PLEASE READ THE BOOKS ! I was introduced to PG by my Father when I was 10- my wife tries to hide them when I am chuckling and trying not to burst into laughter while she sleeps. Also is amazed I re- read all the books and watch the J&W series constantly, often for just a few minutes when I need it. Cheers
I had just bought a bunch of them, in English because I don't think the Swedish translation would do them justice. After getting them delivered, I found the audio books on UA-cam, read by Jonathan Cecil. It's brilliant, now I can watch, read, or listen to the fabulous adventures of Jeeves, Bertie, Barmy, and all the rest❤
As everyone has stated already, this is a perfect adaptation and casting. I love that Hugh can look perfectly gormless as Wooster and so ruthlessly brilliant as House. Such a great actor, comedian and musician. Frye’s Jeeves is perfection. His deadpan expressions with the hint of a pursing of the lips to indicate disapproval or a sideways twist of his lips in an effort to curb his sense of victory over Bertie’s current difficulty are epic.
It was often said Jeeves and Bertie would never transfer to live action, then comes along an already paired Fry and Laurie....perfect physically and both great actots
And yet the actor is a serious alcoholic! Makes you wonder just how unhappy a man with that much talent AND SUCCESS must really be. Proof positive that wealth, money AND success still can't make you happy. Only God can give us peace of mind.
Bertie is an interesting character. He's educated, enlightened and charming and yet he's not very bright. He's worldly but sheltered. Ultimately he is a good man. He wants his friends and family to be happy, but he doesn't enjoying being relied upon by them. He wants to have a good time and anything that jeopardizes that is an inconvenience or an annoyance. And despite being a bit lazy when it comes to problems that threaten to dull his amusement with life, he is a man of action.
If humanity were full of Bertie Woosters, there'd be complete peace, love and harmony... as PG Wodehouse himself described him: a "friend of all the world".
Hugh Laurie's Bertie is one of the best portrayals of a literary character to ever grace the screen. Bertie Wooster has long been one of my favorite characters, and Laurie's total embodiment of him always brings a smile to my face.
Anatole has GIVEN NOTICEEEE! Seared into my brain, those words. God, I love this episode. My parents brought us up watching this and I am so grateful. What a series. What great books.
Bertie is always painted as a buffoon, but I think it immeasurably sweet how good he is to his friends, who always provide him with more trouble to get into.
Indeed. I agree. He is maybe a bit naive, immature maybe (as all his friends at the Drone...he is not alone), but he is fundamentally a good person. It should also be said that all the characters of Woodhouse's works (but Jeeves) are... peculiar? From the nephew-crusher, to Madeline, from Bobbie (with the mind of a time bomb), to the "fall-in-love-with-everyone" Bingo Little, to the newt lover, and so on...
So, too, are the English peculiar. Dickens saw this, and peopled his works with memorable characters. Not so much caractatures, but strongly drawn portraits from real life. I think Plum did much the same, with a musical-comedy twist, and incomparable verbal pyrotechnics. Who else could have written: “The laurel bush, which had not hitherto spoken, said ‘psst!’” “A startled piece of toast flew from my grasp.” “When I heard the news, mine eye in a fine frenzy rolled. I looked at Aunt Dahlia, and saw hers was rolling too.” That last gloss on Midsummer Night’s Dream is a favorite.
Never has there been a better adaptation of a book than this one. Left me so satisfied! This really does justice to Right Ho, Jeevs. I'm sure Wodehouse would be proud 😊
It's an excellent adaptation, but the one trick Clive Exton missed is having Hugh Laurie's voiceover narrating, because so much of the wit in the books comes from the narration in between the dialogue and the plot.
that's a fantastic suggestion @@odetteswann7694 . After all, its the incongruity betw Bertie's P.O.V. versus consensus reality thats the crux. I will remember your observation and use it myself when writing my own screen adaptations
" My only daughter, for whom i had dreamed of a wonderful golden future, is going to marry and inebriated newt-fancier." Man, the lines on this show can't be topped.
I just came from the one where the vicar had strained his fetlock. 🤔 (What is he, a horse? 🐎) (Or perhaps it may have *been* his horse which was actually meant.) (One can always hope. 🤔)
Somehow I suppose he seems to have somewhat confused *frozen* water with *boiled* water. 🙄 To be *that* confused about the topic would, methinks, require *really* not knowing...how to boil water. 🙄 Then again. This is the person who's just had to look up in a housekeeping manual how to make tea. 🍵☕🍵 Jeeves looked as if he were about to speak, but he wasn't actually given the chance to do so. 🙊 (He might next time ask, "Sir, have I leave to speak?" or some such thing of that sort.) Too cute. 🤗
"...you could fling bricks by the half-hour in England's most densely-populated districts without hitting one girl willing to become Mrs Fink-Nottle without a general anaesthetic." Magnificent!
Just too wonderful...I have adored Wodehouse since I was 15 yrs old when I first found his books on the shelves of a house we (my family) were housesitting in West Africa in 1958. I started with 'Pigs Have Wings' - and never looked back! The joy Wodehouse has brought to me over all the ensuing years is beyond words. There is no-one, but NO-ONE, to touch him! These Laurie/Fry are by far the finest depictions of Jeeves and Wooster ever - they totally capture the sheer Wodehouse essence as has none ever before (though Carmichael and Price were pretty good I have to say). What more can I say? Just a joy to encounter such genius.
A tragedy the BBC wiped over those Carmichael & Price films. I think only one survives. Criminal. Thank God Fry and Laurie remedied the dire situation 30 years later. All but one of the nine J & W novels are represented in this series, it's astonishing what they've done. The missing novel is 'Aunts Aren't Gentlemen', written in 1974 the year before Plum died. Incredibly, most of the short stories from the first 3 books are also represented in this series. I hope one day it gets the recognition it deserves and more and more re-runs. We all need Wodehouse in our lives like we need chocolate.
Toni Hazle yes and as well as terrific scripts and flawless charecterisation there's complete attention to historical details. I've been binging for a while and have found no anomalies except for a couple of phrases. And that may be due to my ignorance. All up it's a great series!
Nobody but Fry could deliver the dry wit and respectability of Jeeves with such sumptuous richness, and nobody but Laurie could provide the well-bred upper-crust gormlessness of Bertie Wooster. The ghost of Wodehouse smiled upon seeing this
There was one man. The late Edward Duke had a one-man stage show where he played all the parts. His Bertie was near-flawless. I wonder if any of the shows were filmed, be a shame to lose that performance.
