I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

"Blue in Shade" [BLUE]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The latest parody in the world of Sherlock Holmes involves none other than the cute and fuzzy Blue from the popular children's show <i>Blue's Clues</i>.<br /><br />The Sherlock in this case seems to be a Benedict Cumberbatch impersontor, but we'd argue that he bears more of a striking resemblance to <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EmoPhillips">Emo Phillips</a>. Either way, this is a bit of fun that we hope you'll enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6822676/sherlock-blues-clues">Sherlock Blues Clues</a><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="282" src="http://www.collegehumor.com/e/6822676" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe><div style="padding: 5px 0; text-align: center; width: 600px;"></div></center><br />Have you seen any Sherlock Holmes parodies that are fun and interesting? Please share them with us.<br /><br />--<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>

"Blue in Shade" [BLUE]

The latest parody in the world of Sherlock Holmes involves none other than the cute and fuzzy Blue from the popular children's show Blue...

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by Scott Monty

"Interesting, Though Elementary" [HOUN]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup8xMg6alKeHjpYohCdha__oncrTLWCobE9OH-MFcY5R8HNbidCEXR4Gi1jQmGX2cRPE-nhqozR4_XeHi9kAWT4Qaq-0nYIa_UKUS3A_AjY5TJpWPNGG-6ISGis-kLDICYA8FW3rO9GR_/s1600/Elementary_CBS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiup8xMg6alKeHjpYohCdha__oncrTLWCobE9OH-MFcY5R8HNbidCEXR4Gi1jQmGX2cRPE-nhqozR4_XeHi9kAWT4Qaq-0nYIa_UKUS3A_AjY5TJpWPNGG-6ISGis-kLDICYA8FW3rO9GR_/s1600/Elementary_CBS.jpg" /></a></div>As you're no doubt aware, the CBS show <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2191671/"><i>Elementary</i></a></b> airs at 10 p.m. on Thursdays beginning on September 27 (the day this post went live). We've <b><a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/search/label/CBS%20Elementary">covered the show previously</a></b>, from breaking news to an analysis to what it might be. And of course, the program has generated its share of controversy as well as assumptions about the quality of the representation of Sherlock Holmes.<br /><br />But today, we're honored to be joined by Rob Doherty, the executive producer and writer of <i>Elementary</i>. Rob has a solid CV when it comes to television writing and production. His credits include <i>Star Trek: Voyager</i>, <i>Point Pleasant</i>, <i>Medium</i> and <i>Ringer</i>, to name a few. We had an opportunity to sit down with him and briefly put some questions to him that we thought you might have on your mind as well.<br /><br />If there are additional questions that you think we should have asked, let us know! We may have an opportunity to host Rob on an episode of <b><a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/">the podcast</a></b> at some point in the future.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUJeT_eOBXNrnSWaVncvppNVgApKwHo_7wBr-xMItxrheoBUClz2fBBQ9CslrYn0_8w7Ca9qJNwDRKFe_QCgH0Z7KKiZHlLOxF0DsnVtjZC-Ta9gNDhyphenhyphenrkXV41hV9UQaSP-PDv5kDzEqu/s1600/Elementary+Poster+Holmes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUJeT_eOBXNrnSWaVncvppNVgApKwHo_7wBr-xMItxrheoBUClz2fBBQ9CslrYn0_8w7Ca9qJNwDRKFe_QCgH0Z7KKiZHlLOxF0DsnVtjZC-Ta9gNDhyphenhyphenrkXV41hV9UQaSP-PDv5kDzEqu/s320/Elementary+Poster+Holmes.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge</td></tr></tbody></table><b><i>Q1: When did you first get the idea to bring Sherlock Holmes to an American audience via a weekly program? Was it a collaborative effort?</i></b><br />Very much a collaborative effort.  The notion of Sherlock in contemporary New York came from my fellow executive producer Carl Beverly.  I ran with it.  Decided to embrace Sherlock's history with narcotics to tell the story of a Holmes who had bottomed out and was now in a state of repair.  Always loved the idea of Sherlock needing to fix himself and (eventually) finding a proper "rock" in Watson.