Return of the Sketchbook

For those who tuned in to the Two Ronnies Sketchbook, you will notice how successful it was. Now, according to a TV Guide, Sketchbook is back on Friday at 9:30, but with another comic duo - Smith and Jones.

Okay, fair enough. They are a well-known duo, but are they really good enough to have their own series of the Sketchbook? (If you're thinking it, no I'm not taking sides) Of course, ITV are offering an alternate comedy showing, "The Unforgettable Eric Morecambe".

"The Smith and Jones Sketchbook" Friday 21:30 BBC1

Well, the show ran for 14 years- nearly as long as the two ronnies- so they must be doing something right.

Why not? Its not like their material has been repeated alot. I'll tune in

Definately - I'd much rather see this than the Two Ronnies!


I just hope we don't get round to the French and Saunders and Hale and Pace scrapbooks!


Are Smith and Jones doing new links for the material?

I assume so, I saw a trailer earlier featuring the pair of them looking older against their previous montage of work within the trailer.

You know it not a 'direct' copy format it was similar yeah but done a little differently. I liked it I havn't seen alot of their material its not been repeated like the two ronnies had been. I still find the two ronnies 'funnier', but this is different tho




*H&P were ITV but I would actully like to see that as I have seen very little of their material outside compilation dvds given away free with newspapers.

*F&S are overrated and not funny IMO but yes I can easily see them next (this time next year)

I used to find Smith & Jones was worth watching for the one or two funny sketches in each programme, even though the rest was often a bit lame. Hopefully if they bring together the funny sketches and ditch the rest it might be a good watch.

H&P were known for their ITV series but they also did one series on BBC One around 1999 or 2000. It wasn't a sketch show as such but from memory it used members of the studio audience to join in and Gareth and Norman did OB's trying to learn new stuff.

Again from memory, I think the opening titles featured Hale and Pace standing inside the basket of the BBC One balloon.

H&P@TheBBC

Now it's over little annoyed they did'nt show some of the sketches I remembered from the 1997/1998 series but they were too late I think. They had a series of sketches about a fregion country where the money system rate was high and everything was million, million, million, million, million, million, million, million, million, million, million,

that and the 2 ronnies sketchbook the whole was leading towards four candles at the end of the last episode. Though S&J would have had it lead to their most famous sketch at the end aswell but did'nt.

well it get shown in scotland?
or has bbc scotland dumped it somewhere eles?

Yep, widely regarded as the show which ruined their careers, it was really that bad!