I admit I am a novice viewer when it comes to Downton Abbey. The fact that I love period dramas on television and in the movies makes me an ideal candidate to watch the hit show. Premiering season three tonight on PBS, Downton Abbey is a breakout hit that has captured the interest of Americans as well as its International audience. Time Magazine calls Downton Abbey The Beatles of period dramas on television. If this is not another reason to tune in tonight the hit program on PBS at 9 p.m., I cannot think of a better reason.
"Downton Abbey is an unexpected pop culture phenomenon that first overtook the United Kingdom before making its way across the Atlantic to do the same to the U.S., making fans out of those who would otherwise be dismissive of the genre and leaving a trail of unsuccessful imitators in its wake as they attempt to fill the void between releases with something that’s oh-so-close to the original but somehow missing at least one essential ingredient," adds Time.
"Consider the BBC’s 2011-2012 dour, Nazi-filled revival of Upstairs, Downstairs, which replaced Downton Abbey‘s romance and appeal with stories of extra-marital affairs, unhappiness that smothers almost every character and a villain so cartoonishly drawn that you wouldn’t have been that surprised had she turned to the camera and snickered evilly as she destroyed marriages or collaborated with the Nazis one more time," adds the magazine. "If that doesn’t work for you, there’s also last year’s international co-produced mini-series Titanic, which tried to bring the Downton touch to the real-life nautical tragedy but lapsed into maudlin disaster movie territory all too quickly despite the period costumes."
According to Time: "In both cases, viewers may find themselves wondering whither the whimsy and cosiness of Downton Abbey — well, if they hadn’t already stopped watching either show for failing to live up to Downton. (The revived Upstairs, Downstairs was cancelled after two seasons for poor ratings, suggesting that many did indeed abandon the show for not offering the right stuff)."
Adds the magazine: "Now, the wait is almost over. This Sunday sees the long-awaited return for Americans of Downton Abbey, ending months of anguish for those who have been stricken not only by the need for further installments of the popular PBS period drama but also a desire to hide from online spoilers from those who caught the third season when it premiered on British television in September." Staten Island television fans of period dramas and anything British are invited to break out the tea and scones and get set for the amazing start of what is expected to be an exciting new season.
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