Old Guys find home on PBS stations

Clive Swift (Richard from Keeping Up Appearances) and Roger Lloyd Pack (Owen in Vicar of Dibley) have teamed up for a new British comedy, The Old Guys, coming to public televison stations in 2010. Jane Asher plays Sally, the neighbor that definitely recognizes that both Roy and Tom are attracted to her and tends to […]

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Keeping Up Appearances – Take 2

Why do I like this show even more now? And, why do I really want to go to the pub with Geoffrey Hughes (Onslow)…or even Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth)? It’s interesting to note that there are very few bloopers or outtakes floating around for Britcoms. In talking with a number of British actors and actresses over […]

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Tellyspotting's Book of Little Known Facts for the holidays

As we approach the holiday season, chances are you could find yourself grasping for that elusive conversation starter that we all desperately seek at one time or another. What better way to both start a conversation and immediately let it be known that you are intelligent AND have a sense of humor than to lob […]

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Ladies of Letters – Civilized cattiness at it's finest

Aptly described in the British press as “Talking Heads meets Keeping Up Appearances“, the highly successful BBC Radio 4 series, Ladies of Letters, recently made the always dangerous leap to television. Thanks, in large part, to the wonderful acting talents of Maureen Lipman (Irene Spencer) and Anne Reid (Vera Small) , Letters takes the long-running […]

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The Kitty Monologues – Hyacinth B4 Hyacinth

Taking a somewhat 180 degree turn on the “where are they now” concept, I thought fans of Patricia Routledge and Hyacinth Bucket would enjoy a “what did they do before” moment with this pre-Keeping Up Appearances character from the Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV series that aired on the BBC in the mid-80’s. Recorded […]

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And you thought the UK wasn't funny

Next time you travel to the UK, take a break from the pubs and think about a comedy tour of England, which boasts not only numerous birthplaces of your favorite Britcom stars, but you can quickly check out places like Yorkshire, home to the longest-running sitcom on television, Last of the Summer Wine. You can […]

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Funny Ladies of British Comedy II – Behind the Lens

Several years ago, PBS paid tribute to The Funny Ladies of British Comedy. Hosted by one of the grand dames of British comedy, Penelope Keith, the special featured classic clips from perennial favorites such as As Time Goes By, Keeping Up Appearances, Are You Being Served and Fawlty Towers along with insights from the likes of Dawn […]

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Britcom marathon – behind the scenes from A-Z

A very belated, but very sincere thanks to all those that made this past weeks 35th Anniversary British Comedy Celebration a huge success. From staff, to crew, to volunteers, to all the fans of British comedy and KERA, you made (and continue to make) it all worthwhile. For those that joined us in the KERA studios until […]

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Be backstage tonight for Python reunion from NYC

No ticket to tonight’s invitation-only event at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York? Have a invitation, but flight cancelled so you can’t get there? Not to worry. Our friends over at IFC and Pythonline have spared no expense (they do this every 40 years) to make sure you are in the front row. In this case, you […]

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Know Hyacinth as well as Snoop Dog does? The KUA Trivia Challenge

Think you know Hyacinth and KUA as well as one of the show’s most recent self-confessed fan? If so, it’s time to test your knowledge of one of the most loved British comedy characters of all time, Hyacinth Bucket (It’s Bouquet…..). Answer the 20 questions below and E-MAIL your answers to tellyspotting@kera.org. Because 21st century trivia […]

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