• Saturday Night Live imagines Downton Abbey on Spike TV

    Saturday Night Live imagines Downton Abbey on Spike TV

    ***Update for those trying to access the video clip below. Sadly, the folks at NBC Universal have decided that a little extra added promotion for Saturday Night Live is not of interest. When you click on the video below you will now be greeted with a very nice message that says: “This video contains content […]

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  • Shirley MacLaine joins cast of Downton Abbey 3

    Shirley MacLaine joins cast of Downton Abbey 3

    According to the Hollywood Reporter, Shirley MacLaine will join the cast of Downton Abbey as filming begins next month taking the DA saga into the 1920’s. MacLaine will play Martha Levinson, the American mother of Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern). Laura Mackie, director of drama at ITV, said, “It is so exciting to have an actress […]

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  • The A-Z of Sherlock

    The A-Z of Sherlock

    While the UK was in the midst of Sherlock separation anxiety given last night was the first Sunday of the new year w/out a bit of Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss greatness. Fortunately, they had the premiere of Sebastian Faulks’s modern classic set during the First World War, starring Eddie Redmayne and Clémence Poésy. While the U.S. […]

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  • Downton Abbey vs. Andrew Lloyd Webber, round 1

    Downton Abbey vs. Andrew Lloyd Webber, round 1

    Given the worldwide Downton Abbey fever that continues to engulf the U.S., this story was just to good to pass up when I ran across it recently. So, with upfront apologies as to the possibility that this might be a really old story that is past its prime, as it was first reported back in […]

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  • Equal time request: The 10 best Dr. Watsons

    Equal time request: The 10 best Dr. Watsons

    Hopefully, by now, you have been able to select your favorite Sherlock Holmes of all-time. We all know who you selected so, to be clear, you’re in good company if you selected Benedict Cumberbatch. However, it’s been pointed out by several readers that Dr. Watson wants a little equal time. As with the Sherlock rankings, […]

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  • CBS' "Elementary" idea – Been there, done that

    CBS' "Elementary" idea – Been there, done that

    Before we leave our well-deserved bowing before the brilliance that is the BBC’s Sherlock, you may remember back in the fall reading here about an absolutely ridiculous notion that the CBS Television Network had thoughts of creating a 21st century version of Sherlock Holmes. I think, at the time, my only comment was “…how original”. […]

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  • Vote for your favorite Downton Abbey character

    Vote for your favorite Downton Abbey character

    As U.S. television viewers continue their weekly love affair with Downton Abbey, series producers are gearing up for production of the third series, which is set to begin in the UK in February. Prior to the premiere of series 2, viewers on both sides of the pond have not only had the opportunity to determine […]

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  • Sherlock 3 confirmed!

    Sherlock 3 confirmed!

    While the Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss brilliance that is Sherlock was coming to a second series finale last night with the transmission of The Reichenbach Fall, Downton Abbey, the other bit of brilliance out of the UK, was moments away from winning this years Golden Globe for Best mini-series or motion picture made for television. Both […]

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  • The Mystery of Edwin Drood is solved…sort of

    The Mystery of Edwin Drood is solved…sort of

    Having just transmitted this past week on BBC Two, yet another classic drama makes its way to PBS’ Masterpiece series in April 2012. Currently in the middle of the long-awaited second series of Downton Abbey, the Masterpiece series is already flush with greatness and experiencing an abundance of riches in 2012 what with the upcoming […]

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  • Move over Jewel…Brideshead…Tales, here comes Downton Abbey

    Move over Jewel…Brideshead…Tales, here comes Downton Abbey

    The recent U.S. popularity of the mega-hit, Downton Abbey, brings to mind not only the obvious, Upstairs Downstairs, but also the likes of PBS’ Jewel in the Crown, Brideshead Revisited and, oddly, Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City broadcast from a water cooler popularity standpoint. With Downton Abbey, there’s a new sheriff in town at […]

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