"First of the Summer Wine" (1988) TV series 1988-1989

Seasons:

1 | 2

Genre:

Comedy

Cast

David Fenwick	...	Norman Clegg / ... (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
Paul Oldham	...	Sherbet (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
Paul Wyett	...	Compo (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
Peter Sallis	...	Mr Clegg / ... (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
Maggie Ollerenshaw	...	Mrs Clegg / ... (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
Derek Benfield	...	Mr Scrimshaw / ... (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
Sarah Dangerfield	...	Ivy (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
Joanne Heywood	...	Dilys (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
Richard Lumsden	...	Foggy (13 episodes, 1988-1989)
Paul McLain	...	Seymour (12 episodes, 1988-1989)
Gary Whitaker	...	Wally / ... (12 episodes, 1988-1989)
Helen Patrick	...	Nora (10 episodes, 1988-1989)
Judy Flynn	...	Lena / ... (9 episodes, 1988-1989)

Runtime:

30 min (12 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Goofs:

Plot holes: In this series Seymour is presented as a school and work friend of Compo and Clegg just before World War II, yet when we first meet him in "Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride (#9.0)" (1986) in 1986 we are told he is meeting them for the first time.

Movie Connections:

Spin off from "Last of the Summer Wine" (1973)

I love, love, love this show.

Why is the Industrial-Video Complex so cruel, denying me the chance to buy this on DVD, and in the United States? I saw the first series of episodes in England in the fall of 1988, and I have just now seen 8 episodes from the run of 13. Terrible copies, but it's great to see again this show that I loved and adored.

I can't watch 'Last of the Summer Wine' at all because it just seems to be a bunch of tiresome old farts and their cutesy high jinks, but the minute this show starts and you hear a crooner sing 'Sweet & Lovely,' you know that the show will be an evocative and nostalgic look at the vanished late 30s. But what makes it is the solidly delightful cast, every one of which is charming and superbly well chosen.

Maybe you'll think I'm insane, but I think that David Fenwick as Norman Clegg is, at least in this, exceptionally dreamy. Maybe it's the voice, the lively facial expressions, the sense of independence and irony and secret rebellion, and, oh gosh, the fact that he's so pretty (I think).

I don't think they have it in the pilot, but the inappropriate and overbearing laugh track is really offputting and the show doesn't remotely need it. The characters are lovable and the action and humor are naturally delightful. I don't need a Trademarked Automo-Laff Trak breaking in with plastic guffaws.

If I win the Powerball lottery prize, I'll buy the show and issue it on DVD (laugh track free).