<br /><br /><b><i>Q2: Why Holmes? Why now?</i></b><br />He's one of the greatest and most intricate characters ever devised.  THE prototypical detective.  Who wouldn't want to write him?  Why now?  We felt we had a story to tell.  We wanted to share our love for the original works with others.  (And -- very selfishly -- write one of the greatest and most intricate characters ever devised.)<br /><br /><b><i>Q3: Do you see any parallels to other shows that have used Sherlock Holmes as an inspiration (House, Monk, etc.)?</i></b><br />I see parallels everywhere -- in films, shows, books, comics, what-have-you.  Sherlock was the tree; most every other fictional detective (over the last century or so) is a branch.  In my very humble opinion, of course.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoKWGTAitrK0ZD_B2dc8KOGooIHJcKuCFWpFwaKSM0wqtghu1RLtJz7LBI_D8RWfHL_oGaETnLJTDT55YPUMe9GEvlq4uWrApWGZ1oTH1GuthHYZccwppKByGcIJaprNoUrIE2OlhvAeZ/s1600/Elementary+Poster+Watson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoKWGTAitrK0ZD_B2dc8KOGooIHJcKuCFWpFwaKSM0wqtghu1RLtJz7LBI_D8RWfHL_oGaETnLJTDT55YPUMe9GEvlq4uWrApWGZ1oTH1GuthHYZccwppKByGcIJaprNoUrIE2OlhvAeZ/s320/Elementary+Poster+Watson.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b><i>Q4: What was the rationale for making Watson a female character? Is there any danger of a romance with Holmes?</i></b><br />No rationale per se.  I came across a psychological assessment of the original Holmes that spoke to his "aversion" to women and labeled him a "gynophobe."  My first thought was: Watson -- his rock -- should be a woman.  What would make a gynophobic Holmes more insane?  It started as a joke... but I kept coming back to it.  Kept asking myself, "What would it really change?  Should it really change anything?"  The answers (God willing) will present themselves in time.  Re: the danger of romantic entanglements... No.  Not happening.  <br /><br /><b><i>Q5: How much material from the original stories did you use as an inspiration for this series?</i></b><br />We lean more heavily on the mythology than we do the cases.  The cases were brilliant, but -- at least for now -- we want to try to come up with our own.   <br /><br /><b><i>Q6: Many pundits have remarked at the close timing to and modern setting as the BBC's "Sherlock." How do you hope American audiences receive and think about your series with respect to the competition?</i></b><br />I think it's only natural for the pundits to... um... pundit.  And yet... as a wise man once said... it's a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.  Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.  Or words to that effect.  We hope that any and all who might have reservations about our little project will give us a chance. <br /><br />Truth is, Holmes is everywhere these days, and so it's only natural to compare one interpretation with another.  I've felt from the start that if you're not ready for comparisons, you shouldn't wade too deeply into the Sherlockian pool.  It comes with the territory.    <br /><br />Far as our "competition" goes... that would be ABC's <i>Scandal</i> and NBC's <i>Rock Center</i>. At least in the States.  I know there are many (many!) who would like some sort of <i>Elementary</i> / <i>Sherlock</i> throwdown... but it just isn't going to happen. <i>Sherlock</i> is an utterly brilliant show.  Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are utterly brilliant writers.  Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are... well, you get the drift.  Both shows are delivery systems for Holmes and Watson.  'Nuff said, end of story.  I'd like to think that the true fan -- American or otherwise -- can enjoy us both.  <br /><br /><b><i>Q7: Any words for the die hard Sherlockians out there?</i></b><br />We hope to do right by you. <br /><br /><br /><i>When you make purchases from the links we share, it provides us with a stream of revenue to help keep this site running. Thank you for your generosity.</i><br />--</div>

"Interesting, Though Elementary" [HOUN]

As you're no doubt aware, the CBS show Elementary airs at 10 p.m. on Thursdays beginning on September 27 (the day this post went live)....

