the TUDOR TUTOR
Your cheeky guide to the dynastyArchive for Media
Well done, “Cromwell”
Now that the Emmy nominations have been announced, and Showtime’s “The Tudors” has been honored with four nomination (cinematography, art direction, costumes, and hair), we are reminded of some of the fantastic performances by the talented actors in this series.
One fan favorite is James Frain as Thomas Cromwell. Prior to “The Tudors,” I wonder how many of us really empathized with Henry’s right-hand man. However, Frain’s performance (and his uncanny ability to disappear into his roles) drove home the point that this ambitious social climber was simply doing his job. And that wasn’t an easy task, when your boss changed his mind about what was good/bad more often than he changed his doublet and hose.
Take a trip down memory lane with Frain/Cromwell, and Coldplay of course, since “Viva La Vida” is used for about 95% of these Tudor YouTube videos. Hey, it works! A bit frenetic at first, but a reminder of the executions Cromwell pulled off (out of necessity). You can surely guess how it all wraps up.
You Say “Goodbye,” I Say “Hello”
Showtime’s version of history comes to an end with the series finale of “The Tudors” this coming Sunday night at 9 p.m. Eastern. Interestingly as it is Father’s Day here in the States, and Henry VIII was most obsessive about becoming a father. Of boys, naturally, but the girls came in handy too down the road, didn’t they?
The show has received its fair share of criticism. Overly-lush costumes, gratuitous sex, women who could star in a Nair commercial, queens who look like Barbie, and of course some liberties with historical events (not to mention the ageing process).
I do love, though, that the show surely sparked an interest in the era for some of us who didn’t give a toss previously, or who may have only had a passing interest and are now hooked. And for those of us who have passed many an evening engrossed in an Alison Weir or David Starkey tome, hearing some speeches verbatim or watching scenes played out as they were indeed recorded by observers was quite a thrill!
If you are looking for posts that do reference the show, JRM chats with Martha Stewart about his role here, Natalie Dormer tours Tudor goodies at the British Library here, there are ideas for a “Tudors”-themed par-tay right here, and a post on why our hearts can’t go on after the current season right this way.
Although we say goodbye to the pop culture phenom in just a few days, iTunes and Amazon ensure that we can watch Henry and Anne’s love romps and Cromwell’s execution as often as we like. The Tudor Tutor, however, will still be right here. This blog didn’t begin as a result of the series, and it won’t end when the series ends. I’ll still be doling out cheek on the dynasty, as always in an effort to entertain as well as inform. Stay tuned!
Gross! It Wasn’t All Banquets and Grand Clothing in Tudor England…
Gotta love this video that Showtime put together, animating the ickier reality of the time period!
*Note: The late Middle Ages were said to end around 1499 and the Tudor period began in 1485, when Henry VII became king. So although it seems the description in the video’s title is a mistake, it really isn’t.
JRM Dishes on “Martha” about Being Henry
A much-anticipated event from today, although I was only able to find this bit. No matter, we get to watch this sharp-dressed man lend a hand in the kitchen for some chicken, rice, and olives. Mmmmm! And the food looks lovely as well! 
