A British sitcom or a Britcom is a situational comedy programme produced for British television .
164-618: Keeping Up Appearances is a British sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke . It originally aired on BBC1 from 1990 to 1995. The central character is an eccentric and snobbish middle-class social climber, Hyacinth Bucket ( Patricia Routledge ), who insists that her surname is pronounced "Bouquet". The show consisted of five series and 44 episodes, four of which were Christmas specials. Production ended in 1995 after Routledge decided to move on to other projects. All 44 episodes have since been released on video, DVD and streaming media , and are regularly repeated on television networks throughout
328-437: A polytechnic ). Hyacinth boasts about the "psychic" closeness of their relationship and how often he writes and telephones her, although he never writes and only telephones his mother to ask for money (much to the despair of Richard). Hyacinth is blissfully oblivious of the seemingly obvious hints that Sheridan, who lives with a man named Tarquin (who makes his own curtains, wears silk pyjamas , and has won prizes for embroidery),
492-519: A television pilot broadcast in Barker's comedy anthology series Seven of One (1973), centred around the antics of the eccentric and miserly owner of a traditional English corner shop . Barker took his idea for Arkwright's famous stutter from the 1950s writer and performer Glenn Melvyn. Open All Hours came 8th in the 2004 Britain's Best Sitcom poll. Although it ended in 1985, Open All Hours had been repeated over 3,000 times by 2021. The theme tune
656-753: A 100-gram (3.5 oz) amount, green kiwifruit provides 255 kilojoules (61 kilocalories) of food energy , is 83% water and 15% carbohydrates , with negligible protein and fat (table). It is particularly rich in vitamin C (103% DV) and vitamin K (34% DV), has a moderate content of vitamin E (10% DV), with no other micronutrients in significant content. Gold kiwifruit has similar nutritional value to green kiwifruit, but contains higher vitamin C content (179% DV) and insignificant vitamin K content (table). Kiwifruit seed oil contains on average 62% alpha-linolenic acid , an omega-3 fatty acid . Kiwifruit pulp contains carotenoids , such as provitamin A beta-carotene , lutein and zeaxanthin . Allergy to kiwifruit
820-504: A 2001 Channel 4 poll Del Boy was ranked fourth on their list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters. The series influenced British culture , contributing several words and phrases to the English language. It was named one of the top 20 cult television programmes of all time by TV critic Jeff Evans. Evans spoke of: "[shows] such as Only Fools and Horses , which gets tremendous viewing figures but does inspire conventions of fans who meet in pubs called
984-655: A 2004 BBC poll it placed 12th in Britain's Best Sitcom . In a 2001 Channel 4 poll, Hyacinth was ranked 52nd on their list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters . The show has been syndicated on Gold and Drama in the UK, on PBS member stations in the United States and on 7TWO and 9Gem in Australia . Hyacinth Bucket ( Patricia Routledge ) – who insists her surname is pronounced Bouquet (although her husband Richard has said, "It
1148-451: A BAFTA for Best Comedy Series in 1984. In a 2008 poll on Channel 4, "Hi-de-Hi!" was voted the 35th most popular comedy catchphrase. According to comedy researcher Mark Lewisohn , "Plots became somewhat outlandish during the latter episodes and by the time the BBC called it a day in 1988, it is arguable that the show had already outstayed its welcome by a good couple of years. All in all, though, this
1312-419: A BBC interview that Routledge "didn't want to be remembered as simply 'Mrs. Bucket'". Despite the series' ongoing popularity, she wished to pursue other roles as an actress. In a 2017 interview, Routledge said: "I always thought of the great, great Ronnie Barker . He always left something when he was on a high, and it's much better to have people say now 'Oh, why didn't you do some more?' than having them say 'Oh,
1476-552: A bureaucratic functionary. Although he loves her with a long-suffering endurance, he is notably exasperated by her plans and her habit of making extravagant and unnecessary purchases. Although she lives to impress others, Hyacinth regularly competes with her middle-class neighbours (whom she considers snobbish showoffs) such as Sonia Barker-Finch, Delia Wheelwright and Lydia Hawksworth (who alone of Hyacinth's rivals seems to be an actual snob, as she disdains kiwifruit as "lower middle class"). Hyacinth sometimes says things like "I haven't
1640-604: A bus depot as a setting. It was then commissioned by Frank Muir, then at London Weekend Television who said it was "rather at the baked beans end of my menu". Despite poor critical reception, it gained an audience of up to 20 million. It has been described as cliche-ridden, stereotypical, occasionally racist and totally sexist by today's standards, with Varney's and Grant's characters both lecherous womanisers and ethnic minorities used inappropriately for humour. As David Stubbs wrote for The Guardian in 2008, Grant and Varney were playing "two conspicuously middle-aged men" (Varney
1804-496: A characteristic backfire when it arrives), with Hyacinth going to great lengths to avoid them (saying: "Richard, you know I love my family, but that's no reason why I should have to acknowledge them in broad daylight!"). Rose is very sexually aggressive and promiscuous, adding to Hyacinth's embarrassment. Although Hyacinth is embarrassed by Onslow's laziness and unkempt character, Richard and Onslow get along very well with each other. Hyacinth's senile father frequently has flashbacks to
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#17328547277831968-495: A cultured sales representative supposedly descended from African royalty, played by Don Warrington . Chappell defended the Rigsby character by saying he "was not a racist or a bigot, but he was prejudiced and suspicious of strangers. But he accepted Philip and his only concern afterwards was that he didn't get a leg over Miss Jones." Warrington, who played Smith, stated: "There were certain aspects of it that were politically incorrect. On
2132-469: A departure from James' characteristic bawdy slapstick and famous 'dirty laugh' and ran for 65 episodes over 10 series. The series ended abruptly in 1976, when, just four days after the broadcast of the final episode, James died after collapsing on stage. Ironically, James had told Coupland, "It's such fun and so successful, we'll still be working on Bless This House till one of us kicks the bucket." In 2004, it came 67th in Britain's Best Sitcom . In 1972
2296-568: A discussion of the character of Onslow in Radio 4 's Archive on 4 : On Northern Men , broadcast in 2009. The spin-off would have seen Onslow forced to take a supposedly "easy" job tending the gardens of a large manor house estate owned by a doddery and rather forgetful old Lord. When the Lord dies suddenly, Onslow, Daisy and Rose (who it is implied was having a fling with the Lord, causing the heart attack which led to his passing) end up 'temporarily' moving into
2460-496: A divorced couple who accidentally moved next door to each other, Miss Jones and Son (1977–78) was about a single mother, and Rings on Their Fingers (1978–80) was about a young, unmarried couple. Another creation by Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe is On the Buses , starring Reg Varney and Bob Grant . Running 1969–1973 for 74 episodes over 7 series, it was initially rejected by the BBC, who did not see much comedy potential in
2624-490: A farcical situation as she battles to protect her social credibility. Keeping Up Appearances was an immense success in the UK, and also captured large audiences in the United States, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. By February 2016, it had been sold nearly a thousand times to overseas broadcasters, making it BBC Worldwide 's most exported television programme ever. In
2788-476: A favourite of Britain's clergy , was followed by two spin-offs also starring Nimmo: Oh, Brother! (1968–1970), 19 episodes written by David Climie and Austin Steele, with supporting roles by Sir Felix Aylmer , Patrick McAlinney and Derek Francis , and its sequel Oh, Father! (1973) with Felix Aylmer, Laurence Naismith , Pearl Hackney and David Kelly , also written by Climie and Steele. All Gas and Gaiters
2952-467: A few cultivars of A. deliciosa (fuzzy kiwifruit): 'Hayward', 'Blake' and 'Saanichton 12'. They have a fuzzy, dull brown skin and bright green flesh. The familiar cultivar 'Hayward' was developed by Hayward Wright in Avondale , New Zealand, around 1924. It was initially grown in domestic gardens, but commercial planting began in the 1940s. 'Hayward' is the most commonly available cultivar in stores. It
3116-520: A few days to a week when stored at room temperature, but should not be kept in direct sunlight. Faster ripening occurs when placed in a paper bag with an apple, pear, or banana. Once a kiwifruit is ripe, however, it is preserved optimally when stored far from other fruits, as it is very sensitive to the ethylene gas they may emit, thereby tending to over-ripen even in the refrigerator. If stored appropriately, ripe kiwifruit normally keep for about one to two weeks. Pseudomonas syringae actinidiae (PSA)
3280-607: A fictional British prison . Porridge was critically acclaimed and was ranked No. 35 on the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes compiled by the British Film Institute in 2000. In 2004, Porridge placed seventh in Britain's Best Sitcom. Porridge was appreciated by British prisoners. Erwin James , an ex-prisoner who wrote a column for The Guardian , stated: "What fans could never know, however, unless they had been subjected to
