PC Stratford
Passenger Engine
I'm a walking television show. I can't get away from it.
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Post by PC Stratford on Dec 18, 2008 17:03:53 GMT
This a thread dedicated the world's longest running sitcom Sadly, this show has being going through a tough. The death of Kathy Staff (Nora Batty) has saddened many fans across the world and according to this article, the future of the show is definately hanging in the balance www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/3815671/Last-of-The-Summer-Wine-to-be-cancelled-after-35-years-producer-claims.htmlTo be honest, as I mentioned in the General Chatter thread, I welcome an end to the show, mainly because I don't want it to continue without Peter Sallis (Clegg) and I feel that the show hasn't really been the same nowadays. A new series is due to begin shortly, the 30th series, and I feel this should be the last series for the show I would like to hear what others here think
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stanley/smudger
Goods Engine
listen bud, in the states we dont care a dime for a few spills
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Post by stanley/smudger on Dec 18, 2008 17:55:00 GMT
well im sure every fan of last of the summer wine is saddened with the loss of kathy staff, a great character was nora batty but i agree with you pc statford, the s30th series should be the last, after all norman clegg also an original character and the one one to star in every episode cant be far behind poor mrs staff.
the sitcom began in 1972 i belive and has been my favourite from an early age, alas its not what it once was, bill owen (compo) the legendary favourite passed away and in my opinion nora batty had no purrpose after that.
the best of the best has gone with the times and i think the series should be stopped.
however the famous sitcom will also be a favouite for uktv gold and drama.
god bless bill owen, foggy, kathy staff and peter sallis
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PC Stratford
Passenger Engine
I'm a walking television show. I can't get away from it.
Posts: 755
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Post by PC Stratford on Dec 18, 2008 17:58:59 GMT
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Post by Halstead on Dec 18, 2008 18:01:37 GMT
I reiterate the motif of pulling the plug on the sitcom; since Bill Owen passed away the show started to deviate away from the remaining duo and mindwiped the original concept of three eccentric pensioners rambling on the vast Yorkshire countryside.
I don't have a favourite episode to be specific mainly because the descriptions are too long (like why does Norman Clegg buy ladies elasticated stockings?) but any examples that have Compo falling victim to Foggy's brainwaves always brings out a good chuckle.
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Post by Rusty Red Scrap Iron on Dec 18, 2008 18:01:44 GMT
Well... I haven't really been watching many of after Compo series', I was actualyl amazed the show has been going on for so long.
I don't think the show would be the same without Peter Sallis, he's the only original cast of the first trio still in the show and it just wouldn't be the same without him. But I think 30 Series' is amazing, I never heard a show last that long so credit to the producers and the BBC (I wonder if Thomas can make 30 or beyond).
But in my opinion, although the show has managed to survive several major character loss'; I think maybe it's time for the 30th to be the last. I don't want to be harsh to hardcore fans, but I think it's kinda lossing it's spirit and plus for something that has lasted 35 years needs to come to an end at some point; as I said I don't want to seem as if I'm being harsh.
Plus Peter Sallis is getting on, I think perhaps now he should stick to Wallace and Gromit as that doesn't require as much acting as Last of the Summer Wine.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2008 19:04:01 GMT
Ah, I love this show...well, only the ones before Howard became a main focus for the show in any case. My favourite episodes are the three episodes from Series 3 (1976) "The Man from Oswestry", "The Great Boarding House Bathroom Caper" and "Cheering Up Gordon", the last two episodes centering on the gang going on holiday in Scarborough, one of my favourite holiday spots. I now have all three episodes on tape since October this year and I'm already watching it for a third time.
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Post by Sodor's No.1 on Feb 4, 2009 20:53:57 GMT
What always made me wonder about the episode 'Who made a bit of a slpash in Wales, then' is how & when did Foggy find this girlfriend of his and when did he slip off to see her?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2009 23:31:46 GMT
Just found the pilot episode...
