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{{Short description|British comedy-drama television series (1990–1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| name = Jeeves and Wooster
| image = Jeeves and Wooster title card.jpg
| runtime = 50 minutes<ref name="bfiscreen">{{Screenonline TV title|1060579}}</ref>
| image = Jeeves and Wooster title card.jpg
| caption = The title card of ''Jeeves and Wooster''
| based_on = {{Based on|[[Jeeves]] stories|[[P. G. Wodehouse]]}}
| audio_format = [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]
| screenplay = [[Clive Exton]]
| picture_format = [[576i]] ([[SDTV]])
| producer = [[Brian Eastman]]
| executive_producer = [[Sally Head]]
| runtime = 50 minutes<ref name="bfiscreen">{{Screenonline TV title|1060579}}</ref>
| company = [[Carnival Films|Picture Partnership<br />Productions]]<ref name="bfiscreen"/><br>[[ITV Granada|Granada Television]]<ref name="bfiscreen"/>
| based_on = {{Based on|[[Jeeves]] stories|[[P. G. Wodehouse]]}}
| screenplay = [[Clive Exton]]
| starring = [[Hugh Laurie]]<br />[[Stephen Fry]]
| producer = [[Brian Eastman]]
| composer = [[Anne Dudley]]
| country = United Kingdom
| executive_producer = [[Sally Head]]
| language = English
| company = [[Carnival Films|Picture Partnership<br/>Productions]]<ref name="bfiscreen"/><br>[[ITV Granada|Granada Television]]<ref name="bfiscreen"/>
| starring = [[Hugh Laurie]]<br />[[Stephen Fry]]
| network = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1990|4|22|df=y}}<ref name="bfiscreen"/>
| composer = [[Anne Dudley]]
| last_aired = {{End date|1993|6|20|df=y}}<ref name="bfiscreen"/>
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| num_series = 4
| network = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| num_episodes = 23
| list_episodes = List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes
| first_aired = {{Start date|1990|4|22|df=y}}<ref name="bfiscreen"/>
| last_aired = {{End date|1993|6|20|df=y}}<ref name="bfiscreen"/>
| num_series = 4
| num_episodes = 23
| list_episodes = List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes
}}
}}


[[File:HughLaurie-BertieWooster.jpg|thumb|right|[[Stephen Fry]] (left) as Jeeves and [[Hugh Laurie]] as Bertie Wooster.]]
[[File:HughLaurie-BertieWooster.jpg|thumb|right|[[Stephen Fry]] (left) as [[Jeeves]] and [[Hugh Laurie]] as [[Bertie Wooster]]]]


'''''Jeeves and Wooster''''' is a British [[comedy-drama]] television series adapted by [[Clive Exton]] from [[P. G. Wodehouse]]'s [[Jeeves#Jeeves canon|"Jeeves" stories]]. The series was a collaboration between [[Brian Eastman]] of [[Carnival Films|Picture Partnership Productions]] and [[ITV Granada|Granada Television]].
'''''Jeeves and Wooster''''' is a British [[comedy-drama]] television series adapted by [[Clive Exton]] from [[P. G. Wodehouse]]'s [[Jeeves#Jeeves canon|"Jeeves" stories]]. It aired on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network from 22 April 1990 to 20 June 1993, with the last series nominated for a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series]]. Set in the UK and the US in an unspecified period between the late 1920s and the 1930s, the series starred [[Hugh Laurie]] as [[Bertie Wooster]], an affable young gentleman and member of the idle rich, and [[Stephen Fry]] as [[Jeeves]], his highly intelligent and competent [[valet]]. Bertie and his friends, who are mainly members of the [[Drones Club]], are extricated from all manner of societal misadventures by the indispensable Jeeves.


