Rowan Atkinson turns 66 today. Thankfully, for us, the comedic genius chose to put neither his degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Newcastle University nor his degree of MSc in Electrical Engineering from The Queen’s College, Oxford to use. His true calling became more clear after gaining national attention as member of The Oxford Revue at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1976.
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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.
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A new adaptation of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Paul Gallico’s much-loved novel (Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris) about a cleaning lady in 1950s London who falls in love with an haute couture dress by Christian Dior and decides to gamble everything for the sake of having one of her own, has been filming this past […]
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Just a quick follow-up update regarding the forthcoming Call the Midwife Christmas Special that airs Christmas Day on BBC One and PBS. This first, first look clip was released Wednesday morning on ITV’s This Morning program. Thanks to the official CTM Twitter feed for recognizing there is a whole world of fans around the globe that are outside ITV’s transmission […]
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When I wrote recently that the new reboot of All Creatures Great and Small had all the potential to become the next Downton Abbey, that may have been a little presumptuous on my part but not by much based on viewer reaction, critical acclaim and, now, the official word from Channel 5 and PBS that the series has been commissioned for a second series!
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The 2nd installment of Roadkill airs tonight at 9pET/8pCT on PBS as part of Masterpiece. As is usually the case with British dramas, there are a significant number of ensemble cast members in Roadkill surrounding Hugh Laurie that might have you scratching your head saying ‘where do I know that person’ including Ophelia Lovibond (W1A, Elementary, Rocketman) as Susan Laurence, Patricia Lodge (Rumpole of the Bailey, Miranda) as Lady Roche, Caroline Lee-Johnson (Chef!) as Bella Gayle, Pip Torrens (Poldark) as Joe Lapidus and Kate Lamb (Call the Midwife) as Lindsay Storm.
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Not that I’m looking for a reason to jettison 2020 into the ether, but PBS’s Masterpiece series has given us hope that 2021 will get off to a brilliant start. The series’ 50th anniversary line-up for January 2021 was unveiled yesterday and it is proof positive just how and why this series has remained at the top […]
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I think I can safely speak for everyone in wishing a safe but quick end to 2020. One bright spot, however, in what has been a year that’s been nothing but difficult beyond comprehension, is the traditional Call the Midwife Christmas Special set to air on BBC1 and PBS on Christmas Day 2020. What a welcome way to say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021.
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Looking at the calendar, it’s hard to believe it is already October. Can someone tell me what happened to March through September?? It’s also hard to believe that yesterday, Monday, October 5th, marked the 45th anniversary of the UK premiere of Poldark. It was such a treat to open an email yesterday morning and spend time reading how Robin Ellis, the original Captain Ross Poldark, marked the anniversary.
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In my book, Keeley Hawes is quickly entering the Nicola Walker/Suranne Jones/Bill Nighy arena. I could watch and listen to each of them simply read the phone book and it would be stellar telly. In addition to her efforts in Spooks, Ashes to Ashes, Bodyguard, The Durrells in Corfu and Summer of Rockets, her intense portrayal of DI Lindsay Denton in Jed Mercurio’s Line of Duty could be considered a masterclass performance.
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