Comedy
Post ‘House’, a re-planting of the Union Jack on U.S. telly…and film, too
Ever since Hugh Laurie gave up his designation as the most popular Brit on American telly when House ended its eight-year run on Fox this past year, a number of British actors have tried with limited success to crack the American television world. While it has been quite painful over the years to watch repeated [...]
The Archbishop, Call the Midwife, The Office and Vicar of Dibley! It’s Red Nose Day 2013 – A look back!
Red Nose Day 2013 has come and gone. On the positive side, the broadcast on 15 March raised more money that ever before in its’ 25 year history. On the downside, the BBC received more complaints that ever before, mostly due to a very funny sketch with Rowan Atkinson as The Archbishop of Canterbury. Unfortunately, [...]
A St Patrick’s Day salute to Dave Allen
While Dave Allen was, at the height of his career, one of Britain’s most controversial comedians, he also still remains one of the funniest in my book. The Dublin born comedian regularly provoked the conservative wrath for his frequent pointing out of political hypocrisy and his disregard for religious authority. For the majority of his [...]
Are you a Good or a Ledbetter? Take The Good Life Quiz….
With Richard Briers’ untimely passing last month, I’ve been thinking more and more about the brilliance of The Good Life or The Good Neighbors as it was broadcast in the U.S. The 1970′s (gulp!) British situation comedy, which was written by Bob Larbey and John Esmonde, centered around Tom Good (Briers) and his wife/partner-in-crime Barbara [...]
Benedict Cumberbatch as both Alan Rickman and the Prime Minister tomorrow on The Simpsons
Two examples of ‘appointment television’ as there will ever be on Sunday…. Sunday telly in the States are all about Downton Abbey, at least for two more Sundays anyway. But, tomorrow we are granting unofficial papal dispensation here at Tellyspotting to those loyal Downton Abbey watchers to switch over to Fox for just a short [...]
Sadly, no Legos in Shaun of the Dead’s future, but we do have Paper People!
You might remember, back in April, we reported on the Lego process for submission of ideas that requires at least 10,000 supporters before an idea will be considered. Needless to say, the concept of a Lego Winchester Pub from the British zombie invasion film, Shaun of the Dead was well received. The ‘Make the Winchester [...]
Finally, a Facebook status update for Downton Abbey S3, Ep4
What better way to kick off a much-needed discussion of this past week’s highly emotional episode of Downton Abbey than with their long-awaited, much-anticipated Facebook status update for what happened both upstairs and downstairs at Downton. As we know, electricity isn’t everyone’s friend at Downton so, I’m guessing access to a WiFi hotspot is not [...]
Dawn French signs on as James Corden’s “mum” in The Wrong Mans for BBC2
Vicar of Dibley fans worldwide have long patrolled the Internets for any trace of a much hinted at thought of a Bishop of Dibley from the mind of Richard Curtis starring Dawn French. While that seems much more of a long-shot than anyone cares to admit, there is good news on the immediate horizon that [...]
British comedies that didn’t quite cross the Atlantic…more on the way?
With the announcement this week that both Gavin & Stacey and Spy have been picked up in pilot stage by U.S. television networks, Fox and ABC, respectively, and the news weeks back that there will now be an ‘American’ Downton Abbey, one can’t help but revisit some past history of comedies trying to head west [...]
Being Human 5 to take a bite out of BBC Three schedule on February 3
Depending on your individual definition of ‘normal’, it’s hard to argue with the thought that ‘being human’ is difficult enough for the average everyday person. Imagine just how difficult this task might be if you happen to a vampire, ghost or werewolf. Just ask Hal (Damien Molony), who finds himself tied to a chair in [...]