When [[Fry and Laurie]] began the series, they were already a popular comedic [[double act]] for their regular appearances on [[Channel 4|Channel 4's]] ''[[Saturday Live (British TV programme)|Saturday Live]]'' and their own show ''[[A Bit of Fry & Laurie]]'' (BBC, 1987–95).<ref name="bfiscreen"/>
It aired on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] network from 22 April 1990 to 20 June 1993, with the last series nominated for a [[British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series]]. Set in the United Kingdom and the United States in an unspecified period between the late 1920s and the 1930s, the series starred [[Hugh Laurie]] as [[Bertie Wooster]], an affable young gentleman and member of the idle rich, and [[Stephen Fry]] as [[Jeeves]], his highly intelligent and competent [[valet]]. Bertie and his friends, who are mainly members of the [[Drones Club]], are extricated from all manner of societal misadventures by the indispensable Jeeves.


In the television documentary ''Fry and Laurie Reunited'' (2010), the actors, reminiscing about their involvement in the series, revealed that they were initially reluctant to play the parts of Jeeves and Wooster, but eventually decided to do so because the series was going to be made with or without them, and they felt no one else would do the parts justice.<ref>Laurie also addressed that issue in an article he wrote about Wodehouse's impact on his life {{cite web|title=Hugh Laurie: Wodehouse Saved my Life | access-date=7 February 2018| url= http://www.pgwodehousebooks.com/lauriesaved.htm|work=The Daily Telegraph| date=25 May 1999}}</ref>
When [[Fry and Laurie]] began the series, they were already a popular [[double act]] due to regular appearances on [[Channel 4|Channel 4's]] ''[[Saturday Live (British TV programme)|Saturday Live]]'' and their own show ''[[A Bit of Fry & Laurie]]'' (BBC, 1987–95).<ref name="bfiscreen"/>


The series was a collaboration between [[Brian Eastman]] of [[Carnival Films|Picture Partnership Productions]] and [[ITV Granada|Granada Television]].
In the television documentary ''Fry and Laurie Reunited'' (2010), the actors, reminiscing about their involvement in the series, revealed that they were initially reluctant to play the parts of Jeeves and Wooster, but eventually decided to do so because the series was going to be made with or without them and they felt no one else would do the parts justice.<ref>Laurie also addressed that issue in an article he wrote about Wodehouse's impact on his life {{cite web|title=Hugh Laurie: Wodehouse Saved my Life | accessdate=7 February 2018|url=http://www.pgwodehousebooks.com/lauriesaved.htm|work=The Daily Telegraph| date=25 May 1999}}</ref>


== Theme and opening credits ==
== Theme and opening credits ==
The theme (called "Jeeves and Wooster") is an original piece of music in the [[jazz]]/[[swing music|swing]] style written by composer [[Anne Dudley]] for the programme.<ref name=dudley>{{cite web|access-date=3 December 2009|url=http://www.annedudley.co.uk/Default.aspx?page=29&node=42|publisher=annedudley.co.uk|title=The World of Jeeves & Wooster – Original Soundtrack|archive-date=1 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301100632/http://www.annedudley.co.uk/Default.aspx?page=29&node=42|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dudley uses variations of the theme as a basis for all of the episodes' scores and was nominated for a [[British Academy Television Awards|British Academy Television Award]] for her work on the third series.<ref name="imdbaward">[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098833/awards Awards for ''Jeeves and Wooster'' (1990)] from [[Internet Movie Database]]</ref>

The theme (called "Jeeves and Wooster") is an original piece of music in the [[jazz]]/[[swing music|swing]] style written by composer [[Anne Dudley]] for the programme.<ref name=dudley>{{cite web|accessdate=3 December 2009|url=http://www.annedudley.co.uk/Default.aspx?page=29&node=42 |publisher=annedudley.co.uk |title=The World of Jeeves & Wooster – Original Soundtrack}}</ref> Dudley uses variations of the theme as a basis for all of the episodes' scores and was nominated for a [[British Academy Television Awards|British Academy Television Award]] for her work on the third series.<ref name="imdbaward">[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098833/awards Awards for ''Jeeves and Wooster'' (1990)] from [[Internet Movie Database]]</ref>