“... and guess what happened next?” “I’m agog to learn, sir...” Agog is a word which must be brought into the lives of those around me- their lives will be much improved!!
18:02 amusing to watch how Tuppy's micro-expression changes from angry, confused to friendly with only half of his face shown. A masterpiece acting and camera shot!
Oh my goodness, read all of Woodhoyse'books, I never knew they'd made films of them. Brilliant stuff, the wits, the clothes, the manners, and no nakedness, no violence,no blood and gore, brilliant acting too. Woodhouse himself would have loved this.
The same with me. I am American, but my English teacher gave us assignments that included Jeeves and Wooster and the Flashman novels. I had never seen the video versions of Jeeves and Wooster until the last few years. I have found that I associate Hugh Laurie more with Dr House than Bertie Wooster. I am surprised that Hugh Laurie has not made more movies and television series. He is a great actor. Have you read or listened to the Flashman novels?
@@bocajrs7628 Since you are American you can be excused for not having a view of the wider world that extends beyond the shores of an insular existence, but Laurie's thespian accomplishments range far and wide. For starters, may I recommend "A Bit of Fry and Laurie", with both "Wooster" protagonists. Both also appeared in the "Blackadder' series starring Rowan Atkinson. The last series " Goes Fourth" is prolly the best of the bunch. Stretching his talents, Laurie starred in LeCarre's "The Nightmanager", an excellent entry in the spy thriller genre. He is currently making the rounds pumping up interest in his version of the Christie adaptation "Why didn't they ask Evans?". As you can see, he has a considerable body of work and is far from resting on his "House" laurels.
@@shelbynamels7948 Don't be rude. I am an American, well, a New Yorker, and I am well aware of Laurie's Thespian accomplishments and that they range far and wide.
Whoever uploaded these, I couldn't thank you enough. Fell in love with this show when I was 11 or 12 when my mother used to watch it . People nowadays, most people that is especially my age or younger, just don't appreciate this show or anything like it. Brought back some good memories for me from when I was younger. Iv seen this series 1000 times and could always watch it another 1000 times. Thank you much
I totally agree. And have you seen the obscenity of the shows that are popular? It is disgusting! If I had a choice, I would want to be born in a time when these were still in style.
Do you say, Sir, that to utilize terminological exactitude in conjunction with linguistic clarity would be a *tracasserie* inviting the disapprobation of the hoi polloi? I fear this may be sadly near the truth.
“Gussie is a splendid chap in many ways. If you’ve got a sick newt on your hands, Gussie is just the fellow to tell you what to do *until the doctor comes*”
There are two perfect P.G. Wodehouse adaptations in my opinion: Wodehouse Playhouse, and this. Stephen Fry and and Hugh Laurie are a dream pair, and Bertie is practically a human puppy. It's so adorable how Jeeves can utterly (and cleverly) toss him under the bus, but for the price of a fried egg and 'half a bottle of something' everything is forgiven.
In the books especially, Jeeves often reminds me of Moliere's Scapin. Yes, he's a genius who helps the young master out of scrapes... he also refers to said master as "mentally negligible" to a prospective substitute valet (which, sure, in the privacy of the Junior Ganymede, but Jeeves, dash it, that's rather taking a liberty!)... Always burning or giving away Bertie's garments before Bertie has capitulated... the frankly caddish behavior having a dalliance with a cook *and* Bingo's waitress at the same time... There's a steely self-interest and scheming to Jeeves for all of the generally benevolent results (oh yes, and in "Jeeves and the Omelette," he encourages Aunt Dahlia to knock Bertie unconscious with a gong stick to add credibility to a story of a theft, and merely says after that one can't make an omelette without breaking eggs)... The scene in THE MATING SEASOn when Bertie finds Jeeves is proficient with the cosh he took away from Young Thos, Bertie has every right to be worried that Jeeves might so forget himself in a discussion of gentleman's soft shirts as to lay a juicy one on a Wooster! (I do pretend RING FOR JEEVES/THE RETURN OF JEEVES is out of canon because, if one accepts that Jeeves once disguised himself in a loud check suit, false moustache, and eyepatch, he has absolutely forfeited all rights to object to Bertie's leisurewear, let alone make him shave his moustache.)
It is wonderful to see the comments taking me back to Pinewood where we filmed interiors but mostly on locations nearby.Peoplecarexalways susprised that Totleigh Towers which appears in most episodes as filmed at Highclere Castle now made infinitely more famous as the location for Downtown Abbey.Whlocation schedule was announced I never ceased to be thrilled arriving at the crack of Dawn and the castle emerging out of the mists as first we prepared for our full English breakfast .Then dressing the set and watching The words of Wodehouse emerge in the guise of Hugh and Steven .
Wow, you worked on the show? You all did a great job! The acting is great and the set and costume details have just that right touch of glamor for the era.
The comments on Jeeves and Wooster episodes are the only comment sections on UA-cam worth reading. They are so full of positivity and good humour, they give one hope for the future of humanity.
Funny you should say this, Gail. Only a little while ago I thought: the people commenting on this series are 'my tribe'... I'd love to have you all around for dinner.. with Anatole doing the cuisine of course... wouldn't we a load of laughs???
I was happy at the lack of misspelling and horrible grammar. By the way, how to eat asparagus correctly? I’ve heard this in two different episodes as a complaint.
Always enjoyed the writings of Wodehouse. Like any fiction read, one conjures up an image of its' characters. Fry and Laurie epitomises these images so perfectly. The Jeeves and Wooster series are truly humorous and brilliant. Also, they stand the test of time.
Absolutely love this. The first time I saw a pic of Wooster my brain began to say 'Who is that, he looks SO familiar?" Then sometime later that same day it me. OMG its HOUSE! Knew nothing of him except from UA-cam shorts of House. What an amazing talent; a muscian and singer as well. The Brits somehow manage to continue to produce great all-around talent. I have subscribed. Please continue to post these great old shows.❤
What a great series, its just the lighthearted escapism required for this cold wet December late afternoon, I'm 5 episodes into a Geeves and Wooster fest, 👍👊✌️🌍.
