Downton Abbey
 

Can someone explain the apparent popularity of this program ?
My wife is obsessed with this show, which to me is about the most boring thing I have recently seen on TV.
My Frau has not been able to explain to me why this Downton Abbey is so appealing.

Isn't it 'downtoWn' abbey?

It is a little slow but acting is good and I think for my wife the appeal is the storybook lifestyle. I've watched it since season one with her. At the risk of losing my man card..... It's not that bad, actually pretty decent.

It's like a classic American 'soap opera.'

Either you love it and you're in, or you can't even stand 30 seconds. Like Night Rider.

It's a British production and is very well done. It reflects the reality of the time and the changes in life over time. Being an ex Brit I can identify with the series. I can understand though if you have no patience with it - a glorified soap. Some would agree with Shakespeare "much ado about nothing".

Nope. Downton is the name of the house. The expression "downtown" I suspect did not exist when houses like that were built.

Downtown

Downtown is strictly an American expression. If you asked a Brit in the UK where downtown was they would know what you mean though.

Downton Abbey is in reality, Highclere Castle. My wife intends to take a tour of it someday, it's tourable mostly all year to offset costs I suppose.

We're watching season four final episode(8) tonight. My daughter managed to download
the entire season, so we will be up to date.

I like it a lot, didn't at first, now I do. Dame Maggie Smith is a fantastic actor, and fun to watch. Nice old cars, and good character actors.

I agree that it is very "soap like", but it's the acting and production value that captivated me. Seems to be a fairly accurate depiction of a bygone era. Additionally, I enjoyed all of the character development. I agree in that you either get it or you'd rather hang yourself from boredom....I must be getting old!

If the choice is Duck Dynasty, Honey Boo Boo or Downton Abbey . Downton Abbey wins for me (But I have never/would never actually watch an episode of DD or HBB.)

I've been watching it and actually like it. The insights into the issues of the period, costuming and decor are fantastic. Better than 99% of the tripe on television.

No one can pull off the double take like Maggie Smith. She steals every scene she's in.

The appeal of Downton might lie in the fact that it comes off as real. The nobility actually cares (almost always) for their servants and want the best for them. This is counter to almost every show I can think of.

Capitalism is also presented fairly. Without good management at Downton everyone suffers, even in the village.

Lastly, the people must live and die by their decisions both good and bad, rich or poor, fair or unfair.

I thought Petula Clark was a Brit?

Good point yes...

Many of the Masterpiece Theatre productions from BBC are really well done. Thirty years or so ago a BBC production "Upstairs - Downstairs" drew huge (for PBS) ratings here in the US and won all kinds of awards. Similar to Downton Abbey but based on an upper class family's relations with the "downstairs" help during the transition from Victorian England to the aftermath of WWI. It was set in London, not an castle / estate.

I remember that one...watched it with my grandparents.

Great show!
I may have been one of their younger demographic viewers, 20? At the time.

I still think it's funny how many people can't handle someone saying 'downtown' instead of 'downton'.

But, in this case I'm a troll.


Downtown.

I guess you would also say Comptown, CA, Trentown, NJ etc. ? A little weird I suppose.

I don't really care how you pronounce it I just thought you genuinely believed it had a 'W' in it.

Well, I agree with what you say about NOT picking the Duck and Boo Boo shows !!!
But actually, rather than Downton Abbey, I might choose the Weather Channel.

If those are the only choices then my choice is turn the TV off and go ride my bike.

This pretty much sums it up. Maggie Smith is brilliant.

Also: It is popular because it's written intelligently, and there actually are quite a few intelligent people in the world who are hungry for some mental stimulation. And they do get you with the old fashioned soap opera cliff hanger endings that leave you pining for the next installment, like a Norwegian Blue pining for the fjords.

Speaking of which, my 2-year wait for the next Sherlock episode is almost over.:)

I haven't watched any episodes, but my mom loves it. My wife loves mysteries, so we've watched many/most of the British mysteries (mostly the stuff set in the past), and most of them are extremely well done. I suspect Downton Abbey is very well done, and I might enjoy watching it if I had to.

