Customer Reviews

Keeping Up Appearances - Hyacinth in Full Bloom Set (Vol. 1-4)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have been waiting for this dvd set for a long time. This is one of my all time favorite "britcoms" (another being the delightful "Are You Being Served?) This 4 disc box set contains all the episodes from the first two seasons of "Keeping Up Appearances" plus some special episodes, such as the Christmas episode, that haven't been released in the United States. One of my favorite episodes "Three piece Suite" is included---as Hyacinth obsesses over the royal crest on the van bringing her new three piece suite and her desire for her neighbors to see her important new delivery. All of these episodes, however, are brillant. All the wonderful characters are there---Hyacinth's long suffering husband, Richard; Emmet and Elizabeth, her neighbors; Onslow, Daisy, and Rose---her brother-in-law and sisters and many more. If you haven't watched this comedy about a British housewife who brings social snobbery to a whole new level, then do yourself a favor and buy this dvd set. You'll laugh till you cry!!!! I hope they release the later seasons as well!

Patricia Routledge is incredible and wonderful as Hyacinth, and the other case members are superb playing off of her antics. At last four discs with my favorite lady. My favorite episode has to be when Richard is dressed as Santa Claus with a case of mistaken identity. And I loved Ms. Routledge's Kitty monologues (good extra) on Disc 4.

Many thanks to the BBC for finally starting to release this series on DVD in complete seasons rather than odd shows on the video series. Now, when are the next seasons coming?? Please do not piecemeal this - we may all be dead by the time they are released!

The only complaint that I have is that there was only 3 minutes of bloopers on Disc 1, Disc 2 and Disc 3. The Absolutely Fabulous set has 15 minutes on each disc. I laughed almost as much watching Ms. Routledge trying to get her story correct - best line by Geoffrey Hughes "Your Hyacinth on the phone is better than Hyacinth in bed"!

Patricia Routledge is a comic genius. Her portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced 'Bouquet', of course) makes for the single best characterization to come out of a British comedy in the last decade. The series is impeccably written and acted with Hyacinth stealing the scene whenever she is in frame. The other characters are similarly well developed, from longsuffering husband Richard (Clive Swift), to her sisters Daisy (and her husband Onslow, portrayed to perfection by Geoffrey Hughes as an unemployed, lazy slacker who reads things like 'Principles of Particle Physics' in bed), and the always randy Rose (as well as the rarely seen third sister, Violet, the one with a Mercedes, a sauna, and room for a pony), to the neighbors Elizabeth and Emmet ("She'll sing at me!") and even the recurring bit players such as the postman the vicar and his wife. Altogether the ensemble cast supports Hyacinth so perfectly that the show has unrivalled chemistry and timing.

The four disk set contains the famous and hilarious "QE2" episodes, and the "Three Piece Suite" episode, which for absolute hilarity is impossible to top (watching Hyacinth with the traffic cones and the 'Imminent Delivery' sign is sublime.) Also on the disks are several extras, of which my favorites are the outtakes: seeing Hyacinth break character and actually laugh at the funny situations is a delight indeed.

For anyone who likes British comedies, or likes subtle, yet highbrow, humor in equal measure, this set is an absolute treasure trove and is not to be missed. Highly recommended.

If you're a fan of this masterful British television series, then this is an absolute "must have" purchase. This set is comprised of twenty full episodes, as well as the side-splittingly funny QEII holiday episodes. Even though I've watched these programs dozens of times each, I never weary of them. This is quality acting and writing of the highest order.

Patricia Routledge as "that Bucket woman" is arguably the second-greatest TV comedic actress of all time (I supposed Lucille Ball would have to get a nod for first place). Certainly she is the greatest British actress in a comedy series. Her timing, expressions and mannerisms are simply superb. Her interplay with Richard, played divinely by Clive Swift, is always absolutely hilarious. How many times will you say, "poor Richard!" while watching Hyancinth's ridiculous social-climbing antics? And my favorite character of all, the fat, sloppy guy with a heart, Onslow, played to perfection by Geoffrey Hughes. Don't you just love how he always says "Oh... nice!" with that delicious sarcastic edge?

They're all here: beautiful, dipsy Rose, the sex-addicted Daddy, the McCartney-esque Pastor and his cute-as-a-button wife and the cringing neighbors. It's impossible not to fall in love with the entire ensemble cast. This is television without equal and the quality on this DVD is exceptional. My only small criticism is that the bloopers section is very brief, only a few minutes. Also, Patricia Routledge's solo comedy routines are similarly short in duration. But the rest of it is marvelous. Enjoy!

I am addicted to this show. I started watching it on PBS several months ago and now I won't miss an episode. I started taping them when I was not home and began watching them on the BBC in addition to PBS. Now that I found that the DVD's are available I have begun purchasing them as quickly as I can. Love that Hyacinth.... She is a hoot. She is my new role model..... The acting is wonderful especially that of Patricia Routledge. Her facial expressions are priceless. The other characters who have to endure Hyacinths endless demands and pretense are just fantastic. Poor Richard. And I can just feel Elisabeth cringe everytime Hyacinth summons her for coffee. Just wonderful....

One of the best shows ever! I cannot recommend or praise this show enough. Everybody I know who has seen this show is absolutely in love with it. And I can't blame them! This show never gets old, and there is little in this world that is funnier -- even watching episodes over again for the 10th time I still laugh and enjoy them as much as the first. Patricia Routledge is an absolute genius and plays the role of Hyacinth as if she was born for the part. The rest of the cast is just as good and they all do an absolutely smashing job portraying their characters. Thank God that the BBC is finally releasing this series on DVD! What a great way to cheer yourself up after a sour day. Comedy has rarely been better - nor has comedic writing - once you get into this show you'll never forget it and you'll find yourself quoting lines from your favorite episodes left and right.

Superb comedy about a pretentious, deluded, middle-class, middle-aged social climber. Buy it. A definite keeper - you can watch each episode many times and appreciate some nuance you missed in the last viewing. I think this was exceptional value for my money.

This collection includes some of the funniest episodes that Roy Clarke filmed for Keeping Up Appearances. The holiday extras are especially good. My stepmother actually relates and sympathizes with Hyacinth - amazing!

I was a bit disappointed that this collection did not contain the episode where Hyacinth and Richard go yachting in a lake or the episode where Hyacinth plans a picnic with friends and takes everything but the kitchen sink. Still looking forward to the time when BBC will release all seasons.

Overall, excellent quality images and sound. Well worth the price

Our family has fallen in love with Hiacinth. We schedule our Saturday nights around the program on PBS. Now, thanks to this fine box set, we can watch Poor Richard and his crazy in-laws anytime we want!

The series is brilliantly written and acted. One cannot think of other players in these roles. Oddly enough, both actresses who play the tart Rose are so good that one almost doesn't notice the change!

The DVDs are very well mastered. My only complaint about the set would be the lack of any brochure or written material.

One is struck by how mature the series debuts: the first season lacks any of the "baby steps" so typical of a series start: every character of complete fresh out of the gate (although Emmet, Elizabeth's brother doesn't make an appearance until season two). The writing and directing are very snappy.

Disc four has "The Kitty Monologues", some work Routlidge did before Hiacinth - one gets the impression that The Bucket Woman is loosely based on these.

After years of watching this masterful series (one of the best British Comedies ever produced), I come away thinking that Onslo is the only one playing with a full deck.

What do you think?

Keeping Up Appearences remains as current today as when it was originally aired. Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) and her odd family nudge us towards recognizing our own foibles and peculiarities.
This whole series provides a welcome change from the traditional American SitComs that are being mass-produced today.