We all secretly (or not-so-secretly) love to binge watch television, and with services available like Netflix and Hulu, it makes it so much easier! I am a loyal Hulu subscriber and have found some awesome British shows there. For this post, I am going to outline a few of my favorite new British comedies. There are a number of classic Brit comedies available on Hulu (we’ll cover them in another post), but this is all about new shows with fresh, young talent – a number of these actors are successful stand-up comedians that you should definitely check out, too! I’ve always felt like my sense of humor matched better with the Brits, and I find these shows absolutely hilarious. Snuggle up in front of the telly, your laptop, tablet, or smartphone, and get ready to be transported to the U.K.!
The Wrong Mans
The Wrong Mansstarted off on BBC Two and premiered on Hulu in late 2013. The show follows the antics of council worker Sam and non-council worker Phil (he just works inside the building)* Phil, who get wrongly tangled up in a deadly crime ring. The show stars James Cordon, a familiar face to many of us in the U.S. as he is currently hosts The Late Late Show. The Wrong Mans is a fabulous combination of comedy and action, and each episode will keep you guessing. There are 2 seasons available on Hulu, and possible talks of a third.
*this joke will be funny once you watch the show
Fresh Meat
Fresh Meatis a show about a group of housemates attending Manchester University, spanning three seasons and covering their three years at the school. The U.K. university system is a little different than the U.S. system, so this show may be eye-opening for some of you. For those who have studied abroad, this may bring back memories of your own time in a British house share. The 6 main characters are eccentric people, and it’s fun to watch them change and grow throughout the seasons. Just a sidenote: most British shows are not edited for language/content, and therefore not as conservative as shows we might watch on TV in the U.S.
Pramface
Pramfaceis a comedy about two teenagers whose lives are drastically altered when they become parents. Jamie wants to be a good, supportive dad and Laura wants nothing to do with him. The show tackles important issues like teenage pregnancy and raising a child while adding comedy into the mix. Hulu currently carries all three seasons (and sadly there will not be a fourth) and stars Scarlett Alice Johnson, who you may recognize if you watched EastEnders!
Planning a traditional British holiday meal can be a bit daunting when you look at the whole plate at once. I had my first experience with this delicious meal in France…yes, friends, in France. While studying abroad in Montpellier, France, I became friends with a Brit who was eager to share her holiday meal with a few people from our French II class. We were from all over: South America, China, America – gathering for one last meal together before we went home at the conclusion of the semester. Our British friend made a beautiful roast served with potatoes, brussels sprouts, and Yorkshire pudding.
In an effort to replicate this delicious meal at home, I’m going to break it down piece by piece, and add my own flair to a few classic recipes.
Brussels sprouts have a bad reputation and even I find that when broiled I’m not a fan. However, when roasted and crisped into healthy “chips”, I am completely addicted. Here is how you make these tasty chips and create nutty, rich roasted sprouts.
[Shout out to my sister who proved to me that brussels sprouts can be delicious!]
Ingredients
12 brussels sprouts
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt and pepper
Directions
Wash your brussels sprouts thoroughly. Make sure you clean between the loose leaves. It is also important to dry them fully, which ensures they will crisp up once in the oven.
Cut the hard white stem at the bottom of each sprout. Gently pull off as many loose leaves as possible.
Cut the brussels sprouts in half. If they are large, cut them into quarters for a faster cooking time.
Drizzle the leaves and cores with about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (depending on how many brussels sprouts you chop up) and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. You will see that your once full plan of brussels sprouts will have shrunk significantly with a few of the leaves already crisp:
Take out the crisp leaves and put the rest back in the oven for an additional 10 minutes. The cooking process is all about checking throughout to avoid smaller pieces from burning too much. If the brussels sprout hearts are larger, they may need additional time in the oven. The sprouts should be fairly soft with crisp brown edges.
There you have it! A delicious mixture of chips and buttery sprout hearts. It is the perfect side dish to a holiday roast or a weeknight chicken meal.
As many of you probably noticed today, one of our favorite Brits, Mr. Benedict Cumberbatch, received his CBE from the Queen and joined the Order of the British Empire. But what is a CBE, anyways? How does it differ from an OBE or a KBE ? (hint: you don’t need to start referring to Benedict as “Sir.”) We’re going to give you a brief overview of the Order of the British Empire.
