The Super Bowl is so two days ago. (Madonna, the 80’s called and they want their music back). Madge pulled it off, but honestly–you’d rather watch the etrade baby. But now that the Super Bowl is over, what are ya gonna watch? Downton Abbey may not have enormous appeal for wing-eatin’, Bud-Lite guzzlin’ folk, but give it twenty minutes, and you may just get sucked in. The show has garnered many emmys, as well as landed a huge young American following. The brilliant writer, Sir Julian Fellowes, claims to have based the series on NYPD Blue. At any rate, you haven’t been so hooked on a series since DALLAS.
You lived in London when DALLAS first debuted.
“Don’t ya love Dallas then?” Marcella–the middle-aged next sec over– whispered around the plastic partition.
“What?” you replied, Americanishly.
“DALLAS!” she hissed. “It’s all the rage here. Don’t ya watch J.R. and all that lot then?
“J.R. who?” you asked, typing a letter using old carbon paper, while attempting to photocopy using a Thermofax machine, before your architect boss reappeared. “We don’t have a telly in our flat, Marcella,” you replied flatly. Nor an iron, which she pointed out every day when you entered the office–in a sweet maternal way.
“You are missing out,” she singsonged, then sighed. Once you moved back to the States, you got all entrenched in the Friday night soap.
One rainy day last summer, you hunkered down to watch the first season of DOWNTON with your husband and daughter. While you all stared non-blinkingly at the screen forgetting to breathe, much less eat–your son headed to the gym, ate barbecue, re-watched Bourne on his laptop and led a normal existence. (Earlier, all you of had watched a Bourne marathon).
Last Christmas, after you presented them with the second season imported from the UK, you all grabbed your seats again for another mini-marathon. Meanwhile, your son headed to Best Buy, Sports Authority, brought us Five Guys take-out and led some semblance of a normal life. (Earlier, you had all watched The Office for seventeen hours straight).
Instead of sharky J.R. propping his boots up on brother Bobby’s desk and swilling bourbon and branch, you have the courageous Lord Grantham, who, dressed in finery, stands in various rooms of the 72 billion square foot manse, waiting for the next staff member to arrive breathlessly with yet another piece of unfortunate news. Does the man possess any character flaw? His lovely American wife, Cora, sits in various rooms worrying about their three spirited daughters.
Instead of dear Miss Ellie, you have the upper-crusty Dowager Countess played by Maggie Smith. Instead of 80’s-cute Bobby, you have dashing Matthew. Instead of sly, swillin’ Swellen, you have gorgeous, headstrong Lady Mary, who conducts the exact opposite of speed dating. Instead of voluptuous Pam, you have sneaky Edith, who busts out of her homeliness. Instead of Lucy, you have Sybil–a beautiful nurse with a rebellious streak.
Then below deck, there’s the staff of the manse: the avuncular Carson gently thundering orders, star-crossed lovers Anna and Mr. Bates trying to steal moments alone, and sweet dotty Daisy. Then there’s the evil Thomas and O’Brien cooking up schemes as they smirk, sulk and smoke (somehow managing to do all three at once) at the back door.
Yes, there are a couple of syrupy moments, but nothing that compares to Bobby waking up and declaring the entire Dallas series had been a bad dream. Aside from suspenseful writing and immense popularity, there any similarities end, you suppose. You would like to see the Dallas cast when they reunite this summer–what. a. hoot.
You hear tell that Shirley McLean has been asked to join the cast as Cora’s American mum. Think Steel Magnolias’ Weezer, pitted against Professor McGonagall’s evil twin–on steroids. You can’t wait for Sir Julian Fellowes to finish penning Season three. How many plotlines can he balance on the tip of his pen? Five of which you haven’t cared for, but that still leaves about sixty others. When it finally ends, you can always go back and rent Gosford Park …
- Weezer
I have been seeing tweets for this “Downton Abbey” (I thought it was Downtown Abbey) and couldn’t figure out what the hell it was. It seemed to be thee show to watch. But I don’t watch much tv, so I just passed it on by.
Ok, now I have a reason to watch. I love anything British! And I do miss those Dallas days! Thanks for the review!
I love that etrade baby!
You are so welcome, Irene! And doncha just love the etrade baby…and I know–everyone thinks it should read: DOWNTOWN…let me know whatcha think!
I have got to watch this. It shoudl save me from at least a few episodes of those Kardashian Krazies 🙂
Oh, lawd…pleaase no more kardashian stuff, Miss Lori! Although as easy to get hooked into as …pinterest…uh, heh, hmm…
I’m bracing for Weezer’s arrival—should be great!
Thanks, Winsome–you and me both!
I’m so out of the loop, Reeling…I haven’t even HEARD of this show, so thanks for giving me the 411 on this. I’m gonna have to check it out now (unless it’s going to be as addicting as Pinterest! ‘Cause I don’t have time to be addicted!!!) 😀
OK, Mama, you are so NOT out of the loop. But it’s fun on the occasional Sunday or Thursday night…however, I think it just ended. But your public TV station will show it again and again, no doubt!
I just love this show! I got to see all of the second season this past weekend when my sister, Pippa, and her British roommate came to spend the weekend and brought the DVDs.
What fun, Ella! I’m now going through a bit of withdrawal, since it’s all over…and need to watch the whole thing over again–I need to re-watch the whole Turkish episode, since I think it will come into play, in future. We went to Best Buy to buy the first season but no luck; we lent our daughter the first season dvds, but she lives three states away, so, alas and alack, we are in true withdrawal mode! Amazon, perhaps…:)
I’ve never watched this series, but it sounds like something I would enjoy. Maybe they have it On Demand.
Susan, you will love it!!! Trust me. My daughter said it’s on Netflix–we are enjoying it even more the ‘second time around!’
Oh, my! We schedule our week around Downton. Husband probably loves it even more than I. We saw the rerun of the finale last night, as we had missed it last Sunday. I feel as though I am living in that grand house with them. Can;t wait for season 3, although I am not sure I will enjoy Weezer joining them. Maggie Smith is amazing!
Agreed-we scurry around trying to get ready so we can view and NOT be interrupted! So funny about scheduling! At first I cringed at the thought of Weezer, but then I thought she may be just the ticket to stir the pot!
One of my very best friends recommended this show to me, and I have yet to check it out. You know, Reeling, you’re the one who also got me into Pinterest. I think I may have to stop reading your blog. 😉
Hi Melissa:
You’re so right! My recreational life:
Downton. Pinterest. Repeat!
Love! Love! Love! Downton Abbey! I somehow missed hearing about it until a week before season 2 started. I ravenously devoured season 1 and only had to wait a few days for the next installment. Yay! Not so lucky with season 3. Write faster, Mr. Fellowes!
Seriously! We have watched the re-runs non-stop–kinda sorta pitiful. For January, we’re talkin’ about having a par-tay to celebrate…come as your favorite character–complete with black tie n’ such. I keep threatening to dress like Thomas or O’Brien.
If Downton Abbey weren’t enough. I caught Castles on Camera on HGTV which reveals the real castle’s name, Highclere Castle….the owners and the castle’s history. Just couldn’t get enough.