I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

Elementary — It's Not Sherlock

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"the protection of the law against an old rival" [STUD]</h4>
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The <a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2012/02/its-lucy-that-brings-me-here-stud.html">casting of Lucy Liu as Doctor Joan Watson</a> in CBS’s upcoming pilot <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2191671/"><i>Elementary</i></a>  is exciting buzz, pro and con, on the internet. This gives we Sherlockians an entryway into the creation of a television show whose source material we know better that the producers (probably, let’s give them some benefit of the doubt), and the ability to speculate on future content based on innate knowledge of American TV tropes.<br />
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Of course, <i>Elementary</i> is not the first show to be based on a successful British counterpart. If we go back to the 1970s, <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B008HUSFTS" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="d9e23cb76e6a72f70fd905cc7f5efbf7" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="All in the Family" href="http://www.amazon.com/All-In-The-Family-Complete/dp/B008HUSFTS/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=d9e23cb76e6a72f70fd905cc7f5efbf7&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6975787" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">All in the Family</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6975787" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=d9e23cb76e6a72f70fd905cc7f5efbf7&_cb=1454215385854" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> was based on the British sitcom <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0015RCULO" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2f7311cce8e4e306caf49756b23d8a33" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="till death do us part dvd" href="http://www.amazon.com/Til-Death-Do-Us-Part/dp/B0015RCULO/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=2f7311cce8e4e306caf49756b23d8a33&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7172348" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Till Death Do Us Part</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7172348" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2f7311cce8e4e306caf49756b23d8a33&_cb=1454215404775" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>. <i>All in the Family</i> (coincidentally also on CBS) broke new ground by having comedic episodes dealing in race, the Vietnam War, rape, abortion, women’s lib, and many facets human sexuality in frank language. I believe it was the first time on US television that the sound of a flushing toilet was used as a punch line. It ran from 1971 to 1979, was the number one rated TV show for many of those years, and had a number of successful spinoffs, including: <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00AQ6SPF0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="11ad7a6e82d384f6132b10a9fce2b681" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Archie Bunker’s Place" href="http://www.amazon.com/ARCHIE-BUNKERS-PLACE-COMPLETE-SEASON-DISC/dp/B00AQ6SPF0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=11ad7a6e82d384f6132b10a9fce2b681&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1178179" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Archie Bunker’s Place</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1178179" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=11ad7a6e82d384f6132b10a9fce2b681&_cb=1454215416475" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00MIA0HJE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9ae5ad08c720a839cf62b10aca22f24f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Jeffersons" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Jeffersons-Complete-Series/dp/B00MIA0HJE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=9ae5ad08c720a839cf62b10aca22f24f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3895333" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Jeffersons</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3895333" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9ae5ad08c720a839cf62b10aca22f24f&_cb=1454215428278" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, and <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00QJN33Q0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="66ccb83bdf66e1f4175a5ffd4088c9a6" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Maude" href="http://www.amazon.com/Maude-Complete-Series-Bea-Arthur/dp/B00QJN33Q0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=66ccb83bdf66e1f4175a5ffd4088c9a6&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_459828" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maude</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_459828" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=66ccb83bdf66e1f4175a5ffd4088c9a6&_cb=1454215437568" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>. There are other US remakes that could be mentioned, but the point is redoing a British TV show is not an inherently bad idea.</div>
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<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>Nor is updating Sherlock Holmes to the present a bad idea. <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B008P9M614" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="705b978bb5caa444887a5689b2e3308f" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="House" href="http://www.amazon.com/House-M-D-The-Complete-Series/dp/B008P9M614/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=705b978bb5caa444887a5689b2e3308f&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_659640" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">House</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_659640" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=705b978bb5caa444887a5689b2e3308f&_cb=1454215446550" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B001CTDH76" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="2459ac4f92ae0b1401fdba47d94ad1d8" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Mentalist" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mentalist-Season-Simon-Baker/dp/B001CTDH76/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=2459ac4f92ae0b1401fdba47d94ad1d8&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4639751" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Mentalist</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4639751" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=2459ac4f92ae0b1401fdba47d94ad1d8&_cb=1454215459537" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00IRHL59I" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f1eef1b3b6f37934aa84d1a1e6c6dba5" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Monk" href="http://www.amazon.com/Monk-The-Complete-Series/dp/B00IRHL59I/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=f1eef1b3b6f37934aa84d1a1e6c6dba5&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3443501" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Monk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3443501" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f1eef1b3b6f37934aa84d1a1e6c6dba5&_cb=1454215469393" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, and <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0000AVHCD" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="1a97a1818eef684408c2e4bf7db41ab7" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Law  and Order: Criminal Intent" href="http://www.amazon.com/Law-Order-Criminal-Intent-First/dp/B0000AVHCD/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=1a97a1818eef684408c2e4bf7db41ab7&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2602800" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Law  and Order: Criminal Intent</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2602800" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=1a97a1818eef684408c2e4bf7db41ab7&_cb=1454215492300" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> are all shows that have a Holmes-like character. Gregory House, Patrick Jane, Adrian Monk, and Robert Goren are not Holmes. They have their own personalities and foibles. We can appreciate their Holmesian qualities, but enjoy them for themselves.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001V017K/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001V017K" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0001V017K&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=thebakerstree-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0001V017K" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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I remember, before BBC’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B004132HZS" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="188f246d54e88c24fe12940fac7868e0" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Sherlock" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Season-1-Benedict-Cumberbatch/dp/B004132HZS/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=188f246d54e88c24fe12940fac7868e0&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4259020" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sherlock</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4259020" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=188f246d54e88c24fe12940fac7868e0&_cb=1454215344951" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> aired, the consternation in some quarter of taking Holmes and setting him in the 21<span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span> century. Holmes couldn’t be Holmes if set in the present day. He was too much a Victorian to be updated. Such naysayers forgot that until 1939’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0001DCYBE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c3b8036baf3747437746c5977ae67cef" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="the hound of the baskervilles rathbone" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-The-Hound-Baskervilles/dp/B0001DCYBE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=c3b8036baf3747437746c5977ae67cef&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7614083" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hound of the Baskervilles</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7614083" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c3b8036baf3747437746c5977ae67cef&_cb=1454215363908" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, all the film Holmes were set in the present day. Updating <i>The Sign of Four</i> from 1888 to 1932 does not, in retrospect, seem to be that big a deal. Indeed, Holmes himself could have gone the cinema nearest to his cottage on the South  Downs to see how Rathbone portrayed him in 1939. But the chasm of 129 years between <i>A Study in Scarlet</i> and “A Study in Pink” would seem too great a hurdle for Holmes to jump. However, series creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss did an admirable job of making the detective a man of today.</div>
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I am not, however, a fan of the cinematic Holmes. I find all the film treatments of the Canon wanting in comparison to Doyle’s original. Rathbone was a great Holmes but I'm afraid that Nigel Bruce's Watson ruins the films for me. And while the production values of the Granada series is incredible, I wish I liked Jeremy Brett's Holmes better. I find his odd line readings off-putting and his treatment of people sometimes anachronistic. And don’t get me started on Robert Downey, Jr.<br />
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As for the BBC's <i>Sherlock</i>, I watched it with some trepidation due to its updating to the present, but I was pleasantly surprised. “<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00499LTLM" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="e2b107e8de63e7f9fdf4e2860df249d4" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="A Study in Pink" href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Study-in-Pink/dp/B00499LTLM/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=e2b107e8de63e7f9fdf4e2860df249d4&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2991210" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Study in Pink</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2991210" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=e2b107e8de63e7f9fdf4e2860df249d4&_cb=1454215319166" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />” was well done and Cumberbatch and Freeman were well cast. “<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="4041211271" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="333ce65774315c8df5a779f3d4b7b999" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="The Blind Banker" href="http://www.amazon.com/SHERLOCK-Blind-Banker-editor-Kadokawa/dp/4041211271/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=333ce65774315c8df5a779f3d4b7b999&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6574692" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Blind Banker</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6574692" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=333ce65774315c8df5a779f3d4b7b999&_cb=1454215329855" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />” was less successful. By the time of "<a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B004B8K2C8" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f99da228eca4269b0c773df47d4988c1" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="the great game sherlock" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Game/dp/B004B8K2C8/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=f99da228eca4269b0c773df47d4988c1&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3400817" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Great Game</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3400817" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f99da228eca4269b0c773df47d4988c1&_cb=1454215308287" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" />” I was very disappointed. The fey, manic, dancing, young "Jim" Moriarty—that's the Napoleon of Crime? A professional criminal committing a series of crimes just because he’s bored and wants to play with Sherlock? I was surprised that the laser-sighting marksmen at the end of the episode didn't put a round into "Jim" to put him (and the audience) out of his misery.<br />
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Now, don’t get me wrong, there are many things to like about BBC’s <i>Sherlock</i>. Moffat and Gatiss know their Canon and the Sherlockian touches tucked into the episodes are delightful. I have not yet seen series two, but I look forward to PBS’s broadcast of them in May.</div>
