Gah! I, Claudius is the absolute favorite TV show of this entire household -- The Spouse, The Daughter (27 years old), and I will drop what we're doing to watch a re-run or talk about the show. And Derek Jacoby and Sian Phillips? Don't get me started... Well, okay: My all-time favorite line was said by Livia, but I don't want to spoil it for you in upcoming episodes. And Caesar: master of the empire, but at a complete loss to control his familia. Julia? unbelievable.... so much to love in this series.

and this: One of the best examples of the uselessness of art that I know is that the British public watched I,Claudius and still voted for Thatcher." Hell, WE (i.e., Americans) watched, saw Caesar (who was, in many ways, similar to that great B actor, RR), and STILL many Americans voted for him....TWICE.

I will never, ever, understand the populi. (maybe that's why I'm a sociologist.)