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Jeeves and Wooster

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Jeeves and Wooster
Series title card
StarringHugh Laurie
Stephen Fry
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes23
Production
Running time55 minutes
Original release
NetworkITV
Release22 April 1990 –
20 June 1993

Jeeves and Wooster is a British humorous television series adapted by Clive Exton from P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves stories. The series was produced by Picture Partnership Productions for Granada Television and screened on the ITV network from 1990 to 1993. It starred Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster, a jovial but empty-headed young gentleman, and Stephen Fry as Jeeves, his improbably well-informed and talented valet. The stories are set in England and the United States in pre-World War II 20th century (there are aspects of the Edwardian era, 1920s and 1930s).

Wooster is a well-to-do bachelor, a minor aristocrat and a member of the idle rich. He and his friends are aided in all sorts of societal adventures by the indispensable "gentleman's gentleman" Jeeves.

Four series were produced with 23 episodes in total. The programmes were produced by Brian Eastman and all are available on DVD.

The theme music was composed by Anne Dudley.

Characters

Actors' names are given with the series in which they appeared.

Stephen Fry as Jeeves & Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster

Recurring characters

Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4
Aunt Agatha Mary Wimbush Elizabeth Spriggs
Madeline Bassett Francesca Folan Diana Blackburn Elizabeth Morton
Sir Watkyn Bassett John Woodnutt
Stephanie "Stiffy" Byng Charlotte Attenborough Amanda Harris Charlotte Attenborough
Lady Florence Craye Fiona Gillies Francesca Folan
Aunt Dahlia Travers Brenda Bruce Vivian Pickles Patricia Lawrence Jean Heywood
Augustus "Gussie" Fink-Nottle Richard Garnett Richard Braine
Honoria Glossop Elizabeth Kettle Elizabeth Kettle
Sir Roderick Glossop Roger Brierley Philip Locke
Tuppy Glossop Robert Daws
Bingo Little Michael Siberry Pip Torrens
Constable Oates Campbell Morrison Stewart Harwood Sidney Livingstone
Stinker Pinker Simon Treves
Roderick Spode John Turner

Other characters

File:Madelinebassett.jpg
Elizabeth Morton as Madeline Bassett

Episodes

The titles are taken from the DVD collections.

Series 1

Directed by Robert Young.

# Title Original airdate # Season
1"Jeeves Takes Charge"April 22, 1990101

Bertie Wooster's Aunt Agatha orders him to marry Honoria Glossop, who Agatha believes will "reform" him. Bertie finds his friend Bingo Little is infatuated with her, but his scheme to get them together fails. His capable new valet Jeeves steps in with a plan to convince Sir Roderick and Lady Glossop that their potential son-in-law is unfit to marry their daughter.

Also called "In Court After the Boat Race" or "Jeeves' Arrival." Adapted from

  • "Jeeves Takes Charge"
  • "The Pride of the Woosters is Wounded" (from The Inimitable Jeeves)
  • "Introducing Claude and Eustace" (The Inimitable Jeeves)
  • "Sir Roderick Comes to Lunch" (The Inimitable Jeeves)
  • "The Hero's Reward" (The Inimitable Jeeves)

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2"Tuppy and the Terrier"April 29, 1990102

Bertie is determined to propose to Bobbie Wickham. When Barmy defeats him at golf, Bobbie recommends a water-bottle trick that backfires. Bertie is made to watch Aunt Agatha's over-pampered dog McIntosh. He is horrified when Bobbie gives the dog to the son of a Broadway producer.

Tuppy Glossop is infatuated with an opera singer, Cora Bellinger, and has dropped Bertie's cousin Angela. Her mother, Aunt Dahlia, wants this affair over with. Jeeves produces a plan which involves Bertie singing in public.

