugged in a live vcr to broadcast
I like seeing these old shows again, from a time before the PC Nazies sucked the fun out of TV. I like being able to decide for myself what to laugh at, its sad that we have lost that childish humour off telly. Sid Rasputin Little, I'll remind him of the Rasputin gag when I see him next week at his place in Fleetwood.
Fucking hell there's always one like this near the top of the comments.
There’s loads of juvenile unfunny crap on tv still if that’s your thing
RIP Eddie . You were amazing 👍
I thought this was crap when I was 10 years old. Nothing has changed
RIP Eddie! another who made my childhood happy..x
WTF I was just watching this last week.... Ack RIP Eddie!
Great childhood memories
R.I.P Eddie Large ❤
Syd sounds so much like Christopher Eccleston.
RIP eddie....good comedy act for that era
Sheena Easton sings "one man woman" at around the 11.30 mark. So that's 1 for the show
RIP Eddie,
Rest in peace Eddie ❤️
Ah, even wee Lena Zavaroni is in this show.
Cliff Richard, Racism, Jimmy Saville... all in quick succession. My how the world has changed!
Matt Lewis It's going to change again. and moronic leftists like you will be a thing of the past. you are an idiot.
Agreed, people like Matt Lewis won't be happy until the BBC is ran by a one-legged, blind, lesbian refugee
@@Faeden Jimmy Saville supporter eh? Blimey
We still have Cliff Richard and racism.
Little and Large = Poundland Cannon and Ball.
OMG The Noddy and Big Ears song skit is comedy PERFECTION. I could hardly breathe when they fell down. Back in the days when comedy MEANT something, before all those commie left wing "alternative" comedians came along and ruined it for everyone. Alexia Sayle? Rik Mayall? French & Saunders? Jo Brand? Pffft, Little and Large shit 'em, mate.
RIP Eddie...
so this is what mike did before he joined ed china on wheeler dealers
Did Eddie do grasshopper that was funny😆😂
Those bloody stupid naff paper hats the audiences are wearing! I was always getting those as a kid
Chronic
Love a bit of Lena.
Lena was a very nice friendly girl, She did sound amazing singing that song live, I was there in the studio at BBC TVC White City on the day standing just out of shot as she sang that song, which gave me goose bump great atmosphere in studio, I was working on the "Christmas day in the workhouse sketch, (guy in dark blue cap far right of shot!), I had fun working on the show but were surprised to see how often Sid and Eddie forgot the lines!, Sheena Easton had recorded the day before, I was sad to have missed her by one day, as quite fancied her back then!
Bloody hell! We must have laughed at any old shit!!!!!
RIP “Eddie Large “ x
RIP Eddie
I've had funnier car crashes
R.I.P. Eddie Large
A wonderful part of my childhood
R I P Eddie large
RIP Eddie 😢 Contrary to the uploader’s unkind comments, I thought they were fab, very funny and of their time.
99.9 % of comedians don't get any further than 3rd on the bill at a Working Men's Club so fair play to Little & Large for getting so far.
Still shite.
I am sorry for your loss, truly. But they were the most unfunniest pair there has ever been. They were absolute rubbish.
for god sake....its old fashioned comedy..30 odd yrs old! when yr pissed and enjoying xmas like we used to it was just a laugh. lost the art of that now...too much bollox disecting everything.....
Let's not forget the Morecambe and Wise wannabe's - Ant and Dec - As bad as Little and Large/Kenny Everett/Cannon & Ball etc seem now I'd sooner watch them than those pair of Geordie Tossers and their bum boy mates Stephen Mulhearn and Dermot O'Leary
Well said :-)
@@unohoncho7727 the miranda/ant & dec are utter bollox,those fuckers aint funny at all,i prefer some of the older comedies myself
Yeah, it's kind ironically childish to think you have to make disclaimers every time you come across something that apparently hasn't stood the test of time. It's as if they think someone is watching them and they'll lose 'cool' points.
This "Yes, but it was of it's time" argument just doesn't apply to comedy. The Marx Brothers and Laurel & Hardy were doing their thing nearly a century ago now, and they're still funny.
Just heard that Eddy Large as died from the Corona Virus......R.I.P
He had heart failure. Everyone's got the coronavirus.
Harry Stevens never
@@DVDfeverGames Isn't that the truth! R.I.P none the less.
