TRAILER: Stonewall Uprising

Airing tonight at 9pm on PBS' American Experience:

When police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City on June 28, 1969, the street erupted into violent protests that lasted for the next six days. The Stonewall riots, as they came to be known, marked a major turning point in the modern gay civil rights movement in the United States and around the world.

Read more about the documentary.

Laura Linney...perfect for role of Socialite! Scandals of Privileged Few!

Last week I raved about the production of "Upstairs Downstairs" which was broadcast on PBS on Masterpiece Classics.

One of my favorite actresses - Laura Linney (Tales of the City) - took on the role of gracious host and introduced the much-ballyhooed high-brow potboiler.

As Ms. Linney was offering up a brief synopsis of the well-crafted mini-series (adapted from a Jane Austin novel) it suddenly hit me like a thunderbolt.

The charismatic beauty was the perfect actress to play the juicy role of - Candace Whitney - one of the main characters in my first novel -"Scandals of the Privileged Few - which I am currently serializing on forgus beylan each week.

OMG!

If I ever get funding - and an offer to produce the project - Ms. Linney has first dibs!

News at 11!

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Upstairs Downstairs

Upstairs Downstairs...Masterful performances! Superb production! PBS Classic Series touted!

 



Once I stumbled on the channel, and got a peak at a couple of the delightful opening scenes, I was hooked!

After all, the PBS production - "Upstairs Downstairs" - is an engrossing high-brow potboiler that is difficult to turn away from!

The year is 1936.

Sir Hallam Holland and his fragile elegant wife, Lady Agnes, have trotted into London - lock-stock-and-barrel - to take up residence at their ultra tony digs at 165 Easton Place.

"This house is going to see such life," the mistress exclaims in a dazzling opening scene.

Unfortunately, as the plot unfolds, it is evident that Lady Agnes may have bitten off more than she can chew!

Needless to say, an extravagant restoration is soon underway, as residents of the stately manse slowly make their way in the tony enclave.

Meanwhile, the heady task of hiring competent professional staff to head up the household, proves to be a challenge from the get-go.

Toss in the unexpected arrival of a feisty mother-in-law - and a scheming guest or two at a chi chi  "open house"- and the audience at home is ripe for a rollicking bit of delicious entertainment that will have 'em falling on the floor in stitches.

For example, when it is announced that Mrs. Simpson (the one and only!) is anxious to wangle an invite to their "coming out" soiree, the hostess is beside herself.

Surely it would not be proper to entertain a scarlett woman - whispered to be the Duke's mistress - within the stately walls of her respectable home?

Under the mistaken impression that the social upstart's gentleman "escort" is expected to be "none other" than the future King of England, the hired help is briskly instructed to toss out the welcome mat post-haste as the kitchen staff prepare a mighty feast in honor of the distinguished presence about to descend in their humble midst.

On the big day, however, Mrs. Simpson sashays in with a disreputable German companion on her bejewelled arm, out to drum up supporters for a beleaugered Adolf Hitler just prior to the outbreak of the War.

In a bold-faced effort to oust the reprehensible interloper - and save the family from a pending social gaffe - an awkward young waiter is dispatched to spill a tray of exotic cocktails on the unsuspecting guest in a sinister underhanded attempt to trigger his quick departure.

The sinister maneuver goes off without a hitch.

What a laugh riot!

In addition to the well-written script - which moves along at a fast entertaining clip - a smattering of rich production values manage to thoroughly seduce.

The exquisite period costumes, lush sets - and stunning cinematography - are a virtual feast for the most discerning armchair critic.

4 stars!

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Laura Linney hosts PBS Special!

Moody Blues...heady band from 60's still rocks! Special entertains!



On an off-night, I was channel-surfing, when I stumbled on a live stage performance by the Moody Blues on a cable network.

Within minutes - the distinctive strains of their beautifully orchestrated hits of yesteryear (spacey far-out compositions that are conducive to astral-travelling) - triggered nostalgic memories of my carefree bohemian days in the heady 60’s and 70’s.

Imagine that!

The seasoned heavyweights are still touring the country – and wowing fans – at sold-out houses on the concert circuit.

In spite of the fact the PBS broadcast was essentially a bare bones gig – stripped down to the essentials without the benefit of seductive sound effects or studio sweetening – the set was surprisingly vibrant and lyrical.

In fact, when two dueling guitars (one electric, the other acoustic) dove-tailed (or ran interference with each other by virtue of a bit of controlled-clashing) the effect was dazzling.

Uh-huh!

The Moody Blues succeeded in elevating their musical yearnings to awesome transformative ground-breaking heights.

The distinctive – reflective poetic musings of their youth – still resonate with fans and music-lovers alike.

Unlike a handful of their amazing contemporaries, they may be ripe for a come-back, alright!