== Characters ==
== Characters ==
{{Main|List of Jeeves and Wooster characters}}
{{Main|List of Jeeves and Wooster characters}}


Many of the programme's supporting roles – including significant characters such as [[Aunt Agatha]], [[Madeline Bassett]] and [[Gussie Fink-Nottle]] – were played by more than one actor. One prominent character, [[Aunt Dahlia]], was played by a different actress in each of the four series. Francesca Folan played two very different characters: Madeline Bassett in series one and Lady [[Florence Craye]] in series four. The character of Stiffy Byng was played by [[Charlotte Attenborough]] in series two and by Amanda Harris in series three and then by Attenborough again in series four. Richard Braine, who took over the role of Gussie Fink-Nottle in series three and four, also appeared as the conniving Rupert Steggles in series one.
Many of the programme's supporting roles – including significant characters such as [[Aunt Agatha]], [[Madeline Bassett]] and [[Gussie Fink-Nottle]] – were played by more than one actor. One prominent character, [[Aunt Dahlia]], was played by a different actress in each of the four series. Francesca Folan played two very different characters: Madeline Bassett in series one and Lady [[Florence Craye]] in series four. The character of [[List of Jeeves characters#Stiffy Byng|Stiffy Byng]] was played by [[Charlotte Attenborough]] in series two and by Amanda Harris in series three and then by Attenborough again in series four. Richard Braine, who took over the role of Gussie Fink-Nottle in series three and four, also appeared as the conniving Rupert Steggles in series one. Aside from Fry and Laurie, the only actors to appear as the same character in all four series are [[John Woodnutt]] as Sir Watkyn Bassett and [[Robert Daws]] as Tuppy Glossop.


== Episodes ==
== Episodes ==
{{Main|List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes}}
{{Main|List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes}}
{{:List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes}}

Four series were produced, with 23 episodes in total; each series but the first consisted of six episodes, with all being broadcast each spring from 1990–93. The five episodes of the first series were directed by [[Robert Young (director)|Robert Young]] and first aired in April and May 1990. The second series, directed by [[Simon Langton (television director)|Simon Langton]], aired in April and May 1991. The third series, directed by Ferdinand Fairfax, aired from March to May 1992. Fairfax also directed the six episodes of the fourth and final series, which initially aired in May and June 1993. The producer was [[Brian Eastman]] and the executive producer was [[Sally Head]].<ref>Taves (2006), pp. 189–198.</ref>


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
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In retrospect, Michael Brooke of [[BFI Screenonline]] called screenwriter [[Clive Exton]] "the series' real star", saying his "[[Literary adaptation|adaptations]] come surprisingly close to capturing the flavour of the originals" by "retaining many of Wodehouse's most inspired literary similes."<ref name="bfiscreen"/>
In retrospect, Michael Brooke of [[BFI Screenonline]] called screenwriter [[Clive Exton]] "the series' real star", saying his "[[Literary adaptation|adaptations]] come surprisingly close to capturing the flavour of the originals" by "retaining many of Wodehouse's most inspired literary similes."<ref name="bfiscreen"/>

Christopher Lee analyzed the costumes of both Jeeves and Wooster for the ''Gentleman's Gazette'', and concludes that "Wooster represents the [[dandy]], willing to experiment with style and change. Jeeves is the voice of tradition and conservative style."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Christopher |title=Jeeves & Wooster Analyzed - The Suits & Clothes Of Jeeves |url=https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/jeeves-wooster-style-clothes-profile/ |publisher=Gentleman's Gazette |access-date=1 January 2024 |date=30 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Christopher |title=The Style & Clothes Of Bertie Wooster - Jeeves & Wooster |url=https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/the-style-bertie-wooster/ |publisher=Gentleman's Gazette |access-date=1 January 2024 |date=16 August 2017}}</ref>


