Huggett Housekeeping

We didn’t want her to clean for us for two reasons. One, because she might fall over and hurt herself and we can’t cover her insurance. The second reason is that she smells.

My first encounter with the joyous nonsense of Stella Street was when it was first broadcast, around the end of 1997. I remember very little fanfare and at 15-odd minutes per episode it was easily missed. Especially considering it was on BBC2 at night. But what a find. If you found it. I remember Damon Albarn mentioning it at Glastonbury (must’ve been 1998).

The setting of the show is a street in despondent commuter graveyard Surbiton on the outskirts of London which is inexplicably inhabited by a plethora of Hollywood stars, world renowned musicians and Jimmy Hill – all performed by Phil Cornwell and John Sessions (with Ronnie Ancona pitching in for later series’). There are also a smattering of non-celebrities such as horrible Nouveau Riche bastards Graham and Pamela Slurry, fuckwitted handyman Dean, myopic Geordie Len McMonotoney and legendary cleaner Eileen Huggett. The celebs are too many to list, but my personal highlights are Al Pacino, Mick Jagger and Jack Nicholson. My all time favourite bit is a conversation between Michael Caine and Tony Blackburn which makes me laugh every time I see it.

With all that in mind, this is my interpretation of what Mrs. Huggett’s business might look like if she ever went legit. If you’re a fan of late night, alcohol-induced violence, you will probably recognise where I’m going with the design. We call it ‘wife beater‘ in the United Kingdom, which tells its own story, I think. Probably leave that one well alone.

If you haven’t seen it, please do (here). I try to not sound like an old git where I can, but it’s one of those things you couldn’t see ever getting on television nowadays, considering it’s ostensibly Phil and John trying to crowbar a show together purely based on who they’re good at impersonating.

You may notice the unique shape of a specific cleaning product at the top of the logo. Yes, it does look like intestines. I think it adds to the charm.