When Did Last Of The Summer Wine Start

Right, let's talk about Last of the Summer Wine. That incredibly long-running show. The one about old blokes messing about in Yorkshire.

But when did it actually start? That's the question, isn't it? Prepare for some potentially controversial opinions.

Officially, it began in 1973.

Yes, the history books say 1973. Peter Sallis, Bill Owen, and Michael Bates. The original trio.

They were wandering around Holmfirth, getting into scrapes. Supposedly, that's where it all started.

But here's my slightly heretical view.

I reckon it didn't really start then. Not the Last of the Summer Wine we all remember. The proper, bonkers one.

Hear me out. Bates left relatively early on, didn't he? A key ingredient was missing.

And things just weren’t quite… right. The formula wasn't perfected yet.

The Real Start? When Foggy Arrived

Now, when Brian Wilde, as Foggy Dewhurst, turned up… that's when the magic truly began. Suddenly, the show had that dynamic.

That constant battle between Compo's chaos and Foggy's control. Truly hilarious, in my opinion.

Suddenly it had character! That’s when Last of the Summer Wine really became... Last of the Summer Wine.

So, maybe 1976 is the actual starting date?

Unpopular opinion, I know. The purists will scream. They'll say I'm rewriting history.

But come on! Foggy was essential. He made it what it was! Change my mind.

The Evolution Continues

Okay, okay, even with Foggy, the show evolved. People came and went. Seymour Utterthwaite anyone?

New characters added different flavors. Some worked, some… didn’t so much.

Still, the core of the show – old men, beautiful scenery, and daft scrapes – remained consistent.

But was there another real start?

When Bill Owen (Compo) sadly passed away. It changed. It just wasn't the same.

The heart of the original trio was gone. Though it continued, maybe it was like a tribute act.

A respectful continuation, but not the genuine article. That may be another starting point, in a way. A starting point to the show's final era.

So, What's the Verdict?

Maybe there isn’t a single "start" date. Perhaps it's more like a series of launches. Each time a vital element clicked into place.

Or maybe I'm just overthinking it. Probably. It's just a TV show!

But it's a TV show I loved. And I have my strong opinions, however wrong they might be.

Regardless of when you think it started, let's raise a glass to Last of the Summer Wine. The show that proved getting old could be hilariously silly.

And that wearing a flat cap is eternally cool. Well, almost...

Cheers!