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This Week in » Tea Time Tidbits
May 13, 2013
The Belle of Broadway
Patricia Routledge's Musical Career
Listening to Hyacinth sing, or rather, hit sour notes with her soaring voice, in various episodes of Keeping Up Appearances might lead one to think that Patricia Routledge has no musical talents. But don't you believe it. She might play our favorite snob of the small screen, but there was also a time when Routledge was a major presence on the musical stage.
Go to article: www.cliveconwayproductions.com
April 10, 2013
Goodbye "Trivia," Hello "Do Tell"
Share your story – you might win a mug!
Afternoon Tea introduces its newest flavor! Do Tell will feature stories from you - your fondest memories, favorite characters and funniest Britcom moments.
If you patiently waited for Jean and Lionel to marry on As Time Goes By; if you measured time by the color of Mrs. Slocombe's hair, or if you find yourself quoting from Keeping Up Appearances, Are You Being Served? or any other Tea favorite, send us your best stories, thoughts and insights for a chance to see your published work - on-air and online!
We'll feature a new winner each week, and of course, you'll receive our fabulous Afternoon Tea mug!
More information: Do Tell
April 1, 2013
Hebburn joins Tea line-up
Airs on Mondays at 1pm, alternating with Open All Hours
Hebburn is a warm and affectionate tale of north east family life. It tells the tale of the Pearson family and their impetuous and ambitious son, Jack, who has left Tyneside for the bright lights and glamour of Manchester. He has secretly married a middle class Jewish girl, Sarah, and realises that it is about time he introduced her to his family.
Program schedule | More information: Hebburn
March 18, 2013
Frank Thornton dies at 92
Starred in Are You Being Served?, Last of the Summer Wine
From walking the floor at Grace Brothers to the dales of Yorkshire, Frank Thornton, who died at his London home, brought much joy to viewers of Afternoon Tea. Perhaps his best-known role was as the formidable Captain Peacock of Are You Being Served? (Nicholas Smith, a.k.a Mr. Rumbold, is the last surviving original cast member of AYBS?) Later on Thornton joined the merry trio of men in Last of the Summer Wine. Whether he was performing in the city or the countryside, he was an accomplished actor who shall be missed dearly by our audience.
More information: www.bbc.co.uk
Heather's Tea Time Tidbit from March 26, 2012: Frank Thornton
March 8, 2013
Please show your support
I want my Afternoon Tea!
Donate online
or call 1-800-222-1292
COUNTDOWN
153: starting goal
153: current pledges
We made it! THANK YOU.
We have not pre-empted the Afternoon Tea programs for pledge specials since August 2011. And since then we've only come to our viewers twice a year, in June and December, to ask for their financial support to keep the afternoon Britcoms on Maryland Public Television.
This past December, we set a goal of 462 financial contributions in any amount and we fell short by 153. First, a big thank you to those 309 fans of Afternoon Tea who did support their favorite programs.
But now we're coming to you this March to request the 153 contributions we need to get us to that goal of 462.
Why do we need 462 financial contributions to keep Tea on the air?
It's very expensive to purchase the broadcast rights for these programs and we've figured that this number of contributions, twice a year, will pay for all the Tea programs that you watch throughout the whole year on MPT. (Our regular PBS dues do not cover the cost of these shows. It's a separate fee that we need to pay to the BBC.)
Once we receive 153 more donations (in any amount) we will not have any more fundraising messages during Tea until June.
Please DONATE now. Thank you.
Donate online or call 1-800-222-1292
February 19, 2013
Richard Briers: 1934-2013
Starred in Good Neighbors, Monarch of the Glen
Richard Briers, CBE died peacefully this weekend at his London home. MPT viewers will remember him from his role as Tom Good in the hugely successful 1970s series Good Neighbors (known as The Good Life in the UK), and later on as the eccentric, lovable laird of Glenbogle in Monarch of the Glen. Briers was 79 years old.
More information: www.bbc.co.uk
Video: Reaction from former co-star, Penelope Keith
Video link: www.bbc.co.uk
December 28, 2012
New to the Tea line-up!
Yes, Minister and The Café
Yes, Minister, starring Paul Eddington (pictured) as The Right Honorable Jim Hacker MP in the fictional Department for Administrative Affairs in Whitehall, begins airing Tuesdays at 1pm. This 1980s series is said to have been the favorite television program of then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Also joining the schedule is another comedy called The Café, airing on Wednesdays at 1pm. Set in the English seaside town of Weston-super-Mare, the action centers around a café run by three generations of women. We hope you enjoy these new shows!
More information: Yes, Minister | The Café
December 19, 2012
Please show your support
I want my Afternoon Tea!
Watch your British programs without pledge breaks
Donate online
or call 1-800-222-1292
COUNTDOWN
462: starting goal
311: final tally
A warm thank you to the 311 supporters of Afternoon Tea MPT has heard from in the past few weeks. The fundraising goal for Tea, a challenge issued just twice a year, was 462 calls or clicks of support. As a result, MPT remains 151 investments short of the breakeven point to acquire your favorite programs. It is a true concern.
