More TV...And A Confession

Here's a (not-so) secret about me...

I like pretty things and pretty people.

Shocking right!?

Well, I also love PBS and almost any British production the network airs. However, one show I didn't watch, let alone even give a chance, was Inspector Morse. The story of a lonely police inspector solving murder cases in England did not appeal to me and I am a die hard Hercule Poirot fan from age 12. Curious.

A few years ago, I did start watching Inspector Lewis (it's successor) and loved it. I now suspect that was because of dishy Laurence Fox (whose father, Edward, I had a crush on in his younger days) I guess I am shallow like that. Despite that, when Endeavour, the back-story and early life of  the same Inspector Morse aired last year I still wasn't interested, no offense to actor Shaun Evans' good looks.

Last Sunday, I sat down and watched my first Endeavour episode (the new series is airing on PBS channels nationally now, check at PBS.org to see airing times in your area) when it followed Last Tango in Halifax (check it out too if you can!) and found myself intrigued. I became truly hooked; however, in the second half when stunning Black nurse Monica (Shvorne Marks) from across the hall arrived on the scene. The possibility of an interacial relationship between the two of them in 1966 Oxford England ramped my interest up sky high. I'm now officially along for the ride. Strangely, actor Shaun Evans also became twice as attractive instantly! Hmmm, interesting...

Another show worth checking out:

Tyrant on FX - it is only on it's third episode but I like the story and the pacing. It is the story of the Americanized son of a dictatorial ruler of a small country who finds himself (and his very American family) pulled back into the family business and must get his hands dirty.

Update: I know I mention a lot of the British TV productions I watch, but I keep forgetting to mention the helpful website The British TV Place, which keeps me up-to-date on what British (and Australian, Swedish, etc.) productions can be viewed online or on TV by American viewers. Please check them out, they do an awesome job tracking down all the possible viewing sources.

Something to Look Forward to...on PBS

The advantage of reading blogs from around the world is that you become aware of things outside of your environment that you might have missed otherwise.

I just found out about this British series - Dancing on the Edge - currently running on BBC Two that takes place in the 1930s. Um, don't they all?  The series depicts life around a black Jazz ensemble, the Louis Lester Band, in London. Now, that's something different from BBC, right? It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Matthew Goode, Angel Coulby, Janet Montgomery, John Goodman, and Jacqueline Bisset. Luckily, due to the immense popularity of Downton Abbey on this side of the pond, I have great hopes that this one will also come over and play on our TVs.

For the best look at the costumes of  Dancing..., I'm sending you to the web site portfolio of the series' costume designer, Lindsay Pugh. This costume slide show is amazing. Try not to drool all over your keyboard!


Click on this photo to see the slide show.

She was also responsible for this fabulous 100 Years of Style - East London commercial that was all over the internet a few years back.

What's New, Mr. Holmes?

Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Lara Pulver (Irene Adler)


If you didn’t get to check out the BBC’s Sherlock series last year, then try to catch it this year. It is just as meaty, clever, and witty as before plus more sexual innuendo. News Flash: Sherlock likes a girl!

The first episode, Scandal in Belgravia is fabulous, tricky, and bears repeat viewings so as not to miss any of the fun. I’ve just discovered, being an American, that during it’s original airing in England there was a bit of controversy about some perceived sexism in this episode. However, I didn’t see it that way at all.

While loving this episode and getting downright swoony over Mr. Cumberbatch (and I thought I had eyes only for Martin Freeman's John HAMISH Watson!) I realized that this episode would be a great first episode for someone who didn’t see the last series. Every one of the main and secondary characters are present and the dynamics of those relationships are in evidence too. So if you get the chance and have the inclination, check out PBS Masterpiece Mystery!, where you can view Series Two’s first episode online there until June 5.

And here's something for the Watson fans!


Hell-lo, Hamish!

