Who's next?

Peter Capaldi has announced that he is leaving the role of The Doctor at the end of this year's Doctor Who Xmas special. How will Capaldi's reign as The Doctor be remembered? Only time will tell. Steven Moffat will also be leaving his post at the same time, thereby continuing an unwritten tradition of new showrunners bringing with them new Doctors. Chris Chibnall takes over the running of Doctor Who and will be the one responsible for selecting  the new Doctor. The bookmakers have started taking bets.

You know you are getting old

On Youtube you can watch chart countdowns from Top of the Pops from the 1980's. one from 1987 features LL Cool J getting his first hit and another from 1986 has Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince, The Fresh Prince as everyone knows is Will Smith's old stage name. Seeing this makes you realise you are getting old.

What goes on in Piers Morgan mind?

Last week Ewan Mcgregor pulled out of an interview on Good Morning Britain, some say due to the presence of Piers Morgan. Some saying due to Morgan's unofficial position as cheerleader to President Trump, though to be fair to Morgan he has spoken out on the ban of Muslims from proscribed countries entering the USA. Piers Morgan has often attacked the American love affair with the gun but is no-ones idea of a liberal. Morgan association with the new President began when he won the US version of The Apprentice, this was after being fired on the British version by Lord Sugar. After his CNN show was axed Morgan headed back to Britain. Morgan was brought onto the presenting team in order to boost ratings however BBC Breakfast has maint it's ratings lead. One thing is for sure is that Piers Morgan will continue to say what is on his mind without regard to what anyone else thinks.

Best of: Robin of Sherwood

The show with 2 different Robin Hood in the form of Michael Praed and Jason Connery. Here are the 10 best episodes (I count 2-parters as one)

1. The Swords of Weyland

A coven of devil worshipping witches (disguised as nuns) attempt to bring their master into the world and it is up to Robin and the merry men to stop them. Curious to think that this was early evening family viewing.


2. The Prophecy

Prince John arrives in Nottingham with a mysterious prisoner who has close connection to Marion. Making their first appearances as John and Richard of Leaford respectively Phil Davis and George Baker. And making a guest appearance as John's right hand man playing against his usual good guy image John Nettles.


3. Seven Poor Knight From Acre

A group of Templar Knights take their wrath out on poor villagers believing Robin has stolen their prized relic. Playing one of the Templar Knights is Duncan Preston now best known for his comedic work with Victoria Wood.


4. The Sheriff of Nottingham

King John gets tired of Robert de Renult constant failure to capture Robin Hood . So brings in a ruthless replacement who brings with someone with previous history with one of the merry men. Gust starring Lewis Collins


5. The Greatest Enemy

The Sheriff unlatches a plan to finally to bring Robin Hood to heel. The final episode to feature Michael Preaed as Robin of Loxley


6. The Inheritance

Robin answers a call to help an old family friend and his daughter to defend their castle and the power it keeps from a band ruthless brigands.


7. The Lord of the Trees

Guy of Gisburne brings hired thugs to capture Robin during an important holiday.


8. The Pretender

King John's wife is angered by him taking on a new younger French wife. Her plans involve Robin taking the blame for the new wife's murder. Guest starring Patrica Hodge.


9. The Time of the Wolf

The 2-parter that would become the shows premature finale. The Warlock Gulnar (Richard O'Brien) plans to  kill Herne the Hunter with a duplicate of Robin. Many loose ends were left hanging after financial problems meant no more episodes were made.


10. The Betrayal

King John seems to have turned over an new leaf and villages are seemingly attacked by Robin and the Merry men, is everything as it seems. Gust starring Matt Frewer.

UK's song for Europe

The British entry for this year's Eurovison song contest was decided last night. Lucie Jones will sing Never Give on You when the contest takes place in Kiev in May. I will be posting on the Eurovison closer to the event.

Trainspotting, 21 years later

This week sees the release of the long awaited sequel to Trainspotting. When it was released in 1996 Trainspotting became a pop culture phoemon and taking the careers of those involved in the project to new heights. So a really curious thought came to me when I was watching Tipping Point last night. a young female constentant was asked from which film did the choose life monologue came from, she did not know the answer and when told it she replied she had not seen it. It is curious to think that a film that made such a mark on the public psyche on it's release can be overlooked now.

