When the late, great Ronnie Barker (the guy with the shopping list) died they held a service for him in Westminster Abbey in London. They usually had 2 alter boys carrying candles at the head of the procession, but this sketch is so legendary in the UK the had 4 alter boys, so 4 candles.

@bostonblackie9503

2 жыл бұрын

When Ronnie Cornet's service was at Westminster Abbey they had four candles at the alter.

@carokat1111

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@dicem8977

2 жыл бұрын

Oh really, that's amazing. They were kind of before my time the Two Ronnie's but I've caught up with them and I love them. I with the BBC or ITV (not sure what network their show was on) would broadcast full Two Ronnie's episodes in a bit like they do with Morecambe and Wise another act from olden days that I love.

@maudeboggins9834

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/nXV7lZuje8yWnKw.html My Blackberry is not working Ronnie Corbett. You will laugh

@MrDaiseymay

Жыл бұрын

I did not know that---better late than never--thanks.

The first gag you look confused at, four candles. Handles for forks, these are garden forks a digging implement the size of a spade.

This sketch is from a few years ago now. As has already been noted, British plugs are individually fused. Common sizes were 13Amp, 5Amp and 3Amp etc. Back when plugs like this were allowed to be used in bathrooms, it was still required to use a plug with a rubber outer case rather than the normal Bakelite or plastic outer casing. This offered greater insulation properties in a damp atmosphere.

@lloydieization

2 жыл бұрын

I understood the amps/plug bit, but I did wonder about it being rubber ... now it makes perfect sense.

@lumpyfishgravy

2 жыл бұрын

In the 70s it was still common to find modern 13A as well as older 5A and 2A circular pin types in the one house.

@jimwatson1013

2 жыл бұрын

I am so UK minded I was confused why he didnt get "What plug?" "13amp......" I forgot American homes do not have plugs with fuses so ofcourse that went over his head, I could get being confused on "Rubber Plugs" as it is one of those of the time jokes.

@dlarge6502

2 жыл бұрын

@@lumpyfishgravy Still is. Stayed in a cottage in Cornwall, new conversion of old barns. It had modern sockets and the older type in a couple of places.

@maudeboggins9834

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/nXV7lZuje8yWnKw.html My Blackberry is not working Ronnie Corbett. You will laugh

The 'oes-'ose-o's' part is a masterclass in skillful writing from Ronnie Barker, who wrote this under the name Gerald Wiley. Ronnie Corbett's performance is one of his finest of his career. Sadly, both Ronnies are no longer with us. Barker died in 2005, shortly after his appearance at the end of the video, while Corbett died in 2016, due to complications from Motor Neurones Disease. Both are sadly missed, especially by Brits of a certain generation. The bathroom plug joke is, after asking for a rubber bathroom one, he then reveals he was after a 13 amp electric plug. I don't usually explain jokes because, as the late Barry Cryer was prone to saying, analysing comedy is like dissecting a frog; nobody laughs and the frog dies.

@Deegee_1969

2 жыл бұрын

When Ronnie Corbett died, there was a procession in Westminster Abbey for the rememberance service, and at the front of the procession were 4 candles. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/07/four-candles-tribute-ronnie-corbett-touching-westminster-abbey/

@jeffstevens4262

2 жыл бұрын

@@Deegee_1969 Thanks, that really made me smile. God rest them both.

@littlewoodimp

2 жыл бұрын

Another loss to British comedy! We don't make them like that anymore.

@billybobby7607

2 жыл бұрын

Using mains plug in bathroom is a big no no.

@andrewbowman4611

2 жыл бұрын

@@billybobby7607 That's why it's a rubber one; it's water-insulated. Most bathrooms in the UK have a socket for a two-pronged charger plug, which usually used for an electric razor or toothbrush.

AM I THE FIRST TO SHOUT THE OFFICIAL RONNIE BARKER ALTERNATIVE ENDING ? "" MADELINE ! TAKE OVER PLEASE ! ! "" (BUXUM YOUNG ASSISTANT READS LIST) "" YES SIR. ...AND WHAT KIND OF KNOCKERS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR!! ""

The taller man (Ronnie Barker) was a master of wordplay and would often write these sketches. I’m glad this video had his explanation that he wasn’t happy with the original ending and what he thought of years later. The Two Ronnies were a huge part of the comedy scene back in the day.

