Keeping Up Appearances 1990
“The Full Bouquet”
- Status
- Ended
- First Aired
- October 29, 1990
- Last Aired
- November 5, 1995
- Format
- 5 seasons · 40 eps
- Total Runtime
- ~20 hours (30 min/ep)
- Highest Rated Episode
- S3E4 "How to Go on Holiday without Really Trying" (★ 9/10)
- Created By
- Roy Clarke
- Network
- BBC One
- Where to Stream
- Britbox Apple TV Channel, BritBox, BritBox Amazon Channel
What is Keeping Up Appearances?
Keeping Up Appearances is a British television sitcom that follows the life of Hyacinth Bucket, a suburban housewife living in the West Midlands who insists her surname is pronounced "Bouquet." She prides herself on being a gracious hostess and respected citizen, though her self-perception contrasts sharply with how others view her. Her best friend Elizabeth frequently finds herself held captive in Hyacinth's kitchen
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1990
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 40
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Oct 29, 1990
- Last aired
- Nov 5, 1995
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- BBC One
- Genres
- Comedy
- Updated
At a glance
- Rating
- ★ TMDB users: 7.7/10 from 172 votes
- Format
- 5 seasons · 40 episodes
- Episode runtime
- ~30 minutes
- Status
- Ended
- Network
- BBC One
Where to watch in United States
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BINGE
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BritBox
Stan
Britbox Apple TV Channel
BritBox Amazon ChannelWith ads
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ITVX PremiumFree
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 40 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
Keeping Up Appearances is a British television sitcom that follows the life of Hyacinth Bucket, a suburban housewife living in the West Midlands who insists her surname is pronounced "Bouquet." She prides herself on being a gracious hostess and respected citizen, though her self-perception contrasts sharply with how others view her. Her best friend Elizabeth frequently finds herself held captive in Hyacinth's kitchen, while local postmen and neighbors dread interacting with her demanding personality. Her husband Richard remains weary yet compliant in the face of her constant social ambitions. The series reveals the gap between Hyacinth's aspirations for high society status and the reality of her circumstances, including complications arising from her senile father's behavior. The show centers on Hyacinth's relentless efforts to maintain an image of respectability and sophistication despite frequent disruptions to her carefully planned social world.
Should you watch it?
“A social-climbing suburban housewife desperately tries to maintain a facade of high-society perfection.”
- sharp comedic writing
- memorable central performance
- repetitive social scenarios
Watch it if you enjoy classic British sitcoms focused on eccentric characters and social misunderstandings.
The series is a lighthearted sitcom featuring mild slapstick and comedic social conflict.
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Cast
Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 6 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Daddy's Accident Mytharc Oct 29, 1990
- E2 The New Vicar Core Nov 5, 1990
- E3 Stately Home Core Nov 12, 1990
- E4 The Charity Shop Core Nov 19, 1990
- E5 Daisy's Toyboy Mytharc Nov 26, 1990
- E6 The Christening Mytharc Dec 3, 1990
Season 2 · 10 episodes
Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →- E1 A Strange Man Mytharc Sep 1, 1991
- E2 Driving Mrs. Fortescue Core Sep 8, 1991
- E3 The Candlelight Supper Core Sep 15, 1991
- E4 Hyacinth Tees Off Core Sep 22, 1991
- E5 Problems with Relatives Core Sep 29, 1991
- E6 Onslow's Birthday Core Oct 6, 1991
- E7 Singing For Emmet Core Oct 13, 1991
- E8 The Toy Store Core Oct 20, 1991
- E9 The Three-Piece Suite Mytharc Oct 27, 1991
- E10 A Picnic For Daddy Mytharc Nov 3, 1991
Season 3 · 7 episodes
Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →- E1 Early Retirement Mytharc Sep 6, 1992
- E2 Iron Age Remains Core Sep 13, 1992
- E3 Violet's Country Cottage Core Sep 20, 1992
- E4 How to Go on Holiday without Really Trying Core Sep 27, 1992
- E5 Richard's New Hobby Core Oct 4, 1992
- E6 The Art Exhibition Mytharc Oct 11, 1992
- E7 What To Wear When Yachting Mytharc Oct 18, 1992
Season 4 · 7 episodes
Open the complete Season 4 guide & lore primer →- E1 A Job For Richard Mytharc Sep 5, 1993
- E2 Country Retreat Core Sep 12, 1993
- E3 A Celebrity for the Barbecue Core Sep 19, 1993
- E4 The Commodore Core Sep 26, 1993
- E5 Looking At Properties Core Oct 3, 1993
- E6 Please Mind Your Head Mytharc Oct 10, 1993
- E7 Let There Be Light Mytharc Oct 17, 1993
Season 5 · 10 episodes
Open the complete Season 5 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Senior Citizen's Outing Mytharc Sep 3, 1995
- E2 The Mayor's Fancy Dress Ball Core Sep 10, 1995
- E3 Hyacinth is Alarmed Core Sep 17, 1995
- E4 A Riverside Picnic Core Sep 24, 1995
- E5 Skis Core Oct 1, 1995
- E6 Country Estate Sale Core Oct 8, 1995
- E7 The Boy Friend Core Oct 15, 1995
- E8 A Barbecue At Violet's Core Oct 22, 1995
- E9 New Car Mytharc Oct 29, 1995
- E10 The Hostess Mytharc Nov 5, 1995
Frequently asked questions
Who created the show?
The series was created and written by Roy Clarke.
When did it air?
The show originally aired on BBC1 between 1990 and 1995.
Who plays the lead character?
Patricia Routledge portrays the central character, Hyacinth Bucket.
What is the premise?
It follows a snobbish middle-class woman who insists her surname is pronounced Bouquet while attempting to climb the social ladder.
Where is the show set?
The series is set in the West Midlands.
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