Also called "Bertie is in Love" or "The Golf Tournament." Adapted from

  • "Jeeves & the Yuletide Spirit" (from Very Good, Jeeves)
  • "Episode of the Dog Macintosh" (Very Good, Jeeves)
  • "Jeeves and the Song of Songs" (Very Good, Jeeves)

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3"The Purity of the Turf"May 6, 1990103

Bertie's Uncle George wishes to marry a young waitress. Aunt Agatha is dismayed and, through Bertie, offers the girl ₤100 to break off the engagement. Instead, Bertie meets Maud Wilberforce, who has a connection with his uncle.

Bertie visits Twing Hall, where Lady Wickhammersley has banned all gambling after Lord Wickhammersley lost the East Wing in a game. Rupert Steggles has surreptitiously arranged to take bets, however, on the events at a village fair. Bertie and Bingo Little place bets on the competitors, only to find Steggles has rigged the events. Jeeves must sort things out.

Also called "The Village Sports Day at Twing" or "The Gambling Event." Adapted from

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4"The Hunger Strike"May 13, 1990104

Aunt Dahlia coerces Bertie into giving the prizes at Market Snodsbury Grammar School by threatening to withhold the services of her master chef, Anatole.

Newt-fancier Gussie Fink-Nottle comes to Jeeves for advice about Madeline Bassett, with whom he is enamored. Since she is staying at Brinkley Court with Aunt Dahlia, Bertie delegates Gussie to give the prizes.

Bertie also tries to sort out Tuppy Glossop and Angela Travers' relationship, Gussie and Madeline's relationship, and an issue Aunt Dahlia has with her husband, all without the help of Jeeves. Disaster follows when he recommends they go without dinner.

Also called "How Does Gussie Woo Madeline?" Adapted from Right Ho, Jeeves.

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5"Brinkley Manor"May 13, 1990105

Jeeves returns to London to persuade Anatole to return to Brinkley Court. Bertie goes to Brinkley Court to reconcile Angela Travers with Tuppy Glossop, who is growing increasingly suspicious and jealous of Bertie.

In order to bolster Gussie Fink-Nottle's courage to deliver the prizes and to propose to Madeline Bassett, both Bertie and Jeeves spike his orange juice.

Jeeves finally sorts out all the fractured relationships with a plan to set off the fire alarm.

Also called "Will Anatole Return to Brinkley Court?", "The Matchmaker" or "Jeeves' Arrival."

Adapted from Right Ho, Jeeves.

Series 2

Directed by Simon Langton.

# Title Original airdate # Season
1"Jeeves Saves the Cow-Creamer"April 14, 1991201

Aunt Dahlia sends Bertie to "sneer" at an antique cow-shaped cream dispenser in order to keep its price down. He accidentally brings the antique to the attention of rival collector Sir Watkyn Bassett, who buys it. Dahlia sends Bertie to get the creamer back at all costs.

Amateur fascist dictator (and root enthusiast) Roderick Spode is interested in Madeline Bassett, and Gussie Fink-Nottle wishes Bertie to help keep the two separate. Jeeves finds a way of keeping Spode from beating Bertie into a jelly.

Also called "The Silver Jug."

Adapted from The Code of the Woosters.
2"A Plan for Gussie"April 21, 1991202

Gussie Fink-Nottle has been keeping a notebook containing insulting thoughts of Sir Watkyn Bassett and Roderick Spode, in order to keep his courage up about them. When he loses the notebook, he calls on Bertie to help find it.

The Rev. Harold "Stinker" Pinker and Stephanie "Stiffy" Byng wish to marry, but Stiffy's guardian Sir Watkyn doesn't approve. Stiffy blackmails Bertie into helping her convince her guardian otherwise.

Meanwhile Bertie comes into possession of a policeman's helmet.

Also called "The Bassetts' Fancy Dress Ball."

Adapted from The Code of the Woosters.
3"Pearls Mean Tears"April 28, 1991203

Aunt Agatha intends to engage Bertie to "a nice quiet girl" named Aline Hemmingway. Bertie is forced to spend some time with Aline and her brother, Rev. Sidney Hemmingway, but finds them dreary. After Sidney loses money at the races, he borrows £100 from Bertie with Aline's pearl necklace on deposit. Coincidentally, Aunt Agatha's pearl necklace goes missing.

