http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2089811/BBC-Sherlock-producer-threatens-legal-battle-New-York-plans-rival-series.html

"I hope they know their Sherlock Holmes very, very well indeed because we know what's in our show and wasn't in the original.

"So if we did discover our material had made it into somebody else's show we would have a problem with that. If there is no such incidence of that, then there's nothing we can object to."

I love that part, because I would think there are some BBC Sherlock fans who don't know which parts are 'pure ACD' and which aren't.

I am not interested in 'Elementary' at all really. I hate American rip-off shows and refuse to watch them. They've bitten off more than they can chew with this one, it is bound to be a huge flop no matter who they get to play the roles.
To put it in perspective, can you see someone making a successful series called 'Dr Which'?
I think the fanbase for BBC Sherlock is too strong & loyal already; they will pummel it into ratings dust in no time.

I don't think that a bad US version would degrade "Sherlock". I think it would only make it more valuable. And if people get tired of Holmes' stories because of it it would be a shame, but I really think BBC's Sherlock has an enough strong fan base to keep going for a long time. Anyway, I have "hooked" a lot of my friends into it, at least I'm trying to do my part to help 

Now the following post is an overall look at showbiz in the two countries, England and America. It is also a third party perspective but one that is commonly shared among many. It is in no way a racist/nasty comment on the people of these countries.


American TV shows have a habit of 'overdoing' things, thus making them irritating. Their flops are usually BIG flops.
Also (especially in showbiz) there's traditionally a big rivalry between the two countries. Americans believe 'bigger is better'; the English believe in 'quality not quantity'.
Quality not quantity is how Sherlock is being made, and I for one am thankful for that. I have no desire to see a ten part series churned out by Moftiss. Being that the whole Sherlock Holmes theme has originated in England and that the creators grew up not only loving the stories, but relating to them in so much as the settings, the series has been made with the whole intention of honouring the works of ACD. Conan Doyle inspired these current geniuses in their childhood & helped them become the talented men they are today. It's truly part of who they are to some extent.

It is quite likely that "Elementary" will churn out a dozen or so shows. Anything less is unheard of in America if they want a hit show. Try being 'original' while following a certain pattern, it's not easy. And once they start straying too far from the original concept, they lose and cheapen the whole aura of the original.
This body of work is NOT entwined in American history in anyway and the makers have NOT experienced a life long connections with the canon. I have seen in the past Americans take Australian themes and absolutely lose the original heart of the matter by trying to add that American Flair that they seem to think the rest of the world want so badly to see.
They never get it; we don't really care for it at all.

So what I see happening is a show being thrust in our faces, a show without the feeling it should have and a show that tries to allow America to claim it as their own. It won't succeed and it will cheapen the whole concept and THAT is what Moftiss are  cheesed off about. After all the care & attention they have put into lovingly nurturing a fresh 'love affair' with such a classic, some fool who just wants to 'cash in' on the attention Moftiss have created is going to come along and flick grubby commercialism on the same canvas as their masterpiece.

Have we heard the US people say they'll be making the show for years to come? No, and they never will because it may not be profitable for them. Moftiss have every intention of carrying on, because love is worth far more than money.

Last edited by kazza474 (March 22, 2012 3:24 am)

The only possible saving grace for the American programme is that they have cast a brilliant actor in the role of Sherlock Holmes.

Glad you didn't take it personally Brandoman, as I said it's the way most see American showbiz, not people.

I was a little worried after posting that it may offend some people.
Whether Miller will be brilliant playing Holmes, who knows really. My personal views on the actress playing Watson is ... blechhh.

Sadly we also have Jersey Shore and the UK version Geordie Shore, we also have The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), Big Brother, X Factor etc. Not all British TV is high quality and a lot definitely aims at the lowest common denominator.

Is it because many Americans struggle to understand other accents?

Davina wrote:

Is it because many Americans struggle to understand other accents?

It's funny, even within America accents vary from state to state, region to region. I have more trouble understanding southerners than I do English accents.

I will admit that sometimes I did use subtitles when watching The Office on dvd. Some of the dialogue was spoken very quietly and I did have some difficulty from time to time.