May 22, 2012

Dispatches from Milton Keynes: How to Survive the British snow-pocalypse

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Winter has struck the UK.  The specter of a second snow looms over the horizon.  Citizens panic about how unprepared they are for snow while denying the existence of an English winter.  I, for one, just HATE being cold!  While air travelers camp out at Heathrow, I've come up with a survival kit … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: British Christmas Fruitcake even the Yanks will love

Can't have Christmas without fruitcake--even in America.

Americans love to joke about that Christmas fruitcake that's been going around the world, or the one that holds up the door, or…well, you know. I know because I used to be one of those fruitcake-disdainers but, since I married a Brit, I've discovered that the problem is not fruitcake per se … [Read more...]

Dispatches from the North: The Anglophile’s Guide to Baking – Guide to British Baking Differences

In my 2 1/2 years in Britain I have had to learn a whole new set of vocabulary for grocery shopping, cooking and baking. I think the biggest variations come in the baking area where nearly everything has a different name and measuring is much more precise. At this time of the year when you may … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: A first-hand look at Ricky Gervais’ Out Of England 2 special

Courtesy: HBO

It's a little bit special to get the chance to review a British comedian's TV special before it airs anywhere, much less in America. It's even more special when you aren't even previewing an advance copy of the special on DVD. But I was lucky enough to attend the main taping of "Ricky Gervais: Out … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Roku provides a new way to watch lots of British TV

I've been looking for new ways to both downgrade my cable subscription (sorry, but BBC America is not offering enough real Brit programming to justify extended digital service anymore) and to be somewhat lazy and order what I want, when I want as far as TV and movies from the comfort of either couch … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Karl Pilkington’s ‘An Idiot Abroad’ coming to US

The hilarious "An Idiot Abroad", following the global exploits of Karl Pilkington as mechanized by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, aired on Sky1 this fall. Now American audiences will get their chance to see Pilkington whine his way to the Seven Wonders of the World. The Science Channel will … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Christmas Specials – See the BBC drama trailer

This trailer features Doctor Who, Whistle And I'll Come To You, Upstairs Downstairs, Toast, Eric And Ernie and EastEnders. Looks really good. I'm personally looking really forward to Doctor Who, Eric and Ernie and EastEnders, but we'll all have our own favorites. … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: See first trailer for Matt Lucas and David Walliams’ new show

The BBC has released their first trailer for Come Fly With Me, a brand-new sketch show starring Little Britain's Matt Lucas and David Walliams set in a fictional British airport. Its first episode will air on BBC One in the UK on Christmas night. Thanks for not region-blocking this, BBC! … [Read more...]

Dispatches from the North: Stranded on the M1

Photo taken from my iPhone of the poor visibility and terrible road conditions in South Yorkshire

This week of all weeks I had to head down to The Cotswolds for a two day training session for my new job. I did have quite an ordeal getting down by train on Sunday and arrived 4 hours later than I had expected, but most of my time that day was spent waiting in the cold at train stations. When … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Global iPlayer to be launched as iPad app?

According to reports, the BBC has plans to launch their global version of the iPlayer as a subscription-based app for the iPad, initially in the US. Apple Insider relays a report in the Financial Times (subscription-only) quoting Luke Bradley-Jones, managing director of BBC.com, as saying that … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Preview of BBC’s Christmas lineup – 2010 British TV Christmas Special Round-up

Courtesy: BBC

The best thing about a British Christmas is, for me, the Christmas specials. Networks in the UK go the extra mile to bring in fans of all sorts, from the popular current hits to the classic shows to beloved performers showing up on either of the first two or in their own one-time show. And it's … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Fond flashback to Charlie Brooker’s take on TV snow coverage

As our poor British readers continue to shovel themselves out and most of us Americans prepare for our first major snowfall, it's a great time to watch my very favorite segment about news coverage of weather events - a clip from Charlie Brooker's Newswipe from this past winter about "Frozen … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Peter Davison to join Law & Order: UK cast

[picappgallerysingle id="8271610"] Peter Davison, best known for his stint as the 5th Doctor and as Tristan Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small, is set to join the cast of ITV's Law & Order: UK as filming begins on another 13 episodes of the show. Davison will play the part of Henry … [Read more...]

Pictures of England’s Winter 201 November Snowstorm – Britain Snow Pics

Holly Berries

A selection of photographs of the Heart of England under a sprinkling of snow - November 2010 … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: First US X Factor promo from Fox

It's not exactly the most exciting or groundbreaking video in the world, but it's a start. I do like the bridge. I hope that the American version avoids all the red-and-silver, flashing, migraine-inducing graphics that the UK show has. I know this is a Simon Cowell show though, so I'm not … [Read more...]

