From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
DVD cover of the Region 2
Essential Collection release.
The following is a list of episodes for the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. The programme premiered on BBC1 on 29 October 1990 and ran for five series, with its final episode airing on 25 December 1995. Directed by Harold Snoad and written by Roy Clarke, the programme comprises forty-four episodes, including four Christmas specials. In addition, one short special was produced for the Children in Need telethon, airing on 24 November 1995.
Three VHS tapes have been released for the programme by 2 Entertain Video between 12 June 1995 and 2 April 1997; they contain a total of eight episodes. On 7 March 2003, Universal Playback released the first Region 2 DVD set for the programme, containing the entire first and second series. A second set followed on 16 February 2004 containing the third and forth series along with the first Christmas special from 1991. The final series set, containing the fifth series and the remaining Christmas episodes, was released on 26 December 2006. Keeping Up Appearances: The Essential Collection, which contains all forty-four episodes and the four specials, was released on 8 October 2007. Similar sets have also been released in Region 1 and Region 4.
The two lead characters of Keeping Up Appearances are Hyacinth and Richard Bucket, who appear in all forty-four episodes, along with sisters Daisy and Rose and Hyacinth's brother-in-law Onslow. The Buckets' neighbour Liz appears in all episodes except "Hyacinth Tees Off", while her brother Emmet appears in all episodes from Series Two apart from "Hyacinth Tees Off" and "The Rolls Royce". The Major features in the first two series, and Hyacinth's postman Michael, appears sporadically throughout the show from series Two onwards. Other characters such as the Vicar and his wife appear sporadically throughout the whole series, while Hyacinth's sister Violet and her husband Bruce appear only as main characters in Series Five. Hyacinth's "Daddy" appears in eleven episodes.[citation needed]
[edit] Series One:1990
| # |
Title |
Original airdate |
| 1 |
"Daddy's Accident" |
29 October 1990 |
| "Daddy" is put into an ambulance and taken to hospital, after getting injured chasing after the milk woman naked on his bike. After visiting her “Daddy”, Hyacinth returns home and is visited by the gas man, whose life she makes difficult. Later the leading lady visits the Major to collect some flowers, however is unprepared for his lustful intentions. Guest starring Bruce Alexander. |
| 2 |
"The New Vicar" |
5 November 1990 |
| Hyacinth is determined to create the perfect impression when inviting the new Vicar for “tea and light refreshments”. However her hopes come crashing down on her when Onslow and Daisy turn up with the news Daddy has been kidnapped by a gypsy. The day gets even worse for the polish-perfecting protagonist when Rose turns up, on her way to her own funeral. |
| 3 |
"Stately Home" |
12 November 1990 |
| After visiting her father with Richard, Hyacinth visits a stately home where she hopes to meet a member of the aristocratic family. However she fears for her social status when Onslow, Daisy and Rose turn up unexpectedly. Hyacinth then drags Richard through the grounds' private gardens to hide from the lower-class clan, where she meets a member of the aristocratic family. Hyacinth is appalled by the fact he looks like a gardener. Guest starring Michael Bilton. |
| 4 |
"The Charity Shop" |
19 November 1990 |
| It is Liz and Hyacinth's day to help Councillor Mrs Nugent at the charity shop, and on their way there, Hyacinth has to make a visit to Onslow and Daisy's to remove a woman (played by Gretchen Franklin) from Daddy's room refusing to leave. Meanwhile Rose intends to give up men, and arrives at the charity shop to donate her raunchy underwear. Guest starring Denis Bond and Norman Lovett. |
| 5 |
"Daisy's Toyboy" |
26 November 1990 |
| In an attempt to make Onslow jealous, Daisy finds herself a toyboy (played by Jonny Lee Miller). However the plan fails and Daisy sends Onslow to the Church hall to meet Richard, in a final ploy to get him to notice her antics. This only results in an old lady making advances on Onslow. |
| 6 |
"The Christening" |
3 December 1990 |
| Daisy and Onslow’s granddaughter Kylie is getting christened, but Hyacinth is unimpressed because there has not been a wedding first. The day does not get any better for Hyacinth when she and Richard are forced to come to the rescue of the baby's mother Stephanie, whose transport has broken down. The leading lady then learns the baby's mother is a hippie, who is unaware of the baby’s father. Guest starring Gerald Sim. |
