"Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter"

[Milz]

No: HPFGUIDX 29961

Hi, everyone. I just finished watching the aforementioned tv show on 
my PBS station. (They didn't have it listed in the newspaper program 
schedule, blast them!) I managed to take some written notes. Anyhow, 
the program is narrated by Hugh Laurie and discusses some proposed 
real-life models for the the Potterverse. Such as:

King's Cross: Queen Bodeacia is buried under Platform 8 (formerly 
Platform 10) according to legend.

Gringotts: maybe modeled after the London Silver Vaults.

Hogwarts: maybe modeled after Gordonstoun boarding school in Scotland 
(Prince Charles is an alum.) It was built by Robert Gordon, a 17th 
century wizard. The grounds have several tunnels, particularly one 
that remains hidden and allegedly goes to the sea coast.

Quidditch: Along with basketball, it shares some characteristics with 
shinty and polo. The polo thing I kind of agree with.

Hagrid: Briefly discussed a Greek mythologic figure who was banished 
to Earth and given the job of caring for animals. It wasn't discussed 
who this mytholigc figure was. (I wish I had known about the program 
then I could have taped it. Double-blast my PBS station!) 

They also made a few comparisions between HP and King Arthur. For 
shippers, there was a teaser about Harry, Ron and Hermione mirroring 
Arthur, Lancelot and Guinivere.

Milz (who's really miffed at her PBS station)