Keeping Up Appearances

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Keeping Up Appearances is 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.

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−which she ignores. A frequent gag includes a telephone call from Sheridan, who it appears is likely gay (though Hyacinth seems 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 of still being in the service of the military during World War II, but despite this, Hyacinth still idolizes him, and is quick to point out his supposed military heroics during the war if he shows up causing 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.

Other characters include Hyacinth's next-door neighbour, Elizabeth Warden, and Elizabeth's brother Emmet Hawksworth. Emmet is a recently-divorced musician who moves in with 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 Emmet to live in fear of her, and he will often try to hide when she comes to visit or is outside at the same time as her.

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 unknown. We get little sense of Richard's own interests or opinions, for one. (Though we do know that he likes to spend long periods of time in the bathroom to avoid his wife, he does not seem to be able to hold his liquor well, and that he is an excellent shot in a billard game.) One also never hears any mention at all of Richard's own family.

Violet and her husband Bruce are spoken about often but appear only rarely, mainly the final series. We also do not know Hyacinth, Daisy, Violet and Rose's maiden name. Viewers do not know Daisy and Onslow's surname, nor Rose's.

While neither Daisy nor Onslow appear to be gainfully employed -- they are frequently shown sleeping well into the afternoon --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 may imply that the couple is on welfare. In one episode Onslow was driving a Lorry, so Onslow could be a laid off truck driver. Daisy and Onslow have a hippie daughter, Stephanie, and a grand-daughter, Kylie (not a name liked by Hyacinth as it reminds her of a fruit). Stephanie has two boyfriends (and Kylie's dad could be either), and owns a rustbucket Ford Transit that - keeping in the family - backfires spectacularly just like Onslow's car.

Filming locations

Exterior shots around Hyacinth's house were filmed in the Binley Woods area 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.

One-time gags

• When buying a worktop, Hyacinth calls over the vicar to tell her what colour is indeed Angel Gabriel blue. She says to Richard "If you're choosing between Angel Gabriel blue and Lucifer grey, you need a spiritual advisor."
• When Hyacinth is at the table shop, she spills cookie dough and fairycake mixture onto the table, "To see how worktops in this range cope with spillages."
• When asked about her kitchen, Hyacinth tells the salesman, also a friend of Rose's, "Here are the measurements for the kitchen in feet and inches. I don't uphold to the metric system too much."
• Onslow wins a luxury cruise aboard the QE2 in a newspaper contest. This cruise occurs at the same time as Hyacinth's trip. Hyacinth is horrified by his presence aboard the ship and at first believes he and Daisy are stowaways. When Onslow and Daisy are invited to have dinner at the Captain's table, Onslow is apalled having to 'eat with the crew'.
• Hyacinth talks on the telephone with Onslow. Onslow describes in detail his mosquito bite, but Hyacinth doesn't want to hear about it.
• Hyacinth purchases skis for Richard's birthday. But they are not for skiing. They are a bona-fide status symbol fitted on the roof of Richard's car as an accessory.
• Hyacinth gives Richard a hobby, a video camera to use. However, she encourages him to film 'anything' - leading to Richard being seen as a voyeur and being arrested by police for filming people in the park from behind bushes.
• Onslow arrives at the Bucket's Residence on his bicycle. He convinces Richard to be more foolish. Richard and Onslow walk to Onslow's favourite pub, and they play a billard game, which Richard is good at. Hyacinth is surprised by Richard's sudden disappearance, as it has never happened before.

