News has once again surfaced from the BBC that a proposed 3-part series based on H.G. Wells’ classic science fiction novel, War of the Worlds, was being developed. The ultra-intriguing adaptation was first announced in 2015 and then again last May. Even though the most recent effort was scheduled to begin filming in ‘early 2018’, let’s […]
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Today marks the 80th anniversary of British television as the BBC launched the nation’s first regular TV service at 3pm on November 2 1936, broadcasting live from from Alexandra Palace in north London. I am reminded, once again, why I continue to favor British television over their American counterpart. We turn to the British Comedy Guide […]
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There are certain iconic series that you watch growing up that stay with you forever. For many who grew up in the UK in the 60’s and 70’s, it was most certainly Doctor Who. Given the fact that American television didn’t jump on the DW bandwagon for some time after, choices could be categorized as […]
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Over the years, it has almost become a guaranteed conversation starter on both sides of the pond to weigh the relative merits of and/or discuss the many differences between British and American television. Be it comedy or drama, a majority of individuals who reside in the UK think that American television is better while their Americans counterparts will […]
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Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise had a professional partnership that lasted for more than 4 decades, from 1941 until Eric Morcambe’s death in 1984. One of the most famous Morecambe and Wise routines from their annual Christmas show was their comic parody of Gene Kelly’s ‘Singing in the Rain’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3GqaQkhuYw This week’s Tellyspotting #TBT happens […]
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The telecast raised over £78 million pushing the overall 30-year fundraising efforts of Comic Relief to a massive £1 billion and some change.
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As everyone seems to be jumping on the ‘Throw-Back Thursday‘ (a.k.a. #TBT) bandwagon these days, I figured why not Tellyspotting! Every week (on Thursdays, of course), I will try to come up with something that will either be a fun reminder of British television of the past or introduce you to something new that you […]
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One of the greatest things about British television AND one of the most maddening for viewers is the fact that the number of episodes in a series is limited. Unlike their American television counterparts, most British drama and/or comedy series are anywhere between 6-10 episodes max. In some cases like Sherlock or DCI Banks there are only three episodes each season. Three brilliant films but still only three. On the upside, this allows viewers to see their favorite actors in other roles, many times crossing over from drama to comedy or vice versa.
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Longtime BBC and PBS viewers will no doubt remember Robin Ellis in the title role as British officer Captain Ross Poldark, who returns to his native Cornwall after the American Revolutionary War in the late 18th century. Based on the novels written by Winston Graham, Poldark aired on BBC1 and PBS in the mid-70’s. Considered […]
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Reason #50 (yes, I’m up to 50 and counting) why I absolutely love British television and think it is the best television on Planet Earth. Ok, # 1 & #2 have to be the writing and the acting (or acting and writing depending on the day), but when it comes to the actual production, besides […]
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