North Hobart’s ‘Room for a Pony’ restaurant would appeal to both Hyacinth and Onslow!

Even though it’s highly doubful that one of the best restaurants in Australia get its name from Hyacinth Bucket’s description of her sister Violet’s successful lifestyle, it is fun to think that the owners of Room for a Pony in North Hobart are long-time fans of the classic British comedy, Keeping Up Appearances. Unlike Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream out of […]

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When in Coventry, head over to Hyacinth and Richard Bucket’s house and a brush with British comedy greatness.

Filmed in locations across the West Midlands, the most iconic location, Hyacinth and Richard Bucket’s home, was a quiet family home in Coventry before television crews knocked on the door of current owner Rosemary Healey to ultimately set up shop for what was to become Hyacinth’s famous house, along with her neighbor, Elizaben Warden’s home […]

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Remembering Geoffrey Hughes, a.k.a Onslow, on what would have been his 76th birthday!

The man who most knew as Onslow, the slovenly bane of Hyacinth’s existence (except for one special moment on the QE2) in Keeping Up Appearances, would have been 76 on Sunday. Geoffrey Hughes, one of the true British comedy greats, was also known to many over the years for his supporting role as Twiggy in The Royle Family, conman Vernon Scripps in Heartbeat and binman, Eddie Yeats, in Coronation Street during the 1970’s and 80’s. Probably very few knew that Hughes was also the voice of Paul McCartney in the Beatles 1968 film, Yellow Submarine.

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Remembering Geoffrey Hughes; R.I.P., Onslow

The man, who most knew as Onslow, the slovenly bane of Hyacinth’s existence (except for one special moment on the QE2) in Keeping Up Appearances, has died at the age of 68. Geoffrey Hughes, one of the true British comedy greats, was also known to many over the years for his supporting role as Twiggy […]

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New ITV2 comedy, Plebs, brings reminders of Up Pompeii

The recent announcement that ITV2 was developing what, they hope, would be a ‘channel-defining sitcom’ was not only another example of broadcasters (e.g. Sky, Channel 4, ITV) commitment to increase comedy output but reminded me of a classic 70’s BBC sitcom during the golden age of comedy when it was essentially the BeeB or nothing […]

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Behind the Britcom – Casting 101

As we rapidly approach the PBS national premiere of Behind the Britcom: From Script to Screen , which features a look into the minds of the creators of some of the best situation comedy on television anywhere, one thing struck all of us involved in the production of the program besides the known commodity of […]

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Daisy & Onslow – longshot for favorite British comedy couple?

Couple #11 – Daisy and Onslow He’s “bone-idle”, reads the Financial Times, and is a regular viewer of Open University. She’s responsible for Daddy and keeping tabs on the daily escapades of her sister, Rose. Forced to lose herself in romantic novels while Onslow drinks beer and watches racing on “the telly”, Daisy almost lost Onslow […]

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Keeping Up Appearances – Take 2

Why do I like this show even more now? And, why do I really want to go to the pub with Geoffrey Hughes (Onslow)…or even Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth)? It’s interesting to note that there are very few bloopers or outtakes floating around for Britcoms. In talking with a number of British actors and actresses over […]

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Tellyspotting's Book of Little Known Facts for the holidays

As we approach the holiday season, chances are you could find yourself grasping for that elusive conversation starter that we all desperately seek at one time or another. What better way to both start a conversation and immediately let it be known that you are intelligent AND have a sense of humor than to lob […]

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