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| Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman |
Sherlock: Series 2 starts tonight on PBS Masterpiece Mystery. Yay!!! If you haven't seen this modern version of Sherlock Holmes set in present day London, it is well worth a view. Benedict Cumberbatch is razor sharp as the borderline austistic/Aspergers Sherlock Holmes who uses computers and smart phones as well as his usual observational sleuthing to solve crimes. Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson is the perfect foil for Holmes who would get irritating if he were not humanized by his sidekick. I find it fascinating that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle originally wrote Dr. Watson as a physician recently returned from the Anglo-Afghan war in Afghanistan, so that shows you how long foreign forces have been fighting there.
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| Elementary with Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu |
Across the pond, CBS has decided to cash in on the modern Sherlock Holmes idea by making their own version called Elementary starring Jonny Lee Miller (Eli Stone, Emma) as Holmes and Lucy Liu as Watson. Hmmmm. This is either going to be brilliant or horrible depending on the writing and the direction. It takes place in NYC (natch) instead of London but you will notice that Sherlock's looped scarf is the same, as is the posh accent on it's lead character. They are both gorgeous English actors which doesn't hurt with the female demographic and I suppose changing Watson into an attractive female takes care of the male demographic too. Again, good in theory but I reserve judgement until I see the finished project.
The last time American television tried to adapt a Steven Moffat/BBC production, Coupling, was a disaster. The British series is like a sexed-up version of Friends and is hysterical, but the Americanized Coupling was just...well...it shouldn't have been aired at all!
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| Sherlock with violin |
So go with the sure thing for now and watch Sherlock on PBS for the next three weeks. If you miss it, it will be online for the next month or so. Tell me how you liked it!
And let's hope they give Jonny Lee Miller a good script for Elementary. He deserves it, and I would love to see what he does with the character.
I am so hoping Elementary is good. I loved Jonny on Eli Stone, and well, anything else I've seen him in. He's one of those actors who just disappears into his role, and you have to remind your self, that the guy you just saw play Byron, really was the same guy who played Mr. Nightly or Graeme Obree in the Flying Scotsman. Fingers (and toes) crossed.
ReplyDeleteHi Olga, we both love Jonny Lee Miller so fingers crossed here too. I did see The Flying Scotsman and loved it. May have to watch a snip of him as Mr. Knightley on YouTube now that you have mentioned it. I fancy a cravat tonight!
DeleteHi Jenny, i am looking forward to a new spin to Sherlock - Elementary - i assume, therefore appreciate that the name not only highlights Sherlock but both sleuths as a team. and as as you say 'writing and directions' are important but both actors are quite capable i'm sure. i usually enjoy Sherlock Holmes movies but i'm not really getting this new one.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of Mr. Cumberbatch as Sherlock? I usually go for the period stuff as you know but this one has me Sherlocked! I do hope Elementary turns out well however. JLM is so wonderful, I can't imagine him in a stinker.
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