PBS President Talks Downton Abbey, Downton Arby's, Lady Mary's Eyebrows'

Paula Kerger knew she had a hit with Downton Abbey in America after the viral success of "Downton Arby's" – an online spoof which set the period drama in a fast food restaurant selling soda and curly fries. Further parodies have included the rap-based "The Fresh Prince of Downton Abbey" and a tribute from NBC chat show host Jimmy Fallon, who made an eight-minute short called "Downton Sixbey" (named after his famous Studio 6B in New York). Kerger, who is president of PBS, the nearest American equivalent to the BBC, chose to buy Downton before it had even debuted on ITV but admits to having been taken "by surprise" by the scale of its American appeal. "People have created personalities on Twitter – my favourite is 'Lady Mary's Eyebrows'," she says.


"And people have organized viewing parties. It's beautifully done, it's filmed perfectly, it has great characters and is a compelling story."

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Here again for your viewing pleasure is Downton Arby's:

Tor.Com: 'Downton Abbey' is the Edwardian Battlestar Galactica

I wanted to blog about this article just so I could post their picture of the Dowager Countess!

She’s been to Earth. She didn’t care for it.

Are you into sci-fi? Tor.com examines how Downton Abbey is like Battlestar Galactia:

What does Downton Abbey have in common with Battlestar Galactica? Well, both shows have two central cores that make them thematically identical; all the characters are struggling against outside influences to maintain the status quo and preserve a way of life which is threatened. Second, and probably more effective; both shows constantly tease the audience with secrets, and star-crossed lovers.

Battlestar Galactica didn’t sink the Titanic in its opener, but instead blew up the home planets of the humans, sending them fleeing through space. Like DTA, this thrust a lot of people together in a situation where they normally wouldn’t be interacting. Matthew Crawley and Cousin Isabel showing up at Downton and shaking things up isn’t too different from former Secretary of Education Laura Roslin, suddenly becoming President. She’s the heir to Downton Galactica, deal with it. The notion of who is going to be in charge of the colonial fleet is a big deal in BSG. Between Admiral Cain and the Pegasus trying to take over, to Roslin’s illness in later seasons, the idea of the future of the status quo is constantly in play.

Similarly, Downton Abbey frequently throws a curve ball as to the future of their status quo. Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess is the usual defender of the old guard on DTA, but has the ability to subtly shift with the times. Because it’s Maggie Smith, she truly has no equal and, as such, is not a direct analog on BSG. In a way, she’s Adama, Roslin and Tigh with a dash of Doc Cottle all rolled into one.

But DTA’s scandals are just a real as BSG’s cylons. Will Cora’s pregnancy at the end of season one suddenly render Matthew’s status as the heir illegimate? Then you’ve got a faux-heir showing up in the form of a man claiming to be a disfigured member of the Crawley family. Finally, and most relevantly, as a result of his service in WWI, Matthew is paralyzed from the waist down, again putting his ability to carry on the future generations in jeopardy.

This isn't all, there's lots more. Check out their full comparison here.

Are you a Battlestar Galactia fan? What do you think of the comparison?

Masterpiece Excutive Producer, Rebecca Eaton, Talks Downton Abbey, Sherlock and More

Many Downton Abbey fans became familiar with Masterpiece executive producer, Rebecca Eaton, after she gave a tiny sneak peak of Downton Abbey season three and commented on Maggie Smith being a handful.

Now we learn even more about her in this informative interview with Collider's Christina Radish. They discuss what her job at Masterpiece entails, talk Downton Abbey, Sherlock, and more.

During this exclusive interview with Collider, executive producer Rebecca Eaton talked about what her job at Masterpiece entails, the gut feeling that she goes with when it comes to determining programming, which aspects of her job she enjoys most and dreads most, and what keeps her coming back, year after year. She also talked about the overwhelming success of Sherlock and Downton Abbey, why audiences have responded so strongly to the pairing of Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson, and why they only do three 90-minute movies per season.

For nearly 40 years, Masterpiece on PBS has captivated audiences with the works of the finest classic and contemporary writers, interpreted by the world’s foremost actors.  In 1985, Rebecca Eaton took over the helm and oversaw the highly successful relaunch in 2008, with three distinct programs strands – Classic, Mystery! and Contemporary.  Under her watch, the series has presented such high-profile titles as Prime Suspect, Inspector Morse, The Complete Jane Austen, Wallander and the recent hits Sherlock (returning for Season 2 on May 6^th), Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey.  With 34 Primetime Emmy Awards, 17 Peabody Awards, a Golden Globe and two Academy Award nominations, her distinguished career has earned her the official recognition of Queen Elizabeth II.

