And it's goodbye from him

We TV watchers in the UK, in particular, will be saddened by the loss of Ronnie Barker who passed away yesterday (not from cancer, but heart disease) aged 76. This brilliant comedy actor, comedian and writer was probably the most talented of his generation and his contribution to classic British sitcoms and light entertainment will never be forgotten.

Of his many on-screen guises my favourite was Ronnie Barker as himself, in partnership with diminutive Scottish comic Ronnie Corbett, in their long-running show "The Two Ronnies." At the beginning and end of each show they would read out "news items" with deadpan faces and without exception they would raise the roof with laughter. Here are a few examples...

In a packed show tonight, we'll be talking to an out-of-work contortionist who can no longer make ends meet.

The man who invented the zip fastener was today honoured with a lifetime peerage. He will now be known as the Lord of the Flies.

The toilets at a local police station have been stolen. Police say they have nothing to go on.

The search for the man who terrorises nudist camps with a bacon slicer goes on. Inspector Lemuel Jones had a tip-off this morning, but hopes to be back on duty tomorrow.

Barker: There now follows a sketch featuring ghosties and ghoulies.
Corbett: In which I get caught by the ghosties...
Barker: And I get caught by surprise…

Tonight, we'll be asking: "Should all married couples be frank and earnest, or should one of them be a woman..."

Grecian 2000 have assured graying men that their product will still work after midnight on Millennium eve.

And we will be speaking to the scientist who crossed a yard of ale beer glass with a Chinese vase and a chamber pot, to get a ping-pong-piddle-high-po."

Corbett: Tomorrow we will be talking to women who like Nicholas Parsons
Barker: ...and also to a parson who likes knickerless women.

Barker: "And now a sketch in which I play the important role of Casanova."
Corbett: "And I play the rest of him."