@@Curi0u50ne No one day you will die.
@@DVDfeverGames Well if that's the case then why are we all on lock down.
Geomerty
Taste is subjective, I guess?
I'll agree that this show is hardly sidesplittingly hillarious and whilst I appreciate the upload....I do have a question:
Have you heard yourself?
(quote) "Casual Racism"
Other than featuring a golly-wog and Eddies (questionable) accent...I hardly think this gives the Rwandan Genocide a run for it's money? Perhaps if the mere mention of Blacks (or 'People Of Colour'....until the next 'MOBO awards' comes around) is deemed as racist nowadays (along with the ever-changing vocabulary of new verboten terms) I shudder to think the sort of sheltered life you live?
I'm sure you have no problem with dreck like 'The Real McCoy' & 'Little Miss Jocelyn' (etc) which (20-30 years down the line) had/have little problem (nor faux moral outrage) in mocking people (and a country) that they've prospered from?
Perhaps, if people (like yourself) didn't pimp-out the word 'racism' at the drop of a hat...it would have more meaning (other than some self-entitled cop-out, designed to shut down any sense of self-responsibility) I'd love to compare this to recent 'Christmas Specials' on TV....Except that we rarely get Christmas Specials on TV nowadays (largely due to the offence taken by the first 6 letters in the name of the holiday) and usually by 'righteous' whites, keen not to offend an oppressed society of foreigners that flock here en-masse (despite gloating endlessly about 'racism'.....like you have) The same society that is likely to outbreed it's host country in the next 10-15 years...largely because of self-hating snowflakes that give rampant knife-crime, drug dealers and grooming gangs a pass...on the grounds that TV shows from yesteryear said stuff like 'Nig-Nog' and 'Wog' (poor cherubs) Perhaps if 'Little and Large' made sketches about '70% black knife crime in the UK' or unparalleled numbers of 'black-on-black crime' you'd consider FACTS racist too?
I'm awaiting your response (likely peppered with choice words...such as: Slavery, Colonialism, Daily Mail, Brexit....and other cop-out rhetoric)
I loved Clive James's review of 'The Little & Large Show': "Eddie Large is a gifted impersonator, but Syd Little just stands there. He doesn't even pretend to be standing there. He just stands there."
Clive James was a better writer than that. Here's the actual quote: "Little and Large have one trick, which they work to death. Little tries to sing a song while Large keeps interrupting him with impersonations. Large is a gifted impersonator, but Little’s lack of inspiration is scarcely ameliorated by making a point of it. Little is not pretending to be just standing there. He is just standing there. Meanwhile Large knocks himself out. There is a certain terrible fascination to it, like watching two men share one parachute."
@@JMoruzzi I am not sure about Clive James. Someone I knew came across him in 1960s London & stated James never missed an opportunity to be a supercilious pseudo intellectual! (his words) with a massive inferiority complex about being the poor relation Australian. In my opinion James timed his arrival well as his sneering delivery of opinion was music to the ears of the growing Liberal elite & PC Brigade.
One more thing. Who described John Birt as the thinking man's Syd Little!? Great line.
Just imagine your team has lost the cup final and then the next programme was the Little & Large Show, Talk about kicking you while you where down!!
I always enjoyed his Cliff Richard impression. He was good at Top Cat too. RIP Eddie.
RiP Eddie, a lot of laughs you brought me, you and Syd. Take Care Syd . Sympathies
Rest in peace Eddie, a genuinely funny guy.
I was just saying to my Mum how I remember little and large on a trampoline singing day trip to Bangor and wetting myself with laughter. I would have been 9 years old. I haven't seen this since. Thanks for uploading.
I was just about to type a similar comment. I remember seeing that particular sketch. I even remembered some of the words. I was born in 73 so I must've been 7 years old.
Lena Zavaronni - absolute sweetheart and star - Gone too soon RIP 😢
Johnny Palermo, I LOVED your comment, I was in the studio next to the cameraman when Lena sang the song, while it was being recorded for the final aired transmission of the show, and got to talk to her straight after, hearing her sing live in the studio was Amazing, and she was such a nice person, At 45.10 seconds (It was Christmas Day in the Workhouse) is the scene I am in, I am the young guy (17 year old!) on the right with the blue cap on at the end of the table next to Eddie Large, This Christmas Special was one of two Little & Large shows I was in,
@@Cortinaman63 Maybe Lena might have got more help these days, who knows.