Biffy Biffen literally cannot find a girl he was engaged to. He comes to Jeeves for help, but Jeeves, who knows the girl and misunderstands Biffy's intentions, doesn't wish to help.

Also called "The Con." Adapted from

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4"Jeeves in the Country"May 5, 1991204

Bertie's insistence on playing the trombone drives Jeeves to give notice. Bertie hires a less satisfactory valet, Brinkley. Bertie's friend, Baron "Chuffy" Chuffnell, quickly snaps Jeeves up.

Bertie rents a country cottage from Chuffy in Devon and practices his horn. Chuffy is intent on selling Chuffnell Hall to J. Washburn Stoker, so that he can afford to marry Stoker's daughter Pauline. He discovers, to his concern, that Pauline was once engaged to Bertie—and that Washburn wants Bertie to stay away from his daughter.

Jeeves produces a plan to get Pauline and Chuffy together that results in the destruction of Bertie's cottage.

Also called "Chuffy."

Adapted from Thank you, Jeeves.
5"Kidnapped!"May 12, 1991205

Bertie's club, the Drones, are electing a new dining committee chairman. Bertie wishes to be elected, but discovers no one with a criminal record can stand.

Pauline Stoker is being stalked by a mysterious stranger. Bertie, always chivalrous, is called upon to protect her on her way back to Chuffnell Regis. The trip results in startling results, including an encounter with several Drones in blackface.

Because Chuffy Chuffnell cannot get permission to turn Chuffnell Hall into a hotel, Pauline tries to persuade Sir Roderick Glossop to turn it into a sanatorium.

Also called "The Mysterious Stranger."

Adapted from Thank you, Jeeves.
6"Jeeves the Matchmaker"May 19, 1991206

Bertie is interested in parenthood, and decides to begin by marrying Bobbie Wickham. Jeeves does not approve; but Bobbie is too preoccupied with other things to give Bertie due attention. Meanwhile Bertie must put up with her niece Clementina, who has a ferocious appetite.

Tuppy Glossop has broken off with Angela Travers again and is infatuated with dog-lover Daisy Dalgleish. Tuppy is convinced he can impress her in a rugby match, but Jeeves interferes.

Bingo Little is also in love, with a tea shop waitress. His obstacle is his allowance from his Uncle Mortimer, who may not approve the match. Jeeves recommends his uncle be regularly read romance novels to soften him up. They do—too much.

Also called "Wooster with a Wife." Adapted from

  • "Bertie Changes His Mind" (from Carry on, Jeeves)
  • "Jeeves and the Kid Clementina" (from Very Good, Jeeves)
  • "The Ordeal of Young Tuppy" (from Very Good, Jeeves)
  • "Jeeves Exerts the Old Cerebellum" (from The Inimitable Jeeves)
  • "No Wedding Bells for Bingo" (from The Inimitable Jeeves)

Series 3

Directed by Ferdinand Fairfax.

# Title Original airdate # Season
1""Bertie Sets Sail""March 29,1992301

Bertie escapes Aunt Agatha's plot to get him married to Honoria Glossop by taking a ship to New york, accompanied by Jeeves. On board he meets Chuffy who is going to buy a car there and is then lumbered with Lady Malvern's son, Wilmot. Once in America, she leaves for a tour of prisons for an upcoming book. She has left strict instructions as to how to look after the very delicate Wilmot who turns from an inoffensive little man into someone who's out clubbing and getting drunk every night. Meanwhile Chuffy has fallen in love with the daughter of an automobile manufacturer and so promised to buy 48 cars when he barely has enough money for one. Bertie escapes to the woods to stay with poet friend, Mr Todd while Jeeves sorts things out.

