Blamire

[Amos Hames 2]

Always wondered what direction or episode difference there would have been if Micheal Bates hadn't died . Just curious. The series obviously would have been very different

 

[Onslow]

Not sure how long it would have lasted. Clegg and Compo definitely needed someone less uptight. The series would have lasted for awhile but not as long as it did. I think for all the decrying of new and departing characters it was the one thing that kept the series fresh.

 

[imitation700mb]

If Blamire had stayed longer, I think the series would have ended after series 3, or possibly series 4. I think it would have become one of the "forgotten" sitcoms. I mean, can you imagine Blamire doing the things Foggy did in series 3. Mending Stuart's Leg, Isometrics or playing golf. The episodes would have been very different, or had completely different plots, if Blamire was still there.

 

[theatrically_inclined]

If Blamire had stayed longer, I think the series would have ended after series 3, or possibly series 4. I think it would have become one of the "forgotten" sitcoms. I mean, can you imagine Blamire doing the things Foggy did in series 3. Mending Stuart's Leg, Isometrics or playing golf. The episodes would have been very different, or had completely different plots, if Blamire was still there.

Don't forget, series 3 was originally written for Blamire and the script was adjusted for Foggy. Foggy was not the type to want to volunteer to go for a morning swim, unlike Blamire who had the boys go out camping and rowing a canoe down the river!

 

[mashibinbin]

It'd have gone for a fair longer I suspect with a slightly rejigged back to originally intended series 3. Thereafter he'd have gradually mellowed a bit as the series opened up more and the northern grime got replaced with rolling hills and heather. However the increased cast we got over the years would be less likely as his interactions with the ladies, Howard etc would have been far less cordial on the surface than his his sucessors. That said, after having one or two our Cyril was just as rambunctious as the rest of them

 

[wstol]

There were plenty of episodes in the late 70s and early 80s that would have worked for Blamire.
We know Series Three was written with Blamire in mind.
In Series Four, Who Made a Bit of a Splash in Wales, we have Foggy pursuing a welsh widow - and this would have suited Blamire much more.
We go as far as Series Seven - The Frozen Turkey Man. This would have worked for Blamire.
In fact, most episodes would have suited Blamire, but the show was ALWAYS going to develop differently.
Look at the Series Two episode Ballad for Wind Instruments and Canoe with Blamire. As early as this, the show was showing signs of physical comedy being a major factor.
We will never know exactly how long the show would have lasted without Michael Bates.
But Brian Wilde clearly did such a good job doing the sad job of replacing Michael Bates that the show was going to last a long time.

 

[mikey1965uk]

Always wondered what direction or episode difference there would have been if Micheal Bates hadn't died . Just curious. The series obviously would have been very different

Didn't he die much later after he left?

 

[mikey1965uk]

Brian Wilde was waiting in the wings. Michael kept his seat warm.
I am of course joking.
Michael was brilliant but I definitely think his character would have ran out of steam.
Foggy was adventurous, moral, brave (he always stood his ground), organised, bossy but not tyrannical (sometimes we all need someone who persists in getting stuff done).

 

[captain clutterbuck]

This is a bit controversial , Mikey do you think Seymour was a bit one dimensional a one trick pony as the authoritative headmaster and played that part in every episode he appeared because,dare I say it, Compo , Clegg and many of the cast are one trick but thankfully its the correct trick and why it lasted so long , history is littered with shows where the main characters play the same role for years its just the timing of when the series is cut or they leave that's why Fawlty Towers is such a great series because they knew it was the right to end the series, look no further than Stephen Lewis who played Butler through his whole career , in the end its down to the writer to develop the facets of the character.

 

[mikey1965uk]

This is a bit controversial , Mikey do you think Seymour was a bit one dimensional a one trick pony as the authoritative headmaster and played that part in every episode he appeared because,dare I say it, Compo , Clegg and many of the cast are one trick but thankfully its the correct trick and why it lasted so long , history is littered with shows where the main characters play the same role for years its just the timing of when the series is cut or they leave that's why Fawlty Towers is such a great series because they knew it was the right to end the series, look no further than Stephen Lewis who played Butler through his whole career , in the end its down to the writer to develop the facets of the character.