I began reading Gerald Durrell in 1969 or 70, (Birds Beasts and Relatives) when I was 7 or 8, and by the time I was 13 had collected and read his entire output. A few years later I read Lawrence Durrell's Alexandrian Quartet, but always preferred Gerald's writing. I only discovered PG Wodehouse in my late 50s, (a couple years ago) and only because I was acquainted with Fry and Laurie from their work in Blackadder. Since then I've listened to all of the Wodehouse audiobooks I could find on UA-cam.
Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry were born to play Jeeves and Wooster. When PG Woodhouse was thinking about characters to play these roles in his books, he must have dreamt of the two of them.
I really have no idea how many times I have watched every episode of these. Just the signature tune cheers me up knowing that I am going to chuckle at the same old jokes. Again!!!! This time I actually guffawed at 'Tinkitytonk'
I love how humourous this is! A stark contrast to the thinking of that time that servants and staff were the inept ones and that the aristocracy were intelligent and forward thinking. Wodehouse really turned it on its head. 😂
Yes, I hear Plautus and Menander read all Wodehouse’s books and took great inspiration from them. Ancient Roman comedies owe much to ingeniously inventive giants of literary jocularity of the 20th century.
I had never seen this before. Couldn't imagine anyone playing Jeeves as he was in my mind's eye. Fry is spot on. Amazing. And the writing. Ha! "I've gotten quite used to looking after myself." Jeeves: "It's surprising how . . . much one can assimilate in a day."
I had the box set of this program and actually wore out the DVDs cus I watched them so many times I love the props and sets it must b a real manor house .
Not since the 1923 Finals of the 'Kicking of the Plate of small crustless Sandwiches' competition have I seen such a fabulous...Kicking of the Plate of small crustless Sandwiches! Bravo Tuppi!
+acechadwick Only with PGW do I still bust out laughing in public, even on the 50th reading. Then add to that Fry and Laurie........dreams pale in comparison.
+EccentricaGallumbits I cannot believe it's almost 25 years ago! If there was a remake who could possibly play the parts now? Tom Hiddleston or Benedict Cumberbatch as as Jeeves? Cannot think of a Wooster!
CobinRain I saw an actor called Tom Bennett in a movie called 'Love and Friendship'. He would be perfect as Bertie! He's in the trailer and you will see what I mean. Eddie Redmayne is a little too clever I think.
acechadwick Hi Ace! Yes, I went to look and I think you're probably right about Tom Bennett...it was easy to see who you meant just from the trailer of the film you mentioned. Yes..he could be good.
Of course ! I remember reading about Gussie's speech and laughing my guts out as a schoolboy. Add to that the brilliant period touches like cucumber sandwiches. It is comfort viewing like comfort food.
Charles Lemos Well, some people still read it, I believe! I don't think we have one in our house, but my mum still occasionally uses a book from the 1930's called "Radiation Cooking" - all about how to best use that brand-new high tech gadget, the electric oven.
@michael carroll Full marks for the most irrelevant comment. You couldn't just enjoy the nostalgia of a classic English novel without having a rant about a hypothetical modern political situation.
"You can fling bricks by the half hour in Englands most densely populated districts without hitting one girl willing to become Mrs. Fink Nottle without a general anaesthetic"
I was more drawn to the act Stephen Fry did. He had to show that he really has been taught how to graciously do the chores he did. I can imagine that that combination will have made it a tough shoot.
As a Dutch newt specialist I also feel compelled to state, in defense of my brethren, that the sexual exchange of even the most common newts really is a deeply vigorating sight. Perfect, I find, for restoring the spirit after treading the land heavily.
At U of Toronto, one of my fellow grad students worked with Prof Liversage who studied limb regen in newts. I always like visting the newt aquarium when she fed them. Very calming experience.
I don't know how many times I've watched this series - but it just doesn't stop being entertaining... It's also marvelous to find more and more of the little "absurdities" in this piece of literature: Jeeves is getting payed for playing with his "employer" like a puppet, while Tom Travers talks about "starving soon" while eating dinner from an absolute high-class chef and being served by a small army of servants and so on. There is so much more in this than only amusement!
When he gets on the bike I roar with laughter at the thought that this is really revenge for all the horseshoes on ties and monogrammed towelettes and "No, we're not going on vacation to where you want to go" and all the other infractions against rule of law in Jeeves' world. I just said as I watched this one; 'He really does enjoy putting these rich people out of their houses in the middle of the night." LOL so funny. God bless and rest your soul, P.G.
Aunt Dahlia's expression in her nightgown in the cold, when she crooked her finger at Bertie and said, "Oh Attila?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 If looks could kill 🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡😵💫😵💫😵💫
Oh, I felt so sorry for Bertie, when he stood there all wet and cold and everybody else was partying! Though he took it quite easy, I would be pretty hurt.
Considering that Bertie had created a colossal mess that alienated everyone -- but in the end, all was forgiven -- and considering that he escaped marriage to soppy Madeline Bassett, I think that he had good reason to take his fate quite easily -- or even to rejoice. He only had to become cold, wet and the object of everyone else's mockery in order to solve all of the problems that he'd created.
Freya Ivy He's been left enough money to live in central London, wear handmade suits, travel regularly and employ a valet for the rest of his life. I i was Bertie, i'd never feel hurt about anything.
I must add to everyone else's replies, Bertie was the best of his set. There's a reason Jeeves stuck by him even when his friends were frequently promising him double whatever Bertie paid him.
I was wondering how many takes it took. Can you imagine having to pick up all those sandwiches and re stack them on the plate, only to watch them being kicked out off to one side or the plate didn't smash or any number of outtakes. Take 24!
One cannot but take appraisal of the fact that for croquet Mr Wooster has adopted the Plus 6 trousers he surrendered to Jeeves for destruction in in Episode 2. Jeeves kindly at heart had obviously set them aside for a more appropriate occasion. Jeeves and Wooster one of the great love stories.
I believe he is actually wearing plus fours, which were much more de rigueur. Plus sixes (6 inches below the knee) never really became as popular as those 2 inches higher. Plus fours and plus twos are still worn in my rural neck of the woods by more traditional members of the shooting fraternity. Very natty!
@@auntfanny3266 I didn't even know *that there were* plus sixes. (Until now.) Plus fours are so famous that we've actually heard of them over here on the American side of the pond.
