Last of the Summer Wine

Television series
Original title	Last of the Summer Wine
Country of production	United Kingdom
original language	English
Year (s)	1973-2010
length	30 minutes
Episodes	294 in 31 seasons
genre	Sitcom
Theme music	Ronnie Hazlehurst - The Last of the Summer Wine
idea	Roy Clarke
production	James Gilbert (1973) ; Bernard Thompson (1975) ; Sydney Lotterby (1976–1979, 1982–1983) ; Ray Butt (1976) ; Alan JW Bell (1981–1982, 1983–2010)
music	Ronnie Hazlehurst , Jim Parker
First broadcast	November 12, 1973 (UK) on BBC1
occupation
	Main actor: Bill Owen William "Compo" Simmonite (1973-2000) Peter Sallis Norman Clegg (1973-2010) Michael Bates Cyril Blamire (1973-1975) Brian Wilde Walter "Foggy" Dewhurst (1976–1985, 1990–1997) Michael Aldridge Seymour Utterthwaite (1986-1990) Frank Thornton Herbert "Truly" Truelove (1997-2010) Tom Owen Tom Simmonite (2000-2010) Keith Clifford Billy Hardcastle (2001-2006) Brian Murphy Alvin Smedley (2003-2010) Burt Kwouk Entwistle (2003-2010) Russ Abbot Luther "Hobbo" Hobdyke (2009-2010) Supporting cast: Kathy Staff Nora Batty (1973-2002, 2002-2009) Jane Freeman Ivy John Comer Sid (1973-1983) Blake Butler Mr. Wainwright (1973, 1976) Rosemary Martin Mrs. Partridge (1973) Joe Gladwin Wally Batty (1975-1986) Gordon Wharmby Wesley Pegden (1982-2002) Jonathan Linsley "Crusher" Milburn (1984–1986) Robert Fyfe Howard (1985-2010) Juliette Kaplan Pearl (1985-2010) Jean Fergusson Marina (1985-2010) Lady Torah Hird Edie Pegden (1986-2003) Mike Grady Barry Wilkinson (1986–1990, 1996–2010) Sarah Thomas Glenda Wilkinson (1986-2010) Danny O'Dea Eli Duckett (1986-2002) Stephen Lewis Clem "Smiler" Hemmingway (1990-2007) Jean Alexander Aunt Wainwright (1991-2010) Dora Bryan Ros Utterthwaite (2000-2005) Julie T. Wallace Ms. Avery (2000-2001) Josephine Tewson Ms. Davenport (2003-2010) June Whitfield Nelly (2006-2010)

Last of the Summer Wine is the UK's longest running sitcom . It was first broadcast on January 4, 1973 by the BBC , the final and 31st season was last broadcast on August 29, 2010. The episodes were written by the author Roy Clarke and have a running time of about 30 minutes. The level of awareness of the series in Great Britain can be equated with that of Lindenstrasse in Germany . There is no German version.

The main characters of the series are three retirees who experience a second childhood in their small town Holmfirth (in Yorkshire ) and roam the streets with a lot of humor and a spirit of enterprise. You philosophize about everyday things and get yourself into embarrassing situations with crazy ideas. The landscape shots and the inner-city scenes pervade the series with a lot of nostalgia . The uncomplicated stories, the pun and the expressive characters ensure good entertainment and explain the long running time of the series.

The main characters have long been the unmarried friends Norman "Cleggy" Cleeg ( Peter Sallis ) and William "Compo" Simmonite ( Bill Owen ). The third member of the group changed during the seasons:

Cyril Blamire ( Michael Bates ) 1973-1975
William "Foggy" Dewhurst ( Brian Wilde ) 1976–1985, 1990–1997
Seymour Utterthwaite ( Michael Aldridge ) 1986-1990
Herbert "Truly" Truelove ( Frank Thornton ) since 1998

After the death of Compos in 1999, the second member of the group also changed several times:

Tom Simmonite ( Tom Owen ) 2000
Billy Hardcastle ( Keith Clifford ) 2001-2006
Alvin Smedley ( Brian Murphy ) since 2003

main characters

Norman "Cleggy" Clegg

( Peter Sallis : 1973–2010) Cleggy is the normal "middle class pensioner" and is drawn into unpleasant situations by others. His wife passed away. Cleggy is not unhappy about this and shy of women after this experience. He can be described as the troop observer who has a vein for philosophy .

William "Compo" Simmonite

( Bill Owen : 1973-2000). Compo is a working class pensioner and is always noticeable for his poor personal hygiene . Typical are the dirty trousers, the rubber boots and the green knitted hat. He has rarely worked and indulges in a lazy life with his ferret . Compo is often the joke and has to be used for all kinds of stunts. These are an integral part of the series and always the highlight of an episode. Compo is interested in his neighbor Nora Batty, who scares him away with every attempt at advances with a handbag or a broom (a kind of running gag). When the actor died, so did the character in the series - with a smile on his face.

Walter "Foggy" Dewhurst

( Brian Wilde : 1976-1985, 1990-1997). The former soldier likes to talk about his years of war in Burma during the Second World War , where he was employed as a painter for signs. He sees himself as the leader of the troops and often leads them into chaos. Everything is planned with the utmost precision and military structure. He passed away in 2008.

Wally and Nora Batty

( Joe Gladwin : Seasons 2-8 and Kathy Staff : all seasons except 2001 Special and Season 23). Wally and Nora are Compo's neighbors and live above him. Nora spends most of the time fending off Compo's immoral offers. Wally is under Nora's control and doesn't have much to laugh about. He hopes that Compo will eventually succeed and that he will be freed from her.

Sid and Ivy

( John Comer : seasons 1-7 and Jane Freeman : all seasons). Both run the trio's regular café and can't stand each other. Sid has to look after his stubborn guests as a salesman and waiter, while Ivy overhears all conversations in the kitchen. The marital disputes give rise to funny and rough dialogues.