I’ve been digging through old magazines, newspapers, and online reviews to find out what critics and viewers thought about sitcoms, way back in the early days of TV and even up to now. In this video, I’m taking a look at some sitcoms you might have forgotten about that aired between 2003 and 2008.
Category: Series
The UK’s Forgotten Sitcoms (1970 to 1976)
I’ve been on a real nostalgia trip, diving into books, old newspapers, magazines, and even those forgotten corners of the internet to see what people thought about sitcoms – from the very first ones to the shows we’re watching today.
In this, the first of five videos, we’re going to take a look at some sitcoms that might have faded from your memory. Some were absolute gems, while others… well, let’s just say they might be best left to the history books.
The UK’s Sitcoms loved by viewers, hated by critics
It’s a familiar story: the public falls head over heels for a TV show, while the critics remain largely unimpressed. In this YouTube video we delve into four beloved British sitcoms that perfectly illustrate this divide. These shows demonstrate that sometimes, the audience knows best. I’ve sifted through countless articles, websites, and reports to uncover the public’s affection and the media’s more measured responses.
The Missing Episodes
In my “Summer Wine Decanted” series, I have covered the Pilot and all 294 episodes of “Last of the Summer Wine” that were broadcast. But did you know there could be two missing “Last of the Summer Wine” episodes?
The Christmas Episodes
- Do you remember Foggy buying 100 Christmas trees?
- Or Barry going missing on Christmas Day?
- Or Howard trying to hide Christmas presents from the two women in his life?
As it’s the festive season, what better time to remember some classic Christmas “Last of the Summer Wine” episodes…
Bloopers – the bits you weren’t meant to see…
We spent about 30 days over a period of ten months in 2022 and 2023 filming for the “Summer Wine Decanted” series. It did not always go to plan. Here are some of the technical failures, fluffs and – as Dennis Norden would say – “cock-ups”… These are not the only out-takes, often what goes wrong is not captured by the camera!
If you watched the YouTube Premiere of “The Last Drop” then you may have already seen this as a bonus video!
The BBC TV sitcom “Last of the Summer Wine” was the longest-running comedy programme in Britain, and the longest running situation comedy in the world. The year 2023 marks 50 years since the pilot and first series were broadcast.
The Last Drop
“The Last Drop” will be a special YouTube Premiere on Sunday 29 October 2023, at 7:00pm (GMT)
This is the final episode in my “Summer Wine Decanted” series, so I went back to Holmfirth for one last time. While there I visited The Wrinkled Stocking Tearoom to meet someone who has been a fan of the show for forty years, appeared as an extra, and has helped with my research: Terry Bartlam.
If you join us at from about 5pm you can chat and leave messages. Peter and Leigh will be online to reply. During the Premiere you will be able to continue chatting and we will try and answer questions during the video. You can always leave comments and other questions in the comment section under the video after the Premiere has ended.
In the video we will also reveal some of what went in to making this series of videos, and some of what was cut out!
Special thanks to Dennis and Jackie Fussell at The Wrinkled Stocking Tearoom, and my guest Terry Bartlam
Summer Wine Decanted: The Ultimate Guide to Last of the Summer Wine
This is the story of the BBC TV sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from its humble start to becoming a world-wide favourite and the longest running situation comedy in the world.
The year 2023 marks 50 years since the pilot and first series were broadcast.
This book is based on my series of YouTube videos, with some additional details and updates. It has biographies of the actors and covers every major character and many of the regular and occasional supporting characters appearing in the show’s 37 year run.
There is also an in-depth Trivia section, covering details you might find interesting, things you missed when you watched the show and behind-the-scenes secrets.
Available now on Amazon: Summer Wine Decanted: The Ultimate Guide to Last of the Summer Wine
Summer Wine Decanted – Trivia: Series 26 to 31
In this video we will look at some of things you probably didn’t know or hadn’t noticed before – from continuity errors to behind-the-scenes secrets in series 26 to 31.
- What was the original title of the series 27 episode “Follow That Bottle”?
- In the series 28 episode “The Crowcroft Challenge”, did you spot the posters in the library for a newly published book by the wife of one of the stars?
- Brian Conley played “Boothroyd”, a neighbour of Barry and Glenda, in the series 29 episode “Enter The Finger”, but who was the role was originally offered to?
The year 2023 marks 50 years since the pilot and first series of “Last of the Summer Wine” were broadcast. This series of videos is filmed in many of the well-known, and some less well-known, locations seen in the programme.
Near the End of “Summer Wine Decanted”
As the Summer Wine Decanted series is drawing to a close, I thought we would have a special final video. On Sunday 29 October 2023, at 7:00pm (GMT) there will be a YouTube Premiere of the final video. Assuming all the technical stuff works, if you join us at 7pm (or as early as about 5pm) you can comment and chat live in the YouTube chat next to the video – and watch the video from 7pm.
There is still one more trivia video to come on Monday 23 October 2023, at 7pm (BST).
Special thanks to: Dennis and Jackie Fussell at The Wrinkled Stocking Tearoom, for their help and allowing us to film there.