3444-452: A friendship with the upper-class owners, especially if they are part of the landed gentry or peerage ) and hosting "executive-style" candlelight suppers (with her Royal Worcester double-glazed Avignon china and Royal Doulton china with "the hand-painted periwinkles "). She ostentatiously brags about her possessions, including her "white slimline telephone with automatic redial", which she always answers with "The Bouquet residence,
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#17328547277833608-568: A garnish. The whole fruit, including the skin, is suitable for human consumption; however, the skin of the fuzzy varieties is often discarded due to its texture. Sliced kiwifruit has long been used as a garnish atop whipped cream on pavlova , a meringue-based dessert. Traditionally in China, kiwifruit was not eaten for pleasure, but was given as medicine to children to help them grow and to women who have given birth to help them recover. Raw kiwifruit contains actinidain (also spelled actinidin ) which
3772-408: A narrative to compensate for the lack of images. BBC Video released three videos featuring episodes from the series. This was released in 1993 and featured the episodes: "Iron Age Remains", "What to Wear when Yachting" and "How to Go on Holiday Without Really Trying". This was released in 1994 and featured the episodes: "Sea Fever" and "A Job for Richard". This was released in 1995 and featured
3936-458: A one-off special compilation episode. Snoad was then tasked with reviewing all forty-four episodes and choosing suitable clips and making notes for relatable dialogue for a script. Geoffrey Hughes and Judy Cornwell both reprised their roles as Onslow and Daisy respectively. The plot centred around Daisy and Onslow finding Hyacinth's personal diary which was accidentally left to Daisy by Hyacinth with some other belongs she had lent to her sister. It
4100-638: A salesman, and Jill Christie as Pinwright's daughter. and produced and directed by John Glyn-Jones . The script editor was Ted Kavanagh , who during the World War II years also wrote the BBC Radio comedy series It's That Man Again ( ITMA ), which according to Foster and Furst was "entirely new, breaking away from the conventions of both radio and music hall comedy". Transferred to television in 1956 after 48 episodes on BBC radio which began in 1954, Hancock's Half Hour (1956–1961) by Galton and Simpson
4264-466: A short The Army Game scene was performed by Michael Medwin , Alfie Bass, Norman Rossington, Bill Fraser and Ted Lune at the Royal Variety Performance in front of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother . This was the last Royal Variety Performance that was not televised. This successful series inspired a film spin-off, I Only Arsked! (1958), and in 1958, just a year after the series debuted,
4428-443: A single type of flower in any foray and maybe only a few branches of a single plant. The pollen needed from a different plant (such as a male for a female kiwifruit) might never reach it were it not for the cross-pollination that principally occurs in the crowded colony; it is in the colonies that bees laden with different pollen literally cross paths. To deal with these pollination challenges, some producers blow collected pollen over
4592-414: A sixth and final series. Created and written by Roy Clarke for the BBC, Open All Hours ran for 26 episodes in four series (1976, 1981, 1982 and 1985) and starred Ronnie Barker and David Jason, with a regular supporting cast including Lynda Baron , Stephanie Cole , Barbara Flynn , Maggie Ollerenshaw , and Kathy Staff . The programme, produced and directed by Sydney Lotterby and developed from
4756-598: A snobbish bone in my body" or "I can't abide such snobbery like that" when talking about those she considers her competition. Always hindering Hyacinth's best efforts to impress, and providing an unwelcome reminder of her less-than-refined roots, are her working-class sisters Daisy ( Judy Cornwell ) and Rose ( Shirley Stelfox in series one; Mary Millar thereafter), and Daisy's proudly "bone-idle" husband Onslow ( Geoffrey Hughes ). They, along with Hyacinth's senile father , frequently turn up inconveniently (usually in their clapped-out Ford Cortina Mk IV – which always makes
4920-591: A stint of Her Majesty's Pleasure, was that the conflict between Fletcher and Officer Mackay was about the most authentic depiction ever of the true relationship that exists between prisoners and prison officers in British jails up and down the country. I'm not sure how, but writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais grasped the notion that it is the minor victories against the naturally oppressive prison system that makes prison life bearable." The ITV production of 28 episodes (1974–78) of Rising Damp written by Eric Chappell ,
5084-487: A thin, fuzzy, fibrous, tart but edible, light brown skin and light green or golden flesh with rows of tiny, black, edible seeds. The fruit has a soft texture with a sweet and unique flavour. Kiwifruit is native to central and eastern China . The first recorded description of the kiwifruit dates to the 12th century during the Song dynasty . In the early 20th century, cultivation of kiwifruit spread from China to New Zealand, where
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5248-510: A thin, smooth green skin. They are primarily produced by three species: Actinidia arguta (hardy kiwi), A. kolomikta (Arctic kiwifruit) and A. polygama (silver vine). They are fast-growing, climbing vines, durable over their growing season . They are referred to as "kiwi berry, baby kiwi, dessert kiwi, grape kiwi, or cocktail kiwi". The cultivar 'Issai' is a hybrid of hardy kiwifruit and silver vine which can self-pollinate. Grown commercially because of its relatively large fruit, 'Issai'
5412-502: A young couple learning to cope with married life reflected social attitudes of the times, and provided its lead stars Richard Briers ( The Good Life , Ever Decreasing Circles ) and Prunella Scales ( Fawlty Towers ) with a significant boost to their careers. The supporting cast included Edward de Souza , Ronald Hines and Christine Finn . With its cast of only two regular characters played by Harry H. Corbett and Wilfrid Brambell , airing 1962–65 and 1970–74, Steptoe and Son
5576-439: Is a large, egg-shaped fruit with a sweet flavour. 'Saanichton 12', from British Columbia, is somewhat more rectangular than 'Hayward' and comparably sweet, but the inner core of the fruit can be tough. 'Blake' can self-pollinate, but it has a smaller, more oval fruit and the flavour is considered inferior. Kiwi berries are edible fruits the size of a large grape, similar to fuzzy kiwifruit in taste and internal appearance but with
5740-490: Is an Irish mother's boy living in London. He is a top executive of a company and lives a bachelor lifestyle. However, his old-fashioned Catholic mother often puts a stop to his plans, many of them involving his girlfriend Miss Argyll, played by Joyce. The 1970s is often regarded as the golden era of British sitcom. Well-remembered series include John Cleese and Connie Booth 's farcical Fawlty Towers (1975, 1979) often cited as
5904-427: Is commercially useful as a meat tenderizer and possibly as a digestive aid . Actinidain also makes raw kiwifruit unsuitable for use in desserts containing milk or any other dairy products because the enzyme digests milk proteins. This applies to gelatin -based desserts, due to the fact that the actinidain will dissolve the proteins in gelatin, causing the dessert to either liquefy or prevent it from solidifying. In
6068-449: Is considered adequate. Some varieties can self pollinate, but even they produce a greater and more reliable yield when pollinated by male kiwifruit. Cross-species pollination is often (but not always) successful as long as bloom times are synchronised. In nature, the species are pollinated by birds and native bumblebees, which visit the flowers for pollen, not nectar. The female flowers produce fake anthers with what appears to be pollen on
6232-467: Is gay, but Richard appears to have caught on, asking Hyacinth if she's ever wondered why Sheridan shows no interest in girls. Hyacinth's neighbour Elizabeth "Liz" Warden ( Josephine Tewson ) is frequently invited round for coffee. Though she is ordinarily calm, Elizabeth's nerves go to pieces in Hyacinth's house, causing her to smash Hyacinth's china and spill coffee and biscuits on Hyacinth's Burmese rug. She
6396-481: Is happy to remain unmarried. During the first series they do marry and in the second series they adjust to married life. A proposed fourth series would have concerned Sandy becoming pregnant unexpectedly, and Sandy and Oliver adapting to parenthood, but the series was not re-commissioned. Co-starring Penelope Keith as Audrey fforbes-Hamilton and Peter Bowles as Richard DeVere, To the Manor Born (1979–1981, 2007)
6560-401: Is less hardy than most hardy kiwifruit. Actinidia chinensis (yellow kiwi or golden kiwifruit) has a smooth, bronze skin, with a beak shape at the stem attachment. Flesh colour varies from bright green to a clear, intense yellow. This species is 'sweeter and more aromatic' in flavour compared to A. deliciosa . One of the most attractive varieties has a red 'iris' around the centre of
6724-473: Is married with a daughter away at university, yet her husband works abroad and, like Sheridan, neither character ever appears. While everyone else usually addresses her simply as "Liz", Hyacinth almost always calls her by her full name. Elizabeth is occasionally able to "one-up" Hyacinth herself by reminding her neighbour that her daughter is at university, while Sheridan is studying at a mere polytechnic. Liz's brother Emmet ( David Griffin ) moves in with her at
