Last of the Summer Wine

Who said being retired couldn't be fun?

Follow this Link for news on the BBC decision to axe Last of the Summer Wine this summer.


Last of the Summer Wine was first broadcast as part of the BBC's Comedy Playhouse, a long running series  which aired unrelated situation comedies. Comedy Playhouse was often used as a proving ground for writers with sit com ideas, and after the tremendous reception the episodes received on the 4th of January 1973, the BBC commissioned it's writer Roy Clarke and James Gilbert Director, to produce a first series. The first episode of the first season of Last of The Summer Wine was broadcast on Sunday 12 November 1973, it is doubtful that anybody involved in this first season dreamed that the show would still be on our screens in 2009 (the show has actually been re commissioned and is filming episodes for 2010).

The premise of the series Last of the Summer Wine has stayed pretty much the same from the start, the show follows the adventures of a trio of pensioners, old men who have known each other all their lives who are reliving their boyhood, in and around their home town in West Yorkshire. The original trio was made up of Compo Simenon (Bill Owen) a scruffy ne'er do well with a very childish sense of humour, Clegg (Peter Sallis) the philosophical shy and biddable one who is afraid of getting into trouble, and the Blamire (Michael Bates) an authoritarian, snobbish pompous and ex-military one.

After two very successful series Michael Bates dropped out of the series due to illness (a recurring theme in a show with such a veteran cast) he was replaced by Foggy (Brian Wilde) who starred in the show from 1976 until 1997. He was replaced by Truly (Frank Thornton) who has been in the show from 1997 to this year and also Michael Aldridge as Seymour from 1986 to 2000.

Bill Owen played Compo in Last of the Summer Wine for one hundred and eighty five episodes until his death in 2000, he has not exactly been replaced but his son Tom Owen as he starred in the show as the son of Compo from 1991 to date, but he certainly was effective in the transition from the old trio to the latest one. Peter Sallis remains the only original cast member still with the show from 1973.

Last Of the Summer Wine's longevity is in no small part due to the fact that over the years the scripts have widened their scope and included many strong supporting characters with their own plots, well defined characters and stories. The strong acting talent and the excellent writing have also gone a long way the success of the show. Of course an ageing population and a positive image of our more senior members of society cannot hurt either.

Despite this at the heart of the show is always a trio of pensioners reliving their boyhood and enjoying simple child like pleasures every week. The 2009 incarnation of the trio is played by Russ Abbott as Hobbo, Burt Kwouk as Entwislte and Brian Murphy as Alvin.

One of the other key characters appearing in the show since 1983 is the small West Yorkshire town of Holmfirth. Initially the exteriors were filmed on location and the interiors in a studio at BBC Television Centre. Unusually for a British Sitcom in the 90's the BBC decided to do away with the studio element and now films the entire show on location in Holmfirth and West Yorkshire. Like that other great BBC Sunday night show, All Creatures Great and Small, Last of the Summer Wine's choice of location has created a thriving tourist industry, as fans flock to take tea in the cafe in central Holmfirth, and enjoy the beautiful walks around the town.

Last of The Summer Wine has been directed by Alan J.W. Bell since 1981, that is an incredible two hundred and forty four episodes. before 1981 the direction of each episode was handled by various Directors:

Sydney Lotterby from 1976-1983  - 29 episodes
James Gilbert  1973 - 7 episodes, 
Bernard Thompson 1975 - 7 episodes
Ray Butt 1976 - 2 episodes
Martin Shardlow 1979 - 2 episodes

Roy Clarke has written all 289 episodes from 1973 to date.


Last of The Summer Wine Seasons 15 & 16 is now available to order from Amazon UK  Click here


WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR COMMENTS ON LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE AND THE CAST, PLEASE USE OUR COMMENTS BOX BELOW.


