bak8382's review against another edition
4.0
Rebecca Eaton's book is both memoir of her life and a behind the scenes glimpse at what it is like to be in charge of Masterpiece on PBS. She's the 3rd executive producer for the program, so she wasn't there at the beginning, but she fills in the missing details with remembrances from others who were involved. She discusses both the highs and lows of the programming, the near misses, and the actual misses. Interestingly even when Masterpiece fails to acquire something many people still assume it was one of their programs anyway. It's a fascinating look at how British television is acquired in the US, and Eaton's life is interesting in its own right. Downton Abbey has made Masterpiece and consequently Eaton hot right now, so it's unsurprising to see the last several sections devoted to Downton Abbey and its success.
As many people did I began watching Masterpiece during the rebranding in 2008 when they showed Jane Austen films. I had just fallen in love with Austen's writing again, when the public library I was working at received the posters and bookmarks for Masterpiece. I was hooked on Masterpiece Classic right away, and eventually watched most of Mystery and Contemporary as well. Looking back I'm not sure why I wasn't already watching Masterpiece as I enjoy British television, but I suspect it was because I was not aware of it. Not really as much Masterpiece's or Eaton's fault as you might think, Eaton details that most of the money is used to acquire and produce the programs, and they have virtually no budget for advertising. They rely a lot on reviews and interviews to drum up interest. Masterpiece is doing a much better job of reaching its audiences via social media theses days. Though it's still odd to me why programs such as Call the Midwife, Last Tango in Halifax, and The Bletchley Circle air on PBS, but not as part of Masterpiece. Also Masterpiece Contemporary seems to have disappeared altogether. This is an interesting read for those eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite programs to Sunday night television.
As many people did I began watching Masterpiece during the rebranding in 2008 when they showed Jane Austen films. I had just fallen in love with Austen's writing again, when the public library I was working at received the posters and bookmarks for Masterpiece. I was hooked on Masterpiece Classic right away, and eventually watched most of Mystery and Contemporary as well. Looking back I'm not sure why I wasn't already watching Masterpiece as I enjoy British television, but I suspect it was because I was not aware of it. Not really as much Masterpiece's or Eaton's fault as you might think, Eaton details that most of the money is used to acquire and produce the programs, and they have virtually no budget for advertising. They rely a lot on reviews and interviews to drum up interest. Masterpiece is doing a much better job of reaching its audiences via social media theses days. Though it's still odd to me why programs such as Call the Midwife, Last Tango in Halifax, and The Bletchley Circle air on PBS, but not as part of Masterpiece. Also Masterpiece Contemporary seems to have disappeared altogether. This is an interesting read for those eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite programs to Sunday night television.
ricefun's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fine memoir. I enjoyed the overlay of Eaton's personal stories with that of the programs and opportunities of Masterpiece. I learned some fun facts about Downton Abbey, which was my original interest in the book. I found through reading though that I was familiar with and/or own many of the programs that Masterpiece has produced through the years. I'm a much more enthusiastic supporter of Masterpiece after reading this book.
froydis's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Edelweiss and Viking Adult for allowing early access to this title.
3 1/2 stars - I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I've been a huge fan of Masterpiece for most of my life. Most of the shows she references in this book I originally saw on PBS. Also, since we share the same name, I've been aware that she was the executive producer for quite some time. The "backstage" stories are all pretty interesting, but the overall writing style is somewhat stilted. It's almost as if she's trying to portray herself in a poor light, but then juxtaposes it with these quotes from actors and other producers saying what a great person she is. It creates a strange dichotomy. I think fans of Masterpiece will enjoy it - there's a lot about Downton Abbey in the final chapters.
3 1/2 stars - I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I've been a huge fan of Masterpiece for most of my life. Most of the shows she references in this book I originally saw on PBS. Also, since we share the same name, I've been aware that she was the executive producer for quite some time. The "backstage" stories are all pretty interesting, but the overall writing style is somewhat stilted. It's almost as if she's trying to portray herself in a poor light, but then juxtaposes it with these quotes from actors and other producers saying what a great person she is. It creates a strange dichotomy. I think fans of Masterpiece will enjoy it - there's a lot about Downton Abbey in the final chapters.
caitlinxmartin's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Masterpiece Theatre when I was growing up, especially in middle school. I got new books to read from watching both it and Great Performances and these enriched my life since many were things I might not have ever known about. I was really looking forward to this book, but it turns out the Masterpiece Theatre presentations I loved the most were not made/purchased during Ms. Eaton's time at the helm. My favorites are Upstairs Downstairs, Duchess of Duke Street, and Poldark (and handsome - as my father teased me). I like Downton Abbey, but I won't watch it again and again as I have the latter two. I thank the author, however, for Sherlock and its brilliant and totally in character with the book update.
There's some fun stuff in here - stories about actors and writers and trying to get something produced. Stories of figuring out how to stretch the dollar, of turning people onto good books and British actors. The backstage tales are the best - it's just fun to read about people like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Despite this, Making Masterpiece has some flaws that diminished my enjoyment. The writing is all over the place and the author's focus on Jane Austen and other well-known classics illustrates the problem I've had with the shows for a long time. I just want more variety and to be introduced to something I didn't have to read in my literarture classes. Mystery! has fared somewhat better, although tends to be very very cosy.