== Home releases ==
== Home releases ==
[[Granada Television|Granada Media]] released all four series on DVD in Region 2 between 2000 and 2002. On 1 September 2008, ITV Studios Home Entertainment released ''Jeeves and Wooster: The Complete Collection'', an eight-disc box set featuring all 23 episodes of the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001CWLFAO |title=''Jeeves and Wooster'' – Complete Collection <nowiki>[DVD]</nowiki>: Amazon.co.uk: Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Robert Daws, Richard Dixon, Mary Wimbush, John Turner, John Woodnutt, Michael Ripper, Francesca Folan, Elizabeth Heery, Richard Braine, Richard Garnett: Film & TV |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |accessdate=31 December 2014}}</ref>
[[Granada Television|Granada Media]] released all four series on DVD in Region 2 between 2000 and 2002. On 1 September 2008, ITV Studios Home Entertainment released ''Jeeves and Wooster: The Complete Collection'', an eight-disc box set featuring all 23 episodes of the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001CWLFAO |title=''Jeeves and Wooster'' – Complete Collection <nowiki>[DVD]</nowiki>: Amazon.co.uk: Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Robert Daws, Richard Dixon, Mary Wimbush, John Turner, John Woodnutt, Michael Ripper, Francesca Folan, Elizabeth Heery, Richard Braine, Richard Garnett: Film & TV |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref>


In Region 1, [[A&E Television Networks|A&E Home Entertainment]], under licence from [[Granada Media|Granada Media Entertainment]], released the complete 23-episode collection on DVD in the US and Canada.
In Region 1, [[A&E Television Networks|A&E Home Entertainment]], under licence from [[Granada Media|Granada Media Entertainment]], released the complete 23-episode collection on DVD in the US and Canada.
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!colspan="2" rowspan="2"|DVD title
! rowspan="2" |DVD title
!rowspan="2"|Discs
!rowspan="2"|Discs
!rowspan="2" width="50"|Year
!rowspan="2" width="50"|Episode count
!rowspan="2" width="50"|Episode count
!colspan="3"|Release dates
!colspan="3"|Release dates
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!width="150"|[[DVD region code#4|Region 4]]
!width="150"|[[DVD region code#4|Region 4]]
|-
|-
| style="background:lightblue;"|
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes#Series 1|Complete Series 1]]''
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes#Series 1|Complete Series 1]]''
| 2
| 2
| [[1990 in British television|1990]]
| 5
| 5
| 27 March 2001
| 27 March 2001
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| {{nobr|5 September 2007}}
| {{nobr|5 September 2007}}
|-
|-
| style="background:#c33;"|
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes#Series 2|Complete Series 2]]''
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes#Series 2|Complete Series 2]]''
| 2
| 2
| [[1991 in British television|1991]]
| 6
| 6
| 27 March 2001
| 27 March 2001
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| 2 December 2007
| 2 December 2007
|-
|-
| style="background:lightgreen;"|
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes#Series 3|Complete Series 3]]''
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes#Series 3|Complete Series 3]]''
| 2
| 2
| [[1992 in British television|1992]]
| 6
| 6
| 2 January 2002
| 2 January 2002
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| 31 January 2008
| 31 January 2008
|-
|-
| style="background:#d99058;"|
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes#Series 4|Complete Series 4]]''
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes#Series 4|Complete Series 4]]''
| 2
| 2
| [[1993 in British television|1993]]
| 6
| 6
| 26 March 2002
| 26 March 2002
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| 5 May 2008
| 5 May 2008
|-
|-
| style="background:blue;"|
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes|Complete&nbsp;Collection]]''
| ''[[List of Jeeves and Wooster episodes|Complete&nbsp;Collection]]''
| 8
| 8
| [[1990 in British television|1990]]–[[1993 in British television|1993]]
| 23
| 23
| {{nobr|26 November 2002}}
| {{nobr|26 November 2002}}
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| 4 August 2008
| 4 August 2008
|}
|}