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6888-429: Is no guarantee that the fruit will have the same quality as the parent. Additionally, seedlings take seven years before they flower, so determining whether the kiwifruit is fruit bearing or a pollinator is time-consuming. Therefore, most kiwifruits, with the exception of rootstock and new cultivars , are propagated asexually . This is done by grafting the fruit producing plant onto rootstock grown from seedlings or, if
7052-505: Is not deterred by the lack of response to her attempts, her friends, neighbours, and acquaintances live in fear of being invited, and usually make frantic attempts to excuse themselves. Her husband Richard ( Clive Swift ) bears the brunt of the suffering. He initially worked for the council in "Finance and General Purposes", but at the beginning of series three, reluctantly accepts early retirement. Though Hyacinth describes his role as "a power in local authority", he appears to be no more than
7216-427: Is often a domestic or workplace genre into the corridors of power. A later development was the mockumentary genre exemplified by series such as The Office (2001–2003), which also heralded the modern trend of the single-camera sitcom dispensing with live audiences. A 2004 poll by the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, "Britain's Best Sitcom", produced a list topped by traditional sitcoms with Only Fools and Horses holding
7380-544: Is regularly repeated on BBC Two , Drama and Gold in the UK, PBS and BBC America in the United States, and BBC UKTV , Fox Classics and 9Gem in Australia, and Jones! in New Zealand. The series was nominated for the 1977 Best Situation Comedy BAFTA TV Award. A spin-off series, Grace & Favour , with some of the same main cast aired in 1991–1992, and a one-off episode with a new cast in 2016. Its feature film spin-off
7544-542: Is set in German occupied France during World War II. Starring Paul Eddington , with Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds in the supporting roles, Yes Minister which ran for 21 episodes on BBC2 (1980–1984), and its sequel Yes, Prime Minister (1986–88), which ran for 16 episodes, were political satires . Established Shakespearean actor Hawthorne picked up four BAFTA TV Awards for Best Light Entertainment Performance for his role. Created by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn ,
7708-409: Is sometimes called the best of all ITV sitcoms. It starred Leonard Rossiter as Rigsby, a miserly, seedy, and ludicrously self-regarding landlord of a run-down Victorian townhouse who rents out his shabby bedsits to a variety of tenants: Ruth Jones, an unmarried woman approaching middle age, played by Frances de la Tour ; Alan Moore, a medical student played by Richard Beckinsale ; and Philip Smith,
7872-407: Is that still on?'" Another reason she wished to leave the role was that she felt that the writer Roy Clarke was "recycling some old ideas that we'd already dealt with". Exterior shots around Hyacinth's house were recorded at a privately owned residence at 117 Heather Road, Binley Woods , Warwickshire , east of Coventry . Exterior shots around Daisy's and Onslow's council terrace were taken in
8036-525: The Open University having selected "successful relationships" as his subject matter. The programme was also released on Region 1 DVD. When Keeping Up Appearances did not return, after Patricia Routledge announced that she no longer wished to play Hyacinth, Roy Clarke proposed a spin-off series called Mind Your Manors . The series was referenced in BBC in-house literature during 1997 and 1998 and later described by both Clarke and Geoffrey Hughes as part of
8200-635: The PSA bacterium. A new cultivar of golden kiwifruit, Gold3 , was found to be more disease-resistant and most growers have now changed to this cultivar. 'Gold3', marketed by Zespri as SunGold is not quite as sweet as 'Hort16A', and lacks its usually slightly pointed tip. Clones of the new variety SunGold have been used to develop orchards in China, resulting in partially successful legal efforts in China by Zespri to protect their intellectual property . In 2021, Zespri estimated that around 5,000 hectares of Sungold orchards were being cultivated in China, mainly in
8364-466: The Second World War , and often exhibits bizarre behaviour, sometimes involving embarrassing situations with women (Onslow describes him as "barmy"). Two relatives of whom Hyacinth is not ashamed are her wealthy sister Violet ( Anna Dawson ) and her unseen son Sheridan. Violet frequently telephones Hyacinth for advice, allowing her to loudly announce to anyone in earshot, "It's my sister Violet –
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#17328547277838528-510: The Sichuan province . Kiwifruit can be grown in most temperate climates with adequate summer heat. Where fuzzy kiwifruit ( A. deliciosa ) is not hardy, other species can be grown as substitutes. Often in commercial farming, different breeds are used for rootstock , fruit bearing plants and pollinators . Therefore, the seeds produced are crossbreeds of their parents. Even if the same breeds are used for pollinators and fruit bearing plants, there
8692-665: The Stoke Aldermoor district of Coventry. Other exterior street and town shots were filmed in Leamington Spa and in various towns in Warwickshire, along with many scenes from the large town of Northampton , mainly the church hall. Some scenes were also shot in Swindon , Lydiard Park (the hotel where Hyacinth and Richard are arrested by the police for stealing a Rolls Royce), Oxford market scenes, and Bristol , (Bedminster). One scene
8856-403: The 1960s. In New Zealand during the 1940s and 1950s, the fruit became an agricultural commodity through the development of commercially viable cultivars, agricultural practices, shipping, storage, and marketing. The genus Actinidia comprises around 60 species. Their fruits are quite variable, although most are easily recognised as kiwifruit because of their appearance and shape. The skin of
9020-434: The 1970s, drawing 23.95 million viewers. The final episode in 1981 received 17.80 million viewers. The series has been repeated over 1,000 times. Major supporting roles were played by Angela Thorne as Audrey's friend Marjory and Daphne Heard as Mrs Polouvicka, Richard's mother. Other members of the cast included Alan David , John Rudling , Michael Bilton , Gerald Sim , Michael Cochrane , and Georgie Glen . The music
9184-423: The 2009 Miranda series staged a highly successful comeback for the 'old school' 20th century concept of sitcoms with live audiences and multiple cameras. As a race, the British have one peculiarity that sets them apart from the rest of mankind: that extraordinary sense of humour; their ability to laugh at others, to laugh at the sublime and the ridiculous, to laugh at disaster and triumph, to be indifferent to
9348-445: The BBC's profile of the show as "the British sitcom by which all other British sitcoms must be judged", Fawlty Towers (1975 and 1979) is eminently quotable; the repetition in the episode known as The Germans of 'don't mention the war' has become a catch phrase ." In two series, only 12 half-hour episodes were made, because the writers, John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth, felt that they could not continue to write comedy of
9512-696: The Best", alluding to the frequent and traditional caning of disobedient pupils in the UK at the time. The series was revived in colour with updated scripts in 1971–72, slightly retitled Whacko! . Other members of the cast included Arthur Howard (series 1–7), Julian Orchard (series 8), Kenneth Cope , Norman Bird , John Stirling, Peter Glaze , Edwin Apps (series 1–7), Peter Greene (series 8), David Langford, Keith Smith , Brian Rawlinson , Gordon Phillot, Harold Bennett (series 8), Frank Raymond, Gary Warren (series 8), and Greg Smith (series 8). A feature film, Bottoms Up ,
9676-523: The British box office in 1971. According to Jeff Evans , On the Buses was a "cheerfully vulgar comedy" in which "leering and innuendo dominate[d]." Some of the network's other ratings successes from this era included Love Thy Neighbour (1972–76) and Mind Your Language (1977–79, 1986), which attempted to find humour in racial or ethnic conflict and misunderstandings, but were increasingly criticised over time for "obvious racial name-calling... recurring with distressing regularity" and "offer[ing] only
9840-499: The Buses ), Frank Thornton , 135 episodes ( Are You Being Served? ), Brian Murphy , 73 episodes, ( Man About the House , George and Mildred ), Josephine Tewson , 62 episodes, ( Keeping Up Appearances ), Dora Bryan , 50 episodes, ( Happily Ever After ), June Whitfield , 44 episodes, ( Absolutely Fabulous , Father, Dear Father , Terry and June ), Trevor Bannister , 25 episodes, ( Are You Being Served? ), and over
10004-590: The Channel 4 list of 100 greatest television characters. Other high-ratings mainstream, slice-of-life shows of the decade included Bread (1986–1991) written by Carla Lane, about a close-knit, working-class family in Liverpool . Running for 74 episodes, at its peak it attracted 21 million viewers. Another notable series was the Science fiction comedy Red Dwarf (1988–), while 'Allo 'Allo! another Croft and Lloyd creation
