June 17 , 2008
For Immediate Release

WKNO Viewers Elect New British Comedy Lineup

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Between June 1 and June 13, British comedy fans went to wkno.org and called in to cast their votes for a new British comedy (Britcom) lineup. After more than 31,000 votes, WKNO viewers elected to bring in new episodes of Last of the Summer Wine and begin a comedy that hasn’t aired before on Channel 10.

To the Manor Born premieres Sunday, July 6 at 10:00 p.m. In the face of her late husband’s debts, Audrey fforbes-Hamilton is unable to maintain her family’s hold on Grantleigh Manor. But when flashy business tycoon Richard DeVere purchases the estate at auction, he gets more than he bargained for as the imperious Audrey schools him in the rules and customs of country life. Starring Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles, this comedy originally aired from 1979 to 1981 in Britain.

Last of the Summer Wine has been delighting audiences since 1973, making it the longest-running sitcom in the world. Still producing new episodes, this favorite features the antics of a group senior citizens set in a picturesque village in the Yorkshire Dales, one of the most beautiful parts of England. It will air Monday – Thursday at 10:30 p.m. beginning July 7.

The contracts for currently airing series As Time Goes By and Last of the Summer Wine will expire on June 30. WKNO asked viewers to direct the station to renew the contracts or choose something that has not aired on WKNO. The choices for the “new” Britcoms were ‘Allo ‘Allo!, Ever Decreasing Circles, My Hero and To the Manor Born. Episodes from all six series aired in two separate marathons on June 1 and June 8 on Channel 10.

“This was an excellent opportunity for our viewers and Members to become actively involved in public television programming,” said WKNO Program Manager Debi Robertson. “We plan to continue to reach out to the community and ask their opinion when we revisit Britcom contracts again in 2009.”

The current contracts for two other favorite Britcoms on WKNO, Are You Being Served? and Keeping Up Appearances, do not expire until June of 2009. WKNO is a non-profit, private foundation serving the Mid-South for more than 50 years. An important community resource, WKNO uses the power of non-commercial public broadcasting to provide the Mid-South with quality educational and cultural programs that inform, entertain, and inspire. Explore wkno.org for more information.

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