Keeping Up Appearances
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| Keeping Up Appearances | |
|---|---|
 Keeping Up Appearances title card |
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| Genre | Sitcom |
| Running time | 30 minutes per episode |
| Creator(s) | Roy Clarke |
| Starring | Patricia Routledge Clive Swift David Griffin Josephine Tewson Geoffrey Hughes Judy Cornwell Shirley Stelfox Mary Millar |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Original channel | BBC |
| Original run | October 29, 1990–December 25, 1995 |
| No. of episodes | 44 (plus 3 short) |
| IMDb profile | |
Keeping Up Appearances was a British sitcom, which ran on BBC1 from 1990 to 1995.
The show has developed a rather devoted cult following in North America as well, airing regularly on PBS stations and BBC America, as well as on Seven, and the ABC in Australia. Keeping Up Appearances was twelfth in the list of Britain's Best Sitcoms, in a poll conducted in 2003 and 2004 by the BBC.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The show revolves around the constant struggles of the protagonist Hyacinth Bucket, who pronounces her surname as Bouquet (although her husband always pronounced it "Bucket" before he married). Hyacinth is a social-climbing suburbanite who spends much of her time pretending to be of a higher, more "aristocratic" class. Episodes normally feature her latest scheme to move up in life, whether it be through socializing with those she sees as her betters (driving older more aristocratic locals), well-publicised community service (taking command of the women's luncheons), or modifying her life in a way that appears to her as more upper-crust (such as buying a country home). She frequently attempts to out-do her neighbours as well, particularly a Mrs. Barker-Finch.
Hyacinth's long-suffering husband, Richard, patiently endures his wife's snobbery and social scheming. When he tries to address an issue, she normally ignores him. A civil servant who is forced into early retirement midway through the series, Richard is forever trying to talk to Hyacinth about his worries and concerns — such as when Richard asks why their oft-mentioned, but never seen, son Sheridan isn't interested in girls — an issue that Hyacinth ignores. A frequent gag involves a telephone call from Sheridan, who is asking for money and who drops obvious clues that he is gay, though Hyacinth remains utterly clueless about the possibility.
Also featured are Hyacinth's working-class sister Daisy and her self-confessed "bone-idle, work-shy and out-of-condition" husband Onslow. Onslow and Daisy live with Hyacinth's promiscuous sister, Rose, and their increasingly senile father. The father suffers frequent delusions involving his military service in World War II and his behaviour causes comic problems; but Hyacinth idolises him and is quick to mention his supposed heroics during the war when he causes a scene. Rather embarrassed by her sisters and their lifestyle, Hyacinth usually attempts to associate herself with her other sister, Violet, who is wealthy but unhappily-married to a somewhat unstable crossdresser and racing bookie, whom Hyacinth calls a "turf accountant." All four sisters are named after flowers.
Other characters include Hyacinth's next-door neighbours, Elizabeth Warden and Emmet Hawksworth. Emmet is a recently divorced musician who has moved in with Elizabeth, his sister. Hyacinth, fancying herself a great singer, bursts into off-key song whenever Emmet is nearby in hopes that he will recruit her for his amateur operatics society. This has had the effect of causing the appalled Emmet to live in fear of her, and he will often try to hide when she comes to visit. Hyacinth's interpretation is that Emmet is attracted to her but is shy and uncomfortable about expressing it.
Elizabeth's husband works for a company with operations in Saudi Arabia. They have a daughter named Gail, who is away at university.
The vicar of the Buckets' parish church, and his long-suffering Scottish wife also appear regularly. The handsome young vicar often finds his wife jealous of the attentions other women pay to him, particularly Hyacinth's sister Rose, who refers to him as "that dishy vicar". The vicar's wife occasionally addresses him by his given name, Michael, but their surname and her given name are unknown.
As Hyacinth is the centre of the programme, it should be noted that many details of the other characters' lives are not provided. We get little sense of Richard's interests or opinions. We know only that he likes to spend long periods of time in the bathroom to avoid his wife, that he does not seem to be able to hold his liquor well, and that he is an excellent shot in a game of billiards. However, we never hear any mention at all of Richard's family or friends.