Collider: What does your job as executive producer at Masterpiece entail?

REBECCA EATON: My primary job is to choose the programs, either to co-produce them, or acquire them after they’re finished. So, I read a lot of scripts, I meet with producers and I read a lot of books, and then I choose the shows and do the negotiations so we can air them on PBS. Once they’re in production, my motto is to leave them alone. Once they’re shooting, sometimes I go to the set to visit. When they’re shot, I look at various early cuts and give notes, as I give notes on scripts. And then, I work to make sure that they get the best exposure in this country. I work with PBS and with our publicist to make sure that everybody knows about them. Hopefully, we broadcast them to great acclaim. And then, I get to buy a new pair of shoes and go to the Emmys. That’s my job.


Collider: How do you know when you’ve found something that’s perfect for Masterpiece?

EATON:  It is very subjective and a gut feeling. We don’t do focus groups. I depend a lot on my own judgement, for better or worse. I do ask people to read scripts, if I’m not sure, or screen things with me. In fact, we have a very small team in Boston and as many of us as possible screen all the possibilities, when things are finished and come to us. But, the buck stops here.

Collider: Are you surprised at the audience reaction you’ve gotten for both Downton Abbey and Sherlock?

EATON: I think that they’re bigger than we thought. I knew, as soon as I saw Sherlock, that it was going to be special. The fact that it caught fire the way that it did, didn’t surprise me. It was hard to tell, reading it, that it was going to be as unusual because there were some special effects that weren’t in the script. Similarly, with Downton Abbey, the story on the page is a very good read, but then you have beautiful people who play the parts. A lot of those actors, I hadn’t seen before. You can read a line on a page, but then you hear Maggie Smith say it and it takes on a life of its own.

 Read the full interview here at Collider.com.

Downton Abbey Funnies

Here are some random Downton Abbey funnies. I love these! Go ahead and LOL haha.

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Elizabeth McGovern To Attend Cannes Film Festival

Elizabeth McGovern will attend the Cannes Film Festival for a special screening of her 1984 film, Once Upon a Time in America:

Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws,” Sergio Leones’s “Once Upon a Time” and other older cinematic greats will return to the big screen next month at Cannes Film Festival.

Classic films have been restored in the annual showcase titled Cannes Classics as part of the 65th celebration of the film fest...

Leone’s 1984 film “Once Upon a Time” will also include 25 minutes of additional footage. Robert De Niro, Elizabeth McGovern, Jennifer Connelly, producer Arnon Milchan and the Leone family will attend the screening.

Once Upon a Time in America is the epic tale of the lives of four Jewish gangsters in New York City. The film spans decades, ending in the 1970's, but focuses on three periods — the childhood of the gangsters on the Lower East Side, their young adulthood and the old age of the survivors. Elizabeth plays the role of Deborah Gelly (in adulthood), love interest of Robert De Niro.

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Check Out Brendan Coyle in 'The Raven'

Have you seen The Raven yet? Brendan Coyle plays Reagan the bartender. Bryan Enk from Heavy.com has a great review for Brendan in the film:

Downton Abbey's Brendan Coyle threatens to steal the show as Reagan, the long-suffering and wise bartender.

Read the full review here.  He steals the show on Downton Abbey too!

Mr. Dashing Dan Stevens

Found this on Tumblr via thatrambilingmind and just had to post it here. Happy Saturday!

It'sTime For Some Matthew and Mary GIF Icons

Beautiful Matthew and Mary icons via Breakfast at Downton Abbey:

You’ve lived your life, and I’ve lived mine.
and now its time we live them together.

Michelle Dockery and Elizabeth McGovern Are On People's '2012 Most Beautiful at Every Age' List

MICHELLE DOCKERY, 30

The British beauty is at the center of the drama as Mary Crawley in PBS's hit drama Downton Abbey, transforming herself from a 21st century star to a 1920s star-crossed aristocrat. "I don't mind wearing a corset," Dockery said of her on-set wardrobe staple. "It informs your posture, changes the way you move, you can't slouch."

