List of Keeping Up Appearances episodes
The following is a complete list of episodes for the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. The programme premiered on BBC One on 29 October 1990 and ran for five series, with its final episode airing on 25 December 1995. The programme consists of forty-four episodes, including four Christmas specials.
Overview
The first series, of six episodes, aired from 29 October to 3 December 1990. The second series of, ten episodes, aired from 1 September to 3 November 1991. A Christmas special aired on 25 December 1991. A third series, of seven episodes, aired from 6 September to 18 October 1992. A fourth series, of seven episodes, aired from 5 September to 17 October 1993. A Christmas special aired on 26 December 1993. The show took a one-year break and did not make a series in 1994, although a further Christmas special aired on 25 December 1994. A fifth series, of ten episodes, aired from 3 September to 5 November 1995. A final Christmas special was aired on 25 December 1995.[1] Additionally, a Children in Need special was aired on 24 November 1995.
The 1993 Christmas special is 60 minutes long whilst the 1994 Christmas special is 50 minutes long. All episodes originally aired on BBC One.
| Series | Episodes | Originally aired | General Information | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 2 DVD Release Date | Christmas Specials | ||||||
| 1 | 6 | 1990 | 7 March 2003 | — | |||
| 2 | 11 | 1991 | 7 March 2003 | "The Father Christmas Suit" | |||
| 3 | 7 | 1992 | 16 February 2004 | — | |||
| 4 | 9 | 1993-1994 | 16 February 2004 | "Sea Fever" & "Angel Gabriel Blue" | |||
| 5 | 11 | 1995 | 26 December 2006 | "The Pageant" | |||
1The Series Three and Four Boxset did not include the 1993 and 1994 Christmas specials. These were released with the 2006 boxset. A complete collection was released on 8 October 2007.[2]
Episodes
Series 1 (1990)
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Daddy's Accident" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 29 October 1990 | 30 minutes | |
|
We are introduced to the prim and proper Hyacinth Bucket, (pronounced Bouquet), Hyacinth’s long-suffering husband, Richard, and her less-than-socially-acceptable extended family. The episode sees Hyacinth coming to terms with the fact that her Daddy is in hospital, but is shocked when she hears why. Guest starring Peter Cellier and Bruce Alexander. | ||||||
| 2 | "The New Vicar" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 5 November 1990 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth’s plans to have the vicar and his wife over for a formal afternoon tea are squashed when her sister Daisy and husband Onslow drop in. It seems that Daddy has been kidnapped by a gypsy. To make matters worse, a love-lorn Rose arrives to talk to the vicar about her own funeral. | ||||||
| 3 | "Stately Home" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 12 November 1990 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth drags Richard off for a day out in the country — but decides to visit her father first. When she arrives it turns out that he has 'escaped' from Daisy and Onslow’s house by climbing down a drainpipe dressed as "Captain Midnight"! Apparently, he’s gone to save the woman at the Post Office from a "fate worse than death" at the hands of aliens. Hyacinth and Richard then visit a stately home — Carldon Hall. Hyacinth insists on hanging around the family staircase hoping to meet nobility. To her dismay, Onslow, Daisy and Rose turn up, forcing them to make a hasty exit! Guest starring Michael Bilton. | ||||||
| 4 | "The Charity Shop" aka "A Fate Worse than Senility" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 19 November 1990 | 30 minutes | |
|
A woman claiming to be the fiancée of Hyacinth’s father has moved herself into his bedroom. Hyacinth is called to sort the situation out. She stops by on her way to work as volunteer at a charity shop. Councillor Nugent, when not delivering an anti-romance tirade, is returning some underwear that she sees as wholly unsuitable for a charity shop, to the donor: Rose. Guest starring Gretchen Franklin and Charmian May. | ||||||
| 5 | "Daisy's Toyboy" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 26 November 1990 | 30 minutes | |
|
In an attempt to make him jealous, Daisy tries to convince Onslow that she’s found herself a seventeen-year-old “toyboy” but he doesn’t seem to notice. The Ladies’ Circle is expecting a guest speaker at the church hall. Hyacinth arrives and decides to take charge of the arrangements. Guest starring Jonny Lee Miller. | ||||||
| 6 | "The Christening" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 3 December 1990 | 30 minutes | |
|
It’s the day of Daisy’s granddaughter’s christening and Hyacinth is most displeased that Stephanie, Daisy’s daughter, is not married. But with some encouragement from Richard, Hyacinth agrees to go to the christening with an open mind. Then the mother and child go missing. Guest starring Gerald Sim. | ||||||