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Post by Father Austin Purcell on Feb 25, 2009 17:58:53 GMT
Has anyone here ever seen "Full Steam Behind"? Certainly an episode which would appeal to SiF members. "The Flag and Its Snag" and "The Flag and Further Snags" are also good episodes.
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Post by Christopher on Feb 25, 2009 18:10:56 GMT
Has anyone here ever seen "Full Steam Behind"? Certainly an episode which would appeal to SiF members. "The Flag and Its Snag" and "The Flag and Further Snags" are also good episodes. Saved and recorded all three, and each of them are very similar to the three central characters - golden oldies. Though I've noticed for the FSB episode they never did give mention of the railway they used for location. For some reason, "Bluebell Railway" keeps shining in me head
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stanley/smudger
Goods Engine
listen bud, in the states we dont care a dime for a few spills
Posts: 224
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Post by stanley/smudger on Feb 25, 2009 18:29:04 GMT
the railway used in full steam behind, is the keighly and worth vally railway, you will notice the same engine and gw auto coach is used in the 1970s the railway children.
the orange coloured, (i think its orange, same colour as duke anyway) pannier tank has the words K. W. V. R, something like that on it's tank, i'll have to check it out.
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Post by Sodor's No.1 on Feb 26, 2009 21:51:36 GMT
actually, the Locomotive is painted in London Transport Maroon and the coach isn't an autocoach; it's a LNER Inspector's saloon
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Post by MRHloco on Feb 26, 2009 22:49:44 GMT
I'm not quite as taken in by Last Of The Summer Wine as I usually am by, let's say, Blackadder but I've seen certain episodes (or bits of them! ) from it and it looks like one of the best of its kind that we've got at present. In particular, there was actually an episode involving railways, as I seem to have discovered on YouTube. When Clegg, Foggy and Campo (I think that's right?) travel down to Keighley and end up hijacking the reopening service? With GWR/Railway Children 0-6-0PT No: 5775 and the NER Saloon? Full Steam Behind? Anyway... Back On Topic... Re: The Show's FutureTo tell the truth, I've just discovered on Wikipedia that Burt Kwouk (who previously played Mr Ling in Goldfinger) is now starring as a new trio in the series so perhaps it could carry on without the original cast after all. As long as the stories are still of very good quality... All the same, I can easily see what you mean, PC Stratford. It would be a shame to see the series carry on without Peter Sallis (who, to be honest, is probably better known now for playing Wallace than for playing Clegg). All I can say on the matter is, if the show were to come to an end at any time, at least there's always Doctor Who or Blue Peter to carry on as long-running programmes on the BBC. Warm Regards As Always, MRHloco
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PC Stratford
Passenger Engine
I'm a walking television show. I can't get away from it.
Posts: 755
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Post by PC Stratford on Mar 4, 2009 20:40:22 GMT
Found some good videos on YouTube. First one is a slideshow, with some fairly rare pictures. Also, is a shetch featuring Compo, Nora and Mr. Blobby! (Incidently, I did once see a clip montage featuring Bill Owen, Kathy Staff and Blobby, must have been from 'Noel's House Party):
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Post by Halstead on Mar 5, 2009 16:53:03 GMT
Last of the Blobby Wine is funny although Compo looks a bit out of character wearing an anorak instead of his moth-eaten jacket.
Speaking of railway episodes, anyone remember the episode where Edie takes driving lessons with the housewives and ends up driving on a railway line? I couldn't recall the episode name because LOTSW are often long sentenced puns but it was created in the 90s with a disclaimer that the line was disused.
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PC Stratford
Passenger Engine
I'm a walking television show. I can't get away from it.
Posts: 755
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Post by PC Stratford on Mar 5, 2009 17:35:07 GMT
Last of the Blobby Wine is funny although Compo looks a bit out of character wearing an anorak instead of his moth-eaten jacket. Speaking of railway episodes, anyone remember the episode where Edie takes driving lessons with the housewives and ends up driving on a railway line? I couldn't recall the episode name because LOTSW are often long sentenced puns but it was created in the 90s with a disclaimer that the line was disused. Actually, I'm pretty sure Compo wore an anorak over his clothes in a few episodes. Main,y Series 15 (1993), perhaps Bill Owen decided to add it to the costume whenever there was bad weather And the episode you were referring to witht he railway line was 'Beware of the Elbow' from 1995. It also had a message at the end of the episode informing that the line they used was disused, incase people were worried about them filming on a real track
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PC Stratford
Passenger Engine
I'm a walking television show. I can't get away from it.