I love them all. Fry and Laurie are to Jeeves and Bertie what Basil Rathbone is to Sherlock Holmes. Yet, episode 1, series 1 will always be my favorite.
PLEASE READ THE BOOKS ! I was introduced to PG by my Father when I was 10- my wife tries to hide them when I am chuckling and trying not to burst into laughter while she sleeps. Also is amazed I re- read all the books and watch the J&W series constantly, often for just a few minutes when I need it. Cheers
It does lift spirits, definitely. It has been written excellently.
I had just bought a bunch of them, in English because I don't think the Swedish translation would do them justice. After getting them delivered, I found the audio books on UA-cam, read by Jonathan Cecil. It's brilliant, now I can watch, read, or listen to the fabulous adventures of Jeeves, Bertie, Barmy, and all the rest❤
@@bennylloyd-willner9667 i'm doing audiobooks of PG Wodehouse, do check them out on my channel, thx;)
As everyone has stated already, this is a perfect adaptation and casting. I love that Hugh can look perfectly gormless as Wooster and so ruthlessly brilliant as House. Such a great actor, comedian and musician. Frye’s Jeeves is perfection. His deadpan expressions with the hint of a pursing of the lips to indicate disapproval or a sideways twist of his lips in an effort to curb his sense of victory over Bertie’s current difficulty are epic.
It was often said Jeeves and Bertie would never transfer to live action, then comes along an already paired Fry and Laurie....perfect physically and both great actots
Great spellets too.
Of course Stephen Fry was also excellent as a psychiatrist in Bones
And yet the actor is a serious alcoholic! Makes you wonder just how unhappy a man with that much talent AND SUCCESS must really be. Proof positive that wealth, money AND success still can't make you happy. Only God can give us peace of mind.
@@HarryMarsee-fw9otgod made him an alcoholic
Bertie is an interesting character. He's educated, enlightened and charming and yet he's not very bright. He's worldly but sheltered. Ultimately he is a good man. He wants his friends and family to be happy, but he doesn't enjoying being relied upon by them. He wants to have a good time and anything that jeopardizes that is an inconvenience or an annoyance. And despite being a bit lazy when it comes to problems that threaten to dull his amusement with life, he is a man of action.
If humanity were full of Bertie Woosters, there'd be complete peace, love and harmony...
as PG Wodehouse himself described him: a "friend of all the world".
@@odetteswann7694 Agh my heart! Such great comments here.
Excellent ...@@odetteswann7694
Even more excellent @@craffte
So excellent a comment ...
May 19, 2024
Enjoying
Jeeves and Wooster
Such an amazing pair of actors. Fry and Laurie.
Hugh Laurie's Bertie is one of the best portrayals of a literary character to ever grace the screen.
Bertie Wooster has long been one of my favorite characters, and Laurie's total embodiment of him always brings a smile to my face.
Anatole has GIVEN NOTICEEEE! Seared into my brain, those words. God, I love this episode. My parents brought us up watching this and I am so grateful. What a series. What great books.
"Sent as an emissary, no doubt" "What's an emissary" "It's something that's sent" -- Those Latin lessons at Eton paid off.
lol :)
Bertie is always painted as a buffoon, but I think it immeasurably sweet how good he is to his friends, who always provide him with more trouble to get into.
Ella Larkin “....of negligible intellect but a heart of gold.”
Between dodging potential brides and angry fathers, he is a pillar of Anglo virtue. 😂
Indeed. I agree. He is maybe a bit naive, immature maybe (as all his friends at the Drone...he is not alone), but he is fundamentally a good person.
It should also be said that all the characters of Woodhouse's works (but Jeeves) are... peculiar? From the nephew-crusher, to Madeline, from Bobbie (with the mind of a time bomb), to the "fall-in-love-with-everyone" Bingo Little, to the newt lover, and so on...
His friends are just like Bertie except that they don't have Jeeves.
So, too, are the English peculiar. Dickens saw this, and peopled his works with memorable characters. Not so much caractatures, but strongly drawn portraits from real life.
I think Plum did much the same, with a musical-comedy twist, and incomparable verbal pyrotechnics. Who else could have written:
“The laurel bush, which had not hitherto spoken, said ‘psst!’”
“A startled piece of toast flew from my grasp.”
“When I heard the news, mine eye in a fine frenzy rolled. I looked at Aunt Dahlia, and saw hers was rolling too.”
That last gloss on Midsummer Night’s Dream is a favorite.
Never has there been a better adaptation of a book than this one. Left me so satisfied! This really does justice to Right Ho, Jeevs. I'm sure Wodehouse would be proud 😊
It's an excellent adaptation, but the one trick Clive Exton missed is having Hugh Laurie's voiceover narrating, because so much of the wit in the books comes from the narration in between the dialogue and the plot.
that's a fantastic suggestion @@odetteswann7694 . After all, its the incongruity betw Bertie's P.O.V. versus consensus reality thats the crux. I will remember your observation and use it myself when writing my own screen adaptations
" My only daughter, for whom i had dreamed of a wonderful golden future, is going to marry and inebriated newt-fancier." Man, the lines on this show can't be topped.
You should read the books
Love it
Ha ha ha! So true!
fyi - AN, not AND.
@@unspecifiedx2096 Obviously I really should. 😉 Will do. 📚
The lines are probably even better there. ☺️
I just came from the one where the vicar had strained his fetlock. 🤔
(What is he, a horse? 🐎)
(Or perhaps it may have *been* his horse which was actually meant.)
(One can always hope. 🤔)
"It says here that use soft water. But after boiling it may become hard. I mean that's ice"
And Jeeves expression at that point is pure gold
Hard to argue that point, LOL
Somehow I suppose he seems to have somewhat confused *frozen* water with *boiled* water. 🙄
To be *that* confused about the topic would, methinks, require *really* not knowing...how to boil water. 🙄
Then again. This is the person who's just had to look up in a housekeeping manual how to make tea. 🍵☕🍵
Jeeves looked as if he were about to speak, but he wasn't actually given the chance to do so. 🙊
(He might next time ask, "Sir, have I leave to speak?" or some such thing of that sort.)
Too cute. 🤗
"...you could fling bricks by the half-hour in England's most densely-populated districts without hitting one girl willing to become Mrs Fink-Nottle without a general anaesthetic."
Magnificent!
