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The Brits and the Emmys

Posted: September 29, 2012 in Uncategorized
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I’m definitely a TV watcher, not just British TV. I like a lot of American shows as well. That being said, I don’t pay any attention to the Emmy Awards. I didn’t realize who was on the list of nominees until after last Sunday’s broadcast.

So, I was quite surprised to find so many British actors on the list of nominees, and even more surprised to find two winners, Damian Lewis for Homeland and Maggie Smith for Downton Abbey.  I was not surprised that they won, because they’re both brilliant actors, but with so many British nominees, I thought I was reading the list of BAFTA nominees! (British Academy of Film and Television Arts)

Here’s a list of British nominees and winners in the acting and show categories:

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Hugh Bonneville-Downton Abbey, Damian Lewis-Homeland-WINNER

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Benedict Cumberbatch-Sherlock, Idris Elba-Luther, Clive Owen-Hemingway & Gellhorn (Winner: Kevin Costner-Hatfields & McCoys)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Michelle Dockery-Downton Abbey (Winner: Claire Danes-Homeland)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Emma Thompson-The Song of Lunch (Winner: Julianne Moore-Game Change)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Jim Carter-Downton Abbey, Brendan Coyle-Downton Abbey (Winner: Aaron Paul-Breaking Bad*)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Martin Freeman-Sherlock (Winner: Tom Berenger-Hatfields & McCoys)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Joanne Froggatt-Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith-Downton Abbey-WINNER

Outstanding Drama Series: Downton Abbey (Winner: Homeland)

Outstanding Miniseries or Made for TV Movie: Luther, Sherlock (Winner: Game Change)

Congrats to Damian Lewis. He’s fabulous and I love all his work. Many Americans may not even realize he is British because he’s been in so many American productions like Band of Brothers and Life. (Viewers probably thought the same about Hugh Laurie in House.) I haven’t seen Homeland yet, but I have it on my Netflix list. I’m looking forward to seeing Damian Lewis’s Emmy-winning performance.

And congrats to the wonderfully lovely and entertaining Maggie Smith. She’s a big part of what makes Downton Abbey so fun to watch.

*And finally, on a non-British TV note, congrats to Aaron Paul for his win for Breaking Bad. He has played a huge range of emotions on that show and definitely deserved his win.

A Yank’s Tour of the BBC

Posted: March 25, 2012 in Uncategorized
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In 2005, for my 40th birthday, we took a trip to London. In addition to all the other great stuff to see and do in London, we were anxious to see if we could get a tour of the BBC. At the time, I had a great fondness for British TV and watched quite a few shows, but not as many as I do now. I guess now it’s an obsession. We found out that, yes, the BBC does offer tours of their facility. So, we booked one.

The BBC Television Centre is located very close to the White City tube stop in West London. It was opened in June of 1960 and is considered one of the most recognizable TV facilities in the world. It’s been featured in the background of countless British TV shows, including Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which was shot inside the studios.

I wasn’t able to take any photographs inside, so I just have a few of the outside. Unfortunately, you can’t see the unique shape of the building from the ground. It’s actually shaped like a Question Mark. Supposedly, the building’s architect drew a question mark on a piece of paper thinking that it would be a perfect shape for the site.

Our tour started at 10:45am. Our tour guides were Debbie and Ollie. They were very entertaining and very knowledgeable. There was a lot of walking involved, up and down lots of stairs, down long hallways. The facility is huge. Being in the TV business, I had a lot of questions to ask. Basically, they do things the same way they do here. Freelance production personnel are sometimes hired for shows.

The tour included the newsroom where BBC World News is broadcast and two studios, seen from up above through the lighting grid. Top of the Pops was schedule to be taped later that day to air that night. The crew was setting up the stages and prepping for the shoot. Dr. Who, Fawlty Towers and Absolutely Fabulous are among the many programs that were taped or filmed in the studios.

They had a silly little weather center demonstration with a blue screen. Several members of our tour stood in front of it and played weatherman.

We saw the dressing rooms and heard some stories about celebrities that had stayed there. Unfortunately, I don’t really remember what stories they told us, but I do remember they were about a lot of the “divas” that would come to perform. They would have outlandish requests for things. Not unlike the “only green M&Ms” rumors you hear about rock stars.

Then there was a wacky quiz program that the tour was involved in. I was forced to be a contestant. They showed clips of shows and we had to answer questions about them. No knowledge of the show was needed. Just an observant eye. What color was Nigel’s shirt in that scene? Stuff like that. I won. My prizes, a BBC coffee cup and pen. Woo hoo!

From what I’ve read, the tour is pretty much the same today.  But they’ve added some props and memorabilia from BBC shows, including the Tardis from Dr. Who.   If you’ve never seen a TV studio before, it’s kind of fun to see behind the scenes and learn about some of your favorite TV shows.  I would recommend the BBC Studio Tour, if you’re ever in London.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/tours/