Downton Abbey - Series 2

[TurnerPrize]

OMG it's BACK (soon, in september - so practically NEXT MONTH) and there was a press screening yesterday -





(at both the promo pic, and that they've still not got better at photoshopping for their twelve million pound drama series)

I started reading The Telegraph's review, but promptly stopped when it tried to give me a big fat spoiler, but this piece in the guardian only says the bare amounts needed to assure us that it's still the living tits AND that they're tackling the great big fucking war properly.

Basically i CANNOT WAIT. I think i shall watch the first series again in the run up to this Second Coming.

[PercyPig]

OMG! I'm am so actually excited for this I just did a massive GRIN where I extended my head into the air such was the delight of the new promo photo!

I wonder how Thomas is getting on with all those soldiers…

"Just remember boys. I'm SINGLE and LOVING it"

[PercyPig]

Is September wise? I hope it doesn't suffer with no X-Factor lead in.

[Jark]

The sole tag in this topic is AMAZING, it really tickled me

[Johnkm]

The sole tag in this topic is AMAZING, it really tickled me

I assume it's the swivel chair one? That made me chuckle.

[TurnerPrize]

Oh i'm SURE it'll get an X Factor lead in. Last year it started in September after a sunday night bootcamp episode, i think. Although one hopes that the british public can get their act together and make it bigger than X Factor this year. Tulisa is clearly no match for the Dowager Countess.

And yeah, i hope Thomas gets lots of soldier cock. The world wars did seem to be a more fruitful time for the horny gays (until Hitler came along and gassed them )

[Johnkm]

Nobody does LOONING quite like you PercyPig

[PercyPig]

Oh i'm SURE it'll get an X Factor lead in. Last year it started in September after a sunday night bootcamp episode, i think. Although one hopes that the british public can get their act together and make it bigger than X Factor this year. Tulisa is clearly no match for the Dowager Countess.

Oh really? I thought it started in the live finals. But I guess ITV won't be changing any formula that made it so big in the first place

[PercyPig]

[TurnerPrize]

I'm trying to work out from the uniforms whether Thomas got his dream of a more cushy position where he wouldn't get killed.

A tagline i read said that there's a FUNERAL at some point, so if it's a main character i hope it's fucking DAISY getting beaten to death with a rolling pin by Mrs Patmore, rather than anyone i love (i.e. everyone else but BATES).

[Agnetha]

I can loon in sync this time round. I only caught the WHOLE SERIES over about two afternoons earlier this year and LOVED IT. Any opportunity to show it to anyone has been fully taken up... I hope we get some hardcore trench gay fun.

[TurnerPrize]

Any opportunity to show it to anyone has been fully taken up

Oh ME TOO. The first series dvd has replaced the first mad men dvd as my birthday gift of choice for friends that i LIKE LOTS but can't really be arsed to put lots of money or effort in to. It's transforming lives for the better.

[Christian]

I bailed after a few episodes last time round. I'll probably give this another spin this time nonetheless.

ITV are truly in the shit though. This was supposed to spearhead their revival but nothing followed.

[Jark]

ITV are truly in the shit though. This was supposed to spearhead their revival but nothing followed.

They've had a few hit drama series this year (off the top of my head Marchlands, Monroe)

Certainly in a better position than they were 12 months ago

[Kratz]

They've had a few hit drama series this year (off the top of my head Marchlands, Monroe)

Certainly in a better position than they were 12 months ago

Marchlands was excellent and did pretty well ratings wise. No scope to take it any further though.

[Johnkm]

It appears nobody has uploaded one of the best scenes from the first series to youtube, the BRING WINE, BRING CHEESE, BRING ANYTHING moment of fabulosity

[PercyPig]

It appears nobody has uploaded one of the best scenes from the first series to youtube, the BRING WINE, BRING CHEESE, BRING ANYTHING moment of fabulosity

What a moment!

[PercyPig]

If it wasn't for the adverts most people would probably believe they're watching BBC One.

