Episode 2

An affectionate and revealing portrait of two great comedian's journey from obscurity to audiences of more than 28 million. This episode looks at success and television.

The television years didn't come easy. After their appalling baptism of fire with Running Wild on the BBC, Eric and Ernie's TV career was marked out by an anxiety never to lose editorial control again. This programme charts Morecambe and Wise's TV lives, examining the importance of variety in their work, from the mock stage and curtains to the constant referencing of old acts. They made it big on television by returning to what they knew best, only now they were top of the bill. Featuring restored colour footage from their BBC series, shown here for the first time since it was transmitted.