Carson and McMahon: close but never too close.

By Lee Pfeiffer

He was the King of the Night. Between 1962 and 1992, Johnny Carson ruled supreme as host of The Tonight Show. His humor and appeal cut across all boundaries of age, ethnicity and politics because Carson was an equal opportunity satirist. His comedy was gentle by today's standards, but always on the mark. His unique ability to turn even a bad joke into a big laugh was inimitable. The American Masters TV series recently aired the most in-depth portrait of this man ever undertaken. He was genial on TV, but standoffish behind the scenes. Few really got to know him, including his string of wives. He was opaque and hated to discuss himself. In a rare interview from the 1980s on 60 Minutes, Carson opened up a bit, admitting he could not handle alcohol and was a bad drunk. He was a distant father to his sons and had many friendly acquaintances but few close friends. Even his legendary sidekicks Ed McMahon and Doc Severinsen couldn't get beneath his surface. Yet, Carson endured and thrived, outlasting high profile talents who had planned to make him irrelevant. He negotiated from NBC the most lucrative contracts in the history of television. When he did leave the network, it was by his own choosing and at the top of his game. The messy race to replacement permanently ruined the friendships between Jay Leno and David Letterman, and still had its tentacles into the fate of Conan O'Brien in more recent years. This much is true: I still miss Carson. There was something soothing about knowing that, no matter had bad your day was, this man was going to make you laugh. He also thrived in a time of legends, so you tuned in to see drop bys from some unexpected guests as Dean Martin, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and John Wayne.  In the early days of his reign on The Tonight Show, TV hadn't devolved into a cultural cesspool. Carson educated even as he entertained. One minute he would be matching insults with Don Rickles and the next he would be interviewing a scientist or professor. He elevated the medium at every opportunity. Click here for a tribute to the late TV icon on the 20th anniversary of his retirement, along with vintage highlights from his programs. 

Cinema Retro has received the following press release: 

The leading ‘Best British TV’ streaming service Acorn TV is now streaming full seasons of several popular British mystery and drama series, along with two critically acclaimed Canadian series. This week Acorn TV also has a special Memorial Day Weekend Midsomer Marathon with the first 22 episodes of its best-selling series,MIDSOMER MURDERS, and the U.S. debut of John Nettles final episodes.

Acorn TV is currently streaming a full season of Helen Mirren in PRIME SUSPECT; the final seasons of the universally acclaimed Canadian dramedy SLINGS & ARROWSand Derek Jacobi’s mystery series CADFAEL; the U.S. debut of the newest season of MURDOCH MYSTERIES; Lynda La Plante’s TRIAL & RETRIBUTION; John Mortimer’s UNDER THE HAMMER; the final episodes of WWII drama WISH ME LUCK; Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter) in PIE IN THE SKY; and John Nettles final episodes with MIDSOMER MURDERS, SET 20.

For only $25 a year, Acorn TV streams full seasons of critically acclaimed, new and classic British series. Each of the 10 seasons stay up for five weeks, with two new series added each week and two removed. For press access to the 70+ hours of weekly programming, please email me.

Midsomer Murders

Acorn TV is accessible on Roku, the top streaming player, as well as computers, iPhones, iPads, Apple TV and Google TV. Launched in July 2011, Acorn TV is the first streaming service that curates the best of British television for American audiences. Read the recent Roku press release here.

Series streaming now include:

Midsomer Murders, Set 20

The U.S. debut of fan favorite John Nettles’ final episodes in Midsomer Murders, Set 20. For more than a decade, DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles, Bergerac) has policed the murderous county of Midsomer, winning legions of fans—including the queen of England herself. In these four new, contemporary stand-alone mysteries, Barnaby investigates his final cases before leaving the denizens of Midsomer in the capable hands of his cousin, DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon, Life of Riley). New episodes ofMidsomer Murders are still in production starring Neil Dudgeon. (Set 20 on Blu-ray/DVD July 3, 2012)

Murdoch Mysteries, Season 4

The hit Canadian drama combines the period appeal of Sherlock Holmes with the forensic fascination of CSI. Based on the characters from award-winning author Maureen Jennings’ Detective Murdoch novels, the acclaimed Canadian series has garnered 25 Gemini® nominations to its credit, including Best Writing and Best Dramatic Series. Set in Victorian-era Toronto, this smart, compelling series follows Yannick Bisson (Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye) as Detective William Murdoch as he pushes the boundaries of criminal science to solve the city’s most baffling murders.

Prime Suspect, Series 3 and 4

Oscar® winner Helen Mirren is Detective Jane Tennison, "one of the great character creations of our time" (Washington Post), in a series that won more than 20 major international awards and raised the bar for police dramas. Tenacious, driven, and deeply flawed, Tennison rises through the ranks of Britain’s Metropolitan Police, solving horrific crimes while battling office sexism and her own demons.

