We always have a 30 minute comedy on hand to fill in gaps when it's too late, or we don't have time for a longer show. Yes..we watch a lot of TV. After taking over a year to watch every episode of MASH, we turned to Keeping Up. The first three seasons are so great. The casting and acting are perfect. Patricia Routledge can speak volumes with just an eyebrow raise or lip twitch! Especially on the phone. She picked up the torch from Bob Newhart when it comes to hilarious one-sided phone "conversations".
The problem with binging is that it is easy to pickup the common repetitiveness of situations and dialogue. This isn't talking about the great "catch phrases", such as how Hyacinth describes Violet. After so many times, that one still makes me chuckle. But basic dialogue is very repetitive. Something we may not pick up on if we weren't watching it almost daily.
By season 4, I was ready to give up. Hyacinth's silly perfectionism turns into delusional cruelty. What was fairly smart and cute comedy turned very slapstick and annoying. I would have loved to see Richard, Elizabeth and the Vicar have more of a backbone. That being said, the genius of Patricia Routledge really shows in the last two seasons because she is SO good at being awful that it makes you yell at the TV for Elizabeth to finally freak out, trash Hyacinths kitchen, and storm out in a rage.
Overall...It's impossible not to enjoy the show. It truly is perfectly cast. Each actor owns their character and are all lovable in their own right. Patricia Routledge is a force of comedic nature, but ironically her character is my least favorite! The characters become familiar and comforting to see each episode. Great one-liners, even the recurring ones. Onslo's dog in the car never gets old.
Speaking of Onslo...he owns the greatest line of the entire series...be sure to catch his last line with Hyacinth as they dance on the QE2!
Keeping Up is classic, very British television. Enjoy...but maybe not binge!
Review of Keeping Up Appearances