Series 2 (1991)
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | "A Strange Man" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 1 September 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth is shocked to see a strange man wearing only a towel emerge from Elizabeth’s house, sending her into hysterics at what she perceives the moral degradation of the neighbourhood. But it turned out the man was Emmet, Elizabeth’s brother, who lost his home in a messy divorce and has moved in with his sister. Hyacinth, once she finds out, wastes no time in making Emmet psychotically afraid of her. Meanwhile, Daddy has gone missing again, and it’s up to Onslow and Daisy to find him. First appearance of Emmet | ||||||
| 8 | "Driving Mrs Fortescue" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 8 September 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth and Richard drive wealthy Mrs Fortescue, a brash and sharp-tongued woman "whose sister married a baronet", into town. Hyacinth’s plans to impress her are crushed when Daisy and Rose flag down the Buckets for a lift and they all wind up in a local pub, with Mrs Fortescue having more fun with Daisy and Rose than Hyacinth. Guest starring Jean Anderson. | ||||||
| 9 | "The Candlelight Supper" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 15 September 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth wants to impress Emmet with her musical talents at an elaborate musical supper. Her plans backfire when a short-skirted Rose turns up followed by two aggressive men whose doorstep fight threatens to ruin the evening. | ||||||
| 10 | "Golfing with the Major" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 22 September 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
The Major invites the Buckets for a golfing weekend at The Chesford Grange Hotel. All is well until Onslow and Daisy turn up unexpectedly to collect Rose, who has spent a raunchy weekend with a Mr Smith in room 210. When Hyacinth realizes her family is there, she fears for her social standing. Adding to her dilemma are the amorous intentions of the Major. Guest starring Peter Cellier and Dinah Sheridan. | ||||||
| 11 | "Problems with Relatives" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 29 September 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth’s brother-in-law Bruce is stuck up a tree, Daddy goes to the register office to be married. Liz offers to drive Daddy back to Daisy’s, but to avoid them seeing how Daisy and Onslow live, Hyacinth insists they stop off at Violet’s. (On the DVDs, this episode is titled “The Googley-Eyed Registrar.”)[3] | ||||||
| 12 | "Onslow's Birthday" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 6 October 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth is dreading an invite to Onslow’s birthday party, but changes her mind when finding out she and Richard will be picked up by Rose’s wealthy Greek boyfriend in one of his limos. So she decides holds a gathering at her house to impress the neighbours as she departs in the luxury vehicle. Her hopes die when a hearse arrives instead. Guest starring Peter Cellier. | ||||||
| 13 | "Singing for Emmet" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 13 October 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Richard is offered early retirement and ponders a future spending all day every day with Hyacinth. Emmet is enraged when Hyacinth ends up rehearsing a performance for the old people at the Church Hall with him, and a tranquilized Rose arrives at the scene wanting to become a nun. | ||||||
| 14 | "The Toy Store" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 20 October 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Daddy has ended up at the toy store and is “improving” a few toys with the help of a screw driver: total cost 235 quid. Hyacinth’s social status is nearly ruined when she encounters Mrs. Councilor Nugent in town while attempting to retrieve Daddy. Guest starring Charmian May. | ||||||
| 15 | "The Three-Piece Suite" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 27 October 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth is very excited at the prospect of having her new three piece suite, an exact replica of the one at Sandringham House, delivered. She will also give Daisy and Onslow her old suite, provided they pick it up themselves. But of course these two events are likely to collide at some point, creating another social disaster. | ||||||
| 16 | "A Picnic for Daddy" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 3 November 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth arranges a picnic for Daddy, but things go awry when the senile old man decides to test drive the Buckets’ car, resulting in a car chase between him and the rest of the family. Onslow’s car breaks down, so the vicar and his wife pick up Hyacinth and her family. All ends well when the police show up. | ||||||
Christmas Special (1991)
