Or switch over to ITV+1 at ten O'clock and then you won't miss the adverts :DQuote:
Originally Posted by parkerman
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Or switch over to ITV+1 at ten O'clock and then you won't miss the adverts :DQuote:
Originally Posted by parkerman
Episode: 3 of 8
Sunday, 2 October 2011, 9:00PM - 10:15PM
Downton is being prepared as a convalescent home for wounded officers and Isobel Crawley is driving Cora mad. O’Brien is eager to ensure that Cora is recognised as the boss of Downton and suggests she needs an ally in the hospital – Thomas. A move that doesn’t go down well below stairs especially with Carson.
The first convalescent group arrive, as does Matthew, who is home on leave. Matthew suggests he bring his General, Sir Herbert Strutt to inspect the new convalescent home.
Elsewhere, new housemaid Ethel flirts with a young officer, Major Bryant, incurring the wrath of Mrs Hughes in the process.
Violet is certain that Mary is still in love with Matthew and is determined to undo Matthew’s engagement. Together with Rosamund she discovers that Lavinia is hiding a secret from Matthew and is somehow acquainted with Sir Richard Carlisle which she is determined to get to the bottom of.
In the village Anna believes she sees Bates. With Lady Mary’s help she discovers Bates is working in a pub and surprises him. Ever-proud Bates refuses Anna’s pleas to return to Downton but reveals that he is close to being free from Vera forever.
Below stairs William visits Daisy the night before he heads off to active duty. He has a question to ask but how will Daisy respond? A random remark causes Mrs Patmore untold heartache and Branson is wrong-footed upon discovering he is discharged from active service thwarting his plans to be a conscientious objector.
However, he doesn’t give up that easily and plots to disrupt the dinner that Lord Grantham is giving in honour of General Strutt. But will his plans succeed?
Oh I have a terrible feeling young William is going to be killed when he goes to war.
It was an irritation which would have been entirely alien to the wartime inhabitants of Downton Abbey.
Many 21st-century viewers, however, said the much-anticipated return of ITV1’s flagship period drama was ruined by the colossal number of advert breaks.
They were left furious after the commercial broadcaster crammed a quarter of the programme’s 90-minute slot with advertising and cross-promotion.
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Prize-winners: Cast members Elizabeth McGovern, Joanne Froggatt and Michelle Dockery at the Emmys on Sunday
ITV had promised audiences ‘bumper’ extended episodes of the Sunday night show, which stars Dame Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville and added to its list of awards this weekend by winning four Emmys, including best mini-series.
But in the first programme alone there were 23 minutes of promotion with only 67 minutes of the drama – that’s one minute of adverts for every three of Downton Abbey.
Media regulator Ofcom said there was also a complaint about the suitability of the advertising, with sponsor Aviva promoting life insurance while Downton depicted scenes of soldiers dying in the First World War trenches.
ITV had effectively sidestepped strict rules limiting advertising to 12 minutes an hour by including ‘sponsorship’ and promotion of other shows in each break. These cross-promotions are not included in the official tally.
There were also several minutes of adverts and promotion before and after the show. It is estimated a 30-second advertising slot during the show would have been sold for as much as £100,000.
A peak of nine million watched Downton return for its second series – almost double the audience for BBC1’s rival drama Spooks.
But ITV’s victory was bittersweet as viewers took to internet messageboards to complain about the level of advertising.
The channel admitted yesterday it had also received complaints directly and Ofcom said it had received one formal complaint about the level of advertising.
One viewer said online: ‘Loved the first programme but I was angry at all the flaming adverts which told their own story.’
Another said: ‘I was just getting into it and another break. That shouldn’t be allowed.’
ITV can show an average of eight minutes of advertising per hour from 6pm to 11pm. The channel is allowed a maximum of 12 minutes per clock hour during that period, but must still hit the average.
On Sunday there were five ‘centre-breaks’ between the beginning and end of Downton. These lasted a maximum of four minutes and ten seconds and featured up to ten adverts for companies such as John Lewis, Tesco, Ford, Boots, Waitrose and Talk Talk.
On top of that ITV added promotions for its own shows, including Doc Martin and DCI Banks.
ITV said: ‘We followed the same pattern as other 90-minute dramas. We are a commercial broadcaster.’
