Another day, another ‘Masterpiece’ on PBS. This time, it’s Death Comes to Pemberley, starring Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Anna Maxwell Martin (Bletchley Circle), Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) and Matthew Goode (The Good Wife). Based on the book by P.D. James, which is a murder mystery continuation of the events of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, […]
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When Dawn French steps back into the Reverend Geraldine Granger’s shoes and leaves behind the Radio Dibley microphone for a day on 29 March at 7:45am, she will offer her alternative Thought For The Day, written especially for Radio 4’s Character Invasion by Richard Curtis. Thought for the Day has been running on Radio […]
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It’s like being a kid in a candy store attending the BBC Comedy presentation Monday in Liverpool. Showing a number of clips for shows that are coming up in the not-too-distant future, you get the sense that Shane Allen, Controller for Comedy at the BBC, is keen on maintaining the channel’s dominance in the comedy […]
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How appropriate given that 2014 is the 50th anniversary of the first Beatles appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show that, as you read this, Tellyspotting will be somewhere over New York City headed to Liverpool for the 2014 BBC Showcase. You might remember that this is annual gathering of television programming executives from around the […]
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Maybe not a household name, but to those that have been long time or recent fans of British comedy, Roger Lloyd Pack was a friend. The accomplished actor passed away yesterday, losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. Lloyd Pack was known to millions of fans as Trigger on Only Fools and Horses, local farmer and […]
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As if anyone needed additional proof that there is pure genius behind Comic Relief and the greatness of the Red Nose Day sketches. In years past, there have been brilliant send ups of Doctor Who, Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey and Vicar of Dibley. Back in March of 2005, Spider-Plant Man took on the Spider-Man […]
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Let’s see. Where do I begin with the laundry list of failed American attempts to remake British telly. Oh yes, that would be Life on Mars, Prime Suspect, Coupling… and while CBS’ Elementary is far from a failed attempt, it’s definitely not Sherlock. American versions of Vicar of Dibley, Spooks, Gavin & Stacey and The […]
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Sometimes, going behind-the-scenes to see ‘how the sausage is made’ can be a bit like letting the air out of a balloon that you’ve had since you were a kid. There are some things that should be left well enough alone allowing you to remain that wide-eyed kid as long as you can. As we […]
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While it’s often been said by those involved both in front of and behind the camera, whether it be comedy or drama, the strength of a supporting or ensemble cast is right up there in setting British television output apart from the rest of the world of telly. Besides the writing, casting is spot on […]
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Even paradise can be hell For two series of BBC One’s Death in Paradise, Ben Miller (Worst Week of My Life, Primeval) was in heaven. Unfortunately, DI Richard Poole, the character that Miller portrays, is in hell. ‘Heaven’ for Miller because the series is filmed on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. “Hell’ for DI Poole […]
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