'ello Children! How's everyone feeling today? Us poor Americans finally got to see the season finale of Doctor Who this last weekend. No, not me, heavens no. I have a tellyvision box, remember? I have no idea why BBC America aired it a month behind. Or why they cut Top Gear. But I digress....
Steven Moffat, one of the Doctor Who writers, just premiered the new series Sherlock Holmes. It. Was. FABULOUS! It's set in present time London, Sherlock lives at 221B Baker St, and his "arch nemesis" has already made an appearance, as it were. Sherlock definitely reminds me of the Doctor, but it's not the same character. (Socially awkward man that can read between the lines and therefore seems insane to any normal person? Check.) Watson reminds me of Hugh Laurie's House, but that just because he has a cane and a general disdain for others. You can't trademark that, can you?
I also like the way they share some information with the viewers. It's strange to describe; for example, the local police are releasing a press statement about some "strange occurrences," to be spoiler free. The police say that the cases are "unrelated," and suddenly every press agent in the room gets a text message that says "Wrong!" When they look at their phones, a little white text pops up that "shows" you what it says. This continues throughout the episode, and I imagine throughout the series. Later, Sherlock is investigated "something" (trying to be spoiler free!) and when he notices something -- "wet," "dry," "clean," "dirty"--the same little white text pops up. I like it. It shares his inner clockwork without spoiling it with forced monologues or conversation that "leads in" to a point. (I can tell when they're setting up a joke or punch line; it's annoying to me.)
It's very witty, and I love the back and forth between the characters. The episode itself, not including commercials or interruptions, is almost an hour and a half. The show is brilliant, cunning, and takes the edge off the Doctor Who withdrawals.
Because what I really needed was another addiction.
Showing posts with label hugh laurie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hugh laurie. Show all posts
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A Bit of Brit
Hello children! Today's topic is on older British television, that's already off the air. No, I'm not talking about Monty Python, simply because it's one of the more popular in the States and doesn't need any more fan service.
But since we're on the subject, I want to take a quick minute and geek on a game called Fluxx. The rules are simple, because they change depending on the cards you play. I'm not going to explain it, but look into it, because it's a blast. The reason I bring it up is because they have a Monty Python version.
I haven't gotten a chance to play it yet, but check out the link to Looney Labs, the creators, for more information.
Okay, onto other shows. I recently found YouTube postings (yes, linked on the left) called "A Bit of Fry and Laurie." If that second name sounds familiar, yes, it's our lovable Dr. House, Hugh Laurie. (What do you mean you don't love Hugh Laurie?! Push off!) He's paired up with Stephen Fry, and they do sketch comedy a la Monty Python. BBC Comedy sponsors the YouTube clips, and the DVDs are available through normal shopping means (oh please, just type it in the Google toolbar, I know you have one).
When I was younger, my older brother was very much into British comedy at the time, and he got Fawlty Towers one year for Christmas. It was about John Cleese's character Basil Fawlty, and Basil's wife Sybil Fawlty (Prunella Scales) and they owned a hotel. Hilarity ensues. The episode that stands out the most (its been 10+ yrs since I've seen it) was when Basil sets up the most amazing surprise birthday party for his wife, but pretends all day that he's forgotten. Sybil drops hints the size of boulders, and just as Basil's about to unveil the surprise, she gets upset and storms out of the hotel and drives off. Too embarrassed to tell the guests what happened (her mother, after all, never quite approved of Basil). And then there was Basil the rat, but I forget what happens.
But since we're on the subject, I want to take a quick minute and geek on a game called Fluxx. The rules are simple, because they change depending on the cards you play. I'm not going to explain it, but look into it, because it's a blast. The reason I bring it up is because they have a Monty Python version.I haven't gotten a chance to play it yet, but check out the link to Looney Labs, the creators, for more information.
Okay, onto other shows. I recently found YouTube postings (yes, linked on the left) called "A Bit of Fry and Laurie." If that second name sounds familiar, yes, it's our lovable Dr. House, Hugh Laurie. (What do you mean you don't love Hugh Laurie?! Push off!) He's paired up with Stephen Fry, and they do sketch comedy a la Monty Python. BBC Comedy sponsors the YouTube clips, and the DVDs are available through normal shopping means (oh please, just type it in the Google toolbar, I know you have one).
When I was younger, my older brother was very much into British comedy at the time, and he got Fawlty Towers one year for Christmas. It was about John Cleese's character Basil Fawlty, and Basil's wife Sybil Fawlty (Prunella Scales) and they owned a hotel. Hilarity ensues. The episode that stands out the most (its been 10+ yrs since I've seen it) was when Basil sets up the most amazing surprise birthday party for his wife, but pretends all day that he's forgotten. Sybil drops hints the size of boulders, and just as Basil's about to unveil the surprise, she gets upset and storms out of the hotel and drives off. Too embarrassed to tell the guests what happened (her mother, after all, never quite approved of Basil). And then there was Basil the rat, but I forget what happens.
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