RIP Eddie Large, another poor soul claimed by the coronavirus.
@@richardjames1431Ho hum! Oh deary me hear we go again. Yet another online medical expert aswell a seasoned political commentator lol. No doubt devastatingly handsome too along with brimming with wit charisma charm & an incredibly deep insight into the very meaning of life!!! ;-)
RIP Eddie. I grew up watching the LLS. Yes the comedy was dated but it was still funny. That Cliff and Olivia skit was goofy yet still made me laugh. How Eddie kept a straight face as he sang to Sid I dont know. Brings back happy memories from my childhood. I miss those days. Eddie, raised on Moss Side, Manchester was a huge blue and will be missed be many. God bless you Eddie and condolences to the family.
I remember at the time thinking Large was huge. Now, if you saw a guy like that you'd just think he looked normal. Anyway, sad to hear that he's gone. All the best to his family and friends.
RIP Eddie - Disagree with the description though, found it quite pleasing myself.
lovely man, the sort of humour the whole family could watch together (and we did) thank you Eddie,at rest now, my thoughts and prayers are with your wife and children. So sorry you had to die without your family by your side x
....'written by EricDavidson, additional material by Mike Radford and Bob Williams' ....so the lads used gag writers, like Morecambe and Wise and many others did. The utter shite that passes for 'comedy' these days is vastly more offensive and unfunny. As for Ant and Dec ...multi-millionaires, for saying ...'aye, it's a koala bear's arsehole an' yiz hefter eat it, then try not to puke up , tee hee hee....'...?!
I have to say that even as a kid, I found Little & Large ridiculously unfunny. I mean, RIP Eddie and all that but my god , they were shit. Eddie was the only one with any talent whatsoever, and boy did he carry them.
To be fair, the BBC had recently lost Morecambe and Wise to Thames Television. Little and Large were at Thames at the time and the BBC thought they needed a double act. The material was poor but some of Eddie's impressions were very good. And they were great "live".
I winced when they said "diapers"instead of nappies!
(Continuity announcer) "and in a minute, the best of Little and Large...although it might not last quite that long..."
Keith Waites
Ha! Brilliant.
DEEPLY UNFUNNY??!! BLOODY AWFUL??!! I THINK JAZZ WHYMAN HAS NO SENSE OF HUMOUR!! I fell about laughing within the first 6 minutes of this act!!
God they were Awful, but they were harmless.
I lived in england and the first time I saw little and large they became my favorites I love these 2 and to this day when I'm feeling sad or angry and a few minutes of watching these 2 change my day from bad to great.in my opinion they are legends thank you little and large for spreading so many smiles and laughs.
They had one writer that I've never heard of and it shows. They might have had some talent but the writing was truly awful. Lazy, predictable and clumsily crafted.
Following the tragic death of Eddie Large, I searched for this video just to laugh once again at the comments saying - with complete fairness and accuracy - how deeply and painfully unfunny he and his irksome little sidekick truly were. That said, RIP Eddie.
These guys were very popular at the time. Eddie Large was a naturally funny guy and Sid was a great straight man. Some of the subject matter jars, based on today's attitudes, but was of its time. The writing for this Xmas show is on a par with M&W and the 2Rs but snobbery blights them unfortunately.
No mate, no!
They were only popular because people were forced to watch whatever came on in those days because there was nothing else. We even used to sit through Songs Of Praise, which was funnier than these two.
I'm sorry, the 'it was of it's time' thing doesn't work - it jarred then as now.
I remember this episode, and how at the time having to meander around certain shows as they were guaranteed to have at least one racial joke in it for cheap laughs.
The alternative comedy of the 80s was a 'Punk' reaction to this so-called light entertainment, and a welcome one too.
@@mickgooch1302 exactly, 3 channels and no video, only thing to do is grab the football and head out of the house!!
great to see this on you tube loved little and large would love to see the whole series on here not sure how many series were made but the little and large shows where they started doing sketches love to see all them again.
RIP. I couldn't make a comment on them.I was 17 when they started and the humour was another World.But 15 million people loved them and that's fine
Some of the jokes told by Eddie Large were funny enough, but the sketches and the, 'variety entertainment', filler were pretty dire. But then, by the standards of 1980, (and for quite a few years to come), this was what we expected on prime-time TV. I guess it was ok for Grannies and small kids, but anyone else would have glazed over, for the most part, when this was shown.
