Downton Abbey – Laura Linney replaces Janie Haddad Tompkins
Before Laura Linney…there was Janie Haddad Tompkins.
A little known fact, Mrs. Haddad Tompkins was the original host of Masterpiece Classics (from 2011-2011) where she introduced everything from the burgeoning hit DOWNTON ABBEY to low-rated reruns of I, CLAUDIUS. Following some “creative differences” with PBS, Mrs. Haddad Tompkins was replaced, unceremoniously, by Laura Linney — her PBS legacy lost to the world. Until now. These outtakes from her work with PBS Director-in-Residence, Joel A. Spence, help paint the tragic story of dreams crushed and hosting jobs lost.
Sally Hampton: 
Buck Jones: 
Russell Martin: 
David Feldman is an American comedy writer and performer. He writes for Comedy Central's The Burn and Joy Behar's Say Anything on Current. He's also written on ABC's Roseanne, HBO's Dennis Miller Live, HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Fox's Talk Show With Spike Feresten. Feldman has also written for The Academy Awards, The Emmys, Triumph The Insult Dog Comic and countless roasts on Comedy Central. Over the past few years he has written with and for Steve Martin, Martin Short, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Robert Smigel and Bette Midler. As a comedian Feldman has appeared frequently on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show and The Late Late Show as well as his own special for Comedy Central. Feldman has also done commentary for Salon magazine. Feldman began as a standup comic in San Francisco. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, children, three dogs, and three cats. In 2009, Feldman launched the popular listener supported 'David Feldman Comedy Podcast' which includes a diverse mixture of live and prerecorded content which can be downloaded from iTunes for free. For some reason Feldman spoke at Pitzer College's 2009 Commencement Ceremony. Feldman has won three Prime Time Emmys for comedy writing as well as three Writers Guild Awards. He is a Democrat who has written jokes pro bono for candidates he supports.