I’ve always heard that you shouldn’t fix what’s not broken. So, I’m not sure what producers of the 37-year-old PBS classic “Masterpiece Theatre” are thinking by reformatting the show. Producers call it a “new move,” which means they are doing more “sprucing” than “revamping.”
Either way regular viewer of the legendary anthology series will have to get use to a new look. According to show producers, the show will be split into three mini-seasons, each with its own theme and host – one of whom is Gillian Anderson. That’s right; Agent Dana Scully from the now defunct FOX series “The X-Files.” The actress is not completely new to the show. She appeared as Lady in “Bleak House” on “Masterpiece Theatre” in 2006.
Now, that you know about the reformatting, I mean, “sprucing,” I suppose this is as good as time as any to let you know the show will no longer be called “Masterpiece Theatre”. Yup, they got rid of the name too. When Anderson makes her debut, as host on January 13th the show will be called “Masterpiece Classic.”
Show producers say Anderson will present 10 programs that include adaptations of all six of Jane Austen’s novels plus a new biopic; “Cranford,” a three-part miniseries starring Judi Dench; “My Boy Jack,” starring Daniel Radcliffe and Kim Cattrall; and a new adaptation of E.M. Forster’s “A Room with a View” by Andrew Davies.
Once the summer season starts the show will evolve again. “Masterpiece Mystery!” will combine with the “Mystery!” anthology series, a PBS fixture since 1980. Then, in the fall, the new “Masterpiece Contemporary” will focus on dramas set in the present day.
Anderson will be the show’s first host since Alistair Cooke’s replacement, New York Times writer Russell Baker, stepped down in 2004.
Maybe they should’ve asked Regis Philbin to host…
Oh wait, that wouldn’t have worked since the 76-year-old celeb’s schedule is packed with more duties than stars half his age.
The co-host of “Live with Regis and Kelly,” who holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a TV camera, just signed on to host the official Oscar red carpet show. That’s the 30-minute chatfest/fashion show, which airs just before the Academy Awards ceremony.
According to producers, Philbin’s “the perfect guy to serve as host” because “everyone loves Regis.”
You can watch Philbin on the red carpet at 5 p.m. February 24th on ABC.