UKTV Florida: February 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Rab C. Nesbitt - Disc 6

Rab C. Nesbitt - Disc 6......Series 9 concluded tonight. Reports indicate Rab will be back for a 10th series sometime in 2011.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rab_C._Nesbitt

Ted & Alice - if this had been 6 30-minute episodes instead of 3 60-minute eps it probably would be thought of as a unique TV series. Instead it seems to be a forgotten "mini-series".
File this under comedy, drama, SciFi, romance....a great cast led by Dawn French and Stephen Tompkinson as Ted & Alice, and Owen Teale, who like Tompkinson was in Ballykissangel though not at the same time.
Paul Wallace sums it up like this on IMDB:
Ted is an alien, an outcast on his own planet where he is a rare single-sex being condemned to a life in search of a mate. Alice dreams of a fiction book romance, but the reality of boyfriend Barry is a lot less appealing. Her life seems set to change when Ted, who is not only looking for love but also a place to hide his spaceship, appears on her doorstep.
But don't think this is another Mork And Mindy or even My Hero. It's not anywhere near being as lightweight as those.

Comedy Smörgåsbord - Disc 6

Comedy Smörgåsbord - Disc 6
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BBC's Comedy Playhouse was a showcase for pilot episodes and one-off's for about 13 years and 120 episodes (1961-1974). A number of legendary TV programs got their start on Comedy Playhouse including Steptoe And Son, Are You Being Served?, Last Of The Summer Wine, Till Death Us Do Part, The Liver Birds, All Gas And Gaiters, and Meet The Wife.
In 1993 ITV revived the concept with a program of 8 pilots, two of which (Brighton Belles and The 10%ers) were developed into TV shows.
Brighton Belles was the UK version of NBC's The Golden Girls and despite a great cast of Sheila Hancock, Wendy Craig, Jean Boht and Sheila Gish it was cancelled during it's 10 episode run.
I'm very happy to have the pilot as the other 10 episodes are among that group of 1990's for-some-reason-elusive programs.
The 10%ers was about a talent agency and lasted 14 more episodes. It also remains elusive.
Clive Francis (Piglet Files, May To December, Poldark, Yes Minister) led the cast.
Other programs feature well known actors such as James Nesbitt and Neil Morrissey.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0934711/episodes#season-1
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The Unforgettable: Joan Sims, a tribute to the great comic actor. She's probably best remember in the UK for her many appearances in the Carry On films and best known to Americans for her role as Madge Hardcastle on As Time Goes By.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801330/bio
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801330/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Sims
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Above Their Station is a recently aired (3 nights ago) pilot on BBC Three.
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That Was The Week That Was was an early 60's BBC satirical comedy program that in it's day was considered to be very cutting edge. It was hosted by David Frost and had a team of writers that reads like a Who's-Who of comedy. These two episodes were end of the year reviews.
If you're old enough to remember that period of time you might appreciate their relevance, if not then they will probably seem to be quite dated to you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_Was_The_Week_That_Was
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Tiswas was a 1974 to 1982 wild and whacky Saturday morning live-in-the-studio children's show which today is probably best known as an early vehicle for cast member Lenny Henry.
It had weekly musical guests and many other well known adult guest stars.
This is a clip compilation from 1992.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiswas