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The point is that BBC's <i>Sherlock</i> is no more Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes than Fox’s <i>House</i>. This brings us to <i>Elementary</i>. Usually when US TV imports a show, it’s done in conjunction with the British producer. It appears that CBS did go to the BBC to do a remake of <i>Sherlock</i> but that nothing came of the offer. As the character of Sherlock Holmes is in the public domain, CBS went ahead with their version.<br />
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This led Moffat to tweet, “<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/steven_moffat/status/113907980164005889">Dear CBS. A modern day Sherlock Holmes? Where, oh where, did you get THAT idea? We’ll be watching</a>.”<br />
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The media friction between BBC and CBS is fascinating to watch. The casting of Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes is a case in point. Miller is a British actor who starred in <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B007V4LBLU" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="3a15f33632f1e192303a274d4055cc88" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Trainspotting" href="http://www.amazon.com/Trainspotting-Collectors-Edition-Ewan-McGregor/dp/B007V4LBLU/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=3a15f33632f1e192303a274d4055cc88&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_556672" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trainspotting</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_556672" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=3a15f33632f1e192303a274d4055cc88&_cb=1454215263702" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> and 2009’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B007SSEZNA" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="b3b43abbb1747e6b31437bb296b39219" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Emma" href="http://www.amazon.com/Emma-Gwyneth-Paltrow/dp/B007SSEZNA/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=b3b43abbb1747e6b31437bb296b39219&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6823675" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emma</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6823675" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=b3b43abbb1747e6b31437bb296b39219&_cb=1454215272246" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>. He’s familiar to American television viewers as the star of the short-lived ABC show <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B001ASIHZG" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="a025bfd195d4066639f82a2186438956" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Eli Stone" href="http://www.amazon.com/Eli-Stone-Jonny-Lee-Miller/dp/B001ASIHZG/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=a025bfd195d4066639f82a2186438956&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3481812" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eli Stone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3481812" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=a025bfd195d4066639f82a2186438956&_cb=1454215284457" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> and his turn as a serial killer on the fifth season of Showtime’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B01329A15E" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="7b9951846534196748a4ffed647d184b" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Dexter" href="http://www.amazon.com/Dexter-Complete-Series-James-Remar/dp/B01329A15E/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=7b9951846534196748a4ffed647d184b&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_2156223" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dexter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2156223" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=7b9951846534196748a4ffed647d184b&_cb=1454215256364" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>. In Danny Boyle's production of the National Theatre's "Frankenstein" last year, Benedict Cumberbatch and Miller alternated daily between playing Victor Frankenstein and the Creature and, indeed, won a joint Best Actor prize. This lead "Sherlock’s" producer Sue Vertue to <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jonny-lee-miller-to-play-sherlock-holmes-in-us-series-6939158.html">tell the British newspaper The Independent</a>,<br />
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"Jonny is a very fine actor....Let's hope their pilot script has stayed further away from our Sherlock than their casting choice. We have been in touch with CBS and informed them that we will be looking at their finished pilot very closely for any infringements of our rights."</blockquote>
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Of course, the <i>Sherlock</i>/<i>Elementary</i> controversy should be familiar territory to Moffat and Vertue. It is doubtful that Moffat and Vertue’s <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B0006HBLU0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="6bb4164b9113980a10a2233144dc2d84" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Coupling" href="http://www.amazon.com/Coupling-The-Complete-Seasons-1-4/dp/B0006HBLU0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=6bb4164b9113980a10a2233144dc2d84&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_1959821" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coupling</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_1959821" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=6bb4164b9113980a10a2233144dc2d84&_cb=1454215227983" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> (BBC2, 2000-2004) would have existed without <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00B1LN8WY" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="c9e538264b3925f4033fdf4ed7a3da98" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Friends" href="http://www.amazon.com/Friends-Complete-Series-Jennifer-Aniston/dp/B00B1LN8WY/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=c9e538264b3925f4033fdf4ed7a3da98&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_9365761" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Friends</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_9365761" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=c9e538264b3925f4033fdf4ed7a3da98&_cb=1454215236250" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> (NBC 1994-2004). The similarities between the shows are more than superficial. That said, <i>Coupling</i> is the far superior show of the two. British television, indeed, world television, would be much poorer if NBC threatened action against BBC2 upon reading of the upcoming series in the trades and the Beeb caved.</div>
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This fear of a lawsuit may have led to the casting of Liu as Watson. As <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/lucy-liu-to-play-watson-in-cbs-modern-sherlock-holmes-pilot-elementary/">Deadline reported on February 27</a>,<br />
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“The project, written by Robert Doherty, is set in present day and stars Jonny Lee Miller as eccentric Brit Sherlock Holmes, a former consultant to Scotland Yard whose addiction problems led him to a rehab center in New York City. Just out of rehab, Holmes now lives in Brooklyn with “sober companion” Joan Watson (Liu), a former surgeon who lost her license after a patient died, while consulting for the NYPD.” </blockquote>
Not an army surgeon back from Afghanistan, but disgraced medico.</div>
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This highlights a couple of problems for <i>Elementary</i>. One is the legal sword BBC is holding over the head of CBS. There are certain traits that make the character of Sherlock Holmes Holmes and as well that make Dr. Watson Watson. Doyle’s Watson is proud of this military service. He refers to himself as an “old campaigner” more that once in the Canon. The symmetry of a 19<span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span> century Watson and a 21<span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span> century Watson both serving on the frontlines in Afghanistan is just too brilliant to pass up. It serves the character perfectly. It is in the public domain. Despite roles in <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B006RXSGLE" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="f8b9cda902e1a55925aeccfa42239678" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Kill Bill" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Bill-Volume-Uma-Thurman/dp/B006RXSGLE/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=f8b9cda902e1a55925aeccfa42239678&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7491689" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kill Bill</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7491689" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=f8b9cda902e1a55925aeccfa42239678&_cb=1454214902206" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> and <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B003F1ERDC" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9f6d1121dfda71f99e4c40db796a5246" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Charlie’s Angels" href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlies-Angels-Cameron-Diaz/dp/B003F1ERDC/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=9f6d1121dfda71f99e4c40db796a5246&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8904679" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlie’s Angels</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8904679" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9f6d1121dfda71f99e4c40db796a5246&_cb=1454214914593" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, I cannot image an actor least likely to be an army doctor under Taliban fire than Liu.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/2557890494/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="veil-02 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="veil-02" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3070/2557890494_5e71aa3f26_m.jpg" /></a><br />
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Show biz is not a virtuous profession. We may look at it as Watson did of the late Irene Adler, as “dubious and questionable.” Intellectual theft is a misdemeanor at best in Hollywood. Holmes’ perennial popularity is now on an upswing and I see no problem with the American appropriation of a modern day Holmes. In fact, CBS needs to tell Moffat and Gatiss, in that pithy British phrase, “Piss off!’</div>
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The second problem for <i>Elementary</i> is the state of TV storytelling. Protagonists nowadays need a tragic back-story to make them interesting. Joan Watson lost her license when a patient died. Sherlock Holmes is a recovering drug addict. Please.</div>
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Holmes's drug use can only be seen through a contemporary lens on TV, but the reality of Victorian cocaine use is much more complex than network television can portray. (For one thing, cocaine wasn’t illegal and could be picked up at the corner chemist.) Watson can’t be an Afghan veteran (too close to <i>Sherlock</i>), but there has to be something to give the character sleepless nights. Hence, the lost medical license. A psychic wound, then, rather than a physical one.</div>
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While casting Watson as a woman takes <i>Elementary</i> a step away from <i>Sherlock</i> (and <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2014/02/watson-actually-was-woman.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a step closer to Rex Stout</a>), it takes "Elementary" several steps away from the Canon. One of the fundamental aspects of the Canon is the friendship of Holmes and Watson. Christopher Morley called the Canon a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="143258071X" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9650fb43d198068119452a68e58e130a" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="sherlock holmes and dr. watson textbook of friendship" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-And-Dr-Watson/dp/143258071X/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=9650fb43d198068119452a68e58e130a&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8985829" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Textbook of Friendship</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8985829" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9650fb43d198068119452a68e58e130a&_cb=1454215214646" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></b></i>. And it is one that is more complicated that the bromance that popular culture perceives between Cumberbatch and Freeman or Downey and Law. I do not doubt that a deep friendship between a man and woman can exist, just network television ability to depict it. Sexual tension between major characters is just television scriptwriting 101 and I wonder if the producers of <i>Elementary</i> have the strength to stay away from it.</div>
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After all, unlike <i>Sherlock</i>, which has only three 90-minute shows a season to get plot, character and dialog right, CBS will have to crank out 22 one-hour episodes and the temptation for scripting shortcuts in that pressure cooker will be great. I’m not sure of the Sherlockian background of the producers or writers, or whether they have hired a Holmesian as a consultant (as Warner Bros. did with <a href="http://lesliesklinger.com/">Les Klinger</a>), but titling the series "Elementary" alone makes me wonder if can expect writing on the level of "Sherlock" or of, say, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_%26_Yo-Yo"><i>Holmes and Yo-Yo</i></a>. </div>
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<i>Elementary</i> will ultimately survive or fail on its own merits. If it fails, it will be no more that a footnote in the history of <i>Sherlock</i>. If it succeeds, then the majority of fans the world over will proclaim the British version superior, and Moffat's and Gatiss’ glory will be that much greater. Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly may yet pleasantly surprise us. Only time will tell. We should keep our minds and eyes open to further developments, but like Holmes's refrain from theorizing before one has the facts. No matter how fun it is.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image credit: <a href="https://flic.kr/p/cfu61E" target="_blank">Nicolas Raymond (Flickr)</a></i></span><br />
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<i><b>Editor's note: </b>James is a long-time Sherlockian and a huge fan of <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/">I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</a> . This is his first contribution to the site.</i><br />
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Elementary — It's Not Sherlock

