Translation from English

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

"Keeping Up Appearances" Bloopers- YouTube + wikipedia



One of the funniest ( if not THE funniest) sitcoms the BBC ever did was "Keeping Up Appearances"

These are bloopers on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w37YjGJhMI&feature=youtu.be 

Keeping Up Appearances

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Keeping Up Appearances
Kua2.jpg
Series title card (1990–1995)
Genre Sitcom
Created by Roy Clarke
Written by Roy Clarke
Directed by Harold Snoad
Starring Patricia Routledge
Clive Swift
Josephine Tewson
Geoffrey Hughes
Judy Cornwell
David Griffin (series 2 - 5)
Mary Millar (series 2 - 5)
Shirley Stelfox (series 1)
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of series 5
No. of episodes 44 + 2 shorts (List of episodes)
Production
Producer(s) Harold Snoad
Running time 30 minutes
50 minutes (1994 christmas special)
60 minutes (1993 christmas special)
Broadcast
Original channel BBC1
Picture format 576i (4:3 SDTV)
Audio format Stereo
Original run 29 October 1990 – 25 December 1995
Keeping Up Appearances is a BBC television sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke for the BBC. Centred on the life of eccentric, social-climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket (who insists that her surname is pronounced "Bouquet"), the sitcom follows an obsessive and determined snobbish middle class woman who desperately and continually looks for opportunities to climb the social ladder by attempting to impress people (particularly rich people) and portray herself as more affluent than she truly is, despite being wedged between a working class background and upper class aspirations.
The show stars Patricia Routledge, who received two BAFTA nominations for her performance as Hyacinth.[1][2] Broadcast between 1990 and 1995 on BBC One, the sitcom spawned five series and 44 episodes—4 of which are Christmas specials. Keeping Up Appearances was a great success in the UK and also captured large audiences in the US, Canada, and Australia, but ceased production in 1995 when Routledge wanted to move on to other projects. Since its original release, all five series—including Christmas specials—are available on DVD. In 2004, the sitcom was ranked 12th in the countdown of Britain's Best Sitcom.[3] It is regularly repeated worldwide (PBS in the US; BBC One, Gold, and Drama in the UK and Ireland).

