Serving winners

Congratulations to the two winners of the book Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor by Rosina Harrison.  The lucky winners were:

Jon

and

Hayley

I hope you'll both enjoy reading the book as much as I did.  Thanks again to Penguin for supplying the books for this giveaway!

Thanks to everyone who entered, and look for a new giveaway soon!

It’s like a game of Jenga that's got out of hand

Poor Karl!  It's his misfortune that he attracted the attention of merry pranksters Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (the creative team behind "The Office").  Karl Pilkington was working as a radio producer for Ricky Gervais' radio program when his unique personality and unusual views of the world caused Gervais and Merchant to recognize his comic potential.    Because Karl is completely uninterested in life outside of his own little area, his "friends" decide to send him on a trip to the Seven Wonders of the World to "broaden his mind."  And so An Idiot Abroad was born.

The 2-disc set of the first series of An Idiot Abroad was released on Jan. 20.  If you haven't seen the series, you're in for a treat!  At the beginning of each of the travel episodes, Karl meets with Ricky and Stephen for an overview of what "wonder" he'll be visiting soon.  Karl remains singularly unimpressed.  His expression of bewilderment and lack of enthusiasm for any of the trips help to set the tone for the latest expedition.

Here is an overview of the wonders that Karl is going to visit, and his take on some of them:

The wonders visited include the Great Wall of China (re-named the "OK Wall of China" by Karl), the rock city of Petra, the Taj Mahal, Chichen Itza, the Great Pyramids, the Christ the Redeemer Statue, and Machu Picchu.  Although generally unexcited to be visiting such landmarks, Karl generally has to endure several unexpected surprises before getting to the wonder.  Here is a look at Karl getting some training in the martial arts:

Food is a constant source of anxiety during the trips.  In one memorable whinge, Karl wonders why the people in his host country "don't just eat normal food."  I would be interested to know how the Monster Munch that is packed for every trip manages to survive without being reduced to dust!

My favorite episode by far was the one where Karl travelled to Mexico.  Before being allowed to visit the wonder at Chichen Itza, he goes a few rounds with Mexican wrestlers, is invited by cowboys to ride a bull, harvests and eats some wasp larva, and goes on a fruitless search for the elusive Mexican Jumping Bean.  The most hilarious part of the entire series occurs when Karl is given the great honor of eating the worm from a bottle of tequila he's sharing with the cowboys.  After surviving meals of toad, goat eyes, and other disgusting things, the worm nearly does him in!

I really enjoyed watching Karl's experiences as An Idiot Abroad.  Whether you've endured similar culture shock as a traveller, or just want to laugh at Karl's pronouncements on the inexplicable oddities of other countries, you'll get a kick out of this series.  There is some bad language and a bit of nudity, so keep that in mind if you want to watch with younger or sensitive viewers!  Otherwise, prepare for a thoroughly enjoyable time as Karl is wrenched out of his comfort zone, Monster Much and toilet paper in hand!

Disclaimer:  I received a review copy of An Idiot Abroad from BBC.

Final verdict for An Idiot Abroad: Five Gherkins, for allowing us to see the wonders of the world with the ever unenthusiastic Karl Pilkington

Two words you don't want to see together

While the title might be somewhat startling, the book Shit London: Snapshots of a City on the Edge by Patrick Dalton offers up an unusual selection of photos that serve to show the unique character (and sometimes unintentional humor) that can be found in the world's most interesting city.

A lifelong London resident, Patrick Dalton began taking digital photos of amusing or strange sights that he saw on his daily rambles through the city.  One day he realized that he had a massive collection of these images and decided to put them into a book for everyone to enjoy!  In the book's introduction, he laments the general "sameness" that is taking over streets across London -- the same shops and restaurants appearing over and over again have served to displace the family-owned and distinctive establishments that helped to give many areas of London their own unique flavor.  This book is an attempt to capture some of this flavor before it disappears entirely.

The lovely full-color photos are all identified with captions identifying the location where the photo was taken.  There are also some captions which add humor to already funny photos.  There are amusing shop names, graffiti, misspellings, and signs which, while amusing, probably don't get the sought-after response (such as several amusing signs directing people not to spit, to pick up after their dogs, to stop banging doors, etc.). 

One example from the book:

Apparently, some customers were taking the cover at its word . . .