Running gags

The running gags in most episodes are:

• Hyacinth quickly making sure her hair is in top notch condition before she answers the phone.
• Hyacinth answering the phone in a loud, grandiose tone, as, "The Bouquet residence, the lady of the house speaking. 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?"
• Conversely, 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!"
• When a sister (Violet, Daisy and Rose) rings, 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 "white slimline push button telephone," to which she sometimes adds "with last number redial."
• Hyacinth is constantly trying to out-do her neighbours the Barker-Finches at #23 Blossom Avenue.
• Hyacinth's naiveté in some situations, particularly when men make advances on her.
• Hyacinth and her idolizing of the Queen. She always likes impressing people with her possessions, particularly when they have the Royal Warrant attached.
• Hyacinth believing she is most important of all, and behaving generally as if she is royalty.
• Hyacinth yells "Sheridan!" very loudly in a motherly tone when she receives a call from him, usually only when Sheridan needs money from "mummy". Richard (but not Hyacinth) realizes this; oftentimes 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.
• 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 the tree!").
• 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, calling Hyacinth "Mrs Bucket", rather than Bouquet.
• People unaffectionately referring to Hyacinth as "the Bucket woman" behind her back.
• Richard, not impressed by Sheridan's latest antics (such as wanting money for silk pajamas or to make curtains together with his university "friend" Tarquin).
• Frequent mention of Hyacinth's son, Sheridan, but he does not make an actual appearance in any episode. There are some fairly obvious clues indicating that Sheridan is homosexual. Richard, and we the viewers, know this; however Hyacinth is oblivious to the fact. The closest we get to seeing him is in the title card, when we see a picture of a young boy in a scout uniform that could be Sheridan, although one episode did show the back of him in a taxi.
• Neighbour Elizabeth dreading Hyacinth's coffee breaks (almost always at 10:25am exactly) and, finding herself clumsy around Hyacinth, likewise dreading using her cups (Hyacinth rarely trusts her with her fine china—"Royal Doulton with the handpainted periwinkles" — instead offering her a beaker). Elizabeth often nervously drops a biscuit into the coffee or spills the coffee on the table or rug, prompting Hyacinth to remark "Think nothing of it dear, I'm sure it won't stain that badly" or something to that effect.
• Elizabeth when thrown out often has an item belonging to Hyacinth. Immediately Elizabeth rings the doorbell to give the item back, and Hyacinth answers, but believes she is actually gifting the item to her (typical quote - "Thank you, that cup goes with my own set!").
• 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.
• Frequent reference to Hyacinth's wealthy sister Violet, who has a Mercedes-Benz, a sauna and "room for a pony", though it's unclear whether she really does have a pony. Bruce, Violet's husband, has peculiarities that embarrass Hyacinth, including cross-dressing (he wants Violet to call him "Brenda" when en femme) and "ice cubes in the shape of naked ladies". Bruce is wealthy because he is a "turf accountant".
• Bruce, seen in embarrassing outfits (Jockey, Medieval Costume, women's clothes), waving out to Hyacinth and Richard.
• Hyacinth doesn't want to be seen in public with Onslow, Daisy or Rose, especially to people of same class or higher (an example - Councillor Nugent). Hyacinth dreads whenever Onslow, Daisy or Rose stops by her house (which is often - and usually 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 along with Richard runs away from Onslow, Daisy and Rose.
• Daisy and Onslow have the worst house and garden in their street (and for that matter - surrounding streets).
• Daisy, Onslow and Rose - much to Hyacinth's disgust - fitting 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 my hair in a bun")
• Daisy making unsuccessful sexual passes and innuendos at husband Onslow usually after reading her romance novels ("Forget it, I've got a headache!")
• 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 "Thats the third time this week, and its only Wednesday!"
• Rose storming into Daisy's and Onslow's bedroom, followed by a statement like "Dad's gone off!" followed by a statement from Onslow like "Let him leave, it will be quieter round here."

• Rose announcing that she's awaiting a phone call from a Mr. (insert name here). This is usually followed by Daisy or Onslow asking about the previous Mr. (insert name here) and Rose insisting that the previous man was "swine" and that this one is "different".
• Rose, telling a boyfriend that she lives with Hyacinth so as 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 "Bog off, Onslow!" usually in response to disparaging comments about her love life.
• Whenever Onslow inquires about foodstuffs (for example, usually beer, bacon butties or smokey 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 regarding his betting on horse racing as "work" and hence the "bread winner" of the family.
• Onslow's car breaks down 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.
• 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"
• And to top it all off, Hyacinth unintentionally involving herself in "Frank Spencer" style situations (examples from episodes have included - being on a back of a truck at 30mph, falling off boats into water, and being chased by a mob of sheep). This is usually punctuated by social rival of Hyacinth or someone of social status witnessing the event. Thus Hyacinth's inability to "Keep up her appearance" in society.