Background

Hyacinth Bucket (Patricia Routledge)— who insists her surname is pronounced Bouquet (although in reality, "It was always 'Bucket' until I met you!")[4] — is a pompous social-climbing snob, originally from a very poor working-class background, whose main mission in life is to impress others with her lifestyle and perceived affluence and refinement. Hyacinth likes to spend her days visiting stately homes (convinced she will meet and strike up a friendship with the owners, especially if they are nobility) and hosting "executive-style" candlelight suppers (with her Royal Worcester double-glazed Avignon china and Royal Doulton china with "the hand-painted periwinkles").[5] She ostentatiously brags about her possessions to others, including her "white slimline telephone with automatic redial," which she always answers with "The Bouquet residence, the lady of the house speaking."[6] (Frequently she receives calls asking for a Chinese take-away, which make her very angry.)
Hyacinth's endeavours makes other people's lives more difficult by being extremely snobbish, by continually behaving annoyingly, disturbing people by nearly forcing them to come to her candlelight suppers, and having disastrous consequences to all parties when she is executing her plans. Although Hyacinth is not deterred by the latter, everyone else is afraid of her to the point of fleeing the scene when she appears. The one who suffers the most, obviously, is her husband Richard (Clive Swift). He initially worked for the council but, at the beginning of series 3, reluctantly accepts early retirement. Although he loves and puts up with Hyacinth, he is notably annoyed by her plans and her habit of spending things. Although she is snobbish, Hyacinth regularly competes with normal people whom she considers snobbish such as Sonia Barker-Finch, Delia Wheelwright, and Lydia Hawksworth (although Lydia Hawksworth does appear to be snobbish, as she disdains kiwifruit as "lower middle-class".) Hyacinth sometimes says things like "I haven't a snobbish bone in my body" or "I can't abide such snobbery like that" when talking about her "enemies" (although she herself is snobbish).
Always hindering Hyacinth's best efforts to impress - and providing an unwelcome reminder of her less-than-refined roots - are her underclass sisters Daisy (Judy Cornwell) and Rose (Shirley Stelfox in series 1; Mary Millar thereafter), and Daisy's proudly "bone-idle" husband Onslow (Geoffrey Hughes). They, along with Hyacinth's senile father, frequently turn up inconveniently (usually in their clapped out Ford Cortina Mk IV - which always makes a characteristic backfire when it pulls up), with Hyacinth going to great lengths to avoid them (saying "Richard, you know I love my family, but that's no reason why I should have to acknowledge them in broad daylight!"). Hyacinth's father frequently has flashbacks to the Second World War, and often exhibits bizarre behavior, sometimes involving embarrassing situations with women. (Onslow describes him as "barmy.") Two relatives Hyacinth is not ashamed of are her wealthy sister Violet (Anna Dawson) and her unseen son Sheridan. Violet frequently telephones Hyacinth for advice, allowing her to loudly announce to anyone in earshot, "It's my sister Violet - the one with a Mercedes, swimming pool, sauna, and room for a pony". However, Violet's social acceptability is damaged by the eccentric behaviour of her transvestite, equestrian-loving husband Bruce, whom she violently attacks because of his behavior. Hyacinth also tries to impress people with the intellectual prowess of her beloved Sheridan (who actually only takes courses in needlework at a polytechnic). Hyacinth boasts about the "psychic" closeness of their relationship and how often he writes to her and phones her, although he never writes to her and usually phone calls her only to ask for money (much to the despair of Richard).[7] Hyacinth is blissfully oblivious to the seemingly obvious hints that Sheridan, who lives with a man named Tarquin (who makes his own curtains, wears silk pyjamas, and has won prizes for embroidery), is homosexual.[1]
Hyacinth's neighbour Elizabeth Warden (Josephine Tewson) is frequently invited round to the Buckets for coffee. Ordinarily calm, Liz's nerves go to pieces in Hyacinth's house, causing her to smash Hyacinth's china and spill coffee and biscuits on Hyacinth's Burmese rug.[8] Liz's brother Emmet moves in with her at the beginning of series 2 after a messy divorce. Hyacinth, upon learning that Emmet is a musician, frequently and horribly sings at him ("She'll sing at me!") in an attempt to get a part in one of his productions, making him terrified of leaving the house (in case she sees him). Emmet's problems are further complicated by Hyacinth's mistaken belief that his frightened reactions indicate that he is infatuated with her, which in fact could not be further from the truth.
Hyacinth frequently confronts the postman with ridiculous complaints, such as having to receive mail bearing second-class stamps, harassing him to the point that he will go to extreme lengths not to face her; and she often forces workmen and other visitors to her home to remove their shoes before entering. Michael, the vicar of the local church (Jeremy Gittins) is also loath to face the overbearing Hyacinth, whom he refers to (behind her back) as "the Bucket woman." The Vicar and his wife (who constantly believes the Vicar is having an affair) sometimes exact comic revenge on Hyacinth for her snobbishness; on one occasion, when she was one of a group of volunteer helpers at the church, the Vicar's wife saw to it that Hyacinth's hand went up prematurely and assigned her the job of cleaning the church toilets.

Cast


Standing from left to right, Jeremy Gittins, David Griffin, Judy Cornwell, Geoffrey Hughes, and Mary Millar.
Seated from left to right, Clive Swift, Patricia Routledge and Josephine Tewson.
Main article: List of Keeping Up Appearances characters

Episodes

Main article: List of Keeping Up Appearances episodes
Keeping Up Appearances aired for five series, four Christmas specials, and one short Children in Need special, from 29 October 1990 to 25 December 1995. The series officially ended after the episode "The Pageant", because Patricia Routledge wanted to focus on other TV and theatre work, including Hetty Wainthropp Investigates which began airing in 1996. Clive Swift, who portrayed Richard, stated in a BBC interview that Routledge "didn't want to be remembered as simply 'Mrs Bucket'".[9]

Series summary

Series 1–5

Series Premiere Finale Episodes Specials Main cast
1 29 October 1990 3 December 1990 6 0 Patricia Routledge
Clive Swift
Josephine Tewson
Judy Cornwell
Geoffrey Hughes
Shirley Stelfox
2 1 September 1991 3 November 1991 10 1 Patricia Routledge
Clive Swift
Josephine Tewson
David Griffin
Judy Cornwell
Geoffrey Hughes
Mary Millar
3 6 September 1992 18 October 1992 7 0
4 5 September 1993 17 October 1993 7 2
5 3 September 1995 5 November 1995 10 1