Being inducted into the Order of the British Empire marks civilian (non-royal) achievement. This practice began with King George V in 1917. Civilians are nominated for this honor, and twice a year the Queen releases a list of those people who will be inducted. There are five classes in the order, including:
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) -This is the first rank of the order, into which most honorees are inducted. The recipient will put an “MBE” after his or her name. Examples of those given MBE honors include singer Adele and author Kate Atkinson.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
-The OBE rank is one level higher than the MBE and is awarded to those who have performed worthy service. Recipients will place “OBE” after their name. This category includes many nurses, doctors, policemen and women, professors and others in service-oriented industries.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
-This rank is awarded to those who have performed outstanding work within their individual field, and allows recipients to place “CBE” after their name. Many actors, authors, and musicians are in this category including J.R.R. Tolkien and Michael Caine.
Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE/DBE) -This rank is given to those individuals who are highly respected in their fields, and have served for a long time. This is the second highest rank and allows recipients to be addressed as “Sir” or “Dame.” Examples of those given this honor include Dame Helen Mirren and Dame Maggie Smith.
Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) -This is the top rank in the order and is very rare, with only one or two GBE recipients each year. The GBE is given for exceptional service, and recipients will use “Sir” or “Dame” in front of their name. Recent honorees include Sir Edward George, former Governor of the Bank of England and Sir Keith Mills, chairman of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
One more note: only citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations can formally receive these titles. In some cases, non-Commonwealth citizens have been given Honorary Knighthood (Bill Gates, for example) but this does not allow him to be called Sir Bill Gates.
I discovered Two Door Cinema Club the same way I do many new artists: through Spotify Radio. This particular station started with Young The Giant and introduced me to several bands that I would soon come to love, including The 1975, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Two Door Cinema Club. I was drawn to Two Door Cinema Club because of their eclectic style. Two Door Cinema Club gives a nod to some of my favorite bands, such as Phoenix and Bastille, but sets themselves apart with their blend of electronica and pop/rock melodies and the addition of lead singer Alex Trimble’s unique voice. I was fortunate enough to see Two Door Cinema Club in concert a couple years ago (though we nearly hit a deer on our way there!) and let me tell you guys, they are SO GOOD in person. I’ve never been at a concert so full of energy before. Two Door Cinema Club originally hails from Northern Ireland. They released their first EP, Four Words To Stand On, in 2009 and have successfully released two full-length albums and another EP since then. I’m going to outline a few of my favorite songs by Two Door Cinema Club, all of which can be purchased from the iTunes Store and listened to on Spotify.
1. “Undercover Martyr” from Tourist History
As you’ll remember from our Ed Sheeran post, I love anyone who can do a combination of quick-talk and singing in the same song. “Undercover Martyr,” from Two Door Cinema Club’s first album, Tourist History, is a great example of that. It has a great beat that’s just made for dancing, and the video is pretty fun, too (glow in the dark guitars!).
2. “Sleep Alone” from Beacon
This song is SO DANG CATCHY. It’ll be stuck in your head for days (but in a really good way!). I also really love the lyrics. Who hasn’t had ghosts from their pasts pop up when they’re trying to fall asleep, remembering all the painful or embarrassing things that have happened? “He sleeps alone/ he needs no army where he’s headed/ cause he knows/ they’re only ghosts” is kind of empowering in a way. The music video also pokes fun at 21st century horror movies and then takes a *~magical~* twist, which we’re always down to see!
3. “Changing Of The Seasons” from Changing Of The Seasons
“Changing Of The Seasons” showcases the band’s ultra cool electronica vibe, as well as Alex Trimble’s fabulous voice. There’s also some great guitar action happening in the background, creating a song that should be blasted at full volume, windows open, driving by the beach in the summertime. Did I mention how much I love Alex Trimble’s voice, because it is soooo smooth. I love the fact that the band doesn’t take themselves too seriously, as exhibited in this music video (you also get to hear their accents which are RAD).
Rumor has it that Two Door Cinema Club is working on their third studio album (please release it soon guys!!). In the meantime, you can follow them on Twitter for the latest info on new music and gigs. They recently tweeted that there are “many announcements to come!!” and frankly, we can’t even WAIT to see what’s next for this brilliant band.
The Bodleian Library was my first stop when I moved to Oxford for the semester and, as I do with all new cities I call home, quickly obtained my library card. While researching amongst its stacks, its English gothic architecture made it feel too romantic and mysterious to be real. It was like reading on a glamorous film set (a few Harry Potter scenes were actually filmed there, so technically it is both real and a film set). Whenever I reflect back on my time at Oxford, the Bodleian Library is home to some of my favorite memories.
It is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and second largest in England. First opened in 1602, it has grown from a small collection of chained books to over 11 million items that are stored deep under the cobblestones of Oxford, known as underground bookstacks.
The Happiest of Birthdays to you, Bodleian Libraries! I can’t wait to see what the next 413 years bring for this Oxford treasure.
