The great Eddie B, RIP

Posted by: Kevin-W on 21 May 2013

 

Forumites outside of the UK might not understand who I'm talking about, but one of our greatest comedy writers, Eddie Braben (centre), died today.

 

Eddie was writer for (Eric) Morecambe & (Ernie) Wise, Britain's most beloved entertainers. In the 1970s, Eric and Ern's Xmas shows on the BBC attracted 25 to 30 million viewers: three-fifths of the UK population at the time.

 

Every celebrity of the time queued up to be on the show in order to be (good-naturedly) humiliated by the boys: Andre Previn, Elton John, Shirley Bassey, Glenda Jackson, etc etc.

 

A lot of their brilliance and success was down to them, of course - Eric Morecambe was the kind of bloke who could make you laugh just by walking into a room - but it was also because of the brilliance of Braben's writing.

 

He perfectly understood the dynamic between these two great comedians (who were best friends and who'd been working together since they were teenagers), and was able to write fantastically-choreographed comedy that was surreal, silly and utterly without malice. It was, at its peak, utter genius, and unlikely ever to be surpassed.

 

So RIP, Eddie.

Posted on: 21 May 2013 by Sniper

And all without offending anybody (although Edvard Grieg may have turned in his grave). Astonishing really. 

Posted on: 21 May 2013 by BigH47
Originally Posted by Sniper:

And all without offending anybody (although Edvard Grieg may have turned in his grave). Astonishing really. 

I'm sure there are some here who would have found offence though!

Posted on: 21 May 2013 by rodwsmith

IRP

 

All the right notes. Just not necessarily in the right order.

Posted on: 21 May 2013 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Sniper:

And all without offending anybody (although Edvard Grieg may have turned in his grave). Astonishing really. 

Sniper, I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't like Morecambe & Wise.

 

Not sure I'd trust them if they did... (dislike them that is)

Posted on: 21 May 2013 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by rodwsmith:

IRP

 

All the right notes. Just not necessarily in the right order.

OLL.

Posted on: 21 May 2013 by JamieWednesday

"My mother had a Whistler."

 

"Now there's a novelty."

Posted on: 21 May 2013 by TomK

Sad news. They were all so funny and perhaps more importantly they were so loveable. Happy memories.

Posted on: 23 May 2013 by Jonathan Gorse

Very sad news indeed, hard to believe all three of them have gone.  The 1970's was such a wonderful era for comedy, drama and sci-fi - I find myself growing more nostalgic for it as I get older.

 

Morecambe and Wise

The Carry On's

The Good Life

The Likely Lads

Bless This House

Butterflies

Survivors

Blakes 7

UFO

Space 1999

 

All of them just great television and the only consolation is that they are now so readily obtainable on DVD.  It's been a pleasure to revisit them all - I miss the gentleness, richer characterisation and slower pace of shows from that time.

 

Jonathan