Violet and her husband Bruce are mentioned often but appear only rarely, mainly in the final series. We also do not learn the maiden name of Hyacinth and her three sisters, nor Daisy's and Onslow's surname.
Neither Daisy nor Onslow appear to be gainfully employed — they are frequently shown sleeping well into the afternoon — and it is never established how they support themselves financially, although Onslow once voiced concern over how long the state could afford to support him. This suggests that the couple are on welfare. In one episode Onslow was driving a lorry, so he might be a laid-off truck driver.
Daisy and Onslow have a free-spirited daughter, Stephanie, and a grand-daughter, Kylie (not a name appreciated by Hyacinth, as it reminds her of foreign vegetable, she says). Stephanie has two boyfriends (and Kylie's dad could be either), and owns a rust-bucket Ford Transit that — in keeping with family tradition — backfires spectacularly, rather like Onslow's car.
[edit] Filming locations
Exterior shots around Hyacinth's house were filmed in Binley Woods village near Coventry. Exterior shots around Daisy and Onslow's council house were filmed in Stoke Aldermoor in Coventry. Other exterior street and town shots were filmed in Leamington Spa and in various towns throughout Warwickshire, along with many memorable scenes from the large town of Northampton. The show is believed to be the first BBC sitcom to shoot all of its exterior scenes on videotape rather than film.
[edit] Running gags
The running gags in most episodes are:
- Hyacinth answering the phone in a loud, grandiose tone, as, "The Bouquet residence, the lady of the house speaking," then, "Oh, it's you ...".
- Hyacinth getting a call from Violet and yelling to Elizabeth, "It's my sister Violet! You know, the one with the Mercedes, sauna, and room for a pony."
- Hyacinth getting a call from Daisy or Rose and yelling to Elizabeth, "It's my sister Daisy [or Rose] — she's not the one with the Mercedes, sauna, and there's no room for a pony."
- Hyacinth will often invite Elizabeth to "sit anywhere she likes" and when Elizabeth goes to sit down she'll quickly interject "No, not there I like to face the window."
- When any of her sisters ring, it almost always involves subject matter that Hyacinth does not want heard by any visitors. When such matters arise and Elizabeth happens to be present, she either has the kitchen door shut on her — or, worse still — is hurriedly thrown out of the house by Hyacinth.
- Violet always rings Hyacinth to complain about Bruce's "antics". She almost always rings when Elizabeth happens to be present.
- Hyacinth's extraordinary pride in her "pearl-white slimline push-button telephone," to which she sometimes adds "with last number redial."
- Hyacinth is constantly trying to out-do her neighbours, particularly the Barker-Finches at number 23 Blossom Avenue.
- Hyacinth's naïveté in some situations, particularly when men make advances on her.
- Hyacinth and her idolising of the Queen. She always likes impressing people with her possessions, particularly when they have the Royal Warrant attached.
- Hyacinth cries "Sheridan!" in a motherly tone when she receives a call from him, usually only when Sheridan needs money from "mummy". Richard (but not Hyacinth) realises this; often asking in an exasperated tone, "What does he want?"; Hyacinth then replies, "I don't know that he wants anything!"; Sheridan then proceeds, as always, to ask for money (usually £50 - 100). Hyacinth usually indulges him and has only turned him down once.
- Neighbour Elizabeth dreading Hyacinth's coffee breaks (almost always at 11:00am exactly) and, finding herself clumsy around Hyacinth, likewise dreading using her cups (Hyacinth rarely trusts her with her fine china instead offering her a beaker). Elizabeth always nervously drops a biscuit into the coffee or spills the coffee on the table or rug, prompting Hyacinth to remark, to Elizabeth's further embarrassment, "Think nothing of it dear, I'm sure it won't stain," or something to that effect.
- Elizabeth's attempts to be assertive and turn down Hyacinth's invitations to go to hers for coffee; she inevitably weakens and ends up going anyway.
- Elizabeth is often thrown out of the house when Hyacinth finds herself in a damaging social situation, and is sometimes still carrying one of Hyacinth's belongings. Immediately Elizabeth rings the doorbell to give the item back, and Hyacinth answers, but believes she is actually giving the item to her (typical quote - "Thank you, that cup goes with my own set!").