Just too wonderful...I have adored Wodehouse since I was 15 yrs old when I first found his books on the shelves of a house we (my family) were housesitting in West Africa in 1958. I started with 'Pigs Have Wings' - and never looked back! The joy Wodehouse has brought to me over all the ensuing years is beyond words. There is no-one, but NO-ONE, to touch him! These Laurie/Fry are by far the finest depictions of Jeeves and Wooster ever - they totally capture the sheer Wodehouse essence as has none ever before (though Carmichael and Price were pretty good I have to say). What more can I say? Just a joy to encounter such genius.
A tragedy the BBC wiped over those Carmichael & Price films. I think only one survives. Criminal. Thank God Fry and Laurie remedied the dire situation 30 years later. All but one of the nine J & W novels are represented in this series, it's astonishing what they've done. The missing novel is 'Aunts Aren't Gentlemen', written in 1974 the year before Plum died. Incredibly, most of the short stories from the first 3 books are also represented in this series. I hope one day it gets the recognition it deserves and more and more re-runs. We all need Wodehouse in our lives like we need chocolate.
Toni Hazle yes and as well as terrific scripts and flawless charecterisation there's complete attention to historical details. I've been binging for a while and have found no anomalies except for a couple of phrases. And that may be due to my ignorance.
All up it's a great series!
And many others indeed!
House sitting in West Africa back in '58? Bet you have stories of your own to tell.
Indeed
Ive not seen this series for so many years, what a delight, it's brilliant totally British and totally silly 😊
14:00 “Oh I’m so sorry sir. The structure of your tale deceived me for a moment into thinking that it was over”
Nobody but Fry could deliver the dry wit and respectability of Jeeves with such sumptuous richness, and nobody but Laurie could provide the well-bred upper-crust gormlessness of Bertie Wooster. The ghost of Wodehouse smiled upon seeing this
Julian Beldham Pray send him to Washington, at once, to disentangle the intrigues, or I shall retire to Bedlam, Beldham.
**gormlessness** 🤔
What a word. 😊
@@baskervillebee5353 brilliant. I was thinking vacuous, but that's a bit unkind. I love these shows!
There was one man. The late Edward Duke had a one-man stage show where he played all the parts. His Bertie was near-flawless. I wonder if any of the shows were filmed, be a shame to lose that performance.
@@HooDatDonDarNot quite what you mentioned, but similar: ua-cam.com/video/r02ulNEEtss/v-deo.html.
“... and guess what happened next?”
“I’m agog to learn, sir...”
Agog is a word which must be brought into the lives of those around me- their lives will be much improved!!
They will be all agog, you know.
That’s ok, you can tell them that’s what they are.
Indeed, sir.
agrog more correctly
‘I’m agog. I’m so agog, I’m hot!’
‘Well, stop sitting on the stove.’
Brenda Bruce as Aunt Dahlia is simply wonderful
Agreed
18:02 amusing to watch how Tuppy's micro-expression changes from angry, confused to friendly with only half of his face shown. A masterpiece acting and camera shot!
His face is a joy to watch!
I just love all the aunts. The casting is just Brilliant! Love Madeline Basset’s aunts.
Oh my goodness, read all of Woodhoyse'books, I never knew they'd made films of them. Brilliant stuff, the wits, the clothes, the manners, and no nakedness, no violence,no blood and gore, brilliant acting too. Woodhouse himself would have loved this.
exactly, good content without the blatant vulgarity! I love it.
The same with me. I am American, but my English teacher gave us assignments that included Jeeves and Wooster and the Flashman novels. I had never seen the video versions of Jeeves and Wooster until the last few years. I have found that I associate Hugh Laurie more with Dr House than Bertie Wooster. I am surprised that Hugh Laurie has not made more movies and television series. He is a great actor. Have you read or listened to the Flashman novels?
@@bocajrs7628 Since you are American you can be excused for not having a view of the wider world that extends beyond the shores of an insular existence, but Laurie's thespian accomplishments range far and wide.
For starters, may I recommend "A Bit of Fry and Laurie", with both "Wooster" protagonists. Both also appeared in the "Blackadder' series starring Rowan Atkinson. The last series " Goes Fourth" is prolly the best of the bunch.
Stretching his talents, Laurie starred in LeCarre's "The Nightmanager", an excellent entry in the spy thriller genre.
He is currently making the rounds pumping up interest in his version of the Christie adaptation "Why didn't they ask Evans?".
As you can see, he has a considerable body of work and is far from resting on his "House" laurels.
@@shelbynamels7948 Don't be rude. I am an American, well, a New Yorker, and I am well aware of Laurie's Thespian accomplishments and that they range far and wide.
@@addie_is_me Didn't think i was being rude. Condescending yes, but not rude.
Whoever uploaded these, I couldn't thank you enough. Fell in love with this show when I was 11 or 12 when my mother used to watch it . People nowadays, most people that is especially my age or younger, just don't appreciate this show or anything like it. Brought back some good memories for me from when I was younger. Iv seen this series 1000 times and could always watch it another 1000 times. Thank you much
Most people today are more stupid and lazy than ever before.
@@valeriemacfair2205 that's definitely an accurate assessment of most of the population nowadays
I totally agree. And have you seen the obscenity of the shows that are popular?
It is disgusting!
If I had a choice, I would want to be born in a time when these were still in style.
I wouldn’t be so quick to despair. There are plenty of young people with old souls who appreciate the value of old things. Myself included.
It's the same with the books. I can read and re read a particularly amusing passage at least four times before proceeding with the rest of the story.
The opening piece of business, reading Mrs Beeton in order to make a cup of tea, was inventive and very funny.
As someone with English as third language.... It is an amazing source of learning vocabulary for me.. I love this show
Yes, well, you will raise a few eyebrows if you start talking like Bertie or, worse still, Jeeves.
Do you say, Sir, that to utilize terminological exactitude in conjunction with linguistic clarity would be a *tracasserie* inviting the disapprobation of the hoi polloi? I fear this may be sadly near the truth.
Don't to Anatole do the listening!
I was so hurt by that last stunt they pulled on Bertie! He took it so well.
I only just discovered Jeeves and Bertie recently through audiobooks by accident. Love them. Can't believe how young Stephen Fry is in this TV show.
