General Chat

As a great fan of Ronnie's from his radio days in the 1950s, when I was a kid, I'd like to open a thread of memories of his funniest moments for everyone to add their favourites. Please post yours. CB >|<

The funniest comedy sketch ever for me was Four candles/Fork 'andles with Ronnie Corbett and from The Two Ronnies, this quip RC ... and now a sketch about two workers in a ball-bearing factory, in which I play a man who loses his bearings ... RB ... and I play a man who loses his temper. CB >|<

I like the one where RB offers RC tea, coffee, chocolate, and every time RC answers, RB gives him another 3 choices. It's so slick. Reminds me of phoning one of the 'help' desks. Anne

Hi CB, I laugh till I cry whenever I see the Pispromunciation sketch. And 'Mastermind' answering the question before last. Gwynne

Yes, all of those have raised a smile. I also particularly liked the sermon he gave from a pulpit on stage - in Cockney rhyming slang. I saw him do that live on stage, and the place was in uproar. He had to stop several times to let the laughter die down. CB >|<

Add to that 'Open All Hours' and 'Porridge' you,ve got 'Classics' He will be sadly missed.Hal. :((.

Does anyone remember Futtocks End? It was a short TV play that was performed without dialogue. It relied on vocal expressions, such as grunts, squeals and laughter, and facial expressions. It was set at a Country House weekend party, and it was hilarious. It was many years ago, but I think I remember Ronnie Barker playing several different roles. CB >|<

Remember him most for 'Open All Hours' and rate it slightly above 'Porridge'. One of the best comedies, IMHO, the banter between him and David Jason was of sheer brilliance, and the whole thing just flowed so well. I remember laughing at it when I was a kid (friends also of my age liked it as well back then), as much as I do now

Hi Cb, You beat me to it - Futtocks End was brilliant - not a word spoken but it had me in stitches. Then there was the Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town. Ronnie Barker was a comedy genius. Ian

Oh yes, we love Open All Hours too. In our house, if anybody stumbles over their words, one of us will always come out with, 'A p-p-p-pork pie, Granville' in that Arkwright Yorkshire accent. I loved the shop till as well. RB made such a simple thing hilariously funny. So many little touches that went to make up his comic genius. An absolute classic series. CB >|<

I liked the two detectives sketch Charlie Farley and Piggy Malone. And 'Its goodnight from him' Anna x

Remember that episode of OAH where there was that guy with a dog on a lead, and the guy wanted to go into the shop but the dog kept pulling him out. This led to Arkwright putting a stool out in the doorway where he would leave the customer's regular purchase, which the guy would grab just before the dog had him flying back down the street. Brilliant!

What a Sad Day, I loved Ronnie Barker I think he was a genius. Some of my favourite sketches from the two Ronnies have been mentioned already, the Mastermind and pisprounciation & four candles/fork ‘andles I think that was voted the best out of 100 comedy sketches. I also loved the sketch Barker and Corbett did in the Pub, Corbett is stammering over a word and Barker is anticipating what Corbett is going to say, gets them all wrong of course. One of my all time fave comedies was “Porridge” I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I remember that comedy “Futtocks Bottom but didn’t remember the name of it. I also remember Ronnie Barker doing “Moving House” a silent Comedy similar to the “Plank” with loads of famous people in it. Then there was the shortsighted removal bloke Clarence, I enjoyed that but it didn’t last. Memories of the 1960’s Frost programme with John Gleese looking down at Ronnie Barker who in turn looks down at Ronnie Corbett in the “I know my place” sketch. LOL. Wonderful memories and it seems a very nice Man too. R.I.P. Mr Barker Pat x

CB four candles/fork handles the funniest sketch ever and we still laugh at it when we see it. Such a loss to the entertainment world. Ann Glos

You beat me to it CB I was going to put a thread on for Ronnie Barker. I have the 'for kandels' sketch on video and watch it quite often and I still laugh at it. The man will be sadly missed and will never be replaced.

My sister-in-law, some years ago was in the Cotswolds on holiday. She went into an Antiques shop and was browsing as one does, and Ronnie Barker came dow the stairs and served her. Great occasion. Mike

Classic comedy. Four candles/Fork 'andles - my favourite, but there are very many others. Thanks Ronnie for the memories. RIP :-) Joy

Only found out when I logged on tonight - he was brilliant. Best sketches already been mentioned - when my aunt died we had to clear her house out and I found four candles in one of her kichen cupboards - did my best Ronnie Barker impression and brightened up what was a horrible weekend. Debby

All time best has to be 'four candles/fork andles' pmsl ....... And the Phantom Rhaspberry Blower.......... All the Porridge episodes - and that flaming cash register in Open All Hours LOL A great comedy genius who will be sadly missed :O( RIP *he'll have them in fits 'up there' :O) *

Genius with words. I loved the master mind sketch with RC specialist subject being answering the previous question, it was so funny, even though you knew what was coming. The fork handles was brilliant - we have a little shop like that in our big village - the blokes still wear brown overalls and are all related! It smells of polish and has odds and ends that must have been there since the 50's. Lots of little drawers with screws in. Nearly every time I go in there, I start larfing and I say, Ive just got to ask you for for-khandles. Luckily they think its funny too.