Posts: 755
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Post by PC Stratford on Jun 17, 2009 21:36:39 GMT
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Post by Ian on Sept 4, 2009 14:50:58 GMT
I've long been a great fan of LOTSW, and I'll admit that when the show changed following the passing of Bill Owen, it didn't seem 'as good'.
Now, watching back episodes of the early 2000's, I've realised they are 'as good', but you have to view the show differently. Yes, it may have moved away from '3 old men' to a much grander ensamble piece, yes Howard (and often Barry) take centre stage much more, but view each episode for what it is and they are funny.
A couple of good examples from the last ten years or so (all can be found quite easly on youtube) include 'Coming of the Beast', where Truly (the great Frank Thornton) starts a rumour of an escaped tiger, and 'A Short Blast of Fred Astaire', featuring a great line up at the end as the guys (and Pearl!) do a dance routine at a bus stop (with Lionel Blair for some reason). I could go on.
One character who has always been a favourite, who has been there right from day one, and never seems to get any praise, is Ivy, played wonderfully by Jane Freeman. A battleaxe of the hightest order, her comedy alongside husband Sid, and then nephew Crusher, often bought some of the greatest laughs in the early days (the scene on the beach with Sid in Scarborough was hilarious) and even in the latest series, she was at her very best right from the first episode.
Yes, I miss the great characters; Foggy, Nora, Compp, Edie and Wesley, but I still enjoy the antics of Alvin and Entwistle (from Hull), along with the cutting remarks of Stella and Nelly, and the antics of the two policemen!
I for one hope it continues for a good while yet.
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Post by Chris on Sept 6, 2009 16:17:02 GMT
Only really rediscovered LOTSW recently, although I've fond memories of watching it during it's peak in 90's, on Sunday evenings. As testement to this, I've found very few standouts from the first 8 series that I'd want to watch again. The early ones where the trio is just sat in a library etc. talking for ages don't appeal as much as the those with more location shots and a greater amount of physical hijinks.
While Full Steam Behind and Getting Sam Home are some fine examples from the first ten years, the winning streak really seemed to get going when Seymour joined the cast in the mid 80s, and continued to get stronger when Foggy returned - Treasure of the Deep, Downhill Racer, Roll On, Passing the Earring... And I'm sure there'll be plenty more to add to the list when the next DVD comes out in November.
Of the post-Compo episodes, the show was reasonably watchable while Clegg still had a major role. To add to those Ian mentioned, Jurassic No Parking is another good one - really need to watch that again if I can find it online. But Clegg, along with Wesley, Eli and Smiler were among my favourites. Now the latter of those have are no longer on the show due to death or ill health and Peter Sallis has been reduced to a secondary role, I seem to find very little charm in the recent episodes or new characters.
Roy Clarke evidently still has a lot of ideas as a writer, but perhaps he needs a change. What about a Keeping Up Apperances spin-off? I know Patricia Routledge doesn't want to do any more, but I reckon a spin-off with Onslow and Daisy could work. Can't be any worse than The Green, Green Grass anyway!
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Post by Ian on May 1, 2010 11:58:19 GMT
According to a whisper from long time producer Alan J W Bell, the BBC has decided to axe LOTSW due to rising costs. The 32nd series, comprising just 6 episodes instead of the normal 10 or 12, is due to air in the next few months. And then... that could be it.
If the end is nigh, I hope the Beeb do the decent thing by a show that has served them well for 40 years (yes, 40) and give fans worldwide a final, special farewell episode. After almost 300 episodes, I reckon the show, writer, cast and crew deserve it.
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