== Locations ==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2015}}
* Interior shots of Skeldings Hall (Bobbie Wickham's house) were filmed at [[Home House]], a historic house in [[London]].
* [[Totleigh Towers]] was filmed at [[Highclere Castle]], [[Hampshire]].
*Totleigh-in-the-Wold scenes were filmed in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire; particularly around the duck pond and church.
* Other location shots of "Trouble at Totleigh Towers" were filmed at West End, [[Waltham St Lawrence]], [[Berkshire]].
* Exterior shots of [[Brinkley Court]] were filmed at [[Barnsley Park]], [[Gloucestershire]] in series 1 and [[Beaconsfield|Hall Barn]], [[Buckinghamshire]] in series 4.
* All interior shots of [[Brinkley Court]] were filmed at [[Wrotham Park, Barnet|Wrotham Park]], [[Hertfordshire]].
* Interior and exterior shots of Chuffnell Hall, in series 2, were also filmed at [[Wrotham Park, Hertfordshire|Wrotham Park]].
* Shots of Chuffnell Regis, [[Devon]] were filmed in [[Clovelly]], Devon and High Street, [[Long Crendon]], Buckinghamshire
* Scenes from "Bertie Sets Sail" were filmed in [[Halton House]], Buckinghamshire
* Chuffnell Regis Station shots were filmed at [[Horsted Keynes railway station|Horsted Keynes station]] – [[Bluebell Railway]], [[Sussex]].
* Ditteridge Hall ("Jeeves Takes Charge") was filmed at [[Englefield House]], Berkshire.
* Twing Hall ("The Purity of the Turf") was filmed at [[Stanway House]], Gloucestershire.
* The "Victoria Hotel" and the "Hotel Riviera" in Westcombe-on-Sea ("Pearls Mean Tears") were filmed in [[Sidmouth]], Devon.
* Some of the exterior shots in the gardens of the estate in "Jeeves in the Country" are filmed at [[Polesden Lacey]], [[Surrey]].
* Barmy's Aunt's House ("Kidnapped!") was filmed at [[Clandon Park]], Surrey.
* [[Deverill Hall]] ("Right Ho, Jeeves") was filmed at [[Joyce Grove]], [[Oxfordshire]].
* Fothergill Hall ("Comrade Bingo") was filmed at [[Dorney Court]], Buckinghamshire.
* [[Lord Worplesdon|Lord Worplesdon's]] [[New York City]] residence ("The Once and Future Ex") was filmed at [[Gaddesden Place]], Hertfordshire.
* Exterior shots of Stuyvesant Towers, Bertie Wooster's residence in [[New York City]] in series 3 and 4, were filmed at [[Senate House (University of London)|Senate House]] in [[Bloomsbury]], the central library and administration building for the [[University of London]].
* Exterior shots of Berkeley Mansions, Bertie Wooster's residence in London, were filmed at 2 Mansfield Street, [[Marylebone]].
{{gallery|File:20-21 Portman Square.jpg|Home House|File:Highclere Castle July 2012 (2).jpg|Highclere Castle|File:Wrotham Park.jpg|Wrotham Park|File:Main Street, Clovelly, Devon - geograph.org.uk - 29615.jpg|Clovelly|File:Haltonhouse-northface.jpg|Halton House|File:StanwayHouse(PhilipHalling)Jun2006.jpg|Stanway House|File:Sidmouth, Hotel Riviera - geograph.org.uk - 991730.jpg|Hotel Riviera, Sidmouth|File:Clandon House.jpg|Clandon House|File:Bluebell Railway - Horsted Keynes station (4).jpg|Horsted Keynes Station}}


