Big Brother has a lot to answer for. It has made us into the 'quick fix' society we live in today - these days you're more likely to be known if you've pratted around on TV in a house for a few months than if you've actually achieved something worthwhile in your life. How did we get this lazy?
Even from the first series, when I heard what it was about, I couldn't understand the fascination. People said it was "addictive" - but how? People-watching I get, but that's real. It's not run by a group of producers who chose certain people because they knew they'd clash and "make good telly"... It's called reality TV but it just isn't. You're quite deluded if you think it is.
Since its inception, we've had to endure countless other programmes in the same genre; Popstars (to Popstars: The Rivals, Pop Idol and The X Factor), Fame Academy, Britain's Got Talent, The Apprentice... All would foist 'undiscovered talent' on us, and for what purpose? Oh yes, to make them famous for a while. Admittedly some of the winners of these programmes have managed to survive for quite a few years, but that doesn't really make it better. Take The X Factor and its previous incarnations, for example. The point of that programme (as I see it) is to take some ordinary folk, see if they can hit one note out of fifty, dress them up like real-life dolls, force them to perform in as demeaning a way as possible and eventually find a 'winner' - slowly but surely sucking the individuality and character out of them, until they're just another Cowell clone, built to the specifications of that particular year. The whole point of music is that it means something to you, and the person singing it should feel it - I've yet to see a 'reality' singer who does that. I doubt I ever will.
After we got bored of Joe Public (I say "we", what I mean is the audience watching this tat) it was inevitable that the 'celebrity' versions would appear, or even brand new concepts especially for 'celebrities'. The only positive to take out of this is that we don't get a brand new 'talent' forced upon us, we just get reintroduced to the washed up and forgotten 'talent' from yesteryear, or even just a few weeks ago... So the kind of things we get are Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing On Ice, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, Strictly Come Dancing, etc. I'll admit now that I do like to watch Strictly, quite how it snuck under the radar I don't know, but it did. The others can quite simply go to Hell! Charity versions of 'reality' shows are vaguely excusable (for example Comic/Sport Relief Does The Apprentice) - I still probably wouldn't watch them, but at least some good is being done.
Some good news is on the horizon for people like me, Big Brother is finally coming to an end. Not last night, as I was led to believe, but in just over a fortnight. How it has lasted this long is a mystery - nothing else would survive the drop in viewing figures over a matter of years, why is this excluded from the rule? It doesn't inspire me that something as utterly pointless as Big Brother has survived and other original ideas for programmes have been binned without the creators being able to realise the full potential. And people wonder why I get angry!
It's not a case of me wanting all the programmes I dislike to be taken off air - that would be great for me, but I do know what the word 'compromise' means (unlike some people I know). I also dislike pretty much all daytime TV (don't even get me started on Jeremy Kyle), but I'm willing to let that stay. Firstly, I don't ever see any of it - and I can't recall that any of it has had as detrimental an effect on society as 'reality' TV has. It sounds like I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, but I'm seeing the bigger picture. It's a matter of principle for me; a struggle against the underlying annoyance caused by it. Call me melodramatic if you like, I prefer 'enthusiastic'.
Talent will out.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Sunday, 8 August 2010
"The name's Sherlock Holmes, and the address is 221b Baker Street..."
"The game, Mrs Hudson, is on!"
Yes, this is about the wonderful creation that is 'Sherlock'. I've been saying this to everyone anyway, but as soon as I even heard that they were going to be making it (months & months ago) I knew it would be good - now that I've actually seen it, I've come to the conclusion that it may just be one of my favourite programmes ever... I can find a few people who'd probably agree with that statement too!
The thing is, it may not have worked with a different lead pairing. Benedict Cumberbatch (best name ever?) is perfect as Holmes, Martin Freeman is brilliant as Dr Watson - and together they are just fantastic! There's also great support from Rupert Graves (Lestrade), as well as a host of other regular characters.
Some people may have been skeptical - yet another crime drama, a modern version of a classic novel series - but it is just my sort of thing, plus I think the BBC does a very good job of the modern re-takes. They are different entities, but I loved the updated Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare and Fairy Tales. And personally, I'd much rather the licence fee was spent on a quality detective drama than some 'talent' show which would make me want to rip my eyeballs out with my toes and burst my eardrums with a red-hot poker...
But what about the episodes themselves? (I'll try not to give too much away in case you haven't watched them - still available on iPlayer until Sunday!)
