Original sentence: The series featured some of John Le Mesurier's last performances and many listeners were shocked to discover that the BBC was still wiping material as late as the 1980s
Edited sentence: It is probably fair to say that the series was not a high-water mark in BBC comedy, but nevertheless it did feature some of John Le Mesurier's last performances, and many listeners were shocked to discover that the BBC was still wiping material as late as the 1980s