Long running, popular BBC comedy sketch series The Two Ronnies starred portly Ronnie Barker and diminutive Ronnie Corbett. Regular segments included Corbett telling a long winded joke whilst sitting in a chair, the brilliant mystery serials starring private detective Charley Farley and Piggy Malone (Barker played Malone, Corbett was Farley), the tongue twisting sketches performed by Barker and written by him under the name Gerald Wiley. Barker and Corbett at a party or some other function and regular musical items that saw the two in many an outrageous costumes (and often in drag).
The genesis of the show lay in the David Frost show Frost on Sunday, the two ronnies had first performed in sketches together on this show. Main writers were Ronnie Barker (as Gerald Wiley), Peter Vincent, Spike Mullins, David Nobbs, David Renwick, Dick Vosburgh and Barry Cryer.
Other contributions were made by all the Pythons (separately) bar Gilliam. Only Fools creator John Sullivan also wrote some material for the show. One of the sketches on the show “Four Candles or Fork Handles” was voted one of the best ever by the UK TV viewing audience.
Producers: Terry Hughes, Michael Hurll, Marcus Plantin, Paul Jackson, Peter Whitmore, Brian Penders, Bill Wilson, Marcus Mortimer
UK / BBC One / (96 Episodes) 72×45 minute episodes 20×50 minute episodes 2×60 minute episodes 1×55 minute episodes 1×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 1971-1987 12 Seasons plus 8 specials