Production

Locations


The council terrace in Stoke Aldermoor occupied by Daisy and Onslow.
Exterior shots around Hyacinth's house were taped in Binley Woods, Warwickshire, a village east of Coventry.[10]
Exterior shots around Daisy and Onslow's council terrace were taped in Stoke Aldermoor in Coventry.[11] Other exterior street and town shots were taped in Leamington Spa, and in various towns throughout Warwickshire, along with many scenes from the large town of Northampton, mainly the church hall. Some scenes were also shot in Swindon, Oxford, and Bristol. One scene was shot on location in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Vehicles

Richard and Hyacinth Bucket's car is a Rover 200-series (SD3) saloon. Early episodes show a light blue 1987 216S bearing the registration plate D541 EXL, but later episodes feature a sky blue 1989 216SE EFi model (bearing same numberplate bar one letter, now D541 EFL).[12]
Onslow drives a 1978 Ford Cortina (registration plate VSD 389S) that is in poor condition and backfires loudly almost every time it starts or stops, embarrassing Hyacinth, and frequently crushing her hopes of creating a perfect impression with new people. Onslow is also the owner of the rusting carcass of a Hillman Avenger in his front garden, wherein lives Onslow's dog that always barks at Hyacinth as she approaches.[12]
Violet and Bruce own a Mercedes-Benz W126 S-class and later a Mercedes-Benz W202 C-class. Neighbour Elizabeth drives a white 1989 Austin Metro City hatchback.[12]

After Keeping Up Appearances

Various shows related to the programs were released.
  • The Memoirs of Hyacinth Bucket
In March 1997, Geoffrey Hughes and Judy Cornwell reprised their roles as Onslow and Daisy for a special compilation episode recorded for broadcast in the United States on PBS. The show saw the pair introduce classic clips from the series.
In 2004, the documentary series featured an episode dedicated to Keeping Up Appearances. Stars Clive Swift, Josephine Tewson, Judy Cornwell, and David Griffin, along with writer Roy Clarke and producer/director Harold Snoad, all discussed the series. Clips from an interview with Patricia Routledge from 2002 were also included. The episode revealed that there were serious artistic differences between Clarke and Snoad.[9]
  • Life Lessons from Onslow
In early 2008, Geoffrey Hughes reprised his role as Onslow once again for a clipshow of the series; this was to be broadcast on American television, and sees him teaching a credit course at the Open University, and has selected "successful relationships" as his subject matter. The special was also released on Region 1 DVD.
Two cast members died within two months of each other in 1998: Mary Millar, who played Rose from 1991 to 1995, on 10 November 1998 of ovarian cancer; and George Webb, who played Daddy throughout the show's run, on 30 December 1998, of natural causes. Charmian May, who appears as Mrs. Councillor Nugent in the first three series, died on 24 October 2002. Geoffrey Hughes, who played Onslow, died on 27 July 2012.

Media

Audio

In 1998, the BBC released three episodes of the show: "A Job for Richard", "Country Retreat", and "Sea Fever" on audio cassette. Clive Swift reprised his role as Richard recording a narrative to compensate for the lack of images.

VHS

BBC Video released three videos featuring episodes from the series.
  • How to Enhance Your Husband's Retirement
This was released in 1993 and featured the episodes: "Iron Age Remains", "What to Wear when Yachting", and "How to Go on Holiday Without Really Trying".
  • Sea Fever
This was released in 1994 and featured the episodes: "Sea Fever" and "A Job for Richard".
  • Rural Retreat
This was released in 1995 and featured the episodes: "Country Retreat", "Let There Be Light", and "Please Mind Your Head".

DVD


DVD cover of the Region 2 Essential Collection release.
  • Series one and two
The first two series were released on Region 2 DVD, by Universal Playback on 17 March 2003.[13]
  • Series three and four
The third and fourth series, along with the 1991 Christmas Special, were released on 16 February 2004.[14]
  • Series 5
The final series along with the 1993, 1994 and 1995 specials, were released on 26 December 2006.[15]
  • Keeping Up Appearances: The Essential Collection
On 8 October 2007, all episodes including the Christmas specials were released in a single box set.
  • Keeping Up Appearances: The Full Bouquet
In 2004, all five series and the specials were released as a box set on Region 1 DVD.[16]
  • Keeping Up Appearances: The Complete Collection
The entire series was released in Region 4 in 2005 under the title.
  • Keeping Up Appearances: Christmas Specials
  • Keeping Up Appearances: The Full Bouquet: Special Edition
A second edition of the complete series was released in North America in 2008. This release in almost identical in terms of content to that released in 2005, except for the inclusion of the new Life Lessons from Onslow special, filmed for PBS in early 2008.
Unlike the Region 1 release, the region 2 set does not contain any special features.

