British Comedy Guide

Lifted

Before I start, this isn't a thread about The Lighthouse Family or their seminal 1995 album, Ocean Drive. So apologies for that.

http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2010/10/04/11858/ronnie_barker,_ideas_thief%3F

What do you do, if this happens to you?

A few years ago, I wrote a sketch for a topical show, which got rejected. Then, when they compiled an end of year show, my sketch turned up, almost word for word - but I wasn't credited.

Although I felt vindicated because I felt my sketch was good enough to get on originally, I also felt robbed because I didn't get a credit. In the end I just let it pass, mostly due to the fear of being blacklisted for accusing someone of something. However, if it was now, I would kick up a minor fuss, forward them the e-mail showing the exact time I sent it, etc.

I also wonder why it happened - maybe they remembered the sketch, but not who wrote it.

I should say that I've generally found that shows are good about giving you a credit for ideas, even if they've gone on to completely reinterpret your sketch.

Naughty Ronnie B. Although Benny Hill was worse for that kind of thing.

Some of the stuff I've had on telly/radio has been re-written a bit, but I've been paid/credited, so no problems there.

Pity Horne & Corden didn't think to plagiarise.

Without seeing detailed examples of material allegedly 'lifted', it's difficult to criticise Ronnie Barker for reading someone's sketch based upon Spoonerisms and thereafter writing one of his own.

Unless we're allowed to see how closely the allegedly-lifted material matches the original, making a judgement is impossible.

Barker was a fat, thieving c**t! Angry

And he kept Ronnie C. in a kennel. And pissed in his mouth. And Cox's Pippin.

Ronnie Corbett did that "It's good night from me" line
And then Ronnie Barker stole his idea with a very similar good night line, but changed it just enough so that he could pass it off as his own idea.

Laughing out loud

Quote: john lucas 101 @ October 4 2010, 2:24 PM BST

And Cox's Pippin.

And Popty's Cockin too, no doubt.

Quote: Ming the Mirthless @ October 4 2010, 2:40 PM BST

And Popty's Cockin too, no doubt.

..And it's goodnight from him!

I never tire of this NTNON Two Ronnies spoof...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oVG4_k7Hbc

Quote: Tim Walker @ October 4 2010, 2:42 PM BST

I never tire of this NTNON Two Ronnies spoof...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oVG4_k7Hbc

That is possibly my favourite ever comic song. Ronnie B. reportedly hated it!

I'm wondering about the serial The Phantom Raspberry Blower. The pilot was written by Spike Milligan. The serial itself (appearing in The Two Ronnies) was written by Spike Milligan and a Gentleman-the Gentleman being Ronnie Barker. So did the same thing happen again-Spike Milligan wrote the pilot and Ronnie Barker turned it into a serial?

Quote: Splodge @ October 4 2010, 1:22 PM BST

Before I start, this isn't a thread about The Lighthouse Family or their seminal 1995 album, Ocean Drive. So apologies for that.

Even so, I've decided to immortalise this thread by re-writing the Lighthouse Family's song to express my (and many other people's) feelings on this subject.

https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/18874/

A few years back I read Ronnie Barkers autobiography.

He seemed to me to be a total snob and hated being classed as a comedy actor.

I lost count of the mentions of how he was clasically trained at R.A.D.A. and was a Shakesperian actor.

I bought the book because I liked him and his shows - and after reading it I disliked him very much.

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