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**A Cousin** · (This post was last modified: 30-01-2012 08:18 PM by A Cousin.)

Naivety - that is the best metaphor for it I have heard yet. I have quoted you on that many times to others. Fully credited, of course. Wink

TL - Since I dearly respect your opinion, I shall try. Many of us on this side of the pond don't like to think too much ever! Big Grin

Masterpiece Theater is full of mindless costume drama and has been running for over 40 years on Sunday nights. I will say that episode 4 was not quite as annoying to me as the first three. (Or maybe I am just getting numb to it. I dunno.) I didn't roll my eyes nearly as much and I even teared up once. (William and his father.) They seemed to settle in on just a few of the plot threads and not all of them at once. Oh, and I am particularly glad that William did not die during his wedding to Daisy, because I was fully expecting it. Thus proving that JF can decide against the melodramatic route when he really puts his mind to it.

Sparky - The Christmas Special is the reason I am going to stick it through. I have heard many say that it is very good. Or at least back to the standard of S1.

And now for something completely different (and a bit of a giggle too!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IzpM1qBL...ture=share

**JHyde** · 31-01-2012, 01:57 AM

Apparently Shirley MacLaine is coming in to join the cast as Cora's mother.

This might be enough to get me watching season 3.

**A Cousin** · (This post was last modified: 31-01-2012 07:44 PM by A Cousin.)

(31-01-2012 01:57 AM)JHyde Wrote: Apparently Shirley MacLaine is coming in to join the cast as Cora's mother.

This might be enough to get me watching season 3.

Hmmmm. Ouiser Boudreaux meets Miss Jean Brodie? All right ITV...I'm listening....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHNBvGXLUt8

I suppose it could be worse to build a series around my favorite Dowager Countess line: Why does every day involve a fight with an American? Wink

Tea Lady · (This post was last modified: 31-01-2012 08:06 PM by Tea Lady.)

Good grief! Two Americans in the same show! Whatever next? Wink

I'm betting her love interest will be Mr Carson. Midnight coco delivery etc "One cube of sugar Ma Lady or two " Smile

Melodrama Melodrama !

**A Cousin** · (This post was last modified: 31-01-2012 07:44 PM by A Cousin.)

(31-01-2012 06:30 PM)Tea Lady Wrote: Good grief! Two Americans in the same show! Whatever next? I'm betting her love interest will be Mr Carson. Midnight coco deliverie etc" One cube of sugar Ma Lady or two " Melodrama Melodrama !

ROTFLOL!!!!!! Big Grin

Them's fightin' words, TeaLady. Go ahead. Make my day.... Wink

I can just hear Ms. MacLaine now: "I'm pleasant. Damn it! I saw Mr. Carson this morning in the dining room, and I smiled at the son of a bitch 'fore I couldn't help myself. Next thing I know, he's drowning me in coco!" (If you have not seen Ms. MacLaine in Steel Magnolias run, don't walk, to your nearest movie rental outlet.)

**JHyde** · 31-01-2012, 08:11 PM

I'm a huge fan of hers. The only really good movie she's done in the last 10 years or so is In Her Shoes, which is fantastic if you haven't seen it. But I keep hoping she'll do more good work, she's one of the better actresses walking around.

I look forward to hearing set stories though. She's not boring to work with, that's for sure!

Tea Lady · (This post was last modified: 31-01-2012 08:15 PM by Tea Lady.)

(31-01-2012 07:43 PM)A Cousin Wrote: I can just hear Ms. MacLaine now: "I'm pleasant. Damn it! I saw Mr. Carson this morning in the dining room, and I smiled at the son of a bitch 'fore I couldn't help myself. Next thing I know, he's drowning me in coco!" (If you have not seen Ms. MacLaine in Steel Magnolias run, don't walk, to your nearest movie rental outlet.)

Cussing in Downton?!! By Jove!! Smile

(31-01-2012 08:11 PM)JHyde Wrote: I'm a huge fan of hers. The only really good movie she's done in the last 10 years or so is In Her Shoes, which is fantastic if you haven't seen it. But I keep hoping she'll do more good work, she's one of the better actresses walking around.

I look forward to hearing set stories though. She's not boring to work with, that's for sure!

I think I've only ever seen her in Terms of Endearment. I have never managed to see Steel Mag. I seem to only catch the end with the bunny driving the motorbike.

Tea Lady · 02-02-2012, 01:51 PM

Article on the BBC about The US cult of Downton Abbey.

AC, do you know the Lady Mary fan? Wink

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/magazine-16731254

**A Cousin** · (This post was last modified: 03-02-2012 03:30 PM by A Cousin.)

(02-02-2012 01:51 PM)Tea Lady Wrote: AC, do you know the Lady Mary fan?

Hey! Wait a cotton-pickin' minute!?! How'd they get my picture...!?! Wink

Another funny article re: the Dame Maggie v. that's-Mz.-MacLaine-to-you face off for DA3: "It will be visceral, like Coriolanus, but with hats." Hah! Big Grin

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvand...dirty.html

**JHyde** · 04-02-2012, 03:33 PM

I have no patience with anyone who watches period pieces and longs for better, simpler days. It is a pet hate of mine in a big way. How can anyone watch Mary being swindled out of her inheritance because of an entail, or Bates' conviction on almost no evidence at all, and think that it would have been better back then.

And anyone who watches Downton Abbey and thinks it was a better place to live is seriously missing the point. I've noticed a lot of it with people watching Mad Men too.

I'm not surprised at its success in the States. There's a huge niche market for this sort of thing there, I think a lot of Americans secretly love the monarchy and the House of Lords and what they stand for. And it has only been encouraged with Will and Kate and that whole 'fairytale'.

I resent the comparison of Coriolanus to Downton. I'm not being a snob I just think it makes no sense whatsoever. I could not possibly be a bigger believer in escapism, but the passionate response to this show has been disproportionate to how good it actually is.