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#173285472778310168-545: The Children (1967–70), starring Wendy Craig . Women were usually only cast in secondary roles in this period, though several series with Craig in the lead were an exception. Sitcoms developed by Carla Lane , the first successful female writer in the form, began with The Liver Birds (1969–1979, 1996), initially in collaboration with others. Another change, with Steptoe and Son (1962–65, 1970–74) and The Likely Lads (1964–1966), producers began to cast actors, rather than
10332-479: The Nag's Head and wander round dressed as their favourite characters." The theme music was by Ronnie Hazlehurst (1981) and John Sullivan (1982–2003). Only Fools and Horses came top in a research and analysis by a team of scientists led by Dr Helen Pilcher , a molecular neurobiologist and stand-up comedian with a speciality in scientific humour. Running on the BBC for 295 episodes over 31 series and four decades, Last of
10496-485: The Summer Wine (1973–2010) was entirely written by Roy Clarke ( Keeping Up Appearances , Open All Hours and Still Open All Hours ) and produced by Alan J. W. Bell , with music by Ronnie Hazelhurst . It is the longest-running comedy programme in Britain and the longest-running sitcom in the world. The family-friendly show was about the antics of a group of male pensioners looking for adventure, "portraying
10660-408: The Summer Wine began in 1973 and ended in 2010, becoming the world's longest running sitcom. The decade also saw the broadcast of It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1974–81), which has been criticised for the "stereotypes of its handful of Indian supporting characters as alternately servile, foolish, lazy or devious". The commercial station ITV had successes with Rising Damp (1974–78, sometimes called
10824-536: The US by Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball for their American show I Love Lucy in 1951 and the system was adopted in the UK. Several are made almost entirely on location (for example, Last of the Summer Wine ) and shown to a studio audience prior to final post-production to record genuine laughter. In contrast to the American team writing system, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson 's huge successes were of such quality that they became
10988-456: The beginning of series two, after a messy divorce. Hyacinth, upon learning that Emmet is a musician, frequently and abruptly sings out-of-key at him to try to get a part in one of his productions, making him terrified of leaving the house, lest she see him ("She'll sing at me!"). Emmet's problems are made worse by Hyacinth's mistaken belief that his frightened reactions indicate that he is infatuated with her, which, in fact, could not be further from
11152-407: The best of all ITV sitcoms), Man About the House (1973–76) and George and Mildred (1976–79). Rising Damp star Leonard Rossiter also played the lead role in the BBC's The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976–79). The decline in cinema attendance meant that many of these series were turned into cinema films; the first film version of On the Buses (1969–73) was the biggest hit at
11316-551: The character of Richard Bucket endured many years of his marriage with Hyacinth. Routledge explains why – despite her fondness for every element of the sitcom, that it was her own personal decision, to call time on the show, when the BBC and all of the other cast and crew members would have loved for it to have continued. In 1998, the BBC released three episodes of the show: "Hyacinth tees off", "Rural Retreat", and "Sea Fever" on audio cassette. Clive Swift reprised his role as Richard recording
11480-561: The characters being in the West Midlands throughout the series, as when Hyacinth said that she could become the " Barbara Cartland of the West Midlands Social Circuit Scene" in the episode " The Hostess ". In another episode, police officers wearing West Midlands Police jumpers escort Richard home and several West Midlands Travel buses are also seen throughout the series. Various spin-off shows and specials related to
11644-534: The comedians around whom earlier series like Whack-O! , with Jimmy Edwards, or Hancock's Half Hour , had been built. As a spin-off sequel to The Army Game and also starring Bill Fraser and Alfie Bass, Bootsie and Snudge , (1960–1963, 1974) was written by a large team over its 104 episodes. Writers for the 1960–63 episodes included Marty Feldman, Barry Took, John Antrobus, Ray Rigby , David Cumming, Derek Collyer, James Kelly, Peter Lambda, Tom Espie, Jack Rosenthal , Harry Driver , and Doug Eden. The 1974 series
11808-457: The country, only to find that they have moved into adjoining cottages. The music was by Dennis Wilson . In 1973, one episode won a British Academy Television Award for Best Situation Comedy . During a repeat run in January 1980, one episode gained 19.3 million viewers and was the second most-watched programme that week. Set in a traditional London department store , the show follows the antics of
11972-507: The crudest caricatures". Increasing relaxation in regard to the discussion of sex allowed farce and camp humour to become a familiar form in the 1970s and were used in series like Are You Being Served? and comedian Frankie Howerd 's Up Pompeii! , which ran for 16 episodes (1969–70, 1975, 1991) and starred several female stalwarts from the Carry On film series, including Barbara Windsor, Wendy Richard and Valerie Leon . A feature of
12136-457: The elderly in a positive and non-stereotypical light." The show was filmed largely in the small town of Holmfirth in Yorkshire, a location recommended by Barry Took , and surrounding countryside. and features Bill Owen , 186 episodes, Peter Sallis , 295 episodes, and Kathy Staff , 245 episodes, along with Thora Hird , 152 episodes ( Bootsie and Snudge ), Stephen Lewis , 135 episodes, ( On
12300-519: The emerging alternative comedians began to develop sitcoms, partly as a response to series such as Terry and June (1979–87), with their "complacent gentility, outmoded social attitudes and bourgeois sensibilities". The alternatives' incursion began with The Young Ones (1982–84), written by Rik Mayall , Ben Elton and others. To help make it stand out, the group opted to combine traditional sitcom style with violent slapstick, non-sequitur plot turns, and surrealism. These older styles were mixed with
12464-403: The episode, we would show it to some secret sources, always including somebody who was an expert on the subject in question. They would usually give us extra information which, because it was true, was usually funnier than anything we might have thought up." In a 2004 BBC programme paying tribute to the series, it was revealed that Jay and Lynn had drawn on information provided by two insiders from
12628-622: The episodes: "Country Retreat", "Let There Be Light" and "Please Mind Your Head". Special features: Special features: Special features: Special features: see individual releases for special features Special features: Special features: Special features: Special features: see individual releases for special features see individual releases for special features Special features: British sitcom British sitcoms have predominantly been recorded on studio sets, while some include an element of location filming. Live audiences and multi-cameras were first used in
12792-401: The estate, and some preliminary location shooting was reportedly undertaken. This proposed spin-off series was ultimately not commissioned. In January 2023, Channel 5 aired a 67-minute special retrospective for their "Comedy Classics" series. Cast, crew and celebrities pay tribute to the show. The documentary features an interview with Routledge, who was 93 at the time, sharing her memories of
12956-457: The female flowers. Most common, though, is saturation pollination , in which the honey bee populations are made so large (by placing hives in the orchards at a concentration of about 8 hives per hectare) that bees are forced to use this flower because of intense competition for all flowers within flight distance. Kiwifruit is picked by hand and commercially grown on sturdy support structures, as it can produce several tonnes per hectare, more than
13120-449: The first Carry On film, the very similar Carry On Sergeant , was released, also featuring Hawtrey, Rossington and Hartnell. ITV sitcoms began with the channel's launch in 1957 and throughout the 1960s helped shape British comedy with varied and often experimental styles. In the 1960s, the BBC produced a then-rare workplace comedy with The Rag Trade (1961–1963, 1977–1978) written by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney . The success of
13284-405: The first commercial plantings occurred. The fruit became popular with British and American servicemen stationed in New Zealand during World War II , and later became commonly exported, first to Great Britain and then to California in the 1960s. Early varieties discovered and cultivated in China, were described in a 1904 nursery catalogue as having "...edible fruits the size of walnuts , and
13448-463: The first place, and included favourites such as David Croft's Dad's Army , Are You Being Served? , and Hi-de-Hi! . It was not until The Royle Family (1998–2000) in place 19 that a show without a live studio audience was featured. On a suggestion to Miranda Hart by sitcom writer Abigail Wilson, who collaborated with comedy actors Dawn French ( The Vicar of Dibley 1994–2000) and Jennifer Saunders ( Absolutely Fabulous 1992–1995),
13612-448: The flavour of ripe gooseberries ", leading to the name Chinese gooseberry . In the late 1950s, a major New Zealand exporter began calling it "kiwifruit" ( Māori : huakiwi ) after being advised by a United States client that border officials might associate gooseberries with the risk of anthrax. The name was first registered by Turners & Growers on 15 June 1959 and commercially adopted in 1974. In New Zealand and Australia,