"the protection of the law against an old rival" [STUD] The casting of Lucy Liu as Doctor Joan Watson in CBS’s upcoming p...

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by James C. O'Leary

Lucy Liu Is Not the First Female Watson

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"it's Lucy that brings me here" [STUD]</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uvEd94qr8Tmrv3sENlCoodRqlGeghh5PUaAKwsO-wVB3V224D_yZw7QqXYmtxFL1hGsi8bIq_r7n0VOA-FccbButb_kLUyJ7zl7_KnSB6eN7gc5uGclUZTOg90Mp_SQYIvhBOB13Zkys/s1600/liu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uvEd94qr8Tmrv3sENlCoodRqlGeghh5PUaAKwsO-wVB3V224D_yZw7QqXYmtxFL1hGsi8bIq_r7n0VOA-FccbButb_kLUyJ7zl7_KnSB6eN7gc5uGclUZTOg90Mp_SQYIvhBOB13Zkys/s640/liu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As we've <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2012/01/croo_20.html" rel="nofollow">previously</a> shared, CBS is planning <a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2011/09/pushing-another-one-in-my-direction.html">a New York version</a> of the 21st century adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes stories, in the spirit of the BBC's "Sherlock." It is titled "Elementary" and the release date has not yet been determined.<br />
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While we already knew that Jonny Lee Miller would play Holmes as a recovering drug addict, <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lucy-liu-sherlock-holmes-watson-cbs-pilot-elementary-295560"><b><i>Hollywood Reporter</i> has just noted</b></a> that Lucy Liu - you read that correctly - of <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B003F1ERDC" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="7d4ccb9f619c75ee5a9f1f0190197c34" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Charlie's Angels" href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlies-Angels-Cameron-Diaz/dp/B003F1ERDC/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=7d4ccb9f619c75ee5a9f1f0190197c34&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3422206" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlie's Angels</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3422206" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=7d4ccb9f619c75ee5a9f1f0190197c34&_cb=1454206631992" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i> fame would play his sidekick as <b><i>Joan</i></b> Watson.<br />
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<i>HR</i> dubiously states that this is the first time that Watson would be "played by a woman." We say "dubiously," because we would take issue with this technicality. Of course, Joanne Woodward portrayed <b><i>Dr. Mildred Watson</i></b>, who was treating George C. Scott's Justin Playfair who believed he was Sherlock Holmes in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00003TKF9/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00003TKF9" rel="nofollow"><b><i>They Might Be Giants</i></b></a>. And Margaret Colin played <i>Jane Watson</i>, a descendant of the good doctor, who brought a cryogenically frozen Holmes back to life in the 1987 CBS (yes, CBS!) television movie and pilot <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093850/" rel="nofollow"><i>The Return of Sherlock Holmes</i></a>.<br />
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And lest you think CBS is new at this, in addition to the never picked up pilot of 1987, they also inflicted upon us the 1990 movie <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000244FZU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000244FZU" rel="nofollow"><b><i>The Hands of a Murderer</i></b></a> with Edward Woodward. Brace yourselves.<br />
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Don't say we didn't warn you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13822185@N08/4890368885/">bethany.egan (Flickr)</a></i></span><br />
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Lucy Liu Is Not the First Female Watson

"it's Lucy that brings me here" [STUD] As we've previously shared, CBS is planning a New York version of the 21st c...

