Last of the Summer Wine (TV Series) Some Adventures of the Inventor of the Mother Stitch (2009) User Reviews

Has its moments.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 26 October 2021]

Hobbo, Cleggy's neighbour, and a former employee of Primrose Diaries recounts to the locals how he was a secret undercover agent.

First off, let's address Nora Batty, Kathy Staff had sadly passed away, and instead of giving her the big send off that the character genuinely deserved, they instead set up an unconvincing story of care down under.

Secondly, we see the arrival of Hobbo, played by Russ Abbott, you has to applaud the show for recruiting, and giving work to mature, retired actors, when regular roles had perhaps become a little less frequent, the latest recruit, Russ Abbott.

I'm not initially blown away by Hobbo, that's the average script, not that great man, he was better than the material he got to work with here, it's a bit silly.

No real great comedy moments here, it's not bad, just not very memorable, 6/10.

Some Adventures of the Inventor of the Mother Stitch

[studioAT · 4/10 · 9 September 2023]

I completely understand the problem Roy Clarke faced - Peter Sallis and Frank Thornton weren't getting any younger, the show needed a more mobile/younger trio. Bring Russ Abbott in, fine, fair enough.

However, they didn't need to give him the whole show! It doesn't help either that his character is a bit one note, and the whole 'spy who has forgotten everything' joke wears a bit thin.

There's not much else going on here other than that though sadly. They should have made Trevor Bannister's character a bit more likable, and if Barry was any dimmer he'd be locked up.

Yes, Abbott does bring a new energy, but it's actually a bit sad to see Cleggy and Truly just top and tailing episodes to remind us they're still there.