NTAs, same old same old

It was pretty much business as usual at the National Television Awards last night.. Ant and Dec won best presenter award for the umpteenth time and This Morning won for the countless time. There were some fresh winners, with no Downton Abbey around Casualty won the best drama award and Emmerdale won best soap. But in general the NTA's maintain their predictable nature.

Things to watch on Youtube: Ian Richardson radio interview

Played out to a photo of him in his famous role as Francis Urquhart the conniving Prime Minister in the original British version of House of Cards, is an Australian radio interview with Ian Richardson. Richardson based his performance as FU on a diplomat he met on a RSC tour of Japan. Richardson also talks about the time he played Sherlock Holmes in 2 films, he was actually contracted for 5 but the other 3 were not made due to the famed Granada series starring Jeremy Brett who was a friend of Richardson.

TV drama clear outs

In this week's Radio Times columnist Alison Graham argues that it is time for Silent Witness to be axed, arguing that the some what atrocious scenes of pathologists taking part in police interrogations and other aspects of investigations. She says that it has had a good run for 20 years but it is now time for it to go.  Silent Witness started in 1996 as an Amanda Burton starring vehicle (she left in 2004) and has been going ever since, to put this in prospective BBC1 that launched 2 other succesful dramas in the form of Ballykissangel and Dalziel & Pascoe. Ballykissangel finished in 2001 and Dalziel and Pascoe came to an end in 2007. Graham points out that the BBC has enough shows to do with out Silent Witness and this brings us to an interesting point. In the early 1990's an number of long running BBC drama hits came to an end including Bergerac, Howard's Way, All Creatures Great and Small and the highly debatable axing of Doctor Who. On the DVD release of the last Doctor Who story broadcast Survival Peter Creegan the head Drama at the BBC at the time argues that these needed to go to freshen up the schedules though by the argument he gives Casualty should have ended in 1993. However the shows that were supposed to have replaced the hits turned to be complete flops, who can remember Moon & Son or Trainer to name just 2 examples. Graham does argue that the BBC does have enough shows to axe Silent Witness though given the example of the early 1990's full blown clear outs tend to have the opposite effect.

The end of Bernie

The end of an era of Formula One has come. With the sale of F1 to Liberty Media the reign of Bernie Ecclestone has come to an end. During his time F1  grew to become one of the most watched sports in the World today though not without putting some noises out of joint. He took away the power of the teams like Ferrari, McLaren and Williams and gave it to himself. What happens to F1 now remains an intriguing prospect.

When UK TV shows go aboard

Next week Silent Witness has a storyline that sees main character Niki going to Mexico. This is not the first time that a British TV show has taken it's characters out of their usual haunts.


Doctor Who (1963-1989)

Granted this is a show about a character who can go anywhere in time and space but his earthbound adventures tended to be stuck in the UK with the overseas locations done in the studio. In 1979's City of Death Doctor Who had it's first overseas location filming. This was was followed with trips to Amsterdam, Lanzarote and Seville. In addition to being itself Lanzarote also took on the role of an alien planet.


Only Fools and Horses

In 1991 in a 2 part special Del and Rodney went on holiday to Miami Del mainly to get away from the heat of an another business deal gone wrong. The second part features the brothers getting mixed up with the Mafia. The second part is perhaps the closest we got to an Only Fools and Horses movie with many cinematic touches and a cameo from Barry Gibb.


Inspector Morse

Not even a character so identified with one location is safe from having the odd trip abroad. More regularly going through the tangled webs of emotions in Oxford, Morse and his loyal deputy Lewis in 2 episodes found themselves going Australia and Italy to follow up on case leads.

