Tag Archives: PBS

Merchandise Monday – Pride and Prejudice: Keepsake Edition

10 Monday Feb 2014

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Woohoo!!!

Okay, I know you shouldn’t start an article with “woohoo” but I am so excited I just had to “woohoo”.

There is a new version of Pride and Prejudice out on Blu-ray!!!  It is the Pride And Prejudice: Keepsake Edition Blu-ray and includes new featurettes.

The mini-series is the granddame of period costume dramas.  In my opinion, if this version of Pride and Prejudice hadn’t been made then Downton Abbey and other period costume dramas would never been made.  This film has inspired countless other period costume dramas and for good reason.

In 1995, the BBC and A&E collaborated in to bring Jane Austen’s clasic 1813 Regency romance Pride and Prejudice to television.  It stars Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy (((swoon))) and American Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet.

I remember watching it on PBS and being mesmerized.  The costumes and the music were wonderful.  It was charming and captivated and you could lose yourself in Regency romance for a few hours.  The story was told almost just like the book which is always admirable.  And who can forget the Pemberly pond scene!!! Okay.  So, that wasn’t in the book but in my mind, Jane Austen would have approved of that little bit of delicious artist licesne.   I just had to buy the VCR version of the series.  It was 5 tapes long and was $89!!  That was a lot of money for 1995 but so worth it.  Shoot, that is a lot of money for 2014!  And then it came out in DVD and I bought that and that was worth the money.  The Blu-ray came out but I never got around to getting that version but it was always on my Christmas list.  But I will certainly be getting this version.

The Blu-ray extras include ” ’Pride and Prejudice:’ A Turning Point for Period Drama,” “The Definitive ’Pride and Prejudice,’” “Love or Money? Courtship and Marriage in ’Pride and Prejudice,’ ” “The Music of ’Pride and Prejudice,” “Lifestyles of the Wealth in Early 19th Century England,” “Technical Restoration,” and “Lasting Impressions.”

“Pride And Prejudice: Keepsake Edition” Blu-ray Set is $29.99 and available at Shop PBS.  And if you act quickly, you can get 20% off until 11:59pm PT on 2/10/14.

~~~ Happy Shopping ~~~

Chat live with Downton Abbey’s Gary Carr Monday at 12n ET

03 Monday Feb 2014

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Chat live with Downton Abbey’s Gary Carr Monday at 12n ET with Masterpiece on PBS.org Gary Carr as Jack Ross in Downton Abbey

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/features/live-chat/downton-abbey-s4-live-chat-gary-carr/

We met the American jazz singer Jack Ross on Downton Abbey a few weeks ago.  Did you know Gary Carr’s character is based on a real-life cabaret star Leslie Hutchinson, who had scandalous affairs with white British socialites?

Best known for his role in Death in Paradise along with roles in Bluestone 42 and Foyle’s War, Carr will participate in a live chat with Masterpiece on Monday, February 3 at 12n ET on PBS.org.

Get your questions ready and find out what it has been like for Carr to join the cast of Downton Abbey.

Golden Globe Awards or Downton Abbey???

12 Sunday Jan 2014

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Tonight there is a dilemma on what to watch.  Our beloved Downton Abbey is at 9 p.m.  No issue there.  It is a forgone conclusion that we’ll be watching the second installment of Season 4 to see what happens to Lady Mary and Lady Edith.  I do however feel a little bad for not watching the Golden Globe Awards show – which begins on NBC at 8 p.m. – since Downton Abbey is nominated for Best TV Series, Drama and I feel like I should show my support. (And lets face it, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are pretty funny hosts.)

71st Golden Globe Awards

Best TV Series, Drama
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Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
The Good Wife
House of Cards
Masters of Sex

It wouldn’t be such an issue if Downton Abbey was shown on regular TV station but it is shown on PBS and that means NO commercials (or bathroom breaks) so there is no opportunity to switch stations.  Thank goodness for DVRs!!!

Enjoy your Sunday night indulgence of Downton goodness, my fellow Downtonians!!!  And good luck to the cast of Downton Abbey at the Golden Globe Awards.  We can’t wait to see “who you are wearing”!!

Mr. Selfridge Returns for Season II

22 Monday Jul 2013

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Masterpiece and PBS have just announced the highly rated Mr. Selfridge will return for a second season.

Jeremy Piven stars as the flamboyant Mr. Selfridge who is an American entrepreneur and founder of the famous Selfridge’s department store.  The show centers around Mr. Selfridge juggling all of the various aspects of his life – business, family, mistresses, gambling, oh my!!!

“I’m absolutely delighted that Masterpiece viewers welcomed Mr. Selfridge into their homes,” said Piven. “Mr. Selfridge is a true ensemble piece, and audiences can look forward to seeing the return of their favorite characters and some intriguing new faces.”

Masterpiece executive producer Rebecca Eaton said, “It is clear from our audience’s reaction that they want more of Harry Selfridge, his family and department store shopping! We’re happy to have Jeremy and the rest of the talented Mr. Selfridge cast in the Masterpiece family.”

Currently filming in the UK, the second season picks up the story in 1914, as the store celebrates its fifth anniversary in business. With World War I imminent, the lives of everyone at Selfridge’s will inevitably be affected.

“We are very excited to bring a second season of Mr. Selfridge to PBS stations nationwide,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “This department store drama has charmed audiences with wonderful performances, intriguing plots and beautiful costumes–bringing a sparkle of glamour to our Sunday night lineup.”