- Hyacinth requiring her visitors to remove their shoes before entering her house and instructing them to "Mind the walls!" or "Please be careful not to brush up against my wallpaper."
- Hyacinth "backseat driving" Richard with ridiculous warnings, usually about things that do not even affect his driving ("Mind that tree, Richard!").
- Hyacinth disparagingly telling her husband that "I will not have you ..." (example: "Richard, I will not have you wave at people with dirty garden gloves.")
- Hyacinth frequently trying to impress people with talk of her candlelight suppers, as well as her and Richard's various "high-end" possessions, which she usually cites by brand name (typical examples of this being her cherished Royal Doulton chinaware "with the hand-painted periwinkles" or her set of "matching executive luggage with genuine leather embellishments and initials").
- When off at parties or church outings, Hyacinth frequently chooses to wear expensive and often outlandish hats, which are modelled after the Queen's collection. Shocked reactions to her hats and outfits from her friends and other locals are a common theme whenever Hyacinth exits her home.
- Hyacinth's absolute loathing of Onslow. She always makes disparaging comment about Onslow to Richard such as "I will not be found on stately premises in the company of someone who drinks beer in his undershirt." Or, referring to Onslow's bare arms and shoulders poking through the tank-top undershirt, "I don't know why we have to see so much of Onslow."
- People, regardless of their social stature, pronouncing Hyacinth's surname as it is spelt ("Bucket"), rather than "Bouquet", which she insists upon.
- People unaffectionately referring to Hyacinth as "the Bucket woman" behind her back.
- People seeing Hyacinth coming, a look of shock or horror appearing on their faces, and attempting (often unsuccessfully) to either sneak away or, more often, race full-tilt in the opposite direction.
- There are fairly obvious clues indicating that Sheridan is a gay man. Everyone except Hyacinth seems to know this, including Richard. Hyacinth is oblivious to the fact. Sheridan is almost never shown, except in a picture as a young boy in a scout uniform. One episode did show the back of him in a taxi.
- When coming home, Emmet, Elizabeth's brother, tries to sneak past Hyacinth to avoid her high-pitched singing. (Hyacinth is frequently — and unsuccessfully — angling for a role in the operas that Emmet directs.) "She'll sing at me, Liz," he frets to his sister.
- Bruce, Violet's husband, seen in embarrassing outfits (jockey, mediaeval costume, women's clothes), waving out to Hyacinth and Richard. He advises Violet to call him "Brenda" when en femme.
- Hyacinth's father, who is apparently senile, leaving Daisy and Onslow's home and behaving in some scandalous fashion, often related to his wartime experience.
- Hyacinth doesn't want to be seen in public with Onslow, Daisy or Rose, especially to people of same class or higher (for example, Mrs.-Councillor Nugent). Hyacinth dreads Onslow, Daisy or Rose stopping by her house (which is often, and usually on Daddy or Richard-related matters), and Hyacinth tries to get them away from her house as soon as possible. Hyacinth stops by Onslow's house whenever there is trouble with her father, but she dreads being seen in that area. In neutral public places such as stately homes, Hyacinth runs away from Onslow, Daisy and Rose, dragging a usually less willing Richard along.
- Daisy and Onslow have the most squalid house and garden in their street (and in surrounding streets, for that matter).
- Daisy, Onslow and Rose — much to Hyacinth's disgust — fit in perfectly with upper-crust 'friends' of Hyacinth's.
- Daisy getting some sort of idea while reading one of her romance novels ("I think I'll wear me hair in a bun").
- Daisy making unsuccessful sexual passes and innuendos at husband Onslow usually after reading her romance novels ("Got anymore bacon?").
- Onslow's bedtime reading material, which is often advanced physics books.
- Onslow's sparse wardrobe, which consists of dirty pants, a sleeveless white T-shirt, sometimes a sleeveless sweater (with or without a T-shirt), and a baseball cap with "FH" on the front. On rare occasions when he is required to wear a tie or a sport coat, they are worn over the same sleeveless sweater. The "FH" on Onslow's hat stands for Fulton Hogan Ltd., a New Zealand asphalt and roadbuilding company.
