I think the point about budgets might be central. American audiences are used to tv shows made with a certain amount of budgetary flair, which we just don;t do. Maybe our shows just seem a bit small and homemade to them?

I never considered that before actually. I always assumed that it was a case of networks and studios assuming too little of their audience (assuming that they wouldn;t be able/willing to make the leap), actually, thinking about it, it may be that they assume a greater level of sophistication in their viewers.

Just a quick update to the Brits to say that Misfits won the BAFTA for Best Drama this year and is transferring to Channel 4 (it was previously on E4). Even the Radio Times has it as their Pick of the Day. So anyone who missed it can catch up. DO!

And even better news, the ensemble cast are currently filming the second series. I assume it's all of them - at least the articles I've seen do not suggest it's a single character spin-off.

In sadder news, Geoffrey Hutchings who played Mel in Benidorm died last week from a viral infection. His agent reported that he was fine at Wednesday lunchtime but dead by Thurday morning. He was only 71.

Benidorm hasn't had much luck, what with the loss of Geoffrey Perkins too. They're about to start filming a new series. I'd be worried for Steve Pemberton... but his name isn't Geoffrey.

Oh, just an aside - I'm saving up to go and see Ghost Stories, a horror play written by Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentlemen) and Andy Nyman (who works with Derren Brown and starred in Charlie Brooker's Dead Set - as well as a cameo in TLOG :)) It's transferred to the Duke of York (West End) from Hammersmith (not West End). Horror and Jeremy and Nyman - who acts as well as wrote - and theatre. Oh my.

Found this on the back of the Sherlock Holmes query.

Just about to watch Monte Carlo or Bust.
Docu-comedy about three pairs of travellers trying to find the essence of France.
So far, so yawn. Who they then?

Jack Dee & Ade Edmondson
Jodie Kidd & Julian Clary
Penny Smith & Rory McGrath

Brits will know why I'm bothering, I expect most others to be baffled (well, as baffled as I am by Penny Smith)
Going to watch the 1st episode on ITV catch-up - I realised today it started last week! Now this will be a saga, as their online service appears to be put together with yoghurt cartons and string. But if it's any good, I'll watch again tonight in real time and report back.

cool.

I wasted a bit of time on the Inbetweeners recently

Clunge.

Meh - have heard pro and anti Inbetweeners.
One of the teachers said it's only funny if you're 19, another said that she and her husband wept with laughter regularly, another that she found it amusing but not complulsively so.

It's been an award winner here, but I admit I've never watched it. I often feel guilty when a programme goes on to international acclaim and I've just not bothered (being more interested in books than TV generally). So it's kinda reassuring when I'm reminded that not "everyone loves it".

Monte Carlo or Bust made me laugh out loud - not bad when I usually laugh with my mind not my belly. Very like the recent BBC Three Men in a Boat and spin-offs therefof - obvious comparison given that it features Rory McGrath and is narrated by Griff Rhys Jones.

I take it back re Penny Smith. All the participants seems to have rudimentary (or better) French, but she is apparently fluent. And she works well as Rory's foil. I'll tell you a secret... shhhhhh... I really fancy Rory McGrath, and have done since Chelmsford 123

If you meet him, don't say anything.

There, there sweetums. Try this link:

It made me howl with laughter at some parts and cringe with embarrasment in others. sadly, it definitely deteriorated by the series.

What did you guys think of Lost in Austen?

Didn't watch it, sorry.

Probably just as well because I was going to criticise it.

I have an allergic reaction to all things Austen.

i can read and enjoy as a historian, looking at it as a historical source...but I just find all that stuff unreadable for entertainment; and mostly unwatchable when done as period drama on tv. I realise that Lost in was something different, but I just couldn't bring myself to find out in what way.


I saw a really interesting news report recently about a new theory on Austen's writing style. It seems that our doyenne of perfect grammar and oh so correct English, was in fact way more experimental in her style than we'd previously realised. The versions of her work that made it to us were heavily edited and 'corrected' to conform to established standards of grammar and punctuation.

Much of the reason I find her work so unpleasant to read is the stilted dialogue and overly precise sentence structure. It's like reading a primer for grammar, rather than a story. Turns out that her original scribblings show a much more fluid style, more in keeping with modern authors than her contemporaries. One of the specific differences noted is in her presentation of dialogue; which in the original, pre-edited form was much more naturalistic than the dialogue that we get in the 'corrected' version.

I do enjoy reading Austen - as with Dickens I find after a page or two I fall into the rhythm. I just don't watch much TV.

The new series of Misfits starts Thursday, though.
So that'll be two programmes for me on one day alone! (True Blood series two on Channel 4). Thank goodness they're on the same channel to avoid any overlap.

Well don't let that stop you, go ahead and rip it up. :D

Interesting stuff Dana. I quite enjoy reading Austen once in a while and usually like the film and TV of her work. I only managed one episode of Lost in Austen. Suspension of reality isn't my strong point and I thought it was ridiculous that the heroine of the series would actually want to stay in or be able to cope in Austen's world or that one of Austen's heros would even look twice at her. I felt it was something that I should like/give a decent go to, but never did get around to watching that second episode and have no regrets.

You guys should have told me about Mock the Week..... I had to find out in a Royal Wedding thread.......