All Thing PBS

American Ballroom Challenge was a flop for me. The International World Juniors I watched on YouTube had better dancing, I'm afraid. The choreos were not particularly interesting and couples were falling out of their lifts ............urgh! The couple that won the International Latin, I have no idea how or why they won and I did not see the difference between them and the first two couples that performed the rhumba as well. The whole thing felt like a documentary rather than a showcase of real competition. Well at least I have youtube. I was under the impression (I realized too late) that this was more an American competition than an International despite the foreign-sounding names. The dancers here just don't compare to their International counterparts. Sorry!

It is kind of dull, but I'll probably watch the finale. And I find the hosts rather stiff and boring.
 
Weird airdate for the Kent State piece since May 4 is the next Monday. I should watch it - I'm an alumni
In Memoriam - May 4, 1970 - RIP Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Bill Schroeder, Sandy Scheuer

The documentary about Kent State is playing back to back with the Last Days of Vietnam on our PBS station. I recommend them both. Pat Buchanan is interviewed about Kent State & the other student unrest at the time & he is now quite open about how Nixon used the opportunities to further his political agenda. I guess they've gone from weasel words to proclamations now that the main leadership (Nixon, Rhodes, etc.) is dead.

The Kent State documentary - The Day the '60s Died - can be watched on-line, Today is a good day to watch it.
 
Last edited:
Saw the preview show with Audra McDonald about the upcoming Masterpiece programmes. Let's see, we have a view of WWI from the hospital tent (blood, guts, gore, PTSD, etc.), we have one about a serial wife killer, and one about the repression, bigotry and prejudice in the closing days of The Raj. What uplifting fun.
 
Saw the preview show with Audra McDonald about the upcoming Masterpiece programmes. Let's see, we have a view of WWI from the hospital tent (blood, guts, gore, PTSD, etc.), we have one about a serial wife killer, and one about the repression, bigotry and prejudice in the closing days of The Raj. What uplifting fun.

Well, at least there is Poldark- 18th century fun with great scenery! (and Aidan Turner).
 
I can't watch the new Poldark. Having seen the original and much beloved original series twice, the actors all seem totally wrong to me.
 
I can't watch the new Poldark. Having seen the original and much beloved original series twice, the actors all seem totally wrong to me.

The 70s series was good, but I am loyal to the books, and I think that the new series is closer in tone to the original story, although as it is shorter they had to condense things a bit. The new Ross and Demelza have really grown on me, and I think that Elizabeth is much better played in the new version. The scenery, as always, is lovely.
 
I didn't read the books or see the series, but Poldark as a stand-alone was really good. I loved the new version & will re-watch on PBS.
 
I can't watch the new Poldark. Having seen the original and much beloved original series twice, the actors all seem totally wrong to me.

I hope you give it a chance. I loved the first series, read the books, and also loved the remake. I'll definitely watch it again when it comes on PBS.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nan
I'm enjoying the Dr. Blake mysteries. I thought Wolf Hall was a waste of my time. I also finished reading the P.D. James book Death Comes to Pemberley. Much much better than the mini series - so much more true to Jane Austen. I'm glad I read it after seeing the mini series. I don't think I would have enjoyed as much the other way around.
 
In addition to Poldark (June 21), I'm looking forward to the following this month:

~ Vera season 5 - starting June 11
~ The Crimson Field - starting June 21
~ Doctor Blake Mysteries - starting June 26
~ Last Tango in Halifax season 3 - starting June 28
 
PBS Online Film Festival has lots of interesting selections for short films:

http://www.pbs.org/filmfestival/home/

First ones to watch on my list: 11 Paper Place, Ex-Votos, Great Lakes Aurora Hunters, I Am an Alaska Native Dancer, Isabelle's Garden, Seed Art

I've already seen The Last Viewing, but want to watch it again. :wuzrobbed
 
I was underwhelmed by Poldark. I love seeing the gorgeous Cornwall scenery, and Aidan Turner is pretty easy on the eyes too. But I just wasn't in the mood for that kind of story, and I found it very slow indeed. But I'll give it one more week at least.

The Crimson Field, oth, I liked very much. It had some soapy elements to it, but I thought they did an excellent job of establishing the characters right away without them being stereotypes. It helps that I'm a big fan of Hermione Norris, and also of Suranne Jones -- tho it will take some getting used to hearing her talk with a Scouser accent! And it was fun to see "Mr Molesly" in a nice character like that -- everything I've seen him in other than Downton he's played a really bad dude.
 
I enjoyed Poldark. I like a series that takes a bit of time to build rather than something that explodes in your face just to get your attention.

Is there anyone who saw the original series that can give a comparison?
 
I found the Poldark remake to be awful, truly awful; the casting is absolutely.horrendous. I can't imagine a worse Elizabeth or Verity. Or Francis, for that matter. I was screaming at my TV screen through the whole hour. I just don't get it.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top
Do Not Sell My Personal Information