- Rose arriving home at dawn and storming into Daisy's and Onslow's bedroom, followed by a statement usually along the lines of "I've made a decision! I've given up men!". This is often followed by a wisecrack from Onslow like "That's the third time this week, and it's only Wednesday!"
- Rose storming into Daisy's and Onslow's bedroom, followed by a statement like "Dad's gone off!" followed by a sarcastic statement from Onslow.
- Rose announcing that she's awaiting a phone call from her latest fling (always referred to as "Mr. (insert surname)"). This is usually followed by Daisy or Onslow asking about the previous Mr. (insert another surname) and Rose insisting that the previous man was "swine" and that this one is "different".
- Rose, telling a boyfriend that she lives with Hyacinth in order to save face and not admit living in near-slum conditions with her sister and brother-in-law.
- Rose making advances on both Emmet and "that dishy Vicar" (whose wife refers to Rose as "The Vampire Sister").
- Rose's interest in almost anyone who is male, and their interest in her, regardless of their age or standards.
- Rose, often shown as a mistress; often her gentlemen friends come with wives.
- Rose's frequent retort "Bug off, Onslow!" usually in response to disparaging comments about her love life.
- Whenever Onslow inquires about foodstuffs (for example, usually beer, bacon butties or smoky bacon-flavoured crisps) and Daisy tells him that they're out, he responds with an exasperated, "Oh, nice!" He also uses this phrase for other unusual situations, usually revolving around Hyacinth or when he is put down.
- Onslow's rust-bucket 1978 Ford Cortina backfiring noisily - in a visual, fiery, smoky spectacle - usually when outside Hyacinth's.
- Onslow's front gate falling off its hinges, prompting Richard to bend over to pick it up, only for Hyacinth to say "Leave it, leave it" and step over it.
- Onslow's dog (which lives in an abandoned Hillman Avenger in the front garden) barking loudly at Hyacinth, and her falling into the hedge as a result. However, the dog is quiet when anyone else passes by.
- Onslow hitting the TV set to turn it on and Daisy whacking the set in odd ways to change channels.
- Onslow's car breaks down from time to time. In an episode Onslow and Daisy are walking.
- The postman dreading delivering mail to Hyacinth's address: In one episode, he tried to bribe a neighbourhood boy to deliver the mail for him, but he responded, "What, for Mrs. Bucket, forget it!" The milkman has similar troubles. Both the postman and milkman become exasperated by Hyacinth's ridiculous requests, such as Hyacinth's insistence that only first-class stamps be on the mail delivered to her house, and putting in a request that her milk come from a particular herd of cows she saw on a titled gentleman's estate. Hyacinth once asked the electrician to see if her power ran through any undesireable neighborhoods before coming to her house.
- An anonymous caller regularly mistakes the Buckets' phone number for the Green Lotus, which is the local "Chinese takeaway," much to Hyacinth's consternation.
- The Major's attempts at flirting and having his way with Hyacinth.
- Hyacinth often remarks that she'd have Daddy living at home with her, and in each episode the reason for her not doing so changes with each reason as trivial as the last, for example, "I'd take him home if he didn't slop his cocoa," or "I'd have him living with us but he's unreliable in the bathroom," and "I'd take him home if he didn't make those funny noises."
- Hyacinth's back-handed compliments or passive-aggressive statements which she perceives to be perfectly pleasant.
- Hyacinth's complete inability to read people's feelings, despite her lofty belief that it is her best quality.
[edit] Vehicles
An unusual approach for this type of programme is that there are many outdoor shots, so the characters' automobiles are often seen. The same cars were used throughout the run of the programme. The vehicles can often be seen central to the storyline.
