Finally, it’s zero hour in the US. Downton Abbey premieres tonight as part of the new season of Masterpiece on PBS. Both critically acclaimed and a huge audience hit when broadcast this past Fall on ITV, this is definitely television worth watching. According to Simon Heffer of the Telegraph, the authenticity and visual detail makes […]
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It’s been a long time since there has been a good television war of words. Far too long. One has to go all the way back to the 1980’s to remember the Dallas vs. Dynasty smackdown, but that’s all I can think of. Enter 2011 and we have Downton Abbey vs. Upstairs Downstairs. In one corner, […]
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While it’s not ‘officially’ 2011 as of yet, doesn’t mean we can’t set our sights on several series that premiere during the first part of the new year. You already know about Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs, which as a reminder, transmits tonight (Boxing Day) in the UK. A placeholder note to the U.S. that Downton […]
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Scheduled for Boxing Day (26 December) on BBC One, with parts two and three to follow the next two days, UK viewers don’t have long to wait before we return to 165 Eaton Place (U.S. premiere is set for April 10, 2011 on Masterpiece Classic). On the surface, the challenge of bringing back perhaps the […]
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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 […]
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Lenny Henry’s long and winding road towards a PhD 29 years to be exact. 29 years of comedy by day and Shakespeare by night, with light at the end of the tunnel, as he began to jump start his education at the age of 22. Well-known for his acting talents over the years, whether it […]
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While I’ve never heard this “officially” anywhere and I’m guessing there’s a reason for this, I can’t help but watch Doc Martin and not think of Dr. Gregory House, the unconventional and extremely grumpy genius doctor on “another network”. The program has aired for some time on a number of public television stations around the […]
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Two points to ponder One, I’m guessing you’re already done with Red Carpet Premiere Week. The Event really wasn’t that “eventful” and the 33rd season of Survivor just isn’t that compelling. After all, they all survive. Second, there’s no more need for the Mars Exploration Rover Mission. The two robotic space mission rovers, Spirit and […]
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Debra Craine with the TimesOnline opens the debate as to “Who Owns the Small Screen Now?” by asserting that, quite possibly, the Americans are winning the battle. One quick note, she’s talking solely about British vs. American drama here, not comedy. While I can agree with some of what she says when citing the likes […]
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