Viewers also accused Downton Abbey, written by Julian Fellowes, of historical inaccuracy after a character used the phrase ‘As if’. They claimed the phrase used by Mrs Bates was ‘jarring’
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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz1YS1SOl2V
A SUPERBITCH has turned the idyllic world of Downton Abbey on its head — and the actress playing her says being loathed by viewers is GREAT.
Maria Doyle Kennedy, 46, joined ITV1's hit on Sunday as the cold-hearted estranged wife of valet John Bates.
Her evil character, Vera, arrived threatening to ruin the name of Bates' aristocratic bosses unless he leaves both Downton and his new love, housemaid Anna.
Dublin-born Maria said: "She's such a terrible bitch — and bitches are the best to play.
"I've got some awful things to say like: 'Isn't this tea lovely? And, by the way, I'm going to wreck your life completely.'"
Millions of viewers saw Bates, played by Brendan Coyle, promise to wed Anna (Joanne Froggatt) once he is free in the second series' first episode.
Then Vera turned up after learning Bates has inherited money from his mother.
She threatened to make Lady Mary's secret romp with a Turkish diplomat — who died in her bed — public unless he returns to her.
Maria, who has also starred in The Tudors and The Commitments, said: "I was filming and they said, 'How do you feel now that you're about to become the most hated woman in Britain?'
"I just think 'You have to remember it's not me — it's Vera!'"
And co-star Brendan, 47, reckons the show needs a villain.
He said: "While we'd love for Anna and Bates to be happy, it's much more fun to play the drama."
MARIA will also be seen next year in ITV1 series Titanic, written by Downton creator Julian Fellowes.
Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery has joked that some of the rest of the cast get jealous of her beautiful costumes.
Michelle plays the Earl's eldest daughter Lady Mary Crawley and is always decked out in beautiful gowns, jewels and hats, but told the Daily Mirror some of her co-stars who play the servants - and always wear the same uniform - are envious of her clothes.
Michelle said: "There's a lot of envy from the girls who play the downstairs staff."
She added: "I'll walk past the make-up trailer as they are having their hair done and I'll be in yet another outfit, maybe my third different one of the day, and Joanne (Froggatt who plays head housemaid Anna) will say to me, 'Oh, Michelle you look sooo nice, we never get to wear anything like that'."
Michelle, 29, also revealed that on-set historian and advisor Alastair Bruce sometimes reprimands the actors if their manners are not in keeping with those of Edwardian times.
She said: "He'll pull us on matters of etiquette, how to walk, how to sit, which knife to use, it's absolutely fascinating."
PA
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Perdy, get your glasses out! I think you meant to put this in the Upstairs Downstairs thread and not the Downton Abbey thread lol??
Downton AbbeyEpisode: 4 of 8
Sunday, 9 October 2011, 9:00PM - 10:15PM
Preparations are underway for a concert at Downton, to keep spirits up among the convalescing men.
Violet quizzes Mary about her match with Carlisle, but Mary won’t be drawn. She is determined that it is time for her to move on from Matthew.
The tension continues between Cora and Isobel who both take an active role in running the busy convalescent home but matters come to a head when Isobel discovers she has been over-ruled by Cora.
After the near disaster of the General’s visit, Branson has promised Carson not to stage any more protests so that he can stay at Downton. But what are his true motives for wanting to stay?
Robert receives a letter from Carlisle, which causes him concern and forces an uncomfortable conversation between him and Mary.
Matthew is at the front with William as his valet, and is due home on leave soon but are caught by the enemy whilst trying to return to their lines during a patrol. Can they make it back safely?
Back in the servants hall Thomas is enjoying his position as Sergeant in charge of the hospital and revels in the fact that he is no longer under Carson’s control.
Robert talks to Anna about Bates’s return to the area. Learning that Bates feels he left Downton on bad terms, Robert resolves to visit him but can he persuade Bates to return?
Mrs Bird and Molesley find themselves at a loose end and decide to do their own bit for the war effort. When O’Brien finds out she takes little time informing her mistress what the Crawley staff are up to.
Daisy is concerned that William is late for his promised visit, and asks Edith for help. She alerts Robert who tries to find out what has happened. A late night phone call to Downton brings the answer, much to Robert’s distress.
In the servants’ quarters Mrs Hughes makes a shocking discovery that ends in tears for one member of staff.
Made an appointment with optician lol :)Quote:
Originally Posted by moonstorm