Category Archives: TV
Vanderpump (does) rule
I’ve been in a funk since the election and with the inauguration and this hot mess of the past week in the news, only one show cheers me up: Vanderpump Rules.
I discovered it on Hulu last fall and after a couple of episodes, I was hooked. Somehow the over-the-top antics of this twenty-something restaurant staff at Lisa Vanderpump’s Sur restaurant in West Hollywood was just what I needed. It’s soapy and silly and reality TV at its best when you just need a light mental break from the heaviness of life. It’s the visual equivalent of a sweet, bubbly, decidedly pink cocktail.
If you don’t know Lisa Vanderpump, she is the very British owner of three L.A. hot spots – Villa Blanca, Sur and Pump. She is grounded and funny and smart, despite her millions, a wonderfully accomplished restaurant head, a confidant and voice of reason with her young staff, and she is so delightedly British and likable.
This past weekend, I finally finished Season 4! If you haven’t watched it, give Vanderpump Rules a try!
Dress like Mrs. Claus
I shared the latest Marks and Spencer’s Christmas advert yesterday, but did you know that you, too, can dress like Mrs. Claus from the advert?
I really love this concept. You can buy her dress, her jacket, her sweater or you can buy the teenage sister’s shoes! It’s the ultimate sell. Why can’t all ads be like this?
I’m filled with the same level of glee as when I discovered I could raid the wardrobe of Emma Pillsbury from “Glee” or Jess from “New Girl.”
Marks & Spencer’s Christmas advert
Following my post yesterday about John Lewis’s Christmas advert, I present an alternative take on the Christmas advert with Marks & Spencer‘s latest.
John Lewis Christmas advert 2016
You know Christmas isn’t Christmas until the John Lewis advert comes out!
The last couple of John Lewis Christmas adverts have been kind of a bust for me (especially the weird man in the moon advert from last year, which I didn’t even blog about because it was so ridiculous – but I did laugh at the Guardian’s take on it. As an aside, this style of writing is why British newspapers completely kick American newspapers’ big fat bums.)
And without further ado, here is this year’s advert — which I really like. Animals bouncing on trampolines! It’s simple pleasure tied up in a big red bow!
What do you think? Yay or nay?
TV map to Britain
Thank you, Tim Ritz, for creating a very detailed map for every fan of British TV! This is pretty genius! Click the map for a closer view.
The Ultimate Map of Downton Abbey Locations
Calling all Downton Abbey fans! Want the inside scoop about their filming locations in the U.K.?
Meet “The Ultimate Map of Downton Abbey Locations,” the only online map of its kind from Wayfair.co.uk. With over 70 filming locations across the U.K., you can stalk out every locale! Brilliant!
Out of hibernation
So … how do you say Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy 2016 all in one post on the last day of January? I’ve been in heavy hibernation the past two months.
Yes, we had a busy holiday season, which included a fun visit from my in-laws from England and New Zealand, and I’m still trying to get back into the swing of the new year and embracing all that 2016 has in store for me. Excuses, excuses …
But, well, “The Walking Dead.” This is the No. 1 reason I’ve been unreachable. Have you seen Andrew Lincoln (better known as Egg from “This Life” and Mark from “Love Actually”) kick some serious zombie butt? If you haven’t, WATCH IT (you can stream the first five seasons on Netflix) or don’t (if you hope to get anything done in your life after you start). It’s been my winter addiction and I’ve only finally finished the first five seasons and need to get started on the sixth season … Which reminds me … 🙂
What if Gordon Ramsay went nuts on “Masterchef Junior” kids?
What would happen if Gordon Ramsay treated the contestants on “Masterchef Junior” like contestants on “Hell’s Kitchen”?
Someone just put the two into a blender and, well, the results are quite magnificent. NSFW on account of the crazy bad language.
The Great British Bake Off
Have you seen The Great British Bake Off?
This is the first year that we’ve been watching it (you can find most episodes on YouTube without much delay) and I love it – love the challenges and the recipes and the Britishness of it all.
Where else can you see home bakers create things like this:
And even this…
Yes, it’s high drama and hot kitchens and creative handiwork. Check it out, if you like a good bake off!
Misconceptions about Newcastle Brown Ale
Have you seen the latest Newcastle Brown Ale advert “Misconceptions”?
i just saw it for the first time yesterday and was sure it was a goof — until I Googled it and discovered that it was a real ad. What say you? Yay or nay?
(And for the record, it’s been years since I have had Newcastle, but am thinking of trying it again … I, too, thought it was too bitter at the time).
BRITRISH.COM 