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 silver 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. 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 chaffeured by Onslow!
• Hyacinth, Daisy, Rose and Emmet are never seen behind the wheel of a car.

Cast

• Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth Bucket)
• Clive Swift (Richard Bucket)
• Judy Cornwell (Daisy)
• Geoffrey Hughes (Onslow)
• Shirley Stelfox (Rose (1))
• Mary Millar (Rose (2))
• 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)

Episode list

Series 1 (

1. Daddy's Accident (29 Oct 90)
2. The New Vicar (5 Nov 90)
3. Stately Home (12 Nov 90)
4. The Charity Shop (19 Nov 90)
5. Daisy's Toyboy (26 Nov 90)
6. The Christening (3 Dec 90)

Series 2 (

1. A Strange Man (1 Sep 91)
2. Driving Mrs. Fortescue (8 Sep 91)
3. The Candlelight Supper (15 Sep 91)
4. Hyacinth Tee Off (22 Sep 91)
5. Problems With Relatives (29 Sep 91)
6. Onslow's Birthday (6 Oct 91)
7. Singing For Emmet (13 Oct 91)
8. The Toy Store (20 Oct 91)
9. Three Piece Suite (27 Oct 91)
10. Picnic For Daddy (3 Nov 91)

Christmas Special (

1. Father Christmas Suit (25 Dec 91)

Series 3 (

1. Early Retirement (6 Sep 92)
2. Iron Age Remains (13 Sep 92)
3. Violet's Country Cottage (20 Sep 92)
4. How to Go on Holiday without Really Trying (27 Sep 92)
5. Richard's New Hobby (4 Oct 92)
6. The Art Exhibition (11 Oct 92)
7. What to Wear When Yachting (18 Oct 92)

Series 4 (

1. A Job For Richard (5 Sep 93)
2. Rural Retreat (12 Sep 93)
3. A Celebrity For The Barbecue (19 Sep 93)
4. The Commodore (26 Sep 93)
5. Looking For Property (3 Oct 93)
6. Please Mind Your Head (10 Oct 93)
7. Let There Be Light (17 Oct 93)

Christmas Specials (

1. Sea Fever (26 Dec 93)
2. Angel Gabriel Blue (25 Dec 94)

Series 5 (

1. The Old Folks Outing (3 Sep 95)
2. The Mayor's Fancy Dress Ball (10 Sep 95)
3. Hyacinth Is Alarmed (17 Sep 95)
4. A Riverside Picnic (24 Sep 95)
5. Skis (1 Oct 95)
6. The Country Estate Sale (8 Oct 95)
7. The Boy Friend (15 Oct 95)
8. A Barbecue At Violet's (22 Oct 95)
9. The Rolls Royce (29 Oct 95)
10. The Hostess (5 Nov 95)

Children In Need Special (

1. Children In Need Sketch {24 Nov 95)

Christmas Special (

1. The Pageant (25 Dec 95)

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.

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.^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]} However, that was not quite the end of Keeping Up Appearances. Also, there is apparentely an eleventh episode for series 5 called The Bishop Affiar 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 form an interview with Patricia Routledge from 2002 were also included. Interestingly, this show revealed that there were serious artistic differences between Clarke and Snoad.

DVD Releases

Region 1 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.

Region 2 In DVD region 2, covering, among other places, the United Kingdom and continental Europe, Series 1 and 2 were released first, followed by Series 3 and 4 and the 1991 Christmas Special in 2004. Series 5 and the Christmas Specials 1993, 1994, and 1995 will be released in Region 2 on 26 December 2006.

Region 4 The entire series was also released in Australia in 2005 under the title The Complete Collection.

External links

• [Keeping Up Appearances Website]
• [Keeping Up Appearances group]
• [Keeping Up Appearances filming locations]

 

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