"A Study In Pink"
Series opener. Obviously a way to introduce the characters (even though 99.9% of the audience will know who most of them are anyway!), but without taking anything away from Sherlock's adventures.
Dr John H. Watson is recently back from the war zone and struggling to fit into 'normal' life; he seems to be getting nowhere with his therapist, has trust issues and can't afford to live on his own in London. Predictable, yes, but this is how he meets Sherlock Holmes (through a mutual friend) and ends up going into a flatshare knowing very little about his flatmate - other than that he apparently plays the violin when he's thinking! Before too long a case arrives and the timeless pair of Holmes & Watson set to work. In this episode there is a string of apparent suicides, but strangely they are linked. Naturally, Holmes is adamant it's a serial killer ("there's always something to look forward to!") and sets out to prove it - but he doesn't just want to find the killer, he needs to understand every last detail of the case to call it a result. As you can imagine, this leads to further trouble as Sherlock can't resist a challenge!
Quote of the week: "I'm in shock, look I've got a blanket!"
Other than the story, the characters and the setting, there were two things I absolutely loved. Firstly, any thought processes, texts and data searches appear on the screen. This adds another dimension to the programme, plus it means you don't get weighed down in dialogue; you have a chance to process their thoughts as your own, making the plot easier to follow. Secondly, the music. Mainly the jaunty and upbeat scores - they remind me a lot of the soundtrack to last year's BBC2 drama 'Desperate Romantics' (something else I'm a huge fan of). Modern enough to work, but hints of Victorian - just to remind you where all this has come from!
"The Blind Banker"
The first thing we see is a set of 400 year old teapots, which apparently need to be used in order to stay intact - I'm not arguing, stick the kettle on! Meanwhile our dynamic duo are in trying situations; one battling a self-service checkout, the other having a swordfight in the flat. I'll leave you to work out which is which!
This episode centres around mysterious killings - seemingly impossible, but bookended with graffiti and an origami lotus flower... It all points to a ring of smugglers hiding behind a cipher using a book that all the members own. Despite the busy nature of the crime solving, Watson has time to get a job as a locum and start dating a colleague, Sarah. Needless to say their first date is fairly eventful, but will the case get solved in time?
Quote of the week: "Don't eat while I'm working, digestion slows me down!"
For me it wasn't quite up to the level set by the first episode, but that's not to say it wasn't excellent still. The acting was brilliant as ever, just the story a bit lacking perhaps - I couldn't quite put my finger on it! As I said, still thoroughly enjoyable; whet our appetite for the series finale.
"The Great Game"
The final episode of the brief first series opens in Minsk. The interaction between Sherlock and a prisoner actually goes no further, but I really enjoyed this little part - it mainly consisted of Sherlock correcting the man's grammar rather than helping him like he is asked. Any of you who know me will be well aware of my feelings about correct grammar (not that mine is perfect mind!), so I could definitely relate to the character in this respect. Once the opening credits closed it appeared Sherlock was bored, but unable to cope with it whatsoever. When I was a child I was very much like this - someone's still like this now! Although I must say that neither of us have ever gone to the extreme of shooting the living room wall...
This week there are a series of puzzles designed for Sherlock to solve, and a hostage to save on each one. On top of this is a case of national importance given to Watson by Sherlock's brother - they don't do things by halves! The episode all builds up to the unveiling of the mysterious Moriarty. There's been a lot of criticism about the way he was played, but I really enjoyed his performance. It's always good when the villain makes you laugh, as you always want to see more of them. But that could just be me!
Quote of the week: "The wall had it coming!"
I think this episode was back up to the standard set in the first, and it definitely leaves you wanting more!
It has been confirmed that there will be a new series, but it hasn't yet been decided how many episodes there will be or any timescale... Each instalment will still be 90 minutes long, so this probably means there's less chance of the series being much longer than three episodes - fingers crossed though!
Here's the link to all of the episodes on iPlayer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search/tv/?q=sherlock
Elementary...
Yes, this is about the wonderful creation that is 'Sherlock'. I've been saying this to everyone anyway, but as soon as I even heard that they were going to be making it (months & months ago) I knew it would be good - now that I've actually seen it, I've come to the conclusion that it may just be one of my favourite programmes ever... I can find a few people who'd probably agree with that statement too!
The thing is, it may not have worked with a different lead pairing. Benedict Cumberbatch (best name ever?) is perfect as Holmes, Martin Freeman is brilliant as Dr Watson - and together they are just fantastic! There's also great support from Rupert Graves (Lestrade), as well as a host of other regular characters.