Can't argue with that. How dare you have a reasoned intelligent position.
Stand in the corner and don't speak until you're spoken to.


I thought Seymour was brilliant. I absolutely loved his character.

 

[404 Not Found]

This is a bit controversial , Mikey do you think Seymour was a bit one dimensional a one trick pony as the authoritative headmaster and played that part in every episode he appeared because,dare I say it, Compo , Clegg and many of the cast are one trick but thankfully its the correct trick and why it lasted so long , history is littered with shows where the main characters play the same role for years its just the timing of when the series is cut or they leave that's why Fawlty Towers is such a great series because they knew it was the right to end the series, look no further than Stephen Lewis who played Butler through his whole career , in the end its down to the writer to develop the facets of the character.

It is unpopular but I agree, Seymour is one of my least favourite characters and I did find him very one dimensional. Ducks for cover ..

 

[Louise Lawrence]

Didn't he die much later after he left?

Michael left in 1975 and he died in 1978. So, 3 years later

 

[RichardFromMarple]

From what I've heard Michael Bates found the workload for LOTSW too much for him with the many location shoots, but could cope better with the usually studio based It Ain't Half Hot Mum.

 

[mashibinbin]

For me Seymour was pretty much the definitive third man.

On the authoritive side he had all the bad traits built up of his time as head of the Utterthwaite academy. The glimpses we get here are of an instution as much falling apart physically as Seymour was mentally trying to keep order and being utterly out of his depth.

His rough stereotypically teacher edges are swiftly dispenspensed with and he becomes so amiable in my opinion he is only second to Truly in this field. He was never going to be a sucessful leader as he never had the staying power but he makes up for that in overwhelming compassion and a very true portrayal of someone who needed to be needed. He also has the rare distinction of being nearly as barmy sober as when inebriated.

There is a begrudged acceptance of Compo initially as being in his unpaid employment but he later enjoys not being the only barmpot in the room. Mischief is there too but with a warmth that sets aside any forced pomposity and need to keep the likes of Edie on side. He tries repeatedly to be a success but ultimately knows he is a failure and wants one day for just one of his schemes or inventions to work.

All this and a twinkle in the eye knowing he as an actor brought the cast together off screen so well despite it extending far beyond it's original boundries in number really cemented the show as must watch tv for me.

 

[mashibinbin]

As it's his thread so to speak here are my thoughts on our Cyril.

He was never always in charge in fact on occasion Clegg took the lead in this era and so you might think it was a more equal trio. However, this was was not the case as he who preferred the more rounded tones of Mr Blamire could never adjust properly to civilian life. He adapted his approach to an extent but whatever he did needed purpose and direction be that drinking, camping out under Norman's encouragement or traversing those wonderful hills. On occasion he could lower his own imposed standards enough to allow the social chasm he imposed to be diminished. This was always short term and in true sitcom form reverted to full pomposity by the beginning of the next episode.

When attempting to launch Shinyglow this was not someone after a quick buck or attempt at the latest wheeze. Instead it was a man who thought he could be useful again and rebuild that which had fallen by the wayside. That said, if he knew there was no disaproving audience in sight he could unstiffen a little and found kinship beginning to make the mould for what we now call the third man in Summer Wine country.

 

[wstol]

Don't forget, Getting Sam Home was originally written with Blamire in mind, as a book.

 

[codfanglers]

It'd have gone for a fair longer I suspect with a slightly rejigged back to originally intended series 3. Thereafter he'd have gradually mellowed a bit as the series opened up more and the northern grime got replaced with rolling hills and heather. However the increased cast we got over the years would be less likely as his interactions with the ladies, Howard etc would have been far less cordial on the surface than his his sucessors. That said, after having one or two our Cyril was just as rambunctious as the rest of them

I grew to appreciate Blamire more over the years. His less cordial interactions with the ladies, Howard, Smiler, etc. could have been good as well.