You've probably noticed how TV companies love to make rival projects, and this is especially visible in UK. BBC and ITV recent rival projects on similar topics were DOWNTON ABBEY vs UPSTAIRS DOWN- STAIRS, and you remember a while ago when I spotlighted BBC mini series THE PARADISE set in the first English department store, how I told you that ITV is preparing a counterstrike in the form of MR. SELFRIDGES series. Well, that show is finally about to hit the small screens and will try to steal the success of THE PARADISE which was rather popular among the viewers.
THE STORY & THE CAST
The story of ITV's new period series will be set in Selfridges department store at the start of the 20th Century and will try to depict a time of decadence, female empowerment and shopping. TV star Jeremy
Piven portrays Harry Selfridge, the maverick American businessman who founded the landmark Oxford Street store and reinvented the concept of shopping for Edwardian-era women. His mission was to make shopping as thrilling as sex. Pioneering and reckless, with an
almost manic energy, he created a theatre of retail where any topic or trend that was new, exciting, entertaining - or sometimes just eccentric - was showcased. After shipping his wife Rose (Frances O'Connor) and children over to British shores while he runs his store, Harry crosses paths with glamorous stage entertainer Ellen Love whose alluring
looks make her the chosen face of Selfridges. Busy at work within the lavish department store are business-minded shop assistant Agnes (Aisling Loftus), flamboyant creative director and early-day Don Draper, Henri Leclair (Grégory Fitoussi), trusted chief of staff Mr Grove (Tom Goodman-Hill) and confident head of accessories, Miss
Mardle (Amanda Abbington). Meanwhile Harry is busy making important connections to increase his standing in British society – namely in the form of Lady Mae (Katherine Kelly) - a powerful socialite whose connections prove vital in building the Selfridges empire and who will become his financial backer and his muse.
MR. SELFRIDGES TIDBITS
The series starts airing today, Sunday January 6th over in UK at ITV, while its life over on American small screens will start in March at PBS
Masterpiece.The creator of the show is Andrew Davies, Emmy and Bafta winning writer who is known for his adaptations of period novels such as PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, VANITY FAIR, MIDDLEMARCH, SENSE AND SENSEBILITY. Through the innovations & spectacular
events Harry Selfridge staged within the store, the stories will shine a light on hidden moments of the history of women, be it fashion, cosmetics, technology or domestic affairs! Something for the ladies, while their gents watch GAME OF THRONES.
It looks good and I do like Jeremy Piven but......
ReplyDeleteit's more for the missus, Francis, yes? The producers did say that they're targeting the female audience with this one, just like they did with DOWNTON ABBEY.
DeletePiven doesn't do it for me. Even before I read this comment I was thinking, Piven? Really?
Deleteagreed, Ivy, who is Piven anyway?
DeleteI like him, nothing personally against him, if he's in the right kind of TV show. But in something like this, I don't see it. But then, he's an actor and sometimes they surprise me.
DeleteWhich is good.
Just finished watching the first season of Once Upon a Time. Now we'll wait for NetFlix to bring the next season.
Hope your weekend was good. Cheers and boogie boogie.
the second season is much weaker, so don't raise your hopes up, I'm not sure I will continue watching it after the first ten episodes. They've lost the magic.
DeleteI never saw the first season. Probably I won't. But never say never.
DeleteHope you had a groovy day.
Cheers and boogie boogie.
the first season was better, more fairy taleish and more fun.
DeleteShopping as thrilling as sex? Hahahahahaha, oh my.
ReplyDeletewell, if it involves some hot shop assistants or some changing room action....
DeleteSuch gorgeous outfits! Sometimes I really wish we all still dressed like this.
ReplyDeleteladies really do like the fashion from the early 20th century, and I like boys' fashion from between two WWs.
DeleteOnly airing it on PBS in America won't give it a broad audience. PBS isn't like a normal station because they don't carry the same shows in each State or region within a State. And it's expensive for PBS to buy these shows.
ReplyDeleteMy money is on Paradise as the winner of the two. The costumes and sets will be fun and the steamy sex scenes will be good. It will come down to acting and the storyline.
Welcome back darling. You were missed <3
thanks, darling, it's nice to be back.