Adapted from

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2"”The Full House”"April 5, 1992302

Poet, Mr Rockmeteller Todd (Rocky) wants a quiet life in his cabin in the Long Island woods but his Aunt Isobel who keeps him supplied with money wants him out clubbing every night and to send her a report of what is going on. Jeeves goes clubbing in his place and Rocky writes reports from his details. However, he makes it sound so good that the aunt decides to see for herself. Meanwhile, Bicky Bickersteth's father believes Bicky is in Colorado learning farming (if he wants to keep his allowance), but he is staying in New York and his father finds out. Bertie lends Rocky his place to impress his aunt but Bicky's father arrives and also believes Bertie's apartment belongs to his son and seeing he is apparently doing well, he cuts his allowance off. It is down to Jeeves to save the day.

Adapted from

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3"”Introduction on Broadway""April 12,1992303

Aunt Agatha sends Cyril Bassington-Bassington to Bertie in New York with strict instructions that he is to be kept away from the stage. Shortly after arrival, Cyril goes on stage. Meanwhile, friend Corky Corcoran asks Bertie to help him ask his father to accept his girlfriend so he can marry her. Things go wrong and the father ends up marrying her and cuts off Corky's allowance. Then Aunt Agatha arrives and wants to see a play, the same play that Corky is in. Only Jeeves can sort out such a mess.

Adapted from

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4"” Right Ho, Jeeves”"April 19, 1992304

Gussie Fink-Nottle is to visit Devril Hall but gets drunk and ends up sentenced to 14 days in jail. Bertie is also due there, where Aunt Agatha is trying to match him up with Gertrude Winkworth. So Gussie doesn't get in trouble, Bertie turns up as him, then Gussie turns up too (having just been fined) with Jeeves as his butler. Gussie pretends to be Bertie and woos Gertrude successfully. Meanwhile, Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright who is in love with Gertrude appears (he has been rejected by the fierce Dame Daphne Winkworth and her four sisters), pretending to be Bertie's butler. When it seems that things can't get any worse, Aunt Agatha and Gussie's girlfriend Madeline Bassett turn up.

Adapted from

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5"” Hot Off the Press”"April 26, 1992305

Sir Watkyn Bassett is writing his memoirs of his misspent youth, which also includes a lot of other misspent youths of people who are now famous. Bertie who has just become engaged is sent to destroy the manuscript. Guests at the house include would-be dictator Roderick Spode, Gussie Fink-Nottle and nearby is another old enemy of Bertie's; Constable Oates. The local vicar is Stinker Pinker. Added to this is a number of tough young ladies, a local play and a dog which is arrested, all of which means a lively time for Bertie and Jeeves. Adapted from

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6"“Comrade Bingo”"May 3, 1992306

Bingo Little has joined The Red Dawn, an outspoken Communist group to be near Charlotte Rowbotham who he is in love with. Bertie is pushed by Aunt Dahlia into going to Marsham Manor (near Goodwood) with her so she can get Cornelia Fothergill to sign her latest novel to her so she can use it in her magazine. However, she doesn't tell Bertie that she wants him to steal a painting to accomplish this (we see why Bertie would never have made it as a burglar). Roderick Spode is also there, now the Seventh earl of Sidcup (the sixth Earl having died) and is giving a farewell tour to his Black Shorts.

Adapted from

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Series 4

Directed by Ferdinand Fairfax.

# Title Original airdate # Season
1"” Return to New York”"May 16, 1993401

Aunt Agatha wants to pack her wayward nephews: Claude and Eustace Wooster off to Africa but both have fallen in love with a singer (Elizabeth Vicars) at a nightclub Bertie took them to the night before and sneak back from the docks to Bertie's place to persue her. Tuppy has fallen for a painter (Gwladys Pendlebury), while Bertie has fallen foul of a soup manufacturer. Bertie's efforts to help Tuppy end in a disaster and Aunt Agatha ends up as a laughing stock, and looking for the cause, Bertie.