Okay, I have to admit, when I posted “5 Reasons Why You Should Be Watching the X Factor U.K.,” I hadn’t watched the first live episode yet and didn’t know how the top 13 would perform for the first time. As I was watching it, I found that my favorite performance was an artist who had not originally made my top 5 list. I had enjoyed his voice, but didn’t find his performances as engaging as some of the other singers.
That all changed when I saw the top 13 perform. In order to admit my mistakes, I’d like to introduce you to Ché Chesterman, whose raspy voice and soulful performance of an Amy Winehouse/”Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” mashup stole my heart. Listen and believe:
Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Today is November 5th, the day we are urged to remember, remember! Widely celebrated throughout the U.K., Guy Fawkes Day, also known as Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, commemorates Guy Fawkes’s failed attempt to blow up Parliament on November 5, 1605. Though Guy Fawkes has gained some international recognition through use of his persona in pop culture, Bonfire Night is still predominately commemorated in the U.K., and Fawkes rarely appears for more than a page in American history textbooks. So why is it important for us to remember? We are going to explore the story of Guy Fawkes a little deeper , giving you the historical context for the Gunpowder Plot and Bonfire Night, as well as the legacy left by Fawkes.
The History
Guy Fawkes was born in York in 1570. As many of you faithful blog followers know, I (Rae) spent a glorious semester living in York and stumbled upon many historical sites related to Guy Fawkes. The home where Fawkes was born is now an inn where you can stop for a drink or even stay overnight! Fawkes was also baptized at the church I attended while living in York, St. Michael le Belfrey, which sits just opposite the majestic York Minster and is pictured here with yours truly. Though Fawkes had been baptized in an Anglican church, he converted to Catholicism after his mother remarried a Catholic. Religion was the issue at the heart of the Gunpowder Plot and to understand that, we need to delve a little deeper into English religious history (now engaging historian nerd powers!). Before our favorite egotistical monarch Henry VIII came to power, England was aligned with the Catholic church. As the story goes, Henry was upset that the Catholic church would not annul his marriage with first wife Catherine of Aragon and, as any normal person would do, broke ties with Rome, incited the English Reformation, and declared himself Supreme Head of the Church of England through the Act of Supremacy in 1534. Anti-Catholism remained a strong sentiment in the 16th century, with Protestants fearing that Rome would attempt to gain full power over England. Catholics were not treated well in this period, with punishments ranging from fines to corporal punishment to death. This leads us back to Guy Fawkes. Fawkes was a devout Catholic and his staunch beliefs and feeling of persecution led him to become involved with a group of men who were planing to assassinate King James I and replace him with his daughter, Princess Elizabeth, who would serve as their “puppet queen.” It was decided that the group would blow up the House of Lords of the State Opening of Parliament, where the King would be in attendance. Fawkes was placed in charge of the explosives. The conspirators gained access to a house belonging to the Keeper of the King’s Wardrobe, and from there were able to lease a space called the undercroft beneath the House of Lords, where they stored 36 barrels of gunpowder. On October 26, an anonymous letter was sent to Lord Monteagle, a member of the House of Lords, warning him to stay away from Parliament. The letter was shown to the King, who noticed the phrase “they shall receive a terrible blow,” which perhaps hinted at an explosive. Parliament was searched in the early hours of November 5, and Fawkes was found and arrested in the cellar. Fawkes was interrogated and tortured at the Tower of London but remained staunch in his beliefs. Fawkes was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, but instead jumped from the scaffold and broke his neck. As anti-Catholicism still reigned supreme, Londoners burned effigies of Fawkes in the street and were encouraged to light bonfires each November 5. Though I didn’t burn any effigies on Bonfire Night, I did spend the evening watching fireworks with friends and remembering, remembering Guy Fawkes.
The Legacy
Guy Fawkes’ legacy has lived on through a number of radio, theatre, and television performances chronicaling his plot and ultimate downfall. However, there have been a few more recent connections to Guy Fawkes that you may have missed. Luckily, I (Shan) am always watching out for historical references in pop culture:
When I first read the Harry Potter series, I never questioned why Dumbledore’s phoenix was named “Fawkes.” The phoenix is destined to burn and burn again, dying and then rising from the ashes. “Fawkes” is indeed named after the famous Brit and was written as a joke by J.K. Rowling, as Fawkes the phoenix is known for frequently blowing himself up into a ball of flame.
