Tags
British, comedy, David Frost, musical guest, news desk, Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, The Two Ronnies, TV, variety show
The Two Ronnies (BBC, 1971-1987)
Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett were invited by David Frost to
appear on his 1960s satirical TV series The Frost Report. In 1970 the Ronnies were at an awards show and were entertaining the audience during a technical glitch. In the audience, BBC TV executives Bill Cotton and Paul Fox. Impressed, they gave the Ronnies their own BBC series which became one of the most successful and longest running light entertainment show in British TV history!
The Two Ronnies was a comedy sketch series. The show always opened and closed at the news desk where the Ronnies would read spoof stories. Another popular segment were the Musical Finales in which the Ronnies would perform (sometimes in drag) and the musical guest would be a popular musician from the time, including Phil Collins, Elton John, the Manhattan Transfer, etc.
The Two Ronnies aired for 12 seasons or 93 episodes. After Christmas 1987, Barker decided to retire from show business and the series ended.