Keeping Up Appearances - Hyacinth Springs Eternal Set (Vol. 5-8)

Director: Harold Snoad
Studio: BBC Warner
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
American sitcoms usually have a bland, likable central character who has to cope with obnoxious acquaintances--who usually provide most of the actual comedy. The British smartly put the comic personalities front and center, and Keeping Up Appearances has one of the best: The petty, pretentious, tyrannical Hyacinth Bucket (played by the impressive Patricia Routledge), a dowdy middle-class social climber with a piercing voice and an unshakable faith in herself. Upon learning that her mailman has seven children, she declares disapprovingly, "Quite an achievement when you have to be up so early." Whether she's scheming to invite a minor local celebrity to a garden party or scowling at an enormous dog left in her driveway, Hyacinth terrorizes all around her, particularly her long-suffering husband Richard (Clive Swift), who takes a small delight in subverting her efforts from time to time; her trembling neighbors Elizabeth and Emmett (Josephine Tewson and David Griffin), who scarcely leave their house lest they be invited in to coffee; and her sexually frustrated lower-class sisters Daisy and Rose (Judy Cornwell and Mary Millar) and Daisy's layabout husband Onslow (Geoffrey Hughes), who longs to be left in peace to eat chips and watch the races.

Amazon.com

American sitcoms usually have a bland, likable central character who has to cope with obnoxious acquaintances--who usually provide most of the actual comedy. The British smartly put the comic personalities front and center, and Keeping Up Appearances has one of the best: The petty, pretentious, tyrannical Hyacinth Bucket (played by the impressive Patricia Routledge), a dowdy middle-class social climber with a piercing voice and an unshakable faith in herself. Upon learning that her mailman has seven children, she declares disapprovingly, "Quite an achievement when you have to be up so early." Whether she's scheming to invite a minor local celebrity to a garden party or scowling at an enormous dog left in her driveway, Hyacinth terrorizes all around her, particularly her long-suffering husband Richard (Clive Swift), who takes a small delight in subverting her efforts from time to time; her trembling neighbors Elizabeth and Emmett (Josephine Tewson and David Griffin), who scarcely leave their house lest they be invited in to coffee; and her sexually frustrated lower-class sisters Daisy and Rose (Judy Cornwell and Mary Millar) and Daisy's layabout husband Onslow (Geoffrey Hughes), who longs to be left in peace to eat chips and watch the races.

Though Americans aren't as class-conscious as the Brits, snobbery is universal, and Keeping Up Appearances has developed an appreciative cult following on this side of the Atlantic. The boxed set Hyacinth Springs Eternal contains the third, fourth, and fifth series; but Hyacinth lives in a bizarrely unchanging universe, so you can start with any episode and soon be caught up in her titanic struggle to be the envy of her peers. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Tireless social climber Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "Bouquet," of course) returns for the final 3 seasons of this hilariously classy comedy of manners. This 4-disc set includes the complete third, fourth and fifth seasons (including 9 episodes never before released) as well as "The Memoirs of Hyacinth Bucket", outtakes and interviews with the cast.

Customer Reviews:

Keeping up appeances.......2007-05-16

Keeping Up Appearances - Hyacinth Springs Eternal Set (Vol. 5-8) It is one of the greatest TV series every filmed/taped. It is like MASH; it can be viewed 400 times and never ceases to amuse.

"If That's Hyacinth, Tell Her I've Got Rabies.".......2007-04-27

Though not really rabid, Emmet and the rest of the cast will do nearly anything to avoid Hyacinth, the "Bucket Woman." Patricia Routledge is perfect in this series as Hyacinth Bucket ("it's pronounced 'Bouquet'"...) as a social climber who will do anything to be noticed by the upper class. Well known for her candlelight suppers, Hyacinth ventures into more novel entertaining venues in these episodes. One of my favorites of this set is "Riparian Entertainments," which has a deliciously wicked nautical twist. Interestingly several of the other episodes in this set also have a nautical back story.

In these episodes Elizabeth and Emmet develop into central roles; Elizabeth gets ever more nervous around Hyacinth and develops an unusual drinking problem, while Emmet goes to any lengths to hide from Hyacinth ("She'll sing at me!") The rest of the cast is perfect as well: Rose is sworn off men (...again...sadly Mary Millar recently passed away,) Daisy and Onslow manage to offend Hyacinth with their lower class sensibilities and "bone-idleness," while simultaneously being the most likeable members of the cast. I especially enjoy seeing Onslow in his sweater vest or Green Bay Packers t-shirt reading "Principles of Condensed Matter Physics." The supporting cast members are fabulous as well: the postman and milkman are wonderful in their attempts to avoid Hyacinth, and the Vicar and his wife are delightfully resourceful in keeping Hyacinth at arm's length as well.

These DVD's are the last half of the series and largely cover the leisure years after poor Richard (played to perfection by Clive Swift) retires. I don't envy his retirement one bit no matter how many golf outings, dress balls, or estate sales he gets to attend...but I do especially like the outing where Hyacinth and Richard go horseback riding with Emmet, an expert rider.

This is a great series and a great boxed set. There are several extras ranging from public service announcements to outtakes, all of which are worth watching. Most of all, though, sit back and revel in the good humor and hilarity ranging from the incredibly subtle to the sublimely ridiculous. I highly recommend this set to anyone with a sense of humor. It's one series you can watch repeatedly and never get tired of.

Poor Richard.......2007-01-19

I really enjoy the whole "Keeping Up Appearances" series. I originally caught the show on TV by mistake and have been a fan since. This show is great! If you like classic sit-coms, you will appreciate this one. Maybe a bit pricey, but worth it.

Keeping Up Comedy.......2007-01-06

Keeping Up Appearances is a really funny look at the pretentiousness of a middle-aged British married couple. Between them, in episodic domestic episodes, they give a very funny portrait of the British middle class way of life of a few years ago. It's a send-up, of course. But, there are many gems of truth in each episode. The dialog and characters are real. I found it very funny. As a middle-aged expat, I found Hyacinth a true nostalgic trip back to a life once remembered. Try an episode. You won't be disappointed

I love this show! Patricia Routledge as Hyacinth is hysterical!.......2006-10-16

I'm glad I am able to buy this show on DVD. I'm no longer able to watch it on PBS and, of course, it's convenient to pop in the DVD and watch the show whenever I want. I recommend both box sets. My favorite episode in this box set is "What to Wear When Yachting" but I enjoy watching all of the episodes.

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