It’s Elementary, my dear. Sherlock? What Sherlock? Nope, never heard of that show.

I couldn’t resist! They changed Watson into a woman (which is fine, and can be really awesome, done right), but then basically made her the nursemaid who is folllowing Holmes around taking care of him. Or in Jonny Lee Miller’s word:

“She’s looking after Sherlock, initially,” Jonny said. “She’s the sober companion [who] has to accompany him everywhere, [and] try and keep him on the straight and narrow, but he’s got it in his head that he wants to start work as a consultant – a detective consultant — so he drags her along with him and he starts to see that she has some real abilities to bring to the table.”

You know what’s worse? I bet there are writers and executives at CBS right now high-fiving each other and congratulating themselves for being so darn progressive about gender! and daring to push the boundary! bla bla bla. Bleghhh. Jonny Lee Miller seems to think he’s still playing Mr Knightley in Emma, the same inflection, the same tone of voice. This is not a period drama, Jonny, this is modern day Sherlock Holmes. Did they forget to give you that memo?

Okay, rant over.

Benedict Cumberbatch Wants to be in “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay”

Aghhhhhh, if only this would really happen! Alas, the film adaptation of Michael Chabon’s novel has been stuck in development hell for years. Joe or Sammy? Or is he too old for the two main characters, since they started as teenagers in the story? The shallow part of me wants him as Tracy Bacon the handsome actor (and Sammy’s love interest), hehe.

Lots of other interesting tidbits from this io9 article, basically a write-up of the Q&A session with Cumberbatch, Steven Moffatt and some other producers. No Martin Freeman, sadly. Executive producer Rebecca Eaton? Wait, is this the same Rebecca Eaton the executive producer of Downton Abbey who was complaining about Maggie Smith being “difficult” on set? Turns out she’s not a BBC producer, she works for PBS Masterpiece in the US, so was she even on the set of of Downton Abbey to see how “difficult” Maggie Smith is being??  Serves them right if Smith does decide to leave the show.

Back to Sherlock and Cumberbatch, BC is very gracious about the CBS show Elemntary (there’s enough space for multiple Sherlocks), and wishing the best of luck to Jonny Lee Miller. Awwww, that’s so sweet of him. But see, I don’t think the problem is with having multiple Sherlocks, it’s the fact that CBS DID initially approach Moffat and co. to adapt the series, and then went on to create their own show so close to Sherlock’s concept and basic premise. (Hey, we changed the city and Watson’s gender, what more do you want?) It’s soooooo not believable that this is an idea they came up on their own, uninfluenced by Sherlock’s success.

Moffat has no plans for Dr Who-Sherlock crossover. Really, why would anyone think that’s even a possibility? The rules and logic of the two shows are so different. Cumberbatch thinks the extent of Holmes’ drug use has been overblown (“It’s about someone who operates at the highest level of his function, and you can’t do that if you’re inebriated.”) His strangest fan experience? Someone sent him a whip in the mail. Hah! Have you been naughty, Sherlock?

Link: http://io9.com/5907824/benedict-cumberbatch-and-steven-moffat-share-secrets-of-sherlock-season-2

Dancing Jane Austen

Emma and Mr Knightley. Romola Garai looks ravishing. Even the usually bland Jonny Lee Miller is not so bad in this scene.

Elinor and Robert Ferrars. This dance looks fun! But not for Elinor, since she’s dancing with the wrong brother.

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, the brilliant version.

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, the crappy version. Could these two sound MORE bored and uninterested? I don’t think so. Where’s the passion, the anger, the biting sarcasm? There’s more to showing anger than flaring your nostrils and opening your eyes very, very wide, guys.

Jonny Lee Miller is the New Sherlock Holmes

Jonny Lee Miller (“Hackers”, BBC’s “Emma” and yes, Angelina Jolie’s ex-husband) is slated to be Sherlock Holmes in CBS’ new show “Elementary” in which “a detective solve cases inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories, set in contemporary New York”. Hmm, this sounds very, very familiar ….. I wonder why? Apparently the BBC is already making noises about suing. Well, good for them! The casting of Miller, who did a play together with Benedict Cumberbatch (my one and only Holmes forever!!!) at the National Theatre prompted this retort from a “Sherlock” producer:

Sherlock producer Sue Vertue hinted that CBS are now sniffing around her team for casting clues. She told The Independent: “Johnny is a very fine actor, who I saw recently in the theatre when he and Benedict played alternating roles in Frankenstein. Let’s hope their pilot script has stayed further away from our Sherlock than their casting choice.”

Oh snap! This is so hilarious. I’m alternating between disgust and awe at CBS’ audacity. Due to the possible legal issues, I bet Miller’s character won’t even be called Sherlock Holmes, he’ll be Merlock Polmes or something with his sidekick Dr Batson. And how many Sherlock Holmes’ stories are there anyway? I don’t think they can sustain 22 episodes per season.

That said, the way they are staring at each other here …. move over Watson, there’s a new guy in town!

Link: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jonny-lee-miller-to-play-sherlock-holmes-in-us-series-6939158.html