The opening episode marks a refreshing change in direction for the long running series. Russ Abbot joins the show as Hobbo the new 'third man' teaming up with Alvin and Entwhistle to form a new trio.
Since we lost Compo, the show effectively lost it's direction and never found a suitable leading man/character. Peter Sallis has always been a mainstay, but the character of Clegg isn't really fit to lead a sitcom. Furthermore, as cast members died, the large ensemble cast of characters became segregated often featuring in short scenes that didn't little to add to the plot of the episode.
The show often experimented with different characters but never had a proper trio, and this episode is the first step in rectifying that.
It is revealed that Hobbo lives on the other side of Norman Clegg and was the former milkman in town. He fits into the LOTSW world well. I'm not overly keen on him believing he was a secret agent and feel this was an unnecessary move on Roy Clarkes part. Also why do the producers insist on so many cast members wearing wigs? That said, Russ Abbot is great. He dominates every scene he's in providing some laughs usually at his expense. He's sort of a hybrid Foggy and Seymour.
Other changes include making Christopher Beeny's 'repo man' (or Morton as he's now known) and Trevor Bannister's 'golf captain' series regulars. The Captain even moves in next door to Barry and Glenda which gives also them more to do. Morton, alongside knowing Barry, will also provide another link to Tom giving him another purpose.
The other change is that due to Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton's respective ages, they could only film studio based scenes and as a result they a fully relegated to supporting characters and are stuck in Clegg's front room with only each other for company. Fingers crossed they have the opportunity to interact with other characters over the course of the series.
The big negative is that due to Kathy Staff's ill health during when this series was filmed Nora Batty has emigrated once again to Australia to look after an older sister which I can't really imagine Nora wanting to do. Meanwhile, her other sister, Stella, is house sitting providing Alvin with a new neighbour. Not sure about Stella yet, she seems another unnecessary character. I guess they wanted to leave the door open for Nora's return before Kathy Staff passed away after production was completed.
I'm looking forward to seeing Hobbo grow and wish these changes had been implemented a good 4 years or more prior.
Since we lost Compo, the show effectively lost it's direction and never found a suitable leading man/character. Peter Sallis has always been a mainstay, but the character of Clegg isn't really fit to lead a sitcom. Furthermore, as cast members died, the large ensemble cast of characters became segregated often featuring in short scenes that didn't little to add to the plot of the episode.
The show often experimented with different characters but never had a proper trio, and this episode is the first step in rectifying that.
It is revealed that Hobbo lives on the other side of Norman Clegg and was the former milkman in town. He fits into the LOTSW world well. I'm not overly keen on him believing he was a secret agent and feel this was an unnecessary move on Roy Clarkes part. Also why do the producers insist on so many cast members wearing wigs? That said, Russ Abbot is great. He dominates every scene he's in providing some laughs usually at his expense. He's sort of a hybrid Foggy and Seymour.
Other changes include making Christopher Beeny's 'repo man' (or Morton as he's now known) and Trevor Bannister's 'golf captain' series regulars. The Captain even moves in next door to Barry and Glenda which gives also them more to do. Morton, alongside knowing Barry, will also provide another link to Tom giving him another purpose.
The other change is that due to Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton's respective ages, they could only film studio based scenes and as a result they a fully relegated to supporting characters and are stuck in Clegg's front room with only each other for company. Fingers crossed they have the opportunity to interact with other characters over the course of the series.
The big negative is that due to Kathy Staff's ill health during when this series was filmed Nora Batty has emigrated once again to Australia to look after an older sister which I can't really imagine Nora wanting to do. Meanwhile, her other sister, Stella, is house sitting providing Alvin with a new neighbour. Not sure about Stella yet, she seems another unnecessary character. I guess they wanted to leave the door open for Nora's return before Kathy Staff passed away after production was completed.
I'm looking forward to seeing Hobbo grow and wish these changes had been implemented a good 4 years or more prior.