- Hyacinth and Richard own a sparkling sky blue 1986 Rover 216 4-door saloon. It is always kept immaculate, due to Richard continually cleaning and polishing it. It is only driven sedately by Richard—Hyacinth obviously doesn't drive—but Daddy did once spectacularly steal it (and drive it like a race-car), to be chased by Onslow's rustbucket. Elizabeth has also driven it once, when pretending to be Richard after she found him drunk with Emmet. Hyacinth always has her door opened for her. Often, much to Hyacinth's disgust, it can also be seen ferrying Daisy, Onslow and Rose. The car is proclaimed by Hyacinth to be reliable, but it has been seen many a time breaking down - and Hyacinth pushing it.
- Elizabeth (Emmet is seen in the passenger seat) owns a white 1988 Austin Metro. A small car, but it can pack in a load (Daddy's wheelchair fits in well). Hyacinth has been known to frown upon the car, thinking that is old (it is actually newer than Hyacinth's!). Occasionally the car breaks down, or it is seen being pushed down Elizabeth's driveway by Emmet, simply to avoid Hyacinth.
- Onslow has two cars. One of course is the blue-black-rust coloured 1978 Ford Cortina 1.6 GLS Mk4 that is always renowned for backfiring, always when it starts and stops, particularly in front of Hyacinth's when visitors are present. Often seen as passengers are Daisy and Rose, although occasionally (and surprisingly) Hyacinth and Richard appear in the car, and once even Elizabeth and Emmet were seen in it. It is just as well that Onslow somehow knows how to fix cars, since it often breaks down. However he lets Daisy fix it so she knows how to when he is not around. Onslow's other car is the remains of a Hillman Avenger GL, on the front lawn as a dog kennel.
- Violet and Bruce own a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, much to the absolute pride of Hyacinth. Earlier episodes showed a 1990 model, but the later ones (which frequently featured Violet in person) showed a 1995 model. In one episode, Violet is seen being chauffeured by Onslow.
- Hyacinth, Daisy, Rose and Emmet are never seen behind the wheel of a car. However, at the end of the episode "A Very Merry Hyacinth", Daisy is given the keys, because Onslow is "too shook up" from the surprise he gets under the mistletoe.
[edit] Cast
- Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth Bucket)
- Clive Swift (Richard Bucket)
- Judy Cornwell (Daisy)
- Geoffrey Hughes (Onslow)
- Shirley Stelfox/Mary Millar (Rose)
- Josephine Tewson (Elizabeth Warden, nee Hawksworth)
- David Griffin (Emmet Hawksworth)
- George Webb ("Daddy")
- Anna Dawson (Violet)
- Jeremy Gittins (Michael, the Vicar)
- Marion Barron (Vicar's Wife)
- Peter Cellier (The Major)
- David Janson (The Postman)
[edit] Episode list
[edit] Series 1 (1990)
- Daddy's Accident (29 Oct 90)
- The New Vicar (5 Nov 90)
- Stately Home (12 Nov 90)
- The Charity Shop (19 Nov 90)
- Daisy's Toyboy (26 Nov 90)
- The Christening (3 Dec 90)
[edit] Series 2 (1991)
- A Strange Man (1 Sep 91)
- Driving Mrs. Fortescue (8 Sep 91)
- The Candlelight Supper (15 Sep 91)
- Hyacinth Tee Off (22 Sep 91)
- Problems With Relatives (29 Sep 91)
- Onslow's Birthday (6 Oct 91)
- Singing For Emmet (13 Oct 91)
- The Toy Store (20 Oct 91)
- Three Piece Suite (27 Oct 91)
- Picnic For Daddy (3 Nov 91)
[edit] Christmas Special (1991)
- Father Christmas Suit (25 Dec 91)
[edit] Series 3 (1992)
- Early Retirement (6 Sep 92)
- Iron Age Remains (13 Sep 92)
- Violet's Country Cottage (20 Sep 92)
- How to Go on Holiday without Really Trying (27 Sep 92)
- Richard's New Hobby (4 Oct 92)
- The Art Exhibition (11 Oct 92)
- What to Wear When Yachting (18 Oct 92)
[edit] Series 4 (1993)
- A Job For Richard (5 Sep 93)
- Rural Retreat (12 Sep 93)
- A Celebrity For The Barbecue (19 Sep 93)
- The Commodore (26 Sep 93)
- Looking For Property (3 Oct 93)
- Please Mind Your Head (10 Oct 93)
- Let There Be Light (17 Oct 93)
[edit] Christmas Specials (1993 & 1994)
- Sea Fever (26 Dec 93)
- Angel Gabriel Blue (25 Dec 94)
[edit] Series 5 (1995)
- The Old Folks Outing (3 Sep 95)
- The Mayor's Fancy Dress Ball (10 Sep 95)
- Hyacinth Is Alarmed (17 Sep 95)
- A Riverside Picnic (24 Sep 95)
- Skis (1 Oct 95)
- The Country Estate Sale (8 Oct 95)
- The Boy Friend (15 Oct 95)
- A Barbecue At Violet's (22 Oct 95)
- The Rolls Royce (29 Oct 95)
- The Hostess (5 Nov 95)
[edit] Children In Need Special (1995)
- Children In Need Sketch (24 Nov 95)
[edit] Christmas Special (1995)
- The Pageant (25 Dec 95)
[edit] Shorts
5 minute Noel's House Party short - Hyacinth and Richard get a visit from - of all characters - Mr Blobby, who immediately causes havoc in the Bucket household.
