Morecambe & Wise in America

In March 1963, Eric and Ernie made their first trip across the Atlantic to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show. Jonathan Ross tells the story of how they had been spotted appearing at The London Palladium by Sullivan, and how he booked them for three performances in that year. At first the American studio audience weren't sure what to make of Eric and Ernie, and on their first appearance they were listened to in virtual silence. They selected a more physical routine for their second performance, and the reaction improved. With the Sullivan Show's huge ratings, they had begun to crack America. Featuring footage never seen in Britain before, as well as personal home movie footage from Eric and Ernie's own collections, this episode tells of Morecambe and Wise's first steps in their American adventure.

Jonathan Ross presents the second episode of the series about Morecambe and Wise's attempts to become stars in America in the 1960's. After their first performances on America's top rated Sunday night broadcast The Ed Sullivan Show in 1963, Eric and Ernie are invited back to New York the following year and appear on the same night as The Beatles and are seen by over 70 million viewers. Morecambe and Wise also realise that to appeal to the huge American viewing audience they need to concentrate on their more visual comedy rather than the ‘cross talk' so loved by their British fans, so present routines that do just that.

Eric and Ernie first work in colour on American television and are invited to perform on a major TV special alongside stars like Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. Back in Britain, and ill-fated endeavour to record a series designed for both British and American audiences is disappointing end to their time at ATV, and drives them into the waiting arms of the BBC where they go on to deliver the best work of their careers. Features interviews from Glenda Jackson, Dame Diana Rigg, Hannah Gordon and Nicholas Parsons and their many famous fans. Also featured are Eric Morecambe's family – wife Joan, son Gary and daughter Gail. The programme includes performance material never seen by a British audience before, and home movie footage from Eric and Ernie's personal archives.