This December I’ve been tackling all of the Morecambe & Wise Christmas Shows (from 1969 to 1983).  My thoughts on the 1969 – 1979 shows can already been found elsewhere on the blog (having revisited the words what I’ve previously wrote, my opinions haven’t changed that much – I still find the 1972 and 1975 specials to be something of a slog, for example).

Following the low-key 1979 special, 1980 saw the boys back in harness. After a decent opening crosstalk (notable for the way Ern exits locked inside a life-sized wallet) we jump straight into a park-bench sketch with Eric, Ernie and Peter Vaughan. Vaughan plays to type as a menacing individual who intimidates the unfortunate Eric (Ern’s on hand to spur Eric on – which only serves to inflame Peter Vaughan all the more). Whether intentionally or not, this reminds me of a Hancock/Sid James scene. The sketch ends with the appearance of Mick McManus (a celeb who you have to be a certain age to recognise). I’m sure most of the readers of this blog will know exactly who he is ….

Next, Eric and Ernie invite Jill Gascoine round for Christmas dinner. This was a virtual word for word remake of an old BBC sketch with Ann Hamilton. It doesn’t work quite as well this time round (at one point Eric fluffs a line about the number of bottles of ginger wine Ern drinks at Christmas). The gag about Ann buying Eric an identical tie every Christmas worked because of her long association with the boys, so it’s a pity they repeated this with Jill as she didn’t have the same history (meaning that the moment doesn’t make any sense).

There then follows a musical number with Eric, Ernie and Jill dressed (of course) in police uniforms.

If you’ve got the original Network DVD of series one of the Thames M&W shows (with the second disc containing the first four specials) then it’s worth holding onto, as the more recent release (Morecambe & Wise at Thames) snipped out a four minute chunk which featured Eric dressed as Rolf Harris. On the one hand I can see why they did this, but it’s still an irritation. As someone who watches 1970’s/1980’s television on a regular basis, I frequently encounter people who are now persona non grata (I’d prefer to be the one to decide whether I watch them or forward on).

Glenda Jackson pops by for a quick sketch and Peter Cushing (more about him anon) is another familiar face who enlivens proceedings. Today’s biggest star guest though, is undoubtedly Alec Guinness. It’s a pity he doesn’t have more to do (although his sketch is still a good one). He does turn up at the end, but we’re cruelly denied the opportunity to see him sing Bring Me Sunshine with Eric and Ernie.

Hannah Gordon and Peter Barkworth are today’s front curtain banter guests. Hannah Gordon had previously crossed swords with M&W on the BBC but it was all new to Barkworth – and it’s a joy to witness his nervous apprehension as he desperately trys to wriggle out of his commitments. Off hand, I don’t think Peter Barkworth tackled comedy that often, which makes his appearance here more noteworthy.

The play (little Ern’s rewrite of Hamlet) is typical enough fare and (thankfully) unlike some of the later BBC Christmas show plays doesn’t outstay its welcome – it’s around the ten minute mark.

Throughout the show, there are numerous quickie sketches featuring Eric & Ernie as a pair of carol singers attempting to extract a few pennies from Number 10. The payoff – after the credits have rolled – is that (through sheer force of will) the unseen person inside Number 10 who has forced the boys to put their own money in the collection box is none other than Peter Cushing! After all these years he’s finally been paid ….