Upstairs Downstairs… lol

[Johnkm]

I bailed after a few episodes last time round. I'll probably give this another spin this time nonetheless.

Good choice, you missed out on so brilliant TV by bailing so soon.

[Agnetha]

I am looking forward this A LOT, but mostly I am looking forward to the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL.

Swivel chair with TINSEL please.

[PercyPig]

Is anyone else looking at that picture and thinking Matthew > Thomas?

Coz I know I am.

[Christian]

Well you SAY THAT, Jark dear, but ITV themselves acknowledged in their year end results last week that they had nothing in the pipeline bar this, X Factor and Britain's Got TALANT.

[Jark]

Well you SAY THAT, Jark dear, but ITV themselves acknowledged in their year end results last week that they had nothing in the pipeline bar this, X Factor and Britain's Got TALANT.

Well I say that because it's true - they did have a better year for new drama, whether it was expected or not I don't know

Where can I see these results though? I'm interested to read up on the matter

[COB]

You'll all be pleased to know that STV are finally getting around to showing series ONE soon, as I saw an ad for it the other night

[TurnerPrize]

Apparently STV have SWALLOWED their RACISM and will be showing series 2 at the same time as the superior english

Also ITV do seem to be showing GREEN SHOOTS of turning the corner. Downton's the only one that does anything for me, but last week they announced a big increase in profits AND recommissioned a few new dramas for a second series, which is virtually unheard of for them in recent times.

Every new non-drama seems to be flopping bigger than ever though. And by and large it is still the channel for very stupid people who are too fat/lazy to stand up and find the remote. There's no other explanation for anybody sitting through 'Born to Shine' or 'The Marriage Ref' (not that many people ARE).

[Kratz]

And by and large it is still the channel for very stupid people who are too fat/lazy to stand up and find the remote.

Blimey.

[TurnerPrize]

Blimey.

Reading it back it is a bit, well, TORY, isn't it.

Although seriously, who else would sit through THIS?

Born to Shine

4/6, series 1

Three more celebrities are mentored by talented children as they acquire new skills before performing live to the nation. Comedian Jason Manford aims to hit the high note singing opera, broadcaster Jennie Bond learns to play the marimba and Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter does a Michael Jackson-style street dance. The contestants are hoping they can hold their nerve as they try to impress the voting public and a judging panel that includes Jason Gardiner and Denise Van Outen. Natasha Kaplinsky hosts.

http://www.radiotimes.com/ListingsSe...s_fullpage.jsp

And tonight's one features Joe Swash learning to beat box

[PercyPig]

Do people watch Law & Order UK? Or are we not giving ITV that one?

[Jark]

Scott & Bailey did really well for them too

[Christian]

PROVEN by the BOOK OF STATS

[Kratz]

PROVEN by the BOOK OF STATS

Good. It's ANECDOTAL or nothing as far as I'm concerned.

[PercyPig]

[TurnerPrize]

Have this to print out, Percy. You can put it in your wallet and pretend he's your lost war sweetheart.

[PercyPig]

Have this to print out, Percy. You can put it in your wallet and pretend he's your lost war sweetheart.

OMG! I actually am!

Thanks TP

[PercyPig]

Where did the photo come from? I feel there are other LOONS out there that I could be LOONING OUT with.

[TurnerPrize]

That one popped up on my friend's tumblr. This seems to be the main place to go though: www.quitesodowntonabbey.tumblr.com

It's got the press pack from a few days ago, and the maggie smith/hugh bonneville sex tape.

[Jark]

Ooh thanks for that TP I laughed quite heartily at this bit

QUITE SO, DOWNTON ABBEY. VARIANT OF TUMBLR'S POPULAR "FUCK YEAH" BLOGS.

[Jark]

There's a lovely little interview with Lady Carnarvon who resides in Highclere Castle here

I would quite like her to become a character in Downton actually, she certainly has the air of aristocracy

[Johnkm]

She's no Dowager Countess () though.

[PercyPig]

Do they do weddings at Highclere?