Eric, Ernie and Me

When Morecambe & Wise left the BBC in the late 1970s and switched over to ITV. Popular opinion was that they were never as funny.

In truth, they did not have the same writers who came over to ITV with them. Eddie Braben fashioned the Morecambe & Wise act on their television shows for the BBC.

Braben made them come across as a duo who were friends since 1940 and had toured the music hall stage for years.

This biopic based on true facts shows Braben reluctantly becoming a writer for the Morecambe & Wise show, gauded by the legendary Bill Cotton. Driving himself to a breakdown to make the show funny, to do various re-writes and as the main writer trying to meet deadlines.

Braben was certainly an important clog in the wheel. He created the persona of Ernie wanting to be a playwright, the duo both lying in bed together.

The standout performance comes from Scottish actor Mark Bonnar who plays Eric Morecambe. The drama is also a nice tribute to the genius of Braben but I did feel at times it felt short, maybe the comedy sketches needed to be recreated. It also showed up Eric to be more abrasive, holding back the partnership a little because he was afraid to let Ernie blossom with his own talents as a song and dance man.

When I saw who was playing Morecambe and Wise I couldn't believe it as they're nothing like them but watching it I was pleasantly surprised. I thought that Stephen was very good as Eddie B as was Liz White as his wife. Neil was good as Ernie but didn't quite capture the voice whereas Mark, who I have always rated as a great actor anyway, was outstanding as Eric both in looks, mannerisms and voice! Stole the show!

I never liked Morecombe and Wise, so I came at this witha built in bias. I love Britsh comedy with Morecomve and Wise being one of only a few exceptions. This is a very slow going viewing experience, and while I got half way through, the slowness of the story, the lack of focus and the lack of humour for a 21st century audienc. This Is really 1920s/30s music hall humour so while it may have appealed to older people in tje late 70s, it doesnt work today. Other biopics and comedy doubles like Abbott and Costellaand Laurel and Hardy worked because the emphasis was on the relationship, not the laughs. This takes the other approach and as M and W's audience is mostly gone...it doesn't stand up.