Downton Abbey

[ejb1980]

Can someone please explain to me why Downton Abbey is displayed the way it is on the guide? Is it S8 E29 or S5 E5?

 

[DJdish]

I´m no Downton exper but I think this is season 5, and ep 5 sounds about right, just 4 or 5 behind BBC in the UK.

 

[ejb1980]

I´m no Downton exper but I think this is season 5, and ep 5 sounds about right, just 4 or 5 behind BBC in the UK.

Then why does it say S8 E29?

 

[keenan]

Season 5 of DA aired late last year in the UK, finishing in Nov. The American PBS airing is currently up to ep 5 of series 5 tonight.

 

[keenan]

Then why does it say S8 E29?

Local station screwup? I notice it mentions Laura Linney as one of the actors and to the best of my knowledge she has never been in the cast of DA. Maybe some cross program data corruption?

 

[ejb1980]

Local station screwup?

I have several PBS affiliates - they all display it that way.
2 WGBH Boston MA
11 WENH Durham NH
33 WETK Burlington VT
44 WGBX Boston MA
57 WCFE Plattsburgh NY

All have it displayed in the exact same format! It just doesn't make sense!

 

[TonyD79]

Because it is season 8 of masterpiece classic, the actual series that they show Downton abbey in.

 

[king3pj]

Because it is season 8 of masterpiece classic, the actual series that they show Downton abbey in.

Yep, This is the correct answer. If you look at the guide PBS actually calls this Masterpiece Classic, not Downton Abbey. In the US Downton Abbey is part of Masterpiece classic. Other series are part of it as well. If you just leave your timer set to record new episodes of Masterpiece Classic you will notice that your DVR records other shows under that name during other parts of the year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Masterpiece_Classic_episodes

If you look at that Wikipedia page you'll see all the shows that go under the Masterpiece Classic title. Just for the 2014-2015 season there are 9 series under that banner.

Local station screwup? I notice it mentions Laura Linney as one of the actors and to the best of my knowledge she has never been in the cast of DA. Maybe some cross program data corruption?

Laura Linney introduces every episode of Masterpiece Classic. She isn't in Downton Abbey but she is technically part of the program.

 

[ejb1980]

That's very confusing, but thanks for the explanation. I guess that also explains why it doesn't display "Downton Abbey" in the guide.

 

[keenan]

Laura Linney introduces every episode of Masterpiece Classic. She isn't in Downton Abbey but she is technically part of the program.

Ah, I don't watch the US airings so I didn't realize that.