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by Scott Monty

Episode 39: #BelieveInSherlock

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When a fictional character's impact overflows to reality to affect what people are talking about, where they go and how they act, it's quite an accomplishment. When it happens in a nearly identical, if time-appropriate manner nearly 120 years apart, it must have something to to with Sherlock Holmes.<br />
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As this podcast is all about Sherlock Holmes, you can rest assured that is indeed the case. But what of it? This updated and renewed interest in our beloved master is curious, but in the end, quite elementary. Much of the chatter and buzz seen on the Internet in particular, has been generated by the Robert Downey, Jr. outings in two films, and more recently by Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal in two seasons of the BBC television show <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004132HZS/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B004132HZS"><i>Sherlock</i></a>.<br />
<br />
In this episode, we welcome the ladies from another Sherlock Holmes-related podcast, the <a href="http://www.bakerstreetbabes.com/">Baker Street Babes</a>, namely Kristina Manente, Maria Fleischhack, and Ardy to discuss the machinations behind the movement that has taken hold across the world called "<b><i>Believe in Sherlock</i></b>." With the conclusion (in the U.K.) of the BBC's second season of the show with an episode titled "The Reichenbach Fall," you can probably imagine what the outcome was. We won't spoil it by giving away the details, but suffice it to say that there were some upset fans at the conclusion - so upset, in fact, that they took to the streets and the web alike, demonstrating their love of the character and their wish to see his good name cleared.<br />
<br />
We discuss the beginnings of this newfound and fervent interest in Holmes, as generated through the Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat-created series starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman and get the perspective from Londoners who were not only there to witness the activities of this movement, but who contributed to and even instigated some of them. We'll conclude with a reading of the latest Editor's Gas-Lamp from the Winter 2011 (Vol. 61, No. 4) of the <i>Baker Street Journal</i>.<br />
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<h4>
<b>Links:</b></h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetbabes.com/">The Baker Street Babes</a><b style="font-style: italic;">  </b></li>
<li><a href="http://earlfoolish.tumblr.com/post/15969467726/so-i-guess-you-all-have-heard-read-seen-the-news">The post that started it all</a> (earlfoolish.tumblr.com)</li>
<li><a href="http://bakerstreetbabes.tumblr.com/post/16296064521/operation-221b-the-believe-in-sherlock-holmes">Operation: 221B swings into play</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/harrietpotter23/the-world-believes-in-sherlock-holmes-357q">The World Believes in Sherlock Holmes</a> (BuzzFeed)</li>
<li><a href="http://bakerstreetbabes.tumblr.com/post/16692521495/28-01-12-to-mark-the-anniversary-of-sherlock">Signage at 187 Gower Street</a> (aka 221B Baker Street)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/01/what-is-the-believeinsherlock-movement-and-how-did-it-get-so-widespread-so-quickly?utm_source=Feedburner%3A+Frontpage+Partial+RSS+Feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Torcom%2FFrontpage_Partial+%28Tor.com+Frontpage+Partial+-+Blog+and+Stories%29">An analysis of how it started</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/meghan-okeefe/benedict-cumberbatch_b_1231634.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008">A bit about the Benedict Cumberbatch fascination</a></li>
<li><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200241406014380769875.0004b74641f320b9bd5f3&msa=0&ll=56.559482,-1.054687&spn=107.163543,254.882812&iwloc=0004b75739e6297235496">A map of the movement across the globe</a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a></i></li>
</ul>
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--<br />
<br /></div>

Episode 39: #BelieveInSherlock

When a fictional character's impact overflows to reality to affect what people are talking about, where they go and how they act,...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Sherlocktron Has a New Home

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"I have had no proof yet" [SIGN]</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcd50DyYcS2pUuk4xgvb2kI7V0zhiNzYC3LTOeGucAhOnNl36rRtrXA8UBOOpZDlYHys-wVb96hbVX5qc2qTPpESnSDpmtE8eWUJ0h9AVZ5Zk4DXNuK9EmgY7gJyG6h_10rJZ4ol_GPbt/s1600/Frank+Wiles+-+Valley+of+Fear+Sherlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcd50DyYcS2pUuk4xgvb2kI7V0zhiNzYC3LTOeGucAhOnNl36rRtrXA8UBOOpZDlYHys-wVb96hbVX5qc2qTPpESnSDpmtE8eWUJ0h9AVZ5Zk4DXNuK9EmgY7gJyG6h_10rJZ4ol_GPbt/s640/Frank+Wiles+-+Valley+of+Fear+Sherlock.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
<br />
Recently, Sherlocktron, a long-time Internet information center for Sherlock Holmes, was forced to move to a new Internet service provider at <a href="http://sherlocktron.com/">http://sherlocktron.com/</a>. <br />
<br />
The site owner, Willis Frick, has now updated the files at the new web site. <b><i>But</i></b> he he is <b><i>looking for your help to make sure the listings are up to date</i></b>. <br />
<br />
At this point, he has been able to verify the Web addresses (URLs) and email addresses of the purveyors of Sherlockian items and of the society publications listed. However, many Sherlockian purveyors and societies do not have a means to contact them electronically to verify the information - and that is where he needs your help, dear readers.<br />
<br />
Please take a few minutes to looks at these files: <br />
<a href="http://sherlocktron.hostoi.com/pub.list.pdf%C2%A0">Sherlockian Publication List</a> (PDF)<br />
<a href="http://sherlocktron.hostoi.com/ads.list.pdf">Sherlockian Purveyor List</a> (PDF)<br />
<br />
If there are any additions, corrections or deletions required, please notify Willis by email: <b>sherlock1 [AT] cox [DOT] net.</b><mailto:sherlock1 cox.net=""><b> </b><br /></mailto:sherlock1><br />
<mailto:sherlock1 cox.net="">For information about these lists see:  </mailto:sherlock1><br />
<mailto:sherlock1 cox.net=""><a href="http://sherlocktron.hostoi.com/about.the.pub.listing.pdf">About Sherlockian Publications</a> (PDF)</mailto:sherlock1><br />
<mailto:sherlock1 cox.net=""><a href="http://sherlocktron.hostoi.com/about.the.ads.listing.pdf">About Sherlockian Purveyors</a> (PDF)<br /><br />It would be a wonderful gesture to extend to Willis, as he finishes up this project. After all, someday you may be looking for something Sherlockian or for a  newsletter from a society, and this resource may come in handy.</mailto:sherlock1><br />
<mailto:sherlock1 cox.net=""><br /><i><br /></i>--</mailto:sherlock1>

Sherlocktron Has a New Home

"I have had no proof yet" [SIGN] Recently, Sherlocktron, a long-time Internet information center for Sherlock Holmes, was f...

