The Two Ronnies -"The Lost Sketches"

"The Two Ronnies" was a beloved British television comedy sketch show that aired on BBC1 from April 1971 to December 1987. Starring Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, the show became a cultural icon, blending witty sketches, solo performances, serial stories, and musical finales to create a comedic masterpiece.

The show's origin traces back to a serendipitous moment in 1970, when Barker and Corbett filled in unscripted during a technical glitch at a British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards ceremony. This performance impressed Bill Cotton, the Head of Light Entertainment at the BBC, leading to the creation of "The Two Ronnies" (British Comedy Guide).

The format of the show included a mix of sketches featuring both Ronnies, with Barker often engaging in wordplay as the head of various whimsical organizations, and Corbett delivering solo monologues, often filled with humorous tangents. The newsdesk segments, where they signed off with "It's goodbye from me and goodbye from him," became a hallmark of the show (Wikipedia, Wikiwand).

The series also featured ongoing serial stories, such as "The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town," a parody of "Jack the Ripper" written by Spike Milligan and Barker. These serials allowed the duo to explore various characters and storylines across episodes, adding depth and variety to the show (British Comedy Guide, British Heritage).

"The Two Ronnies" left a lasting impact on British comedy, influencing numerous other shows and comedians. Its clever wordplay, parodies of officialdom, and the use of innuendo made it a staple of British humor. Even after the show ended, its popularity endured through reruns, DVD releases, and various tributes (British Heritage, Wikipedia).

The legacy of "The Two Ronnies" is a testament to the comedic brilliance of Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett. Their unique style, marked by warmth and wit, continues to charm new generations of viewers, securing their place in the annals of British television history (British Heritage).

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More Info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Two...