Bernie Clifton's Dressing Room

Bernie Winter's Dressing Room is a classic episode from Pemberton and Shearsmith, this show has the ability to make you laugh, and the ability to move you. I find the show at its best when it manages to surprise you unexpectedly, and with the appearance of Len's daughter they really did manage to do just that. I felt it had remnants of The Twelve days of Christine, both in the way it moves you and in the general delivery, though not quite up to that standard (let's face it not much is) it was still a definite success. Shearsmith and Pemberton were both superb, flawless delivery, two very, very good actors and performers, they managed to capture the characters beautifully. Those that didn't like this one, I'm sure subsequent watches will show this one's a grower.

Following last week's warm hearted season opener, you might have thought that the boys would dive to a darker place for the second week, instead they deliver perhaps the most personal and touching episode they've ever done.

The episode tells the story of Len and Tommy, who performed together in the eighties as "Cheese and Crackers" a comedy double act who (inexplicably) seemed to be on the rise until an incident in Bernie Winter's dressing room drove them apart for 30 years. Reunited for a one off performance, following a letter from Len's daughter, the pair reunite to rehearse their old routine and attempt to work out their differences.

It's clear that Sheersmith and Pemberton do have a some affection for the era of Comedy that they likely grew up in, that the general public don't share, for acts like Little and Large, and Cannon and Ball. Despite that, they point out that much of what was acceptable back then, (sticking on a Chinese hat and doing a funny voice) just wouldn't fly in today's climate and then they mix in a sprinkling from their own real life career to show just how fast things change.

The episode is almost a two hander, the pair mixing in as much pathos and emotion as they do laughs. Sian Gibson, joins them at the end, as Len's daughter, for a final development that I didn't see coming, although in retrospect felt like I should have.

Far from running short of ideas in this fourth series, Inside Number 9 only appears to get better. Long may it continue.

Rod Hull and Emu; Bob Carolgees and Spit the dog; The Crankees. It wasn't so long ago that these acts drew large audiences. Bernie Cliftons Dressing room works so well because the sketches performed both mock that era while bringing genuine laughs. We are treated to the clowning and comedy skills of Pemberton, as well as the pair's writing skills. This episode has everything and is stands up to repeated viewing better than the other great number 9s.

This episode is Blackpool, the two Ronnies, morecambe and wise, nostalgia, and many other things. It's twee but has a message behind it. The sentiment is important and the writing is again very good but it doesn't quite pack the punch some episodes do.

Absolutely brilliant - the acting and storyline are brilliant. Has me in tears and chuckling at the same time. Their best episode in my opinion. I don't know how they do it all in a 30 minute episode!