Confessions of a Masterpiece Theatre Addict

Hi, my name is Sandie, and I'm a PBS MasterpieceTheatre addict -- especially when it comes to the Masterpiece Classic programs.

It's not really my fault. Blame my dearly departed aunt, a total Anglophile and 'Upstairs, Downstairs' devotee who couldn't wait to watch the original Alistair Cooke-hosted Masterpiece Theatre productions. When I was one year old, my aunt convinced my mother to watch the acclaimed 13-part miniseries 'I, Claudius,' starring Derek Jacobi, and then she was hooked too.Hi, my name is Sandie, and I'm a PBS MasterpieceTheatre addict -- especially when it comes to the Masterpiece Classic programs.

It's not really my fault. Blame my dearly departed aunt, a total Anglophile and 'Upstairs, Downstairs' devotee who couldn't wait to watch the original Alistair Cooke-hosted Masterpiece Theatre productions. When I was one year old, my aunt convinced my mother to watch the acclaimed 13-part miniseries 'I, Claudius,' starring Derek Jacobi, and then she was hooked too.

So you see, it's basically a hereditary trait. I see British actors in period costumes, and I just have to tune in -- even at the expense of regularly scheduled favorites that wait patiently on my DVR until I've gotten my Masterpiece fix.

When I heard the new BBC adaptation of 'Emma' was going to air on Masterpiece (it premieres Sun., Jan. 24 at 9PM ET), I -- like any costume-drama fan -- couldn't wait, despite the mixed reviews the mini received in England. I disagree with most of the naysayers and quite enjoyed the new adaptation, devouring the entire five-hour production in one go (Got a problem with that? My kids were already in bed, so who cares if I left the dishes in the sink and the clothes unsorted? I already admitted I'm addicted.)

Romola Garai beams as the well-intentioned but 'Clueless' Emma Woodhouse, and I found myself liking her, Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley, and the capable supporting cast more than the 1996 theatrical version with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam as the leads. Michael Gambon (Dumbledore alert!) and Tamsin Greig (who played Mrs. Frank in yet another Masterpiece offering, 'The Diary of Anne Frank') are particularly outstanding as Emma's father Mr. Woodhouse and Highbury spinster Miss Bates.



But I digress, my real reason for confessing my love for Masterpiece Theatre is not to review 'Emma,' although I highly recommend it to my fellow costume-drama lovers. I'm here to convert the uninitiated. On that note, here are three reasons I love Masterpiece:

1. Talking points: Each production is hosted, so you get a short, but informative introduction from the likes of Gillian Anderson, Laura Linney, Alan Cumming or Matthew Goode about the production and its source material. It's perfect dinner convo trivia. Did you know Jane Austen dedicated 'Emma' to the Prince Regent, whom she not-so-secretly disliked? Or that Charles Dickens was obsessed with debtor's prisons, as depicted in 'Little Dorrit,' because his own father had been in one? I could pretend I learned that in some fancy Ivy League English seminar, but no, it was from Masterpiece, thankyouverymuch.

2. High Production Values: Ask anyone over 40 if they remember watching 'Roots' or 'The Thorn Birds' or 'North and South,' and they will undoubtedly say yes. Nowadays, the concept of an epic, multi-part drama starring top-notch actors is almost exclusively the domain of HBO ... and PBS' imported Masterpiece slate. The networks have no interest in ponying up dollars for a miniseries, but thanks to Masterpiece, all American audiences can still watch celebrated miniseries starring award-winning actors -- for free!

3. Brit Picking: As a bonus, watching Masterpiece offerings makes it obvious which actors are faking their American accents. Y'all would've known ages ago that Dr. House a.k.a. Hugh Laurie wasn't a real Yank if you'd watched 'Jeeves and Wooster,' or that Damian Lewis of 'Life' and 'Band of Brothers' is really a posh Englishman. Not to mention you'll recognize everyone in 'Harry Potter,' Richard Curtis or Mike Leigh movies (just imagine them in period clothes)

If you're reading this, chances are I'm preaching to the choir, but if you remain unconvinced, give PBS Masterpiece a chance. Soon enough you too will be admitting you're a Masterpiece junkie.