Alistair Cooke | Tellyspotting

Posted October 31, 2022 - 4 Comments

Remembering ‘Mystery’ on PBS before mystery was cool….

For those PBS Mystery series fans that are currently experiencing the Sunday evening greatness that is Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Magpie Murders and Annika and who have been anxiously awaiting each Summer for the new seasons of Endeavour and Grantchester for the better part of the last decade, you may not be aware of the root history of ‘mystery’ on PBS that needs to be recognized for those that remember way, way back into the 80’s, back when the Earth was beginning to cool from the Ice Age.

Posted December 20, 2020 - No Comment

‘The First Churchills’ started it all as PBS’s ‘Masterpiece’ celebrates 50 years

On January 10, 2021, PBS’s Masterpiece series, the long-time anchor of the Sunday night line-up, turns 50. It was Sunday, January 10, 1971 that The First Churchills, about the life of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and his wife, Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, starring John Neville and Sarah Hampshire was first broadcast. Another notable event occurred on that same day in 1971 as it marked the start of a 22-year stint for Alistair Cooke, the British-born American writer, journalist, television personality and radio broadcaster, as as the host of PBS Masterpiece Theatre from 1971 to 1992.

Posted September 15, 2018 - No Comment

Sir David Attenborough – Celebrating 92 years in 92 seconds

Although Sir David Attenborough celebrated his 92nd birthday in May of this year, it’s better to be a bit belated with birthday wishes than not send them at all. Following his service in the Navy and after an initial rejection to become a radio talk show producer at the BBC in 1950, Sir David began […]

Posted July 4, 2015 - No Comment

Alistair Cooke introduces a 1977 America to Captain Ross Poldark

In just two short weeks, it’s safe to say that life hasn’t been very kind to Captain Ross Poldark. As he returns to Cornwall from the battlefield, he not only finds his father dead, but is also confronted with an estate in ruins and sweetheart Elizabeth engaged to another. And that’s just the beginning of […]

Posted January 4, 2011 - No Comment

Setting the Downton Abbey record straight

Ever since the brilliant premiere of Downton Abbey in the UK this past Fall, the anticipation for its Sunday, 9 January, premiere on PBS’ Masterpiece series has been at an all-time high. Both critically acclaimed and a hit with audiences, the period drama returned ITV, at least for a bit, to the forefront of UK […]

Posted December 6, 2010 - No Comment

Upstairs Downstairs – it was 40 years ago today…almost

As the UK moves closer to the Boxing Day premiere of a 21st century remake of Upstairs Downstairs and with American audiences not far behind with an April 2011 premiere as part of PBS’ Masterpiece series, it’s time to look back to a day almost 40 years ago when the original London Weekend Television series premiered […]