“Gussie is a splendid chap in many ways. If you’ve got a sick newt on your hands, Gussie is just the fellow to tell you what to do *until the doctor comes*”
The music , language and feel of a wonderful long gone age sadly missed!!
Definitely and that is really sad.
There are two perfect P.G. Wodehouse adaptations in my opinion: Wodehouse Playhouse, and this. Stephen Fry and and Hugh Laurie are a dream pair, and Bertie is practically a human puppy. It's so adorable how Jeeves can utterly (and cleverly) toss him under the bus, but for the price of a fried egg and 'half a bottle of something' everything is forgiven.
In the books especially, Jeeves often reminds me of Moliere's Scapin. Yes, he's a genius who helps the young master out of scrapes... he also refers to said master as "mentally negligible" to a prospective substitute valet (which, sure, in the privacy of the Junior Ganymede, but Jeeves, dash it, that's rather taking a liberty!)... Always burning or giving away Bertie's garments before Bertie has capitulated... the frankly caddish behavior having a dalliance with a cook *and* Bingo's waitress at the same time... There's a steely self-interest and scheming to Jeeves for all of the generally benevolent results (oh yes, and in "Jeeves and the Omelette," he encourages Aunt Dahlia to knock Bertie unconscious with a gong stick to add credibility to a story of a theft, and merely says after that one can't make an omelette without breaking eggs)...
The scene in THE MATING SEASOn when Bertie finds Jeeves is proficient with the cosh he took away from Young Thos, Bertie has every right to be worried that Jeeves might so forget himself in a discussion of gentleman's soft shirts as to lay a juicy one on a Wooster! (I do pretend RING FOR JEEVES/THE RETURN OF JEEVES is out of canon because, if one accepts that Jeeves once disguised himself in a loud check suit, false moustache, and eyepatch, he has absolutely forfeited all rights to object to Bertie's leisurewear, let alone make him shave his moustache.)
It is wonderful to see the comments taking me back to Pinewood where we filmed interiors but mostly on locations nearby.Peoplecarexalways susprised that Totleigh Towers which appears in most episodes as filmed at Highclere Castle now made infinitely more famous as the location for Downtown Abbey.Whlocation schedule was announced I never ceased to be thrilled arriving at the crack of Dawn and the castle emerging out of the mists as first we prepared for our full English breakfast .Then dressing the set and watching The words of Wodehouse emerge in the guise of Hugh and Steven .
Wow, you worked on the show? You all did a great job! The acting is great and the set and costume details have just that right touch of glamor for the era.
"She turned me down like a bedspread!!" Says Bertie.
The comments on Jeeves and Wooster episodes are the only comment sections on UA-cam worth reading. They are so full of positivity and good humour, they give one hope for the future of humanity.
Funny you should say this, Gail. Only a little while ago I thought: the people commenting on this series are 'my tribe'... I'd love to have you all around for dinner.. with Anatole doing the cuisine of course... wouldn't we a load of laughs???
Hee hee ....... and all the rest - of the same. (Fare thee well)
Just barely. There are a few of us with an education left. I no longer bother to respond to attacks on the English language 😂😂😂😂
I was happy at the lack of misspelling and horrible grammar. By the way, how to eat asparagus correctly? I’ve heard this in two different episodes as a complaint.
Always enjoyed the writings of Wodehouse. Like any fiction read, one conjures up an image of its' characters. Fry and Laurie epitomises these images so perfectly. The Jeeves and Wooster series are truly humorous and brilliant. Also, they stand the test of time.
Unbelievable ... how anyone could give this a thumbs down. Superb adaptation with superb actors.
"I didn't know that your master was back, Jeeves. Has he no mercy?" Best line of the series I reckon.
Absolutely love this. The first time I saw a pic of Wooster my brain began to say 'Who is that, he looks SO familiar?" Then sometime later that same day it me. OMG its HOUSE! Knew nothing of him except from UA-cam shorts of House. What an amazing talent; a muscian and singer as well. The Brits somehow manage to continue to produce great all-around talent. I have subscribed. Please continue to post these great old shows.❤
I love the opening music sooooooooo much!
@@Marybaklava Im not alone, then.
Hugh Laurie is to Wooster what Jeremy Brett was to Holmes. They don't act the character...they turn into the character.
Not to mention the perfection that is Fry’s Jeeves.
How perfectly have you articulated it!
Agree, and I wish to add, the adaptation stays true to the original text, in both Jeeves and Holmes. I applaud the creators.
@Patricia Palmer
And musician.
Agreed 1000%. And let's not forget David Suchet. He IS Poirot.
The timeless genius of Wodehouse.
I can't not adore Jeeves... just the way he seamlessly detangles every blunder without losing that perfect composure is fascinating.
+Rainbow Smith "Oh, I am so sorry sir ! The structure of your tale deceived me for a moment into thinking that, uh, it was over."
Especially the tale of the drunken parrot and the sea-shanty (and the Lord with the bitten thumb) hahaha
I just don't appreciate it being at the expense of Wooster. a bit against my moral compass, but ingenious none the less.
@@KrugerFS Well, Wooster is a 'near idiot', so it is only charitable for Jeeves to do so.
@@lokanoda Wooster may be, it still doesn't make it right to do it at his expense.
What a great series, its just the lighthearted escapism required for this cold wet December late afternoon, I'm 5 episodes into a Geeves and Wooster fest, 👍👊✌️🌍.
Brilliant. Hugh Laurie is really great. And this is a classic episode.
I begun to learn English with Wodehouse and Gerald Durell.
I began reading Gerald Durrell in 1969 or 70, (Birds Beasts and Relatives) when I was 7 or 8, and by the time I was 13 had collected and read his entire output. A few years later I read Lawrence Durrell's
Alexandrian Quartet, but always preferred Gerald's writing. I only discovered PG Wodehouse in my late 50s, (a couple years ago) and only because I was acquainted with Fry and Laurie from their work in Blackadder. Since then I've listened to all of the Wodehouse audiobooks I could find on UA-cam.
Bertie's little skip-step at 22:30 is delightful, classic Wooster.
Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry were born to play Jeeves and Wooster. When PG Woodhouse was thinking about characters to play these roles in his books, he must have dreamt of the two of them.
I'd agree. The same way Jeremey Brett was born to play Sherlock Holmes and David Suchet was born to play Poirot.
Edward Duke for me (Bertie). But all your choices are spot on.
Two actors perfectly cast.