The book is a very enjoyable romp through the more amusing aspects of daily life in London proving that humor is alive and well in the metropolis!

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of the book from the Independent Publishers Group.

Final Verdict for Shit London:   Four Gherkins, for being an amusing look at life in the big city!

Serving my lady: giveaway!

The popularity of the program Downton Abbey shows that we are still fascinated with stately homes, along with the lives of the upper class and the servants who attended them.  An inside look into this fascinating world is given in the book  Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor by Rosina Harrison.  First published in 1975, this is a lovely new edition of the book.

Rosina (known as Rose) was born into a poor Yorkshire family in 1899.  Her father was a stonemason and her mother worked as a laundry maid.  They lived on land owned by the Marquess of Ripon and worked for the family.  It is fascinating to read about Rose's early life and how difficult everything was -- from doing laundry to taking baths, everything was a complicated and back-breaking process.  Rose knew early on that she would be spending her life "in service" -- working as a maid for a wealthy family.  She did have some high aspirations, however:  she dreamed of travel.  Right away, she and her mother decided that she would attempt to get a job as a "lady's maid," assisting the lady or daughter of a stately house with dressing and other personal matters.  Her mother advised that if she started out as a kitchen or housemaid that she would never be able to move up, so Rose stayed on at school for an extra two years to learn French and also worked with a dressmaker to prepare for her future career.

Rose was quickly hired as a "young ladies' maid" at a large house in London.  She had never been outside her Yorkshire area before, but Rose described only excitement about taking the train to the big city.  After a few years, she changed employers and was able to travel even more.  It was during these many trips that she became acquainted with the Astor family, and their home at Cliveden.  Lady Nancy Astor took notice of Rose and decided that she wanted Rose to be her maid.  Already somewhat well-known for her outspokenness and demanding ways, Rose was reluctant to take the position.  She did, however, apply for the job as maid to Lady Astor's daughter, when she found out the salary paid much more than her current position.

Rose enjoyed her new position.  Her charge was an 18 year old girl who was pleasant enough and wasn't demanding like her mother.  As an attendant, Rose was able to travel with the family and was responsible for things like keeping the laundry clean, pressed and mended and keeping up with jewelry.  Whatever it was that attracted Lady Astor to Rose was still apparent, because before long, Lady Astor demanded that Rose become her maid instead.  Lady Astor got whatever she wanted, and this was no exception.

Lady Nancy Astor had been born in Virginia and was already a divorcee with a young son when she married fellow American expatriate Waldorf Astor.  She eventually became the first woman to serve in the House of Commons.  Due to her connections to politics and society, the Astor house was frequently visited by politicians, writers, members of the royal family and other well-known personalities.  As Lady Astor's maid, Rose was able to travel first-class, because she needed to be at "her lady's" beck and call.  She had no social life, because of the demands of her job, but the excitement and unpredictability of her duties left her fulfilled.

The majority of the book deals with Rose's observations about the spoiled and demanding Lady Astor.  Surprisingly, Rose was never hesitant to speak her mind and point out her employer's faults, if she felt it was warranted.  She was Lady Astor's maid for 35 years, so this frank quality must have been appreciated!  She still showed great admiration for her employer, particularly during the difficult war years, when they endured bombings and bomb shelters together. The years after the war seemed to be Rose's favorite.  She and Lady Astor travelled all over the world, and she was always given time to enjoy the places they visited.  She had achieved her lifelong ambition.

Thanks to Penguin Publishers, I have two copies of this fascinating book to give away!  To enter, just leave a comment stating what household position you would want to take if you were "in service." Leave your comment by Jan. 24.  I'll choose two winners at random.  Winners must respond by email within 48 hours or I'll draw a new winner.  This giveaway is open worldwide!  Be sure and leave your email in the comment so I'll have a way to contact you.  Good luck!

Disclaimer: I received the review and giveaway copies of the book from the publisher. 

BBC America Shop Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered to win the BBC America Shop Holiday prize pack. The lucky winner, chosen by Random.org, was:

mar200

The winner has been notified.  Thanks to BBC America Shop for providing the wonderful selection of gifts for the prize pack. 

You still have a few days to win a $500 gift card for yourself, plus a $500 gift card for someone else on your gift list!  Enter here until Dec. 18:  https://bitly.com/BBC_Sweeps (Valid toward your purchases on the BBCAmericaShop.com).