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | "The Father Christmas Suit" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 25 December 1991 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth hires a Father Christmas outfit for Richard to wear when distributing gifts to the old people at the Church Hall. Against his will, Richard puts it on, but after one too many sherries with Emmet, Elizabeth must don the outfit and pretend to be him. | ||||||
Series 3 (1992)
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | "Early Retirement" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 6 September 1992 | 30 minutes | |
|
A depressed Richard turns up for his last day at work and finally has to face the prospect of early retirement. Meanwhile, Hyacinth telephones the prime minister asking if there is anything on the honours list for Richard. Later, she prepares for a guest, though plans begin to go haywire for the house-proud lady when Rose’s latest boyfriend’s dog parks itself on her driveway. | ||||||
| 19 | "Iron Age Remains" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 13 September 1992 | 30 minutes | |
|
Now that Richard is retired, Hyacinth decides to expand their knowledge of local history. The pair head off into the country in search of Iron Age remains. However, the day takes an unexpected turn when a freshly-dumped Rose locks herself in her room and calls for the vicar. | ||||||
| 20 | "Violet's Country Cottage" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 20 September 1992 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth borrows Violet and Bruce’s luxury cottage for the weekend and prepares a barbecue. In an attempt to impress lady from the manor house, Hyacinth drinks a bit too much and gets carried away with the summer spirit. Meanwhile Richard is in search for Bunty’s dog, Zoe. | ||||||
| 21 | "How To Go On Holiday Without Really Trying (Travel Brochure)" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 27 September 1992 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth’s jealousy gets the better of her when hearing about a neighbour's luxury holiday. She decides to impress the neighbours by pretending to go on an expensive vacation herself. Meanwhile Onslow arrives at the Buckets’ to take Richard away for a chance to discover “the joys of irresponsibility”. Hyacinth shows up to volunteer for the church cleaning only to be humbled by the Vicar's wife | ||||||
| 22 | "Richard's New Hobby" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 4 October 1992 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth finds Richard a hobby – filming – and boasts to the neighbours he is a film maker, which impresses Councillor Mrs Nugent. However Hyacinth’s plans are crushed when Onslow’s car breaks down outside her house, and Richard is brought back in a police car. Guest starring Charmian May. | ||||||
| 23 | "The Art Exhibition" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 11 October 1992 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth’s preparations to visit an art exhibition are thrown off course when Daddy goes off to join the Foreign Legion. Rose and her latest boyfriend help hunt for him, not realizing their suggestive conversation is being broadcast throughout the neighbourhood. When Hyacinth finally finds Daddy he’s holding a sign that reads “If you love me let me know.” outside the home of a woman he is trying to get romantically involved with. Hyacinth reveals she is a prude in this episode. | ||||||
| 24 | "What To Wear When Yachting" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 18 October 1992 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth and Richard head off on a yachting weekend, only to discover the boat isn’t a yacht at all but a small dilapidated vessel. Their attempts to move it downstream away from a more impressive yacht ,end in disaster when they both go over board trying to bring it around. | ||||||
Series 4 (1993)
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | "A Job For Richard" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 5 September 1993 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth’s attempts to keep Richard occupied in his years of retirement continue. Now she has found him a potential executive job in Frosticle’s frozen foods, and to impress the manager of the company she has contrived a plot involving Onslow and golf. Meanwhile Hyacinth’s father is a naturist. | ||||||
| 26 | "Country Retreat" | Christopher McCaw | Roy Clarke | 12 September 1993 | 30 minutes | |
|
The Buckets search for “a little place in the country”, but what Hyacinth really wants is something large and impressive. During their search an old farmer with a speech impediment seems to take a liking to her, but his wife isn’t so friendly. While checking out property Richard gets stuck in an attic and Hyacinth is chased by some livestock. | ||||||
| 27 | "A Celebrity for the Barbecue" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 19 September 1993 | 30 minutes | |
|