More than two. Tuppy Glossop is perfectly cast, Aunt Agatha and Dahlia are both perfectly cast. Angela and Madeleine are perfectly cast.
Sephen fry as Jeeves, what a caracter! What a witty performance😉 I love this show
John le Mesurier would have been even better.
Brenda Bruce is glorious as Aunt Dahlia. Perfect.
I really have no idea how many times I have watched every episode of these. Just the signature tune cheers me up knowing that I am going to chuckle at the same old jokes. Again!!!!
This time I actually guffawed at 'Tinkitytonk'
Bertie Wooster is a good sport. His friends are rotters.
It's the code of the Woosters..
Aww his friends are like Bertie but not quite as clueless. Jeeves is the X factor in Bertie's, life.
Very true.
They should all go an boil their heads! With nobs on …
I love how humourous this is! A stark contrast to the thinking of that time that servants and staff were the inept ones and that the aristocracy were intelligent and forward thinking. Wodehouse really turned it on its head. 😂
Yes, I hear Plautus and Menander read all Wodehouse’s books and took great inspiration from them. Ancient Roman comedies owe much to ingeniously inventive giants of literary jocularity of the 20th century.
I had never seen this before. Couldn't imagine anyone playing Jeeves as he was in my mind's eye. Fry is spot on. Amazing.
And the writing. Ha! "I've gotten quite used to looking after myself." Jeeves: "It's surprising how . . . much one can assimilate in a day."
+Karthigai Dipam Brit-wit! I didn't hear that one before! Very good. Best kind of wit, isn't it? :)
Truly brilliant acting and script.The reason and proof British comedy is the best.
Some of Clive Exton's lines are as funny as the master's!
What funny nicknames Bertie's friends have...Bingo, Tuppy, Barmy, Catsmeat...ect 😊
They are school boy nicknames
I want to meet his friend etc, haven't seen him yet
Yes, and actually: Don 't forget "Stinker" !
I had the box set of this program and actually wore out the DVDs cus I watched them so many times I love the props and sets it must b a real manor house .
Not since the 1923 Finals of the 'Kicking of the Plate of small crustless Sandwiches' competition have I seen such a fabulous...Kicking of the Plate of small crustless Sandwiches! Bravo Tuppi!
Cucumber, if I'm not much mistaken.
Tuppy in the books
*tuppy
The Scots excel at this sport ...
Just the perfect pair of actors.....hilarious Wodehouse - a a great poster! Much appreciated. Thumbs up and cheers
one of the best tv themes as well, back in the days when you could have a nice slow-closing theme of 1 minute 10 seconds
Is it possible to love this more than I do? Simply sublime...
+acechadwick Only with PGW do I still bust out laughing in public, even on the 50th reading. Then add to that Fry and Laurie........dreams pale in comparison.
+EccentricaGallumbits I cannot believe it's almost 25 years ago! If there was a remake who could possibly play the parts now? Tom Hiddleston or Benedict Cumberbatch as as Jeeves? Cannot think of a Wooster!
acechadwick eddie redmayne?
CobinRain I saw an actor called Tom Bennett in a movie called 'Love and Friendship'. He would be perfect as Bertie! He's in the trailer and you will see what I mean. Eddie Redmayne is a little too clever I think.
acechadwick Hi Ace! Yes, I went to look and I think you're probably right about Tom Bennett...it was easy to see who you meant just from the trailer of the film you mentioned. Yes..he could be good.
HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SERIES UNTIL TODAY! A PRESENT FROM THE UNIVERSE FOR ME FOR X-MAS. YAY
Dr. House looks so young! Love this show. He captures Bertie perfectly
Of course ! I remember reading about Gussie's speech and laughing my guts out as a schoolboy. Add to that the brilliant period touches like cucumber sandwiches. It is comfort viewing like comfort food.
My friend and I both love Jeeves and Wooster, and often quote the funny phrases to each other
Those long winter evenings must fly-by together. Or, is that before you bugger one another. Either way, you are a bender.
@@GoteeDevotee a bender, sir?
@@beth9603 Pay no mind. Just an internet troll, attacking anonymously.
6:44 loved the line:
"This just about takes the giddy biscuit"
and 32:00 :D "you could fling bricks by the half-hour in England's most densely populated district ..."
sdrtcacgnrjrc I know, best line ever.
It's a guinea bisquet!! Actually!!
@@wardmccreery4692 giddy*
Guinea makes no sense
Love that Wooster is reading the Bible: Mrs. Beeton's Household Management which in the 1930s was a sixty year old cookbook.
Charles Lemos Well, some people still read it, I believe! I don't think we have one in our house, but my mum still occasionally uses a book from the 1930's called "Radiation Cooking" - all about how to best use that brand-new high tech gadget, the electric oven.
@michael carroll Who do they have "reading from a Muslim Book"?
@michael carroll Full marks for the most irrelevant comment. You couldn't just enjoy the nostalgia of a classic English novel without having a rant about a hypothetical modern political situation.
"You can fling bricks by the half hour in Englands most densely populated districts without hitting one girl willing to become Mrs. Fink Nottle without a general anaesthetic"
Wot an observation and wordage!
It must be thrill of a ride to read Wodehouse!
The continuous shot from 13:03 - 14:33 further affirms Hugh Laurie's immense acting talent.
I went back to watch and realized it was foreshadowing the finale.
@@gbeachy2010 And what an omelette Jeeves made! ☺️
I'm not sure that they are acting - I imagine that they behaved like this at college
I was more drawn to the act Stephen Fry did. He had to show that he really has been taught how to graciously do the chores he did. I can imagine that that combination will have made it a tough shoot.
He eats asparagus erotically.
Hugh Laurie and Steven Fry breath life into Jeeves and Wooster unlike any one else ever could!!
"No wonder they say "O woman, woman!"
"Who do?"
"Well, chaps mostly."
"Turned you down?" . . . "Like a bedspread!"
Loved that. Possibly my favorite line.
Amazing line, which is now filed in my brains rolodex for, hopefully, future use.
Bertie consulting Mrs. Beeton's to make a cup of tea 😆
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤭
Please keep uploading such TV Shows. Do not stop. Thank you very much.
