History YMMV / MorecambeAndWise

* SpecialEffectsFailure: The initial joke in the "Film/SinginInTheRain" sketch is that Ernie is perfectly replicating the scene from the film...but there's no rain (the studio had too many exposed cables for them to accurately replicate the film's downpour), much to Eric's confusion in the background. Naturally, Eric manages to get soaking wet by completely unrelated means throughout the sketch.

* AcceptablePoliticalTargets: People in the 1974–79 Labour government were often mocked for the economic troubles at the time, as were the major trade union leaders. UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher was sometimes included as well, though at the peak of Eric and Ernie's fame she was still only Leader of the Opposition. UsefulNotes/HaroldWilson generally got a free pass, as writer Eddie Braben had canvassed for him as a teenager in the 1940s.

* SongAssociation: "Bring Me Sunshine" will forever be associated with Eric and Ernie if you're English.

* SeasonalRot: It's generally accepted that the quality of their comedy took a dip once they left the BBC (for the second time) and started working with new writers who didn't have as good a handle on their dynamic. The quality of the series took a further downturn in their final years, as Eric was reluctantly following medical advice to cut back on dancing lest he have another heart attack,[[note]] He finally suffered a fatal heart attack after a particularly energetic performance in a charity show hosted by his friend Stan Sennett in 1984.[[/note]] so Ernie would perform solo numbers while Eric walked past with his coat on and his bags packed.

* WeirdAlEffect: "Bring Me Sunshine" will forever be associated with Eric and Ernie if you're English.

* EarWorm:
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZedhoqYdfTM "Bring me sunshine in your smile..."]]
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKN7aWTUrIU "When you feel down try positive thinking..."]]

* EarWorm: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZedhoqYdfTM "Bring me sunshine in your smile..."]]

* SeasonalRot: It's generally accepted that the quality of their comedy took a dip once they left the BBC and started working with new writers who didn't have as good a handle on their dynamic.

* GrowingTheBeard: Generally considered to be when Eddie Braben began writing for them.

* CrowningMomentOfAwesome:
** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7GeKLE0x3s Grieg Piano Concerto]] sketch had not been fully rehearsed due to Andre Previn's schedule. He'd come straight to the recording from the airport and Eric and Ernie (especially Eric) were nervous about whether or not Previn would be able to put in a good performance. Then Previn walked on stage and demonstrated spot-on deadpan timing (Eric pumping his fist and yelling "He's got it!" was actual visible relief) and the sketch went on to become one of the most memorable moments in British comedy.
** The number of big name celebrities that went onto the show (including Shirley Bassey and Judi Dench), all knowing that they would end up as the ButtMonkey. Much of the humour comes from most of them not having been known for doing comedy.

** The number of big name celebrities that went onto the show (including Shirley Basey and Judi Dench) all knowing that they would end up as the ButtMonkey. Much of the humour comes from most of them not been known for doing comedy.

* CrowningMomentOfAwesome: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7GeKLE0x3s Grieg Piano Concerto]] sketch had not been fully rehearsed due to Andre Previn's schedule. He'd come straight to the recording from the airport and Eric and Ernie (especially Eric) were nervous about whether or not Previn would be able to put in a good performance. Then Previn walked on stage and demonstrated spot-on deadpan timing (Eric pumping his fist and yelling "He's got it!" was actual visible relief) and the sketch went on to become one of the most memorable moments in British comedy.

* SpecialEffectsFailure: The initial joke in the "Film/SinginInTheRain" sketch is that Ernie is perfectly replicating the scene from the film...but there's no rain, much to Eric's confusion in the background. Naturally, Eric manages to get soaking wet by completely unrelated means throughout the sketch.

* SpecialEffectsFailure: The initial joke in the "Singing in the Rain" sketch is that Ernie is perfectly replicating the scene from the film...but there's no rain, much to Eric's confusion in the background. Naturally, Eric manages to get soaking wet by completely unrelated means throughout the sketch.

* AcceptablePoliticalTargets: People in the 1974-79 Labour government were often mocked for the economic troubles at the time, as were the major trade union leaders. UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher was sometimes included as well, though at the peak of Eric and Ernie's fame she was still only Leader of the Opposition. UsefulNotes/HaroldWilson generally got a free pass, as writer Eddie Braben had canvassed for him as a teenager in the 1940s.

* AcceptablePoliticalTargets: People in the 1974-79 Labour government were often mocked for the economic troubles at the time, as were the major trade union leaders. MargaretThatcher was sometimes included as well, though at the peak of Eric and Ernie's fame she was still only Leader of the Opposition. HaroldWilson generally got a free pass, as writer Eddie Braben had canvassed for him as a teenager in the 1940s.

* AnachronismStew: Often PlayedForLaughs, such as having modern technology and pop culture references in the sketches set in the past. For example, one sketch has Lady Hamilton ring up Admiral Nelson on the phone during the Battle of Trafalgar.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: There is a very significant shift in tone and format from the Hills and Green-written to the Eddie Braben-written series.
** Initially Eric and Ernie were confused by the presence of the Lady Who Comes Down At The End, only later smiling and nodding as though her interruption is completely expected.
** Arthur Tolcher did an actual segment on the show playing progressively smaller harmonicas before accidentally swallowing the last one, prior to the RunningGag of him randomly appearing and starting to play only to be brushed off with 'Not now, Arthur'.

* SpecialEffectsFailure: The initial joke in the "Singing in the Rain" sketch is that Ernie is perfectly replicating the scene from the film...but there's no rain, much to Eric's confusion in the background. Naturally, Eric manages to get soaking wet by completely unrelated means throughout the sketch.

* AnachronismStew: Often PlayedForLaughs, such as having modern technology and pop culture references in the sketches set in the past.

* EarWorm: "Bring me sunshine in your smile..."

* GrowingTheBeard: Generally considered to be when Eddie Braben began writing for them.