What Ho, Jeeves!

Recently I admitted to having a literary crush on Jeeves, the inimitable man's man, and that aristocratic gentleman, Bertie Wooster. What better way to put myself in their company than to watch episodes of Jeeves and Wooster starring Stephen Fry as Jeeves and Hugh Laurie as Bertie.

There were four seasons of the British comedy (1990-1993) made up of 23 episodes all of which I rented from my local, independent video store. I have been laughing all week. 

What a delight. Here is Hugh Laurie before he became the scruffy, misanthrope Dr. House, playing Bertie with just the right stiff upper lip and generous heart. (Like House, Bertie carries a cane only his has a silver handle.) Stephen Fry couldn't be more of a gentleman's gentleman ("As you wish, sir.") forever helping Bertie get out of sticky situations and advising him against sartorial missteps. 

The wittiness of P.G. Wodehouse is all here - the goofy names and nicknames (Bingo, Marmy, and the newt-loving Gussie Fink-Nottle), the antics of the members of The Drones Club, the terror Bertie feels when in the presence of his formidable aunts. The lovers' quarrels, the lovers' makeups. Dogs. Tea. Policemen's helmets. 

And the sets are gorgeous. Beautiful shots of stately homes, Bertie's London apartment, book-filled libraries to die for, roadster trips along narrow roads showing off the English countryside. Some of the action even takes place at Highclere Castle the location for the goings on at Downton Abbey.

Right ho! There is no better place to be in this world than with Jeeves and Wooster. My heart be still.