== References ==
== References ==
;Notes
;Notes
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}
;Sources
;Sources
* {{cite book |last=Taves |first=Brian |title=P. G. Wodehouse and Hollywood: Screenwriting, Satires and Adaptations |publisher=McFarland & Company |date=2006 |isbn=978-0786422883}}
* {{cite book |last=Taves |first=Brian |title=P. G. Wodehouse and Hollywood: Screenwriting, Satires and Adaptations |publisher=McFarland & Company |date=2006 |isbn=978-0786422883}}
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* {{IMDb title|id=0098833|title=Jeeves and Wooster}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0098833|title=Jeeves and Wooster}}
* {{Screenonline TV title|1060579}}
* {{Screenonline TV title|1060579}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|sitcom|jeeves_wooster}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|tv|jeeves_and_wooster}}
* [http://wodehouse.ru/jaweng.htm The Russian Wodehouse Society]—Episode guides, screenshots and quotes from the four series.
* [http://wodehouse.ru/jaweng.htm The Russian Wodehouse Society]—Episode guides, screenshots and quotes from the four series.


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jeeves and Wooster}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jeeves and Wooster}}
[[Category:British comedy-drama television shows]]
[[Category:British comedy-drama television shows]]
[[Category:Jeeves and Wooster (episodes)| ]]
[[Category:1990s British comedy-drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s British comedy-drama television series]]
[[Category:1990 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990 British television series debuts]]
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[[Category:Television shows based on works by P. G. Wodehouse]]
[[Category:Television shows based on works by P. G. Wodehouse]]
[[Category:ITV comedy]]
[[Category:ITV comedy]]
[[Category:Television series set in the 1920s]]
[[Category:Television series set in the 1930s]]
[[Category:Television series set in the 1930s]]
[[Category:Television series produced at Pinewood Studios]]
[[Category:Television series produced at Pinewood Studios]]
[[Category:Television series by ITV Studios]]
[[Category:Television series by ITV Studios]]
[[Category:Television shows produced by Granada Television]]
[[Category:Television shows produced by Granada Television]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]

Latest revision as of 12:14, 13 March 2024

Jeeves and Wooster
Based onJeeves stories
by P. G. Wodehouse
Screenplay byClive Exton
StarringHugh Laurie
Stephen Fry
ComposerAnne Dudley
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series4
No. of episodes23 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerSally Head
ProducerBrian Eastman
Running time50 minutes[1]
Production companiesPicture Partnership
Productions
[1]
Granada Television[1]
Original release
NetworkITV
Release22 April 1990 (1990-04-22)[1] –
20 June 1993 (1993-06-20)[1]
Stephen Fry (left) as Jeeves and Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster

Jeeves and Wooster is a British comedy-drama television series adapted by Clive Exton from P. G. Wodehouse's "Jeeves" stories. It aired on the ITV network from 22 April 1990 to 20 June 1993, with the last series nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series. Set in the UK and the US in an unspecified period between the late 1920s and the 1930s, the series starred Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster, an affable young gentleman and member of the idle rich, and Stephen Fry as Jeeves, his highly intelligent and competent valet. Bertie and his friends, who are mainly members of the Drones Club, are extricated from all manner of societal misadventures by the indispensable Jeeves.

When Fry and Laurie began the series, they were already a popular comedic double act for their regular appearances on Channel 4's Saturday Live and their own show A Bit of Fry & Laurie (BBC, 1987–95).[1]

In the television documentary Fry and Laurie Reunited (2010), the actors, reminiscing about their involvement in the series, revealed that they were initially reluctant to play the parts of Jeeves and Wooster, but eventually decided to do so because the series was going to be made with or without them, and they felt no one else would do the parts justice.[2]

The series was a collaboration between Brian Eastman of Picture Partnership Productions and Granada Television.

Theme and opening credits

[edit]

The theme (called "Jeeves and Wooster") is an original piece of music in the jazz/swing style written by composer Anne Dudley for the programme.[3] Dudley uses variations of the theme as a basis for all of the episodes' scores and was nominated for a British Academy Television Award for her work on the third series.[4]

Characters

[edit]

Many of the programme's supporting roles – including significant characters such as Aunt Agatha, Madeline Bassett and Gussie Fink-Nottle – were played by more than one actor. One prominent character, Aunt Dahlia, was played by a different actress in each of the four series. Francesca Folan played two very different characters: Madeline Bassett in series one and Lady Florence Craye in series four. The character of Stiffy Byng was played by Charlotte Attenborough in series two and by Amanda Harris in series three and then by Attenborough again in series four. Richard Braine, who took over the role of Gussie Fink-Nottle in series three and four, also appeared as the conniving Rupert Steggles in series one. Aside from Fry and Laurie, the only actors to appear as the same character in all four series are John Woodnutt as Sir Watkyn Bassett and Robert Daws as Tuppy Glossop.

