Upstairs Downstairs….165 Eaton Place gets a facelift

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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Lennon Naked – More PBS must-see TV

If artists derive creative inspiration from turmoil and despair, then John Lennon must have been the most creatively inspired artist the moment his plane landed in New York City. I had several very immediate reactions after an early screening of tonight’s American television premiere of Lennon Naked as part of the 40th anniversary season of […]

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You're invited to 221b Baker Street tonight on PBS

Borrowing the marketing slogan from the World Series bound, Texas Rangers,  —  “It’s Time”. Sherlock is tonight on PBS and KERA in North Texas. You’ve read the reviews. You heard from co-creators/co-writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. To give you a bit more background before you settle in to watch the first of three installments […]

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PBS' Sherlock — 'Must see TV' — Sunday

Having just watched a stellar 4-part documentary from the BBC on the history of NASA, it seems appropriate to begin today’s post with a space reference. T-minus 36 hours and counting until the premiere of Sherlock on PBS Critics agree from coast to coast. Perhaps the best example of the phrase “…if you watch one […]

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Downton Abbey – January 2011 on PBS

All I need to do is mention Downton Abbey upfront and fans of British television on both sides of the pond will know of what I speak. Written and created by Julian Fellowes, Oscar-winning writer of Gosford Park and star of Monarch of the Glen, and starring the likes of Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and […]

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Atkinson a spy and Fry is Sherlock Holmes' smarter brother

Two brilliant British comedy stars will be making their way to the big screen in 2011 according to various reports that have been circulating around in the Internet cloud the last several days. One just announced and one in the middle of filming as we speak. James Bond, he’s not Rowan Atkinson returns as the […]

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Sherlock on the case for more eps

“Official” rumors from the BBC of a second series of the brilliant Steven Moffat / Mark Gatiss Sherlock series have been confirmed. This is really great news for people on both sides of the pond. For those in the UK, you know what’s coming with series one transmitting recently to both critical acclaim and strong […]

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Kenneth Branagh returns as Wallander

PBS’ brilliant Masterpiece series enters its 40th season in a few weeks with a stellar line-up of both familiar faces and newcomers. Sunday, October 3, on PBS stations nationwide will see the return of Kenneth Branagh in the role of police inspector, Kurt Wallander. Based on the novels of Swedish novelist, Henning Mankell, Branagh’s portrayal […]

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165 Eaton Place in the 21st Century

“This is not a remake but a completely new version, set in a different era with a whole new cast of characters.” That quote, in itself, from Piers Wenger, head of drama at  BBC Wales, makes me really wish it was 2011 already when the new Upstairs Downstairs comes to PBS’ Masterpiece series to celebrate their […]

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Sherlock in the 21st Century

Not since we all witnessed the end of the David Tennant era and beginning of the Matt Smith era on Doctor Who has there been as much viewer anticipation for a series premiering in the UK. Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Hawking, Small Island) and Martin Freeman (The Office, Hitchhikers Guide). It premiered this past Sunday on […]

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