ELIZABETH MCGOVERN, 50

Twenty years after leaving Hollywood to build a life abroad with British director Simon Curtis and their two daughters, the actress has found a second wave of fame – and confidence! – with her hit series Downton Abbey. "I've just turned 50, and I feel sexier, happier, more interesting than I ever have before," she told U.K.'s Woman & Home.

Both beautiful ladies indeed! See who else made the list here. 

100 Days of Downton Abbey Peg Dolls

I stumbled on this tumblr page, 100 Days Peg Dolls, that is doing peg dolls with a Downton Abbey theme. Now that's made of awesome! They are adorable! So far they're only on day nine but I'm hooked and checking back every day to see what new one they post. I've posted a few of them but be sure to check out their tumblr for all the others.

Robert, Earl of Grantham with Isis

Cora, Countess of Grantham

Mrs. Patmore, the cook

Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

Picture of Lady Sybil's Wedding Ring

Check out Lady Sybil's (Jessica Brown Findlay) wedding ring in these photos from Downton Abbey season three filming! A gold band, while a little fuzzy, is clearly visible on her ring finger in the blown up picture. Also, I'm thinking she appears to be hiding a pregnant belly?!

This photo is from  another wedding scene being filmed but it's not Matthew & Mary this time. If you want to be spoiled click here.

Via: fire-kissed on Tumblr.

Huge *Spoiler Alert* Another Downton Abbey Season Three Wedding Taking Place

*SPOILER ALERT* ***Don't read any further if you don't want to be spoiled*** Click  the "Read More" link to find out who else gets married in Downton Abbey season three!!!

Brendan Coyle & Lesley Nicol to Perform at 2012 HighTide Festival

Both Lesley Nicol and Brendan Coyle will be appearing in Seizing Cinderella, at The HighTides Festival in Halesworth, Suffolk:

SEIZING CINDERELLA, a new play by Stephanie Street. Directed by Bruce Guthrie (Associate Director, The Bridge Project). Its cast features Louise Brealey (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Susan Brown (Torchwood), Brendan Coyle (BAFTA nominee for Downton Abbey, Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor for The Weir), Steven Miller, Alison Newman, Lesley Nicol (Downton Abbey), Prasanna Puwanarajah (2009 Ian Charleston nominee).

The 2012 HighTide Festival runs from May 3-13 at The Cut, The Rifle Halland The Printworks in Halesworth, Suffolk. For more info visit www.hightide.org.uk or call 020 7566 9767.

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Colin Farrell Offered Lead in Winter's Tale With Jessica Brown Findlay

Colin Farrell has been offered the male lead in Akiva Goldsman’s directorial debut, Winter’s Tale.  The female lead is set with Jessica Brown Findlay playing a dying young woman who falls in love with a thief who breaks into her West Side Manhattan mansion.  Farrell, if he takes the role in the Warner Bros. picture, would play the thief in this supernatural drama that occurs both in the 19th century and in contemporary times.  Winter’s Tale, based on the 1983 novel by Mark Helprin, also stars Russell Crowe and Will Smith in supporting roles.  Shooting is set to begin in New York on October 15th.  

See who else could be up for the male lead if Farrell opts out here at Collider.com

Maria Doyle Kennedy on Her Role as Mrs. Bates

The Daily Mail has a great interview with Maria Doyle Kennedy about a variety of things including her role as Mrs Bates on Downton Abbey, her new film Albert Nobbs, starring Glenn Close, her singing career and her role on Julian Fellowes, Titanic:

She seems self-conscious, yet the roles that we’ve most known her for are assertive women who are not in the least self-effacing.

‘Usually I don’t play the part of bitches, but when I do I really enjoy it,’ she says with a savouring smile. In the case of Mrs Bates she presented her as the ultimate vengeful woman.

Her character was pretty vile. ‘It was fantastic to play someone so awful. You could never be like that in real life. It was made all the more brilliant because of the period. You don’t march around being nasty. You say dreadful things in the same way as you say: “Isn’t the tea lovely?”

‘I really don’t behave like that in real life. I am not a devious person, anyway. And I can lose control of my temper. I’m not that buttoned up.’

Read the full interview here. 

Didn't you just hate her character on the show?!!!

*Update* Elizabeth McGovern Clarifies Her 'Downton Abbey' Season Two Statements

Recently some statements by Elizabeth McGovern, while at the Tribeca Film Festival, about the second season of Downton Abbey have made the news. Elizabeth is now clarifying her comments:
 

"I am horrified that my comments about the second series of Downton Abbey have been taken out of context and misinterpreted," she says. ["Seasons" are referred to as "series" in the U.K.] "I was in no way criticizing the second season or implying that I loved or enjoyed it less."

