Sketch show · 1970s
The Morecambe and Wise Show
Christmas Show 1971
Eric, Ernie and a very patient pianist: the Christmas show everyone quotes.
- Family-safe
- Good for kids
Content note: Dated attitudes in places
BBC One
1971
First shown 25 Dec 1971
- First shown
- 25 December 1971
- Channel
- BBC One
- Runtime
- 1 hr 6 mins
- Genre
- Sketch show
Where to watch
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Morecambe and Wise on Christmas Day 1971, and the one with André Previn, whom Ernie famously introduces as 'Andrew Preview'. Previn sits down to play a piano concerto for Eric in one of British comedy's best-loved sketches, while Glenda Jackson and Shirley Bassey also turn up to be teased and flustered by the duo. It is a tidy hour of songs, sketches and cheeky ad-libs, and the sort of programme people talk about decades later. Cosy, clever and still funny, with that Christmas telly warmth you cannot fake.
Stay on the sofa
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Checked 6 Nov 2026