At the end you are supposed to think bill hooks on the list is read by the salesman as bollocks. British plugs are fused appropriately for their usage, so 13 Amp is the fuse rating on the plug for a 13 amp maximum current.

@paulbeard3238

2 жыл бұрын

Or pillock it's used when someone is acting stupid you say you pillock it a South western sayings and also a stupid fish catch 1 and others jump in your boat 🛥️🐟🐟

@rollomaughfling380

2 жыл бұрын

It's a verbal joke, not a written one. It's "Pillocks" (dickheads) not "bollocks."

@paulsavage9977

2 жыл бұрын

@@paulbeard3238 the intended thing to think is bollocks, hence the shop keeper asking "do you want one or two?"

@TheBT

Жыл бұрын

Ronnie Barker stated later that he didn't like the ending as the joke was not clear, and yeah it's the only flaw a sketch that is legendary

@redf7209

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBT no, another flaw is that he asked for forkhandles (plural) and was given only one.

A good friend of mine interviewed Ronnie Barker while we were at university, long after he had retired from showbusiness. He was happily owning an antiques shop in the Cotswolds, living a quiet life out of the limelight. She said he was so lovely, that he was everything you would hope he would be. Sadly, it was only a few years before we lost him.

@littlewoodimp

2 жыл бұрын

I can well believe that. He always seemed kindly and grandfatherly to me, even when he was younger. Because I was just a kid then.

@matthill3293

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I've heard Ronnie B was nothing but lovely to everyone...Ronnie C on the other hand...

@MrDaiseymay

Жыл бұрын

I think he died from Cancer. Perhaps he knew that he had limited time, I hope he enjoyed his last years.

😂😂 I love this sketch so much I don’t even need to watch it to make me laugh I can just say to myself “no fork handles, handles for forks” and I start laughing it’s an absolute classic

I think you would enjoy 'The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town' by The Two Ronnies.

@rickkennett8505

2 жыл бұрын

Actually it was by 'Spike Milligan and a Gentleman' if creaky memory serves.

@marklondon9004

2 жыл бұрын

Child me found this to be the funniest thing imaginable! Peak humour.

So glad you've seen this classic and you watched to the end. I also recommend the miss-pronunciation sketch, and the Master Mind sketch.

@littlewoodimp

2 жыл бұрын

Ronnie Barker reading something, in complete seriousness, that had either been typed on a typewriter with missing letters or words transposed will always have me giggling. He was a master of his craft.

this sketch is from the early part of the 1970's. the bathroom plugs he got in the box was the plug that in the uk used to be put in the plug hole of the sink or the bath to keep the water in, it was pulled out to let the water out. 13 amp refers to electrical plugs that are on the end of cables that are put into plug sockets, like a tv, computer, vaccume cleaner - i think americans call them electric outlets, in the uk all electrical plugs have an amp value, 13 amp for larger electrical appliances, 5 amps radios, irons, kettles, etc then there are also 3 amp for things that use lower electrical ampage billhooks - bollocks

Handle for a garden 'Fork', there's 'plugs' that you use in a bath and 'plugs' that you use with electrical appliances (you plug them into the electrical socket in the wall). 'Saw tips' a cover for a wood saw. 'Pumps'...old fashioned tennis shoes. 'billhooks'...sounds like 'Bollocks' (Testicles)

I really appreciate the effort you go to in trying to understand everything you watch. Whether you are reacting to a historical video or British comedy or British culture. I don't understand American cultural references all the time so no reason you should either but you try and I appreciate that.

The best bit for me has always been watching Ronnie Cs character getting more and more irate as the sketch goes on.

@bucklberryreturns

2 жыл бұрын

That and the fact he stops for a moment, pretending to look around for something nearby, as he's about to corpse from just looking at Ronnie Barker's deadpan vacant expression.

@vallee3140

2 жыл бұрын

he really made that sketch, great acting

@terrythekittieful

2 жыл бұрын

In that case you have to watch the sketch where they have just finished a game of squash and get back to the change rooms. Ronnie C (a regular player) vs Ronnie B (the first time player). Guess who wins and gets severely irate? It might even be funnier than this sketch,...it's a beauty.

@terrythekittieful

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry, that should be, guess who loses and gets severely irate?

What is so masterful about this sketch and a lot of the Two Ronnies comedy is the timing. The double takes, the movement or lack of it, even when Ronnie B holds up the fork handle checking it's straightness. 'Allo 'Allo is a good one to look at but it's a comedy serial and you have to get the characters from Programme one. Try the lighting the cigarette and the stolen cuckoo clock from series 1 episode 1. Dad's Army and Hi-di-Hi are the the same vein but, do a quick wikipedia search to read up about the shows before watching. Good Luck and Tons of laughter and learning.