Image: BBC Gif: Sherlock BBC

Fashion In Film: South Riding (2011)

Director: Diarmuid Lawrence
Anna Maxwell Martin, David Morrissey
Costume Design: Stephanie Collie

After the sumptuousness of Upstairs and the practicality of the Downstairs costumes, BBC One and Masterpiece Theater Classics is now sharing with us a wardrobe somewhere in between; that of a school headmistress in fictional South Riding, Yorkshire in 1935. Which just happens to be my favorite period in clothing! I'll not only be watching it for the clothes but also because the drama, based on the novel South Riding by Winifred Holtby, has been adapted by the wonderful Andrew Davies (Sense & Sensibility, Little Dorrit, Bleak House.)

The costumes are by Stephanie Collie and include a lot of lovely details from the 1920-30s.

See this link for a video on the costumes.

I absolutely adore this delicate blouse (also seen later in teal) I love the barely-attached split sleeves and the diagonal tucks taken in the bodice front. I assume the top is closed by buttons in the back but I'll have to wait to see the film to be sure.

Check out the pieced fabric detail with chevron bars at the end of the lapels.

This dress could be in either a textured velvet or a silk faille, again, I'll have to see it in action to determine which. I love what looks like diamante clips at the shoulders.

Here's another view of that lovely blouse!

Here is the same blouse in a teal or aquamarine blue. You can see the details more clearly. I would love to have multiples of this blouse in my wardrobe. The blouse is technically a raglan cap-sleeve shell but the sleeves are not fully sewn and are only stitched halfway down, as split sleeves. The neckline is finished with self bias binding and a small self-faced rectangle is twisted and tacked to the center neck to form a faux-bow.

New York 2766

Amazingly, on the first page of results for Google search "1930s blouse" I found a vintage pattern, New York 2766 that would closely approximate this blouse. How you can find a copy is another thing, but the sketch does help to see what details you are looking for.

The series started May 1 and will run the next two Sundays, the 8th and 15th of May. Enjoy! First episode can be seen here!!

Images: BBC, screen caps from The Butterfly Balcony

Answered My Own Sherlock Question

Since the first episode of Sherlock, I've been intriqued by Dr. Watson's (Martin Freeman) military-style jacket. Because of the dark scenes, I couldn't figure out what exactly was on his shoulder. As it turns out, he had leather patches on both elbows and on only one shoulder. I posed a question to the internet about the jacket, not knowing that the show's costumes had already made a splash in England. Honestly, the only thing I noticed was that one jacket! Well, I got my answer from Sarah Arthur, costume designer for the series:

Where did Watson's coat come from? The black jacket is from Haversack... I wasn't overly keen on Watson's original coat from the pilot - but [the character] had just come out of the army so I knew where they were coming from. I wanted to keep him old school, with check shirts, but make it a little bit more interesting.

• Here's the great article from GQ-UK on the guys' style where I found the answer: Dress like Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson.
  
• Great article about the show at The Independent: The Ideal Holmes Show.

However, a clearer and lighter picture shows that the jacket isn't as I imagined in my head. It's a regular canvas shooting jacket (much like the Barn coats that L.L. Bean is famous for) with a corduroy collar and the three leather patches. I had imagined it in wool melton, with somewhat pea-coat styling. Oh well, it's not like I was going to buy it for myself anyway.

Note: I think I found it: Haversack Style: 470928, Black cotton shooting jacket with black corduroy collar, leather shoulder guard, two chest pockets, hammered press studs, button front, two large bellows pockets and buttoned, vented cuffs. £725.00 ($1,170 US)

Why, Sherlock, Why?

How many were shocked and somewhat disappointed by the lack of conclusion to the three episode series of Sherlock?

I know that they are planning on another series but still, according to Masterpiece Mystery scheduling, we'll have to wait until this time next year to find out what happens. And you know something amazing must happen because it doesn't look like our heroes have a chance at all of surviving, even if they do take down Moriarty.

