Eric, Ernie & The Beatles

I have watched this clip of The Beatles appearing on the M&W show so many times,initially revelling in the ad-libbing.Or was it ad-libbing? I don't think it was but see what you think. It is said that Eric and Ernie knew one anothers ways so well that it would be impossible to tell whether or not they were making it up as they went along or whether it had been rehearsed beforehand. Whatever the truth ,the 15 seconds of banter between John and Eric is priceless.Eric certainly convinces the audience that he is taken aback by John's suggestion that he is past it (remember this is an old clip from a relatively early show so M&W were definitely not 'has-beens'). The line is delivered superbly by Lennon, almost with menace (I'm telling you Grandad!).Morecambe quickly cuts away to the audience almost looking for sympathy.But the laughter kicks in and saying 'that's an insult' and ' you didn't expect that did you? 'to Ernie, it sells the idea that John had moved away from the script. Meantime John, relaxed knowing he has set Eric up beautifully for the intended punchline about his little Dad, retreats back in line with the other three.Notice their heads rocking back in laughter as if they did not know what was coming (and Ringo nearly falling off his stool).

The Fab Four played their part though Ringo was confined to the subs bench to give Eric two gags.Paul was his usual wooden self and notice he doesn't actually quite finish his lines but George was funny with the fat hairy heads bit .So was this off the cuff or a rehearsed sketch? Well in my opinion The Beatles knew what they were expected to say but they had no idea how E&E would weave their magic around them. I think that this small piece of television footage shows perfectly just how much in tune Eric and Ernie were with each other.They had many talents but this ability to make a scripted scene appear like an impromptu conversation with a bunch of lads outside a football ground, sets them apart.Notice as Eric is saying 'You only had a little Dad.............' Ernie talks across him muttering 'in the old days'. It allows us to believe Eric made up the line there and then. The genius of Morecambe and Wise could not be rehearsed.