| Last of the Summer Wine Series 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country of origin | UK | ||
| No. of episodes | 6 | ||
| Broadcast | |||
| Original channel | BBC | ||
| Original run | 25 July 2010 – 29 Aug 2010 | ||
| Series chronology | |||
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Last of the Summer Wine's thirty first series was aired in 2010, beginning on 25 July.[1] All six episodes in series thirty one were thirty minutes in length. All of the episodes were written by Roy Clarke and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.
This series is the first in 19 years to be 6 episodes long, this is due to the show originally due to be axed but the BBC re-commissioned the show [2], Juliette Kaplan who plays Pearl said on her website that this series is due to the fans response to the axe rumours in December 2008.[3] Alan J.W. Bell has also credited this series due to fan response.[4]
This series continues with the same trio as series 30 with Russ Abbot (Hobbo), Burt Kwouk (Entwistle), and Brian Murphy (Alvin). Peter Sallis (Clegg) and Frank Thornton (Truly), who were previous main characters, remained as secondary characters; they only filmed studio scenes, due to the cost of insurance for the actors at their age on location. Jane Freeman (Ivy) filmed only in-studio scenes, as well.
On the 2nd June 2010 the BBC announced that the 31st series would be the last series despite still having a strong fan base and series 30 averaging over 4 million viewers an episode. To commemorate the show the BBC broadcast Songs of Praise from Holmfirth, and show a special Countryfile about Last of the Summer Wine and Holmfirth and the surrounding area [5]. The Countryfile special aired on 25th July straight after the first episode of the final series. [6] Songs of Praise from Holmfirth aired on 29th August on the day the last ever episode was broadcast.[7]
That final episode, "How Not to Cry at Weddings" was dubbed "The Very Last of the Summer Wine" in the Radio Times edition dated 28 Aug - 3 Sept 2010. That title modification was not used when the episode was transmitted, however. The specified Radio Times edition included a lengthy article on Peter Sallis titled "It never occurred to me that I could be an actor".
Contents |
The trio in this series consisted of:
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Brian Murphy | Alvin |
| Burt Kwouk | Entwistle |
| Russ Abbot | Hobbo |
This being the last series, inherently all twenty remaining cast characters made their final appearances. Ivy and Nelly's final appearances were in the penultimate episode, "Look Whose Wheel's Come Off". The remaining eighteen signed off in the final episode, "How Not to Cry at Weddings". Most notable, of course, must be Norman Clegg who appeared in every one of the 295 episodes.
| Title | Airdate | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Behind Every Bush There is Not Necessarily a Howard" | 25 July | Hobbo enlists the services of his 'team' to help Toby win back the affections of his ex-wife. Glenda decides to make it her mission to find Morton a woman. Howard sneaks into the library to tell Marina there's a problem with their bike ride that afternoon - Pearl is going out too. Meanwhile, PCs Cooper and Walsh try out a new in-car fryer. |
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| "Happy Camping" | 1 Aug | Pearl throws Howard out of the house, but when he goes to Clegg's for sympathy it falls on deaf ears, while Pearl tells Nelly she's going to have to sort out Howard once and for all. Meanwhile, Glenda decides that Barry and herself are fat and that something must be done before Gloria's wedding, and forces Barry to embark on a new fitness regime. And PC Walsh informs PC Cooper that the sergeant is on their back - he's complaining about the amount of crumbs they're leaving in the car. |
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| "The Rights of Man (Except for Howard)" | 8 Aug | Hobbo decides that the still-homeless Howard needs to show Pearl who's boss, but after Pearl slams the door in his face, Howard is despondent. Hobbo is insistent that Howard just needs to remind Pearl of the good times. But will his bicycle skills be enough to win her back? Meanwhile, Marina helps Miss Davenport upgrade her appearance, and decides to seize the moment with Mr Waddle. |
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| "Howard and the Great Outdoors" | 15 Aug | Attempting to persuade Pearl to take her errant husband back, Howard's friends try to convince her he has become a tramp - but he is far from happy with the prospect of going it alone in the wilderness. Meanwhile, Toby's bid to win wife, Monica, back is thwarted by a dog, and Marina decides to try dressing down for a change. |
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| "Look Whose Wheel's Come Off" | 22 Aug | Wondering if Pearl still loves him, Howard asks Hobbo to give her a peck on the cheek from him - only to become even more despondent when he sees his wife deliver a passionate kiss. Meanwhile, Glenda sends Barry off to paint a landscape, hoping the activity will take his mind off his hunger - but fish and chips is the only thing on his mind. |
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| "How Not to Cry at Weddings" | 29 Aug | In this final episode of the long-running comedy, everyone is getting ready for a wedding - prompting Howard and Pearl to look back at their relationship. Meanwhile, Alvin flirts with Stella, Toby tries to smarten himself up in a bid to win back Monica, and Clegg worries that he's forgotten something important. |
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