Keeping Up Appearances: Hyacinth Springs Eternal

When social status is at stake, Hy still knows how to keep up appearances!

Irrepressible social climber Hyacinth Bucket ('Bouquet,' but of course!) returns with her best foot forward and takes her glorious bow in the final 3 seasons of this hilariously classy comedy of manners.

Series 3
In marked contrast to Hyacinth's meticulously ordered life, the rest of the family is frightfully common. In this series, Hyacinth reveals that the one thing she cannot stand is snobbery, people trying to pretend they are superior. As she logically concludes, “That only makes it so much harder for those of us who really are.” Meanwhile she determines that Richard needs a hobby and plunks a video camera before him. She admonishes him to go out and “be artistic”, an instruction she will soon live to regret.

Series 4
Hyacinth Bucket is so obsessed with etiquette and breeding that she makes her husband's life a perfect misery. In Series Four, Hyacinth is determined to buy a cottage in the country as a weekend retreat. Needless to say, her idea of what is suitable matches neither Richard's wishes nor his wallet. Luckily, an amorous farmer makes her realise that country life is not as idyllic as she thought. But Hyacinth decides to make another attempt at finding a weekend country home - much to Richard's horror...

Series 5
Series Five reveals that Hyacinth is determined to join the cast of Emmet's production of The Boyfriend. She invites Emmet and Elizabeth for coffee, then bursts into an impromptu rendition of 1920s songs. Meanwhile Hyacinth decides to share her talent as the perfect hostess and places an advertisement in the local newspaper. But when the telephone rings, her clients have a different service in mind...

Series 3
Episode 1 - Richard has no hiding place from Hyacinth now that early retirement has been thrust upon him. He finds the though of all the extra time that the two of them will be able to spend together rather daunting.

Episode 2 - Hyacinth has forced Richard to participate in a trip to the countryside to look for Iron Age remains. But further cultural excursions are curtailed when Daisy and Onslow report that Rose is behaving in outrageous fashion.

Episode 3 - Hyacinth borrows a holiday cottage in the country for the weekend and plans a small barbecue. Small, that is, only by comparison with the planning efforts used by Churchill in the last war.

Episode 4 - According to Hyacinth, the one thing she cannot stand is snobbery, people trying to pretend they are superior. As she logically concludes, "That only makes it so much harder for those of us who really are."

Episode 5 - Hyacinth has determined that Richard needs a hobby and plunks down a video camera before him. She admonishes him to go off and "be artistic," an instruction she will soon live to regret.

Episode 6 - Hyacinth and Richard have been invited to a showing at an art gallery, and she hones up by reading books on art. Her polish stands to be stripped, however, when her father sneaks into the exhibit and begins mingling with the art lovers.

Episode 7 - The opportunity of spending the weekend on a cruiser thrills Hyacinth. She can occupy herself with purchasing the correct yachting gear for Richard and herself and in preparing a "nautical light buffet" for her family and friends on board.

Series 4
Episode 1 - Hyacinth has decided that Richard will gain a high executive position with a local firm that has developed a vacancy in their ranks. Richard fancies neither the prospect of the job nor the plan Hyacinth has evolved for him meeting The Big Boss.

Episode 2 - Hyacinth has volunteered to escort a retired Commodore from the train station to the Ladies' Luncheon. She believes she will have just what it takes to ingratiate herself with such an old sea dog.

Episode 3 - Hyacinth volunteers Richard's services to help out the Church Hall where there is a problem with the lights. However, since his forte is strictly not in the direction of DIY, Richard's contributions only add to the mayhem.

Episode 4 - The bee in Hyacinth's bonnet is about buying a small cottage in the country as a weekend retreat. Richard learns that her idea of small does not match his. Hyacinth learns that the Country Life is not quite as she thought.

Episode 5 - Much to Richard's horror, Hyacinth decides to make another attempt at finding a weekend country home. When a sudden problem involving "Daddy" demands Richard's attention, Hyacinth asks Elizabeth to help her find a suitable property.

Episode 6 - Hyacinth and Richard are spending their first day in their new country "retreat." It may be a grand address, but the accommodation they have secured for themselves is not so much "small" as "minute."

Episode 7 - Hyacinth is desperate to keep up with the Barker-Finches, who have a bit of local fame at barbecue. She plans a super barbecue special complete with her own "celebrity," leaving Richard far from keen on the idea.

Series 5
Episode 1 - Hyacinth is seaside experiencing all the fun of the fair at a pleasure beach. In her distinctive blazer and hat she looks after a travel weary elderly lady and deals with an amorous Italian pensioner.

Episode 2 - Hyacinth is concerned that her invitation to the Mayor's fancy dress ball hasn't yet dropped though her letter box. Richard is even more concerned that Hyacinth intends him to attend costumed as Louis XIV in silk trousers.

Episode 3 - Hyacinth is in a sunny disposition, which mystifies Richard. The real horror of his situation dawns on him when he realizes that he has forgotten their anniversary and that Hyacinth is beaming in anticipation of a gift which he has not bought her.

Episode 4 - While walking by an idyllic riverbank with Richard, Hyacinth comes up with one of her most ambitious plans. "I shall hold a riverside picnic equally as graceful as one of my candlelight suppers."

Episode 5 - Hyacinth has decided instead of her usual gift to Richard of slippers that he should received skis instead. When Richard protests that he has not intention of taking up the sport, Hyacinth responds that he can cultivate the correct image by strapping them atop the car and drive about with them occasionally.

Episode 6 - Hyacinth is most excited about attending a country house sale and "mingling with the aristocracy." Richard immediately loses sleep at the prospect of Hyacinth in a position to easily go well beyond their spending limits.

Episode 7 - Convinced that Emmet is too overawed by her personality to invite her to join the cast of a musical, Hyacinth invites Elizabeth and him for coffee. She then bursts into impromptu snatches of 1920s musicals.

Episode 8 - Although the musical for which she had auditioned is already fully cast, Hyacinth is convinced that Emmet is only too shy to offer her a part. Hyacinth evolves a plan to pluck up his courage by inviting him to Violet's home for a "bon vivant buffet."

Episode 9 - Hyacinth is stung to lose first prize at the local craft fair for "free style floral decoration of a table centerpiece." To make matters worse, the winner is one Lydia Hawksworth, a lady who one was objectionable at one of Hyacinth's candlelight suppers.

Episode 10 - Hyacinth may yet become the Barbara Cortland of the West Midland social scene. She aims to advise and educate the nation on gracious living, lit incandescently by their own candlelight suppers.

Hyacinth Bucket	---	Patricia Routledge
Richard Bucket	---	Clive Swift
Elizabeth	---	Josephine Tewson
Onslow	---	Geoffrey Hughes
Daisy	---	Judy Cornwell
Rose (Series 1)	---	Shirley Stelfox
Rose (Series 2-5)	---	Mary Millar

Written by Roy Clarke
Directed by Harold Snoad
Produced by Harold Snoad
Film Editing by Andy Quested
Costume Design by Rita Reekie, Laura Ergis

British Comedy Awards®
1991 – Top TV Comedy Actress –Patricia Routledge

“A tour de force of slapstick humor and weirdness ... Ms Routledge squeezes every bit of humor out of this juicy role.” -Wall Street Journal

“Keeping Up Appearances gets better and better. The finest sitcoms are driven by monsters ... and Hyacinth Bucket (sorry, Bouquet) is right up there with the best.”- Sun

Clive Swift chose an acting career after his father discouraged him from joining the family furniture business. He claimed Clive was such a dreamer, he would ruin the business in two weeks.