[edit] Series 2: 1991
| # |
Title |
Original airdate |
| 7 |
"A Strange Man" |
1 September 1991 |
| Hyacinth is shocked to see a strange man wearing only a towel emerge from Liz's house, thus she tells Richard they will have to move, thinking the neighborhood is in decline. However her opinions change when discovering Emmett is Elizabeth's brother, a classically trained musician who runs a local amateur operatic society. The actress who played "Liz", Josephine Tewson, stated in an interview that writer Roy Clarke gave "a real lift to the series" with the introduction of Emmet, because Hyacinth has to "woo him" in some way. This is also the first episode with Mary Miller playing Rose. |
| 8 |
"Driving Mrs Fortescue" |
8 September 1991 |
| When Hyacinth receives a phone call from a wealthy Mrs Fortescue wanting a lift into town, elaborate rehearsals on how to make the perfect impression on the aristocrat commence. However Hyacinth is unprepared for the old lady's abruptness. After collecting Mrs Fortescue, Hyacinth's plans to impress are crushed by her family when Daisy and Rose flag down the Buckets for a lift. Eventually to Hyacinth's dismay, this leads to Richard stopping off at a public house, where Mrs Fortescue plays darts with Onslow. |
| 9 |
"The Candlelight Supper" |
15 September 1991 |
| Hyacinth wants to impress Emmet with her musical talents at an elaborate musical supper. However her plans backfire when a short-skirted Rose turns up, followed by two aggressive men who begin fighting on Hyacinth's doorstep. |
| 10 |
"Hyacinth Tees Off" |
22 September 1991 |
| The Major invites the Buckets for a golfing weekend at a luxury hotel, however the Major's intentions aren't to play gold but to seduce Hyacinth. Hyacinth is appalled by the raunchy hearings of room 210, and is even more appalled when she discovers it is Rose and a Mr Smith. The weekend is worsened for the protagonist when Onslow and Daisy turn up unexpectedly to collect Rose. Inevitably, when Hyacinth realises her family are there, she fears for her social standing, and the Major whisks her away into the country, where he tries to fulfill his amorous intentions. |
| 11 |
"Problems with Relatives" |
29 September 1991 |
| Hyacinth's brother-in-law Bruce is stuck up a tree, Daddy goes to the register office to be married and Emmett meets Daisy, Onslow and Rose, throwing Hyacinth into dismay. Liz offers to drive Daddy back to Daisy's, but to avoid herself and Emmett seeing how Daisy and Onslow live, Hyacinth insists they stop off at Violet's, forgetting that Bruce is still up a tree in Violet's clothes. |
| 12 |
"Onslow's Birthday" |
6 October 1991 |
| Hyacinth is dreading an invite to Onslow's birthday party, but changes her mind when finding out she and Richard will be picked up by Rose's wealthy Greek boyfriend. Thus Hyacinth holds a gathering at her house to impress the neighbours as she departs in the luxury vehicle, however her hopes die when a hearse arrives instead. |
| 13 |
"Singing For Emmet" |
13 October 1991 |
| Richard is offered early retirement and so ponders over the possibility of having to spend all day everyday with Hyacinth. Emmett is enraged when his musical next door neighbour ends up rehearsing a performance for the old people at the Church Hall with him, and a tranquilised Rose arrives at the scene wanting to become a nun. |
| 14 |
"The Toy Store" |
20 October 1991 |
| Daddy has ended up at the toy store and is "improving" a few toys with the aid of a screw driver, he is also dressed as a spaceman. This results in Hyacinth and Richard having to go into town to solve the problem, however in Onslow's car. When Hyacinth meets Counsellor Mrs Nugent in town, she fears her senile father and lower-class relatives will embarrass her. |
| 15 |
"The Three-Piece Suite" |
27 October 1991 |
| Hyacinth has ordered an expensive new three-piece suite and is determined for the delivery to run like clockwork. She has even gone to the effort of road signs indicating where she wants the van to park. She is also determined to get the neighbours to see the van's arrival, however her plans crumble when the van crashes on the way, and Onslow ends bringing the furniture in a rusty old vehicle. |
| 16 |
"A Picnic For Daddy" |
3 November 1991 |
| Hyacinth arranges a picnic for Daddy, but things go awry when the senile old man decides to test-drive the Buckets' car. Thus Hyacinth has to ride in Onslow's, as a car chase gets underway. |
[edit] 1991 Christmas special
| Title |
Original airdate |
| "The Father Christmas Suit" |
25 December 1991 |
