Bring me tears of laughter

 With the festive season coming to an end, there’s been a lot of brilliant TV to discuss. This time then, I’m looking at some top tier TV as I’m going to focus on a pretty special episode of ‘Inside No.9’ called Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room. I decided to talk about it now as the Morecambe and Wise references in it reminded me of Eric and Ernie, the film about Morecambe and Wise that came out during the 2010/2011 festive period. Although, for context, I feel I just need to say that Reece Shearsmith actually appears in Eric and Ernie. I hadn’t watched it all the way through until this year but after discovering that he was in it, I decided to rectify that and so we watched it the other day. I also saw someone post something recently about how it was surprising that nobody had ever really done a video essay/analysis of Bernie Clifton Dressing’s Room, despite it rightfully being considered not just one of the best ‘No.9’ episodes but arguably one of the best episodes of any television series that the UK has ever produced. So, I decided to give it a go (there will probably be some spoilers and I’ll avoid them where I can but it’s such a phenomenal episode so I implore you to please watch it if you haven’t already - it’s truly a magnificent work of art).

Cheese and Crackers <3

The episode isn’t about Morecambe and Wise directly though as it features Tommy and Len (or Cheese and Crackers), a fictional Northern comedy double act from the 1980s who almost made it big. When we meet them, Tommy appears to have moved on from the double act altogether and has a serious corporate job whereas Len is desperate to reunite and have another performance despite Tommy’s reluctance. The emotional beats and tension are palpable from the start as we discover more about the pair and their dynamic. It beautifully sets up the longevity of their partnership and all their history as well. Not to mention, the fact that Pemberton and Shearsmith have such a wonderful chemistry and a rich history of working together really shines through with how they interact and the use of real photos of them from the 1990s. 

The episode also makes you frequently question who you’re sympathising with or rooting for throughout. Len initially comes off as harmless and sweet, even a bit wounded, as opposed to the harsh sternness that you seem to get from Tommy. However, Len gradually reveals a more unpleasant side and Tommy makes some great points about how comedy’s changed and why they wouldn’t be able to do their outdated, racist routines anymore. I really appreciated how (due to the decency and intelligence of the brilliant pair irl), there was never even a hint of the ignorant stuff that bigots claim and the vague complaint that ‘you can’t joke about anything anymore’ etc. Part of what makes this episode a masterpiece is how they’re able to look back on comedy they watched as kids while recognising that comedy needs to move with the times and that it hasn’t all lasted well. Equally, even if Len looks dejected and hurt at times, the episode invites you to have empathy for Tommy in understanding why he values simply getting a laugh so much after years of being viewed as the ‘less funny’ straight man. The difference in their approaches and attitudes is brilliantly portrayed too, with Tommy taking an interest in trends and the science of what he thinks makes a joke work (the bit when he asks ‘what are you inviting people to laugh at?’ is so perfect). Interestingly though, Len mostly just wants all the laughs for himself but is instinctive and less bothered about how they get people to laugh, as long as it gets a reaction. 

The hints about the real reason for the reunion and why they went their separate ways are cleverly seeded too. Len not remembering the titular dressing room incident and the shot of him pouring something alcoholic into his tea give an impression of what went down between them and by the latter part of the episode, it all comes out. The acting is phenomenal and heartbreaking as the truth is revealed about Len’s alcoholism. In fact, all the lines about how Tommy wished he could have helped Len more feel extra poignant once we know that Tommy’s been living with the guilt of not only the double act disbanding but also Len risking his health with the routines that involved him drinking on stage. Seeing them both tear up and Tommy be so vulnerable with his genuine pain and love of performing is enough to move just about anyone but the introduction of Len’s daughter and the realisation that Tommy’s been alone up until then (and feeling alone in every sense) turns me into a sobbing mess. 

This episode is SO special and the touching way that grief is handled works wonders. It treats it with so much care as while it is a surprise reveal, it’s done with a gentle but powerful touch rather than aiming to shock or unsettle. It’s all masterfully done though and the final number they do brings it to a close perfectly. If you haven’t seen it, I can’t recommend it enough. There’s a lot of genuinely funny moments and lines, writing and performances that are so pitch perfect that I could cry for a different reason, a lot of heart and something to say about love, entertainment, grief, art, performing, friendship and comedy. Simply put, it’s got something for everyone, whether or not you get the comedy references (to take it back to Morecambe and Wise for a second). On the whole, my generation (Gen Z?) doesn’t really have the same connection with Morecambe and Wise that others do, but I think I've heard more about them because they meant a lot to my Mum. So much so in fact that they mean something to me now too* (not to mention how the link with Reece and Steve helps to sell it for me). All this to say that Bernie Clifton's Dressing Room probably works on just about every level for just about every generation.

The poster for Eric and Ernie.

*I really am just becoming more and more like her on so many levels though. It was especially nice to see Victoria Wood in Eric and Ernie too as Mum used to show me bits of her comedy, as well as the Morecambe and Wise Christmas specials.