McGovern adds: "When asked about the second series, I said that the tone differed slightly from the first. There would be some people who would naturally prefer the more domestic detail of series one and others who would love the faster pace and heightened drama of the war years. That does not translate that series two was any less entertaining than series one - and many millions of people around the world agree with me."

Also, "Julian Fellowes is a brilliant writer and I am proud and privileged to be part of this show. The third season is so rich with character detail, storylines and new faces that I can't wait for people to see it."

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Elizabeth McGovern Says 'Downton Abbey' Season Two Wasn't Her Cup of Tea

**EDIT: Elizabeth has since clarified her statements. Read the update here.**

 Lady Cora, Elizabeth McGovern, wasn't thrilled with Downton Abbey season two reports the Los Angeles Times:

Elizabeth McGovern, who plays the countess Cora Crawley in the costume drama, says she wasn't entirely pleased with the recent direction of the series about the aristocracy in turmoil, which wrapped up its most recent stateside run on PBS this past February.

"There is a slightly different tone to the second season, partly because the show had to deal with this huge elephant which is the First World War, and in some ways 'Downton Abbey' wasn't set up for that," McGovern told Show Tracker. "What's made the show successful and different is that attention to character detail and that's what the audience likes. ... Writers [in the second season] had to do a lot of glossing over the domestic life, and some of the small moments between characters that characterized the first season."

Then, acknowledging that fans felt a little fatigue at all the fast-moving events, McGovern said, "I was feeling that a little myself. It's kind of a taste thing, and the show in the first season was more to my taste than the show in the second season."

Read the full article here. 

How did you like season two?

'Sherlock' Star Benedict Cumberbatch Sounds Off on Downton Abbey

 

In an interview with The New York Times, Benedict Cumberbatch recalls a friendly run in with Downton Abbey producer, Rebecca Eaton, at the Golden Globe Awards. He also shares his opinion on the second season of Downton Abbey:

He recalled an encounter he’d had in January at the Golden Globe Awards, where the PBS “Masterpiece” executive producer Rebecca Eaton taunted him affectionately with a trophy that had just been won by “Downton Abbey.” 

He said: “I just looked at it and went: ‘Begone, woman. Bring it back when it says “Sherlock Holmes” or Steven Moffat or myself — someone else who’s more deserving than the second series of “Downton Abbey.” ’ ” 

Exhibiting a diplomacy that his Holmes is not known for, Mr. Cumberbatch stopped himself from saying anything more about the rival television series. 

“I know too many people who are in it,” he said. “I thought the first series was good. That’s what I’ll say.”

Elizabeth McGovern also let it be known she wasn't thrilled with Downton Abbey season two.  What did you think? Were you happy with season two?

Sophie McShera to Star in New ITV Sitcom

Sophie McShera will be starring in a new Russel Tovey sitcom for ITV called, The Job Lot. The show is set in an unemployment office:

Set in a West Midlands job centre, the show will also star Miranda's Sarah Hadland, stand-up Jo Enright (also recently seen in Life’s Too Short), Sophie McShera from Downton Abbey and Tony Maudsley from Benidorm. It is written by Claire Downes, Ian Jarvis and Stuart Lane.

Executive producer Kenton Allen said: 'The moment I read the script I immediately thought The Job Lot was a comedy idea that captured the spirit of these times and could be the answer to ITV’s ambitions to reignite primetime comedy on ITV1.'

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Michelle Dockery to Read Poetry for Disney TV Show

Michelle Dockery has signed up to recite poetry for the Disney Junior UK series, A Poem Is.

Michelle and other stars will read selected works from poets such as Clement Clarke Moore, Eliza Lee Follen and William Wise.

Each episode will feature animation from Disney's vaults, including classic scenes from much-loved films like Lady and the Tramp, Dumbo, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast.

Disney Junior boss Boel Ferguson says, "Combining timeless poetry with imagery from some of Disney's most beloved animations is a fantastic way for young children and their parents to enjoy the beauty of a poem well read."

The first episode airs on 30 April to coincide with National Poetry Month.

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Downton Abbey Fan Art Wednesday

I seriously love Downton Abbey fanart! It's great when you need a quick Downton Abbey fix. Here are some awesome finds:

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