For her summer entertaining, Hyacinth has decided to host an elaborate indoors-outdoors barbecue, and in an attempt to compete with neighbours the Barker-Finches, she is determined to get a local celebrity to attend. After hours of looking at flowers for her barbecue at the local Garden Centre, she remembers seeing the manager on the television, so tries to make him come to her barbeque. Meanwhile Rose gives Daisy a make-over. | ||||||
| 28 | "The Commodore" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 26 September 1993 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth switches on her sailing persona when volunteering to collect a guest speaker Commodore from a railway station. Unfortunately Richard’s car gets clamped and they cannot find the man they are to escort. When Hyacinth does finally meet the Commodore, she is unprepared for his attempts at seduction. Guest starring Nigel Davenport | ||||||
| 29 | "Looking At Properties" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 3 October 1993 | 30 minutes | |
|
Richard, having to pick up his senile father-in-law who caused a disturbance in town, dislikes leaving Hyacinth to browse country property without him, fearing she will purchase something they cannot afford. She finally finds a place, and he panics when he sees it. This and the following episode are sequels to #26. Guest starring Terrence Hardiman. | ||||||
| 30 | "Please Mind Your Head" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 10 October 1993 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth and Richard spend time in their very small apartment in the countryside. Hyacinth invites Elizabeth and Emmet for lunch and she somehow ends up on a runaway horse, unskilled at riding a horse, unlike Emmet. Later Emmet’s head gets stuck in the ceiling as Hyacinth’s other invited guests arrive. No further references to the Buckets' summer home appear in the series. | ||||||
| 31 | "Let There Be Light" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 17 October 1993 | 30 minutes | |
|
It is the bring and buy sale at the Church hall and the Church goers are in for a shock because Hyacinth has volunteered Richard to fix the Church hall electrics, despite his lack of electrical capabilities. Meanwhile Onslow, Daisy, and Rose turn up with Daddy, who believes he is back in the war. Daddy takes command when Richard's repair efforts end in disaster. | ||||||
Christmas Specials (1993–1994)
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | "Sea Fever" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 26 December 1993 | 60 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth and Richard prepare for their luxury stay on the QE2. Traffic problems, a muddy field, and too much luggage result in a disastrous start to the holiday: they are too late to board the ship at Southampton and it leaves without them. But they finally board the ship by flying to meet it at Copenhagen, Denmark. Once on the ship, Hyacinth has reason to believe Onslow and Daisy are also on board the luxury liner — as stowaways. Guest starring Lord Lichfield as himself. Note: This is the only episode that takes place in another country, as one scene takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark. | ||||||
| 33 | "Angel Gabriel Blue" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 25 December 1994 | 50 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth is in search for her dream kitchen while Richard has developed athlete's foot, a lower class ailment Hyacinth doesn’t approve of. As a result, she insists they call it gout, a disease supposedly caused by “an excess of good living”. Meanwhile Daddy has gone missing again and there is a stranger in his bed. Guest starring Trevor Bannister. | ||||||
Series 5 (1995)
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | "The Senior Citizens' Outing" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 3 September 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth volunteers to look after some senior citizens on a church outing to a seaside funfair. She gets more than she bargained for when the mischievous vicar assigns her an amorous old Italian and a motion-sickness-prone woman. Guest starring Angus Lennie. | ||||||
| 35 | "The Mayor's Fancy Dress Ball" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 10 September 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth prepares for the Mayor’s fancy dress ball and is also on a mission to impress the new neighbours, a few streets away. She’s greatly displeased with the costumes Richard hires for them. Meanwhile Rose is engaged to a Polish man whose name she can’t pronounce. | ||||||
| 36 | "Hyacinth Is Alarmed" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 17 September 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
Richard is terrified to wake up and see Hyacinth smiling at him; he later realises he has forgotten his and Hyacinth’s wedding anniversary. He almost saves the day when he decides to have an alarm system installed, claiming it is Hyacinth’s “surprise” anniversary present. Guest starring Ian Lavender. | ||||||