When Lex Luthor was US President

In 2000 arch villain Lex Luthor became President of the United States of America in the fictional DC Comics universe. At this point Lex was depicted as a publicly trusted tycoon while in away from the public eye he was in cahoots with other villians like the Joker. In the first year of his presidency Luthor faced down an alien invasion with the help of the World's superheroes. However he still had his vendetta against Superman and plotted to get rid of both him and Batman through the use of brainwashed superheroes, super steroid and alien warsuits, though  as always his plans ended in failure and his Presidency ended in disgrace. Richard Donner director of the original Christopher Reeve Superman film said he wished the character existed in real life and named a certain person who has been in the news lately. Can you guess who?

Muted TV farewells

Some shows have a grand exit others just fade away

Grandstand

The programme that brought the world's sporting events to British TV audiences was announced in 2006 to be stopped then suddenly in 2007 it broadcast the last edition. The event shown? The World Indoor Bowls Championship.

Heartbeat

From it's debut in 1992 the show became a ratings titan to ITV despite critic sneers. Yet by 2008 the show was under pressure as ITV look to make savings in the face of falling advertising revenue. Heartbeat ended in 2010.

Top of the Pops

After spending it's last year as a regular weekly show in a BBC2 early Sunday evening graveyard slot, Top of the Pops came to an end in 2006, the last unfortunate image being Jimmy Savile switching off the studio lights. BBC4 show with certain exceptions (as I have explained before) and the annual Xmas special.

Rory Bremner: A man ahead of his time?

In his early 1990s BBC2 show had a recurring sketch which feature renowned Margaret Thathcer Impersonator Steve Nallon and John Bird. The Sketch featured Thatcher and 2 other world leaders making statements with the last one being either weird, wacky or barbed. There were 2 variations to this, one had Helmut Kohl played by Bremner and Bird playing Francois MItterand while the other had George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev being played by Bremner and Bird respectively, Here is a sample take from the first line up

Kohl: We the Germans sank The Hood

Thacher:: We the British sank The Bismarck

Mitterand: We the French sank the Rainbow Warrior (Mitterand realises he said something he should not have said)

Now here is one from the another line up which is interesting given today's events in Washington D. C.

Thatcher: In the UK any ordinary person can become a millionaire

Gorbachev: In the Soviet Union any ordinary person can become President

Bush: In the USA any ordinary millionaire can become President

I doubt a certain someone may disagree with that view

Why Father Brown  should be in the spotlight

Today saw the end of the current series of Father Brown, The show sees Mark Williams of The Fast Show fame play G. K. Chesterton crime solving priest. The drama has been running for 4 years now, yet it remains in a weekday daytime slot, although viewers of both Drama and Alibi digital channels can see reruns of it on both channels, for me it is one of the best crime fiction shows on UK TV right now and I think the programmes should get a slot that would give it a much wider audience. BBC2 could put it in the 6pm slot as Eggheads is clearly is on it last legs or when there is no sport (which is quite frequent these days) on a Saturday afternoon instead of the dredge of property porn. Father Brown deserves his time to shine

When the host is an answer

Tonight's Pointless saw a round in which contestants were asked to name an artist who had one of the top 40 best selling albums in the UK in 2015. One contestant gave the name of  none other than Pointless host Alexander Armstrong who had released an album called A Year of Songs.  The answer turned out to be pointless. Armstrong was delighted to find out his album was that big a seller..

Forgotten comic stars

Some comedy performers after their death go on to legend status like Morcombe and Wise others seem to be forgotten for one reason or other.

Dustin Gee

After appearing on Russ Abbot's Madhouse, Gee started a partnership with Les Dennis which saw them get their own programme on BBC1. Dustin Gee died at the young age of 43 in 1986 after he collapsed  when he was appearing in Panto. Gee had an number of famous admirers including Billy Connolly who told Les Dennis that he regretted never meeting him and John Cleese thought Gee's take on Basil Fawlty was the best he had seen.


Dick Emery

Emery was a superstar on the of his character and catchphrase based comedy. the most famous phrase being 'Ohh...  you are awful but I like you'. Emery died in 1983, but his shows have been very rarely repeated.  However you can see his influence on the likes of Harry Enfield and Harry Hill.