Good luck and happy holidays!

Good luck!


BBC America Shop Holiday giveaway

This Holiday season discover the perfect gift at the BBCAmericaShop.com!

Find DVDs and official merchandise from your favorite BBC shows including Doctor Who, Planet Earth, Top Gear and more.  Also, find traditional holiday decorations from the United Kingdom including ornaments and nutcrackers: http://bit.ly/BBC_Gifts

Plus, it’s back! The annual BBC America Shop Sweepstakes giving you a chance to win two $500 Gift Cards for you and a friend: https://bitly.com/BBC_Sweeps (Valid toward your purchases on the BBCAmericaShop.com).

Oh, my, I'd love to win the $500 gift card.  Not only do I have plenty of ideas on what to spend it on, but I have loads of suggestions for my friend (who would get the other card)! 

Enter to win a BBC prize pack!!!

Thanks to BBC, I have an amazing prize pack to award to one lucky winner!  There's such a great variety of items here, that you can find a gift for everyone on your list if you win these fantastic prizes!

Here's what's up for grabs:

	Planet Earth: Special EditionYou'll be filled with awe and amazement every time you watch this stunning BBC series about our planet's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures, captured on breathtaking, high-definition film in the Earth's most extreme habitats. Forty cameramen and hundreds of producers, scientists and guides spent four years and $25 million to bring you this God's-eye-view of rare action and intimate moments in impossible locations.
	BBC Holiday Comedy Laughs and holiday cheer abound in these eight hilarious BBC Christmas specials. Catch the festive spirit with the residents of Dibley as they put on a pageant or with the Goods and the Leadbetters of Good Neighbors as their Christmas celebrations go terribly awry. Featuring specials from Are You Being Served, Good Neighbors, To the Manor Born, Allo Allo, Last of the Summer Wine, Keeping Up Appearances, Blackadder, and The Vicar of Dibley, this collection is a must have for any fan of British comedy!
	A Walk in London Share the magic of a mother-daughter day trip as you walk past the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, through the Whispering Gallery at St. Paul's Cathedral, and on to the amazing jewels at the Tower of London-learning fascinating facts as you go. See if you can spot the royal family's car, and ride a ferry on the River Thames. A fun children's book you'll both enjoy. Hardcover; 34 color pages, plus panoramic foldout.
	Being Human: Season 3 While Annie the ghost waits in purgatory to learn her fate, her supernatural friends- Mitchell the vampire and werewolves George and Nina-settle into their new home in Wales, hoping for a fresh start at living normal lives. Brace yourself for out-of-this-world adventure when Mitchell decides to rescue Annie. All eight new episodes in the hit BBC series, starring Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey and Lenora Crichlow. Many extras.
	The Hour Romola Garai, Dominic West and Ben Whishaw star in The Hour, a thrilling six-part drama set in 1950s London when the BBC is about to launch an entirely new way of presenting the news. The dynamic Bel (Garai) is chosen to produce the new program, to be called "The Hour," with handsome and well connected Hector (West) set to become the anchor, much to the annoyance of Freddie (Whishaw), a brilliant and outspoken journalist, whose passion continually lands him in trouble. Over the six episodes, the interplay of intense ambitions between our rising news team play out against the backdrop of a mysterious murder and Freddie's controversial and dangerous investigation.
	Spot's Magical Christmas The delightful star of Eric Hill's beloved children's books joins his friends as they embark on a special magical ride to help find Santa's special Christmas sleigh-before it's too late. As a reward for his help, Spot finds a big surprise under the tree on Christmas morning! Bonus episode: Spot's Winter Sports, featuring Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense), plus two games.
	Top Gear 16 The trio is back in Gear for their latest supercharged season. Whether they're torturing a Jaguar, Mercedes, Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW or Audi or chatting up a "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car," the guys never fail to deliver their irreverent wit and nearly slanderous honesty. Six episodes, highlighted by the "Middle East Special," a seasonal road trip recreating a famous journey across the Middle East to Bethlehem.
	Guinness Baseball Cap For good luck in warmer weather, top your day with the appliquéd shamrock on your Guinness baseball cap. Easily adjustable Velcro headband. One size fits most.