Oh, and speaking of James "Jim" Moriarty? That actor, Andrew Scott, was amazing. Now, that is the way to play a diabolical genius that is capable of anything. His great acting, mannerisms, and strange voice inflections were all working for him! He may not have gravitas, but I sure would be scared in a small space with him, wouldn't you?!

So I still love this series but to wait a year...

Image: Hell Yeah Andrew Scott

Check Out the New Sherlock Holmes!

I throughly enjoyed the new version of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, called simply, Sherlock, on Masterpiece Mystery last night! I had no idea that they were updating the story to present time; texting, internet, and GPS gadgets all included. However, it worked.

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, (The Last Enemy) and Martin Freeman (The Office UK) as the socially inept detective and his sharp-shooter doc. For a limited time, episodes can be seen online here.

Best line of the show (of which there were many) was when Holmes was described by a colleague as a psychopath. Holmes corrects him by stating, "I'm not a psychopath, Anderson, I'm a high-functioning sociopath. Do your research!"

Co-created by two Doctor Who producers, you know this will not be your grandfather's Sherlock Holmes!

A Must See - Do Not Miss!

I highly recommend that you watch the Masterpiece adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion this weekend on your local PBS channel*. Of the latest round of Austen adaptions, this one from last year, was my favorite. My emotion at the ending even surprised me.

It's the story of old maid (Wait, what? She's only 27!) Anne Elliot and the man that got away, Captain Wentworth.

• Will they meet again?
• Will he still love her?
• Will they ever have a happy ending?

All questions you never really have to ask in an Austen novel, but it's still worth every minute.

When I initially watched this I had not yet seen the actress who played Anne Elliot; Sally Hawkins, in her Golden Globe-winning role as Poppy in Happy-Go-Lucky. Now, I am amazed, because those two roles could not be more different!

As Poppy!

So first watch Persuasion and then if you get the chance, watch Sally again in Happy-Go-Lucky. Just let me know if she doesn't blow you away.

*To find your local channel and its schedule, click here.

A Quick Diversion

I know I said I was on vacation, but I couldn't go without passing on this bit of news:

After bawling my eyes out* last week watching the rerun showing of Cranford on PBS, I was elated to find out a new chapter to the saga; Return to Cranford, is premiering tomorrow. So if you were a fan of the original I suggest you plop yourself down in front of the TV with some cake and a hot cup of tea. It may or may not be as satisfying as the first one (I vow not to go and check the British reviews) but I'm sure it will still be a great treat.

And again, I'll see you in a bit! :)


*In fact, I believe I cried more this time than during the first viewing.

This Weekend was Full and Fun!

Friday:

• Discovered Cheerwine soda. Yum!

Saturday (THE most beautiful Spring day):

• Went down to Plan 9 for Record Store Day with a friend and scored 4 CD samplers, 3 full CDs, 1 Morissey sticker and 1 LP (remember those?) sampler of singles from various record labels. ALL FREE! And yes, I do have an adorable Crosley portable turntable to play that LP on!
• Sat at an outside table and had a snack at a Thai restaurant. Mango & sticky rice...yum!!
• Went to visit my friends and their three daughters. Watched some of Star Wars* with their middle girl, who was being introduced to the movie for the first time.
• Hemmed one pair of those pants that have been waiting around for ever. This included also hemming the lining!
  

Sunday:

• Attending the Spring Bada Bing craft show run by the Richmond Craft Mafia with two friends. Didn't buy anything but was bolstered by all the DIY goodness.
• Suggested dropping by a fabric store and was amazingly heartily agreed upon by all. (Feeling very Dickens and Austen just right now)
• First stopped to have lunch first at Kitchen 64. Yum! Will have the remainder of that meal for lunch today.
• Purchased a long-awaited copy of Stitch magazine at Quilting Adventures.
• Stopped by both Sally's Beauty Supply and Ellwood Thompson's natural foods store to purchase items for my new hair care regimen; it involves Amino Acids and Castor Oil!
• Took a long nap.
• Hemmed another item; this long-hated top, after many more revisions. Have to think about it a while before I can say if I like it now since It has been the most frustrating experience!
• Watched another wonderful installment of Little Dorrit!

