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Hello Everybody. I'm Katie Wheeler, proud member of the New Hampshire Public Television Board of Directors and long time supporter of this PBS station. I'm standing in at this moment for an icon of the Masterpiece series -- Allistair Cooke. Remember him? His introductions to classic Masterpiece Theatre episodes are legendary. I'm not a legend, but I'm thrilled to be here right now to introduce to you one of my favorite all-time Masterpiece programs -- The Jewel in the Crown. This month marks the 25th anniversary of this award winning series. It is based on Paul Scott's epic four novels, known as ""The Raj Quartet"". Jewel in the Crown tells the story of Daphne and Hari, of Ronald Merrick and Barbie Batchelor, the Layton family and Guy Perron, against the tumultuous background of the last years of British rule in India. It begins in 1942. The Japanese, having conquered Burma, are threatening to invade India. And Gandhi is calling on the British to 'Quit India'. In Mayapore, a young man, Hari Kumar, is arrested and, across the river that divides the city, Daphne Manners has arrived from England. It is the start of a chain of events binding English and Indians in a web of love, tragedy, and death. And at the center is Ronald Merrick, District Superintendent of Police, a guardian of the British Empire of which India is The Jewel in the Crown. This is episode one: Crossing the River. |
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Wow, this brings me back. Watching Hari literally cross the river to meet his love and his awful fate is a wrenching moment for me right now. Hello Everybody. I'm Katie Wheeler here with Sarah Varney. you're watching a lovingly restored 25th anniversary edition of Jewel in the Crown -- Episode One. I honestly don't remember this series, though I know my parents were big Masterpiece fans. And watching this program reminds me so much of Downton Abbey. Another period of transition for the British. This one signaling the end of their rule over India. It's a compelling story and I can see why Hari and Daphne are drawn to one another. Katie, we're only watching part one right now. But I'm told that the full 14-episode series may be available to PBS stations sometime next year. Oh that's marvelous! NHPTV means a lot to me. And Masterpiece is one of the reasons why. Whether it's an adaptation of classic literature like Jewel in the Crown or a made for television dramas like Prime Suspect and, of course, Downton Abbey, I am swept away by each episode. So perfectly written, acted and portrayed. Brilliant is the only word that comes to mind. But that brilliance comes at a price. NHPTV is a dues paying member of PBS and we need members like you to help us make our budget. Don’t let another opportunity to support this program and this station pass you by. The most important source of revenue this station receives comes in the form of contributions from our viewers. It doesn't take much to do your part. Whether you'd like to give a one-time gift or become a sustaining member with an ongoing contribution, all we ask is that you give what you can. Just call the number on your screen or visit our secure website at nhptv-dot-org. And when you do, we have some wonderful For a sustaining donation of $10-dollars a month NHPTV will send you the 3-DVD SET of Downton Abbey Season 5. For an ongoing contribution of $15-dollars a month, you'll receive the 5 DVD set of the Jewel in the Crown Anniversary Edition. You're only seeing one of the episodes tonight -- but there are fourteen in the series. All are well worth watching. Now if you're the ultimate Masterpiece fan , you might want to consider the MEGA Masterpiece Collection. You'll receive the Jewel in the Crown Annivesary Edition 5 DVD Set, Downton Abbey Seasons 1 - 5 AND Sherlock: complete seasons 1 to 3 Limited Edition Giftset Combo. That's a big investment, but think of all the enjoyment you, your family and friends will receive! There is no other drama on television like Masterpiece. Masterpiece premiered more than forty years ago. It is the longest running weekly prime time drama series in the U.S. Along with original works, it also has presented some of the best television on television. Programs like Upstairs, Downstairs, The Forsyte Saga, I, Claudius, Prime Suspect, House of Cards and more recently Downton Abbey and Sherlock. Maybe you're seeing Jewel in the Crown for the first time, like me. And you want to know what happens to Daphne Manners and Hari Kumar. Well, as Katie mentioned a few minutes ago, if you call the nmber on the screen or go online and make a donation, you can own the entire fourteen episode series. We'll get back to Jewel in the Crown in just a moment. But first, if New Hampshire Public Television is your home for great drama then you'll want to go to the phone right now and make a gift that will keep giving all year long. And, you'll feel good knowing you've done your part when you sit back, relax and enjoy another Sunday night of Masterpiece right here on the Granite State's PBS station. You can count on NHPTV to wisely invest your donation to support the programming you love to watch. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a big difference in what we can purchase and produce right here in New Hampshire. Programs like Windows to the Wild with host Willem Lange or our new series about New Hampshires cities and towns. Our Hometown will premiere later this winter. Stories are the heart of public television. And you and I both know, there's nothing like a Masterpiece story. And that's what we have for you coming up. This is your last chance in this break to go to the phone and make a donation in any amount. And don't forget to ask about our exclusive Thank You Gifts -- only available with this program. Thank you so much for your support! |