Drama Smörgåsbord - Disc 6

Drama Smörgåsbord - Disc 6:
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Brick Is Beautiful...here is a Michael Heathcoat review of this BBC film:
Clever and spirited telemovie set in Greater Manchester during the Thatcher years of government. Made about midway through her reign, this film hones in on one aspect of British life under her that had as yet been largely ignored. Several films had already attacked her political legacy in socially aware narratives highlighting the devastation to traditionally working class communities who were now without much work at all. This made for TV film highlights the positive points of Thatcherism, enterprise and opportunities for those that have the ambition to create new jobs, new fields of work, even. Its characters are all young and from an area where many of the traditional manufacturing type jobs were disappearing quickly, and unemployment was now very common, especially among the young. And so, taking inspiration from the growing band of entrepreneurs and yuppies that were benefiting from the changing economy, a group of young no-hopers is encouraged to join together and go for it, with the support of a local enterprise scheme. To be any more specific about it would be to spoil the story, but obviously, the clue to this group's new found success is in the title.Their business idea is a very good one, and naturally enough, it brings them great reward, or at least one or two of them. And this brings us to the main focus of the film, the changing relationships within this group of young friends as the film examines the effects their growing success has, and how their old working class values are tested and ultimately their bonds with one another. It is a clever look at life and culture at a time of great change and the film sparkles with freshness, giving the young cast a chance to prove how full of potential young people can be when given the chance. It chooses its core location very well, and has that early 'Madchester' vibe about it thanks to a lively screenplay and some top rate acting by young amateurs. A very slick product all round and still one of the most memorable British TV films made.
Ian Murcer had a role in this. Some might be familiar with him from Common As Muck or A Touch of Frost. Paul Oldham, who was Sherbet in First of the Summer Wine and was also in G.B.H. and more recently Boy Meets Girl. Caroline Milmoe, who was the first Julie in Bread and was Maggie in Hot Metal.
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My Beautiful Son - this Granada TV film is a bit of a mixed bag. Written by Tim Kazurinsky, who was a Saturday Night Live (NBC USA) cast member back in the early 80's, it featured well known American actors like Olympia Dukakis, George Wendt, Paul Reiser with the rest of the cast being British such as Julie Walters and Amy Robbins. Here's a brief review from IMDB:
The cable version of this dramedy ( drama/comedy) is "Strange Relations" but they could have called it "Strange Bedfellows."It's such a quirky, unique piece of work. It defies much description, and the plot summaries above tell the tale.The acting is surprising good. For once, Paul Reiser is not exactly playing Paul Reiser.Julie Walters is phenomenal, as always. Amy Robbins (a cousin of Paul McCartney, and sister to Brit actress Kate Robbins) is excellent, and some might remember her from "Casualty".The setting is primarily Liverpool, and it's both an unflinching and romantic view of the city, in my humble opinion. All in all, this is worth 2 hours of your time, and if you spend 120 minutes with it on cable - it won't be time wasted.
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Station Jim - a BBC period film with George Cole (Minder, Blott On The Landscape), Celia Imrie had a role and Prunella Scales (Fawlty Towers, After Henry) and husband Timothy West had appearances. A lot of it was filmed at the Bluebell Railway (restored steam line) in Sussex and at the southern terminus station at Sheffield Park, a National Trust Garden. You can take the train from there to the northern terminus where a short walk takes you to another great National Trust Manor and Garden at Standen. I'll spare you the photo's this time (lol). Here's a brief review from IMDB:
This enchanting tale of a small railway station in the English countryside will appeal to adults and children alike. There is plenty of plot going on with an orphanage that must be saved (echoes of The Cider House Rules), a blossoming romance (featuring Laura Fraser - yum yum), and an impending visit to the station by HRH Queen Victoria. And it's all held together by a feisty little Jack Russell called Jim who always saves the day and will charm the pants off of anyone who watches it. Wonderful.
.....echoes of Cider House Rules....a lot of that film was shot where I used to live before relocating to Florida a couple years ago. Again, I'll spare you the pix.
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Enid - a BBC film about famed children's author Enid Blyton starring Helena Bonham Carter. This description is from the BBC:
Illuminating and surprising drama telling the story of arguably the most popular children's storyteller of all, Enid Blyton.
It reveals how Blyton became the writer who would capture more youthful imaginations than anyone else, following her career from ambitious, driven and as yet unpublished young woman to household name and moral guardian, while glimpsing her own childhood - a dark time, far from the carefree, happy idyll portrayed in her books.
Through marriages and children, the roles of Enid the wife (to Hugh and then Kenneth) and mother are portrayed, ones she struggled to fulfil while balancing them with her extraordinary output.
The film also uncovers a strong and resourceful woman; a woman who never really grew up; a woman who rewrote the endings of many chapters of her real life, sometimes with cruel and hurtful results; and a woman whose legacy has often been criticised but whose success cannot be argued with, who gave children the stories they wanted.
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Margot - BBC "drama based on events in the life of ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn. At the beginning of the 1960s, Fonteyn faces retirement as a prima ballerina and a crisis in her marriage to Panamanian 'politician' Tito de Arias. When the much younger Rudolf Nureyev arrives on the scene, he transforms Margot's professional and personal life in a partnership celebrated around the world. But when Tito is shot and paralysed, the dancer must face an agonising choice about her future."
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On Expenses - recent BBC "drama about American journalist Heather Brooke's fight for the disclosure of MPs' expenses under the Freedom of Information Act, resulting in one of the defining political scandals of the decade."
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and to fill out the disc, Episode 13 of the old TV program Edgar Wallace Mystery: The Sinister Man from December 1961. Wilfrid Brambell (Steptoe And Son) has a role and Last of the Summer Wine followers might spot a young Burt Kwouk or William Gaunt (Sgt. Cork, The Champions, No Place Like Home, Next Of Kin).

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Proof

Proof was an edgy crime-drama co-produced by Ireland's RTÉ and Denmark's TV2. It was also shown on BBC Three and in Australia because an Aussie wrote this review about it on IMDB:
The plots are layered and complicated, if not occasionally improbable, and you have to pay attention or you can get lost. The cast of Finbar Lynch, Orla Brady, Stanley Townshend - and many more - are excellent, the scripts tight and sometimes funny, often shocking. Best of all, the filmmakers make a genuine attempt to create a gritty urban landscape of Dublin, where the series is set.Stories centre around corruption in high places, and the attempts made by journalists Lynch and Brady to expose the bad guys. They're often unsuccessful, which is one of the reasons I enjoy this show. The bad guys frequently do win, and there's little the good guys can do about it.One of the many reasons I'm enjoying 'Proof' is that the viewer is treated with respect and with none of the patronising explanations of the plot by characters which seems to be part and parcel of many mainstream US mystery/drama/cop shows.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proof_%28TV_series%29

Adam Adamant Lives!