Mary Feldman

Feldman made his name on At Last the 1948 Show with future Pythons John Cleese  and Graham Chapman and Tim Brroke-Taylor future Goodie. The show featured the famed Yorkshiremen sketch. Feldman would later star in his own BBC series to much acclaim. Feldman would later then move to Hollywood where he star in Young Frankenstein for Mel Brooks. When making the film Yellowbread with Graham Chapman Feldman died in his Mexican hotel room aged  48 in 1982. Nowadays Feldman is more known for his work for other people rather than his own material.

Pointless Theresa

During the first round of tonight's Pointless, contestants were asked to identified from a group of photographs of politicians who had lead their party in Prime Minister's question time. One offered the name of someone whose name she had heard of but did not know what they looked, Theresa May!!!

A change for A Question of Sport?

News has emerged that A Question of Sport is reportedly is going to radically overhauled. The show has been seen failing to gain a more youthful audience so therefore changes have been demanded, with guest panelists to be picked to reflect a greater range of society. It is also rumoured that Sue Barker who has been hosting the show since 1997 taking over from the legendary David Coleman. A Question of Sport has outlasted many would be rivals like ITV's Sporting Triangles in it's nearly 50 year existence.. Perhaps the shows most famous moment came in 1987 when Emlyn Hughes during the Picture Board round thought a mud caked jockey was a man only to be told that the person in the photo was Princess Anne and that she would be appearing the next week. Whether the new look for the show pays off is a question for the future.

Leaking online

The final episode of the current series of Sherlock has leaked online, the episode had been shown at a preview to the press on Thursday. The incident recalls the time when the first episode of the episode of the revived Doctor Who was leaked in a smiler manner. Will the leak drive viewing figures down or will viewers tune in as always? We will find out soon.

No white up please

Sky have announced that it will not show Urban Myths:Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon a comic drama which explores the idea that after 9/11 Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson and Marlon Brando undertook a road trip from New York to Los Angles. Taylor is played by Stockard Channing and Brian Cox playing Brando. playing Jackson and the reason why the programme is white British actor Joseph Fiennes. This led to members of the Jackson family to attack the casting of Fiennes and hence the programme was dropped. Though the Jackson family really should accept that in the last years of his life Michael Jackson's facial had for whatever reason had changed drastically. So can casting directors be blamed for casting actors who in a way at least look like the person they are playing.

3 unsuccessful game show comebacks

With the news of The Crystal Maze's return it is worth noting that some shows that come back to a rather muted reaction.

The Kyprton Factor

After a 14 year gap, ITV brought back the show that tested it's contestants all around abilities. The first series stuck to the 5 rounds of the classic however the famed physical ability round saw just 2 contestants compete at a time instead of all 4. The revised show got a second series but was axed again in 2010. Host Ben Shepard would have better luck with the next game show he would host Tipping Point.

Treasure Hunt

In 2002 BBC2 screened a pilot week of episode of the one of the most definitive shows of early Channel 4 hit Treasure Hunt. With new hosts Suzi Perry and Dermot Murmagan the week did well enough to justify a full series, However in 2003 it fell victim to some erratic scheduling and viewing figures dwindled.  The show was quietly axed.

It's a Knock Out

Channel 5 revived the show that saw towns compete against each other. With representative's wearing out sized customes while trying to complete a challenge. the show started off well in the ratings but after a massive decline Channel 5 axed the show in 2001.

The return of The Crystal Maze

After a one off special that was broadcast last year Channel 4 have announced that The Crystal Maze is returning. The show was one Channel' 4's biggest hit in the 1990, thanks to the presenting style of Richard O'Brien as he made witty comments as a contestant would try to figure where to put a pole. The Show ended in 1995, 2 years after O'Brien left with Ed Tudor-Pole taking over as host. Richard Ayoade will take on the on the position  of host, one will wait and see if he the originals magic.

