'Industry Insights' from a few greats of British comedy

Probably a bit of an overkill statement, but even with its ups and downs, British situation comedy is still king of comedy on telly….bar none.  A big part of which I attribute to the writers. The concept of good writing has never been more important…and needed…than it is today competing in an over-saturated world of […]

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Basil Fawlty, the paton saint of Friday the 13th

For many, Friday the 13th may be the one day where your actions (or inactions) range from staying inside, avoiding black cats, walk way out of your way to prevent you from walking under ladders, or even attempting to avoid buildings that have a 13th floor. Unfortunately, for Basil Fawlty, every day is Friday the […]

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MTV UK's Geordie Shore does Downton Abbey

What would the Dowager Countess say? Ok, while I don’t profess to have ever seen an episode of Geordie Shore, the British adaptation of the U.S. series, Jersey Shore, I have heard of it so, of course, that makes me an expert, right? Set in and around Newcastle Upon Tyne and South Shields, the series […]

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You know you're a British comedy fan if….

Longtime British comedy fan and faithful tellyspotting reader, Lisa Cox, has compiled a brilliant list that leaves the likes of Jeff Foxworthy in the rearview mirror not knowing what hit him. No matter what corner of the globe you find yourself in, I’m banking on the fact that you are a big British comedy fan […]

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The Fresh Prince of Downton Abbey

Daily, I take a brief moment to thank whomever I can that there are extremely creative people on the planet with an incredible amount of time on their hands. First their was Jimmy Fallon and Downton Sixbey, then, there was Downton Arbys. Now…. For those that have spent an agonizing last couple of years marveling […]

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Inspector Lewis; Tonight's PBS 'Masterpiece'

A little extra something must be in the water over at the PBS Masterpiece world control center. Consider for a minute that, just this past year, the series has showcased the likes of Downton Abbey, Great Expectations, Birdsong, Upstairs Downstairs, Case Histories, Page Eight, Endeavor and Inspector Lewis. It just keeps getting better and better […]

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Benedict Cumberbatch on the Simpsons – Doh!

The greatness of The Simpsons have finally jumped on the Benedict Cumberbatch bandwagon. Seems as though the actor, known forever to all of us as the ultimate consulting detective, Sherlock landed a voice role in the animated sitcom following a chance meeting, reported In Style magazine. “I was at a meeting in the same place […]

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BBC makes 'case' for more Case Histories

This just in…Case Histories II is coming to a telly near you in the not-too-distant future. Brilliantly adapted from the Jackson Brodie detective novels by Kate Atkinson, Case Histories, starring Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter, The Patriot, The Brotherhood), is a mix of cold case crimes and fresh bloodshed, all needing the unique detective talents of […]

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Wallander 3 – BBC One, Sunday; PBS, Sept 9

Yet another ‘perfect storm’ happens in the UK this coming Sunday with the return of Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander. The perfect storm being a combination of the brilliant writing of novelist Henning Mankell, the superb script writing by Peter Harness (Case Histories), the keen eye of Emmy-award winning director Philip Martin (Hawking, Murder on the […]

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