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by Scott Monty

Remembering Nicol Williamson

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"baffled all those who have sought a solution" [FIVE]</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk9ALwq-Yjf487GHizkYXHGRLvh_CF1O-MH7MgTraOWkfpG1XrNmZkLjRfxZjoWr2CKqViU-I9RxI9htpFdnEovMrppkcVdGLz0N7TpW4VFen20owgxP18I0hyphenhyphenZCln0lX12FztKdRxs9d/s1600/Seven-Percent-Williamson.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk9ALwq-Yjf487GHizkYXHGRLvh_CF1O-MH7MgTraOWkfpG1XrNmZkLjRfxZjoWr2CKqViU-I9RxI9htpFdnEovMrppkcVdGLz0N7TpW4VFen20owgxP18I0hyphenhyphenZCln0lX12FztKdRxs9d/s640/Seven-Percent-Williamson.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The three-time BAFTA-nominated actor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicol_Williamson">Nicol Williamson</a> has <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gXXf7k0AXdqqnt8kvEPoZ2NIEdQA?docId=7231bc1affc54ed282a2d07f0f8821f4">passed away</a> at the age of 75.<br />
<br />
To Sherlockians, he'll be most closely identified with the role of Sherlock Holmes in the 1976 film <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ETAMHS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005ETAMHS">The Seven Per-Cent Solution</a></i></b>. The book and the screenplay were both written by Nicholas Meyer, BSI ("A Fine Morocco Case"). Outside of the Holmesian world, he was probably best known for his turn as the wily wizard Merlin in Excalibur (1981).<br />
<br />
As Sherlock Holmes, he seemed as if he were cast against type, but he gave a convincing performance as a manic and overwrought consulting detective who was weaned off of his cocaine dependence by a once similarly afflicted Sigmund Freud. With Robert Duvall as his Watson and Alan Arkin as the venerable psychiatrist, the unlikely trio made for a memorable film.<br />
<br />
Below, we bring you a slideshow of some of the posters and lobby cards from the film. You can also <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/sets/72157629028037471/">view them on Flickr</a>.<div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a data-flickr-embed="true" data-header="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/albums/72157629028037471" title="The Seven Per-Cent Solution"><img alt="The Seven Per-Cent Solution" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/7146/6761008133_823e0028a1.jpg" width="640"/></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><br />
Do you you have a memory or impression of how Williamson's performance (Sherlockian or not) struck you? Leave us a comment.<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 />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
<br /></div>

Remembering Nicol Williamson

"baffled all those who have sought a solution" [FIVE] The three-time BAFTA-nominated actor Nicol Williamson has passed awa...

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by Scott Monty

Episode 38: On Conan Doyle

<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0691151350" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3XxXgVT-zK-5fVtFHvxLpUk0hbmYUpduz6cO6uzGZXyXcA1mQ90ZBh9pIRBYukzZfPRstNkHOp4OEj2Ss12tXp8Ei0cCw9_4Xiqpkiawc5AQfLJThQ0Q9E5PeajVO46J_qFRM3kUpqsdD8UMNgfm-f7tCIupiSQ9ppJf-3PwU8qCDndc6_6ETs72KA/s2250/ihose38%20-%20On%20Conan%20Doyle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3XxXgVT-zK-5fVtFHvxLpUk0hbmYUpduz6cO6uzGZXyXcA1mQ90ZBh9pIRBYukzZfPRstNkHOp4OEj2Ss12tXp8Ei0cCw9_4Xiqpkiawc5AQfLJThQ0Q9E5PeajVO46J_qFRM3kUpqsdD8UMNgfm-f7tCIupiSQ9ppJf-3PwU8qCDndc6_6ETs72KA/s320/ihose38%20-%20On%20Conan%20Doyle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0712358412&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; border: none; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; margin: 0px;" width="1" />One of the great benefits of being a member of the Baker Street Irregulars is that we get to meet a lot of interesting and famous people. Chief among them are the literati, such as Michael Dirda, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book critic for the <i>Washington Post</i>, who makes his living by writing about the literati.<br />
<br />In this case, Michael himself is the author, having been tapped by the Princeton University Press to contribute to their "Writers on Writers" series with the volume <b><i><a href="https://amzn.to/45nRUqJ">On Conan Doyle: Or, the Whole Art of Storytelling</a></i></b>. In it, he takes us through Conan Doyle's life and writings - many of which may not be familiar to the Sherlock Holmes fan - and gives us a perspective on many of them through the Canon.<br />
<br />
Burt and Scott had a chance to sit down with Michael at the Players in New York City during the 2012 Baker Street Irregulars Weekend - marking the first time our podcast has been recorded with the two hosts together in the same room.<br />
<br />
Rather than give you an Editor's Gas-Lamp in this episode, we asked Michael to read something from his own work.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<b>Links:</b></h4>
<ul>
<li><b><i><b style="font-style: normal;"><i><a href="https://amzn.to/45nRUqJ">On Conan Doyle: Or, the Whole Art of Storytelling</a></i></b>  </i></b>(Amazon)</li>
<li><i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/03/25/LI2005032502159.html">Michael Dirda's content in the <i>Washington Post</i></a><br />
<i></i></li>
</ul>
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Download this episode by right-clicking the icon and selecting "Save As..." or simply click on the file to listen, or on the nice box above. (File size: 34.7 MB, 37:51)</div>
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And as always, please visit our sponsors <a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/">Wessex Press</a>.<br />
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<i>Image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/38489797@N00/8161024595">mcwetboy (Flickr)</a></i><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br /><br />
<br /></div>

Episode 38: On Conan Doyle

One of the great benefits of being a member of the Baker Street Irregulars is that we get to meet a lot of interesting and famous people...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

New CBS Sherlock Holmes Drama Will Be Called "Elementary"

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"Elementary." [CROO]</h4>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/4182504806/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="silv01 by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="silv01" height="218" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2741/4182504806_6d27b302c5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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     "Excellent!" I cried.<br />
     "Elementary," said he.</blockquote>
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Of course, any Sherlockian considering him or herself worthy of the name knows that one particular instance in "The Crooked Man" is the only time Mr. Sherlock Holmes uses the word “elementary” in that context. Never in the canon does he actually say “Elementary, my dear Watson.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Nevertheless, it appears that CBS has hit upon the entirely original idea of updating the Sherlock Holmes stories for the modern day, and will title this show, ahem, <i>Elementary. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.deadline.com/2012/01/cbs-greenlights-dana-calvokevin-falls-legal-drama-pilot/">Deadline</a> is reporting that CBS has greenlit a pilot that would air in 2012 and would transport the Victorian detective to 21<sup>st</sup> century New York. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This news comes, unsurprisingly, after the success of the second series of BBC’s <i>Sherlock, </i>as well as Guy Ritchie’s recent sequel, <i>Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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As Holmes would also say, “<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data</span>” [SCAN] and so far, data is drastically lacking about this upcoming series. Aside from the screenwriter - Robert Doherty - <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">nothing is yet known, making any speculation about the quality of the series difficult. One hopes, however, that the script and acting will transcend the title and be something rather than “elementary.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<i>Anastasia writes at <a href="http://bookwormhermy.blogspot.com/">The Itinerant Bookworm</a>. This is her first contribution to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere.</i><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br /></div>

New CBS Sherlock Holmes Drama Will Be Called "Elementary"

"Elementary." [CROO] "Excellent!" I cried. "Elementary," said he. Of course, any Sherloc...

