Ernie Manouse, seven-time Emmy winning PBS anchor and producer, and host of the Downton Abbey after show, Manor of Speaking. Photo: Houston Public Media.
If you're a Downton Abbey fan, you might already know that one of the most delightful personalities on PBS today is seven-time Emmy winning PBS Anchor/Producer Ernie Manouse of Houston Public Media. And one of the best shows on PBS right now is Ernie's Downton Abbey after show, Manor of Speaking.
Manor of Speaking is like a post-Downton water cooler gathering--a chance to re-hash the show and also learn a bit about the era, hosted with the perfect balance of decorum and dishiness by Ernie Manouse. In fact, Ernie told me that someone once told him they started watching Downton Abbey because they were such fans of Manor of Speaking! If you're a fan of Downton Abbey but not yet watching Manor of Speaking, you're missing out!
With the final season of Downton Abbey airing on PBS starting January 3 (check your local listings), I knew I had to talk with Ernie about Downton Abbey, Manor of Speaking, and beyond. Ernie is smart, funny, engaging, quick-witted, interesting, charismatic, and all-around fabulous, and I am so grateful for his time!
At first, I sent questions for Ernie to answer via email. However, as a fan of Manor of Speaking and of Ernie, it turns out I was a little over-enthusiastic and sent him about a million questions. He started answering via email, but eventually we decided just to chat on the phone instead! So halfway through the Q&A below, the answers get a lot more in depth. (The first question was from our phone conversation; I decided to move it to the top.)
In a tip of the hat to the Manor of Speaking audience interaction style, at a couple of points below I've invited reader responses. Leave a comment and let us know what you're thinking!
Pam Stucky: What did you love about Downton Abbey? Why do you think it enraptured us all so much?
Ernie Manouse: There have been so many of these costume dramas that we've seen over the years from Masterpiece, but the reason that this one works, the reason that this one pulls us all in, is because I think they have an amazing ability of taking today's issues, common concerns that we have in our generation, and placing them on a period story. What Mary's going through, people today are going through. When the Granthams lost their money, it was a time when we all were facing financial troubles, with the drop in markets and all that. Julian Fellowes has been very clever in taking what look like old issues but they're actually current issues, so I think that quickly ties us to these characters. We can relate to what they're going through. I think that's what makes it different from all the other period pieces that they put on Masterpiece.
Also, they're skillful in the way they direct the episodes. It might be a long scene, but they cut it up. They cut back and forth with another scene, so there's always movement in the show. So it's not a five-minute scene in the drawing room. There's a moment in the library, then they're in the kitchen, then they're in the drawing room, then back in the kitchen. It gives the sense of movement. I think they're telling the same story, but with a faster eye, and I think for today's generations, that, and their being stories you can connect to, the two together really make for a strong show that draws us in. That, and that fact that it's wonderfully written and they're great characters, and we love to see them suffer, and we love to see Mary get her way, there's these things that are guilty pleasures. That's my take on it.
Ernie and his panel of experts on Manor of Speaking. Photo: Houston Public Media.
PS: Personally I think one of the reasons your after show, Manor of Speaking, is so popular is because it reconnects us in an increasingly disconnected world; it serves as a sort of nationwide water cooler where we can all gossip about our favorite show. What do you think? Why do people love it? What feedback have you gotten about Manor of Speaking?
EM: I think the reason that the show is so popular is that we have a warm friendly way of reconnecting with the audience after the show is over. I think the humor, warmth and wit shows a love and appreciation for Downton Abbey but also gives us the opportunity to poke a little fun and it in a loving way. We serve as a sort of book club where maybe the folks at home watched the show, had a glass of wine, and joined us in our manor house. I worry sometimes some of our viewers are watching the show alone, and when it ends the experience is over for them, but they still want to share. Our show gives viewers a chance to engage, to share, to see what other viewers are saying through social media, and to laugh and celebrate their favorite program.