Adam Adamant Lives!...all the surviving episodes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Adamant_Lives!

King Of Kensington

King Of Kensington was a Canadian Broadcasting Corp sitcom from 1975 to 1980 for a total of 111 episodes. Except for the shows on this disc, which comprise all but 2 episodes of Season 1, this program seems to have vanished into time. Perhaps some day more episodes will turn up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Kensington

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Survivors - Disc 2 (Remake)

The second series of Survivors concluded tonight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivors_(2008_TV_series)

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Born And Bred

This is the Born And Bred of 2002-2005 and not to be confused with the late 70's program of the same name. Life in a small Lancashire Village in the 1950's where James Bolam (Likely Lads, When The Boat Comes In, Second Thoughts, The Biederbecke Trilogy, Only When I Laugh, New Tricks) plays a doctor. He was replaced by his former Only When I Laugh co-star Richard Wilson (One Foot In The Grave, Merlin, etc etc) for the final series (10 eps). Jenna Russell had a role as did Clive Swift (Keeping Up Appearances).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_and_Bred

The Two Ronnies - Disc 5

The Two Ronnies - Disc 5 features the 8 episodes of Series 6.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Two_Ronnies

Saturday, February 20, 2010

A Time To Dance

A Time To Dance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvyn_Bragg

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103567/

Eureka Street

Eureka Street http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_Street_%28TV_series%29

True Dare Kiss

True Dare Kiss http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Dare_Kiss

Friday, February 19, 2010

Midsomer Murders - Disc 16

Midsomer Murders....the new episode added to Disc 16.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsomer_Murders

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Adventures Of Black Beauty - Disc 2 & 3

The Adventures Of Black Beauty - Discs 2 & 3 complete that program. You just don't see production value like this anymore. Wish I had these when my kids were young.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Black_Beauty

The District Nurse - Series 1

The District Nurse, Series 1 (the first 12 of 26 episodes) of the BBC Wales drama starring Nerys Hughes (The Liver Birds). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_District_Nurse

The Persuasionists + Material Girl

Two new BBC sitcoms and a 2-for-1 bargain.
The Persuasionists is a sitcom about an advertising agency. It began 30 years almost to the day after a previous and similar BBC sitcom called Watch This Space.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Persuasionists
Material Girl is not about that woman with the one-word name and a vocal "range" of 5 notes.
It's a new "romantic comedy" that takes place within the fashion industry. Dervla Kirwan has a role (Goodnight Sweetheart, Ballykissangel, 55 Degrees North, Hearts And Bones).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Material_Girl_%28tv_series%29

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Flockton Flyer

The Flockton Flyer cast featured such well-known faces as Sheila Fearn (Likely Lads, George And Mildred), Anthony Sharp (To The Manor Born, Pardon The Expression) and Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra Trotter on Only Fools And Horses). Train scenes were filmed at the West Somerset Railroad in Minehead.....one of my favorite destinations. Minehead, Porlock, Dunster all make a great gateway to Exmoor or hiking the South West Coast Path or Coleridge Way.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flockton_Flyer

Survivors (Original)

Series 2 of the BBC's remake of Survivors will conclude next week. Here's the original series from the 1970's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivors

Strangers

Strangers was the longest running program of the XYY Man/Strangers/Bulman trilogy of detective/cop shows.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangers_%28TV_series%29

Monty Python: Almost The Truth (Lawyer's Cut)

Monty Python: Almost The Truth (Lawyer's Cut) was a nice comprehensive documentary about Monty Python's Flying Circus and its cast. Outside of crossover programs like Robin Hood, The Avengers, Danger Man and The Prisoner, Monty Python's Flying Circus and the Benny Hill Show were 2 of the first British comedy programs those of us in the USA ever got to watch on the new PBS network. I added a few other programs about MPFC to fill out the disc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python%27s_Flying_Circus

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Rebecca

Two versions of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. The first is the 1979 BBC production which was also one of the first programs to be featured on the new PBS Mystery! series in the U.S..
It featured Jeremy Brett (of Sherlock Holmes fame) and Anna Massey, his first wife, also had a role. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_%28novel%29
Carlton Television, in association with WGBH, produced another version in 1997 that was also presented by PBS Masterpiece Theatre in the U.S. This version starred Emilia Fox.
And if you just can't get enough of Rebecca, the 1940 Alfred Hitchcock film is found on Hitchcock Disc 5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_%28film%29