You also caught a glimpse of the Guy Fawkes Night festivities on the BBC TV series, Sherlock, in season three episode one, “The Empty Hearse.” John is kidnapped, drugged, and buried inside of a pile of wood. Only semi-conscious, he is unable to tell the crowd that he is inside and they set fire to the wood just as Sherlock and Mary arrive to pull him out. Ironically, it is November 5 when the episode’s culprit plots to blow up the House of Parliament from the abandoned tube tracks below, just as representatives are holding a late night meeting on an anti-terrorism bill.
One of the most famous recent adaptations is the British graphic novel and movie adaptation, V for Vendetta. This retelling of the story of Guy Fawkes is set in a dystopian England, where a neo-facist government is under attack by the freedom fighter, V, who wears a Guy Fawkes mask while plotting his ultimate revenge. It is a dark movie, but well acted by Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman, a young British girl who finds herself in the middle of V’s plot.
From the past to the pop culture future, Guy Fawkes may have failed in his gunpowder plot but succeeded in being charred into British memory for generations.
So we’re a little bit late on our October Museum of the Month post but hey, who doesn’t want to extend the spookiness of Halloween for a few days? Today, we’re featuring one of the most iconic sites in all of the U.K.: The Tower of London. The Tower has been in existence since 1066, the end of the Norman Conquest, and has a long, bloodied history. There are ghost stories aplenty at the Tower, and it has set the scene for many major events in British history. Join us as we detail a brief history of the Tower and how to stay connected online!
The Tower of London has served many different purposes throughout its long history: a
fortress, a weaponry, a prison, a residence, a home to the Crown Jewels, and finally, a museum. Early in its history, the Tower was a fortress; however, it has always carried a foreboding appearance, with the White Tower built in 1078 by William the Conquerer, a sign of oppression against the common people. Henry III was the first to make the Tower his home in 1240, and Richard II began the processional march from the Tower to Westminster Abbey in 1377, a tradition that lasted until 1660. Though used as a prison from 1100 – 1952, the Tower fully took on this role in the 16th century and came to represent death for all those placed within its walls.
Let’s discuss some of the most notable residents in the Tower of London’s history, shall we? One of the most famous tales is the story of The Princes in the Tower. The Princes were 12-year-old Edward V and his 9-year-old brother Richard, the only sons of King Edward IV. When King Edward died, his brother Richard (later Richard III) “lodged” the boys in the Tower, supposedly to prepare Prince Edward for his coronation. Instead, the brothers disappeared and Richard took the throne. It is assumed that the boys were murdered, but no one really knows for sure. Two skeletons of children, perhaps the Princes (but perhaps not!) were later found in a wooden box buried beneath the Tower. King Henry VIII, carrying on with his traditional style of murdering people who did not agree with him, imprisoned many people in the Tower. These included the political Sir Thomas More, beheaded for not accepting Henry as head of the new Church of England, and his wife Anne Boleyn, beheaded for “having an affair” (aka not producing a male heir), despite the fact that Henry had an affair with her while still married to his first wife. Many of Henry’s prisoners were brought to the Tower through a water entrance, which came to be known as “Traitors Gate.” Guy Fawkes was also imprisoned in the Tower after his failed Gunpowder Plot in 1605. He was kept in a cell known as the “Little Ease,” a room so small that prisoners could not stand up straight or fully lie down. He was sentenced to the brutal punishment of being hanged, drawn and quartered, but jumped off the gallows himself. Among the last people to be kept prisoners at the Tower were the Kray twins, notorious London gangsters who were transferred from the Tower to another prison in 1952. This fall, Tom Hardy will be depicting both of the Kray brothers on screen in the film Legend, out on November 20.
Today, the Tower is no longer a fortress, residence, or prison. It’s a museum managed by Historic Royal Palaces, an independent organization that watches over six historic sites including the Tower, Hampton Court Palace, Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace, and Hillsborough Castle. I have taken two tours through the Tower: one at age 8 and and one at 20. To be honest with you, we had to leave the tour early when I was 8 because the stories were just too gruesome for me. But at 20, I found it absolutely fascinating. The guides know so much about history, and have some fun facts and interesting tales to tell. For example, there is an old legend that if the Tower has any less than 6 ravens, the monarchy will fall. To combat this potential problem, the ravens living in the tower have had their wings clipped! Another incredible aspect of visiting the Tower is the opportunity to see the Crown Jewels. You actually ride a moving walkway (think airport) past the Crown Jewels. You may recognize the Crown Jewels from a certain fabulous BBC show called Sherlock:
While I encourage all of you to visit the Tower and feel the incredible sense of a thousand years worth of history beneath your feet, I know that’s not always entirely possible. Here a few ways you can stay connected with the Tower online!
