Series synopsis
Keeping Up Appearances is a British comedy television series that premiered on BBC One on October 29, 1990. It ended on November 5, 1995. It was created by Roy Clarke. It stars Patricia Routledge, Clive Swift, Judy Cornwell and Geoffrey Hughes.
Hyacinth Bucket (whose name, she insists, is pronounced "Bouquet") is a suburban housewife in the West Midlands. She would be the first to tell you that she is a gracious hostess, a respected citizen, and a well-connected member of high society. If you don't believe that, just ask her best friend Elizabeth, held captive in Hyacinth's kitchen; or the postmen and neighbours who bristle at the sound of her voice; or Richard, her weary and compliant husband.
In fact, Hyacinth's reputation could be ...
Premise
Hyacinth Bucket (whose name, she insists, is pronounced "Bouquet") is a suburban housewife in the West Midlands. She would be the first to tell you that she is a gracious hostess, a respected citizen, and a well-connected member of high society. If you don't believe that, just ask her best friend Elizabeth, held captive in Hyacinth's kitchen; or the postmen and neighbours who bristle at the sound of her voice; or Richard, her weary and compliant husband.
In fact, Hyacinth's reputation could be as perfect as her new lounge set, if not for her senile father's love of running wild in the nip. Oh, and she would prefer it if her brother-in-law was a sharper dresser. And that her husband was more ambitious. And that her sisters were more presentable. And do take your shoes off before you come in the house, dear. Mind that you don't brush against the wallpaper.
Premise: The Full Bouquet
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Patricia Routledge as Hyacinth Bucket
- Clive Swift as Richard Bucket
- Judy Cornwell as Daisy
- Geoffrey Hughes as Onslow
- Josephine Tewson as Elizabeth 'Liz' Warden
- David Griffin as Emmet
- Mary Millar as Rose
- Shirley Stelfox as Rose
Supporting cast
- Dinah Sheridan as The Hotel Guest
- Jeanne Mockford as Mrs. Marjorie East
- Jon Glover as Roger
- Gerald Sim as The Vicar
- Jean Anderson as Mrs. Fortescue
- Dicken Ashworth as Boris
- Jennifer Daniel as Mrs. Lennox
- Gretchen Franklin as Daddy's Fiance
- Liz Gebhardt as The Angry Woman
- Tony Aitken as TV Repairman
- Royce Mills as Dorian
- Sue Lloyd as Mrs. Drummond
Guest cast
- Dinah Sheridan as The Hotel Guest
- Jeanne Mockford as Mrs. Marjorie East
- Jon Glover as Roger
- Gerald Sim as The Vicar
- Jean Anderson as Mrs. Fortescue
- Dicken Ashworth as Boris
- Jennifer Daniel as Mrs. Lennox
- Gretchen Franklin as Daddy's Fiance
- Liz Gebhardt as The Angry Woman
- Tony Aitken as TV Repairman
- Royce Mills as Dorian
- Sue Lloyd as Mrs. Drummond
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 65 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 25 | December 25, 1991 | September 2, 2016 |
| Season 1 | 6 | October 29, 1990 | December 3, 1990 |
| Season 2 | 10 | September 1, 1991 | November 3, 1991 |
| Season 3 | 7 | September 6, 1992 | October 18, 1992 |
| Season 4 | 7 | September 5, 1993 | October 17, 1993 |
| Season 5 | 10 | September 3, 1995 | November 5, 1995 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Father Christmas Suit 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 fulfil the deed, hence Elizabeth puts on the outfit and pretends to be Richard. |
December 25, 1991 |
| 2 |
Sea Fever 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. |
December 26, 1993 |
| 3 |
Angel Gabriel Blue 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 |
December 25, 1994 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Daddy's Accident Hyacinth's "Daddy" is put into an ambulance and taken to hospital, after getting injured chasing after the milk woman naked on her bike. After visiting him, Hyacinth returns home and is visited by the gas man, whose life she makes difficult. |
October 29, 1990 |
| 2 |
The New Vicar 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. |
November 5, 1990 |
| 3 |
Stately Home Hyacinth and Richard visit a stately home where the leading lady hopes to meet a member of the aristocratic family. However she fears her social status will be sabotaged by Onslow, Daisy and Rose, who turn up unexpectedly. Thus Hyacinth drags Richard through the ground's private gardens to hide from the lower-class clan. |
November 12, 1990 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Strange Man Hyacinth is shocked to see a strange man wearing only a towel emerge from Elizabeth's house, thus she tells Richard they will have to move house. However her opinions change when discovering who the man really is. Meanwhile Daddy has gone missing. |
September 1, 1991 |
| 2 |
Driving Mrs. Fortescue Hyacinth and Richard drive a wealthy Mrs Fortescue into town, however 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 Mrs Fortescue playing darts with Onslow in a public house. |
September 8, 1991 |
| 3 |
The Candlelight Supper 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. |
September 15, 1991 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Early Retirement Richard has had to take early retirement. Sadly for him, Hyacinth has many plans for his future. |
September 6, 1992 |
| 2 |
Iron Age Remains Hyacinth drags Richard off into the countryside in search of the remains of an Iron Age settlement. |
September 13, 1992 |
| 3 |
Violet's Country Cottage Hyacinth gets a chance to try some social climbing while borrowing her sister Violet's cottage for the weekend. |
September 20, 1992 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Job For Richard 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. |
September 5, 1993 |
| 2 |
Country Retreat 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. |
September 12, 1993 |
| 3 |
A Celebrity for the Barbecue 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. |
September 19, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Senior Citizen's Outing 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. |
September 3, 1995 |
| 2 |
The Mayor's Fancy Dress Ball Hyacinth prepares for the Mayor's fancy dress ball and is also on a mission to impress the new neighbours, a few streets away. |
September 10, 1995 |
| 3 |
Hyacinth is Alarmed 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. |
September 17, 1995 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 29, 1990 |
| Last aired | November 5, 1995 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 21:00:00 |