13776-493: The format as the ideal vehicle for Hancock's comedic style. "Hancock's persona of the pompous loser out of his depth in an uncomprehending society still informs many programmes today", according to Phil Wickham. The final BBC series of this show was broadcast under the shorter title Hancock . In 1963, Hancock changed his writers and moved to ITV for a further 13-episode series also named Hancock . The series, though relatively well received, has been described as "clearly not up to
13940-505: The fruit and yellow flesh outside. The yellow fruit obtains a higher market price and, being less hairy than the fuzzy kiwifruit, tastes better without peeling. A commercially viable variety of this red-ringed kiwifruit, patented as EnzaRed, is a cultivar of the Chinese hong yang variety. 'Hort16A' is a golden kiwifruit cultivar marketed worldwide as Zespri Gold . This cultivar suffered significant losses in New Zealand in 2010–2013 due to
14104-686: The fruit varies in size, hairiness and colour. The flesh varies in colour, juiciness, texture and taste. Some fruits are unpalatable, while others taste considerably better than the majority of commercial cultivars. The most commonly sold kiwifruit is derived from A. deliciosa (fuzzy kiwifruit). Other species that are commonly eaten include A. chinensis (golden kiwifruit), A. coriacea (Chinese egg gooseberry), A. arguta (hardy kiwifruit), A. kolomikta (Arctic kiwifruit), A. melanandra (purple kiwifruit), A. polygama (silver vine) and A. purpurea (hearty red kiwifruit). Most kiwifruit sold belongs to
14268-577: The government and fruit growers so that the industry could continue. Scientists reported they had worked out the strain of PSA affecting kiwifruit from New Zealand, Italy and Chile originated in China. In 2022, world production of kiwifruit was 4.5 million tonnes , led by China with 52% of the total. In China, kiwifruit is grown mainly in the mountainous area upstream of the Yangtze River , as well as Sichuan . Other major producers were New Zealand and Italy . Kiwifruit exports rapidly increased from
14432-411: The governments of Harold Wilson and James Callaghan , namely Marcia Falkender and Bernard Donoughue . The series was the favourite television programme of the then Prime Minister , Margaret Thatcher . In 2012, Prime Minister David Cameron admitted that "I can tell you, as prime minister, it is true to life." Set in 1959–60 in a fictional holiday camp, Hi-de-Hi! was filmed on location at
14596-724: The greatest sitcom of all time. John Esmonde and Bob Larbey 's self-sufficiency comedy The Good Life (1975–78) and To the Manor Born by Peter Spence and Christopher Bond were also highly successful. Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? (1973–74), a sequel to The Likely Lads , is thought to have surpassed the original, while its writers, Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais , provided Ronnie Barker with his most significant sitcom vehicle, Porridge (1974–77). Barker also starred (along with David Jason ) in Open All Hours (1973, 1976–85), written by Roy Clarke , whose Last of
14760-508: The infrastructure and techniques required to support grape production were adapted to the kiwifruit. This, coupled with being close to the European kiwifruit market, led to Italians becoming the leading producer of kiwifruit in 1989. The growing season of Italian kiwifruit does not overlap much with the New Zealand or the Chilean growing seasons, therefore direct competition between New Zealand or Chile
14924-608: The kiwifruit dates to 12th century China during the Song dynasty . As it was usually collected from the wild and consumed for medicinal purposes, the plant was rarely cultivated or bred . Cultivation of kiwifruit spread from China in the early 20th century to New Zealand, where the first commercial plantings occurred. After the Hayward variety was developed, the fruit became popular with British and American servicemen stationed in New Zealand during World War II. Kiwifruit were later exported, first to Great Britain and then to California in
15088-596: The lady of the house speaking." (She frequently receives misdialled calls asking for a Chinese takeaway, making her angry.) She speaks in an exaggerated RP -like accent with northern undertones, while her relatives speak in broad northern accents. Her neighbours speak in milder RP accents. When flustered, Hyacinth reverts to her native accent. Hyacinth's attempts to impress makes the lives of those around her difficult; her continual efforts to improve her social position usually involve inviting her unwilling neighbours and friends to "exclusive candlelight suppers". Although Hyacinth
15252-550: The last episode) holds the record for the highest UK audience for a sitcom episode , attracting 24.3 million viewers. A ratings success with viewers, the series received numerous awards, including recognition from BAFTA , the National Television Awards and the Royal Television Society , as well as winning individual accolades for Sullivan and Jason. It was voted Britain's Best Sitcom in a 2004 BBC poll. In
15416-422: The late '1960s to early 1970s' in New Zealand. By 1976, exports exceeded the amount consumed domestically. Outside of Australasia , New Zealand kiwifruit are marketed under the brand-name label Zespri . The general name, "Zespri", has been used for marketing of all cultivars of kiwifruit from New Zealand since 2012. In the 1980s, many countries outside New Zealand began to grow and export kiwifruit. In Italy,
15580-703: The lavish French farce in English based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Gabriel Chevallier , Clochemerle was adapted into 9 episodes by Galton and Simpson for the BBC. It was a stark contrast to the dark comedy of their Steptoe and Son and Hancock's Half Hour . Filmed on location in Colombier-le-Vieux , in the department of Ardèche , it starred Roy Dotrice , Wendy Hiller , Cyril Cusack , Kenneth Griffith , Cyd Hayman , Bernard Bresslaw , Hugh Griffith , Micheline Presle , Madeline Smith , Christian Roberts , Nigel Green , Wolfe Morris and Gordon Rollings , with narration by Peter Ustinov . The show
15744-781: The life of army conscripts during the last years of the National Service which ended in 1963. Written by Rodney Hobson, Pinwright's Progress (1946–1947) was the world's first regular half-hour televised sitcom. Broadcast live by the BBC from Alexandra Palace , it was about J. Pinwright, the proprietor of a small shop. Storylines involved his hated rival and his staff, who only added to his problems by attempting to be helpful. The series featured an ensemble cast including James Hayter as J. Pinwright, Clarence Wright as Aubrey, Sara Gregory as Sally Doolittle, Daphne Maddox as Miss Peasbody, Doris Palmer as Mrs Sigsbee, Leonard Sharp as Ralph, Benita Lydal as Mrs Rackstraw, Charles Irwin as
15908-419: The manor house to mind it, due to a legal dispute with the deceased Lord's estranged brother (who Rose immediately starts lusting after), who wants the land. A mislaid deeds paper left by the forgetful old Lord would supposedly clarify who has rights to the estate, buried somewhere in the gardens that Onslow is left to ineptly try and keep in shape. Most of the conflict would have come from the Lord's brother and
16072-464: The manor's snooty neighbours, the wealthy Hyde-Whytes, who are not happy about the "commoners" who have taken up residence next door (although it later transpires that Mr. Hyde-Whyte used to know Onslow in their youth and is indebted to him after Onslow once took the fall for him to stop him being arrested). Su Pollard was approached to play the role of Miss Dorothy "Dotty" Henshaw, the Lord's eccentric and easily flustered cook/housekeeper who remains with
16236-619: The nuances of British life. Early shows of the 1950s often featured archetypal British characters such as the staff and pupils in Whack-O! and the various facets portrayed in Hancock's Half Hour , and set the stage for what would become the British TV sitcom genre. They were set in post World War II working-class or domestic environments, highlighting issues of class, family dynamics, and British culture, while The Army Game , ITV's first sitcom, parodied
16400-417: The one with a Mercedes , swimming pool/ sauna and room for a pony". However, Violet's social acceptability is damaged by the eccentric behaviour of her cross-dressing , equestrian -loving turf accountant husband Bruce, whom she attacks because of his behaviour. Hyacinth also tries to impress people with the intellectual prowess of her beloved son Sheridan (who actually only takes a course in needlework at
16564-525: The other, you can see how it held up a mirror to the way we were living." The series won the 1978 BAFTA for Best Situation Comedy and was the highest-ranking ITV sitcom in the BBC's Britain's Best Sitcom , coming in 27th overall. Frances de la Tour received an Evening Standard British Film Award in the category of "Best Actress" for her performance as Ruth Jones. Broadcast 1974–1979 on BBC1 for 41 episodes over 5 series, starring Terry Scott and June Whitfield , with Beryl Cooke , Happy Ever After
16728-406: The paradigm for British sitcom writing. By the time the television set had become a common part of home furnishing, sitcoms were significant expressions of everyday life and were often a window on the times of enormous social changes in the British class system and its conflicts and prejudices. The period from 1970 to 1979 in particular is often considered the 'Golden Age' of British sitcom. Since
