Rating: 
Summary: "The 'Bouquet' residence! The lady of the house speaking!"
Review: "Keeping Up Appearances" was a 44-episode, British TV sitcom that ran for five seasons between 1990 and 1995, with several specials filmed through 1997. The show's primary character was Hyancinth Bucket (Patricia Routledge), who always pronounced her last name as 'Bouquet' to make it sound as impressive as possible. She was obsessed with making her family appear as affluent and upper-class as possible, which involves keeping her home as immaculate as possible and telling everyone about any new aquisition. Her husband, Richard Bucket (Clive Swift), does not share Hyacinth's obsession, but he accomodates her as best as he can. Unfortuneately for Hyacinth, her various plans to improve their station in life are often sidetracked by issues with her less affluent sisters or her senile father. Most people that know Hyacinth are intimidated by her, especially her next-door neighbors Elizabeth Hawksworth Warden (Josephine Tewson) and her brother Emmet Hawksworth (David Griffin). The local church vicar, Michael (Jeremy Gittins), and his wife (played by Marion Barron) also try to avoid Hyacinth as much as possible.Hyacinth's three sisters live to varying degrees of affluence. Daisy (Judy Cornwell) and her blue-collar husband Onslow (Geoffrey Hughes) live in a rowhouse in dire need of repair, with a wrecked car parked out front and an unkept interior. Hyancinth's unmarried sister Rose (played by Shirley Stelfox in 1990 and Mary Millar between 1991 and 1995) enjoys spending time with many men to the chagrin of Hyancinth. Hyancinth's only affluent sister, Violet, is never seen, but Hyacinth often speaks with her on the telephone. Their senile father (George Webb) lives with Daisy and Onslow. This 4-DVD set includes all six episodes from the first season (disk #1), all 10 episodes from the second season (disks #2 and #3) and four holiday specials filmed over the course of the series (disk #4). Each disk also includes various bonus materials, such as cast bios and other sketches. "Keeping Up Appearances" is not as well known in the U.S. as "Absolutely Fabulous", nor is it as outrageous; but it is a very good example of British comedy. Overall, I rank this 4-DVD set with a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: no closed captions
Review: Although I am in England I have a universal player and buy many dvs from the States .As I am hard of hearing I need the Closed Captions or Sub Titles which you say are on the disc.WELL they are not
I came over to New York last month and took my US copy with me to Toer and The dvd dept of Macys both proved that there are no CCs on the disc or the menu.Lickily all the performers have perfect diction-Esp ROSE no Two so tou can hear but I wanted to advise you there are no ccs on the Ddisc
PRINCE RAFAEL
Rating:
Summary: "...pronounced BOUQUET! "
Review: During her career spanning some 5 decades and many characters, Patricia Routledge will always be remembered for her "flawlessly dignified" portrayal of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced BOUQUET!!!). As a middle class housewife, Hyacinth spends every waking moment insuring that the social standing of her family is upheld, and if at all possible, lifted above reality. Forever embarassed by her sisters' lesser standing (one is married to a layabout slob, the other skips form affair to affair with married suiters, and a third, although she married "well", has troubles with her cross-dressing husband), Hyacinth focuses on preparing "candle light suppers" to which no one wants to come. Oblivious to the fact that everyone desperately avoids this "Bucket woman", Mrs. "Bouquet" seems to live in a little world of her own. Seemingly ignoring all signs that her perpetually indegent professional student son is gay, Hyacinth takes every opportunity to "share" scapbooks of her beloved Sheridan (who phones his "Mummy" only to ask for money) with virtual strangers. "Poor Richard" is the first and last name of her husband, for whom everyone feels sorry. What a saint! What a woman! Only the ever-frisky "Major" seems to be smitten by the "little filly" - good thing he's a Major, too, because otherwise Hyacinth would never put up with his behavior! -- Get ready for loads of laughs, and always remember how lucky we are that Hyacinth doesn't live in OUR neighborhood!
Rating:
Summary: Hyacinth is my hero
Review: 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....
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful acting, wonderful fun
Review: I bought this as a Christmas gift for my Mother last Christmas and she loved it so much I just bought her the second set this year. I think that the shows really exibit something that tends to be lost on American television, talent. The comedy is amazing, the acting is wonderful, the stories will amuse you and make you laugh out loud. This is comedy that is not vulgar, American Pie and Saturday Night Live fans will not be able to appreciate the level of talent and the type of comedy presented here. I am a teenage girl and I love these episodes. Without a doubt, this is something you want to purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: Be honest -- who thinks this is funny?
Review: I can't watch more than 10 minutes of this dreck before
I battle an urge to throw a brick through the screen.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait to complete the collection
Review: I enjoy the DVD set even with its shortcomings. And of course we all can suggest ways to make it "better" for the consumer. However, take what you can get and enjoy it! Maybe we can write our thoughts to BBC. The episodes are fantastic and commands any fan of British Comedy to just watch them over and over again and share them with their friends. We all know at least one person who is a perfect Haycinth, or maybe a devoted Richard or maybe a neighbor like Elizabeth. My point is the TV series (KUA) not only draws laughter, but makes you think about the people around you. So, I am glad to see I can complete the collection. Only one suggestion, subtitles would be helpful. And though I do not need them personally, I teach Conversational English and Western Culture in China at a Uni (university) and having subtitles helps a lot. So I get to share a wonderful TV show with my students even though they might not understand all the words that are being said. Thank god for fanastic comedy that trascends dialogue. Last thought, are we buying the DVD box sets for the "extras" or for the show we all have come to laugh at a dn laugh with? The extras are just that, extras.
Rating:
Summary: That Bucket Woman!!!!!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: I recommend this product
Review: I love the show Keeping Up Appearances. It is very funny to watch. For many months since I saw it on television, I have wanted to own it on DVD. As soon as the next DVD boxed set of Keeping Up Appearances is available, I will order it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great....but.........
Review: I love the superior picture quality and terrific sound of this DVD set; Hyacinth would be proud. The only irksome complaint I have about it is that at the beginning of each episode, they've added "series one-episode --". This would be fine if they'd have done it on a separate frame instead of super-imposing it over the action. Very annoying and ruins the authenticity of the series. As a whole, though, it's a great set and I'm glad I own it but if future episodes are released on DVD, I do hope they do it like the "Are You Being Served" set and put the comentary on separate frame, BEFORE the episode begins.
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