Wow! All these great gifts are up for grabs for one lucky winner!  To enter, just leave a comment on this post stating what you most want Santa to bring you for Christmas.  Be sure to include your email address so that I can contact you.  Due to shipping costs, this contest is only open to US residents.  Last day to enter is Dec. 14. Good luck!

Disclaimer:  I was provided with the prize pack to giveaway by BBC. I received no compensation for hosting this contest.

The Office Collection Special Edition

This holiday season celebrate with The Office Collection Special Edition available on November 22.  Written and created by Golden Globe winners Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the DVD Special Edition features the complete, original UK series plus all new bonus features.

BBC AMERICA first introduced U.S. audiences to the comedy genius of Ricky and Stephen when it premiered the show in 2003.  At its launch The New York Times called it “pretty much the funniest show ever” while Newsweek declared it the “best comedy on television.”  It went on to win two Golden Globes, inspire the U.S. version on NBC and continues to influence the tone and look of everything from television comedy and movies to commercials and pop culture at large. 

The Special Edition DVD has all 12 episodes and the 2-part Holiday Special with bonus features including:

·         The original pilot

·         Six specially recorded introductions of every episode  from Season 1 by Ricky and Stephen

·         An exclusive documentary  Comedy Connections: The Office which traces the history of the show

·         Interviews with the original cast including Ricky, Stephen, Lucy Davies, Mackenzie Crook, Martin Freeman and Ewen Macintosh as well as celebrity fans Ben Stiller, Christopher Guest, Matthew Perry, Richard Curtis and David Baddiel.

Check out the official site.

Here is a clip of Ricky Gervais, as David Brent, "cheering up" an employee on his 30th birthday:

Ricky Gervais shines as slimy, clueless boss David Brent in the "docusoap" series The Office. The premise of the show is that a documentary film crew is recording the daily goings-on of the paper company Wernham Hogg in lovely industrial Slough.  The title credits show a gray, boring, office in the middle of a gray, boring town.  David Brent is the Managing Director of the company, but he never seems to do much work beyond annoying employees and making them feel uncomfortable.  He is never shy about addressing the viewer directly and imparting his vast wisdom on how to motivate employees to get the best out of them, while at the same time lightening the mood all round by being an "entertainer."  The David Brent character does become a more sympathetic character as the series evolves and his odd behavior catches up to him.

This Special Edition collection of the program consists of 4 disks which include both seasons of the series, as well as the series finale, a 2-part Christmas episode shown in 2003. One disk contains the original pilot episode, with actors who didn't continue on to the main series.  It is interesting to see David Brent in all his original glory, when the principle actors had no idea that this project would evolve into a series!  This disk also includes an interesting documentary with an interview with creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant discussing how the program came to be, and how unenthused the-powers-that-be at the BBC were at the beginning.

The first season's episodes are all introduced by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais discussing various aspects of the show, illustrated by clips from the series.   The very first episode also features short clips of various well-known actors, including Ben Stiller, Christopher Guest and Matthew Perry discussing their admiration for the innovative and influential show.  It was a little difficult for me at times to figure out when the reminiscences had ended and the actual episode began, though!

Some of the other actors who appear in the series have also become famous since the airing of the show.  Martin Freeman (Dr. Watson and soon to be Bilbo Baggins) plays Tim, who seems to be the only person interested in doing any actual work at Wernham Hogg.  He is constantly thwarted in his efforts to concentrate by his annoying cubicle-mate (although they are unfortunately missing the walls which might have made the situation bearable) Gareth, played by Mackenzie Crook, best know for his role as a somewhat ramshackle pirate in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.  The other main character is the receptionist Dawn, who is part of a love-triangle between the mild-mannered Tim and her tough boyfriend Lee.  Lucy Davis (known for coaching her fellow survivors on how to play zombie in Shaun of the Dead) plays the conflicted Dawn.

The disk containing the final episodes of the series also contains the documentary Closed for Business, where Gervais and Merchant and the various actors discuss why they decided to end the show at that point.  The Christmas episodes were intended to be the series finale, so there are no cliffhangers that never get resolved or other annoying plot holes.

New and old fans will enjoy this full series of the iconic British series.  Fans of the American version of The Office will enjoy seeing where it all began! 

On a side note, I was very pleased to note the Eastenders reference in the first episode (Rickaaay!). Just one iconic show paying tribute to another!

Disclaimer:  I was provided a review copy of The Office Collection Special Edition by BBC.