Talk:Last of the Summer Wine

"Last of the Summer Wine" is a great show. I miss Compo as if he were part of my own family. But what exactly is "the last of the summer wine"? Is summer wine cheap? Is it a romantic reference to something like "salad days"? The characters seem to drink tea and ale exclusively, excepting one coffee drinker in the ladies' klatch. Forgive this American for asking, what is "The Last of the Summer Wine"? Thank you.

As far as I know, the phrase was dreamt up by Roy Clarke - it's not something that was in common use before. I've always assumed that it was meant to evoke the idea of enjoying every last drop of "summer" fun as you entered the "autumn" of old age. Or something...

Referenced in Extras

This show was referenced in the 'Les Dennis' episode of Ricky Gervais's television show, Extras. I added the reference to the 'Praise and Criticism' section since Wikipedia seems to be doing away with trivia sections these days.

"'Last of the Summer Wine was mentioned in the BBC television comedy Extras during the first series when Maggie reluctantly attends a party thrown for a former friend and co-worker, whom Maggie refers to as "a wee bit mental." She jokingly compares to the elderly partygoers as looking like "the cast of Last of the Summer Wine.'" BadMojoDE 23:09, 16 May 2007 (UTC)BadMojoDE

Foggy

Everyone knows old foggy was the best third member, but does anyone know what reason they gave for his absence following Brian Wilde's second departure in 1997? I know in 1985 they said he's gone to Bridlington to paint eggs. Also, how did they get rid of the Pegdens, Eli, Sid, Wally etc? this king of stuff should be on here. Any info would be greatly appreciated.--Crestville 12:43, 12 July 2005 (UTC)

Wally certainly "died" off-screen and had a funeral and all that jazz. AFAIK, Eli (never a really major character anyway) just wasn't mentioned again. Wesley Pegden was mentioned as having died, but I'm not sure about Edie. -- Bonalaw 15:34, 12 July 2005 (UTC)

The actor who played Eli died in real life so his character was written out (I don't recall it being mentioned in the show but I could be mistaken), Edie's death (actually Thora Hird's in real life) was included in the show. Zerbey 16:33, July 12, 2005 (UTC)

Ok that's great, cheers. But what about Foggy?--Crestville 18:15, 13 July 2005 (UTC)

In the episode that introduced Truly, you only ever saw Foggy's feet; he was very badly hung over. A postmistress who he'd met at a party the previous evening promised to look after him while the other lads went off and did their own thing. By the end of the episode, she'd dragged him off and married him, and that was the last anyone ever saw of him.

Eli's death hasn't been mentioned and isn't likely to; no characters were closely involved with him except Wally Batty, who died long, long ago. Edie and Wesley are sometimes remembered in passing by Glenda or Barry.

Auntie Wainwright

The text currently reads

At various times, Auntie Wainwright mentions that both Howard and Smiler
are relatives of hers, but she never specifies how, though it is generally
known among fans that Auntie Wainwright is Howard's aunt.

In her first episode, wasn't she introduced as Howard's aunt? I can't remember her referring to Smiler as a relative, though. If no-one objects here, I'll alter the page accordingly. Bluap 08:38, 26 August 2005 (UTC)

Setting and name

Is it set in Holmfirth as the article currently suggests? I know that's where the location filming takes place, but is Holmfirth actually cited in the series?

Also, isn't Compo's surname 'Semini' rather than 'Simmonite'? Funnily enough Roy Hattersley gave an interview recently where he gave the surname as 'Simonite', but my recollection from the Radio Times cast lists is that Semini was his surname. Can anyone confirm this please? DavidFarmbrough 10:57, 19 September 2005 (UTC)

I've always presumed that it's actually set in Holmfirth, but can't quote a reference. Compo's name is definitely Simmonite. Bluap 12:07, 19 September 2005 (UTC)

In some of the early episodes you can spot posters or buses that say "HOLMFIRTH" on them, but I think it's been a long time since any references like that have been visible.

Josephine Tewson

There's another character, played by her, now, but I can't remember her name, she was working in the library in the most recent series. If someone remembers this, could they add it to the Character list please?

missing episode

AS A FAN OF LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE SINCE IT STARTED I HAVE ALL THE EPISODES ON VIDEO WHICH I HAVE JUST FINISHED TRANSFERRING TO DVD BEFORE I WORE THEM OUT. I WAS MOST UPSET TO DISCOVER THAT I WAS MISSING AN EPISODE - MERRY CHRISTMAS FATHER CHRISTMAS - DEC 1986. IF THERE IS ANY ONE WHO CAN HELP WITH A COPY, PLEASE CONTACT ME -raymond@grangemini.fsnet.co.uk

I'm sorry, WHAT? 67.42.94.9 06:09, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

DVD Question

Does anyone know when the entire series will be released onto DVD? I know that the BBC has released (what I believe to be) the first 4 seasons on DVD. I just want to know when they will release the rest.

The first 4 seasons were released in the UK by Universal Playback, who presumably licensed them from the UK. The same company released many of the BBC comedy DVDs. In mid-2005, BBC Video merged with another company to form 2Entertain Ltd. The best guess is 2Entertain now hold the rights to the series. Looking at other 2Entertain releases, they appear to continue where Universal Playback left off. However, it appears that, instead of releasing early series of lots of programmes, they are going through all of the series of each comedy programme in turn. I would imagine that they will get round to Last of the Summer Wine eventually, but don't know when. Bluap 23:56, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

Time to end?

Last of the Summer Wine is a legendary show, but I think it should have ended when Compo died. Dad's Army was finished when all the best juice had been squeezed out of the orange, the cast members were aging, and its creators knew when it was time to end the much-loved series. I think the same principle should apply to Last of the Summer Wine, does anyone agree? --86.31.17.198 17:00, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

The actors were ageing when LOTSW started! It will end when people stop watching it. Until then it is popular enough to go on.--Crestville 18:22, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Indeed! If the actors where not aging, it wouldn't be LOTSW! Jake b 23:38, 28 October 2006 (UTC)

Howard

Need to add character bio for Howard. Jake b 23:49, 28 October 2006 (UTC)

He's in Recurring_characters_in_Last_of_the_Summer_Wine. Feel free to expand the entry Bluap 07:15, 29 October 2006 (UTC)