Posted February 20, 2021 -  No Comment

Remembering Midsomer Murders’ Sykes and other 4-legged screen pets on National Love Your Pet Day 2021!

No self-respecting animal lover will ever forget Isis and Pharoah, the two 4-legged companions that were forever by Lord Grantham’s side in Downton Abbey or the majestic visual of Seamus riding up and down the Cornish coast in Poldark with Captain Ross Poldark at the helm or Queen Victoria’s beloved Dash, always at the young Queen’s side in Victoria. To celebrate National Love Your Pet Day, my thoughts immediately turned to the fictional English county of Midsomer and one of its most recognized residents, Sykes. It was a sad day back in September 2016 when one of the most beloved TV dogs since Lassie announced his retirement from Midsomer Murders. Sykes, John Barnaby’s beloved pet dog, hung up his lead following series 15 and retired after five years with the show.

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Posted January 30, 2021 -  No Comment

Remembering Michael Gwynn, a.k.a. Lord Melbury in ‘Fawlty Towers’

With a TOH to John Cleese, we remember Michael Gwynn who momentarily fulfilled Basil’s wishes of improving the class of guest that stayed at Fawlty Towers. Gwynn was one of a long line of talented actors who paid a visit to Fawlty Towers over the course of the 12 episodes (yes, there were only 12). Gwynn passed away on 29 January 1976 at the age of 59.

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Posted August 27, 2020 -  No Comment

Settle in for Drama Sundays this Fall on PBS as ‘Masterpiece’ gets ready to turn 50!

Starting out as Masterpiece Theatre on PBS in 1971, the series celebrates its 50th year in January 2021 by continuing the early days tradition of presenting quality dramas such as Upstairs Downstairs, I Claudius, Duchess of Duke Street, Danger UXB, and House of Cards, to name just a few. A tradition that has continued for 50 years with brilliant series such as Prime […]

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Posted August 23, 2020 -  No Comment

‘Rebecca’ gets a 2020 makeover with Lily James heading an all-star cast as Mrs. de Winter #2!

Dangerously close to rivaling Pride and Prejudice for how many times a novel can be adapted for the big or small screen, English author Dame Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca is getting a 2020 reboot this Fall. It would be hard to mount an argument that there is a need to remake the most well-known adaptation, the 1940 Hitchcock masterpiece which […]

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Posted May 26, 2020 -  No Comment

‘W1A’ cast reunites as the Way Ahead Group emerges as the Bounce Back Group during pandemic

Another day, another bit of lockdown video gold as the employees of the newly/aptly named ‘Bounce Back Group’ gather to discuss BBC measures regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Downton Abbey‘s Hugh Bonneville, Monica Dolan, Sarah Parish, Jason Watkins, and David Westhead reprised their roles from the hit sitcom W1A with Fletcher leading the initial Zoom meeting. Fletcher informs his colleagues […]

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Posted May 10, 2020 -  No Comment

‘Beecham House’ next up for PBS’ Masterpiece beginning June 14

Next up in the long line of British period dramas headed your way will be Beecham House, coming to PBS beginning June 14. Created by Gurinder Chadha — the director of films including Bend It Like Beckham and Blinded by the Light — the 6-part series depicts the fortunes of the residents of Beecham House, an imposing Downton Abbey-esque mansion surrounded by acres of […]

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Posted February 21, 2020 -  No Comment

Dawn French as Beatrix Potter in ‘The Tail of the Curious Mouse’

With a 3rd series of the Sky One series Delicious in her rear-view mirror and fresh off a starring role in the forthcoming ITV series, The Trouble with Maggie Cole, Dawn French is set to star in The Tail Of The Curious Mouse, a one-off feature length film inspired by the true story of when a young Roald […]

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