It was a foregone conclusion after a huge debut on BBC One that more episodes of "Sherlock" would be coming. But now it's official that Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's retelling of the classic will be back on British television screens next fall. At the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: BBC to produce more ‘Sherlock’ next year – More Details Inside!
August 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Talking Telly: BBC head says global iPlayer coming ‘within a year’
August 27, 2010 By 1 Comment
The BBC has said there's a global version of its on-demand iPlayer on the way for at least a year. But finally a date line has been drawn in the sand. BBC director-general Mark Thompson said at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival Friday that, “Within a year, we … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: C4 to launch weeknight late-night comedy show
August 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
It can't be said that the UK is lacking in topical shows with comedy leanings in the early evening, with The One Show on the BBC, or weekly chat shows like Graham Norton's and Alan Carr's. They even have the weekly comedy panel shows that Americans don't, much to the great sadness of some of us. … [Read more...]
Preview of new ‘Inbetweeners’ series; rumor of star’s future on show
August 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Sun has posted a "prequel" video for the next series of "The Inbetweeners" (note: very brief nudity and lots of bleeped language.) Basically, the guys are just back to school for fall term, talking about their rather pathetic summer and how they're going to dominate their final year, and … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: So begins my love/hate relationship with ‘The X Factor’
August 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
[picappgallerysingle id="7604279"] My annual ritual with "The X Factor" goes something like this: I tell myself that I should watch the first week, often because the BBC is sensible enough not to schedule anything interesting at the same time and because it's one of those shows where things could … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: A field guide to ‘That Mitchell and Webb Look’
August 10, 2010 By 1 Comment
[picappgallerysingle id="9046035"] "That Mitchell and Webb Look" are in the middle of their fourth series run on BBC Two, and it's safe to say that their sketches haven't missed a step. If anything, it makes one want to go back and look at the great highlights from the first three series. The … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: 5 reasons to watch BBC’s Sherlock
August 9, 2010 By 6 Comments
I'm ashamed to say that Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's "Sherlock," which has aired for the past three Sundays on BBC One, was my first time with Sherlock Holmes. I haven't even seen the Guy Ritchie movie, which might be for the best. The closest I've actually come to him is watching "House," where … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: ‘Episodes’ spoofs how American TV treats British TV
July 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Anyone who watches British comedy at all knows the extremely mixed history of American remakes of wonderful Britcoms. Frankly, it's a miracle that "The Office" made it (thank a great cast and that apparently NBC couldn't steamroll Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant in the process of making it) … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Get a bit of history, drama from Who Do You Think You Are?’
July 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The eighth series of the celebrity genealogy show "Who Do You Think You Are?" bows Monday night on BBC1 with Bruce Forsyth looking into the history of his ancestors - and according to the preview blurb released beforehand, he particularly focuses on a great-grandfather who had been alleged to be a … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: CNN and Piers Morgan will be brilliant or a disaster, no inbetween
July 15, 2010 By 2 Comments
For some reason, now that the whispers that have been going around for months that Piers Morgan would end up taking over Larry King's slot on CNN have really blown up the past two days since The New York Times disclosed that somehow Morgan has managed to talk NBC into letting him work for both them … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Rev is a little piece of TV heaven
July 13, 2010 By 4 Comments
Every once in awhile a Britcom comes along that completely reminds me of why I love Britcoms. It usually possesses an innately British setting with flawed but whimsical characters plodding along in some form of the human condition. That sounds simple, but really very few shows manage to do it. But … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Jonathan Ross to jump to ITV
July 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
[picappgallerysingle id="6813615"]In a move that probably surprised absolutely, Jonathan Ross has inked a £1 million deal to host an 18-episode chatshow series that is said to be slated to air after The X Factor in late 2011. The infamous Wossy, who is set to end his longtime BBC1 chatshow later … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Where does James Corden really bring the funny?
