What you really want to know...
Howie | Arkansas | 07/11/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This official name of this re-release is "Keeping up Appearances: The Full Bouquet Special Edition". Based on images of the set it appears to be in either slim-pack cases or a digi-pack design. This set contains the same 8 disks as the original "Full Bouquet" set along with the special "Keeping up Appearances: Life Lessons from Onslow" added as the 9th disk. The Onslow special is available separately so you don't need to double-dip for this title if you already own the first set.
Here are the Special Features (which are the same as on the original release):
Outtakes
"Four Women" profile of Patricia Routledge
The Kitty Monologues
Second Chance Shorts: Exclusive UK commercial featuring Hyacinth and Elizabeth
Pebble Mill interview with Patricia Routledge and Clive Swift
The Memoirs of Hyacinth Bucket
"Extra Footage" interviews from the cast
Comedy Connection
Children in Need
Cast Biographies
This is a wonderful series from the BBC about everyone's favorite social climber, Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced "bouquet"). Her house is spick-and-span. Richard, her long-suffering and hen-pecked husband, keeps the car in immaculate condition (under Hyacinth's every-watchful eye). The empty milk bottles sparkle on the doorstep after their obligatory rinse in the dishwasher. To Hyacinth's horror and shame, most of her family is dead common, living together in a rundown house that looks like a junkyard. Sister Daisy and her husband, Onslow, are out-and-out slobs while another other sister, Rose, is an aging tart, and Daddy is not quite "all there". At least she is proud of her 3rd sister, Violet, the one "with the Mercedes, a sauna, and room for a pony" although Violet's husband is a cross-dresser and somewhat of an embarrassment to Hyacinth. However, she loves them all, and never fails to rush to their assistance when they need her help. Often it is Daddy that has got into an embarrassing situation which Hyacinth (or Richard) has to always solve.
Highly recommended!"
Hilariously Hyacinth
Katherine Maki | Thunder Bay, Ont.. | 01/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a super collection! Pure delight! With these episodes, one can watch any one at any time, as the episodes do not depend upon previous ones for their story line. I have one caveat for purchasers wanting the full spectrum; if you buy this set, do not buy "Deck the Halls with Hyacinth"; this (very funny) Christmas DVD is included! Or...do buy it and give it to a friend!"
If you want British comedy at its best, you'll be looking at
D. Fowler | Vermont | 06/16/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a fan of British comedy you are certain to recognize the name Hyacinth Bucket. This show premiered in 1990 and the original VHS tapes were very expensive and difficult to come by, thereby keeping it out of reach of the average customer. This set, which for me was a surprise gift ordered from Amazon, is a marvelous value. Purchasing individual seasons can be costly, especially when you add in the postage. The color in this series is excellent, the sound clear, and the packaging makes it easy to store. Each DVD is in its individual, hard plastic casing. The entire set is set up so you can turn these cases like a book easily finding your episodes.
There is no booklet with this set, but the cast of characters and the history of the series is readily found on the Internet. The only "major" change to the cast was that of Rose. Shirley Stelfox played her on season one and the subsequent four seasons were played by Mary Millar. If you want British comedy at its best, you'll be looking at this affordable set. Whether you favorite character is Hyacinth, Richard, Daisy, Onslow, Rose, or even Bruce you'll have hours of fun with this series. Which is your favorite episode?
Volume 1
"My Way or the Hyacinth Way"
The Name is Bouquet: B-U-C-K-E-T
Welcoming the Dish Vicar
Visiting an Acquaintance's Stately Home
A Fate Worse Than Senility
Our Daisy and Her Toy Boy
How to Manage a Family Christening
Plus Outtakes
Volume 2
"Hints from Hyacinth"
A Strange Man
Driving Mrs. Fortescue
Candlelight Supper
Golfing with the Major
The Googley-Eyed Registrar
Plus Outtakes
Volume 3
"Home is Where the Hyacinth Is"
Cocktails with a Greek Shipping Millionaire
The Unfortunate Prospect of Early Retirement
Playthings for Daddy
Three Piece Suite
Picnic for Daddy
Plus Funny Women, Outtakes
Volume 4
"Deck the Halls With Hyacinth"
Christmas Specials
A Very Merry Hyacinth
Sea Fever
Angel Gabriel Blue
Hisorical Pageant
Plus the Kitty Monologues
Volume 5
"Everything's Coming Up Hyacinth"
Half a Camel
How to Retire Early if You're Not Careful
A Portrait of the Artist as a Hen-Pecked Man
The French Lieutenant's Daughters
How to Go on Holiday Without Really Trying
What to Wear When Yachting
Violet's Country Cottage
Plus Outtakes
Volume 6
"Some Like it Hyacinth"
Hyacinth Tees Off!
The Nautical Speaker
Indoor/Outdoor Luxury Barbeque & Finger Buffet
Rural Retreat
Beacon for the Best in Hospitality
Please Mind Your Head
Let There Be Light
Plus Second Chance Shorts, Outtakes
Volume 7
"Living the Hyacinth Life"
Seaside Fun
The Fancy Dress Ball
Hyacinth is Alarmed
Riparian Entertainments
Sister, Sister
Country Estate Sale
Plus Pebble Mill, Outtakes
Volume 8
"Hats Off to Hyacinth"
General Bucket
A Bon Vivant Buffet
A Crafts-Woman Scorned
Scintillating Socializing
Plus Memoirs, Outtakes
Volume 9
"Life Lessons From Onslow"
Onslow has been reen lighted to teach an Open University credit course on successful relationships. In this "introductory lecture," he addresses the underpinnings of healthy human interactions, using "real lfe," examples from the world of "Keeping Up Appearances."
Plus Interviews with Patricia Routledge and Judy Cornwell, Comedy Connections"
Delightful
mormon no more | 02/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time! The jokes never get old, and each episode can be watched over and over and still be as hilarious as the first time you see it. This set includes "Life Lessons With Onslow", so it is the definitive Keeping Up collection."