| 37 | "A Riverside Picnic" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 24 September 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth organizes a waterside picnic with riparian entertainment, much to the despair of those she invites. Despite Emmet’s and the vicar’s best efforts they find getting out of Hyacinth’s function impossible. As usual her plans of perfection are shattered, this time because a digger dumps dirt in her chosen location. Note: this is the first appearance of Violet. | ||||||
| 38 | "The Skis From Richard" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 1 October 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
For Richard’s birthday Hyacinth buys him skis, because they “will look good on the car”. Needing Violet and Bruce’s roof rack the Buckets head off to Violet’s luxury home, picking two neighbours up along the way. Hyacinth is thrown into a panic when arriving as Violet and Bruce are arguing. | ||||||
| 39 | "Country Estate Sale" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 8 October 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
Richard tries to save his wallet from losing some weight when he and Hyacinth attend an estate auction in the countryside, and Liz and Emmet dodge Hyacinth in the manor halls. Meanwhile, a Mrs Braddock has commandeered Onslow’s car and is impersonating his dog, which has gone missing. In the end Hyacinth comes away with several bottles of “the Dowager Lady Ursula's homemade gooseberry wine”. | ||||||
| 40 | "The Boy Friend" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 15 October 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
Hyacinth sings to her heart’s content when discovering Emmet’s latest musical The Boy Friend is in production. Meanwhile Daddy is once again back in the war and guarding Onslow’s house with a sharp object. | ||||||
| 41 | "A Barbecue At Violet's" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 22 October 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
When Bruce and Violet’s constant arguing threatens to put a damper on Hyacinth’s luxury outdoor barbecue, she must resort to desperate musical measures to keep her family scandals from public exposure. Things go even more wrong when Hyacinth’s father throws a bucket of horse manure on the buffet. | ||||||
| 42 | "The Rolls Royce" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 29 October 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
The Buckets end up with a lot more than they bargained for when Hyacinth urges Richard to “borrow” a Rolls Royce from a dealership to impress one of her society rivals. Meanwhile Daddy thinks he is in Africa. Guest starring Timothy Carlton | ||||||
| 43 | "The Hostess" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 5 November 1995 | 30 minutes | |
|
An excited Hyacinth has put an advert in the local newspaper to teach people social etiquette, but the clientele proves far different from what she expected. It turns out they wanted a strip tease dancer. Before leaving, she has to send Richard to get Daddy out. | ||||||
Christmas Special (1995)
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Duration | Viewership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | "The Pageant" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 25 December 1995 | 30 minutes | 16.73 million |
|
Hyacinth and Richard arrive at the church hall as Hyacinth organises a pageant based on the English Civil War, with herself as Queen Henrietta Maria and Richard as Charles I. However, all of the volunteers supposedly taking part are unable to make it. At a last minute attempt to get the show off the ground, Hyacinth invites Onslow, Daisy, Rose, Bruce, Cavalier, and Violet to participate. Later in rehearsals, however, Hyacinth falls foul of a stage accident. Meanwhile, Daddy is dancing the tango with a man. Guest starring Una Stubbs. | ||||||
Last Specials (1997 and 2008)
| Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Memoirs of Hyacinth Bucket" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 1997 | 60 minutes | |
|
Onslow and Daisy look back at the funniest moments from the show. | |||||
| "Life Lessons from Onslow" | Harold Snoad | Roy Clarke | 9 September 2008 | 58 minutes | |
|
Onslow presents lessons for life when hosting an Open University program, by showing various moments from the “Keeping Up Appearances” show. All the favourites are here in an hour-long look back. | |||||
Young Hyacinth
Keeping Up Appearances is set to return as Young Hyacinth sometime in 2016. It is yet unconfirmed whether Patricia Routledge will make an appearance.
See also
References
- ^ "Keeping Up Appearances episode guide at IMDb.com". IMDb. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
- ^ "Keeping Up Appearances - The Complete Collection". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
- ^ "Keeping Up Appearances: Problems with Relatives Trivia and Quotes on TV.com". TV.com. Retrieved 2011-01-02.