The missing Top of the Pops explained

Anyone watching the repeats of Top of the Pops on BBC4 will find it a somewhat disorienting experience, one edition an act may be at number 1 and the next edition shown sees them down the charts at a swift rate. The fact is that some editions are not shown for an number of reasons, the most rare is the poor sound quality of some shows, then there is those that hosted by the two men who have come to be called the Yewtree 2 Jimmy Savile whose crimes caused the creation of the operation and Dave Lee Travis who was brought to justice because of it, one effect was  that in the run of 1981 episodes The Police's sole week at the top of the charts with Everything She Does is Magic as that week's edition was hosted by Travis. The other is the refusal by the late Mike Smith to allow the editions he present to be shown, this started in the 1990's when he was still alive when he stopped the old UK Gold showing his shows, after his death in 2014 his widow Sarah Greene has carried on with his wishes. The reason for Smith reluctance was an attempt to distance from his television career (I touched on 2 shows he worked in both End of the Road for Noel Edmonds and Rembering Ghostwatch) and as he took up a career in helicopter filming. This week BBC4 will start showing editions from 1983 and at lest 14 will not be shown due to the reasons above. Savile and Travis both presented their final shows in 1984 and Smith carried on until 1988.

World Cup expansion

This week members of FIFA voted to increase the number of nations who will compete at the World Cup to 48. The teams will play in 16 groups of 3 with the top 2 teams going through to the knock out stages. The decision has of course met with some criticism with some saying that it is just another cash grab. We have a 9 year wait to see how it all turns out.

Gamesmaster, 25 years on

This year it has been 25 years since Gamesmaster made it's debut on Channel 4, the show still to this day remains the the high mark  of how gaming is covered on television. The show was a mix of challenges, reviews and tips. The challenges would see the challenger trying to match a target such completing a level of a game by a time limit, they would be one in which would seen a celebrity take part and on some occasions they compete against someone else in a beat them up or sports game. The review section saw members of the gaming press pass verdict on the latest titles. Then there was the tips section in which gamers would ask advice from the eponymous Gamesmaster, Patrick Moore took on the role with a sense of bemusement. With the exception of one series the show was presented by Dominik Diamond with a mischievous sense of humour. Gamesmaster ran from 1992 to 1998 but the name lives on by being the name of one the UK's biggest selling gaming magazines. Nothing before and after has matched Gamesmaster for it's coverage of gaming on TV.

You can watch episodes on Youtube

Sherlock and the case of the unsubtle references

For anyone has not seen the episode The Lying Detective please do not read any further because there are SPOILERS

In The Lying Detective Sherlock goes up against Culverton Smith who to the public is a cherry Northern celebrity. He is popular with children, raises vast sums of money for charity and is connected to the highest levels of the establishment. However there is a darker side to him such as intimidating anyone who dares to question in public and visits the morgue in the hospital he had raised money for on a regular basis. The obvious inspiration for Culverton Smith is Jimmy Savile. This is not the first time that Sherlock has featured a villain who has a real life inspiration, His Last Vow features a media Mogul who has a lot of influence on those who sit in positions of power. One real life media mogul comes to mind instantly. Both episodes were written by Steven Moffat and one wonders if there was any personal axe to grind.

TV Review: Taboo

Starring Tom Hardy, Oona Chaplin, Jonathan Pryce

Drama, 9:15pm, Saturday, BBC1

Taking the prize of the most unusual programme ever to be put on a BBC1 Saturday night schedule is Taboo. Unlike other costume dramas for example Poldark it goes for a much a grounded approach. The only thing it has in common with Poldark is that both feature characters coming back from the dead and causing much commotion. Taboo is a much more darker brew, featuring the use of words that you would not normally find in a programme of this type, Tom Hardy's character going through what could only be called a mental breakdown in a mortuary and being shot in a sepia tone. Tom Hardy brings his intense A-game, Jonathan Pryce does his snake oil salesman act very well and the actors who make his band of conspirators are all despicable to the core. Taboo may not be for everyone taste but the next 7 episodes should be worth it for those who stick with it.

Jaime Oliver and Brexit

News has broke that Jamie Oliver is to close an number of his restaurants. Among the reasons was rising costs caused by the frothcoming Brexit. Will this spur Oliver into action where he confront the exponents of Brxut including Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and Iain Duncan Smith for pursing their political dogma over the nation's taste buds?

