• Red Nose Day 2011 – Uptown Downstairs Abbey

    Red Nose Day 2011 – Uptown Downstairs Abbey

    Still suffering from Downton Abbey separation anxiety? Can’t wait for the Upstairs Downstairs premiere on PBS’ Masterpiece series in April?  Not to worry. The greatness that is Red Nose Day 2011 handed the airwaves to Jennifer Saunders, Kim Cattrall and Harry Enfield in an attempt to satisfy both ailments. The result? Uptown Downstairs Abbey, obviously. […]

    Read more
  • Red Nose Day 2011 – Masterchef invades #10

    Red Nose Day 2011 – Masterchef invades #10

    Sadly, those of us on this side of the pond are reduced to experiencing Red Nose Day vicariously through the Internet and likes of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For those that may have missed RND2011 last night, wherever you might have been, here are some of the highlights from some of the greats in British […]

    Read more
  • Frankenstein – 10 possible meanings to Shelley's masterpiece

    Frankenstein – 10 possible meanings to Shelley's masterpiece

    While in London last month, post-BBC Showcase, we had the incredible good fortune to be able to see Frankenstein, which is currently at the National Theatre. Running through 2 May, this is THE impossible ticket to get at the moment as it is sold out throughout the entire run. In a nutshell, this was a once-in-a-lifetime […]

    Read more
  • Waking the Dead calls it a day

    Waking the Dead calls it a day

    After ten brilliant seasons, the British forensic crime drama is taking it’s toys and going home. Waking the Dead producer, Colin Wratten writes in this edition of the BBC TV blog about the last days of the series (there might be a few spoilers here for those that don’t want to get a hint as […]

    Read more
  • The Norman Conquests – finally!

    The Norman Conquests – finally!

    Normally, when you put forth the time and effort to revisit the 70’s and watch what you remember as being brilliant television, chances are, you come away a bit disappointed. Such is not the case with the just released on DVD version of the 70’s classic, The Norman Conquests, from the PBS Great Performances series. […]

    Read more
  • Downton Abbey gets Red Nose treatment

    Downton Abbey gets Red Nose treatment

    You know you’ve arrived when the likes of Comic Relief and the brilliant minds behind Red Nose Day target you for a parody sketch. Word is that such is the case for the ITV hit, Downton Abbey, this year. The creative minds behind the overall Comic Relief effort, which began in 1985, are Richard Curtis […]

    Read more
  • On the set with Downton Abbey II

    On the set with Downton Abbey II

    For those still suffering from post-Downton Abbey separation anxiety, you can rest easier tonight knowing that production filming has begun on the second set of the ITV mega-hit series, which is, again, scripted by series creator, Julian Fellowes. Don’t just take my word for it. This comes from the Earl of Grantham, himself, portrayed brilliantly […]

    Read more
  • BBC Showcase 2011 – Drama in Brighton

    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 […]

    Read more
  • BBC Showcase 2011 – Day 3: Top Gear, British comedy and more…

    BBC Showcase 2011 – Day 3: Top Gear, British comedy and more…

    Day three in Brighton. Immersed in the world of television comedy, drama, doc, natural history and science with 100’s more hours of screenings trying to find that hidden gem from the BBC catalogue. As you can expect, lots of William and Kate documentaries in the news and documentary section as we approach the royal wedding […]

    Read more
  • BBC Showcase 2011 – Day 2

    BBC Showcase 2011 – Day 2

    Fresh with the news that Colin Firth and The King’s Speech will be bringing home the Oscar statue in the 2011 Academy Awards, its day #2 of the 2011 BBC Showcase. Even though we are 6000 miles away from the Oscar red carpet, it was a star-studded evening Sunday night at the BBC Showcase in Brighton. […]

    Read more