Cannon and Ball (1979–1988) User Reviews (4)

"Together We'll Be Okay!"

[ShadeGrenade · 5/10 · 28 July 2010]

What are we to make now of the '80's phenomenon that was Cannon & Ball? An alternative comedy revolution was underway, yet a pair of old school Northern comics were still able to come out of nowhere and hit the big time. The former was tall and urbane, the latter short, moustached, and hyperactive. After years as a nightclub act, Thomas Derbyshire and Robert Harper - to give them their real names - got their big break in 1978 when London Weekend Television were putting together its mammoth variety show 'Bruce Forsyth's Big Night'. Or so it should have been. Due to overrunning, their 15-minute sketches kept being dropped. Head of Light Entertainment Michael Grade took pity, and gave them their own series. They caught the public's fancy, and "Rock On, Tommy!" soon became a national catchphrase. Even Eric Morecambe was a fan. 'C & B' had the good fortune to come along soon after Morecambe and Wise shot themselves in the foot by crossing over to Thames after years on the B.B.C. While they did not rival Eric and Ernie in terms of spectacular ratings, they would be in constant demand throughout the decade, with hit series after series, and even landing a film - a poor remake of Will Hay's classic 'Ask A Policeman' entitled 'The Boys In Blue'. Ball later described it as being 'not bad for a first attempt'.

A lot of talented people worked on their shows, including Sid Green ( one of Eric & Ernie's top writers ), Bryan Blackburn, Paul Jackson ( producer of 'The Young Ones' ), Humphrey Barclay, and David Bell. There were some impressive guest-stars too, such as Irene Handl, June Whitfield, Bruce Forsyth, Maureen Lipman, and ( surprisingly ) Rik Mayall. But, like Little & Large before them, they seemed incapable of progression. Bobby would stand on stage gurning furiously whilst tugging his braces, and Tommy would insult him at every opportunity. They were still doing this years later.

Their penultimate series was called 'Casino' and was a Saturday night game show. You sensed that they knew they were running out of time. It flopped, as did their one and only sitcom - 'Plaza Patrol' - which cast them as security men. It was the end of the road for them. Most recently, they have seen in commercials and the sitcom 'Last Of The Summer Wine'. I personally think the best thing they ever did was a sketch in Kenny Everett's B.B.C. show which had Bobby as a priest and ended with him, Tommy and Kenny wrestling on the studio floor.

Correcting welshnick...

[kittenkongshow · 6/10 · 27 January 2018]

Welshnick in his review get's a few things wrong...

Morecambe & Wise left the BBC after the 1977 Christmas special and were with ITV until Eric's early death.

Tommy & Bobby made 8 series (and specials) of The Cannon & Ball show between 1979 & 1988 which is a lot longer than a couple of years (they were such big stars in the early '80's that they even made the big screen with 'The Boy's in blue' - which I have a soft spot for even though it's not great). The film was a remake of 'Ask A Policeman' starring Will Hay.

As an aside Sid Green's era of the show saw a lot of the sketches he'd written for Morecambe and Wise in the '60's were reworked...In the pre-video days this was easier to do...Now both are out on DVD it makes comparisons easier.

After this they did a sitcom and game show (neither of which really worked).

After a rocky period both men found the lord and over the last few years have regained their position of a much loved act, If you get a chance to see then live do.

"I piggin' hate you, Tommy!"

[Rabical-91 · 6/10 · 24 January 2021]

With 'Morecambe & Wise' falling out of favour with viewers, LWT in a bold move staged a replacement in the shape of 'Cannon & Ball'. Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball ( real names Thomas Derbyshire and Robert Harper ) were a middle of the road Northern double act who originally were to start out on 'Bruce Forsyth' s Big Night Out' but due to overrunning, their sketches were omitted. Michael Grade ( in what was basically a sympathy move ) gave them their own show. They seemed to catch the public's imagination, and soon their catchphrases - "Rock on, Tommy!", "I piggin' hate you, Tommy!" and "You little liar!" were heard all over the place.

Like the earlier 'Little & Large', 'Cannon & Ball' were essentially safe and old fashioned ( not a bad thing ), but had one major flaw - they only had one basic act which was flogged to death. Tommy would wind Bobby up all the time, culminating in Bobby throwing a huge temper tantrum!

Many big names guested on their show such as Michael Robbins, June Whitfield, Peggy Mount, Liza Goddard and Rik Mayall ( surprising considering the stable of comedy he was from was the type that rallied against old school comedians! ). Musical guests included Sarah Brightman, David Essex, Ritz, The Beverly Sisters and Rick Astley.

After their regular series ended in 1988, they moved onto a game show called 'Casino' and then a sitcom for Yorkshire Television entitled 'Plaza Patrol' which cast the two as bumbling security guards. Both shows bombed and that was it for Tommy and Bobby. Their careers were never the same again after this.

I don't hate 'Cannon & Ball' but one cannot get away from the fact that much of the humour has aged badly. Bobby Ball died last year from coronavirus complications.

Terrible .....

[welshNick · 1/10 · 22 February 2009]

This double act, Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball came to the ITV screens during the summer of 1979. I believe Morecambe and Wise had finished by then or gone back to the BBC. The BBC also had the 2 Ronnies at the time so ITV needed something. They settled on Cannon and Ball. This was not a very good show and the catchphrase of 'Rock on Tommy' (I believe) was massively overused. This show cost ITV a huge amount to make and despite a large number of special guests, it only lasted a couple of years. This was one of the last shows of its type on ITV I'm pleased to say. Last thing I heard about Cannon and Ball was that they had found religion. Can still be seen occasionally on TV advertising furniture and carpets !!