PBS’ brilliant Masterpiece series enters its 40th season in a few weeks with a stellar line-up of both familiar faces and newcomers. Sunday, October 3, on PBS stations nationwide will see the return of Kenneth Branagh in the role of police inspector, Kurt Wallander. Based on the novels of Swedish novelist, Henning Mankell, Branagh’s portrayal […]
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There are those that could lay claim that The Stig, the name given to the ultimate racing car driver on BBC’s mega hit, Top Gear, the most illegally download program on the Internet, is actually the model for the television commercial world’s Most Interesting Man in the World. The fact that I’ve never seen them in […]
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For years, I have marveled at the comedic talents of Rowan Atkinson, especially showcased in the classic British comedies Blackadder, Mr. Bean and The Thin Blue Line, not to mention films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral. For all the greatness that comes from his “talking” roles, for my money, I have always loved the […]
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A 1961 BBC production of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, starring a pre-James Bond, Sean Connery has been unearthed deep within the BBC archives almost 50 years after its premiere. The title role was played by Claire Bloom, a top British actress of at that time. Sadly, it wasn’t unusual during the 60’s, to not keep programs […]
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As we move closer to our 20th day in a row of temperatures in excess of 100 degrees, the word on the street is that we might top out at 97 degrees next Wednesday. So, with December just on the horizon, it seemed like a great time to explore a long-running tradition in the UK […]
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If you’ve been with the series from the beginning, you’ve seen 295 episodes. In case you hadn’t realized it, you’ve been watching for 37 years or, you have had some pretty significant marathon DVD viewing events over the last “X” number of years. Either way, Sunday, 29 August, will officially be the last of Last […]
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Before Summer ends (I know it hasn’t ended as we’re getting reading to hit our 15th day in a row of temperatures in excess of 100 degrees), I thought I’d add to your summer reading club list with a few titles over the next couple of Sundays that will be of particular interest once you […]
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Looks like some U.S. producer’s need to mess with near perfection has entered into the picture again with the release of the “official” promo trailer for the American version of the mega-worldwide hit, Top Gear. I know it’s only 2:00+ minutes, but it’s pretty easy to see this will not last. For starters, no Jeremy […]
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Max Headroom was created some 20+ years ago and is more relevant today than it was in the 80’s. Similarly, it’s hard to believe that it’s been over 30 years since co-creators, Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn wrote the unbelievably brilliant British comedy, Yes Minister, that is also more relevant today than when it originated. […]
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If you’ve just finished a Sunday night marathon of British comedy viewing wherever you reside, I feel certain that you are well aware of all that goes into the production leading up to broadcast and what you see as the final product that fits neatly into that 26:46 time frame. Maybe not everything from the […]
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