A brief history of sport on Channel 4

From Saturday the BDO World Darts Championship will run for 9 days, however it will for the first time will not be going out on it's traditional home of the BBC but instead it will be going out on Channel 4. The BBC cut its ties with the BDO to save costs and cover the 2 day Champions League of Darts run by the rival body the PDC and Channel 4 replacing the Beeb for the BDO event.
Channel 4 covering Darts is a long way from the sports it covered when it started in 1982. For about a decade and a half brought to the British viewer sports not usually seen by the British viewer. American Football, Aussie Rules Football, Baseball. Basketball, Gaelic Football, Sumo Wrestling and that curiosity from India Kabaddi. There was also coverage of events like the Tour De France. And in the days when Channel 4 had close ties with ITV, they jointly covered the 1988 Summer Olympics.
In 1992 saw Channel 4 take it's first steps in the sporting mainstream. It started coverage of Italy's serue A Football League. This was prompted in part by the presence of English players David Plattt, Paul Ince and the most famous of them all, Paul Gascoigne. For the next 10 years during the course of the League season, a live match would be shown on a Sunday afternoon. Though by the end  Channel 4 showed matches infrequent before dropping it.
In 1998 Channel 4 did the unthinkable and snatched the rights to England's Test Cricket team home matches from the BBC. Despite the fury of Countdown fans angry that they favourite show being deplaced in the schedules, C4 gained praise and awards for it's coverage. However in a running theme Sky came brought the rights.
The sport that Channel 4 had the longest association with was Horse Racing. The peak came when from 2012 to 2016 it held a monopoly of Free to Air coverage that included big events including the Grand National. However with declining ratings for the big meetings the deal ended with ITV raking over.
Perhaps the most infamous chapter in Channel 4's sport coverage was when it brought the rights to cover the World Athletics Championships. For the 2011 event Gadget Show presenter Ortis Delay was chosen to anchor the coverage. But making a large number of gaffes he was replace midway through and the IAAF sold the rights back to the BBC.
Channel 4 has most recently started to cover the Formula 1 World Championship after the BBC (as with the BDO World Darts Championship) cut short it's contract to save costs. However in 2019 (yet again) Sky will have exclusive rights.
How long Channel 4 and the BDO will be together remains to be seen. However one thing that you can count is that Channel 4 will always make a surprise with what sports it covers.

Yorkshire book seller update

Steve Bloom who gained attention after calling  a book shop visitor a 'pain in the arse' if they refused to pay a 50p entrance fee has now apologised for the comments he made The head of the local parish council has suggested  Mr Bloom should go on a charm offencive in to ease the upset and difficulties he has caused in the local community.

Basil Fawlty now owns a book shop in Yorkshire

Steve Bloom the owner of a book shop called Bloomingdales in the Yorkshire town of Hawes has found himself in the national press for his treatment of a Customer. Mr Bloom has a policy of that if anyone enters the shop they have to pay 50p though it is refunded if an item is bought. When one such person refused to pay up Mr Bloom called them a pain in the arse. Mr Bloom has been the subject of complaints to the local parish council about his behaviour, Mr Bloom justifies the entrance fee as a way of sorting out serious prospective buyer. Though there have many complaints about Mr Bloom at least one review on the Internet said the entrance was worth it.

The dangers of reality

The line up of Channel 4's ski jumping based show The Jump has been revealed, it is mostly made up of sports people including Cycling's Sir Bradley Wiggins, Rugby player Jason Robinson, Gymnast Louis Smith and Taekwondo' Jade Jones. Jones involvement has driven the sport's UK governing body to air it concerns.. The last series had seen several injuries including Rebbecca Adlington dislocating her shoulder and Beth Tweedle need surgery on her spine. Given (even though she is a twice Olympic gold medallist) that at age of 23 Jones still has much of her career ahead of her the concerns were raised for her. Though this not the first time the question of safety has hanged over a TV programme. There was the tragic death of Micheal Lush (as described in my post about Noel Edmonds) which brought about the end of The Late, Late Breakfast Show. And then there was Richard Hammond's brush with death when driving a high powered vehicle and left fighting for his life which he won. Perhaps it is human nature for people to see other people do things that they would not do, but the big question is it worth in the end?

