Parkinson Takes A Christmas Look At Morecambe & Wise 1974

[Paul Watkins]

I wonder if anyone can clarify a few things about the BBC 'replacement' Christmas show from 1974?

"Parkinson Takes A Christmas Look At Morecambe & Wise 25-12-1974"

Description: This was the only year that the duo were with the BBC that no festive programme was made and there was a decrease in their output after this time. Instead of a brand new show the pair were instead interviewed by Michael Parkinson who also introduced some of their most memorable clips from previous shows. Again, the programme was broadcast on the evening on 25 December but, other than the interview, there was no new footage available. Their slot was filled by the Mike Yarwood Show and the interview shown at 11.20pm.


The description tends to intimate that this was a new interview but was this recorded in 1974 or was the interview just recycled from the Parkinson interview from 1972?
Why hasn't it ever been released or shown again?

[williammcgregor]

Dear Paul

Here is the Radio Times entry for Parkinson Takes A Christmas Look At Morecambe & Wise
BBC One Wednesday 25th December 1974 23.25 - 00.20
with highlights from their award-winning shows written by Eddie Braben starring Shirley Bassey Peter Cushing Glenda Jackson Tom Jones Andre Previn
Guest appearances Frank Bough Ian Carmichael Robert Dougall Fenella Fielding Cliff Michelmore Michael Parkinson Eric Porter Flora Robson Eddie Waring
Also featuring Ann Hamilton Arthur Tolcher Janet Webb
Orchestration directed by Peter Knight Producer John Ammonds

Morecambe & Wise on Parkinson (1972)
31.35 minutes
11/11/72
Can be seen on YouTube
Janet Webb and Raquel Welch were also in this episode

[Paul Watkins]

Thank for that William, still the mystery remains.
If this was a 'new' interview' i just wonder why it hasn't turned up in any documentary show since it's broadcast.

[williammcgregor]

Dear Paul

The BBC has seen your opening post on the thread and the following may answer your question ...

That description of the show is a bit inaccurate, because there was no interview with Morecambe and Wise included – it was just Michael Parkinson introducing a commenting on excerpts from the Morecambe and Wise show – all the usual favourite sketches.



The description sounds more like “The Music of Morecambe and Wise” broadcast on 6 June 1977 which was based round a new interview with Morecambe and Wise, interspersed with clips of the musical items from some of the shows (i.e song and dance items with guest stars, not the musical interludes with Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, etc).

[Paul Watkins]

Mar 2, 2023 15:37:53 GMT williammcgregor said:

Dear Paul

The BBC has seen your opening post on the thread and the following may answer your question ...

That description of the show is a bit inaccurate, because there was no interview with Morecambe and Wise included – it was just Michael Parkinson introducing a commenting on excerpts from the Morecambe and Wise show – all the usual favourite sketches.



The description sounds more like “The Music of Morecambe and Wise” broadcast on 6 June 1977 which was based round a new interview with Morecambe and Wise, interspersed with clips of the musical items from some of the shows (i.e song and dance items with guest stars, not the musical interludes with Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, etc).

That's great. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Paul Watkins]

Great to see that BBC4 are now showing this tonight (23-12-23) at 9.00pm on BBC4.