Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Upstairs, Downstairs

First, I want to thank everyone for their advice and support regarding my last post. It is so comforting to know I am not the only one dealing with crazy relatives.

Now, on to my post. ;)

I often recommend television shows I fall in love with. Many of these shows are either hilarious, fabulous, or jaw-dropping.

I am now going to tell you about a television show that I can honestly say is the nearest and dearest to my heart. It is Upstairs, Downstairs.



About six months ago, Rian brought home this 1970s British television show from the library. The show focuses on the lives of the aristocratic Bellamy family and their endearing servants from the years 1903 to 1930. Don't let your eyes glaze over, the show is incredibly third-dimensional.



Sex scandals, dark secrets, romance, and tragedies embrace this household at every turn. It is also a captivating history lesson, showcasing the fashion and habits and hobbies and attitudes of the upper and lower social classes during the early 20th century.



Never before have I become so emotionally attached to each character in a show. The acting is phenomenal.



The storyline hooks the viewer. Vital characters suffer fatal consequences. Pivotal characters are brought in near the end. It is a soap opera without the cheese.



Rian and I watched the final episode last night. In celebration (or, I should say mourning) we made dinner using recipes from this amazing cookbook from the show.



We made Irish stew, Welsh rarebit, and spice cake. Oh, and we drank sherry before dinner and Earl Gray tea after dessert.

Upstairs, Downstairs was immensely popular, not just in the UK, but around the world. It has had ONE BILLION VIEWERS worldwide and garnered several Emmys and a Golden Globe.



I heard BBC recently created a sort of remake of Upstairs, Downstairs this past year, where a new family moves into 165 Eaton Place, starting in 1936. As a possessive fan of the original show, I was kind of taken aback. But, if the new show is even a pinch as good as the original, it might be worth checking out.



Rian and I are incredibly sad the show is over for us. I know this sounds cheesy, but it is almost as if we were a part of the show ourselves. It felt so real. It felt like we were part of the family.



But we will always keep this show close to our hearts. It is so special. Plus, a new boxed DVD set of the show, featuring loads of bonus material and restorations, came out last week. Rian and I are saving up money to purchase it!



It was quite an educational experience for us.

In memoriam, here are the top five things I learned from watching Upstairs, Downstairs:

5. There is no situation a nice cup of tea can't solve. Dog lost? Let Mrs. Bridges fix you a nice cup of tea. Feeling sick? Poor thing, let's fix you a nice cup of tea. Husband murdered? Oh, you simply MUST have a nice cup of tea.

4. World War I was a Big Fucking Deal. This show has taught me more about the Great War and how it truly affected the European public than any textbook or teacher in high school.

3. The butler knows best. Whether it is a minor household incident or an international crisis, the butler ALWAYS knows what to do.

2. Marrying a beautiful redhead can only end up in tragedy.

1. It's cute to be a heartless bitch when you're rich!



I really hope you watch this show sometime in the future. It is a gem.

38 comments:

Laura Sherriffs said...

Oh MY Goodness I love Upstairs Downstairs! Its absolutely hilarious!

http://fight-fires-in-your-best-clothes.blogspot.com

indianmakeupways said...

never heard abt this show.thanks for the post. will check it out for sure :)

Sarah said...

I saw the new version over here at Christmas and really enjoyed it. You should check out 'Downton Abbey', it's really good too!
x

Melanie's Randomness said...

Your awesome. I love how you wrote key british phrases within your post. I've never heard of this show and Splendidly happy you told us about it. It reminds me of that movie Gosford Park. I have a soft spot for British tv. I love that they have a cookbook!! Soo cool!! So WWI was a big deal? Who knew? =P. I'll see if my library has it!! =)

Melanie's Randomness

love jenny xoxo said...

I have never heard of this show! I will definitely have to check it out! Thanks!!

XOXO

Stephanie said...

I love this show! Gosford Park and Downtown Abbey are very much like it.

Josie said...

I've never seen this show but I'll have to check it out for sure!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Couture Carrie said...

LOL at The butler knows best!
Will have to check out this program :)

xoxox,
CC

Bonnie said...

"It's cute to be a heartless bitch when you're rich."
I think I could like this show.

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

MG said...

oohhh, I'll have to check it out. I've never been a fan of fire-crotches and obviously with good reason!

