Momma's home.

Shirley MacLaine films her first scenes as Lady Grantham's mother in Downton Abbey

Look at that hat, beeetches. I do not know how I really feel about this particular casting decision, my experience with Shirley McLaine has been inexplicably limited, but dang - she is giving the rest of the hats on this show a run for their money.

I am so stoked that we get to play dress up in the 20's in series three.

via DailyMail.co.uk

Vanity Fair makes me undisappointed

“Abbey” Row

Oh Vanity Fair, you are the girl in high school that everyone likes, but resents because you are so good at everything. Field hockey and school plays? Come on now.

The comparisons between Downton Abbey andWest Wing that everyone makes, makes me incredibly happy.  Its fairly accurate. Things move fast and there are very pretty people who sometimes wear boring clothes and sometimes wear fancy clothes.

I will say that I was slightly disappointed in the second season, despite Mr. Fellowes intentions.  He really should have said, "I hope that even if you are disappointed, you understand that everything will be redeemed by the Christmas special." That would have been far more accurate.

Also look at this slide show, if only to be mesmerized by Lady Mary's hair style in one of the images. It's like a rubik's cube, there is no way to solve it.

(via VanityFair.com)

Hurrah for PBS

 'Downton Abbey' finale gives PBS best numbers since 2009

As a life-long watcher and supporter of PBS, this is lovely. I am so happy that PBS picked a winner with this show. 

My only beef? Laura Linney. While in theory, I am always Pro-Linney - in practice, I don't quite understand her role in this project. Also, the dress they have her in this season is wretchedly ill-fitting.

Is this a Love Actually crossover thing?  Is she the American Ambassador to British pop culture now (apparently Gillian Anderson had the job before her, which makes even less sense)?

The only thing that could make Downton Abbey better is if they brought back the Alistair Cooke intro in front of the fireplace and everything. I know its a minute and a half long, but it is sensational.

Or even better?  This:

(Via reuters.com)

Rooms for rent

Highclere Castle, The Real Downton Abbey

Leave it to the Chicago Tribune to put an article about Highclere Castle in the real estate section of their website, as if its on the market.

At any rate, nothing makes me more warm and fuzzy than looking at pictures of really, really good interior design and this gallery does not disappoint. I would not mind waking up in this bedroom every day.

The accompanying article has some interesting tidbits. Mostly the fact that there are between 50 and 80 bedrooms (in the past forever, they haven't managed to get an accurate count) and they only use 14 - 15 of them.  I feel as though I should be able to rent one of these rooms. Is this irrational? I mean - you're not using it...

(Via ChicagoTribune.com)

Collect them all!

 

Exclusive! Downton Abbey Trading Cards for Season Two’s Finale

First Paper Dolls and now trading cards?  Amazing. I love that Sybil looks like Jasmine from Aladdin.  Oh! Harem pants.  Also, how did she not wear pants at all in the second season.  They stuck her in that boring nurse get up, and they could have at least given her some wide legged slacks. We'll see what happens in season 3.

Also, of course Mrs. O'Brien's bangs are full of secrets, that's why they are so big.

(via VanityFair.com)

Paper Dolls, Squeeeee!

Downton Abbey Paper Dolls!

Oh my goodness. These are my most favorite. Ever. Of all time.

When I was just a little one, I had a set of Prince Charles and Princess Diana paper dolls. They were so awesome, when I uncovered them in Granny's basement last weekend, I so desperately wanted to play with them, but then of course I realized it would probably just be depressing to reenact their lives.

At any rate, Downton Paper dolls will probably be far more satisfying because I can make sure things go exactly how I want them to with any "real history" mucking everything up.

I think if I had to pick one favorite thing, it would have to be the evil soap.

(via buzzfeed.com)

How they eat at Downton

Dining After 'Downton Abbey': Why British Food Was So Bad For So Long

This article is hilarious for so many reasons - mostly because clearly NPR is trying to make nice after this business. Also, did anyone not know why British food got terrible? Didn't all food get terrible after World War I (or II if you live in the States where you were stuck eating radishes out of your victory garden). But I am glad that now that we're all Anglophiles we get to learn about everything British. They used to make fancy food and then they didn't, womp womp.

And I am sorry, but the description of some of the food that they have eaten does not actually sound all that tempting to me, though if it was served at Alinea, I would probably eat it.

NY Times uses the word scruples some what erroneously

Julian Fellowes Overcomes His Scruples and Looks Back at Season 2 of ‘Downton Abbey’

In high school, we had this substitute named Mr. Fellowes. He was absurdly attractive and being chock-a-block full of teenage hormones, we could barely contain ourselves and I just remember cooing, "Mr. Fellowes," every time he walked by or was mentioned (or even really thought of). 


I still do that, except its different now. And this Mr. Fellowes I love for his mind and not his piercing blue eyes.

My thoughts -

1- His thought process sounds scarily like J.J. Abrams circa Lost. Why can't people just say that they have a solid plan for a show and stick to it? I don't like you more as an Artiste because you are flying by the seat of your pants. I am now incredibly nervous for season 3. If polar bears show up, I am out (lies, I am still totally in, you have me wrapped around your wee finger, Mr. Fellowes).

2 - I am glad he recognized it was stupid to keep Matthew and Mary apart for any longer. Quit dicking us around and bring on the wedding (woot! woot!).

3- This article makes me certain that wax-face-Patrick is going to come back (blech, shudder, gross) and with any luck he will look less gross and then disappear again (because he is a plot point and nothing else). Count on it. 

(via NYTimes.com)

SNL gets in on the action

SNL Presents Fancy Entourage

 Despite the fact that I actually know people who are on SNL these days, I still cannot bring myself to watch it - especially since all the good sketches get put on TV by Sunday afternoon and I can watch it without staying up too late.

This, however, is brilliant.  Every time I watch this video I giggle. While I am not a huge fan of anyone who calls Dame Maggie Smith a chicken, they always, always get me with the "A bunch of honkeys (honkies?) living in a church," every. time.


(via Styleite.com)

Downton Abbey: American Girl Dolls for Grown-ups?

Downton Abbey: Why It's Like American Girl Dolls For Grown-Ups

This is wonderful for so many reasons, but mostly because I had a Samantha Doll and while I am not necessarily the most popular girl I know (and never was), it's always, always nice to be compared to Lady Mary.

Also, Lady Edith is totally Molly. Those social pariahs need to stick together. Lady Edith should get some glasses.