Some people may have been skeptical - yet another crime drama, a modern version of a classic novel series - but it is just my sort of thing, plus I think the BBC does a very good job of the modern re-takes. They are different entities, but I loved the updated Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare and Fairy Tales. And personally, I'd much rather the licence fee was spent on a quality detective drama than some 'talent' show which would make me want to rip my eyeballs out with my toes and burst my eardrums with a red-hot poker...
But what about the episodes themselves? (I'll try not to give too much away in case you haven't watched them - still available on iPlayer until Sunday!)
"A Study In Pink"
Series opener. Obviously a way to introduce the characters (even though 99.9% of the audience will know who most of them are anyway!), but without taking anything away from Sherlock's adventures.
Dr John H. Watson is recently back from the war zone and struggling to fit into 'normal' life; he seems to be getting nowhere with his therapist, has trust issues and can't afford to live on his own in London. Predictable, yes, but this is how he meets Sherlock Holmes (through a mutual friend) and ends up going into a flatshare knowing very little about his flatmate - other than that he apparently plays the violin when he's thinking! Before too long a case arrives and the timeless pair of Holmes & Watson set to work. In this episode there is a string of apparent suicides, but strangely they are linked. Naturally, Holmes is adamant it's a serial killer ("there's always something to look forward to!") and sets out to prove it - but he doesn't just want to find the killer, he needs to understand every last detail of the case to call it a result. As you can imagine, this leads to further trouble as Sherlock can't resist a challenge!
Quote of the week: "I'm in shock, look I've got a blanket!"
Other than the story, the characters and the setting, there were two things I absolutely loved. Firstly, any thought processes, texts and data searches appear on the screen. This adds another dimension to the programme, plus it means you don't get weighed down in dialogue; you have a chance to process their thoughts as your own, making the plot easier to follow. Secondly, the music. Mainly the jaunty and upbeat scores - they remind me a lot of the soundtrack to last year's BBC2 drama 'Desperate Romantics' (something else I'm a huge fan of). Modern enough to work, but hints of Victorian - just to remind you where all this has come from!
"The Blind Banker"
The first thing we see is a set of 400 year old teapots, which apparently need to be used in order to stay intact - I'm not arguing, stick the kettle on! Meanwhile our dynamic duo are in trying situations; one battling a self-service checkout, the other having a swordfight in the flat. I'll leave you to work out which is which!
This episode centres around mysterious killings - seemingly impossible, but bookended with graffiti and an origami lotus flower... It all points to a ring of smugglers hiding behind a cipher using a book that all the members own. Despite the busy nature of the crime solving, Watson has time to get a job as a locum and start dating a colleague, Sarah. Needless to say their first date is fairly eventful, but will the case get solved in time?
Quote of the week: "Don't eat while I'm working, digestion slows me down!"
For me it wasn't quite up to the level set by the first episode, but that's not to say it wasn't excellent still. The acting was brilliant as ever, just the story a bit lacking perhaps - I couldn't quite put my finger on it! As I said, still thoroughly enjoyable; whet our appetite for the series finale.
"The Great Game"
The final episode of the brief first series opens in Minsk. The interaction between Sherlock and a prisoner actually goes no further, but I really enjoyed this little part - it mainly consisted of Sherlock correcting the man's grammar rather than helping him like he is asked. Any of you who know me will be well aware of my feelings about correct grammar (not that mine is perfect mind!), so I could definitely relate to the character in this respect. Once the opening credits closed it appeared Sherlock was bored, but unable to cope with it whatsoever. When I was a child I was very much like this - someone's still like this now! Although I must say that neither of us have ever gone to the extreme of shooting the living room wall...
This week there are a series of puzzles designed for Sherlock to solve, and a hostage to save on each one. On top of this is a case of national importance given to Watson by Sherlock's brother - they don't do things by halves! The episode all builds up to the unveiling of the mysterious Moriarty. There's been a lot of criticism about the way he was played, but I really enjoyed his performance. It's always good when the villain makes you laugh, as you always want to see more of them. But that could just be me!
Quote of the week: "The wall had it coming!"
I think this episode was back up to the standard set in the first, and it definitely leaves you wanting more!
It has been confirmed that there will be a new series, but it hasn't yet been decided how many episodes there will be or any timescale... Each instalment will still be 90 minutes long, so this probably means there's less chance of the series being much longer than three episodes - fingers crossed though!
Here's the link to all of the episodes on iPlayer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search/tv/?q=sherlock
Elementary...
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