Frank, we'll miss you this St. Patrick's Day

Several years ago, we had an incredible opportunity to spend a couple of weeks in Dublin with Frank McCourt, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Angela’s Ashes, Teacher Man and ‘Tis. Frank hosted the PBS special, Historic Pubs of Dublin, broadcast in March 2008. As host, Frank took viewers on a tour of Dublin telling it’s […]

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Rolling Stones invade Santa Monica

It may have been Santa Monica, October 29, 1964, but the scene was still decidedly British. Only eight months after The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, the British invasion was in full swing and continued its assault on America in what was considered the first concert film of the rock era. In what has […]

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Memo to John Inman: Thanks for the years of laughter

When John Inman (Mr. Humphries, Are You Being Served?) passed away on March 8, 2007, all the years past, present and future of smiles and laughter did not end. John was, and will continue to be, a very good friend to public television viewers nationwide through his comedic talents on screen. Many of us will […]

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More Funny Ladies….of British comedy, of course

Let’s hear it for the ladies…the Funny Ladies, that is, of British comedy.  Coming your way on PBS stations nationwide beginning this weekend is More Funny Ladies of British Comedy. Airing tonight on KERA Channel 13 in the North Texas area at 10:30pm (following the new season of Red Dwarf: Back to Earth, which airs […]

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The 39 Steps on PBS vs. Closing ceremonies – no choice

Ok, I know the Olympic closing ceremonies are on tonight. But, there will be another closing ceremonies in 4 years, so it’s time for you to take a stand, DVR it, and then watch the newest adaptation of The 39 Steps instead. The show airs as part of the Masterpiece series tonight (Sunday) at 8:00pm CT […]

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The return of Upstairs/Downstairs and more…

The return to 165 Eaton Place If Monday’s news of Sherlock coming to PBS wasn’t enough, there was the announcement yesterday that WGBH and the BBC have signed a major co-production deal to return to 165 Eaton Place with a new Upstairs/Downstairs. Jean Marsh, who won the Emmy for Best Actress in the original series will return […]

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Screenings and Sherlock in the 21st Century

Day two – more screening, more wind, rain and cold weather, then more screening. Another 10 hours of screening yesterday which means another opportunity to see some of the best television being produced today. Some highlights from the day: Hustle – from the producers of MI5 (Spooks) and Life on Mars, comes a really great […]

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Dame Judi in Midsummer Night's Dream

I’m not sure “down time” is a phrase that is in Judi Dench’s vocabulary. Appearing in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, Ms. Dench is fresh off of her recent roles in both Cranford and Return to Cranford, seen on PBS stations nationwide and the film, Nine,  not to mention […]

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Valentine's shopping list – British drama edition

Not to worry, British drama fans. Didn’t leave you out of the Valentine’s shopping mix. Took care of the comedy folks yesterday, time for the top five all-time favorite drama DVD sets that will be great additions to DVD libraries across the land. Don’t forget that if you click the link below which takes you […]

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David Tennant fans – Say it Isn't So NBC

Word from Hollywood is that NBC has put a hold on David Tennant’s leap into the U.S. television landscape with the series, Rex is Not Your Lawyer. Originally penciled in as a post-failed Jay Leno 10:00pm experiment series, the show now seems destined for a Fall 2010 premiere. Currently, with a pilot in the can, […]

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