PS: One of the fun things about Manor of Speaking is that you have on experts, who can explain some of the finer details and subtle nuances of the historical aspects and accuracies of the show. Have they ever caught the DA producers in a historical inaccuracy?
EM: The best answer would be what Alastair Bruce (Downton's historical consultant) told me--the job is to inform the production of what was historically accurate, and then what the producers, directors and such do with it is up to them. But for us, Helen Mann has noticed a few timeline inaccuracies, or at least "strange timings"... But for the most part they are pretty on point.
PS: Have you seen all of the final season yet? What did you think? [This Q&A with Ernie was done before Christmas and the airing of the final Christmas episode in the UK.]
EM: I have--all but the last [Christmas] episode. I think it has given us what we would want: intrigue, humor, scandal, emotion, and excitement. It seems a fitting end to a wonderful series.
PS: If you haven't seen the series finale [Christmas episode], how do you think it should end?
EM: I have always joked that the series should end on a close up of Mr. Bates ... Slow pull out revealing Anna at his side, holding in her arms their small child ... Pull out further to reveal Bates holding an ax with blood on it ... and finally, a wide shot with the cast dead at their feet ... Turns out Bates killed them all--all through the series--poisoned Mr. Pamuk, cut Matthew's brake cord, etc. ... And the baby's name ... Norman, Norman Bates! [Of Psycho fame, of course!]
PS: I think that would be perfect! Favorite storyline from the past seasons?
EM: I have enjoyed Thomas' journey. They have given him plenty of opportunities to show dimension and character growth. I actually initially was not at all interested in Rose, but in Season 5 I became very invested in her and Atticus' story.
PS: Which storyline do you think played out too long?
EM: Mr. Green and Bates' imprisonment--those two.... Enough said!!! I will not prolong it any further!
PS: Which storyline do you wish they'd given more time?
EM: Gregson in Germany--I really would have been curious to learn more about what went on there...
Downton Abbey's dearly (and not so dearly) departed are honored on Manor of Speaking's Mourner's Corner. Photo: Houston Public Media.
PS: Which characters did you find yourself wishing you'd seen more of?
EM: Cora's mother and Jimmy.
PS: Thomas: Good guy or bad guy?
EM: Most complicated, intriguing character. That's what makes him endlessly fascinating. I think at his vote he is a wounded good guy, who has built up his walls and feels he needs to strike before he is found out. He is my favorite character on the show.
PS: Of all of Lady Mary's suitors, who do you think was best suited for her?
EM: He wasn't her suitor, but Tom Branson--since they both lost their loves, I always wanted to see them happy together. Otherwise, of course Matthew, then Gillingham.
PS: Carson and Mrs. Hughes: Why do you think we love this pairing so much? Where do you think they'll be in twenty years?
EM: Happily married--they have since the beginning seemed as the mother and father of the downstairs staff, a loving unit who oversee their children with love, and a firm hand.
PS: Okay, and Bates and Anna. Come on! There is no chemistry there. Am I right? What do you think of Bates and Anna?
EM: See my answer for how the series should end ;-). But the audience does just love to see them in turmoil. I will say I was caught off guard when they were coupled--I guess I missed all the subtle cues!
Wait! There's so much more Q&A! Read the rest of the interview with Ernie here!
Find Ernie on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as at his own website.
We need more Ernie on TV! Can't wait to see what he comes up with next! Photo: Houston Public Media.
Also published on my blog at pamstucky.com.
Somewhere between funny and philosophical lies the truth in Pam Stucky's writing. Pam is the author of several books including the Wishing Rock series (Northern Exposure-esque contemporary fiction, with wit, wisdom and recipes); the Pam on the Map travelogues (wit and wanderlust); and the YA Sci-Fi The Universes Inside the Lighthouse (wonder and wisdom). Pam's driving forces are curiosity, the pursuit of happiness, the desire to thrive and the joy in seeing others do the same. Pam is currently working on writing novels and screenplays.
Find out more about Pam and check out her personal manifesto at pamstucky.com
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