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by Scott Monty

The 2012 BSI Weekend Recap — Saturday

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"then on Saturday" [HOUN]</h4>
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The day after the BSI dinner and Gaslight Gala can be a bit of a paradox for some people. For after the dinners, some attendees gather to celebrate well into the night. It's an unwritten tradition to keep the newest investitured members of the Baker Street Irregulars awake until at least 2:21 a.m. That's not too rare when you're in the city that never sleeps, but with the doors of the Vendors Room opening at 9:00 a.m. sharp (and Jerry Margolin always jockeying to be the first in), it can be difficult to rouse yourself from an otherwise groggy state.<br />
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This year's Vendors Room was packed with merchandise, from the new to the old and rare. The Baker Street Irregulars had its usual range of books available from the <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/bsimanuscriptseries.html">BSI Manuscript</a> and <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/bsiinternationalseries.html">BSI International</a> series, as well as <a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/grandgamev2.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><i>The Grand Game Volume Two</i></a>, the continuation of the first volume edited by Leslie S. Klinger and Laurie R. King. In addition to the <i>Grand Game</i> compendium being completed, there was a very handsome <i><b><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/grandgamelimited.html">Grand Game Limited Edition</a></b></i> being offered for sale; you can order it online after March 30. There will be 100 box sets created, with gilt-stamped volumes, a companion index with an expansion of the origin of the Game and Ronald Knox, and a gold-stamped slipcase.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>The afternoon turned toward West 44th Street as Sherlockians descended on the New York Bar Association for the reception and auction. As usual, Don Novorsky hosted the event and recognized the previous evening's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/6697583377/">newly-investitured Irregulars</a>. Then, we we all treated to a fun little vaudeville routine by Jim Saunders and Henry Boote, who performed a Sherlock Holmes-inspired version of the old <a href="http://www.marx-brothers.org/marxology/shean.htm">Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean</a> bit. While we didn't record Jim and Henry, here you can have a look at what it looked like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkzAEGarl9Q">as performed by Charles Winniger and Al Shean</a>:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/6697551885/" title="BSI Raffle prize by Scott Monty, on Flickr"><img alt="BSI Raffle prize" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7155/6697551885_2489a7e1ce_m.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The 2012 raffle prize</i></td></tr>
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Directly after the performance, it was time for the drawing of the raffle prize. All weekend, raffle tickets were sold to raise money for the John H. Watson Fund, a self-exhausting fund that is available to all Sherlockians (BSI membership is not required) who wish to travel to New York for the annual Baker Street Irregulars weekend but who may not be able to afford to otherwise attend. This year's raffle prize was donated by Maggie Schpak, BSI ("The Soup Plate Medal"), who works in metallurgical costuming. It was a replica of Lady Frances Carfax's Spanish diamonds, which you can see to the right.<br />
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Then it was time for another highlight of the weekend - the Sherlockian Year in Review, as given in verse by father and daughter team Al ("Inspector Gregory") and Betsy ("Lucy Ferrier") Rosenblatt. As usual, their observations and wit skewered events and individuals who made headlines throughout the year, and then turned toward the doings of the weekend. They even stopped mid-poem to break out in song to honor Henry Boote's Two Shilling award (sung to the tune of "Aunt Clara," of course).<br />
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The final programmatic event was Peter Blau's professional auctioneering effort to raise money for the Watson Fund. This year, the items included original posters from <i>Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows</i>, a hand-turned wooden fountain pen made from wood salvaged from the barque <i>Lone Star</i>, original artwork by Charles Meyer, BSI ("Adloph Meyer") and a handmade wooden collector's cabinet made by Joe Coppola ("The Stranger's Room"). And in a last-minute surprise appearance, a Peter Blau-ish powder blue blazer worn the previous evening in the skit was offered up by Scott Monty. Peter and Scott stood side by side, taking bids for the jacket. The winning bid was a Canonical $221 and the buyer plans to donate it to the <a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/">BSI Trust</a>.<br />
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Afterwards, Sherlockians went their separate ways. Some caught trains, others joined up for an intimate dinner for 10 for Indian food, and many others got Lost in New York with a Bunch of Sherlockians at Pete's Tavern. The wrap-up brunch was hosted the following day by Lyndsay Faye at the Irish Rogue.<br />
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We have a few photos from the weekend. If you'd like to see them, there's a slideshow embedded below on the site. If you're viewing this on email or an RSS reader, please click through to the full article, or <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/sets/72157628871829545/with/6697449965/">check out our set on Flickr</a>.<br />
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If you weren't able to make it to the weekend this year, there's always next year! Set your calendar for <b>January 10-12, 2013</b>.<br />
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<i>Do you have a memory or a first-person account of what happened at one of the events that we didn't cover? We'd love to hear about it in a comment below.</i><br />
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The 2012 BSI Weekend Recap — Saturday

"then on Saturday" [HOUN] The day after the BSI dinner and Gaslight Gala can be a bit of a paradox for some people. For aft...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