Very well executed show, well written and as others have mentioned Maggie Smith is unbeatable.

Just finished watching the final 2 hr season 4., Watch for two well known American actors in this final. Quite good.

KiwiO,

I think some relate to this show more than others. Borne in the UK I really enjoy it because it does remind me of the old days. They have got cars, buildings etc spot on.
About 30 years ago my first wife and I would look at furniture for sale in some of the big old estate houses similar to Downton Abbey and what amazed me was the size of some of these pieces of furniture. China cabinets etc. Just too massive for average size homes. Bringing something back to Canada like that was near impossible except in a container on a ship.

Back in the 1950's(and this is after Downton Abbey period) what struck me about class differences was driving to downtown London in our lowly Morris Oxford and seeing the the number of chauffeur driven Rolls Royces and Bentleys. There are still chauffeur driven cars now but not so many and they don't stand out so much as the old majestic cars.

G.

FWIW I watched it with my wife kicking and screaming... Have to admit I have come to like it... acting and writing are extremely well done.

And what on TV isn't a "soap opera"? Sopranos? NCIS? House? To me a soap opera has a plot that moves mindnumbingly slow... Downton Abbey is anything but. I suppose some of you think of Shakespeare as a soap opera.

At least it isn't yet another one of the mindless knee jerk "reality show(s)"

Jesus H. Christ ! My Frau has it on again. This Downton Abbey series is one of the most boring things I have seen on TV. I tried. I still dont understand the attraction.

The dirtiest secrets of the real-life Downton Abbeys of the world can be better understood with an examination of the 1st Earl of Carnarvon (second creation) James Brydges, and how such aristocracies came to be in the first place.1

The first true economist, Richard Cantillon, described during Brydges’s era (i.e., the early 1700s), the nature of human society thusly:


[I]f a prince at the head of an army has conquered a country, he will distribute the lands among his officers or favorites according to their merit or his pleasure. He will then establish laws to vest the property in them and their descendants.


full article at
Mises Daily | Mises Institute

same story here. Wife and I started watching "Upstairs / Downstairs" on PBS Masterpiece Theatre many years ago. Since then we always look for good programming on PBS Masterpiece Theatre and now on BBC. I'm sure there is a lot of garbage on BBC but the stuff that makes it here is generally really well done and not the formulaic crap that prevades US TV.

The main issue with the British programming is I sometimes have to turn on closed captioning as I can't understand what is being said ?? :rolleyes:

The writing, production values, acting are all superb. I also enjoy the historical context in which it is set and the issues they deal with. Women's rights, the changing role of the aristocracy of that time in Britain, economic issues, post WWI societal norms changing. The cars are also great! I don't watch much TV anymore but will make time for something well done. PBS does some great stuff. Check out Inspector Lewis as well.

Haven't tuned in to Downton Abbey, but I am rather fond of British television shows. Foyle's War, Doc Martin, The Inspector Lynley, Inspector Lewis and others. Not sure why, but these shows seem to make you work just a bit (as in thinking) to understand and appreciate the story.

These sure as HECK BEAT the stupid reality programs.

If you look close every once in a while you will see some nice period correct English Best shotguns..

A full range of humanity is expressed in elegant settings with superb writing & beautiful soundtrack. Most TV sucks in a way that is not good, Downton Abbey is something that I can watch with my lady & enjoy it. Your mileage may vary.

Doc Martin is good.

It's easy to watch with an iPad on your lap while multi-tasking and still get credit for watching television with the wife :-)

Just watched the final episode. The final season was excellent. I'll miss them all.

I've enjoyed the series very much. Amazing scenery and great characters. I heard of "cars of Downton abbey" video that I need to look up. I saw lots of RHD model T Fords, but can't identify most of the cool old vehicles.

Most of the road cars were Sunbeams and a few Rolls as well as Renaults. go here: http://downtonabbey.wikia.com/wiki/Vehicles_of_Downton_Abbey
I too will miss this series. Great attention to detail of the era. Wonderful costume and design. I'm glad it had a happy ending. Now what?