Oh to Be a Muse said...

oh goodness, where do you find these shows! looks like a wonderful cast of characters and some memorable quotes.

David Macaulay said...

nice post as always Jennifer, has made me want to watch this - um yes I'd say World War I was a big fucking deal, lol....

Fashion Cappuccino said...

OMG, where have I been? I definitely need to check this out! I love reading your thoughts on the show and it feels like I'm missing out! lol...British and their cup of tea! And I love tea :-) xoxoxooo

Fashion Cappuccino said...

OMG, where have I been? I definitely need to check this out! I love reading your thoughts on the show and it feels like I'm missing out! lol...British and their cup of tea! And I love tea :-) xoxoxooo

noone said...

I've never heard of this show!! interesting from what you made of it though :)

Sierra said...

you've introduced me to some fantastic movies and shows. I'll have to check this one out as well!

MariahSmile said...

Sounds good! May have to check it out since I love boxed sets now!

stylenuggets said...

I've caught a few episodes and they are a riot

Chelsea Finn said...

I have never even heard of this show. But I will have to look it up on google! Thanks for the recommendation. :)

<3Chelsea Elizabeth
http://www.organizedxxmess.blogspot.com

The white cabbage said...

thanks for sharing ...never heard before , but from now I'll pay attention on tv

ave

✗✗ said...

AHH this sounds wonderful!! I really must get my hands on this one! I love everything British for some reason so you already had me with this one. That's funny... nothing a cup of tea won't solve haha! I wish that was the case for me. : )

Vanilla said...

I love it :) it's SO funny :)

Love, Vanilla

Leia said...

I take your movie/show recommendations VERY seriously. Did I tell you that I watched To Catch a Thief and loved it? Therefore, it is no surprise that as soon as I read this post, I went to download this show. I love finding new shows to watch and I just *know* I'm going to love this one!

Leia

Grace said...

I didn't know this show...gotta search it! Thanks for shutting this honey.
www.this-grace.com

little luxury list said...

Ooh it looks totally fun. Did you know that a butler that served the Royal family in England has butler classes about ironing and other tasks (he does know best!)

xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living

Cafe Fashionista said...

Oh, I so want to see this show - British humor is so funny! :)

michelle_ said...

great posttt !
i love upstairs downstairs too !


glisters and blisters

Lucie - A Taste Of Vogue said...

Ahhhhhhh I LOVE LOVE LOVE Upstairs Downstairs - if only you lived closer! I think we would have an epic night in together watching films and TV shows!

=]

x

Lok-Yin Lau said...

cute post (:

Tights Lover said...

I like dat!

Sorry! I HAD to...please don't hate me!!

This definitely sounds like something I'd love. Being a bit of a history nerd, I think the WWI aspect would be interesting as well.

I love the tea comment. It so funny how huge problems can always be solved so simplistically in tv shows!

Venus Loves Virgo said...

I totally remember this on BBC when I was in high school! My grandma would watch it even though she didn't understand English, good times! Hysterical! Thanks for reminding me about this. XOXO

drollgirl said...

well thank you for the tip! will check it out!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

Tea fixes everrrrrything =) haha AGAIN something I've never heard of! damn Jfab! =)

Kristy said...

*sigh* So true, a good cup of tea can fix anything. I personally am an Earl Grey fan as well - we must be twins! I have never heard of this show but not gonna lie, now I'm going to have to check it out! x

myheartstumbles.blogspot.com

fashion provocateur said...

cuteeee. i love the bathing-suit.. but those sandals with it are amazing
i love old movies so im going to have to check this out..
thanks :)

fashion provocateur

Ashley/ MILK TEETHS said...

ll have to investigate this one! Now I have a show for you to watch, have you head of Summer Heights High? I think it's the funniest "new" (its not really new) show i've seen in a long time. Its like the office+a christopher guest mockumentary and it is hilarious. Check it out, I think you might like it!

Chyrel Gomez said...

love number one. haha! i wish i was rich and a bitch! LOL!

would check this show sometime. thanks for the recommendation.

Christopher said...

I just cannot watch British television and believe me I tried. I even suffered through a whole season of Dr. Who. I just can't do it! And I love dry humor!

I did like The Office but everything else I've ever tried has just not worked for me. And, I really wish it would.