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WIthout a doubt, this is a classic Masterpiece episode. The story is so compelling, we can't help but be drawn in and wonder what's happened to Daphne. Hello Everyone. I'm Katie Wheeler, Vice Chair of the NHPTV Board of Directors and long time Masterpiece fan and supporter of New Hampshire Public Television. I'm just thrilled to be here with Sarah Varney to urge you to join us in supporting some of the best television on television. Quality storytelling is hard to find these days. This is despite the dizzying array of programs out there. Maybe you watched Jewel in the Crown when it was first released in 1984. If so, I'm sure this is bringing back memories of how captivated you were by all the characters and how much you learned about the turmoil in India during World War II. That's one of the compelling things about all the programs on Masterpiece. The dramatic storylines bring history to life. These programs are worth watching again and again. And you have an opportunity to do just that when you call the number on your screen or go online to make a donation to New Hampshire Public Television. We are so fortuante to able to say thank you to NHPTV's Masterpiece fans with some exclusive offers. Become a sustaining member of NHPTV for just 10-dollars a month and we'll send you the 3-DVD SET of Downton Abbey Season 5. For an ongoing contribution of 15-dollars a month, you'll receive all fourteen episodes of Jewel in the Crown -- the Anniversary Edition 5 DVD set. And for the ultimate Masterpiece fan --- drumroll please-- we have the MEGA Masterpiece Collection:. Become a sustainer at $125-dollars a month and receive the Jewel in the Crown Anniversary Edition 5-DVD Set, Downton Abbey Seasons 1 - 5 --That's 15 DVDs or Blue Rays AND, Sherlock, the complete Seasons 1 - 3 Limited Edition Gift set Combo. You can also make one time donations to receive these thank you gifts. But I encourage you to think about becoming a sustainer of New Hampshire Public Television. We want you to realize how important - and how easy it is to be a sustainer. It just takes a couple of minutes. All you have to do is decide how much you would like to contribute on an ongoing, monthly basis and then go to nhptv-dot-org and sign up. You will never have to worry about when it is time for you to renew your membership and it is a very painless and affordable way to give to your New Hampshire PBS television station. Plus, it gives the station a steady source of support, so we can go back to doing what we do best - bringing you great TV! So, go to nhptv-dot-org right now or call the number on your screen and tell the phone operator you want to become a sustaining member. I just love Masterpiece and I have really enjoyed seeing this classic episode of Jewel in the Crown. If you'd like to see the rest of the series, all you have to do is call the number on your screen or go online and make a pledge of support. Become a sustainer or one-time donor. Every little bit helps, so whatever you can give at this time will be appreciated. And we'll be sure to invest your money right back into the programs you love to watch. When you support British drama right now, you're also supporting all of the other programming NHPTV delivers to your television or computer screen 365 days a year. Maybe you're a fan of our local productions like Windows to the Wild. Your support helps keep Willem Lange and his producers on the trail. They're marking their tenth season right now and doesn't it feel good knowing you are the reason they're still exploring? If your mailbox keeps filling up with notices that your membership has expired, then you’ll want to sign up for a sustaining membership. It’s so easy – you’ll never have to think about your membership again! Plus, it is a very affordable way to support this station. Instead of giving an annual contribution once a year, you set up your bank account to make ongoing monthly payments. You choose the amount that works best for your budget. It takes just a couple of minutes to set up your membership and then you’ll be supplying a constant stream of revenue to your favorite public television programs, like Great Performances, Antiques Roadshow and of course, Masterpiece. So please, become a sustaining member right now. Just head over to our secure website or call the number on your screen. And tell the operator you were inspired by this classic episode of Jewel in the Crown and you'd like to see the rest of the series on DVD or Blu Ray. Here's a little more incentive. If you become a sustaining member of NHPTV for just 10-dollars a month, we'll send you the 3-DVD SET of Downton Abbey Season 5. For an ongoing contribution of 15-dollars a month, you'll receive all fourteen episodes of Jewel in the Crown -- the Anniversary Edition 5 DVD set. And for the ultimate Masterpiece fan --- drumroll please-- we have the MEGA Masterpiece Collection:. Become a sustainer at $125-dollars a month and receive the Jewel in the Crown Anniversary Edition 5-DVD Set, Downton Abbey Seasons 1 - 5 --That's 15 DVDs or Blue Rays AND, Sherlock, the complete Seasons 1 - 3 Limited Edition Gift set Combo. There is nothing like Masterpiece anywhere on television. And this is your last chance in this program to show your support of this award-winning, quality programming. We are always planning ahead and your support right now helps ensure the best television on television can be found right here on New Hampshire Public Television. This is your last chance in this program to take advantage of our special --and I must say-- amazing incentives. I can't wait for season 5 of Downton Abbey and all the other new Masterpiece programs coming our way. If you feel the same, call the number on your screen or go online and make a pledge of support. Thank you! |