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by Scott Monty

Episode 45: Sherlock Holmes and Politics

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"Knowledge of Politics. - Feeble." [STUD]</h4>
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The political season is upon us. At least in America, that is.<br />
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In case you've been hiding under a rock for the last 18 months, the presidential election is closing in, with Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney. This site certainly does not stand for any type of political dogma; indeed, Sherlock Holmes is for every political persuasion.<br />
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So why would we want to touch the third rail of polite conversation and delve into politics on our podcast about Sherlock Holmes? As it turns out, there are a number of political figures in the Canon and politics, both domestic and international, play a role in the plots of a few of the stories.<br />
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We take a look at the influence of politics inside the Sherlock Holmes stories as well as what was happening externally at the time. In addition, we even look at one member of the Baker Street Irregulars who had something of a government post and his Sherlockian scholarship - amazingly enough, written at a very crucial juncture of our country's history.<br />
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Try as we might, we were unable to find a Gas-Lamp from the archives of <i>The Baker Street Journal</i> that were political in nature. However, we were able to find some letters from that government servant mentioned above, which make for a very special reading.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Links:</b></h3>
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<li><a href="https://collections.libraries.indiana.edu/lilly/exhibitions/exhibits/show/history-of-bsi/a-few-famous-sherlockians-bsi">Franklin Delano Roosevelt's five letters to the Baker Street Irregulars</a> (Lilly Library)</li>
<li><i><a href="https://amzn.to/4e2Hdhm" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes for the 21st Century: Essays on New Adaptations</a></i> by Lynnette Porter</li>
<li><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Xlwmb7" target="_blank">Sherlock and Transmedia Fandom: Essays on the BBC Series</a></i></li>
<li>I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Facebook page: <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock</a> </li></ul>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email, call us at (774) 221-READ (7323) or drop by our <a href="http://facebook.com/ihearofsherlock">Facebook page</a>.</div>
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Be sure to check out our sponsors: <b><a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/">Wessex Press</a></b> and <b><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/"><i>The Baker Street Journal</i></a></b><br />
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Episode 45: Sherlock Holmes and Politics

"Knowledge of Politics. - Feeble." [STUD] The political season is upon us. At least in America, that is. In case you...

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by Scott Monty

"The Stage Lost a Fine Actor" [SCAN]

