What is a week-end?

With Season 3 of Downton Abbey beginning in England this week, it seems only fitting that we pay homage to one of the shows best characters. Perhaps you watch only to see the chatter between Michelle Dockerty as Lady Mary Crawley and her love interest Matthew Crawley played by Dan Stevens.  And yes, Hugh Bonneville is remarkable in his portrayal of Robert Crawley as is Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley. But the star who steals the PBS Masterpiece Classic Series is none other than Maggie Smith who plays Robert Crawley's mother, Violet Crawley.
(Need some background on the show and how Violet Crawley fits in? Go here. )

In times of war (World War I, that is) Violet's witty comments lighten up the serious tone. Her clear disgust with anything and everything american is humorous, I imagine even more so for the British viewers. Yet even we as Americans can appreciate the digs -- they are too funny to make a fuss about. Delivered in Maggie Smith's dry tone, they become the most recognized lines of the show.

More funny lines here!

So what does this say about the audiences world wide that tune in every week to watch what will transpire at Downton? Well, a sense of humor is most important on all shows. Downton Abbey is certainly not an American Sit-Com. but  I have laughed as much at Maggie Smith's lines as I have while watching "Seinfeld" or "Friends". Maggie Smith breathes life into her character. As a result, the entire show reaps the benefits.

The arrival of Shirley McClain as Cora Crawley's American mother, has Brits and Americans alike sitting on the edge of their seats to see the showdowns between these two ladies.