| Hyacinth has bought Richard a Father Christmas outfit for him to wear when distributing gifts to the old people at the Church Hall. Against his will, Richard puts on the outfit, but after having one too many sherries with Emmett, he is unable to fulfill the deed, hence Elizabeth puts on the outfit and pretends to be Richard. This leads to many confusions, including a passerby thinking Richard is a transvestite, and Onslow unknowingly kissing Hyacinth. |
[edit] Series 3: 1992
| # |
Title |
Original airdate |
| 18 |
"Early Retirement" |
6 September 1992 |
| A depressed Richard turns up to work and is finally faced with early retirement. Meanwhile Hyacinth prepares for a guest, though plans begin to go haywire for the house-proud lady when a dog parks itself on her drive. Meanwhile, Rose arranges to be collected by a man from Hyacinth's. |
| 19 |
"Iron Age Remains" |
13 September 1992 |
| Now Richard is retired, Hyacinth decides she and he will enjoy searching for Iron Age remains; the pair head off into the country in exploration. However the trip doesn't go to plan when Richard gets stuck up a tree. The day then takes an unexpected turn when a depressed Rose locks herself in her room and calls for the vicar. |
| 20 |
"Violet's Country Cottage" |
20 September 1992 |
| Hyacinth borrows Violet and Bruce’s luxury cottage for the weekend and prepares a barbecue. However in an attempt to impress lady from the manor house Bunty, Hyacinth gets slightly carried away with the summer spirit. Meanwhile Richard is in search for Bunty’s dog Zoe. |
| 21 |
"How to Go on Holiday without Really Trying" |
27 September 1992 |
| Hyacinth’s jealousy gets the better of her when hearing about a neighbour's luxury holiday, resulting in her attempting to impress the neighbours by pretending to go on holiday herself. Meanwhile Onslow arrives at the Buckets' to take Richard away from the demands of life with the leading lady. Hyacinth later goes to the Church to do cleaning with Liz; Rose arrives dressed promiscuously, as does a drunken Richard with Onslow; Hyacinth's world once again turns upside-down. |
| 22 |
"Richard's New Hobby" |
4 October 1992 |
| Hyacinth finds Richard a hobby involving filming and boasts to the neighbours he is a film maker, much to the liking of Councillor Mrs Nugent. However Hyacinth's plans to impress are crushed when Onslow's car breaks down outside her house. |
| 23 |
"The Art Exhibition" |
11 October 1992 |
| Hyacinth's preparations for visiting an art exhibition are thrown off course when Daddy goes to join the Foreign Legion. Problems are exacerbated further when Rose and her "friend's" raunchy antics are overheard on loud speakers. |
| 24 |
"What to Wear When Yachting" |
18 October 1992 |
| Hyacinth and Richard head off on a yachting weekend. However Hyacinth is disappointed with the yacht she has been appointed and decides that it be moved. But the Buckets soon lose control of the boat, and eventually the pair end up in the water, saturated when greeting Liz and Emmett for a nautical supper. |
[edit] Series 4: 1993
| # |
Title |
Original airdate |
| 25 |
"A Job For Richard" |
5 September 1993 |
| Hyacinth’s attempts to keep Richard occupied in his years of retirement continue. Now she has found him an executive job in frozen foods, and to impress the manager of the company she has contrived a plot involving Onslow and golf. |
| 26 |
"Country Retreat" |
12 September 1993 |
| Hyacinth wants “a little place in the country”, however her heart is not set on little. An old farmer with a speech impediment causes much difficulty for Hyacinth when out looking at property, and seems to take a liking to her. |
| 27 |
"A Celebrity For the Barbecue" |
19 September 1993 |
| For her summer entertaining, Hyacinth Bucket has decided to host an elaborate indoors barbecue. In an attempt to compete with the Barker-Finchess, she is determined to get a celebrity to attend. Meanwhile Rose gives Daisy a make-over. |
| 28 |
"The Commodore" |
26 September 1993 |
| Hyacinth switches on her sailing persona when volunteering to collect a guest speaking Commodore from a train station, however Richard gets clamped and they cannot find the man. When Hyacinth does finally meet the Commodore, she is unprepared for his attempts at seduction. |
| 29 |
"Looking at Properties" |
3 October 1993 |
| Richard panics when leaving Hyacinth to browse country property without him, fearing she will purchase something they cannot afford, as he collects "Daddy" from a police station. Finally Hyacinth decides on a country property. |
| 30 |
"Please Mind Your Head" |
10 October 1993 |
| Hyacinth and Richard spend time in their very small apartment in the countryside. Meanwhile at Hyacinth’s neighbourhood: the neighbours, the postman and especially Emmett all enjoy a weekend without the domineering lady. However Emmett’s happiness is short lived when Liz breaks the news they have both been invited to Hyacinth’s new home for lunch. |