16892-453: The plant is desired to be a true cultivar, rootstock grown from cuttings of a mature plant. Kiwifruit plants generally are dioecious , meaning a plant is either male or female. The male plants have flowers that produce pollen, the females receive the pollen to fertilise their ovules and grow fruit; most kiwifruit requires a male plant to pollinate the female plant. For a good yield of fruit, one male vine for every three to eight female vines
17056-451: The programme title had to be changed, and, on 24 October 1979, Terry and June was born. It was similar to Happy Ever After without Aunt Lucy, but Terry and June's surname changed from Fletcher to Medford and the characters moved to Purley in London. In 2004, it came joint 73rd in Britain's Best Sitcom with Happy Ever After . The sci-fi sitcom Come Back Mrs. Noah , set in space in 2050,
17220-552: The programme were broadcast. In 1993, a short sketch aired during an episode of Noel's House Party . The clip featuring Mr Blobby, saw the character causing havoc in Hyacinth's home. This clip was also featured in the "Blobbyvision" VHS release in 1994. In 1995, a special 6-minute sketch was broadcast as part of Children in Need. Hyacinth dreams Daddy has died, and demands the coffin is brought to her house. In 1996, BBC Worldwide Americas approached Harold Snoad about writing and producing
17384-486: The rather weak vines can support. These are generally equipped with a watering system for irrigation and frost protection in the spring. Kiwifruit vines require vigorous pruning, similar to that of grapevines. Fruit is borne on 'one-year-old and older' canes, but production declines as each cane ages. Canes should be pruned off and replaced after their third year. In the northern hemisphere the fruit ripens in November, while in
17548-423: The real Warner's Holiday Centre at Dovercourt Bay. It ran for 58 episodes (1980–1988) on the BBC and is often repeated. It was co-written by Jimmy Perry , based on his experience as a Butlin's Redcoat, and director-producer David Croft . With its ensemble cast comprising Paul Shane , Simon Cadell , Ruth Madoc , Jeffrey Holland , Su Pollard , and David Griffin , the series gained large audiences and won
17712-651: The reproaches of her parents, played by Mitchell and Bird, a difficult social life, and a reduced income. The theme song, "Bright Idea", was written by Roger Webb . Also written by Richard Waring, Rings on Their Fingers (1978–80) ran from 1978 to 1980 for 20 episodes in 3 series and was and produced by Harold Snoad for the BBC. It concerns a young unmarried couple, Sandy Bennett, played by Diane Keen , and Oliver Pryde, played by Martin Jarvis . The cast also included Tim Barrett , Barbara Lott , Anna Dawson , John Kane and Royce Mills . Sandy wishes to marry whereas Oliver
17876-407: The rhythms of everyday life, the pain of the human condition and, of course, the joy of laughter. The origins of British TV sitcoms trace back to radio comedies of the 1940s and 1950s like Hancock's Half Hour , which aired on BBC Radio in 1954, British TV sitcoms were initially inspired by American comedy formats, but they quickly developed their own style that highlighted dry wit, social satire, and
18040-480: The role of a prison inmate, with his most significant sitcom vehicle, supported by Richard Beckinsale . It ran from 1974 to 1977 on BBC1 for 22 episodes over three series. The series features two major supporting characters, both prison officers : Mr Mackay , played by Fulton Mackay , and Mr Barrowclough , played by Brian Wilde . The sitcom focused on two prison inmates, Norman Fletcher, played by Barker, and Lennie Godber, played by Beckinsale, who are serving time in
18204-763: The same quality. The series starred Cleese as Basil Fawlty , Prunella Scales as Sybil Fawlty , Connie Booth as Polly Sherman , and Andrew Sachs as Manuel . Supporting roles included Major Gowen, played by Ballard Berkeley , Chef Terry, played by Brian Hall , and Miss Gatsby and Miss Tibbs, played by Renee Roberts and Gilly Flower . Other well known guests from stage and screen, usually two or three for each episode, were featured in various episodes and among many others included Yvonne Gilan , Conrad Phillips , Bernard Cribbins , James Cossins , Allan Cuthbertson , Ann Way , Brenda Cowling , Joan Sanderson , Elspet Gray , Geoffrey Palmer , Derek Royle , Richard Davies , Ken Campbell , Una Stubbs , and John Quarmby . The show
18368-507: The second greatest television character. The spin-off from Man About the House , starring Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy, with Norman Eshley , Sheila Fearn , and child star Nicholas Bond-Owen , a domestic sitcom George and Mildred is focused on a clash of social class. Written by Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer, it ran for 38 episodes and is regularly repeated on ITV3. Yootha Joyce died suddenly in August 1980, just before production of
18532-453: The series received several BAFTAs and in 2004 was voted sixth in the Britain's Best Sitcom poll. Writer Michael Dobbs said Jay and Lynn "really got to the heart of so much of what goes on in Whitehall and Westminster". As the series revolved around the inner workings of central government, most of the scenes take place privately in offices and exclusive members' clubs . Lynn said that "there
18696-563: The series was due partly to the strength of the female ensemble playing the workforce, who included Sheila Hancock , Barbara Windsor and Esma Cannon . It also made the earliest of Richard Waring 's domestic comedies, Marriage Lines (1961–1966), starring Richard Briers (later to star in The Good Life ) and Prunella Scales (who went on to star in Fawlty Towers ), and Not in Front of
18860-465: The series. Clips from an interview with Patricia Routledge from 2002 were also included. The episode revealed that there were serious artistic differences between Clarke and Snoad. Specifically, Clarke refused to act as anything but a writer and rarely visited the set or location shoots, necessitating that Snoad make minor rewrites to accommodate the realities of taping. This infuriated Clarke, who disliked any tampering of his work, and Snoad thought Clarke
19024-568: The show ended abruptly. Clarke also reveals his favourite character's and why he quite likes Hyacinth Bucket . On 3 September 2024, BBC Four, aired a second retrospective 15-minute special interview, with the leading role actress Dame Patricia Routledge . In the short documentary Routledge recalled how the character of Hyacinth Bucket entered her life, how she was cast in the role as one of televisions most formidable comedy characters. Routledge also explained her found pleasures of working with her fellow cast members. Routledge shared her thoughts of why
19188-431: The show was voted 13th in a British Film Institute poll of industry professionals of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes. In 2004, championed by Phill Jupitus , it came fourth in the BBC poll to find Britain's Best Sitcom . As of 2022 it is one of British television's most regularly repeated sitcoms. Bringing the first light-hearted satirical look at the church , during 1966–1971 All Gas and Gaiters paved
19352-456: The show which inspired three films was Howerd's frequent breaking of the fourth wall . Other controversial topics for comedy included series written by Richard Waring and Wendy Craig. ...And Mother Makes Three (1971–73), and its sequel ...And Mother Makes Five (1974–76), starred Craig (who also co-wrote) as a widowed mother who eventually remarries a divorced single father. My Wife Next Door (1972), created by Brian Clemens , concerned
19516-429: The show, along with supporting cast members Judy Cornwell , Jeremy Gittins and David Janson . In July 2024, BBC Four aired a 15-minute special interview with the sitcoms writer and creator Roy Clarke . In the short special Clarke shares his personal memoir of how Keeping Up Appearances and the characters were created. How the sitcom gained critically acclaimed popularity, how the sitcom developed over time and how
19680-586: The southern it ripens in May. Four year-old plants can produce 15 tonnes of fruit per hectare (14,000 lb per acre) while eight year-old plants can produce 20 tonnes (18,000 lb per acre). The plants produce their maximum at eight to ten years old. The seasonal yields are variable; a heavy crop on a vine one season generally comes with a light crop the following season. Fruit harvested when firm will ripen when stored properly for long periods. This allows fruit to be stored up to 8 weeks after harvest. Firm kiwifruit ripen after
19844-509: The staff of the retail ladies' and gentlemen's clothing departments. Are You Being Served? (1972–85) was created and written for the BBC by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft and stars Frank Thornton , Mollie Sugden , Wendy Richard , and John Inman (whose camp characterisation of Mr. Humphries contributed greatly to the series' success), Richard and Nicholas Smith appeared in all 69 episodes. In 2004, it ranked 20th in Britain's Best Sitcom . The series proved to be highly exportable, and
20008-460: The standard of [Hancock's] BBC work". Starring Jimmy Edwards in the lead role as Professor James Edwards, Whack-O! written by Frank Muir and Denis Norden , is about the drunken, gambling, devious, cane-swishing headmaster who tyrannised staff and children at the fictitious Chiselbury public school "for the sons of Gentlefolk". From 1956 to 1960 and 1971–1972, it ran for 60 episodes over 8 series. The first six episodes were subtitled "Six of
20172-483: The subject of the joke but to seek and find humour in everything.. Writing for the British Film Institute , Phil Wickham, film and TV critic and author of several books about British TV, concludes: Sitcoms have had an important influence on British life in the last 40 years. They have made us think about ourselves by making us laugh at our own absurdity. Good sitcoms are a kind of virtual reality - they reflect
