It was reported by The Telegraph that BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, advises that Keeping Up Appearences is it’s most successful export. Infact, the first series of the hit Nineties comedy has been bought nearly a thousand times by overseas broadcasters, more than any series in the past 40 years.
Whilst many of the BBC’s best known modern brands – including Top Gear, Sherlock and Strictly Come Dancing – account for much of the broadcaster’s global revenues, figures from BBC Worldwide, its commercial arm, show that the fondly-remembered sitcom is the show that has been purchased by international broadcasters on the most occasions.
Writer Roy Clarke told us back in 2014 that everybody knows a Hyacinth. There are of course reports that a prequel to the popular 90’s sitcom is being planned as part of the BBC’s Hancock’s Half Hour TV series 60th anniversary later this year. A poll for The Telegraph online revealed 84% of people think the BBC should bring it back.
[AdSense-A]
Another Comeback
We’ve reported already that the BBC are pulling out all the stops to celebrate Hancock’s Half Hour TV series 60th anniversary later this year, the latest show in the frame is Are You Being Served? The hit comedy series, set in a department store, is to be brought back with a new cast to celebrate 60 years of comedy at the BBC. However, it will be just a one-off special, rather than a full series.
A statement released by the BBC read: “Picking up where Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft’s much loved comedy left off, the show will bring Grace Brothers and some of the nation’s all-time favourite sitcom characters including Mrs Slocombe, Captain Peacock, Miss Brahms, and Mr Humphries back to life with an all star cast.”
Filming of the special takes place in Salford, Manchester on 5 March. I’m not sure it’s a good idea the show was brilliant but it was made by it’s cast and in today’s world you probably wouldn’t get away with the same innuendo.
[AdSense-A]