Lazy Sunday – Downton Abbey, The Hour and the Rest of the BBC Lot

 Lazy Sunday – a weekly column where I discuss my favorite lazy day indulgences – movies, television shows, books and music. 
So Downton Abbey returns tonight and I am so stoked. I’ve loved the show from the very beginning and am super excited to see what season 3 brings. It’s got one of my favorite actresses, the fabulous Shirley MacLaine, coming on board and I CANNOT WAIT to see her go toe to toe with the awesome Maggie Smith. It’s going to be a showdown for the ages.

But Downton Abbey isn’t the only British show who’s return I’ve been super happy about lately. I’ve also been devouring the latest episodes of the superb, The Hour.

 The second series er season (I’m getting too immersed in British TV!) is currently airing on BBC America and it is amazing!

The Hour is a series about a fictional news show airing on the BBC in the 1950’s. Each season has a storyline that’s serialized in six episodes. The show is filled with drama and intrigued and a significant amount of British history. I often have no idea what news items they’re talking about since I grew up in California in the 1980’s but it doesn’t really matter. The show is so engrossing that what I don’t understand doesn’t affect my love of the show.

And love it, I do. When the second season started I was concerned I wouldn’t like it as much as I had the first season. Wrong! In fact, I think it’s better. The art direction is amazing! I’m continuously awed by the shots, scenery, and costumes. Not once do I feel like I’m watching actors play dress up, it truly seems as if this is a glimpse into the 1950’s. And the acting is superb. How can it not be with the talent on board – Dominic West (from The Wire), Romola Garai (from Atonement) and Ben Wishaw (from Skyfall and the woefully under seen Bright Star) – all world class talents. So, if you haven’t seen The Hour check it out. At only 6 episodes a season I won’t hear any excuses!

I must admit I am partial to British television. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty on American TV I love but there’s lots of good stuff across the pond too. Here’s but a few of my favorites.

The Office UK – This is the one that started it all for me. I still consider this show one of the best pieces of television ever made. It’s so hilarious yet so true to life. Anyone who has ever worked in an office can totally relate.

Outnumbered – A funny sitcom about two parents outnumbered by their three crazy kids. They aired the first season on BBC America and I’m waiting and waiting for the rest.

Friday Night Dinner – Another sitcom about two single, grown sons who attend dinner every Friday night at their parents’ house. It’s pretty unique because the only set is the home – all action happens there and anywhere else is merely discussed. I’ve heard there’s an American one in the works, I’ll be curious to see how it turns out.

Life On Mars – I was as addicted to this drama as I currently am to The Hour. It only aired for two seasons and it was practically perfect…except for the last episode which I hated. We won’t go into it because I’m still mad about it. But don’t let that stop you from watching the series. It’s about a modern day cop who get hits by a car and wakes up in the 1970’s. It sounds crazy but it really works.

Lost in Austen – A super fun show that only aired for one season about a modern day girl who somehow ends up switching places with Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. Super fun for any Austen fan or…anyone!

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