Streaming

In the United States, the complete series is available via streaming through Netflix and Amazon Instant Video.[17]

Books

Three books related to the series have been released in the UK. Two were written by Jonathan Rice and published by BBC Books and the other one was written by Harold Snoad (the director of Keeping Up Appearances) and was published by Book Guild Publishing.
  • Hyacinth Bucket's book of etiquette for the socially less fortunate
This was first published in 1993, and is a light-hearted guide to manners, as seen through Hyacinth Bucket's eyes. It is based on the TV series' scripts and contains many black-and-white photos of scenes from the show.
  • Hyacinth Bucket's Hectic Social Calendar
This was published in 1995 and is presented in a diary format chronicling a year in Hyacinth Bucket's life, with typical comments about her relations and neighbours.
  • It's Bouquet - Not Bucket
This was published in late 2009, the book includes rare photos which were taken during the filming of Keeping Up Appearances. The book contains full plot synopses for all episodes, main cast details, filming locations for all episodes which used outside shots, and stories of some entertaining events which happened during filming.
Overseas books
Due to the popularity of Keeping Up Appearances in the United States, books about the series have also been published across the Atlantic.
  • Keeping Up Appearances: A Companion to the Series
This comical series guidebook was published in the late 1990s by WLIW21. It was co-authored by mother and daughter writers, Georgene and Mary Lee Costa. It features summary descriptions of each episode, cast and crew biographies, series photographs, and an interview with Harold Snoad.
Since it was written during the filming of the final series of episodes, Snoad included the co-authors of the guide as extras in the episode, “The Fancy Dress Ball.”

Theatre adaptation

In 2010, the television show was adapted into a play entitled Keeping Up Appearances that toured theatres in the UK.[18] The cast included Rachel Bell as Hyacinth, Kim Hartman as Elizabeth, Gareth Hale as Onslow, Steven Pinder as Emmet, Debbie Arnold as Rose, David Janson (who had previously appeared in the TV show as the postman) as Mr Edward Milton, a new character created for the stage show),[19] Christine Moore as Daisy and Sarah Whitlock as Mrs Debden.[20] Main character Richard Bucket, Hyacinth's husband, does not appear in the production, but is frequently referred to: Hyacinth addresses to him off-stage and talks to him on the phone. The main plot of the show revolves around Emmet directing a play at the local village hall, but when Hyacinth is cast in the play's leading role disaster is in the making.

References

  1. "BBC Keeping Up Appearances page".
  2. "Search results". Bafta.org. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  3. "Britain's Best Sitcom - Top 11 to 100". BBC. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  4. Keeping Up Appearances. Series 5. Episode 3. Event occurs at 8:57. "Yes, I'll give you my name and address. It's "Bouquet." B-u-c-k-e-t. No, it is "Bouquet.""
  5. Keeping Up Appearances. Series 5. Episode 3. Event occurs at 19:28. "It houses my Royal Doulton with the hand-painted periwinkles."
  6. Keeping Up Appearances. Series 5. Episode 1. Event occurs at 5:46.
  7. Keeping Up Appearances. Series 5. Episode 1. Event occurs at 1:03. "Do you think Sheridan's voice is getting deeper?" "It's still asking for money, I know that."
  8. Keeping Up Appearances. Series 5. Episode 3. Event occurs at 13:40.
  9. "Comedy Connections - Keeping Up Appearances". Comedy Connections. 26 July 2004. BBC. BBC One.
  10. Bucket's Residence Street View
  11. Onslow and Daisy's Street View
  12. "Keeping Up Appearances, TV Series, 1990-1995". imdcb.com. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  13. "Keeping Up Appearances - Series 1 And 2 (DVD)". Blockbuster.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  14. "Keeping Up Appearances - Series 3 And 4 (DVD)". Blockbuster.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  15. "Keeping Up Appearances - Series 5 (DVD)". Blockbuster.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  16. "Keeping Up Appearances: The Full Bouquet (1995)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  17. "Keeping Up Appearances: Season 1, Episode 1 "Daddy's Accident"". Amazon.com. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  18. Berry, Kevin (3 June 2010). "Keeping Up Appearances". thestage.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  19. Burbridge, Steve. "Theatre review: Keeping Up Appearances at Darlington Civic Theatre and touring". britishtheatreguide.info. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  20. Barr, Gordon (12 June 2010). "Preview: Keeping Up Appearances, Playhouse Whitley Bay". chroniclelive.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2013.

External links

Look up room for a pony in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Keeping Up Appearances
Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Hyacinth Bucket
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