Why the urgency? The cost of acquiring Afternoon Tea programs ($50,000 on an annual basis) is not through PBS, where we do acquire the rights to our children's schedule, Antiques Roadshow, NOVA, PBS Newshour, Nature, Masterpiece - our basic regular schedule. The $50,000 is extra.
What's at stake? Afternoon Tea has aired on MPT without interruptions or pledge breaks for 17 consecutive months. We don't want to break that streak. We will have little choice in March if we're still short.
Over 9,000 viewers tune in to Afternoon Tea every weekday. We know it's easy to take for granted. Please don't, and make a difference.
The happiest of holidays to you and yours.
Donate online or call 1-800-222-1292
November 15, 2012
Starspotting
Dench comes to Maryland
As Time Goes By star Judi Dench was in town, shooting a film. On location in Montgomery County, MD, Dench was part of the team creating Philomena, a movie based on the true story of a woman who spent her life looking for the son taken to be adopted and, as it turns out, went on to success as a chief presidential legal advisor. Several "locals" were thrilled at the chance to meet the actress and also told of how their little town was transformed for the project.
Go to article: washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2012
As Time Goes By
A real insider's view
Do you know what spices are found in custard tarts? Thanks to our public television colleagues in Ohio, we have an answer. Here is an online gem from a few years back where As Time Goes By actor Jenny Funnell ("Sandy") gives a terrific interview about her time on the program. Among a variety of topics she describes having very warm and close working relationships with each of the actors...this revelation probably comes as no surprise to ATGB viewers.
Go to article: atgbcentral.com
July 30, 2012
Geoffrey Hughes has died
KUA co-stars Routledge and Cornwell react
The actor who gave us the unforgettable character of "Onslow" on Keeping Up Appearances has died recently from prostate cancer. Geoffrey Hughes, who also appeared on the long-running Coronation Street, has been remembered fondly by the public as well as by his television colleagues. Patricia Routledge, Onslow's opinionated sister-in-law, "Hyacinth," on KUA, said she was "very, very sad" and paid tribute to Hughes, as did Judy Cornwell, his on-screen wife, "Daisy."
Go to article: femalefirst.co.uk
May 8, 2012
Open All Hours Returns
Mondays at 1pm
Open All Hours has returned to the Afternoon Tea lineup, appearing each Monday at 1pm. Originally produced in the '70s-'80s, this program was written by Roy Clarke, the same man who brought us Keeping Up Appearances. Follow along as Ronnie Barker plays Arkwright (pictured), the penny-pinching proprietor, and David Jason as Granville, his much put upon assistant take "an absurd, affectionate and hilarious look at the 'cut and thrust' of life in the traditional British corner-shop."
More information: Program schedule
April 20, 2012
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Coming to movie theaters, May 4
Judi Dench and Bill Nighy, along with Downton Abbey cast members Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton, appear in the upcoming feature film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. They play a group of British retirees, lured to India with a vision of spending their leasure years in a new, exotic locale. The grand hotel they are promised has faded from its past glory, but never mind...soon they learn that life and love can begin anew.
More information: foxsearchlight.com/thebestexoticmarigoldhotel
February 24, 2012
Ballykissangel is Back!
Starting Monday, February 27
Return to the small, rural village in the heart of the Irish countryside, where life revolves around the local church and its next door neighbor and rival, the village pub. The new priest, Father Peter Clifford, is not only young and open-minded, he's also English. He soon learns that contending with the long-established ways of the villagers is a full-time job.
Go to schedule: www.mpt.org/schedule
February 9, 2012
Jenny Tomasin
UpDown's "Ruby" has died
Many viewers of Downton Abbey will recognize similaries to and influences from a classic television production of the 1970's, Upstairs, Downstairs. Sadly we must report that the actress who created the memorable role of the kitchen maid, Ruby, died in January from heart disease. Jenny Tomasin will be best remembered for that character who frequently found herself on the wrong end of the cook Mrs. Bridges' acid tongue, as well as for her worshipping of silent screen heartthrob Rudolph Valentino.
Go to article: www.washingtonpost.com
January 24, 2012
Rate the Downton Abbey Players
Like, love or undecided?
You've seen Downton Abbey's characters in action in season 2 of the series. Are there characters you love, loathe or having feelings for that are somewhere in between? Now you can rate each character's likeability by episode.
VOTE NOW!: www.pbs.org
January 19, 2012
Whatever happened to...?
Christopher Timothy
An actor's dilemma: become synonymous with a great character, then become unacceptable for some in another role. All Creatures Great and Small's Christopher Timothy, known to viewers as "James Herriot" in the beloved series, suffered from this problem. Read on to hear his perspective on this "condition."
Go to article: www.greatbritishlife.co.uk
January 3, 2012
Downton Abbey, Season Two
Begins airing on MPT on Sunday,
January 8 at 9pm
The story of the aristocrats and servants of Downton Abbey resumes during the tumultuous World War I era. The international hit, written by Julian Fellowes, stars Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville.
Program schedule: www.mpt.org
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