Slings & Arrows, Season 3

This universally acclaimed Canadian series follows the outrageous fortunes of a dysfunctional Shakespearean theatre troupe as it struggles with artistic egos and conspiratorial board members. The series stars Paul Gross, Don McKellar, Martha Burns, Sarah Polley and Mark McKinney. Struggling with the unfamiliar burdens of success, the New Burbage Theatre Festival mounts two ambitious productions: King Lear, Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, and East Hastings, a debut musical about a heroin-addicted hooker with a heart of gold. Emotionally fragile artistic director Geoffrey Tennant (Paul Gross, Due South) coaxes legendary actor Charles Kingman out of semi-retirement to play Lear. But with plenty of personal baggage, Kingman doesn’t so much play the part as live it. Meanwhile, the festival’s resident bean-counter (Mark McKinney,Saturday Night Live, Kids in the Hall) joins forces with the musical’s flamboyant director (Don McKellar) to create the unlikeliest hit in theatre history.

Pie in the Sky, Series 2

DI Henry Crabbe divides his time between catching criminals and cooking. He retired from the force to open his dream restaurant, but his boss is determined to keep him on the payroll. Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter) stars in a lighthearted British mystery series seen on public television in the 1990s.

Under the Hammer

Written by beloved author John Mortimer (Rumpole of the Bailey) and starring Richard Wilson (One Foot in the Grave), Jan Francis (Just Good Friends), and Michael Siberry (The Grand), this tightly-plotted series intrigues with secrets and seduction, seen through the lens of a London auction house. Broadcast on ITV in 1994. Top-notch guest stars include John Gielgud (Arthur), Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island, Match Point, 30 Rock), Rosemary Harris (Spider-Man), Hermione Norris (Cold Feet), and Ian Carmichael (The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries).

Cadfael, Series 4

Sir Derek Jacobi is Brother Cadfael, a 12th-century Benedictine monk (and former Crusader) who uses his worldly knowledge and keen intuition to solve crimes. Based on the bestselling novels by Ellis Peters, and seen on PBS Mystery!, Acorn TV is streaming the final three episodes.

Wish Me Luck, Series 3

The final episodes of the WWII drama series featuring brave women risking their lives as secret agents in occupied France. Based on real-life stories, filmed on location, this suspenseful series features strong female characters, tension-filled plots, and historical authenticity.

Trial & Retribution, Set 2

Like Law & Order, this long-running British detective series follows cases from crime to courts. Brusque detective Michael Walker (David Hayman, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) collars London’s killers and viewers are left to decide if justice was served. With Kate Buffery and created by Lynda La Plante (Prime Suspect).

Coming soon are seasons of Upstairs, Downstairs, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, The Forsyte Saga, and The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes.

The press releases on Acorn TV’s launch and expansion are posted at www.acornmedia.com. Acorn TV site: acornonline.com/TV

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“Acorn Media - chief curators of the best Brit TV” - Time

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Acorn Media/Athena DVD Release Calendar

May 29: Murdoch Mysteries, Season 4 (DVD and Blu-ray) and Monroe, Series 1 starring James Nesbitt

June 5: Doc Martin, Series 5; New Tricks, Season 7; and Washington: Behind Closed Doors (Home Video Debut) starring Jason Robards

June 19: Marcus du Sautoy’s The Code, This is Civilization, and Lynda La Plante’s Trial & Retribution, Set 5

June 26: Judi Dench in Love in a Cold Climate, The Best of Foyle’s War, and Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Series 5

About Acorn: Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., Acorn Media U.S. releases the best of British television on DVD/Blu-ray. 2011 releases featured Upstairs, Downstairs: 40^th Anniversary, Case Histories, and Brideshead Revisited: 30^th Anniversary. 2012 releases include a bonus packed 35^th anniversary edition of I, Claudius; the Blu-ray debuts for the original Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and the first six series of Agatha Christie’s Poirot; the U.S. debuts of Lynda La Plante’s Above Suspicion and Monroe starring James Nesbitt; Judi Dench in Love in a Cold Climate; The Best of Foyle’s War; The Story of Costume Drama; Damian Lewis in The Forsyte Saga; and more episodes from Midsomer Murders, Murdoch Mysteries, Doc Martin, George Gently, Garrow’s Law, New Tricks, and NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?. Select series are available for streaming at Acorn TV, http://acornonline.com/TV

If your mother used to chastise you for wasting your time watching Lost in Space instead of Learn to Draw with John Gnagy, you can take satisfaction in the fact that it turns out there was some educational value to the shows you were enthralled with. The web site Cable TV Providers takes a brief look at how some classic series ended up predicting real-life scientific achievements. Click here to view