Also, for an educational benefit, Hyacinth and Elizabeth did a short where Liz gets a job as an accountant. Hyacinth is displeased that Liz has a job and she will not be able to attend coffee breaks at 11:00 (in this case anyway....)
All shorts were done utilizing the actual members of the cast.
[edit] After Keeping Up Appearances
The series ended after the episode Historical Pageant because Patricia Routledge wanted to focus on other work. The other actors and writers are thought to have wanted to do more episodes, and a sixth series was written.[citation needed] However, that was not quite the end of Keeping Up Appearances. Also, there is rumoured to be an eleventh episode for series 5 called The Bishop Affair, whose plot is unknown, that was never aired due to scheduling problems.
In March 1997, Geoffrey Hughes and Judy Cornwell reprised their roles as Onslow and Daisy for a special compilation episode filmed for broadcast in the United States. The Memoirs of Hyacinth Bucket saw the pair introduce classic clips from the series.
In 1998, the BBC released three episodes of the show: A Job For Richard, Country Retreat and Sea Fever on audio cassette, and Clive Swift reprised his role as Richard, recording a narrative to compensate for the lack of images. And in 2004, the documentary series Comedy Connections featured an episode dedicated to Keeping Up Appearances. Stars Clive Swift, Josephine Tewson, Judy Cornwell and David Griffin, writer Roy Clarke and producer/director Harold Snoad all discussed the series. Clips from an interview with Patricia Routledge from 2002 were also included. Interestingly, this show revealed that there were serious artistic differences between Clarke and Snoad.
Two cast members died within two months of each other in 1998, Mary Millar, who played Rose from 1991-1995, on November 10, 1998 of ovarian cancer and George Webb, who played Daddy throughout the show's run, on December 30, 1998 of natural causes. Charmian May who appeared as Mrs. Councillor Nugent recurringly earlier in the series died on October 24, 2002.
[edit] DVD Releases
[edit] Region 1 NTSC
In DVD region 1 , covering the North American continent, the complete series 1-5 and the specials were released in a boxed set in 2004 in DVD Region 1 titled The Full Bouquet.
However, series 1-2 as well as the holiday specials, and series 3-5 were also released in 2004 in two separate boxed sets. Series 1-2 with the holiday specials was entitled, Hyacinth in Full Bloom, while series 3-5 was entitled, Hyacinth Springs Eternal. Each individual DVD also had a witty name, such as, My Way or the Hyacinth Way or Home Is Where the Hyacinth Is.
[edit] Region 2 PAL
In DVD region 2, covering, among other places, the United Kingdom and continental Europe, Series 1 and 2 was released by Universal Playback on 7 March 2003, followed by Series 3 and 4 and the 1991 Christmas Special on 16 February 2004 by Universal Playback . Series 5 and the Christmas Specials 1993, 1994, and 1995 will be released in Region 2 on 26 December 2006 by Universal Playback, as will a box set collection.
[edit] Region 4 PAL
The entire series was also released in Australia in 2005 under the title The Complete Collection.