DeleteThis will be air within PBS's Masterpiece lineup, in the end of March, and I think they also air DOWNTON in USA too, but I'm not sure.
I saw the borefest Downtown Abbey on Netflix. The PBS channels inundate you with pleas for pledges and it renders the programmes unwatchable.
DeleteI just watched Wuthering Heights so I could look at Tom Hardy. I like his full lips :)
I also watched WUTHERING HEIGHTS recently, but the ones with FassMyBenders. I barely survived horrid attempts in acting from Mia Wasikowska. That girl is deeply talentless.
DeleteHadn't heard anything about this show before. Of course I have to come to the Hollywood Spy to get the latest. And I do love the costumes from that era so much. That's one of the things I adore about Downton Abbey.
ReplyDeleteAnd just wanted to let you know you've been in my thoughts, Dez. Glad to see you back. :)
thanks, Luanne, nice to be back.
DeleteI like the costumes for men, but female costumes from that era were a bit unflattering to ladies' bodies, kinda like big bags or something. But there was lots of silk and velvet and I think ladies like that
Wow! Thanks for alerting me to this series. I can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeletebe welcome, Phylly, it starts this evening in UK
DeleteInteresting series Dezzy~ Though shopping can never be as thrilling as sex..ha..ha...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update and have a good weekend ~
Agreed on the sex thing, off course!
DeleteBe welcome, hope you're having a nice weekend
The costuming is stunning, and I like the idea of making shopping as thrilling as sex. I would guess that for some it is even more thrilling.
ReplyDeleteThere's a reason so many malls don't have clocks anywhere to be found. You lose track of time and spend more money. Very clever.
for many ladies it probably is, I'm sure.
DeleteYep, they don't have clocks and usually no windows so that you won't see the sun setting and darkness falling. Very clever. They also use a special selection of music and scents in certain section to subconsciously influence the shoppers
At first I thought no, but then again I loved Are You Being Served? I also love the time period.
ReplyDeleteThat was nice show too, Medeia
DeleteAh, the cast. Reminding me I need to ask your agents for a guest post. I hope I do this right.
ReplyDeleteUhm; and I hope all is well with your family Dezzy.
.......dhole
Well, none of that worked: contact, Dezz on tour, interviews. I did enjoy following you around the blogosphere though. You're awesome Dezzy. But my limited bloggy skills are no match for your filters.
DeleteLuvs you still :) See ya next post.
.......dhole
thanks, Donnzie, as well as it could be in the moment. Glad you enjoyed the tour.
DeleteLOL More women watch Game of Thrones than men, my dear. We are also the ones who have actually read the novels. I think .2 percent of the American male population actually reads books. I loathe when they try to "market to a female audience." There are real women like me, who love battle, blood and guts as much, if not more than men.
ReplyDeleteMr. Selfridge looks fantastic and I love Jeremy Piven. He is hugely talented and seriously under-appreciated.
90% of book buyers are also women in my country, which is why we are drowning in chicklit :(
Delete"Drowning in chicklit?!" What a horrible way to go. What is it with most guys and reading? Neither of my brothers are big on reading beyond technical manuals for their gadgets, magazines or websites. I think this is why there is so much chicklit here, too. :(
Deleteladies are more lost in dreaming and imagination which is why they love to read, while boys are usually leaning towards reality or towards horrid horrors and similar crap.
DeleteIt often saddens me, not only the fact that mostly ladies read, but that even most among them read utter crap. Most of my lady friends love TWILIGHT, 50 SHEDS OF CLAY and such crap. In my publishing house I'm probably the only one who works on historical novels and deeper dramas and even sf, while all others work on love novels and chicklit. And there's one other boy who works on Stephen King.
Happy to have you back giving us all the dish, my friend. You were sorely missed. Hugs!
ReplyDeletethanks, Melsy
DeleteSo Cusack does Raven, Pipen does... Artsy... I will punch them both in the knoggins.
ReplyDeleteLong story, some day when you have time...
I wonder what knoggins are... but it must be a sensitive spot....
Deletetheir thinking caps...
ReplyDeletewell, men tend to think with their..... so we might have the same thing on our minds....
Delete