Adapted from

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2"” The Once and Future Ex”"May 23,1993402

Bertie bumps into Lady Florence in a bookshop while buying a birthday present for Jeeves and suddenly he's engaged to her. But she has another suitor, the insanely jealous Darcy "Stilton" Cheesewright. Friend George Caffyn needs $50,000 for his play but can only get it from Chichester Clam when he sells his boats to Lord Worplesden but the press haunting them is stopping the deal from going through. Jeeves sees a fancy dress party as a way of sorting everything out.

Adapted from

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3"” Bridegroom Wanted!”"June 6, 1993403

Bingo Little wants to marry a waitress so needs his father's blessing. Bertie is pushed into helping him by pretending to be author; Rosie M. Banks again. His father, Lord Bittlesham is under Sir Roderick Glossop who has moved to America (a watered down Sir R who actually likes Bertie). Trying to sort things out, Bertie manages to make Blair Eggleston break off his engagement with Honoria who now wants to marry Bertie and get a theatrical Agent with a very muscular friend after him. Meanwhile Bingo marries the waitress who turns out to be the real Rosie M. Banks so she and Lord Bittlesham are also after Bertie who decides the best thing is to take the next ship to London. But so do all the others and confronted by all of them onboard, he and Jeeves jump ship. Eight and a half months later they turn up back in England, with long beards and looking like they have spent much of that time in an open boat and in savage lands.

Adapted from

plus a good deal of Clive Exton's artistic licence White Text

4"” The Delayed Arrival”"June 6,1993404
Aunt Dahlia's magazine is in deep money trouble again so she wants to sell it to a Mr Trotter. To make it more saleable, she plans on paying a thousand pounds to a famous novelist for a story, which means she has to pawn her pearl necklace. Meanwhile, Lady Florence Craye has an on/off engagement with the homicidal Darcy "Stilton" Cheesewright, with Bertie Wooster
5"” Trouble at Totleigh Towers”"June 13,1993405

Bertie goes to Totleigh Towers at Stephanie "Stiffy" Byng's request. She wants him to steal an African statue which she thinks is evil. Gussie Fink-Nottle at Madeline Bassett's request has become a vegetarian but is too much for him and he falls for the cook (Emerald) who has been feeding him steak and kidney pie at midnight. Madeline with Gussie out of the way falls for Bertie, who steals the statue but has to return it when the owner (Major Plank) will not buy it back. Bertie then blacks up to pretend to be an African to get the statue back for his tribe, just as the real Africans turn up. Jeeves can sort things out though, for a price.

Adapted from

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6"” The Ties That Bind”"June 20,1993406

Bertie is at Totleigh Towers for the marriage of Roderick Spode and Madeline Bassett. Friend, Ginger Winship is engaged to Lady Florence Craye so Bertie thinks that he's finally safe as far as marriage is concerned. However, Parliamentary candidate Ginger falls for his secretary and throws the Parliamentary election causing Florence to dump him and Spode decides to stand in his place, throwing in his title and causing Madeline to dump him. Both women now have their eyes firmly set on Bertie. Meanwhile the Butler's and Valet's book from the Ganymede Club has been stolen, having all the secrets of the people they worked for. Also there is a problem with the drains at Totleigh Towers so Bertie calls in Tuppy Glossop who has bought a new invention which clears drains, or so he believes but when he tries it out, it makes things far worse. The show ends with Bertie getting the blame for a spoiled wedding and with the guests chasing him and Jeeves around a church while the end titles come up.

Adapted from

plus a good deal of Clive Exton's artistic licence White Text

Locations

Trivia

  • Bertie Wooster's car is an early 1930s Aston Martin.
  • Chuffy Chufnell drives a Lagonda in series 2.
  • Because the lead actors Fry (6'5") and Laurie (6'3") are particularly tall, the supporting players were cast with this in mind and are almost uniformly tall themselves.
  • One of the unique elements of the TV show that are not present in the books is Wooster's (Hugh Laurie's) skill at piano playing. Several memorable scenes in the TV show feature Laurie playing a humorous piano song and, occasionally, Jeeves joining in for a duet.
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