"Blackpool" (2004) TV series

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Director:

Julie Anne Robinson

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

24 October 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Musical | Mystery | Romance

Plot:

Soon after local entrepreneur Ripley Holden (Morrissey) opens his arcade in his beloved home town of Blackpool, a murder investigation makes tears at the fabric of his personal and professional lives.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Blackpool | Investigation | Arcade | Love

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

David Morrissey	...	Ripley Holden (6 episodes, 2004)
Sarah Parish	...	Natalie Holden (6 episodes, 2004)
Thomas Morrison	...	Danny Holden (6 episodes, 2004)
David Tennant	...	D.I. Peter Carlisle (6 episodes, 2004)
Georgia Taylor	...	Shyanne Holden (6 episodes, 2004)
Steve Pemberton	...	Adrian Marr (6 episodes, 2004)
David Bradley	...	Hallworth (6 episodes, 2004)
Bryan Dick	...	D.C. Blythe (6 episodes, 2004)
Kevin Doyle	...	Steve (6 episodes, 2004)
David Hounslow	...	DCI Jim Allbright / ... (6 episodes, 2004)
Jacqueline Pilton	...	Ruth (6 episodes, 2004)
Lisa Millett	...	Hailey (6 episodes, 2004)
John Thomson	...	Terry Corlette (6 episodes, 2004)
Michelle McCaw	...	Chantelle (6 episodes, 2004)
Jim Whelan	...	Deaf Barry (5 episodes, 2004)
Connie Walker	...	Karen (4 episodes, 2004)
Joe Armstrong	...	Mark Reed (3 episodes, 2004)

Also Known As:

Viva Blackpool (USA) (new syndication title)

Runtime:

352 min (6 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:12 (parts 1, 2, 4-6) | UK:15 (part 3) | Greece:K

Filming Locations:

Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Quotes:

D.I. Peter Carlisle: Ah, Freud would say that your jokes reveal a truth buried in your subconscious.
Ripley Holden: Oh, what do you know, a copper who's read a book.
D.I. Peter Carlisle: Well, if I'd read two books, maybe I'd run an amusement arcade.
Ripley Holden: Yeah, well I wouldn't know about that. I run a family entertainment arcade.
D.I. Peter Carlisle: And I'm a crime-citizen-interface consultant.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Viva Blackpool (2006) (TV)

Brilliant Outstanding Awesome

I have to say when I first heard about "Viva Blackpool" I was very curious to see it. I missed the first episode and was upset but thank goodness BBC America showed a repeat of it a few days later the night before episode 2 so I taped both and watched the first two episodes back to back.

I'll admit that when I first started watching it I was thinking "Ok maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all." But somewhere between that thought and the first 20 minutes of the show I got drawn in and found I couldn't wait to get to the second episode on the tape.

It's slow moving at the start but once it kicks in it grabs hold of you and won't let go. I couldn't wait for the next week's episode and once it came I was never disappointed.

Each episode ends with a brilliant cliffhanger done with a brilliantly done stage and well chosen song that fits the situation and mood. "These Boots Are Made for Walking", "Knock, Knock Who's there" just to name a few. Also the way all the songs through out the show are all staged you see how the lyrics really fits each and every character with what's not only going on with them, but all the small sub plots of the show as well. All perform them with great emotion and bring the lyrics to life and you can feel their pain, anger, joy , fright and love.

The ending of the story is very well done I think and brought a few feeling good type of tears to my eyes as I sat and watched the show ended set to Burt Bacharach's beautifully done "Alway's something there to remind me." I've kept each episode on tape till it comes out on DVD here in the states. Which I hope will be very soon.