| 31 |
"Let There Be Light" |
17 October 1993 |
| It is the "bring and buy" sale at the Church hall and the Church goers are in for a shock because Hyacinth has volunteered Richard to fix the Church hall electrics, despite his lack of electrical capabilities. Meanwhile Onslow, Daisy, and Rose turn up with a Daddy believing he is back in the war. |
[edit] 1993 and 1994 Christmas specials
| Title |
Original airdate |
| "Sea Fever" |
26 December 1993 |
| Hyacinth and Richard prepare for their luxury stay on the QE2. Yet traffic, a muddy field and too much luggage result in a disastrous start to a holiday that only gets much worse for Hyacinth when she has reason to believe Onslow and Daisy have stowed-away and are also onboard the luxury cruise. Guest starring Lord Lichfield as himself. |
| "Angel Gabriel Blue" |
25 December 1994 |
| Hyacinth is in search for her dream kitchen while Richard has developed a fungus infection, not to his wife's approval. As a result, Hyacinth claims it is gout, a disease supposedly caught by "good living". Meanwhile Daddy has gone missing again and there is a stranger in his place. Guest starring Trevor Bannister. |
[edit] Series 5: 1995
| # |
Title |
Original airdate |
| 34 |
"The Senior Citizens Outing" |
3 September 1995 |
| Hyacinth volunteers to look after the old people in an outing to the funfair, however a certain old man proves to be quite a handful. As the day progresses, Hyacinth ends up in a mirror house, on some dodgems and on a ghost train. |
| 35 |
"The Mayor's Fancy Dress Ball" |
10 September 1995 |
| Hyacinth prepares for the Mayor's fancy dress ball and is also on a mission to impress the new neighbours, a few streets away. |
| 36 |
"Hyacinth is Alarmed" |
17 September 1995 |
| Richard is terrified to wake up to see Hyacinth smiling at him; he later realises he has forgotten his and Hyacinth's wedding anniversary. Richard then decides to have an alarm system installed, claiming it is Hyacinth's "surprise" anniversary present. |
| 37 |
"A Riverside Picnic" |
24 September 1995 |
| Hyacinth organises a riverside picnic, much to the despair of those around her invited. Despite Emett's and the Vicar's best efforts to tell Hyacinth they are unable to attend, they find getting out of Hyacinth's function impossible. As always, Hyacinth's plans of perfection are shattered when a digger dumps dirt in her choosen location for the picnic. |
| 38 |
"Skis" |
1 October 1995 |
| For Richard’s birthday Hyacinth buys some skis as she believes they "will look good on the car". However needing Violet and Bruce’s roof rack the Buckets head off to Violet's luxury home, picking two neighbours up along the way. Hyacinth is thrown into a panic when arriving as Violet and Bruce are arguing. |
| 39 |
"The Country House Sale" |
8 October 1995 |
| Richard is not looking forward to going to a country house sale with Hyacinth as he believes she will spend beyond their limit. Liz and brother Emett are also going to the sale, and are devastated when they realise Hyacinth is there. Meanwhile, a Mrs Braddock has commandeered Onslow’s car and is impersonating his dog, which has gone missing. |
| 40 |
"The Boy Friend" |
15 October 1995 |
| Hyacinth sings to her hearts content when discovering Emett's latest musical The Boyfriend is in production. Meanwhile Daddy is once again back in the war and guarding Onslow’s house with a sharp object. |
| 41 |
"A Barbecue at Violet's" |
22 October 1995 |
| Hyacinth arranges a barbecue at Violet's, however on their arrival there is a blazing row between the pair. Thus Hyacinth has to introduce an eccentric singing game to prevent her guests from over-hearing. |
| 42 |
"The Rolls Royce" |
29 October 1995 |
| To Richard's horror, Hyacinth wants a new car . Therefore the pair end up taking a Rolls Royce for a drive. However Hyacinth’s plans of showing the car off take a downwards spiral when the Rolls Royce gets reported as stolen and she gets arrested. |
| 43 |
"The Hostess" |
5 November 1995 |
| Hyacinth has put an advert in the local newspaper to teach people social etiquette, however an excited Hyacinth does not quite get what she expected. |
[edit] 1995 Christmas special
| Title |
Original airdate |
| "The Pageant" |
25 December 1995 |
| Hyacinth and Richard arrive at the Church hall as Hyacinth organises a Pageant based on the English Civil War, with herself as Queen Henrietta Maria and Richard as Charles I. However all of the volunteers supposedly taking part are unable to make it. At a last minute attempt to get the show off the ground, Hyacinth invites Onslow, Daisy and Rose along with Bruce and Violet to participate. Later in rehearsals however, Hyacinth falls foul of a stage accident. |
[edit] References
- General