July 6, 2010 By 3 Comments
It's hard to miss James Corden this summer. Since being featured on Sport Relief in the spring, he has been a one-man ambassador for ITV's coverage of the World Cup, culminating in his World Cup Live show that's been scheduled after their World Cup late games (for those who haven't watched World Cup … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Stand Up For the Week
June 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Hi guys! Long time no see. I would like to say that I've been scarce because I got a UK work visa, moved to London and have been busily working on ITV's website or researching a new series of Newswipe. However, that would be a lie (not to mention I've heard nothing about a new series of Newswipe, … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Wrapping up the British Reality Shows for 2009 – X Factor, I’m a Celebrity, BBC Christmas Specials
December 17, 2009 By 2 Comments
[picappgallerysingle id="7245849"]So, the reality show season in Britain is well and truly done. Joe won 'The X Factor' (and who completely liked him early on?), Gino is King of the Jungle, and, um, someone won on "Strictly Come Dancing", right? Sorry. Can't love every show. Joe is probably the … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Getting ready for ‘I’m A Celebrity…’
November 15, 2009 By 1 Comment
It's either a really great week for you if you're an American fan of British TV, if you're into anything from drama to sci-fi to shameless celebrity famewhoredom. And really, that's how British TV is largely broken up into these days. First off, the last "Doctor Who" for David Tennant before his … [Read more...]
British TV Podcast Show #6
November 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment
This week Chrissy & Ryan are really excited about November 15th when there will be a cornucopia of great British TV running whether you are in the US or Britain. We preview Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars (running in the UK), The Prisoner (in the US), as well as discuss Christmas telly, John … [Read more...]
British TV Podcast Show #5
November 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The British TV Podcast. This week Chrissy & Ryan do a quick review of "The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith," news, what's on TV this week, DVD releases, and a feature on actress Romola Garai ("Emma"). Listen now to Show #5 Here … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Why the BBC Is Right To Keep iPlayer To Itself
October 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A couple of weeks ago, there was rejoicing on all shores after it was announced that the BBC would make a international version of its iPlayer. Finally, "Doctor Who" and "Torchwood" on the same air date as the UK! It was like Christmas for DW fans. Even if we do have to pay, which is only fair - … [Read more...]
British TV Podcast Show #4 Live
October 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Editor's Note: The folks behind the brilliant British TV Podcast I wrote about earlier this week have agreed to post weekly when their new podcast goes live to let us know all about it. Welcome! This week's British TV Podcast with Chrissy & Ryan includes a discussion of whether actors Lee … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Never Fear Fans, John & Edward On Way Out On ‘The X Factor’
October 26, 2009 By 4 Comments
I never thought I'd say this, especially after she got the No. 1 single in Britain a week after Robbie Williams unfairly didn't, but I have to agree with Cheryl Cole. John & Edward, the Irish twins who cannot really sing on "The X Factor", have become my guilty pleasure. Instead of looking up … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: ‘The X Factor’ Fangs Come Out Early
October 12, 2009 By 3 Comments
I swear that Talking Telly will not turn into a weekly recap of "The X Factor". Mostly because I expect to keep an interest in the show for about two more weeks, which is still three weeks and 1/2 hour more than I made it through "Strictly Come Dancing". But tonight was the first live final, the … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Things US TV Should Steal From the Telly, Pt. 1
September 30, 2009 By 4 Comments
I have been enjoying my nice, legally purchased access to UK telly, via UKTV2C.com, and I am making a lot of random finds and observations that I have as someone who has addictively watched American cable since first getting it in my 20's. And I thing the Americans have stolen all the wrong ideas, … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: A Welcome Change In Direction For BBC America
September 29, 2009 By 3 Comments
Jack Davenport (who will forever be Steve from "Coupling" for me, but is probably Norrington from "Pirates of the Caribbean" for others) recently did an interview with The Daily Telegraph where he talked about his new ABC show "FlashForward", which is performing really well for a new show and might … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: A Surprising Beginning to ‘The X Factor’
September 22, 2009 By 2 Comments
This is only the second series of "The X Factor" I've even attempted to watch. To be honest, last year's competition was a lot like "American Idol" has become - lots of manufactured drama with the singers and the judges and not so much real talent. And Simon Cowell looked as bored as I was. … [Read more...]
Talking Telly: Random TV Nuggets From Dragon*Con
September 14, 2009 By 4 Comments
Boy, there's nothing like writing a first column to give me writer's block. There is so much about British TV to talk about that it's hard to nail down stuff like the ultimate show or what show you should never, ever watch (that's Big Brother). So for now I'm going to talk about what me and everyone … [Read more...]
Introducing Talking Telly by Dana Franks
September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Anglotopia has landed another fantastic columnist! I met Dana at DragonCon when we did a panel together for BritTrack. Her passion for British TV and British Culture floored me and I knew she'd be a perfect fit for Anglotopia. Dana is going to write a regular column about British TV called "Talking … [Read more...]
British Pound Exchange Rate
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.