Loved Fink-Nottle's contempt for 'Scripture Knowledge', 😂
As a Dutch newt specialist I also feel compelled to state, in defense of my brethren, that the sexual exchange of even the most common newts really is a deeply vigorating sight. Perfect, I find, for restoring the spirit after treading the land heavily.
At U of Toronto, one of my fellow grad students worked with Prof Liversage who studied limb regen in newts. I always like visting the newt aquarium when she fed them. Very calming experience.
Do they really do that little dance that Gussie was showing in the previous episode?
Blasted newt lover.
This episode was absolutely hilarious ... the best so far
I didn't know this show existed, now I'm hooked
Anyone rewatching it in 2023? To boost up the mood?
If you can believe it, I just discovered these and am watching them all for the first time. It’s heaven.
in 2024 even...
2024 may
@@MadonnaGrogan Watching it again and again because I just love it, but also to be in such good company.
For me, it’s re watch some if not all every year. PGW’s writing is wonderful and Fry and Laurie deliver the best Jeeves & Wooster.
Priceless entertaining humour of the highest order. This series was undoubtedly one of the best in comic TV of the period.
I don't know how many times I've watched this series - but it just doesn't stop being entertaining...
It's also marvelous to find more and more of the little "absurdities" in this piece of literature:
Jeeves is getting payed for playing with his "employer" like a puppet, while Tom Travers talks about "starving soon" while eating dinner from an absolute high-class chef and being served by a small army of servants and so on.
There is so much more in this than only amusement!
When he gets on the bike I roar with laughter at the thought that this is really revenge for all the horseshoes on ties and monogrammed towelettes and "No, we're not going on vacation to where you want to go" and all the other infractions against rule of law in Jeeves' world.
I just said as I watched this one; 'He really does enjoy putting these rich people out of their houses in the middle of the night."
LOL so funny. God bless and rest your soul, P.G.
'Tea, how to make' Mrs Beeton's Guide to Household Management' Bertie has taken important steps to independence.
I was genuinely surprised by his attempts.
This is the episode I used to always watch when I was sick! The Gussie prize-giving scene always cheered me up :)
My Father had me borrowing these books from the library from when I was a teenager.
I love these so much. My dad used to watch them when i was young :)
16:45
"Eavesdropping, some people might call it, a bit un-English, you must admit..."
"I'm Scots!"
Wodehouse doesn't miss a beat.
Love it
Yes, back and forth hopscotch made that Scots hop back and forth.
Aunt Dahlia's expression in her nightgown in the cold, when she crooked her finger at Bertie and said, "Oh Attila?"
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 If looks could kill 🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡🗡😵💫😵💫😵💫
Love Jeeves and Wooster!!
Love Hugh and Stephen together!
One of my all time favs, thank you for sharing.
If I may interject, sir, I wish to convey my indebtedness to you for your considerate upload of this most diverting programme.
When Bertie puts the kettle on the stove and flicked the switch, there’s something extremely satisfying about the big orange light that came on.
They just get better and better.
Oh I'm so sorry Sir, the structure of your tale deceived me for a moment into thinking that er it was over.
Oh, I felt so sorry for Bertie, when he stood there all wet and cold and everybody else was partying! Though he took it quite easy, I would be pretty hurt.
Considering that Bertie had created a colossal mess that alienated everyone -- but in the end, all was forgiven -- and considering that he escaped marriage to soppy Madeline Bassett, I think that he had good reason to take his fate quite easily -- or even to rejoice. He only had to become cold, wet and the object of everyone else's mockery in order to solve all of the problems that he'd created.
Freya Ivy
He's been left enough money to live in central London, wear handmade suits, travel regularly and employ a valet for the rest of his life.
I i was Bertie, i'd never feel hurt about anything.
+Freya Ivy Oh yes quite sorry but not for long, thanks to hot bath,dry cloth ,an omelette and half-bottle - all provided by Jeeves...
I must add to everyone else's replies, Bertie was the best of his set. There's a reason Jeeves stuck by him even when his friends were frequently promising him double whatever Bertie paid him.
Agree with you Freya Ivy. I should have begun screaming at them all I fear.
Precious... just charming and precious! Thank you for posting!🎉😂
I find myself mesmerised by Jeeves, constantly tidying up and putting things away after Wooster. Fry plays him perfectly.
Is there an episode 6?
Like a wife! Drives me nuts the way he leaves things, even his boxers on the floor. Not trained properly by his Welsh bitch of a mother hahaha!
@@Saucyakld Which episode presents his mother?
Bit late on the reply, but there are 5 episodes in series 1, subsequent series contain 6 episodes each.
Thanks much for that, I was wondering the same thing myself.
@@SBCBears we never see Bertie's parents in the series, i think that commenter is drawing on their own experiences...
P G Wodehouse - his humour is without equal. ,
What a good kick by Mr Glossop! It is not that easy to kick a plate off the pavement like that.
I wonder how much practice it took, he needed to send it flying, and not quite hit Angela. SKILL!
william badovinac Too right, you are, sir.
JackP I am not in the industry. but even I can well imagine. Sir, are you in the filming industry? Or advertising?
I was wondering how many takes it took. Can you imagine having to pick up all those sandwiches and re stack them on the plate, only to watch them being kicked out off to one side or the plate didn't smash or any number of outtakes.
Take 24!
+Mysterious Squirrel cinema magic
One cannot but take appraisal of the fact that for croquet Mr Wooster has adopted the Plus 6 trousers he surrendered to Jeeves for destruction in in Episode 2. Jeeves kindly at heart had obviously set them aside for a more appropriate occasion. Jeeves and Wooster one of the great love stories.
I believe he is actually wearing plus fours, which were much more de rigueur. Plus sixes (6 inches below the knee) never really became as popular as those 2 inches higher. Plus fours and plus twos are still worn in my rural neck of the woods by more traditional members of the shooting fraternity. Very natty!
@@auntfanny3266 I didn't even know *that there were* plus sixes. (Until now.)
Plus fours are so famous that we've actually heard of them over here on the American side of the pond.
I love them all. Fry and Laurie are to Jeeves and Bertie what Basil Rathbone is to Sherlock Holmes. Yet, episode 1, series 1 will always be my favorite.
Steven Hartman swap basil rathebone with Jeremy Brett and your spot on
I think he means it more in the sense that they defined the general image of these characters as Rathbone did to Holmes.
OOOOOH Bertie!! Quintessentially exquisite. Oh how I love being English.