Live in a sitcom or drama and need to write about it?

If you’ve every thought, as I’m sure we all have at one time or another, 1) this would make a great sitcom or, 2) I’m living in the middle of a sitcom, the BBC has all the answers in the BBC Writersroom. There are those that will argue that the “Sit”, or situation, needs to […]

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Page Eight, a PBS Masterpiece, Nov 6

With Page Eight having recently premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and, then, the big announcement that it would close The Toronto International Film Festival, I really can’t wait for this. Actually, they had me at the cast given that it stars the likes of Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon, Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes, Tom […]

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Spooks S10 signals final lockdown of Section D

On a day that most everyone knew was going to come at some point, but never wanted to admit, comes the news that Spooks (MI5 in the States) will come to an end after, what producers call, a ‘thrilling finale’ for series 10. Known for its propensity to kill off both major and minor characters […]

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From the TV Critics Tour – A PBS Masterpiece and more…

Lots of news coming out of Los Angeles this past week as the Television Critic’s Association’s Summer Press Tour 2011 is in full swing. For about two solid weeks, broadcast, cable and pubic television trot out the best and the brightest from in front of and behind the camera for programs/series that their respective networks […]

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Spooks' Harry Pearce…The new 'Most Interesting Man in the World'?

Move over, Jonathan Goldsmith. There’s a new sheriff in town. IMHO, Harry Pearce has now supplanted Goldsmith as ‘the most interesting man in the world‘. I know, Goldsmith fans are out there saying, “…but, sharks have a week dedicated to him” and “…he once had an awkward moment just to see what it was like“, […]

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Still have Spooks (MI5) separation anxiety?

Attention, Downton Abbey fans. We all know you’re in the midst of a seriously long bout of separation anxiety. You are not alone. Think of you’re fellow television brethren that know quality television when they see it….the Spooks (MI5) fan. It’s been almost a year since Lucas and Harry were on the rooftop (not a spoiler for […]

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British comedy in the pipeline

No one can quite understand the process of commissioning a comedy at the BBC, ITV or Sky. For that matter, no one can understand the de-commissioning of a series either. Can I just selfishly insert here a mention of Whites that starred Alan Davies as an example of a series that should have been renewed […]

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Spooks (MI-5) 10 confirmed, I think

Ok, I’m a bit late to the dance, but doesn’t mean the band’s not coming back for another set. Just doing a bit of digging today on the eve of series 9 of MI5 (Spooks), which begins broadcasting on a number of public television stations across the U.S. this week. I had not “officially” heard […]

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Bye, Bye, Brighton….Hello, Behind the Britcoms on PBS

With 100’s of hours of screening of the best of the best on television anywhere, bar none, we say farewell to Brighton and the 2011 BBC Showcase with pages and pages of notes on what, hopefully, will be coming your way in the United States in the not too distant future. As you may remember […]

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BBC Showcase 2011 – Drama in Brighton

It’s the final day of the annual BBC Showcase held in Brighton (for the last time, as it turns out, with Liverpool being next year’s destination) which saw another day packed with screenings the last ‘official presentation’ from the BBC drama department. It’s been a strong year already from an output standpoint as was pointed […]

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