Making Masterpiece: 25 Years Behind the Scenes at Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery on PBS
by Rebecca Eaton
Review by Charlie M. (bookaddicted)
If you are a fan of Masterpiece or Mystery! on PBS this is a wonderful read. Ms. Eaton has had the enviable job of being Executive Producer of Masterpiece for 25+ years and tells you what the job entails plus insider scoops about the shows and the stars. Her writing style is friendly and approachable. This is not one of those dry, plodding memoirs or the-making-of tomes that not only bore you but, sour you on the subject. She writes with honesty and humor, never afraid to let you know when she made a mistake in either passing on a show or making a faux pas in dealing with a sponsor, director, or actor.
She gives some insider info without resorting being salacious and mean. Some of the inner workings of how PBS actually works was eye-opening. Certainly in these tough economic times we have all heard how much money has been withdrawn from government funding of the arts and especially public television. Ms. Eaton really lets you know what struggles an organization like PBS can go through in order to keep bringing popular programs like “Downton Abbey”, “Foyle’s War”, “Midwives”, etc to your screens. She discusses how the changes in viewing habits, the digital age, viewer demographics all have impacted PBS, Masterpiece, and bought changes to her role in bringing programs to the public.
Whether you are familiar with PBS from the 1970’s airing of the original “Upstairs, Downstairs” or have just become tuned in because of the uber-popular “Downton Abbey” there is much to be learned and appreciated in this book. (Even if you just want to know Jean Marsh’s comment to the late Princess Margaret with respect to “Upstairs, Downstairs” read this well written, graciously presented book.)
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