Rating: 
Summary: THIS SERIES HAS CLASSIC WRITTEN ALL OVER IT
Review: I now own the entire series on DVD, I love it that much. This is a classic in the style of "I Love Lucy," except that it happens to be placed in England. It's not fair to say that there is a lot of "British humor" involved here. The series revolves around a frequently universal ambition for one to rise his or her "station" in life. Just like Lucy always tried to get in Ricky's show, Hyacinth, the central character here, tries to get close to "important" business people or to rub elbows with members of the aristocracy, to make herself appear important. The series is extremely well written and performed. Great ensemble cast led by the inimitable Patricia Routledge. Ms. Routledge is an excellent physical comedian, which adds to the hilarity in each episode. If you've never witnessed Hyacinth Bucket and company you are missing out! Good job on the audio and video transfers, and the extras are a treat.
Rating:
Summary: THIS SERIES HAS CLASSIC WRITTEN ALL OVER IT
Review: I now own the entire series on DVD, I love it that much. This is a classic in the style of "I Love Lucy," except that it happens to be set somewhere is suburban England. It's not fair to say that there is a lot of "British humor" involved here. Rather, the series revolves around the central character's ambition and desire to rise above her "station" in life...or to appear to do that. Just like Lucy always tried to get in Ricky's show, here Hyacinth tries to get close to "important" business people or rub elbows with members of the aristocracy, to make herself appear important. Most of the time things don't work out as she plans, and Hyacinth is frequently embarassed by her working class relatives [brilliantly played by Geoffrey Hughes, Judy Cornwell and Mary Millar]. The series is extremely well written and performed. Great ensemble cast led by the inimitable Patricia Routledge. Ms. Routledge is an excellent physical comedian, also, which adds to the hilarity in each episode. If you've never witnessed Hyacinth Bucket and company, you are missing out! Treat yourself, and catch it on your PBS station. Now, on to the technical side: good job on the audio and video transfers, and the extras are a treat.
Rating: 
Summary: Fine actors, terrible writing...
Review: I've never understood the seemingly unanimous praise for this mostly unfunny series. Without question, the cast is a distinguished group, and all manage to add flair and charm to their roles (most noteable Patricia Routledge - one of Britain's most under-rated actors) but Roy Clarke's writing is, for the most part, flat and lacks any of the sharpness British sitcoms are known for. The plots rely more on Routledge's brilliant physical acting than on story, and the few jokes scattered throughout are generally unoriginal and unfunny (it should be known that the series does rise above on occasion). "KUA" never decides whether it's aiming for social commentary or just cheap laughs ("Absolutely Fabulous" is far more successful at lampooning it's chosen cultural target).
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE IT
Review: If you need a good laugh then this is the dvd for you I ALWAS NEED TO LAUGH AND THIS SHOW DOES JUST THAT FOR ME i THINK THAT IF YOU LIKE TO WATCH THe show on TV ,then you will love the dvd even better
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely hilarious!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely hilarious!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Hyacinth will keep you laughing
Review: Keeping up appearances is absolutely fantastic. We bought this 4 dvd set and watched all 20 episodes in less than a week. Now I want more. I hope BBC releases the other seasons as soon as possible.
Rating:
Summary: Aw, nice!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The Bucket Woman Rides Again
Review: 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?
Rating:
Summary: Oh, Nice!
Review: 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.
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