20336-604: The tips in order to attract the pollinators, although these fake anthers lack the DNA and food value of the male anthers. Kiwifruit growers rely on honey bees , the principal ‘for-hire’ pollinator, but commercially grown kiwifruit is notoriously difficult to pollinate. The flowers are not very attractive to honey bees, in part because the flowers do not produce nectar and bees quickly learn to prefer flowers with nectar. Honey bees are inefficient cross-pollinators for kiwifruit because they practice “floral fidelity”. Each honey bee visits only
20500-566: The truth. Hyacinth frequently confronts the postman with complaints, harassing him to the point that he will go to extreme lengths not to face her; she often forces workmen and other visitors to her home to remove their shoes before entering. Michael, the vicar of the local church ( Jeremy Gittins ) is also loath to face the overbearing Hyacinth, to whom he refers (to others) as "the Bucket woman". The vicar and his wife sometimes exact comic revenge on Hyacinth for her snobbishness; on one occasion, when she
20664-471: The turn of the century however, many are filmed on a single-camera set-up or entirely on location, with no studio screening or laugh track, such as The Royle Family (1998–2000, 2006–2012), and PhoneShop (2009–2013). A subset of British comedy consciously avoids traditional situation comedy themes, storylines, and home settings to focus on more unusual topics or narrative methods. Blackadder (1983–1989) and Yes Minister (1980–1988, 2013) moved what
20828-517: The way for Bless Me, Father (1978–1981) with Arthur Lowe, and farcical ecclesiastical comedies such as Father Ted and The Vicar of Dibley in the 1990s. Starring Derek Nimmo with Robertson Hare , William Mervyn , John Barron , Joan Sanderson ( Please Sir! , Fawlty Towers ), and Ernest Clark , it was written by husband-and-wife team Pauline Devaney and Edwin Apps and directed by John Howard Davies and Stuart Allen. The successful series, which after an initial controversy became
20992-450: The word kiwi alone either refers to the bird or is used as a nickname for New Zealanders ; it is almost never used to refer to the fruit. Kiwifruit has since become a common name for all commercially grown green kiwifruit from the genus Actinidia . In the United States and Canada, the shortened name kiwi is commonly used when referring to the fruit. Kiwifruit is native to central and eastern China. The first recorded description of
21156-644: The working and lower-middle class attitudes of the growing 1980s alternative comedy boom. Mayall was also the star of The New Statesman (1987–92), a series created by Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks , whose biggest success, Birds of a Feather (1989–98, 2014–20), also deviated from British practice in being scripted by a team of writers. The alternative comedy genre continued with Blackadder (1983–89), mainly written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and starring Rowan Atkinson , Tony Robinson , Tim McInnerny , Miranda Richardson , Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie . Atkinson's Edmund Blackadder came at number three in
21320-412: The world. The sitcom follows Hyacinth in her attempts to prove her social superiority, and to gain standing with those she considers upper class . Her attempts are constantly hampered by her lower-class extended family, whom she is desperate to hide. Much of the humour comes from the conflict between Hyacinth's vision of herself and the reality of her underclass background. In each episode, she lands in
21484-466: The worst British sitcoms ever made. It has never been repeated. Writing in The British Comedy Guide on 27 June 2021, in his article "Stranger Things: When sitcoms strain to be different", citing in detail three examples including Come Back Mrs. Noah , Graham McCann explains how a sitcom, even when written, produced and acted by a highly successful team, can go horribly wrong. In the 1980s,
21648-541: The years included many other actors for a total cast of 459. Kiwifruit Kiwifruit (often shortened to kiwi outside Australia and New Zealand), or Chinese gooseberry , is the edible berry of several species of woody vines in the genus Actinidia . The most common cultivar group of kiwifruit ( Actinidia deliciosa 'Hayward') is oval, about the size of a large hen's egg : 5–8 centimetres (2–3 inches) in length and 4.5–5.5 cm ( 1 + 3 ⁄ 4 – 2 + 1 ⁄ 4 in) in diameter. Kiwifruit has
21812-675: The years with actors such as Geoffrey Palmer , Bill Fraser , Ted Lune , Frank Williams , Harry Fowler and Dick Emery appearing in subsequent series. The Army Game follows the exploits of Hut 29, a fictional dysfunctional group of conscripted National Service soldiers during the post-war years. Writers included creator Sid Colin , Larry Stephens , Maurice Wiltshire, Lew Schwarz, John Jowett, John Antrobus , John Foley , Marty Feldman , Barry Took , David Climie, David Cumming, Derek Collyer, Brad Ashton, John Junkin , Talbot Rothwell , Sidney Nelson, Stan Mars, Bob Perkins and Alan MacKinnon. At least three episodes are uncredited. In June 1959,
21976-413: Was a Galton and Simpson creation and ran for 57 episodes over 8 series. Producers included Duncan Wood , John Howard Davies , Graeme Muir, and Douglas Argent . In 2000, the show was ranked number 44 on the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes compiled by the British Film Institute . In a 2001 Channel 4 poll Albert was ranked 39th on their list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters , The series
22140-403: Was a 'feel-good' series following the leading characters' 'will-they-won't they' love story. Written by Peter Spence and Christopher Bond and produced and directed by Gareth Gwenlan , it was a sitcom with one of the largest audience ratings of the period. The final episode of series 1, which aired on 11 November 1979, was the most watched British television programme (excluding live events) of
22304-432: Was a good British sitcom." One of the most successful British sitcoms of all time, Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003) starred David Jason as Derek "Del Boy" Trotter and Nicholas Lyndhurst as his younger brother Rodney . It began in 1981 and ran for 64 episodes, with specials, until 2003. It was the most durable of several series written by John Sullivan . The 1996 episode " Time on Our Hands " (originally billed as
22468-413: Was always 'Bucket' until I met you!") – is an overbearing, social-climbing snob, originally from a lower-class background, whose main mission in life is to impress others with her refinement and pretended affluence. She is terrified that her background will be revealed, and goes to great lengths to hide it. Hyacinth likes to spend her days visiting stately homes (convinced she will meet and strike up
22632-410: Was being unreasonable. The situation was mitigated in later series by the hiring of a script editor whose sole job was to keep Clarke apprised of Snoad's changes, and to keep Snoad informed of Clarke's opinion of them. In early 2008, Geoffrey Hughes reprised his role as Onslow once again for a clipshow of the series; this was for broadcast on American television and sees him teaching a credit course at
22796-652: Was broadcast on BBC1 from 17 July to 14 August 1978, with a pilot being aired on 13 December 1977, but it was not a success and ran for only six episodes. Although written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, and featuring an all-star sitcom cast including Mollie Sugden ( Are You Being Served? ), Ian Lavender ( Dad's Army ), Gorden Kaye ( 'Allo 'Allo! ), Donald Hewlett ( It Ain't Half Hot Mum and You Rang, M'Lord? ) and Michael Knowles ( It Ain't Half Hot Mum and You Rang, M'Lord? ), along with Vicki Michelle ( 'Allo 'Allo! ) and Harold Bennett ( Dad's Army and Are You Being Served? ), some regarded it as one of
22960-401: Was composed by Burt Rhodes . In 2004, The Good Life came 9th in Britain's Best Sitcom . After its success, the four main cast members were given their own "vehicles" commissioned by the then Head of Comedy and producer of The Good Life , John Howard Davies . The series provided Felicity Kendal with her big break on television and significantly boosted her career on stage. Described in
23124-406: Was composed by Joseph Ascher (1829–1869), arranged for a brass band and performed by Max Harris , who also wrote the incidental music. A sequel, Still Open All Hours , with David Jason and many members of the original cast, began airing nearly 30 years later in 2013 and ran until 2019 for 41 episodes. First broadcast on ITV in 1977 and running for 12 episodes, Miss Jones and Son (1977–78)
23288-573: Was criticised by campaigner Mary Whitehouse for its bad language, and due to changing attitudes in political correctness it is seldom repeated. Based on a World War II theme, Dad's Army (1968–1977) by Jimmy Perry and David Croft , was a gentle mockery of Britain's 'finest hour' and the Home Guard . One of the most enduring British sitcoms, it starred Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier , whose interaction with Lowe's character Captain Mainwaring
23452-507: Was derived from a one-off Galton and Simpson comic play, "The Offer", shown on their BBC series Comedy Playhouse in 1962. It is regularly repeated and gave rise to four feature films. Written by Johnny Speight and broadcast 1965–1968 and 1972–1975, Till Death Us Do Part featured Warren Mitchell as Alf Garnett and was an instant hit. Centred on the bigoted character of Alf Garnett, it addressed racial and political issues that had been becoming increasingly prevalent in British society. It