In that event, I expect a posse of die-hard fans will be at-the-ready to slap on a platter, pop a hit of acid, and float off into space courtesy of the uplifting musical wizardry of the Moody Blues!

Favorite hit?

"Nights in White Satin", of course!

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What a trip, dude!

Orlando Loses PBS Station

This morning my mom tips me to the news that Orlando's PBS station has been sold to a religious broadcaster. If the deal is approved by the FCC, Orlando will now have four local Christian television stations. Cable customers will continue to get the PBS station out of Daytona Beach. Television industry blog TVB reports:

The Public Broadcasting Service has lost its second large-market member station since the year began. WMFE-TV in Orlando, Fla., has been sold to Dallas-based Christian broadcaster Daystar Television for $5 million, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Community Communications Inc., the nonprofit that runs WMFE’s TV and radio operations, said increasing financial pressure led to the sale of the television station. [snip] Orlando is the 19th largest TV market in the United States, with 1.45 million television homes. Earlier this year, PBS lost its main member station in the nation’s No. 2 market, Los Angeles, when KCET-TV dropped its affiliation. KCET went independent Jan. 1, 2011, after being the main PBS affiliate in Southern California for four decades, citing financial pressure brought on by a 40 percent fee hike from PBS.

As I've mentioned here before, my first real post-college jobby-job was at WMFE, where I was a lowly news assistant. It was a generally terrible gig, but I did get to work the first space shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral. I was also out at work, as was my boss and half of the news department. I'm guessing that the GOP's recent attacks on PBS has something to do with WMFE throwing in the towel.

Downton Abbey...period drama a gem! Lord's gay dalliance titillating!

With a lot of pomp and circumstance "Downton Abbey" premiered tonight on PBS on U.S. shores.

The 4-episode period piece - starring Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, and Elizabeth McGovern - scored big when it was first broadcast in the U.K. last year.

In fact, the entertaining upstairs/downstairs tale of the class struggle snagged the highest ratings since the classic hit - "Brideshead Revisited" - first stirred up the imagination of fans of the genre a scant few moons ago.

The fussy sophisticated melodrama - written by insightful Julian Fellowes - is trussed up with all the trappings of a surefire winner - a cast of intriguing (but lovable) characters, surprise plot twists, and a titillating scandal or two lurking in the wings waiting to topple the once-glorious Empire.

I expect that when the word gets "out" about one Lord and his strictly taboo dalliance with a handsome studly footman - that ratings for the "night-time" soaper - will soar in gay ghettos around the country.

Catty Queens aside, mainstream America may have a bit of a struggle keeping up with the fast pace, witty patter, and sight gags, though.

Even so, the mini-series - a gem, really - is bound to be a hit on this side of the pond because the well-produced offering appeals on a multitude of different levels

Panoramic views of the picturesque English countryside, lush captivating sets, and exquisitely-tailored costumes - are worth taking a gander at - for starters.

But, in the final analysis, it is Fellowe's captivating glimpse into a bygone era (and its staunch - but fascinating - stuffy traditions) that stirs up a host of emotions - and ultimately - manages to charm and mesmerize.

4 stars!

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PBS..."Celtic Thunder" concert a hit! "It's Entertainment" CD & DVD sets!

I was in the midst of a bit of channel surfing earlier this evening - when a haunting rendition of  "You Raise Me Up" - gently floated out of the flat state-of-the-art television set on the wall before me.

Needless to say, I sat bolt upright, and edged closer to the screen.

In conjunction with a PBS fundraising effort, members of the well-known International band - "Celtic Thunder" - were performing a handful of their signature tunes before a rapt audience (televised live) totally enthralled by their presence.

Understandably, the atmosphere in the packed venue was electrically-charged!

Pretty nubile teens (on the verge of fainting dead-away) excitedly waved publicity stills of their crushes high - alongside older fans - who were inclined to clap their hands and tap their feet in step with the catchy beats.

A standing ovation erupted spontaneously when the band belted out "Ireland" at the end of the vastly entertaining show.

"Celtic Thunder" was back by popular demand.

The success of a prior tour to U.S. shores funded the much-anticipated engagement - which was being billed as "It's Entertainment" - this time around.

On this gig, the band incorporated a few spiffy dance numbers into the mix, however.

For example, in one upbeat moment, the musicians donned tuxedos and proceeded to trip-the-light-fantastic in a choreographed routine reminiscent of those featured in the Broadway hit "Singing in the Rain".

"It's Entertainment appeals to all ages," one of the handsome crooners was quick to pipe up in a KOCE on-air interview in-between sets.

And I liked it, too!

For fans who missed the broadcast, CD & DVD sets are available in lieu of a donation.

Info: 1.800.278.5050

KOCE.org

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