The Two Ronnies are always a good bet. "Crossed Wires" "Mastermind" (both versions) The wordplay and puns are really well thought out.

@Isleofskye

2 жыл бұрын

Insurance against being Jewish and THe Accountant are 2 classic sketches...:)

@sbaxter4207

2 жыл бұрын

squash

Billhooks - his question would have been:- " Got any bullocks?" 😂😂

The ending, Billhooks, sounds a little like "bollocks", slang for testicles.

@galtyuk

2 жыл бұрын

Thats what I allways thought it ment

@rollomaughfling380

2 жыл бұрын

It's "Pillocks," slang for people who think "bill hooks" sounds anything like "bollocks."

Billhook is a large knife with a curved end, used for hedge laying etc. The H in billhook is often silent, so bill'ooks (bollocks)

Great to see you reacting to the 2 ronnies, bill hooks sounds like bxxxxks Fork handle handle for garden fork

The bill-hooks gag is because it sounds like bollocks. They don't pronounce the h if its at the start of a word. That's why he thought he meant hoes and hose when he actually meant letter Os. Also fork 'andles = four candles

Nicely done ! Don’t worry about that last thing on the list…..the word on the drawer sounds like a popular British swear word that Americans don’t know 🤗. Thanks for the laughs 👍😁

Two Ronnies ......the racing duck .... is a good sketch

The first gag (omitted here) is the woman walking out of the shop with a toilet roll and shopkeeper calls "Mind how you go." Certain English accents drop their h's from the beginning of words, hence the confusion over the fork 'andles, 'oes, 'ose,. o's. 'Mon repos' is the name on the customer's gate.....it's why he wants two o's. 'Mon Repos' is an archetypical name retired people give to their home.

In the UK we have a custom of giving our houses names, that's why he asked for two letter O's. Mon Repose is an old fashioned name usually used by retired people, it means My Rest in French (or something like that).🏡

Ronnie Corbett’s daughter Sophie Corbett opened a boutique shop in Victoria Street, Brighton, The Four Candles in honour of a TV sketch performed by her father and his late partner Ronnie Barker. I lived in the next street down from it.

The greatest sketch in the history of British comedy

The original ending the last item was Billhooks- which is very close to Bollocks; (spelt Bolox in the US, I believe).

You have to watch "Allo Allo" the writing was just brilliant - it was set in a cafe in occupied France during WW2. One character was a gendarme and his catch phrase was "Good moaning I was just pissing by...." Totally unPC and how the actors kept a straight face when they delivered their lines beats me. Hope you enjoy it : )

@jiggermast

8 ай бұрын

I second that.

My mum and I still always quote this scene when we talk about candles or buying candles 'four candles?' in the same accent :D

Little Ronnie made this, his face an annoyance was magic.

Why the puzzlement. Billhoock is a commonly used tool in the US and appears in their dictionaries

I can remember seeing this sketch in a Team Meeting in work in the late 90’s. I was a Technical Officer for BT, the telecomms company. We had a good laugh, it was supposed to highlight communications with clarity. Best team meeting ever.

The handle is for a Garden Fork. The 13 Amp plug, is an electric plug.

Little Ron was sublime here , expressive, controlled, fantastic acting , whilst holding it together

Corbett gets his own back in the sweet shop ('pronounciation problems') sketch - you should see it, if possible.

this is an absolute classic British sketch the best way to describe it to Americans is its like your "who's on First" in terms of how funny it is

Many many years ago, my then father-in-law had a DIY/hardware shop in East London. cutting a long story very short, one day he met Ronnie B, & gave him the outline of this sketch based on things that had happened to him over the years in his shop..... he had a framed cheque from Ronnie on the wall for years, but I don't know what happened to it.... interestingly, he looked just like Eric Morecambe.

@philipocallaghan

2 жыл бұрын

"billhooks"

One of the best 2 Ronnie's sketches is the Mastermind answering the question previously asked.

you know actually the mannerisms of Little Ronnie ,are so brilliant it makes this great. Love your reactions have added to my subscribed.

The plug gag he says No, 13 Amp. Our electrical plugs in the UK are all individually fused and he wanted a rubberized electrical plug for the bathroom, 23 Amp, not a plug for the sink.