1. The Tower of London and Historic Royal Palaces on Twitter
The Tower of London Twitter and the Historic Royal Palaces Twitter accounts are both excellent places to stay up to date with the latest information. The Tower of London Twitter page provides fascinating facts from #OnThisDay in history, as well as links to info about new exhibits and events taking place at the Tower. The Historic Royal Palaces Twitter keeps you connected to all 6 historic sites managed by the organization, offering up stories, videos, and fun facts about each place. They did an awesome job with providing lots of spooky tales during Halloween – make sure you go back a few days and check out their haunted tweets!
2. Historic Royal Palaces on Instagram
Looking for a little history in your Instagram feed? Follow Historic Royal Palaces! Their Instagram is full of gorgeous photos of their sites (they even repost photos taken by visitors, so make sure to tag them if you’re in the U.K.!) along with historical facts and information about upcoming events.
3. Historic Royal Palaces on YouTube
Historic Royal Palaces has a really great YouTube channel featuring videos from several different areas, including conservation, learning and engagements, historic cookery (!!), and more. They also have special videos for major events or important landmarks, including Hampton Court 500, celebrating the 500 year anniversary of Hampton Court Palace, and a special selection of videos about poppies at the Tower of London for Remembrance Day. A great place to start for more information about the Tower is with this video called “The Tower of London: An Introduction.”
4. The Tower of London on Periscope
If you’re not familiar with Periscope, it’s a new social networking tool that lets users post and watch video broadcasts in real time. The Tower of London has a Periscope account where they broadcast events that are happening to viewers around the world – for example, their most recent Periscope followed a Yeoman telling ghost stories at the Tower. Periscope is a great way to feel like you’re right in the action! You can get a Periscope account on your mobile device from the App Store or Google Play store. Also make sure to follow the Tower on Twitter to find out about their next Periscope!
We hope you enjoy “visiting” the Tower of London online!
With the X Factor airing live in the U.K., I was only able to enjoy the show retroactively, trying to follow the show via Twitter feeds and news stories. Then, one day, the clouds parted and I found I had AXS TV, an American channel that debuts X Factor episodes a night after their U.K. airdate. While I have to effectively avoid Twitter for a full day in order to ensure I don’t see any SPOILERS (read that in a River Song voice), I have been cheering on my favorites on Sunday and Monday nights. If you don’t have AXS TV, you can definitely follow the performances via the X Factor Youtube channel the day after they air in the U.K. While there are many reasons to watch the X Factor, this season’s crop of artists is truly phenomenal.
There is also the added bonus that former X Factor contestant, pop star, and all around handsome fella, Olly Murs, is co-hosting the show. With the top 13 battling it out to stay on one more week, these five singers are the primary reason why I keep tuning in each week:
1. Seann Miley Moore – Boys Group
Seann is a one-of-a-kind artist with one of the most moving voices I’ve ever heard. Each time he performs, I inevitably find myself crying. He puts everything into his emotion-filled performances and he has wow-ed at every opportunity. Here he is performing his first audition for the show:
2. Louisa Johnson – Girls Group
Louisa has a big, soulful voice and isn’t afraid to tackle some of the most iconic, vocally challenging songs, acing them every time…and she’s only 17. Her spunky attitude and passion for music is infectious. Check out her take on Aretha Franklin, a risky choice that secured her spot in the top 13:
3. Max Stone – Overs Group
The “stone faced” singer may not have a glittering personality, but Ma has a raspy, raw voice that seems to make any song he sings sound rich and passionate. He almost didn’t make it this far – losing his chair in the six chair challenge only to be asked back on stage by Simon in the last few minutes of the episode. Labeled an underdog, I think he has some real potential, just take a listen to his first audition and you’ll see what I mean:
4. 4th Impact – Groups
These talented sisters flew all the way from the Philippines to compete in the X Factor and are like four mini Christina Aguileras: big voices with some wicked dance moves. They certainly walked onto that stage with built-in star power and it is so fun to see how naturally they perform together. Here they are impressing the judges at bootcamp:
5. Lauren Murray – Girls Group
Lauren is a sassy, real British girl who skipped a day of work as a receptionist to perform during the arena auditions. She may seem like the girl next door, but she has a powerful soul voice and a fun bluesy tone. While she hasn’t been extremely consistent this season, her beautiful take on a Jess Glynne song during the Judge’s House audience landed her a spot in the top 13:
These are stars in the making and I can’t wait to see how the season unfolds!
Musically yours,
Shan
P.S. You can find these songs (and more musical stylings straight from the U.K.) on our Pinterest board:
There you have it! A delicious mixture of chips and buttery sprout hearts. It is the perfect side dish to a holiday roast or a weeknight chicken meal.
U.K. in the Everyday 