23616-421: Was described by The Times as "a memorable part of one of television's most popular shows". It also starred Clive Dunn , John Laurie , Ian Lavender and Arnold Ridley . During its original television run, the show was nominated for multiple British Academy Television Awards , including "Best Situation Comedy" in 1973, 1974 and 1975, although only won "Best Light Entertainment Production Team" in 1971. In 2000,
23780-526: Was first broadcast in March 1997, in the United States. With later reruns on PBS . The show sees the pair introduce clips from the series using Hyacinth's diary. The special was also released on VHS and DVD. In 2004, the documentary series Comedy Connections featured an episode dedicated to Keeping Up Appearances . Stars Clive Swift, Josephine Tewson, Judy Cornwell and David Griffin, along with writer Roy Clarke and producer/director Harold Snoad , all discussed
23944-649: Was first identified in Japan in the 1980s. This bacterial strain has been controlled and managed successfully in orchards in Asia. In 1992, it was found in northern Italy. In 2007/2008, economic losses were observed, as a more virulent strain became more dominant (PSA V). In 2010 it was found in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty Region kiwifruit orchards in the North Island. The yellow-fleshed cultivars were particularly susceptible. New, resistant varieties were selected in research funded by
24108-502: Was in his 50s when the series began) pursuing "an endless array of improbably available 'dolly birds' ". The series was made into three films, On the Buses (1971), Mutiny on the Buses (1972), and Holiday on the Buses (1973). Starring Sid James of Carry On fame, with Diana Coupland and Sally Geeson , Bless This House was created by Vince Powell and Harry Driver , but mainly written by others including Dave Freeman and Carla Lane. Running from 1971 to 1976, It marked
24272-438: Was made in 1960. Peter Eton 's series of The Army Game (1957–1961) was probably British television's most successful sitcom of this period and ran for 154 episodes. Many of its stars went on to become household names. The original cast consisted of William Hartnell , Michael Medwin , Geoffrey Sumner , Alfie Bass , Charles Hawtrey , Bernard Bresslaw and Norman Rossington . The cast of The Army Game would change over
24436-586: Was not a significant factor. Much of the breeding to refine the green kiwifruit was undertaken by the Plant & Food Research Institute (formerly HortResearch) during the decades of '1970–1999'. In 1990, the New Zealand Kiwifruit Marketing Board opened an office for Europe in Antwerp , Belgium . Kiwifruit may be eaten raw, made into juices, used in baked goods, prepared with meat or used as
24600-454: Was not a single scene set in the House of Commons because government does not take place in the House of Commons. Some politics and much theatre takes place there. Government happens in private. As in all public performances, the real work is done in rehearsal, behind closed doors. Then the public and the House are shown what the government wishes them to see." Lynn and Jay explained: "After we wrote
24764-456: Was not well received. Considered daring at the time because it featured a man sharing a flat with two single women, the flat-share comedy Man About the House was created by Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer . It starred Richard O'Sullivan , Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett , with Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce as their landlord and landlady. 40 episodes were broadcast over six series on ITV , and ran from 1973 to 1976. A film version
24928-592: Was one of a group of volunteer helpers at the church, the vicar's wife saw to it that Hyacinth's hand went up prematurely and assigned her the job of cleaning the church toilets. Keeping Up Appearances aired for five series, four Christmas specials, and one short Children in Need special from 29 October 1990 to 25 December 1995. The series officially ended after the episode "The Pageant", because Patricia Routledge wanted to focus on other TV and theatre work, including Hetty Wainthropp Investigates , which began airing in 1996. Clive Swift, who portrayed Richard, stated in
25092-488: Was produced by John Howard Davies and Douglas Argent , directed by Davies and Bob Spiers and the music was by Dennis Wilson . The show was ranked first on a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, and in 2019 it was named the greatest ever British TV sitcom by a panel of comedy experts compiled by the Radio Times . Basil Fawlty has been listed by Channel 4 as
25256-554: Was produced by Michael Mills as a co-production between the BBC and West Germany's Bavaria Film . Incidental music was arranged by Alan Roper and played by L'Harmonie Du Rhone Orchestra, Lyon, under the musical direction of Raymond Jarniat. Created by Brian Clemens and written by Richard Waring, My Wife Next Door was shown on BBC1 in 1972 and ran for 13 episodes. The series concerns George Basset, played by John Alderton , and Suzie Basset, played by Hannah Gordon , who each try to start afresh after their divorce by moving to
25420-464: Was produced by Stuart Allen, John Howard Davies, and Robin Nash, and the music was provided by Stanley Myers . With Milo O'Shea , and Yootha Joyce ( Man About the House , George and Mildred ) in the lead roles, Me Mammy was written by Hugh Leonard , produced by James Gilbert and Sydney Lotterby for the BBC and aired 1968–1971 for 21 episodes over 3 series. Bunjy Kennefick, played by O'Shea,
25584-517: Was recorded in the presence of the Queen to mark her Silver Jubilee; it was reputedly one of her favourite shows. Felicity Kendal and Richard Briers starred as Barbara and Tom Goode – a middle-class suburban couple who decide to quit the rat race and become self-sufficient, much to the consternation of their snooty but well-meaning neighbour Margo, played by Penelope Keith , and her down-to-earth husband Jerry, played by Paul Eddington . The opening theme
25748-499: Was released in 1974. The series is regularly repeated on ITV3 . After the series ended in 1976, two successful spin-off series followed: George and Mildred , in which the Ropers move to the suburbs, and Robin's Nest , in which Robin gets married and opens a bistro . Based on life in a UK prison, the Porridge sitcom by writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais provided Ronnie Barker, in
25912-709: Was shot in Oslo , Norway . One episode was filmed in Great Yarmouth , mainly in the Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach Theme Park . The opening sequence shows Hyacinth writing an invitation to one of her trademark candlelight suppers; this invitation lists Hyacinth's address as "Waney Elm, Blossom Avenue, Fuddleton". In the same sequence, the invitation is eventually sent to an address in Eddleton. Neither town actually exists. However, there are several references to
26076-461: Was the first modern TV sitcom. Whilst moving away from audio variety towards character development, the radio series had been influential in the development of TV situation comedy. The radio series continued to be produced alongside the TV version. Tony Hancock played a fictionalised version of himself, a loser whose plans and aspirations are continually ruined by bad luck. Its only other regular cast member
26240-422: Was the more worldly sidekick played by Sid James , later of Carry On fame and Bless This House . Other occasional participants included John Le Mesurier ( Dad's Army ), Kenneth Williams , and Patricia Hayes . Hancock's biographer John Fisher dates the first use of the term 'situation comedy' in British broadcasting to a BBC memo dated 31 March 1953 from radio comedy producer Peter Eton , suggesting
26404-458: Was written by John T. Chapman , Eric Merriman , Christopher Bond, John Kane and Jon Watkins. It was based on a Comedy Playhouse pilot called "Happy Ever After" which aired on 7 May 1974, with Scott and Whitfield playing a middle-class couple whose grown-up children had just left home. The Good Life (1975–1978), written by Bob Larbey and John Esmonde , aired on BBC1 for 30 episodes over four series and two specials. The final episode
26568-466: Was written by Ronnie Hazlehurst . Spun off from Happy Ever After after it ended, Terry Scott and June Whitfield returned to star in the 65 episodes of Terry and June (1979–1987). It was mostly written by John Kane . Chapman , one of the original writers, said that the original programme had run out of ideas and had to end. BBC Comedy, however, were unwilling to end a successful 'cozy' show, and so brought in fresh new writers; for legal reasons
26732-463: Was written by David Climie, Ronnie Cass and Lew Schwarz. The series established the reputation of actor Clive Dunn , leading to his role as Corporal Jones in Dad's Army . Running for 43 episodes over 5 series (1963–1966), first titled The Marriage Lines , Marriage Lines was written by Richard Waring and directed and produced by Robin Nash and Graeme Muir. The traditional domestic comedy about
26896-467: Was written by Richard Waring and produced and directed by Peter Frazer-Jones. It starred Paula Wilcox ( Man About The House ), Christopher Beeny , Charlotte Mitchell and Norman Bird . The series depicted the life of Elizabeth Jones, played by Wilcox, a young woman coming to terms with the responsibility of looking after her baby alone. Emotional support came in the form of next-door-neighbour and friend Geoffrey, played by Beeny. Difficulties included
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