Episodes

[edit]
SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1522 April 1990 (1990-04-22)20 May 1990 (1990-05-20)
2614 April 1991 (1991-04-14)19 May 1991 (1991-05-19)
3629 March 1992 (1992-03-29)3 May 1992 (1992-05-03)
4616 May 1993 (1993-05-16)20 June 1993 (1993-06-20)

Reception

[edit]

The third series of Jeeves and Wooster won a British Academy Television Award for Best Design for Eileen Diss. The final series won a British Academy Television Award for Best Graphics for Derek W. Hayes and was nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series; it also earned a British Academy Television Award for Best Original Television Music for Anne Dudley and a British Academy Television Award for Best Costume Design for Dany Everett.[4]

In retrospect, Michael Brooke of BFI Screenonline called screenwriter Clive Exton "the series' real star", saying his "adaptations come surprisingly close to capturing the flavour of the originals" by "retaining many of Wodehouse's most inspired literary similes."[1]

Christopher Lee analyzed the costumes of both Jeeves and Wooster for the Gentleman's Gazette, and concludes that "Wooster represents the dandy, willing to experiment with style and change. Jeeves is the voice of tradition and conservative style."[5][6]

Home releases

[edit]

Granada Media released all four series on DVD in Region 2 between 2000 and 2002. On 1 September 2008, ITV Studios Home Entertainment released Jeeves and Wooster: The Complete Collection, an eight-disc box set featuring all 23 episodes of the series.[7]

In Region 1, A&E Home Entertainment, under licence from Granada Media Entertainment, released the complete 23-episode collection on DVD in the US and Canada.

In Region 4, Shock Entertainment has released the entire series on DVD in Australia. It was initially released in season sets in 2007/2008, followed by a complete series collection on 4 August 2008.[citation needed]

DVD title Discs Episode count Release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
Complete Series 1 2 5 27 March 2001 23 October 2000 5 September 2007
Complete Series 2 2 6 27 March 2001 28 May 2001 2 December 2007
Complete Series 3 2 6 2 January 2002 17 June 2002 31 January 2008
Complete Series 4 2 6 26 March 2002 16 September 2002 5 May 2008
Complete Collection 8 23 26 November 2002 1 September 2008 4 August 2008

References

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Jeeves and Wooster at the BFI's Screenonline
  2. ^ Laurie also addressed that issue in an article he wrote about Wodehouse's impact on his life "Hugh Laurie: Wodehouse Saved my Life". The Daily Telegraph. 25 May 1999. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
  3. ^ "The World of Jeeves & Wooster – Original Soundtrack". annedudley.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
  4. ^ a b Awards for Jeeves and Wooster (1990) from Internet Movie Database
  5. ^ Lee, Christopher (30 August 2017). "Jeeves & Wooster Analyzed - The Suits & Clothes Of Jeeves". Gentleman's Gazette. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  6. ^ Lee, Christopher (16 August 2017). "The Style & Clothes Of Bertie Wooster - Jeeves & Wooster". Gentleman's Gazette. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Jeeves and Wooster – Complete Collection [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Robert Daws, Richard Dixon, Mary Wimbush, John Turner, John Woodnutt, Michael Ripper, Francesca Folan, Elizabeth Heery, Richard Braine, Richard Garnett: Film & TV". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
Sources
  • Taves, Brian (2006). P. G. Wodehouse and Hollywood: Screenwriting, Satires and Adaptations. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0786422883.
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