Dispatches from Milton Keynes: My New British Food Addictions

or: How to Gain 10 Kilos at Camphill When I first came to Camphill, one of my co-workers, a woman my age from Japan, told me that all the female coworkers who came here gained 10 kilos (over 20 pounds).  I laughed and chowed down on the plate of free food that someone had given me.  I was … [Read more...]

Religion In Ruins: My Favourite Abbeys

What with the Pope's visit to the UK recently, the success of the period drama Downton Abbey on British television's ITV1 and everyone now speculating as to whether it will be St Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey for the venue of Prince William & Kate Middleton marriage next year; I've been … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Field Guide to Children In Need

Courtesy: BBC

One of the things that I love most about British networks, in particular the BBC *cues up "Proud of the BBC"* is that they regularly devote large chunks of prime-time real estate, without commercial interruption, to charity appeals. And they do it in such a way that it becomes part of a grand … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Preview video for new Peep Show

Series 7 of Peep Show begins Nov. 26, and if we were lucky enough to get Channel 4 in America it's a worthy substitute to yet another afternoon of football on the day after Thanksgiving. If you are in England and don't have Thanksgiving, well, there's no football as an excuse! Especially since you … [Read more...]

The Royal Engagment: Where Should They Tie The Knot?

November 16th was a special day in England. The country was caught up in the excitement and joy that followed the announcement of a royal engagement. After quite a protracted courting period Prince William and Kate Middleton are now, officially, tying the knot. At Visit England the announcement … [Read more...]

Dispatches from the North: North East Christmas Lights Switch On Guide

Over the next two weekends cities, towns and villages across Britain will be switching on their Christmas lights! Here is a guide to most of the Christmas Lights Switch On festivities I've found across the North East. The best things about these events are that they are free to the public, great for … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: BBC Worldwide sells Discovery stake to expand BBC int’l programming

Did you know that, at one time, BBC Worldwide once owned a big share in the US cable network Animal Planet? Well, they sold that and they are now getting rid of the rest of their joint venture with Discovery, selling their 50 percent share for $156 million. The sale comes about a year after the … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Preview of this year’s I’m A Celebrity

There are only two reality competition shows that, in my opinion, are true entertainment value for the amount of time they suck you in for. It's possible that might be down to only one now, because the last series of Britain's Got Talent was really not great and I'm not sure how it'll be without … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: David Tennant to star in Manchester United drama

[picappgallerysingle id="7604480"] David Tennant's staying busy after his recent success in the BBC drama series Single Father. He has now signed up to star in another BBC production about a successful but ill-fated Manchester United squad. Tennant will star as Man U's coach Jimmy Murphy in … [Read more...]

EnjoyEngland.com: Great Autumn City Breaks in England | Visit England

Bath, England

As autumn develops, England gradually changes colour. From the luscious greens of the summer to the beautiful reds and oranges of autumn as leaves slowly change colour. As England undergoes this natural transformation it is a great time to enjoy weekend city breaks to explore some of England's … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: A US remake I love – Million Dollar Money Drop

Million Dollar Drop

In recent weeks I have developed an addiction that is almost as annoying as my inability to stop watching The X Factor (I might get over that after Sunday's Katie/Treyc debacle, which I am still convinced was rigged and I'm barely restraining myself from ranting on about.) I have gotten seriously … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Great clip with Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon and Michael Caine (well, sorta)

Courtesy: BBC

Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are doing a dramedy series for BBC 2 Monday nights called The Trip, where the two of them, as themselves, do a foodie tour of northern England. Coogan is doing reviews for The Observer Magazine and Brydon is his last-minute companion after Coogan's girlfriend unexpectedly … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: 5 reasons we need more Whites

Courtesy: BBC

The BBC sitcom Whites just ended its six-show series this week, and apparently it's been popular enough for people to start contacting the network begging for a second-series order. The Twitter buzz on the show alone has been outstanding. This really should be a given, but due to some unfortunate … [Read more...]

Talking Telly: Review of Wallace & Gromit’s World of Invention

Courtesy: BBC

My first impression of this new outing of the beloved Wallace and Gromit is that it really does showcase the best of what the BBC has done - develop wonderful, iconic characters and have really interesting and geeky documentaries. Basically, the show consists of Wallace hosting his own programme … [Read more...]

Dispatches from the North: Gretna Green- A Place For Weddings

My husband and me outside the Old Blacksmith's Shop in Gretna Green

Two Saturdays ago I had the pleasure of attending a wedding in the Scottish village of Gretna Green. Gretna Green is perched right along Scotland's border with England, about 20 minutes North of Carlisle in Cumbria. I didn't know much about Gretna Green or its reputation for runaway weddings before … [Read more...]

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