Whew, I feel like I need a vacation now!

*Never call Star Wars "The New Hope" to my face, it will always be Star Wars period, to me. Changing it's name gives the prequels far too much importance. (Boo to Jar Jar Binks & Co.!)

PBS, Oh How I Love Thee...

How I've been spending my Sunday nights in April:


Claire Foy as Amy "Little" Dorrit

Watching the PBS Masterpiece Classic version of Charles Dicken's Little Dorrit. Originally broadcast in England in 14 segments, we Yanks get to see it combined into five episodes. This makes me so happy because even after 1 1/2 hours of each episode I'm dying to see more. I have no idea how I would have lasted watching it a measly half hour at a time!

If you have not read the book (like me) I suggest you check this page at the PBS Masterpiece site to keep track of the multitude of characters.


Matthew Macfadyen as Arthur Clennam

If you wish to read the book online, here are two great sites, one is actually searchable so you can jump whereever in the book you wish, the other is just more appealing visually.

• The searchable version here at dickens-literature.com
• The easy to read HTML version here from the library of The University of Adelaide in Australia.

Also, if you've seen The Lord of the Rings movies, pay special attention to the character of the evil Frenchman Rigaud. Let's just say that the most strange and bizarre evil characters in both have something in common.

Why People Love Dogs and Cats

If you love the above-mentioned animals you might want to catch the next airing of the PBS program NATURE. Here is the description from their site:

Why We Love Cats and Dogs

Watch as NATURE shares the stories of pet owners and their beloved animals. From a very special dog named Jerry, to a cat that saved a man’s life, Why We Love Cats and Dogs presents a portrait of some of the most powerful and remarkable connections we experience as humans—the unbreakable bonds with our pets. Included: interviews with animal behaviorists, who shed light on the types of relationships people have with pets, and cat and dog owners.

You can see the full episode online here. Be prepared to cry.

Update: Check your local PBS channel because they keep rerunning this episode.

Hurry, Quick, Fast!

My bad. I should have mentioned this as soon as I found out about it.

PBS is allowing free viewing of Joanna Rudnick's documentary "In The Family" online until October 31, only two days away. It is Joanna's own story as a woman with a family history of breast cancer who chooses to get tested for BRCA, the "breast cancer gene."

The women in my family also have a history of breast cancer and my oldest sister already had herself tested. She does not have the gene. She told me about this film but I haven't viewed the one-hour film yet. I plan to do that tonight after class.

If you saw it when it originally aired on October 1st or if you choose to view it online in the next two days, let me know your thoughts, ok?

A Room Nearby and other joys

Up late again, I saw this great show on my local PBS channel, written, produced, and animated by Paul and Sandra Fierlinger. The movie is described as "Blending intimate interviews with distinctive animation, A Room Nearby gives voice to five culturally dissimilar people as they reflect on the process and unexpected revelations of loneliness." It was both lovely and touching. Having been a loner in my childhood I know about the difference between loneliness and being alone in my adulthood.

In the film was this incredible quote "If we crave affirmation from others for the way We see things we will remain lonely forever." I will have to keep that in mind.

What I find weird is that I hardly ever "plan" to watch PBS, but just find myself turning the channel and discovering gems like these. Unfortunately, most of the wonderful pieces I've seen have been scheduled during the late night hours or VERY early hours of the morning. I just hope that people who live a more healthy sleep schedule have opportunities to see these too.

Pieces I've seen and enjoyed lately have been: the strong women of Cranford, Independent Len's Abduction: the Megumi Yokoto Story, Live From Lincoln Center's Camelot (with Gabriel Byrne eerily channeling Richard Harris), and an interesting look at the making of the UK's Lord of the Rings musical, that is about to close on July 19. I can't find a proper link to the complete piece I saw but you can see some of it on YouTube (of course!)

Check out PBS some night, you will be happy you did.