Most shocking Pointless answers: The follow up

Just a couple of hours after I posted my previous post the most hugely wrong Pointless answers then the web becomes alive with one that ended a friendship. When asked the question to name a country whose name ends with 2 constants, a contestant gives the answer Paris. Her partner is shown grimacing hence the talk of a friendship ended. Until the pair set the matter straight we shall never know.

Most shocking Pointless answers

These are the 3 most shocking answers given on Pointless that can be found on Youtube

1. A contestant who is a maths teacher says he is bad at geography. He confirms this with his answer to the question name a US state. He comes up with Mexico. Just as well he does not teach geography.

2. The category is assassinations. The clue is assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas. The given  answer is J.R. though to be fair to the contestant she realises that her answer is massively wrong a second after giving it.

3. When asked to name the piece of work in which a fictional educator appeared in. A contestant says that The Karate Kid's Mr Miyagi appeared in Mr Miyagi and the Magical Instruments. That he gives his answer in a rather carefree way you know he is making it up just to save face.

Best of: Sherlock Holmes - Jeremy Brett

For many Jeremy Brett was the definitive take of Arthur Conan Doyle's consulting detective. Here are the ten best episodes.

1. The Final Problem

Holmes and Watson go to Europe to escape the wrath of Professor (Eric Porter giving the character an almost satanic edge) Moriarty. The final shot of Holmes and Moriarty falling down the Reichenbach Falls  has a  haunting quality

2. The Solitary Cyclist

A young female music teacher turns to Holmes for help when on her bicylce ride to work she finds she is being followed by same cyclist. The episode features Holmes showing his Boxing skills on a South African Ruffian.

3. The Red Headed League

When a shop owner finds himself with a second job on the basis of the colour of his hair, he of course turns to Holmes for help who discover that a masterfully planed crimes is about to take place. Gust starring Richard (who at one point wears a red wig) Wilson and Tim McInerny. And even though the character does not appear in the original story, Eric Porter makes his first appearance as Moriarty.

4. The Master Blackmailer

Robert Hardy is Charles Augustus Milverton, the titular character whose ruthless schemes that leave emotional and physical pain have Holme considered Milverton to be worse than most murderers. Milverton gets a suitable ending

5. The Six Napoleons

When busts of Napoleon are being destroyed, Inspector (Colin Jevaons) Lestrade turns to Holmes for help. And when a murder is commited at the sight of the next destroyed bust it brings a connection with a previous case Holmes worked on. Featuring guest appearances by British comedy legend Eric Sykes and a pre Star Trek: The Next Genartion Marina Sirtis.

6. The Copper Beeches

A young governess turns to Holmes for help when her new employer makes an number of unusal demands of her such as cutting her hair. Guest starring Natasha Richardson and Joss Ackland

7. The Sign of Four

A series of impossible murders have a motive that trace back to India.  The episode features an night time boat chase. With guest appearences by Jenny Seagrove, Ronald Lacey and in the year he made his first showing as Inspector Morse, an unreconisble John Thaw,

8. The Dying Detective

Holmes pits his wits with Culverton Smith, an expert on poison when his cousin's wife becomes concerned with the influence he has over her husband. And then Holmes himself takes ill. Featuring an early appearance by Hugh Bonneville who at the time was credited as Richard Bonneville.

9. Shoscombe Old Place

Holmes is asked by a race horse trainer to look into the odd behaviour of his employer and what connections it may have with his sister health. Featuring an early appearance  by Jude Law who himself would go on to play Watson  in the Robert Downy jr Sherlock Holmes films

10. The Disappearnce of Lady Frances Carfax

When on holiday Watson makes the acquaintance of an independent and strong minded woman. When she disappears he asks Holmes to help in the investigation with suspicion falling on one of her suitors.