General Chat

It was very sad to hear the news about Ronnie Barker. My sincere sympathies to his family. I agree that the word genius is very much over used these days but it is a sign of pure genius that whenever any of his shows are repeated on the TV or radio, you automatically tune in however many times you've heard or seen them before and they are just as funny as the first time. In fact sometimes even funnier because you notice something extra every time.

Hear, hear CB! Oh year, that's right, Charley Farley, I loved that character too, and used to call one of my 'uncle' Charleys by that name as a joke. Louise :-)

Ahhh ive just seen Nana Anna's post. that was it Charlie Farley and Piggy Malone...absolutly great :))

Yes, Louise, I also hope the RB scrapbook is repeated. I hope we can look forward to lots of repeats of his work. It will knock into a cocked hat most of the rubbish on TV at present. CB >|<

Im so saddened to hear that this great comedian has died. He has to be my favourite comedian...I remember Dad taking myself and younger sister to the movies to see the Porridge movie..we loved it and I watch it still everytime it comes on the telly..The two Ronnies, especially the sketch they did when they were 2 detectives and tried to solve crimes.(Icant think of the name right now) & Open all hours all fantastic shows...Very Very funny man. Anita x

I loved Ronnie Barker and he will be sorely missed by me. I loved the Phantom Raspberry Blower (remember watching this as a child and eagerly awaiting the next episode). I also liked the scene where he plays an optician with the reading card so big no one could miss it, lol. Am glad he did the Sketchbook this year and hope they repeat it again soon. Louise

I've just watched the tribute on BBC1 :O) Isn't it awful tho to think they obviously record these before the celebrity has passed??

Another favourite's just come to mind from the songs at the end of The Two Ronnies shows - the one they did about Morris Dancers. Incredibly funny. Although we always watched Porridge and I loved Clarence, Open All Hours was, for me, his best series. David Jason and Ronnie were just perfect in those roles, and I doubt that any shopkeeper or any stammerer would have been offended by the way Ronnie portrayed them. CB >|<

The word 'genius' is too over-used to pay proper tribute to RB. I can only shake my head in sadness at the latest paltry attempts at humour - usually foul-mouthed, and lacking any subtlety - nowadays. His love of the English language, and of all its peculiar quirks, made so much of his work unique. He departs this Earth leaving everyone grateful that he was here. Of too few people can that truly be said. Rob

Very sad news :( Ronnie Barker was brilliant, I loved watching his programmes, and laughed at so many of the different sketches, but always looked forward to the end of 'The Two Ronnies' when they did their little 'singing' act, had me in stitches :))

Wasn't he wonderful? Such a sad loss. I'm laughing as I read all your memories of him and my particular favourite was the fork andles sketch. I also loved Porridge. Saw today that he said he wanted to be remembered as a man who made people laugh - what a wonderful legacy. Daisy

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.

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) *

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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!