Between 1971 and 1987, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett were a regular TV ratings winner with their comedy series The Two Ronnies. Their comedic presence on Saturday evenings bringing a warm glow and hearty laughs to TV audiences of all ages on dark Saturday evenings during the Autumn months.
Bookended with several humorous news items, each show usually featured a humorous monologue performed by Ronnie Barker (frequently playing on the misunderstanding of the English language).
There were also several two hander sketches, a parody of a film or a drama serial, a musical guest, a humorous story told by Ronnie Corbett and a musical number performed by Barker and Corbett. The show would usually conclude with the signature farewell catchphrase spoken by Ronnie Corbett "It’s Goodnight from me…" and Barker concluding "…and its goodnight from him."
Two Ronnies Release Features Comedy Classic Written By Monty Python Stalwarts
Such was the success of The Two Ronnies TV series; BBC Records released several albums featuring sketches from their shows. Because much of The Two Ronnies material was cleverly written, many of these sketches transferred well to the audio format, The second volume The Two Ronnies Vol.2: Me and Him featuring highlights from the 1976 TV series is now avail able on CD from AudioGO’s Vintage Beeb label,
Amongst the sketches featured are The Cricket Commentators written by Monty Python stalwarts Michael Palin and Terry Jones. The sketch features three Cricket Commentators discussing the merits of restaurant food in a fashion likened to a game at Lords Cricket Ground. The sketch wouldn’t have seemed out of place on Monty Python; however with their fast and humorous delivery The Two Ronnies make this sketch their own.
Ronnie Barker Displays Genius As Writer And Performer in The Two Ronnies
Ronnie Barker also contributes several sketches under his written pseudonym Gerald Wiley. Barker frequently wrote under this name so his sketches were accepted on the programme under their own merits and not because he had written them. Again, Barker displays his genius as a writer and performer in a classic sketch in which he portrays a rude butler serving food to Corbett’s Lord and Master and declaring "You’re Nuts Milord!"
Further high points include the rhythmic conversation on a train between three passengers in Barry Cryer and Richard Vosburgh’s Train of Events and Ronnie Corbett recounting Spike Mullins story of The Castaway with a few comical diversions along the way.
Of course, given the passage of time since this album’s original release, several of the comic news items have subsequently become dated. There are fleeting references to British Prime-Minister James Callaghan, Raquel Welch and Michael Foot, but the humour still tickles the funny bone and is great to look at from an almost historical or hysterical perspective.
Download Classic Two Ronnies Sketches To Your iPod
The Two Ronnies Volume 2: Me and Him runs for approximately 45 minutes and is available on AudioGO’s Vintage Beeb label from February 1, 2012.
The CD release comes complete with original album artwork and sleeve notes as well as a vinyl stylised CD. It is also available from AudioGO and iTunes as an audio download suitable for listening on an iPod or MP3 player equivalent.
