If vulgarity is no substitute for wit, then heaven knows what Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham would make of a smartphone app that plays some of her best lines from popular period drama Downton Abbey.
But yes, there’s an app for that. It’s the latest TV show to spawn an official app, although this one comes from NBCUniversal, the parent company of its producer, rather than British broadcaster ITV.
Called Downtonisms, it’s a “soundboard” app for iPhone and Android that plays quotes from 12 of the show’s characters, the Dowager Countess included. Fans are also tested on their knowledge of the show with a quiz matching characters to quotes.
Downton Abbey’s popularity has spread in part due to social media buzz. The app, made by developer The Project Factory, hopes to capitalise on that too with an option for fans to share their scores on social networks.
“The nation’s love affair with Downton Abbey shows no sign of stopping, so we wanted to find a fun way for fans to interact with the show beyond the TV set in their living room,” said NBCUniversal’s Dominic Burns, as the app was released.
Companion apps for TV shows have become an increasingly common sight in recent years, particularly for talent shows like X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice, where they are designed to be used while watching.
Doctor Who, meanwhile, has spawned a series of apps, from reference app Doctor Who Encyclopedia to mobile games Doctor Who: The Mazes of Time and Doctor Who: Legacy, and even an official Sonic Screwdriver app.
In the absence of multifunctional timelord tools or strong hooks for alien-battling adventure games, Downton Abbey is relying on one of its strong points instead: its famously-quotable dialogue.
The release of Downtonisms could be a sign of more apps to come, however, for example focusing on the struggles of Downton Abbey’s valets to keep the Crawley family’s clothing fit for purpose. Dandy Brush Saga, anyone? Perhaps not.
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