Ernie Wise

Paul Merton introduces this tribute to the comedy duo. We'll be honest - we could quite happily spend the entire festive period eating dark chocolate Digestives and watching these two muck about with Angela Rippon and prepare breakfast to The Stripper. So, we're ever so excited - even more than if Baileys flowed from the taps - that Paul Merton's uncovered rare material of the duo in action for this tip-top celebration of the best British double act who didn't share the same first name. What a treat.

Arguably the best-loved comedy duo of all time are given due reverence in this celebration hosted by fan Paul Merton. All the usual clips will be present and correct, but there's also some early material thrown in, alongside fond recollections of the mighty pair's comedy mastery from fans and colleagues. Morecambe and Wise: always a pleasure, never a chore.

When Thames announced their 1984 programmes everyone else was given both names and, here or there, a title, but between Jim Davidson and Windsor Davies and Bruce Forsyth and Greta Garbo, they just said Eric and Ernie. It is a sign of extraordinary intimacy, of adoption almost. I can't think of anyone else known instantly by their first name except that other time-proof double act, Tom and Jerry.

Peter Cook & Co (LWT) was very funny in spots. So were Morecambe and Wise (Thames). The first episode of Flickers (ATV) was no funnier than an abcessed ear, but it might improve.

One or two of the light entertainment shows actually succeeded in being entertaining. Morecambe and Wise (Thames) had a big ratings success. Something like four-fifths of the nation thought they were wonderful. Indeed they are, but in moving to ITV they have lost the benefits of the BBC's production know-how and limitless back-up facilities. To the critical eye they were on thin ice. Routines tended to be only half thought out.

Penelope Keith was the guest. Eddie Braben's script invited her to mistake Ernie for Kermit the Frog. Angie Rippon danced through. Every component of the show was triple-tested. The sense of adventure was consequently lacking. Eric was twice as funny busking with Dickie Davies on ITV's World of Sport on Christmas Eve.

Middlemen (BBC1) was more an imitation Morecambe and Wise. Francis Matthews's pace and grimaces were Morecambeish; Frank Windsor's easily led lamb, Wise-ish. Both seemed eager to prove they could do a lot of funny accents.

Ernie's plans and pretensions are constantly interrupted, denigrated, and sabotaged by Eric - and yet, of course, they depend upon each other. Like the Steptoes, and Hancock and James, this means that most of the humour is in straight dialogue and makes excellent radio.

Parkinson Takes a Christmas Look at Morecambe and Wise (BBC1) did something to restore the spirits, even though we'd seen most of the stuff before. Sketches like the Cleopatra number are now on the limit of how much exposure they can take, but Parky fronted the compilation pretty well. It's nice to be able to toss him a bun, after his recent abominations.

Morecambe and Wise, The Royals of Northern humour, have also started a new series on BBC1. People point with pride to the stage knights and dames who are now delighted to be guests on the show. Never the last to point the finger I must mention that Tony Snowden does the sets. You will see a specimen of his work in this week's Radio Times.