Maybe if the US networks had more faith in UK shows and aired them on the main channels instead of PPV channels they wouldn't need to do US remakes.

Really looking forward to this. One of my favourite shows and the previews look fab.


And there I was thinking Americans were obsessed with the British way of life

It's the audience they need the faith in, and quite honestly programmes such as 'Halifax' would just be received with complete bemusement and/or boredom by a mainstream network audience (as well as having their flow totally mutilated by all the ad breaks)

To be fair, just as Fargo, Better Call Saul, and Breaking Bad were not huge mainstream TV hits here. All are excellent (in my opinion) but only obtained cult status.

The US version of House of Cards (in light of real events this year) might manage decent figures on BBC 2 or C4, but most people likely to be interested will have already watched the series on Netflix or DVD.

I think good storytelling is good storytelling no matter if it's set in the US or the UK. Like I said network bosses need to have more faith in their audiences.

Out of interest, and I'm honestly not trying to be funny, have you ever spent any time in the US ?

Plenty. I understand what you mean, probably about the Deep South and the Midwest but there are plenty of fans of Last Tango and other UK shows in America. Ann Reid said in an interview that she gets people coming up to her all the time when she is over there saying how much they love the show. I'm sure if more people had the opportunity to see it and other UK shows, I'm sure they would be even bigger hits in the US.

I've been watching the trailers for tonight's "Last Tango" and it looks like Caroline's girlfriend, the mother of the little girl, is back. I'm talking about the woman sitting at the table with everyone..... is it the same character? But didn't she die in the last series?

Yes. Are you sure it's her because this 2 parter is set 2 years later?

Oh, I know. When I was there I got talking to a couple from Boston who were watching
and enjoying the series, and I think they'd also seen, and enjoyed, Happy Valley.

It's probably more a case of money than faith. Most American households have some form of cable or PPV television. The local channels are pretty awful when it comes to drama, with the notable exception of PBS, the very-rough equivalent of our BBC in structure but not in content. They show a lot of documentaries and a few British films (mostly comedies). BBCAmerica is only available on cable, but doesn't have a wide audience.

Not sure... it looks like her and she's sitting next to the little girl. Maybe it's just someone who looks like her -- a nanny maybe?

Indeed. They love UK shows over there. Doc Martin has a huge cult following.


PBS do show UK dramas but mainly historical period stuff like Wolf Hall and Downton Abbey. It's a pity a channel like that doesn't show other UK dramas like Last Tango.

The problem is, again, money. PBS is not funded like the BBC. They mostly depend on their membership drives to bring in subscribers. I'm sure they get a few corporate donors and maybe even some government grants, but they simply cannot afford to buy the popular BBC shows, so they take what they can get. In a few years when the prices go down, they may be able to get the older shows they want.

Maybe BBC America should make their channels more accessible. Or maybe The CW channel or a similar channel could buy them.

Shout Out To My Ex ringtone

Who's the ginger guy with the specs? Have they recast the sons role?

That was funny

How cute is Flora

Moving to Huddersfield and a state school OMG shocking *rolls eyes*

No it's the same person.

You know how you look forward to meeting an old friend then when you do you wish you had left things as they were?
Disappointing.

He looks different. Not a bad episode. A bit moan a minute though. Hopefully tomorrow nights will be a lot lighter.

Totally agree. More than a tad disappointing, I would say.

Is Sarah Lancashire pregnant?

Quite enjoying it, watching on delay. Gillian really is a horrible pain in the arse.

I thought it was really good. Really well written dialogue again between Gillian and Caroline, and Caroline and her mother. Ok, this one is touching on a ghost story type sub plot for christmas but I thought the acting and writing was good. I was a bit confused with Olga, as I thought she was a new actress brought in for Caroline's ex who died, and was still imagining her! Wished there was a bit more John and his alcoholic girlfriend too

The older son isn't the same actor as in the first couple of series - he was recast in series 3

I doubt it, she is 52.

But I agree with you, it was disappointing.

I enjoyed the episode but it doesn't look like very much is going to happen does it. I know nothing much really happens in it and it doesn't matter because it's all about the characterisation.. but since it's only 2 episodes..

Mind you, they did seem to hint at a death.