• Drama Wars 2013: BBC vs ITV

    Drama Wars 2013: BBC vs ITV

    By all accounts, 2012 was a pretty stellar year for drama output from the BBC and ITV. Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Endeavour, DCI Banks, Scott and Bailey, Call the Midwife and Upstairs Downstairs to name a few. In 2013, it only gets better as both the BBC and ITV are getting ready to rumble for drama […]

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  • It's December. Must be Christmas telly time in the UK – 2012

    It's December. Must be Christmas telly time in the UK – 2012

    Contrary to their North American neighbors to the west, both Christmas Day and Boxing Day might just possibly be the most important days in the UK for telly watching. Each and every year, both the BBC and ITV1 do not disappoint. As we wrote last year…and the year before…and the year before that, Christmas and […]

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  • Bad Day at Black Rock on the Sherlock and Downton Abbey front

    Bad Day at Black Rock on the Sherlock and Downton Abbey front

    This is like asking someone if they would rather have the Cod Liver Oil first with the Alka Seltzer chaser to follow or vice-versa. Trust me, giving either of them a cherry-flavor isn’t going to help in either case, they still tasted bad when you were a kid. That said, unfortunately, I need to be […]

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  • Surprise!  NBC, Julian Fellowes to create U.S. 'Downton Abbey'

    Surprise! NBC, Julian Fellowes to create U.S. 'Downton Abbey'

    Bill Carter of the New York Times is reporting this week that US broadcast network NBC is partnering with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes in the development of a new period drama set in New York during the 19th century. Fellowes will write and produce The Gilded Age, which will recreate New York society in […]

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  • Downton Abbey 2120

    Downton Abbey 2120

    You know you’ve arrived when even one of the following happens: You are the subject of a Saturday Night Live parody sketch You are featured in not only one, but TWO Jimmy Fallon parody sketches You are featured on the front page of The Onion So, imagine the weight that Downton Abbey carries these days […]

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  • It's Official: Downton Abbey renewed for 4th series!

    It's Official: Downton Abbey renewed for 4th series!

    As the United States braces for the Downton Abbey arrival of Shirley MacLaine in the premiere of series 3 (January 6, 2013 on PBS’ aptly named Masterpiece), word from the UK on Friday was that Christmas was to come early to all around the planet. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! ITV has given […]

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  • With the Crawleys away, could it be party time at Downton Abbey?

    With the Crawleys away, could it be party time at Downton Abbey?

    Once again, thanks to the Radio Times, Christmas comes early with the storyline revealed for the Downton Abbey 2012 Christmas special set for transmission on Christmas Day on ITV. In a nutshell, the 140 characters or less Twitter version is – what do servants do when there’s no-one to serve? To: Downton Abbey fans worldwide […]

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  • A more multi-cultural Downton Abbey possible for series 4?

    A more multi-cultural Downton Abbey possible for series 4?

    Don’t tell anyone, but it looks like Downton Abbey is headed to a 4th series in 2013 (insert deep sigh of relief here). As the U.S. eagerly awaits the initial crossing of the paths of Shirley MacLaine and Dame Maggie Smith, the thought that there will, most likely, be a series 4 allows everyone west […]

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  • Post-Super Bowl decision is Elementary for CBS

    Post-Super Bowl decision is Elementary for CBS

    At the risk of alienating a number of Tellyspotting readers and the throngs Sherlock fans around the globe, I am here to admit that I’m coming around a bit (accent on ‘a bit’) to CBS’ Elementary series. There are two reasons for my momentary lapse of cynicism. Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu. Overall, while […]

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  • From the Friday Vault: Fortysomething with Hugh Laurie

    From the Friday Vault: Fortysomething with Hugh Laurie

    A pre-House Hugh Laurie confirms he’s British! For those in the States that think Hugh Laurie is as American as his Dr. Gregory House character, not so fast. Back in pre-House 2003, who knew that Laurie was honing his soon-to-be sought after anxiety-ridden doctor skills in 6-part series, Fortysomething? While it’s enough just to see […]

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