A Tribute to the BBC

Today we're paying tribute to the British Broadcasting Corporation or BBC. This year has been tough for them due to a sex scandal over one of their show celebrities; however, we don't think that's how the BBC ought to be judged or remembered. The BBC for us is the network that gave the world Monty Python's Flying Circus and 100's of other memorable programs. The BBC has partnered with PBS since 1971 on what is the longest running prime time program in US television history - Masterpiece Theater. The influence of the BBC is probably more pervasive than most people realize as a number of American TV shows like the Office are in fact copies of previous British productions.

The BBC's understated logo

The BBC is in fact a series of state run television and radio networks. The BBC first began broadcasting TV programs in 1932 and began regular broadcasts in 1934. Television broadcasting was suspended during WW2, but BBC radio was there broadcasting the London Blitz to the world in 1940. The BBC has a long and storied history; it was the preferred method for coordinating resistance fighters in France and elsewhere and also served to inform Hitler that there was still one voice broadcasting Democracy across Europe. 

A family listening to the BBC during World War 2

Ten Reasons We Love the BBC

1. Because it captured Winston Churchill's defiant messages to Hitler and showed the world that Democracy would not give up without a fight.
2. Because Monty Python's Flying Circus probably wouldn't have happened anywhere else - it redefined comedy for generations. 
3. Because Dr. Who never gets old - and it's bigger inside.
4. Because they took Shakespeare and other British theater and made it fun (I, Claudius). 
5. Because the BBC is not afraid to take risks and launch groundbreaking shows across genres.
6. Because the BBC inspired Austin Powers. 
7. Because all the British Invasion bands and then later many Alternative bands helped get started through appearances on British TV. 
8. Because it is the launchpad for many of the best actors on the planet.
9. Because it represents the number one cultural exchange between Britain and the US (the British Invasion is a close second).
10. The BBC has absolutely nothing to do with Rupert Murdock. 

The Teletubbies eventually hit the gym to work on their image issues...

BBC Shows we're Going to Review

1. Sherlock
2. Dr. Who
3. Primeval
4. Masterpiece Theater
5. Torchwood
6. Walking with Beasts
7. Red Dwarf
8. Monty Python's Flying Circus
9. Life on Mars (BBC version)
10. I, Claudius
11. Teletubbies

The Dead Parrot Skit

Mrs., will ya, turn on the tele...

Copyright 2012 - Raving Reviews - All Rights Reserved

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10 Reasons Why Sherlock Should be the Next Bond

After having watched Skyfall last night and being duly disappointed, we've begun to think that perhaps it's time for a transition to a new James Bond (e.g. a new actor to play James Bond). James Bond is much like Dr. Who in that no one seems to mind when he switches bodies, so why not take advantage of that? Daniel Craig was great in Casino Royale, Ok in Quantum of Solace and sucked royale in Skyfall. Part of this performance decline seems to stem from dissatisfaction he may have playing the role as evidenced by this quote from a recent interview in Rolling Stone magazine:

I’ve been trying to get out of this from the very moment I got into it. But they won’t let me go, and I’ve agreed to do a couple more, but let’s see how this one does, because business is business and if the **** goes down, I’ve got a contract that somebody will happily wipe their a** with. Daniel Craig, unhappy Bond

Sherlock and The Hobbit in London

We think finding a new Bond would do wonders for the franchise and we believe we've found the perfect candidate, Benedict Cumberbatch, A.K.A. Sherlock. We've been highly impressed with Sherlock as a series (which we will review soon as part of our tribute to the BBC) and even more impressed with its three main leads, Cumberbatch as Sherlock, Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) as Watson and Andrew Scott as Moriarty. We also think very highly of the series creator and writer (a Doctor Who Alumni) Stephen Moffat.

The name is Homes, Sherlock Holmes

So, here's our ten reasons why Sherlock ought to become the next James Bond:

1. Because Benedict Cumberbatch can really act.
2. Because Mr. Cumberbatch seems genuinely invested in his roles and willing to put forth an effort to make them memorable.
3. Because perhaps we could borrow Moriarty to be a Bond villain. Andrew Scott played one of the best screen villains we've seen in years on the BBC's Sherlock and we really need to put Javier Bardem's goofball performance out of our minds.
4. Because Cumberbatch is younger than Craig and looks the part a bit better.
5. Because Sherlock's sidekick Watson is now the Hobbit and may be unavailable for further work with Sherlock, leaving Sherlock's schedule open.
6. Because maybe we could bring some of the writers from the Sherlock series along with Sherlock to the next Bond film so it might make sense.
7. Because Sherlock's brother Mycroft already works for MI6 and should be able to pull some strings to get him hired.
8. Because we need a little less shooting and brute force in future Bond films and a little more of that ole Bond sophistication
9. Because Sherlock already lives in London and its convenient. 
10. Because Daniel Craig looks like he really needs vacation and a job where he doesn't have to work out so much.

This guy is a villain's villain and would lend serious cred to the Bond franchise

Copyright 2012 - Raving Reviews - All Rights Reserved

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