Rowan Atkinson's gift of laughter on HIS birthday today

Seems odd to celebrate Rowan Atkinson’s birthday given the fact that he’s the one that, along with Richard Curtis, has given us the timeless gift of laughter over the years. We all know about the gifts of Blackadder, Mr. Bean and Inspector Fowler in Thin Blue Line. I remember first seeing Atkinson along with Mel […]

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Downton Abbey v. Upstairs Downstairs – UFC, UK style

It’s been a long time since there has been a good television war of words. Far too long. One has to go all the way back to the 1980’s to remember the Dallas vs. Dynasty smackdown,  but that’s all I can think of. Enter 2011 and we have Downton Abbey vs. Upstairs Downstairs. In one corner, […]

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Setting the Downton Abbey record straight

Ever since the brilliant premiere of Downton Abbey in the UK this past Fall, the anticipation for its Sunday, 9 January, premiere on PBS’ Masterpiece series has been at an all-time high. Both critically acclaimed and a hit with audiences, the period drama returned ITV, at least for a bit, to the forefront of UK […]

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Classic Two Ronnies and One Ronnie greatness

Unbeknownst to David Frost, he was key to laying the groundwork for one of the greatest British comedy duos of all time. After inviting both Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker to work on his new show, The Frost Report, it was a quick fill-in appearance by the duo to cover a technical issue during a 1970 […]

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David Suchet talks 'Murder on the Orient Express'

Television just doesn’t get any better than this. Broadcast earlier this year as part of PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery series and recently seen as part of ITV’s Christmas Day schedule in the UK, maybe a suggestion for New Year’s Eve viewing if you haven’t seen as of yet? David Suchet has spent a lifetime playing Agatha […]

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Scattershooting with the Doctor – with series 6 preview

Doctor Who – series 6 trailer The TARDIS comes crashing head first into the Utah desert for what looks to be another ‘stellar season from the mind of Steven Moffat in 2011. What you may recall from earlier shooting this year in the U.S. will be seen in the first couple of episodes of the […]

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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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Behind the scenes of a Christmassy Miranda

Miranda, starring Miranda Hart, one of the funniest and most refreshing British comedies to come along in years on the BBC, targets the Christmas holiday season in the newest installment that premiered last night on BBC Two. While I haven’t seen a full episode as of yet, the numerous clips I’ve seen from the first […]

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