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKcUjcfugvHr-F0im_Q8c6P2xXFngkyLespwINnilmeHYBbdxSIpAl7-nbNGItdfM6v0XFSGVXSuSMO3eWRiyU9qw20hvzQezXiZetFNCo65X2M9zzSt2-Dc-fYShI3kYW2xw7LVcEOMj/s1600/brett-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKcUjcfugvHr-F0im_Q8c6P2xXFngkyLespwINnilmeHYBbdxSIpAl7-nbNGItdfM6v0XFSGVXSuSMO3eWRiyU9qw20hvzQezXiZetFNCo65X2M9zzSt2-Dc-fYShI3kYW2xw7LVcEOMj/s320/brett-sm.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>On September 12, 1995 Jeremy Brett passed away. It has now been 17 years since his death - one year for each of the steps that lead from the hall up to the hallowed sitting room of 221B Baker Street.<br /><br />Many have hailed Brett as the definitive Sherlock Holmes, although it can be argued that each generation has its own definitive Holmes. In our estimation, the value of Brett's performance as Sherlock Holmes is twofold: 1) the careful crafting of the Victorian setting and (in the earlier episodes mostly) the faithful adaptation of the Canon; and 2) Brett's own interest and expertise in the Canon and Sherlock Holmes.<br /><br />In <i>A Study in Celluloid</i> (<b><a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/studyincelluloid.html">Wessex Press</a></b>), Michael Cox, the producer of the Granada series noted that often times in script readings, Jeremy would make suggestions the steer the writing toward the Canon, with entire paragraphs of dialog being lifted directly from the original writings. Indeed, the team even had their own reference guide that kept the production crew and cast well informed as to Holmes's appearance and habits called <i>The Baker Street File</i> (occasionally available from <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1553100387/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1553100387&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakerstree-20">Amazon US</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1899562338/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1899562338&linkCode=as2&tag=thebakstrblo-21">Amazon UK</a></b>).<br /><br />We personally remember the outpouring of grief and memories that were shared online in 1995 - the early days of the Internet - through discussion forums and listservs, and wonder just how the web would have exploded had his death occurred in the present day.<br /><br /><br /><a name="more"></a>Brett's career was long and spanned television, film and the stage. And while we won't detail all of it here - sites like <a href="http://brettish.com/">The Brettish Empire</a> and <a href="http://but-darlings-the-show-must-go-on.tumblr.com/">But Darlings the Show Must Go On</a> among others pay him lots of tributes - we will share a couple of tidbits that bring us enjoyment as we remember Jeremy.<br /><br />The first is the opening Baker Street scene in Granada's "The Resident Patient," <a href="http://youtu.be/pgHO4Op6zc8?t=3m47s">beginning at 3:47 in the video</a> below. The subtle eye movements, the smile and the general sentiment toward Watson are a wonderful encapsulation of so much of the interaction we see between Holmes and Watson in the Canon.<br /><br /><center><object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pgHO4Op6zc8?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pgHO4Op6zc8?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></center><br />The second is a rather funny story from David Stuart Davies' biography of Brett, <i>Bending the Willow</i> (Kindle and hardcover: available <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/mn/search/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=bending%20the%20willow&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=bending%20the%20wil%2Caps%2C228&tag=thebakerstree-20&url=search-alias%3Daps">Amazon US</a></b> | <b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/mn/search/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&field-keywords=bending%20the%20willow&linkCode=ur2&sprefix=bending%20the%20%2Cstripbooks%2C255&tag=thebakstrblo-21&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&x=0&y=0">Amazon UK</a></b>). As you may know, Jeremy Brett suffered from manic depression and occasionally had bouts throughout the Granada filming. His Watsons, David Burke and Edward Hardwicke were not only both aware of his condition, but were also very supportive. If anything, Jeremy's own sense of humor and frankness came through as this anecdote reveals:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">One incident that David Burke recounted brought the house down at The Northern Musgraves' Jeremy Brett Memorial Lunch. It is a tale that reveals not only Brett‘s humour and eccentricity, but also his endearing, self-effacing qualities:<br />'Jeremy said to me on one occasion, "I was feeling so low the other day that I sent myself a fan letter."<br />' "Are you serious?"<br />' "I‘m absolutely serious."<br />' "What did you write to yourself?"<br />' "Dear Jeremy, I would just like to say what a wonderful actor you are. Your Sherlock Holmes puts every other attempt at the part in the shade. Basil Rathbone is not fit to clean your boots; and Douglas Wilmer and Robert Stephens should beg you to give them lessons. Your're much prettier than all of them, for a start. There is only one word for your performance - magic. Please send me a signed photograph. Yours, Joe Bloggs. P.S. I've heard that you're really nice person, too."<br />' "Did you really write that?"<br />' "Yes, I did."<br />' "Did you send it?"<br />' "Yes. I put a first-class stamp on it. I wanted to get it as soon as possible. It came the next morning."<br />' "And did you read it?"<br />' "Of course I read it. I read it a dozen times. I felt wonderful afterwards."<br />' "Well, did you send yourself a signed photograph?"<br />' "David, I may be mad - but I‘m not barking mad! In any case, the bugger didn‘t send a stamped addressed envelope!" '</blockquote><br />Are there any special memories, images or clips of Jeremy Brett that you cherish? Please leave a comment and share them with all of us.<br /><br /><i>When you make purchases from the links we share, it provides us with a stream of revenue to help keep this site running. Thank you for your generosity.</i><br />--</div><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B00715DNLA" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>   <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=1553100352" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>