Not the worst book, but not the greatest. As a diagnostic tool for helping me understand why I quit watching these shows, it was useful, but that's not why I wanted to read this book. I wanted more from this than what is essentially a really long dish on how the author got to Downton Abbey and why she's so great.
There's some fun stuff in here - stories about actors and writers and trying to get something produced. Stories of figuring out how to stretch the dollar, of turning people onto good books and British actors. The backstage tales are the best - it's just fun to read about people like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Despite this, Making Masterpiece has some flaws that diminished my enjoyment. The writing is all over the place and the author's focus on Jane Austen and other well-known classics illustrates the problem I've had with the shows for a long time. I just want more variety and to be introduced to something I didn't have to read in my literarture classes. Mystery! has fared somewhat better, although tends to be very very cosy.
Not the worst book, but not the greatest. As a diagnostic tool for helping me understand why I quit watching these shows, it was useful, but that's not why I wanted to read this book. I wanted more from this than what is essentially a really long dish on how the author got to Downton Abbey and why she's so great.
ssejig's review against another edition
3.0
I can't remember where I saw this book. At first, I thought it was NPR's Best book list but I can't find it there. Now, I think it may have been one of Goodread's contests.
Anyway, it was a lovely book. Not earth-shattering but a neat look into the life that Rebecca Eaton has lived as the executive producer of Masterpiece Theatre, the highs and lows, the mistakes.
Anyway, it was a lovely book. Not earth-shattering but a neat look into the life that Rebecca Eaton has lived as the executive producer of Masterpiece Theatre, the highs and lows, the mistakes.
phoenixemerald's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. This book is more about Rebecca Eaton than about Masterpiece Theatre or Mystery! I should have known this from the cover and from reading the back cover, but somehow I thought it would be different. Still, it was a very interesting book and included conversations and relationships that gave behind the scenes insight. Because I received an advance reader's copy, it did not include the pictures mentioned on the back cover and by other readers. I think the photos would have enhanced my reading experience tremendously. I will be looking for this book at the library and at stores to check out the pictures. I plan to update my review then.
agray002's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book as a First Reads
As a loyal viewer of Masterpiece and a self-professed Anglophile, this book was practically written for me to love. However, reality didn't quite work out.
The writing was very weak. It felt like a sixth grader had written it. The organization felt off as well. Eaton has a habit of wandering away from the topic at hand. For example, the second half of the chapter about the start of Masterpiece Mystery was all about the TCA's in LA and the reception that the Downton Abbey cast got there (and a short bit about Daniel Radcliffe doing press for David Copperfield pre-Potter). I think one of the most distracting things was how many references were made to Downton Abbey. Not only were the last three chapters of the book devoted to it, but nearly every other chapter had at least two references to it. I began to see it as a game, to work out how Eaton would make a Downton connection from something fairly unrelated. I'm a fan of the show and I understand how important it has been for Masterpiece and PBS, but it started to feel like Eaton was trying to ride the Downton coat tails in an attempt to sell more books. She didn't need to do that - the history of Masterpiece and a behind the scenes look at how these programs are made should be interesting enough on its own.
As a loyal viewer of Masterpiece and a self-professed Anglophile, this book was practically written for me to love. However, reality didn't quite work out.
The writing was very weak. It felt like a sixth grader had written it. The organization felt off as well. Eaton has a habit of wandering away from the topic at hand. For example, the second half of the chapter about the start of Masterpiece Mystery was all about the TCA's in LA and the reception that the Downton Abbey cast got there (and a short bit about Daniel Radcliffe doing press for David Copperfield pre-Potter). I think one of the most distracting things was how many references were made to Downton Abbey. Not only were the last three chapters of the book devoted to it, but nearly every other chapter had at least two references to it. I began to see it as a game, to work out how Eaton would make a Downton connection from something fairly unrelated. I'm a fan of the show and I understand how important it has been for Masterpiece and PBS, but it started to feel like Eaton was trying to ride the Downton coat tails in an attempt to sell more books. She didn't need to do that - the history of Masterpiece and a behind the scenes look at how these programs are made should be interesting enough on its own.
jventer's review against another edition
1.0
So not worth my time. I'm really glad I got it out of the library instead of shelling out my hard earned money for it. I thought I was going to get to read behind the scenes vignettes about Upstairs/Downstairs, I Claudius and the other Masterpiece series. Nope. Not until the end of book was the reader entreated to a few tales from the set of Cranford and Downton Abbey. To get to that point, one had to slog through more of Rebecca Eaton's personal history than I cared to know. There was an idea for a good book in here, but it just was executed poorly. What can you expect from the woman who passed on now legendary wet shirt wearing Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice.
sshabein's review against another edition
3.0
The writing in this is not exceptional, but the stories are interesting, particularly if you've seen a lot of the things Eaton has produced. The back end of the book is more or less affectionate promo for Downton Abbey (while only sort of mentioning the revival of Upstairs Downstairs, then half forgetting to resolve its narrative), but I like Downton Abbey, so that's all right. Not a bad read.
sarafloerke's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting. Made me want to go back and see all the Masterpieces. I had no idea what made up the production of Masterpiece, so this element was engaging.