PBS is often considered elitist, or boring, or both, but there's actually some hysterical programs. For instance, Keeping UP Appearances. The setting for the this show is a long way off, geographically as well as socially, from Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
This British comedy centers on Hyacinth Bucket, which she always pronounces as "Bouquet." She's a middle ageed, middle class woman, who has three sisters, the poor Daisy, married to the boorish Onslow, who hasn't worked ever. the sexy Rose and Violet, the sister who married rich and in Hyacinth's words has a "Mercedes, Sauna and room for a pony". Violet is unhappily married to the cross-dressing Bruce.
Hyacinth will answer her phone saying: "The Bouquet residence, the lady of the house speaking", and from her shining kitchen to the well polished windows, her home is a perfect, perfectly clean, that is; constantly warning her visitors not to brush up against the walls, she tells them to remove their shoes on arrival. Her long-suffering and hen-pecked husband is Richard, who initially works for the local coucil Later in the series he reluctantly takes early retirement. Richard often tries in vain to stop Hyacinth in her snobbish endeavors, but she never listens to him nor anyone else. He regularly gets dragged into assisting his wife in her numerous attempts at climbing the social ladder, despite reluctance to do so.
The couple have an unseen son, Sheridan, who makes frequent phone calls from his trade school, (one which Hyacinth claims is "of university standard"), asking for money. There are strong suggestions that Sheridan is homosexual, however Hyacinth seems blissfully unaware of this.
Hyacinth's father, who lives with Onslow, Daisy and Rose, "Daddy." chases elderly women and frequently believes he is back in World War II. Despite Hyacinth's desire for "upper-crust" relatives, she loves her family dearly, 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 has to always solve.
Hyacinth's next-door neighbour is Elizabeth Warden, who's frequently invited round to the Buckets' for coffee. Liz gets nervous in her neighbor's house, often causing her to spill the coffee, to the horror of Hyacinth. Liz's brother Emmett arrives sometime in the middle of this series to live with her after a messy divorce. Emmett runs a local amateur operatic society, and Hyacinth frequently drops hints by singing, that he should include her in the performances. Thus Emmett quickly develops a fear for Hyacinth to such an extent that he's terrified of leaving the house, fearing he'll be sung at. Hyacinth, however, is under the impression that Emmett is attracted to her, yet the only character who is attracted to Hyacinth is the lecherous Major, who comes in and out of the series.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy Fort Myers Beach, there aren't many characters "Keeping Up Appearances" on the island. Granted, we have our share of full fledged excentric residents, and perhaps that is a compliment and a blessing.
LLoyd Nichols
Right Choice Realty LLC
6360 Presidential Court, Suite 4
Fort Myers, FL 33919
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Lloyd ~ I have loved this show for years! Have you seen "Are You Being Served" and/or "The Vicar of Dibley"? Two more Britcoms that are really funny.