You have come across two of the greatest comedians in comedy history, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett are legends in comedy. Ronnie Barkers play on words is legendary. You need to check out the miss-pronunciation sketch, and the Master Mind sketch.

@DawnSuttonfabfour

2 жыл бұрын

Some people have trouble with their worms.

@lextex3280

2 жыл бұрын

@@DawnSuttonfabfour I feel sorry for the mumblers who can't squeak properly. 😂.

Always a joy to watch the Two Ronnies.

FINALLY! The absolute pinnacle of British Comedy.

These shops were called haberdashery's, they stocked everything even the kitchen sink lol.

Great show, take care, love from Glasgow

Please watch this again you will enjoy just as much the 2nd 3rd & more.

Absolute classic British comedy 👌 👏 🤣

So sad that there no longer with us but they left some brilliant sketches that we can still enjoy today we just love the Two Ronnies Love from Denise in Yorkshire England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😂😂😂👏👏👍👋💞💞

Billhooks on the list was miss read by him as bollocks so that's why he handed over to another assistant

Probably the most quoted British comedy sketch ever and quite probably the most favourite ever!

If you were feeling bad about missing stuff, then don't. Glad you enjoyed the fun which was largely generated through word play and homophones: O's for hose; [sink] plugs for electric plugs, peas for P's, and so on. Gym shoes or plimsolls are sometimes called "pumps". This "Four Candles" skit was voted 'The Nation's Favourite Two Ronnies Sketch', and it has its own Wikipedia page. Ronnie Barker was one of our finest comedy character actors and writers - these two were a TV institution for many of us over here. They're fondly remembered and remain unbeaten today, probably. If you have time, why not watch and react to Ronnie Barker (as Fletcher) in the comedy series "Porridge". Good luck Connor, you have a lot of great British comedy to watch ;)

My dad couldn't stand Ronnie Corbett, instead we used to get greater pleasure from watching "Open All Hours!" with Ronnie Barker. I find it so interesting to see how it's still such a classic on You Tube.

I love R.Barker sooo sooo much but the star of this sketch is definitely R.Corbett.🤣🤣🤣🤣

That was the brilliant feature about the Two Ronnie's sketches - you can never get in front of the gag no matter how much you boggle the mind

I’m not sure you understood the subtle British humour at the end Connor. The word Bill Hooks spoken very quickly in a regional accent comes out as billucks…..which then translates in the British mind to Bollocks.

Sad thing is, the larger of the 2 died not long after this show was recorded He never saw it in TV. Also the larger of the 2 is a genius word smith. He used to write sketches and post them anonymously to the BBC.

A Bill Hook is a sort of hand axe/knife with a curved end, somtimes with a point at the rear of the blade. They look quite medieval in design. Used for cutting down small branches and hedge laying etc. on farms and similar places. I've actually used one when I was younger. Everyone else has explained the pun.

@tbrowniscool

2 жыл бұрын

Isn't it a play on words for Pillock? As in your a Pillock

@Payne2view

2 жыл бұрын

@@tbrowniscool More likely "Bollock" although it could be Pillock too. Although that would require Ronnie C's character misreading the B as a P.

@tbrowniscool

2 жыл бұрын

@@Payne2view I think your right!

I don't know what you guys in the US use to keep your water in your bath or sink but we in the UK use a rubber plug on a chain. When Ronnie Barker asks Ronnie Corbett for a rubber plug Ronnie Corbett presumes Barker means a bath or sink plug. So he goes off gets his box of bath and sink plugs out, picks out a small sink plug in one hand and a larger bath plug in the other hand and asks Barker "what size do you want?" To which Barker replies "13 amp". It is only at this point that everyone realises its an electrical plug that Barker wants and not a plug for his bath or sink. Here in the UK because our power outlets run at twice the voltage of those in the US, we have electrical plugs that have their own fuse inside them which will blow and break the circuit if anything goes wrong. The more power the appliance uses, the high amp fuse will be needed in the plug.

@stuartfitch7093

2 жыл бұрын

There are many examples in British comedy where knowledge is required for a joke to make any sense. This is often true in things like only fools and horses.

This sketch was voted No.1 of all time in the UK. Ronnie Corbett stole the show here for me. His facial expression, the way he acts and looks. It's just perfect.

The funniest Two Ronnies sketch I have ever seen is "Pub". It is a another example of English vernacular used to illustrate local idioms.