The 2012 BSI Weekend Recap — Friday

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"Today is Friday" [CARD]</h4>
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Friday is always a hectic day during the BSI Weekend. From impromptu breakfasts to early pilgrimages down to Tribeca to see <a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2011/10/infinitely-more-mysterious-devi.html">Otto Penzler's offerings as the Mysterious Bookshop</a>, there are plenty of mind- and waist-expanding opportunities to be had before running off to...lunch.<br />
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<h3>
<b>The William Gillette Lunch</b></h3>
The Gillette Lunch has been in place for many years, having been first established in the early days of the BSI as an opportunity for those traveling from out of town to gather before the BSI dinner. Susan Rice and Mickey Fromkin have been running this event for a couple of decades, after it was handed down to them from Lisa McGaw.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Susan Rice - all smiles</i></td></tr>
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Guests are welcomed to the quickly overflowing bar area of <a href="http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=63709c1ff5d9d35a61c4186a878d6a7d&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bakerstreetblog.com%2Fsearch%2Flabel%2Fbsi2010&v=1&libid=1326557509698&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.moranschelsea.com%2F&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bakerstreetblog.com%2Fsearch%2Flabel%2Fbsi2011&title=The%20Baker%20Street%20Blog&txt=Moran%27s%20Chelsea%20Restaurant&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13265577788861">Moran's Chelsea</a> restaurant (an aptly named or aptly selected venue, as the case may be) and conversation quickly rises, along with the temperature of the facility. But all is well as we wind our way into the substantial dining area and prepare for the welcome from Susan. We remember William Gillette of course, but also the founders and previous administrators. After a quick promotion of the <a href="http://www.beaconsociety.com/">Beacon Society</a> - the group that promotes educating the young on Sherlock Holmes via the original stories - we dine.<br />
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After lunch come the skits. In this case were treated to two: a "Tonight Show" (c. 1895) rendition of Carnac the Magnificent; and the Friends of Bogey's of Baker Street giving us their fanciful interpretation of Sherlock Holmes on the <i>Titanic</i>. The iceberg even got a starring role.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Iceberg right ahead!</i></td></tr>
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We all wended our way to our respective hotels, some walking in the bracing cold in a futile attempt to burn some calories before attending another meal in three hours or so.<br />
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<h3>
<b>The BSI Dinner</b></h3>
We attended the BSI dinner (as we have for the last 17 years), so we can only report on that. [<i>Ed. note: if you attended the Gaslight Gala, we'd be delighted to have a writeup of what happened there. Please click on the Tip button at the top of the site.</i>]<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Connie Keane</i></td></tr>
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Prior to the dinner, it is always the custom to name "The Woman" of the year - typically the spouse of a BSI who has supported and encouraged her husband's work and in many cases who has been a co-conspirator in support of the BSI. This year it was Connie Keane, wife of Michael Keane who manages the <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale.html">BSI Publications</a>. As it turns out, it was Connie who first encouraged Michael's interest in Sherlock Holmes, so as Leslie Klinger (who introduced Connie at the reception) put it, "Michael Keane would not exist if it weren't for Connie!" She did however put her foot down when Michael wanted to name their son Sherlock.<br />
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The dinner kicked off with the normal routine: our annual photograph taken with a 100 year-old camera, as well as welcome remarks from "Wiggins," the head of the BSI. He noted that this year marks a number of anniversaries: the 125th anniversary of the publication of <i>A Study in Scarlet</i>; the 175th anniversary of Dr. Joseph Bell's birth; the 120th anniversary of the birth of Basil Rathbone; and the 75th anniversary of the death of William Gillette. Mike also noted that the BSI Publications have produced an enormous amount of content in the last 11 years; in the last year alone, titles like <i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/bsiinternationalseries.html">Italy and Sherlock Holmes</a></i>, <i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/itemsforsale/bsimanuscriptseries.html">Bohemian Souls</a></i>, two <i><a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/christmasannuals.html">Baker Street Journal Christmas Annuals</a></i>, and two volumes and a special edition of <i><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/grandgamev2.html">The Grand Game</a>.</i>  In addition to those remarks, Wiggins also bestowed the Benefactor Award on Glen Miranker, who has very generously given of his time, materials and resources to support the <a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/">BSI Trust</a>. "For the sake of the trust," [MUSG] indeed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>For this camera, it's always 1895</i></td></tr>
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Tom Francis, on behalf of the Trust, accepted a trove of materials that were donated by the <a href="http://special.lib.umn.edu/rare/holmes.phtml">Sherlock Holmes Collections</a> of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Tom cautioned all attendees to save and donate their BSI correspondence, because "we don't know which of these clowns are going to become important" down the road. That got a great laugh from those assembled, but also served as a great reminder - especially in this digital age - that correspondence is to be treasured and preserved for future generations, to help tell our story.<br />
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The rest of the program unfolded splendidly, with toasts given by Lyndsay Faye, Andrew Solberg, Jim Saunders and Don Novorsky, and the reading of the <a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2010/04/curious-constitution-sign.html">BSI's Constitution and Buy-Laws</a> by Costa Rossakis. Papers were read by Barbara Rusch, Burt Wolder and Bob Katz - or more appropriately, talks were given by Burt and Bob, who each performed the amazing feat of speaking without notes. As the theme of the evening was "His Last Bow," Burt covered the Chicago connection, with an interesting conclusion as to who Martha was (we'll won't spoil the surprise, as it's likely to appear in the <b><i><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">Baker Street Journal</a></i></b> - which you should subscribe to, if you don't already). And Bob shuffled off to Buffalo to look at the connection between England and New York in 1912.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Will the real Peter Blau please stand up?</i></td></tr>
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In a bit of comic relief Paul Singleton and Scott Monty performed an updated "Two Thousand Year-Old Man" routine, modeled after the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=two+thousand+reiner+brooks&oq=two+thousand+reiner+brooks&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=375l4300l0l4452l19l17l0l15l1l0l117l186l1.1l2l0">Carl Reiner / Mel Brooks collaboration</a>. In this case, the Mel Brooks character looked and sounded an awful lot like Peter Blau.<br />
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Vinnie Brosnan recited the Musgrave Ritual and the audience replied with the appropriate answers. Otto Penzler took us back in time to the House of El Dieff as we remembered old Irregular Lou David Feldman, who was a bookseller extraordinaire. Otto recalled Lou's so-called "warehouse" where he kept many volumes; to Otto's surprise on his first visit, it was actually an apartment at 63rd Street and Park Avenue in New York.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Henry Boote tickling the ivories</i></td></tr>
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In a surprise move, Wiggins called up Henry Boote and referred to him officially as the Music Director of the BSI before bestowing on Henry a well-deserved Two Shilling Award, given to Irregulars who have gone above and beyond in their service to the organization. Henry then took to the piano, where he performed a series of "His Last Bow"-inspired songs. He cleverly rewrote the lyrics to "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," "Chicago," and "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," followed by the traditional "Aunt Clara."<br />
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Then of course, it was time for Francine Kitts to solemnly <a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/search/label/terrace">stand on the terrace</a> for the following six Irregulars: Jason Pierre Rouby ("Vanderbuilt and the Yeggman"), Dr. George L. John ("Sir Jasper Meek"), Peter Wood ("The Second Stain"), J. Warren Scheideman ("Count Von und zu Grafenstein"), Dr. Bruce L. Crawford ("The Solitary Cyclist"), James H. Bready ("The Disappearance of James Phillamore"). They will all be sorely missed by friends, family and Sherlockians alike.<br />
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Before we moved on to the final portion of the program Wiggins called up Mary Anne Bradley to receive an Editor's Award for her 2011 <i>Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual, The First Lady: Lenore Glen Offord.</i><br />
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And then, the moment we were all waiting for - the reading of the 2012 Honours List.<br />
<ul>
<li>"Thucidydes" - Mark Schwartz</li>
<li>"Birdy Edwards" - Phil Bergem</li>
<li>"Helen Stoner" - Helen Dorey</li>
<li>"Thorneycroft Huxtable" - Peter Accardo</li>
<li>"Baritsu" -  <span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">Akane Higashiyama</span></li>
<li>"Inspector Lestrade" - Don Hobbs</li>
<li>"John Hector McFarlane" - Donny Zaldin</li>
<li>"Mary Morstan" - Mary Anne Bradley</li>
</ul>
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The evening concluded with Marsha Pollak reading Bill Schweikert's poem "<a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2007/10/episode-12-bob-thomalen-part-2.html">A Long Evening with Holmes</a>," and the assembled members and guests then disassembled.<br />
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<ul><br /></ul>
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The 2012 BSI Weekend Recap — Friday

"Today is Friday" [CARD] Friday is always a hectic day during the BSI Weekend. From impromptu breakfasts to early pilgrimages...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Did Sherlock Holmes Have Asperger Syndrome?

