The "Two Ronnies" are indeed immortal among British comedians. Their shows often featured a spoof private eye adventure, with Barker as "Piggy Malone" and Corbett as his assistant, "Charley Farley". To an extent, their short sketches could become a little repetitive, but some were remarkably refreshing.


I recall Corbett as an extremely shortsighted man in an equally myopic optician's. Barker keeps trying ever larger test cards.

Barker: Can you read the top line on this chart, sir ?
Corbett: No.
Barker: (pulling back a blind to reveal a letter 'A' covering almost an entire wall) Then, can you read this one ?
Corbett: Er, "A" !
Barker: Ah ! Well, that's at least something. (moves to replace the blind)
Corbett: Er, "I" !
Barker: No sir, that's a hat stand.
Corbett: Er, "H" !
Barker: No, that's a bookcase. Sir, you're reading all the furniture.

The sketch continued with the two stumbling around until by accident they put on each others' glasses, and found they could see perfectly.




Barker's series, "Porridge" didn't survive the trip across the Atlantic. Barker's character, "Fletcher", was a burglar who had been convicted many times and finally sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, the maximum for his offence. When the show was taken to US producers, they didn't think such a character would go down too well. They said, "Couldn't he be wrongfully convicted ?"

Eventually, Barker made a follow-up series, "Going straight", which followed Fletcher's adventures once released. It didn't go down quite as well as "Porridge", although it was pleasant enough. Only one series was made, due to the tragically early death of actor richard Beckinsale, who played Fletcher's cell-mate (and later son-in-law), Lennie Godber.