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“What is a weekend?” That classic upper-crust line uttered by the incomparable Maggie Smith takes on a much more poignant meaning this ‘weekend’ as the most beloved and watched television show in Public Broadcasting history stages its long-lamented finale this Sunday evening.
Even from its first of six seasons, Downton Abbey has been recognized by no less than The Guinness Book of World Records as “the most critically acclaimed English-language television series of 2011,” while winning Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Awards in bushels {or should we say, ‘silver serving trays’}. It set a record by receiving an astounding TWENTY SEVEN Emmy nominations in just its first two years!
As Downton heads off into the sunset {or London fog}, it can lay claim to being the most popular TV series in the history of both PBS and England’s ITV networks and, in the words of Wikipedia, “One of the most widely watched television drama shows in the world.”
It is also “the most successful costume drama ever” … so we’re here to retire those COSTUMES as well! As one reviewer raved: “That House! Those Clothes! Even more scrumptious than Highclere Castle {where it’s filmed}, is the parade of dazzling female duds: heavily beaded and brocaded silk and velvet gowns, stunning jewels and stylish traveling suits.” And in Sleuth’s world, birthday suits...
