Category Archives: TV

“My Blackberry is not working” comedy sketch

So this comedy sketch from Ronnie Corbett and Harry Enfield is making the rounds again – and it is still funny!

For the non-Brits in the room, the only things to note is that Orange is a mobile phone company in the U.K. and I had to Google “dongle,” which probably has nothing to do with nationality and more to do with my lack of techy lingo.

Anyway, go forth and enjoy!

Anthony Hopkins’ love letter about "Breaking Bad"

Anthony Hopkins and Bryan Cranston

I’m pretty sure that I’ve blogged before about my obsession with “Breaking Bad.” It is the Best Show in the History of the World (in my book)… and apparently, this is where Anthony Hopkins and I have something in common.

Check out the letter that he wrote to Bryan Cranston, as reported by Gawker.com:

Dear Mister Cranston.

I wanted to write you this email – so I am contacting you through Jeremy Barber – I take it we are both represented by UTA . Great agency.

I’ve just finished a marathon of watching “BREAKING BAD” – from episode one of the First Season – to the last eight episodes of the Sixth Season. (I downloaded the last season on AMAZON) A total of two weeks (addictive) viewing.

I have never watched anything like it. Brilliant!

Your performance as Walter White was the best acting I have seen – ever.

I know there is so much smoke blowing and sickening bullshit in this business, and I’ve sort of lost belief in anything really.

But this work of yours is spectacular – absolutely stunning. What is extraordinary, is the sheer power of everyone in the entire production. What was it? Five or six years in the making? How the producers (yourself being one of them), the writers, directors, cinematographers…. every department – casting etc. managed to keep the discipline and control from beginning to the end is (that over used word) awesome.

From what started as a black comedy, descended into a labyrinth of blood, destruction and hell. It was like a great Jacobean, Shakespearian or Greek Tragedy.

If you ever get a chance to – would you pass on my admiration to everyone – Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Aaron Paul, Betsy Brandt, R.J. Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Steven Michael Quezada – everyone – everyone gave master classes of performance … The list is endless.

Thank you. That kind of work/artistry is rare, and when, once in a while, it occurs, as in this epic work, it restores confidence.

You and all the cast are the best actors I’ve ever seen.

That may sound like a good lung full of smoke blowing. But it is not. It’s almost midnight out here in Malibu, and I felt compelled to write this email.

Congratulations and my deepest respect. You are truly a great, great actor.

Best regards

Tony Hopkins.

First world problem: Missing the Emmy Awards

Breaking Bad

Congrats to “Breaking Bad” for winning Best Drama. Sure wish that I could’ve seen it!

Waaaaah! I can’t believe I missed the Emmy Awards yesterday. Not only did I miss them, they weren’t even on my radar. I had no idea they were happening yesterday until I went online and spotted some headlines – the top being that the U.K.’s Damian Lewis from “Homeland” didn’t get the big prize.

Cue the sad trombone.

All I could do was live vicariously through The Mirror’s play-by-play account of the evening. And sieve through the Red Carpet photos on Huffington Post. Le sigh.

Ode to John Oliver

Jon Stewart has returned to “The Daily Show,” after leaving the show in John Oliver’s very capable hands for the past 12 weeks while he shot a movie. I’ve really enjoyed John Oliver’s British spin on the news this summer. He’s a great comic and will be sad to see him go (don’t get me wrong, I still love Jon Stewart!).

Here’s a mixtape of John Oliver’s best “Daily Show” moments!

Benedict Cumberbatch name generator

Benedict Cumberbatch

Looking for a way to wile away your Thursday? Try the Benedict Cumberbatch name generator!

I am Honkytonk Creamsicle! And Bentobox Candygram! And Rinkydink Snickersbar! I can’t stop clicking …

Hugh Laurie and Stephen Colbert discuss the greatest gift

I spotted this on Reddit this week and it did make me smile!

Stephen Colbert and Hugh Laurie

British teeth, pt. 2 (Electric boogaloo)

Speaking of teeth, I have to share this little clip from “The Graham Norton Show.” He interviews Olivia Colman, who was in “The Iron Lady,” and yes, the topic of “funny English teeth” does come up.

Thanks, Lillie, for sending this!

17 types of people you see on “Jeremy Kyle”

The Jeremy Kyle Show

I know I’ve blogged a bit about the “The Jeremy Kyle Show” here and here.

But I have to do one more and share this amazing collection of characters – “The 17 types of people you see on ‘Jeremy Kyle’ – that Buzzfeed.com so thoughtfully put together.

Read on and I dare you not to smile.

Will Smith’s London visit

Will Smith and his son Jaden were in London last weekend to promote their new movie “After Earth.” Some highlights from their visit:

Graham Norton interviewed them, but the best part was their impromptu performance of the theme song from “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” with DJ Jazzy Jeff! (Also, love Bradley Cooper and Heather Graham rocking out on the couch with them!)

Read the rest of this entry

America’s ‘Masterchef’ Season 4 premieres

Masterchef

Graham Elliot, Gordon Ramsey and Joe Bastianich are the chefs in Fox’s “Masterchef.”

“Masterchef” Season 4 premiered tonight with a two-hour kickoff. Did you watch?

I DVR’ed it and will check it out this weekend. I haven’t watched any episodes of the American version – only the British version so am interested in the compare and contrast. Based on the clips I’ve seen, the U.S. version already feels more sensational, more “Hell’s Kitchen”-y, than the dignified BBC version.

I find it hard to even think of “Masterchef,” without conjuring up the old British “Masterchef” theme tune!