Great to see the realisation on your face when he changed to fork handles. And your expectation of what's on his list.

Billhooks are a form of bladed tool. Similar to a machete but half the size with a hook facing away from the sharp edge. Not exactly , but it's a bladed hooked tool. It almost sounds like 'bollocks' a minor swear word meaning testicles..

have you seen 'the accountant' yet. that's another classic of theirs.

WELL DONE Conor ! I knew you would let me down and watch the ENTIRE clip where the revised ending was explained. You would be surprised how many reactors miss the explanation...

0:49 - Oh god, I genuinely thought you were about to salute. xD

Okay, so the customer has asked for a plug for his bathroom. Well, it's a well known fact that electricity and water don't really mix. So, the customer has already said that he wants a rubber plug so there's a good chance he's referring to a plug for a sink or a bath, so the shopkeeper has gone and fetched his box of rubber bathroom plugs and wants to know if he needs small, medium or large sized but the customer has replied "13 AMP!!" Which is a standard size electric fused plug in the UK! So, you can just visualise this guy getting eletricuted in his bathroom.😂

The end joke is just a play on the pronunciation of "Bill Hooks" and "Bollocks".

That's such a perfect ending as well

I am British and have seen this stuff loads of times and still laugh. Adding your US reaction enhances them even more. The three great shows to me were YES MINISTER/ PRIME MINISTER , TWO RONNIES, and MORECAMBE AND WISE. Welcome to the world ' wet yourself laughter' rendered even better by your evident puzzlement at some of it.

Hey Connor! Not sure if you have done a reactions post to the Two Ronnies does Mastermind? It's hilarious! Mastermind is a long-running, high-brow UK quiz show. Really enjoy your posts, and not just because you are really cute with a lovely accent lol! You come across as a genuine person, which is quite rare in the world of KZread. Keep up the good work sir! From a fan in Cymru/Wales in the United Kingdom...

The last one “bill hooks” is for bollocks. 😁🤭

A Handle for a Gardening Fork. Bill Hooks - Ballocks.

I recommend you watch this again a few more times.. as the more you watch it you will understand the jokes & what there saying more.. than you'll get it x

This has to be my favourite Two Ronnie's sketch. Thank you for recognising our great, mad, silly, hilarious sense of humour 🇬🇧 🤩 🇺🇸

Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it.

The last part said "Billhooks" which sounds like "Bollocks" hence the question one or two? A bill hook is a garden tool ( interesting note: it also was used in the middle ages as an infantry weapon (a slashing spear ))

The plug response is 13 amp. As in a 13 amp electric plug. Standard in the UK.

Connor. Another shop related Two Ronnie's sketch you should check out is called the "Sweet Shop". This time it's Ronnie Corbett that's being the awkward customer.

The cream of British comedy

Gotta go for blackberry sketch now.

Hi A plug is what you'd call (I think) a socket.

There’s a reboot of this sketch with Ronnie Corbett and another English comedian Harry Enfield in place of Ronnie Barker (who had passed away) called. My BlackBerry Won’t Work which I think you’ll understand a lot more.

There is a more recent parody clip taken from this one with Ronnie Corbett (The little one) and Harry Enfield with a more modern twist which you must watch, its brilliant!

1st bit you missed was "13 amp", for the size of the plug so clearly an electric plug. The "bill hooks" was meant to be a play on "Bollocks" & he's right, it was a bit obscure

My brother met Ronnie Barker, he said he was so down to earth and friendly

The last joke; bull hooks..... Bull ooks ....boll ooks....bollocks.

Ronnie Barker was brilliant. Such a clever writer, actor & mimic.

Please note that this was set in 1968 - so long time ago.

13 Amp bath room plug its a electric plug, 13 amp is the standard British plug

You have to do "Racing Duck"

The word at the end Billhooks is a play on words its actually Bollocks

Ronnie B was ill with cancer here. That's the last time we saw him.

Hi. Hope I am not repeating what others have already suggested to you but have you looked at either ' Rising Damp' or ' Butterflies'?

Most electric plugs on household appliances in the UK have a fuse in the plug hence the “13 amp plug” 👍

Recommendation: The Goodies. I don't think there's much on YT, though. Not top ten, but very different comedy.

"Billhooks" was misconstrued to read "Bollocks" : hence the joke.

Try and watch “only fools and horses” brilliant

Hve you seen their sketch Masrer Mind,so so clever.