Eddies impersonation of Cliff ( 5.15 - 5.40 ) is a classic
Saw these guys at Talk of the West, Cornwall and actually met them after the show, they were fantastic, love these guys. RIP Eddie
The christmas favourite double acts programme on channel 5 got me here as shown lots of this on this programme Great laughs
I thought Eddie Large was delightful and his impressions were excellent. Not sure about the other one but lay off Large
David Benson Large was pure class, but so was ‘the other one’. Little played straight man to Large’s banter merchant. That should be obvious. Give your head a wobble.
Large's impressions are utter shite.
What a load of splendid bollocks, 'kin'ell.
Love it.
I loved watching Little and Large, i thought they were great. R.I.P. Eddie, you'll be missed, as for the uploader with his crap opinion, millions of viewers watched their show, so they couldn't have been that bad.
Rip Eddie large so sad we lost a comic legend to COVID19 my sincere thoughts to his family and his partner syd little
Ah, the days when Sheena Easton still sounded Scottish.
I actually chuckled a few times during this; which is pretty good going by usual Little & Large standards. And it was so nice to hear the word "golliwog" mentioned without people kicking up a huge stink about it!
Goodbye Eddie, my Mum took my niece to Blackpool when she was young and they took pictures of you.
I still have them and I will treasure them.
Thank you for making us laugh for all those years.
These were good clean family TV . Shame BBC only puts rubbish on now . That why no body watches BBC any more
Childhood nostalgia levels rising. Thanks for this.
Saw them at the ABC theatre in Great Yarmouth late seventies excellent
I can't stop watching the bit where they're bouncing around dressed as Noddy and Andy Pandy...
loved little and large a hysterical historical christmas special thanks for all the laughs the noddy and andy pandy and noddy was like a demented 10p animated puppet shows on amusement arcades
LITTLE and LARGE WERE HUGE GOOOD CLEAN FUN ALWAYS GOOD FOR A LAUGH 😊😊😊😊😊
SO CALLED COMEDY IN 2020 IS NOT VERY FUNNY AND THATS NO JOKE HA HA HA
I used to love Little and Large when I was a kid - and seeing this is a nostalgic delight. I loved Syd & Eddie's song about being "around the old campfire" (on happy clappy carefree summer days); but now I have a question: If anyone knows, what was the song that introduced this Christmas special please? I do know that an instrumental version (of the same song) introduced all of Little and Large's TV shows in the eighties... but I'd really appreciate some information about the actual song.
" Yeah obviously I'm sad that he's been taken from us.
Looking back it was incredible that our career lasted as long as it did, the act essentially consisted of me trying to sing as he played the fool, the audiences laughed at how absurd it was seeing me straight faced as he did his ridiculous stuff".
Andrew Ridgeley
2016
You just made me drop my biscuit in my tea 🤣🤣🤣
I was more of a Two Ronnies fan but Eddie did have a good Cliff Richard impression lol . It makes me remember my childhood which were good times for me. RIP Eddie
Sid was about as funny as Jimmy Tarbuck!!......as funny as fookin toothache!
Strange that someone should post something from a very different time and then write such an unkind , disrespectful and judgemental description of two 70s and 80s legends who regularly attracted over 10 million weekly viewers!
I enjoyed the impressions. Especially Sheena Easton's attempt at Gary Newman 😃
It was uncanny
Gollywog and Savile....🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
So Shit .... was Little & Large ripping off Cannon & Ball ... or Cannon & Ball ripping off Little & Large ... NO ... they were both Ripping off Morecome & Wise ... and now the newest Ripp-offs ... Ant & Dec.
Cheers Eddie you made countless people chuckle and brought families together . That's a legacy to be proud of. Thank you.
I didn't "get" it until I saw them live in Norwich - during that show something just "clicked" and I've found them funny and entertaining ever since.
Eddie's mum use to babysit me back in the 80's in Wythenshawe when my dad was working nights for Walkers Taxi's.
Eddie large was very funny then and now if had been living . It was a time where racist jokes like this didn't trouble a woke mentality that never existed.
Can’t believe this was 40 yrs ago....RIP Eddie Large xxx
To Eddie's granddaughter,he was brilliant,I would loved to have met him