 


  • Gloriasapstead
    I think its about time that all the remaining series were released a damn sight quicker than we have had so far. Its been ages since any were released. Considering the last series (series 31) is currently showing on TV I think it is disgusting they are taking so long to release them. I have just read all the comments here and totally agree that Universal Playback should get their act together and soon.
  • H Haxwell
    please keep it but why are the published series numbers different to the original
  • Peter Guttormsen
    I agree that series 17 and 18 should be released soon as well as subsequent series on a regular and timely basis. Below is the text of the email response I got from Universal in June 2010 in response to my query as to when series 17 and 18 will be released . "Thank you for your enquiry. There are no immediate plans to release the titles you mention, however all suggestions are considered for future release schedules pending licensing agreements and commercial viability. Please keep looking at the site as all available titles and forthcoming releases will be listed. I hope this answers your enquiry."
  • Andy
    Really annoying me about 17-18 taking so long! by June last year Play.com was saying 15-16 was available from October..so far nothing about 17-18..Have every series so far and im 20
  • neili
    When are we going to get a Dvd from episode 17 +
  • John Harris
    It is no good telling me how good the shows are, I want to see them. It's time to release series 17 & 18.
  • Michael J Dunning
    Yes, I agree. Please issue series 17-18 asap. Grandad
  • Tom Corcoran
    An amazingly simple premise of three pensioners trying to fill their leisure time has no real ending, unlike the release of the various series which seems to have stalled. The remaining series would be appreciated, I'm sure by the legoin of fans accumulated over the years.
  • C A R Serve Clive
    How about DVD's of Series 17-18, 19-20 and so on.I've got all the Series from 1-16.?
  • Mike5041
    17 and 18 urgently wanted by lots of fans,have all the others, come on look after your loyal customers.
  • David Monk=Steel
    I hope one day soon the prequal First of the Summer Wine and the pilot 'Of Funerals and Fish' will be released on DVD, please?
  • R C
    Another US fan here. I also have been waiting quite awhile for set 17/18. It makes me nervous that it has been so long between sets. Please release it soon. And all the rest of them too. One box set a month would be great!
  • carolynwood
    Please, Please release the rest of the "Last of the Summer Wine" series. It is the best series ever. Good music and good characters.
  • L Nichols
    When is series 17-18 going to be released? I also live in the United States and absolutely love the series, going so far as to buy the Region 2 DVDs. Please release more of the seasons soon, faster than at the current snails pace if possible!
  • charlie meehan
    i was wanting to know if there was going to be a 17/18 box set of last of the summer wine i think they are great they are so funny
  • charlie meehan
    can anny one tell me if there will be a new dvd box set out soon is there a 17.18 and when it will be out in shops or on line. i have all the rest it is nice to have them all.
  • ps1232
    For goodness sake please get you act together and released future series quicker!
  • eric jones
    When is series 17 and 18 going to be available?
  • Sharon Christensen
    I live in the US and Last Of The Summer Wine is my favorite show. I have all of the seasons that have been released on dvd and I am still patiently?? waiting for 17 & 18. Please Please release it soon!
  • schofield0212
    When is the next issue of Last of the Summer Wine (Series 17 & 18) going to be released? I know that it takes time to sort out contractual issues when releasing DVDs, but surely you can speed up the release of more Last of the Summer Wines series.
  • Michael Finch
    Great series. but rate of dvd issue is far to slow, come on Playback do something about it please.
  • Rosalind Perry
    I LOVED this show! Unfortunately I moved from the area where I could get it to not being able to get it at all and i MISS ALL the Brit sitcoms. PLEASE find a way for me to get them on my computer here in the USA!!!!! PLEASE.
  • Compo, Foggy and Clegg
    where have you heard that from? doesnt seem right to me seeing we had 4 in 2008 and with the better quality from the 90's it cant take over 12 months from the last release to the next 1, can universal comment on this please
  • fred
    My sources tell me that this title will be released in December, why the wait? The wait is because the film that was used to make the shows needs to be cleaned up so that it is of a quality suitable for a DVD release.
  • Dave Johnson
    When will Last of the Summer Wine Series 17 and 18 be released