Last of the Summer Wine
Series 8
Last of the Summer Wine Series 7 & 8 DVD
Country of originUK
No. of episodes7
Release
Original networkBBC1
Original release30 December 1984 (1984-12-30) –
17 March 1985 (1985-03-17)
Additional information
Filming dates
  • Seasonal Special: 1984
  • Series 8: 1984
Series chronology

Last of the Summer Wine's eighth series originally aired on BBC1 between 30 December 1984 and 17 March 1985.[1] All episodes from this series were written by Roy Clarke and produced and directed by Alan J. W. Bell.[2]

The eighth series was released on DVD in region 2 as a combined box set with series 7 on 3 March 2008.

Outline

The trio in this series consisted of:

Actor Role
Bill Owen Compo
Peter Sallis Clegg
Brian Wilde Foggy

First appearances

Returning this series

Last appearances

List of episodes

Seasonal Special (1984)

Title Airdate Description Notes
The Loxely Lozenge 30 December Wesley needs some help. He's found an old, but extremely valuable racing car, and wants the lads to help him get it home.
  • This episode marks the first appearance of Crusher, however his introduction appears in the 8th series, officially.
  • Note that, for continuity reasons, in most repeat airings of this episode (as well as the DVD releases), Jonathan Linsley's appearance as Crusher has been edited out. As The Loxley Lozenge was moved to the front of this series to become a seasonal special, it ultimately caused continuity problems with the character of Crusher.
  • This episode also marked the 2nd (due to popularity) guest appearance of Wesley Pegden (who became a full regular from the next series onward until 2002).
  • Also guest-starring appearance of Ashley Jackson as a painter.
  • Included on the Series 7 & 8 boxset.
  • The general consensus is the chassis of an Austin Sheerline was used as a prop for the titular fictional vehicle.[3]
  • The original scripted ending involved the settee (on which the three men sat) sliding around the chassis, making it difficult for Clegg to steer; the settee tips over backwards, causing the men to fall out. This was altered due to safety and logistical concerns.
  • The scene in which the Loxely Lozenge detaches from Wesley's Land Rover and rolls back toward the wall was unplanned. Unlike as depicted in the final episode. the actors were safely stopped before crashing,

Regular series

Title Airdate Description Notes
The Mysterious Feet of Nora Batty 10 February Foggy and Compo have a disagreement about the size of Nora's feet, so they set out to find out the truth.
  • As originally scripted, Compo was to pour liquid onto a piece of hardboard with the idea that Nora Batty would step onto it, leaving an imprint of her feet to be measured. It would result in the board being stuck to Compo's wellies and the scene would have ended with him escaping down her steps, the hardboard still attached to his feet. Safety concerns necessitated alterations.
Keeping Britain Tidy 17 February Foggy decides to embark upon a campaign to clean up the countryside, starting with an old mattress.
  • The official introduction of Crusher occurs in this episode as his appearance has been edited out of the previous Christmas Special in most repeats and the DVD release. He becomes a regular character from this episode until the 1987 Christmas Special
  • This episode features Brian Glover as a guest star. Ten years earlier Glover and Brian Wilde had appeared together in series one of Porridge.
Enter The Phantom 24 February Compo transforms himself into 'The Phantom', a daredevil motorcyclist. Will this impress Nora?
Catching Digby's Donkey 3 March Foggy offers to help Digby catch his donkey.
  • This episode marks the first appearances of Howard, Pearl and Marina who become full regulars from this episode onward.
  • Guest starring John Evitts as Digby
The Woollenmills of your Mind 10 March Compo comes up with yet another plan to impress Nora – entering a marathon.
Who's Looking After The Cafe, Then? 17 March Foggy volunteers to look after Ivy's Cafe while she goes out.
  • This episode sees the last appearance of Foggy (as Wilde left to star in Wyatt's Watchdogs). He would return in Series 12 five years later.
  • Third guest appearance of Wesley Pegden before becoming a regular character in the following episode, Uncle of the Bride.
  • David Williams makes his second of three appearances as Norris Fairburn.

DVD release

The box set for series 7 and 8 was released by Universal Playback in March 2008.

The Complete Series 7 & 8
Set Details[4]
  • 15 episodes
  • 3-disc set
  • Language: English
Release Date
Region 2
3 March 2008

The region 2 DVD contains edited episodes for The Loxley Lozenge and Catching Digby's Donkey. Both episodes are unedited on the region 1 DVD release.

Notes

  1. ↑ Bright and Ross (2000), pp. 181–182
  2. ↑ Bright and Ross (2000), p. 164
  3. ↑ DigitalCavalry (17 July 2015). "Christmas Special 1984: The Loxley Lozenge". Summer Winos. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  4. ↑ "Last of the Summer Wine Series 7 & 8". Amazon. Retrieved 21 August 2016.

References

Bright, Morris; Robert Ross (2000). Last of the Summer Wine: The Finest Vintage. London: BBC Worldwide Ltd. ISBN 0-563-55151-8.

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