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"a technical character" [SPEC]</h4>
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The BSI 2012 Weekend officially began with the Thursday evening Distinguished Speaker Lecture. In this case, we were honored to have Dr. Lisa Sanders join us.<br />
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Dr. Sanders has written a column for the <i>New York Times</i> since 2002 called "<a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/news/health/columns/diagnosis/">Diagnosis</a>" and it is this column that was the basis of her becoming the technical adviser for <a href="https://amzn.to/36BSozR" rel="nofollow"><b><i>House, M.D.</i></b></a> She is also the author of  <b><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3paDc34" rel="nofollow">Every Patient Tells a Story</a></i></b>. She joined us at the Manhattan Club on January 12 to give the talk <i><b>"Is Holmes Crazy as a Fox, or Just Plain Crazy?"</b></i><br />
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Dr. Sanders opened by saying how thrilled she was to be around people who have the same passion that she does, for she has been a Sherlockian for most of her life In fact, it is her interest in Holmes - having devoured all of the stories and everything related to Sherlock Holmes - that led to her fascination with diagnosis, eventually leading to her becoming a physician after a mid-life crisis. She gave a nod to House, saying that he is not her ideal Holmes, but then "neither is Robert Downey. Jr.," to which the audience responded with a round of applause.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a>Dr. Sanders noted how important Sherlock Holmes was in her life. Her interest in the character opened her up to a new way of looking at diagnosis. She acknowledged the original inspiration behind Holmes, Dr. Joseph Bell (see <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2011/05/great-teacher-cree_30.html#.U-pZn_ldWAU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"The Story of Dr. Joseph Bell</a>" and <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2011/02/insignificant-looking-man-inspired-me_20.html#.U-pZsPldWAU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Sherlock Holmes</a>"), who himself was a master diagnostician. So she began to try to piece together a differential diagnosis for Holmes's behavior. What is that odd behavior that Holmes displays toward Watson when they first met? In her lecture, Dr. Sanders said would try to diagnose it.<br />
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<h4>
<b>Was Sherlock Holmes Bipolar?</b></h4>
In his introduction to <b><i><a href="https://amzn.to/36ttzG1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Complete Sherlock Holmes</a></i></b>, Kyle Freeman wrote that Holmes was bipolar. Dr. Sanders understands the basis for this differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder:  Holmes not speaking for days on end, contrasted with fits of high energy. "If that ain't bipolar disorder, what is?" she remarked.<br />
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She continued, citing the opening of <i>The Sign of Four</i>, with Holmes in a depressed state, using cocaine multiple times a day for many months. To continue, she posited that if one agrees with this diagnosis, one might subscribe to the theory of Moriarty as a figment of Holmes' imagination. After all, he never told Watson about his "Napoleon of crime" prior to "The Final Problem," and even then, Watson never saw Moriarty in the flesh; he took Holmes's word for it. But the mugging, bricks falling, carriage nearly running Holmes over - all could be classified as classic mania, with delusions and paranoia. But Dr. Sanders trusts the intelligence and medical observation of Dr. Watson enough to dissuade her that this was in fact the case.<br />
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<h4>
<b>Was it A.D.D.? </b></h4>
Online article supposes Holmes was suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder. Supported by examples of hyper-focus, the constant self-medicating, either with drugs or activity. But Sanders pointed out that the American Psychological Association's <i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV)</i> states that such a diagnosis requires <u>deficit</u> of attention. There was very little evidence to support Holmes lacking attention.<br />
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<h4>
<b>Sherlock Holmes Suffered from Asperger's Syndrome<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></h4>
Finally, Dr. Sanders settled on her diagnosis. "I think he has Asperger's Syndrome," she stated. A murmur went over the crowd. In justifying her diagnosis, she half playfully said "I'm a doctor, not a lawyer. That means I didn't leave anything out," looking toward some lawyers in the room, to a fit of laughter from the audience. The comparison of doctors and lawyers would continue to be a theme throughout the room on this evening.<br />
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She continued, saying that Asperger's Syndrome, which has been placed in the <a href="http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=94">Autism Spectrum Disorder</a> (ASD), has a number of characteristics that were present in Sherlock Holmes's behavior. Here we give you the proposed DSM-V diagnosis of ASD:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A.    Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays, and manifest by all 3 of the following:<br />
   1.     Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; ranging from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation through reduced sharing of interests, emotions, and affect and response to total lack of initiation of social interaction,<br />
   2.     Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction; ranging from poorly integrated- verbal and nonverbal communication, through abnormalities in eye contact and body-language, or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication, to total lack of facial expression or gestures.<br />
   3.     Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships, appropriate to developmental level (beyond those with caregivers); ranging from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts through difficulties in sharing imaginative play and  in making friends  to an apparent absence of interest in people. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
B.    Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as manifested by at least two of  the following:<br />
   1.     Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects; (such as simple motor stereotypies, echolalia, repetitive use of objects, or idiosyncratic phrases).<br />
   2.     Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change; (such as motoric rituals, insistence on same route or food, repetitive questioning or extreme distress at small changes).<br />
   3.     Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus; (such as strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).<br />
   4.     Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects). </blockquote>
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Dr. Sanders ticked off her list:<br />
<ol>
<li>Deficits of social-emotional reciprocity. Think of the scene when Watson first met Holmes: Holmes was more interested showing off his test than interacting with Watson.</li>
<li>Difficulty in developing and maintaining relationships. Holmes had only one friend.</li>
<li>Lack of picking up on social or emotional cues. Holmes reaction to Watson's write-up of <i>A Study in Scarlet</i> was not very empathetic. Similarly, he thinks of Watson's brother as a case study rather than as a relation of Watson in <i>The Sign of Four</i>.</li>
<li>Restricted repetitive patterns of behavior. Holmes only knows what he knows, as evidenced from Watson's list "Sherlock Holmes: His Limits." [STUD] In addition, the strange interest that manifested through monographs - footprints, tobacco ash, etc.  </li>
</ol>
She didn't go through the entire list, but made a strong enough case with her facts. In addition, she took <a href="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html">an Asperger's test that was developed by Simon Baron Cohen</a> (you can take it too by clicking the link), answering as if she were Holmes. She scored 38 out of 50; anything over 30 is considered Asperger's.<br />
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In terms of evolution and why this disorder still exists today, Dr. Sanders cited advantages of being solitary, thinking on your own, seeing things differently, particularly in hunter/gatherer times. The notion of being a loner (fox) versus part of a pack (dog) could sometimes benefit individuals in the tribe who simply didn't go along with the group-think. <br />
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That concluded the lecture, which led to a few questions from the audience.<br />
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One attendee mentioned the book <a href="https://amzn.to/3LUqBe5" rel="nofollow" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time</a> and said that he himself concluded Holmes did <u>not</u> suffer from Asperger's because of some emotional expressions Holmes made toward Watson. He wondered if we need to look at the survey again. Dr. Sanders remarked that one of the things working against this diagnosis is that Holmes could understand the motivation behind people's behavior; whether or not he had empathy, he understood how emotions influenced actions.<br />
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Another audience member asked, "What's the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath?" Your editor retorted, "The difference between a doctor and a lawyer," which brought down the house. Dr. Sanders, with help from the audience concluded that one is crazy and can't see reality;  the other doesn't care about others or doesn't have guilt.<br />
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A final question was regarding <i>House</i> - the attendee asking which came first, the creation of Gregory House or the influence of Holmes on the character/series? Dr. Sanders said that David Shore wanted to do a medical show, while Paul Attanasio wanted something related to Sherlock Holmes.<br />
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