The UK really is funny territory, pt 2

A quick update to an October 2009 post from Tellyspotting as you make plans to travel to the UK this summer. This just in from the other side of the pond – think about Peckham if you’re a fan of Only Fools and Horses. As reported in The Guardian, the British are way ahead of […]

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BBC offers apology for Doctor Who gaffe

We’ve all seen them in their disgustingly obtrusive glory. Endless promotion with bells and whistles that cover a third of the screen, populate every television broadcast these days to tease the weekly not-too-be-missed blockbuster…or just what’s coming up next. Whatever they promote, they’ve gone way beyond a simple station or network logo that identifies what […]

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If Monty Python were in the FA Cup final

With the FA Cup final just around the corner (Wembley Stadium, London, on 15 May), I thought it only appropriate to revisit what many consider to be the second greatest moment in English football history. The Guardian reports in this article by Julian Baggini, editor of Philosophers’ Magazine, that, on 9 May, Python, philosophy and […]

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BBC future becomes hot topic in upcoming UK general election

The 2010 UK general election is just around the corner (6 May.2010). Surprisingly, the future of the BBC is shaping up as being one of the top issues facing the voting populace with the Conservative Tory party coming out strongly to cut the BBC license fee which, some say, could jeopardize its future. Both the […]

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Sir Humphrey enters the 21st century

We’ve talked many times here how Yes Minister is either just as relevant or more relevant today than it was 30 years ago when it premiered in 1980. Obviously, the original producers agree as original co-writer, Sir Antony Jay, has written three special election sketches, titled Memo to the Minister, for the BBC to air […]

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Next up – Trevor Peacock & James Fleet

Long day yesterday that started at 4:30a CT with a great interview with Bob Larbey, the genius mind behind the likes of As Time Goes By, The Good Neighbors (Good Life in the UK) and Mulberry, to name a few. In a word, couldn’t have been more gracious with his time and his thoughts on his […]

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The great British comedy catchphrase

To continue our focus and conversation about the writers, our friends over at the British Comedy Guide in a recent programming alert about an upcoming special on Channel 4 in London, remind us that buried in the brilliant writing of our favorite British comedy shows are some priceless and timeless catchphrases. As they point out, […]

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The minds behind the brilliance of British comedy

Some of you know, some don’t, that we are currently in production on a PBS special to air in March 2011 across the U.S. that will attempt to pay homage to what many of us feel is the number one reason as to why British comedy is brilliant – the writers. In the special, we’ll hear […]

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British comedy gospel according to Dave

I thought we’d revisit our earlier post regarding the Top 10 British films of all-time and compare now that a recent post has come out from our friends at Dave, the UK digital channel that is brilliantly billed as “the home of witty banter”. Owned by UKTV, the channel was relaunched in 2009 and rebranded […]

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Don't like Shakespeare? You might after this…

Seemed like an appropriate way to both celebrate St. George’s Day and remember William Shakespeare on the 394th anniversary of his death by throwing out an early alert to everyone to watch or DVR the upcoming Great Performances presentation of Hamlet on PBS and KERA. This Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation, starring David Tennant and Sir Patrick Stewart, […]

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