To think that Ernie was just as much a genius as Eric?

[Bogeyface]

All of the specials, the documentaries etc focus on Eric's genius and Ernie doesnt seem to be viewed in the same way. Yet in my view he was just as much a comedy genius. They were both brilliant but without each other neither of them would have had such success.

When you watch the shows Ernie buggers about is the "fool" just as often as he is the "straight man" but that seems to be forgotten and I find that sad.

I always feel for Ernie's widow. In the programmes Joan is far more involved and Doreen is almost an afterthought.

Inspired by a discussion with H tonight where he was wrong and I was right

Funnily enough DP and I were having this exact discussion the other day, he thinks that it's always Eric that gets the praise.

He thinks that in a lot of comedy partnerships there is always one which comes out on top and is classed as the "genius" of the duo, but I can't really think of another example where one is so much more prominent so I disagreed with him on that. Our discussion was sparked by Ant and Dec (and me likening them to M & W)

I think that Ant and Dec are the closest that there has ever been to M&W, they have the genuine friendship, the chemistry, the fun, the family appeal etc. H and I have said the same.

I think that the Two Ronnies had the same thing. Ronnie Barker is always seen as the genius in that pairing. He was a fantastic actor, no question, but when it came to their partnerships it was another case of "funny apart, funnier together" but I cant think of another one in fairness!

Sorry, grammar, sentence construction etc all went to pot! Tired!

Good point about the 2 Ronnies. DP did use that example to be fair.

I think Joan and Doreen not sharing equal billing on a tv programme is down to the fact that Eric and Ernie never once visited each others home or socialised together outside of work. It was a decision the made together very early on in their career.

People live things differently and I think how the widows live the TV programmes is just a reflection on how they lived as two women who's husbands worked together.

Cariad I disagree. I think that the difference is to do with Eric being seen as the big name and so the Joan gets more air time than Doreen. It must hurt Doreen so much to see her late husband being sidelined by the media and programme makes when, between themselves, E&E saw themselves as equals.

I should add that I dont think that Joan or Doreen have any influence on it, its all in the way that the programme makers use the interviews. Its all in the edit....

Was just watching one of the specials and totally agree! Ernie is always smiling and moving, he has so much joie de vivre and his comic touch goes so well with Eric's more saturnine turn.