Downton Abbey Series Three Preview

Downton Abbey Series 3 Image via Maryland Public Television

PBS will start showing the third season of Downton Abbey, in the United States tonight - January 6, 2013. Series 3 premiered on ITV in the United Kingdom back on September 16, 2012. The British-American period (early 1900s) based drama follows the aristocratic lives of the Crawley family, as well as their servants. It is mostly filmed in an actual huge and luxurious manor home - Highclere Castle.

As a regular viewer of public television myself, I started watching this show when Series 1 first aired here in the US, a couple years ago. Series 2 brought some serious changes last season, and Series 3 promises to be even more surprising.

Joining the great British actors such as regulars Dame Maggie Smith ('Gosford Park', 'Harry Potter'), Hugh Bonneville ('Notting Hill', The Robinsons, Doctor Who) and Phyllis Logan (Lovejoy, probably appeared every mystery/crime show produced in the UK since 1986), is American veteran actress Shirley MacLaine ('The Apartment', 'Terms of Endearment', 'Guarding Tess').

Here are a few video clips of trailers for the third season.

Downton Abbey Series 3 Preview Clip 1



Downton Abbey Series 3 Preview Clip 2



Downton Abbey Series 3 Preview Clip 3

Happy Birthday Funny Guys

A couple really funny guys were born on August 29th. Both American actor Elliott Gould and British comedic actor, writer Lenny Henry celebrate their birthdays today. Have a good one, guys!

Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould in the movie 'M*A*S*H'
Photo from ElliottGould.com

Elliott Gould was born Elliott Goldstein, the son of Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York in 1938. He has appeared in many movies since his career started in the 1960's, including comedies and dramas. When I think of Gould, I remember him as Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre in the wonderfully humorous 1970 movie 'M*A*S*H'. I also remember his many recurring appearances in various TV sitcoms, like 'Friends', where he played Monica and Ross's dad, Jack Geller.

Caroline Lee-Johnson and Lenny Henry in 'Chef!'
Photo from LennyHenry.com

Britain's comedy genius Lenworth George Henry CBE, better known as Lenny Henry, was born in 1958. He's the son of Jamaican immigrants who moved to England from the West Indies years before the day of his birth. He started his career as a character actor in the 1970's. He appeared in and wrote for sketch comedy shows and did stand up performances early on. He met his wife Dawn French, another brilliant comedy actor, in the early 1980's. Henry has been involved in many successful projects, both funny and serious. He has also had some good fortune as a singer, but his preference is comedy actor. If you watch the Britcoms on public television, you've probably enjoyed watching him play the lead character Gareth Blackstock, in the hilarious show, 'Chef!'. Of course, Mrs. Blackstock was played by the super fine Caroline Lee-Johnson. I guess Lenny Henry might be considered kind of pretty as well by some, but he's definitely super funny!

'M*A*S*H' movie trailer - 1970

'Chef!' - Highlights of "England Expects" episode