Downton Gabby

How can we bring ourselves to say goodbye? In one last visit to our beloved Abbey, things are changing with the times (how astonishing!), and some people are dealing with it better than others (what a shock!). Retirement, pregnancy, divorce, organizing the county show… just about every major life milestone is happening to one of our favorite characters. Will Daisy pull off her first big dinner as the head cook? Will Edith keep from fainting the first time Mary asks her for sisterly advice? Will Mary survive scandal and FINALLY take her place leading the estate? Will the estate itself endure??? Call up your most fabulous gay playwright friend, prep a pitcher of Old-Fashioneds, and don your best tiara for a final farewell to the most glittering jewel in Julian Fellowes' crown, our dear Downton Abbey. Your hosts: Shannon Bowen https://instagram.com/theshannonbowen Therese Shechter https://instagram.com/trixiefilms Brandi Sperry https://www.instagram.com/oui_brandi/

Another season of The Gilded Age has ended, and the frocks are more shocking than the bullets. As episodes build to the climactic end-of-season balls, we see the power shifts fracture the old ways, inviting in bold new energy. Even divorcees and suffragists are welcome on the dance floor! Join us as we break down Episodes 5-8 of Season 3: Gladys & Bertha fight a second revolutionary war at the Dukedom’s dinner table (hint: come at seven, wear the biggest tiara you own, and be prepared cut your opponent with sharp words); Peggy triumphs in dance-floor romance and in her career; and Ada takes her seat at the head of the table. Then there’s that other war: Mrs Scott vs Mrs Kirkland in the dressmaker's fitting room (come at noon, try on your gorgeous gowns, and prepare to throw your sickest burns). We cheer for both young Jack (or as Agnes calls him ‘a Rockefeller in livery’), and Oscar, who movingly mourns John while growing an inspired beard. And we grumble about the men who are making a mountain out of a molehill (ahem, Railroad Daddy). BONUS: More Downton Abbey callbacks than there are diamonds around Mrs Astor’s neck! So drape yourself in your jewels, sip delicately at your champagne, and enjoy the podcast! And tune in for our Downton Abbey film podcast in September! (sniff, sniff) as we say goodbye to Downton! Your hosts: Shannon Bowen https://instagram.com/theshannonbowen Therese Shechter https://instagram.com/trixiefilms Brandi Sperry https://www.instagram.com/oui_brandi/

Temperance! Divorce! Suffrage! Broken coffee cup! Makeouts in carriages! Clocks! Mediums! Questionable frocks! Sisters! Even more Broadway stars! An exciting season brings regime change at the Van Rhijn–er, Forte household, bold new opportunities for work and love for Peggy, and the culmination of the ultimate marriage plot! Will Peggy find true love with the Hot Doctor, or will his snooty mama get in the way? Will the new Duchess triumph? Is the Russell marriage in trouble? Is Larry a cad or just clueless about public canoodling? Will Bertha’s sister Monica stick around (even if she does dress like the cook on her day off)? Will Hector’s creepy sister pull a Mrs. Danvers? And most importantly, will our dear Jack find happiness now that he’s worth a few mill? But wait there's more: Tune in for the Episodes 5-8 podcast in August Then the Downtown Abbey film podcast in September! Your hosts: Shannon Bowen https://instagram.com/theshannonbowen Therese Shechter https://instagram.com/trixiefilms Brandi Sperry https://www.instagram.com/oui_brandi/

Just when you think you're at the cool kids party, you realize you're Ward McAllister at your grandma's dusty opera box. Oh how sweet the victory is for Bertha, it only cost her the bargain price of her daughter's soul to the Duke (or, we presume). Thank goodness, he'll have the funds he needs to restore his crumbling English manor back to its glory and Bertha will have the feather in her cap to completely rule New York's social scene. Meanwhile the table's turn with Ada ordering dinner (clam chowder for everyone!) while Agnes must now answer to the new lady of the house. And finally, we get that boring love story of those two toothpaste models we were promised. We must raise a glass to Peggy who brought such riveting news stories to New York: may she kick Mr. Biceps out of The Globe and take it over in the next season. And cheers to Larry and Marian finally looking each other in the eye. Another social season comes to an end, so we must pack away our tiaras and sharpen our butter knives for next season. Until then, may the champagne always be sparkling and the conversation always polite.

Love is blooming everywhere in New York, but also dying awkwardly in the botanical gardens. Our hearts swell and break for Ada and cringe for Marion. Meanwhile George's heart might be softening to the working man. But on the opera battlefield, the blades are sharp and the cuts are deep. How much blood will be spilled for the center box?! Whether you want homebrewed coffee or broth supped from a spoon, raise a glass for the dramatic twists and turns only Uncle Julian can bring, one alarm clock at a time. One favorite thing: Shannon - The Empress (Netflix) Brandi - Saltburn (film by Emerald Fennell) Therese - Buccaneers, 1993 miniseries (Amazon Prime/BritBox) Your hosts: Shannon Bowen, Therese Shechter, & Brandi Sperry