Marking 10 Years Since The Final Last Of The Summer Wine
It was 10 years ago today that we said a fond farewell to the longest running sitcom Last Of The Summer Wine.
The series that had premiered way back in 1973 had ran for thirty one series over thirty seven years. Along the way there had been a mammoth two hundred and ninety five episodes.
Despite numerous cast and production changes over the years, the show continued to be popular with viewers and continued year after year despite reports to the contrary. Cancellation rumours began to circulate as early as the 1980’s, when rumours began to circulate that the BBC wanted to end the show and replace it with a new programme aimed at a younger audience. However the popularity of Summer Wine made this decision hard to justify, even repeats sometimes saw ratings of as many as five million viewers per episode.
In December 2008, Alan J. W. Bell, whilst being interviewed by The Daily Telegraph, said that the BBC had yet to commission a new series and that bosses at the network told him one would not be produced. Criticising the decision Bell stated that “millions still enjoy the series and the actors love being involved” and that it would be a terrible blow to the shops and businesses in Holmfirth who have come to depend on tourist revenue.
The BBC denied the claims, saying that a decision had not yet been reached whether to commission another series.
Better news followed when it was confirmed on 26th June 2009 that a 31st series of 6 episodes had been commissioned for transmission in 2010. Fans joy was short lived when, in June 2010, the BBC announced that series 31 would be the last.
Tom Owen criticised the BBC feeling that there should have been a special final episode. Roy Clarke, however, stated that he was fully aware this was the last series, and preferred the show to have a quiet ending. The final episode of the show, “How Not to Cry at Weddings”, was subsequently broadcast on 29th August 2010. The final line was said by Peter Sallis, the longest-serving cast member
Over the years we’ve broken the series down by era, type Last Of The Summer Wine into the search box and explore all the posts.
So today we look back at the final series..
By 2010 the remaining members of the original cast were confined to mainly indoor guest roles as their age had made it difficult to insure them. Russ Abbott was now leading a new trio, comprising: Hobbo, Entwhistle and Alvin.
The six final episodes would revolve principally around Howard and building up to a wedding.
Summary
By 2010 the remaining members of the original cast were confined to mainly indoor guest roles as their age had made it difficult to insure them. Russ Abbott was now leading a new trio, comprising: Hobbo, Entwhistle and Alvin.
The six final episodes would revolve principally around Howard and building up to a wedding.
The series starts with Hobbo and his ‘team’ trying to help Toby win back his ex-wife. By episode two things have reached a head for Howard as Pearl throws Howard out. It falls to Hobbo and friends to convince Pearl to take Howard back. Schemes involve advising Howard to show Pearl who’s boss and trying to convince Pearl that Howard has become a tramp.
Attentions then turn to the final episode: How Not To Cry At Weddings
As everyone is getting ready for the wedding – Clegg wonders if his suit smells of mothballs; Alvin flirts with Stella when she returns from the hairdressers; Howard is concerned that Pearl won’t let him back home for his best suit; Hobbo thinks he needs to go for the sympathy vote; and Toby is determined to look his best at the wedding in order to win back Monica, his ex-wife.
Pearl and Howard look back on their relationship and she finally tells him he can come home.
Everyone arrives at the pub for the wedding, but Glenda receives a call to say the bridegroom has done a runner, so they head off with a weary old bus driver who promises to take them all to a nice restaurant. They have a near miss with the police car, but PC’ Cooper and PC Walsh are reluctant to leave their vehicle. Only when the bus departs do they get out – to reveal they aren’t wearing any trousers.
Clegg wonders if he locked the door.
Clips
The only episode from the final season we could find
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So after 31 series and 37 years, that was the Last Of The summer Wine
Cast
Hobbo – Russ Abbott
Entwhistle – Burt Kwok
Alvin – Brian Murphy
Truly – Frank Thornton
Clegg – Peter Sallis
Howard – Robert Fyfe
Pearl – Juliette Kaplan
Stella – Barbara Young
PC Cooper – Ken Kitson
PC Walsh – Louis Emerick
Toby – Trevor Bannister
Christopher Beeny – Morton
Barry – Mike Grady
Glenda – Sarah Thomas
Jean Fergusson – Marina
Josephine Tewson – Miss Davenport
Tom Owen – Tom
Jean Alexander – Auntie Wainwright
Kate Carter – Moira
David Ross – Conrad
Details
Channel: BBC1
Written By: Roy Clarke
Produced By: Alan J.W. Bell
Final Episode: 29th August 2010