# Is Benedict Cumberbatch the best (gay or not) Sherlock Holmes ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 31, 2011, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926 "2011-12-31T08:13:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/81 "2012-01-20T14:18:08Z")
Famous Last Lines: ‘Either that wallpaper goes or…’ ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/82 "2012-01-20T14:29:16Z")
> [@PrettyVacant](#): > > Famous Last Lines: > > ‘Either that wallpaper goes or…’ Well, Sherlock did shoot it! ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/83 "2012-01-20T21:55:26Z")
But did it die… ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_I\_Am](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@Sam\_I\_Am](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_I_Am)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/84 "2012-01-21T00:12:17Z")
The third season has been confirmed [http://www.thestar.com/article/1116217--bbc-s-sherlock-returning-for-third-season](http://www.thestar.com/article/1116217--bbc-s-sherlock-returning-for-third-season) ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/85 "2012-01-21T00:24:38Z")
I think he’s marvellous. The other Sherlocks I’ve seen were collections of quirks and mannerisms. Benedict Comberbatch’s Sherlock is a full, three-dimensional human being - the quirks grow organically from the character, rather than being done because they’re in the text. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/86 "2012-01-21T01:47:20Z")
What a total wiseass SH is? That Watson isn’t an idiot? That Lestrade isn’t an idiot? That Mrs Hudson isn’t an idiot? No, it’s the decorating. I’ve spent money and effort, neither of which I offer lightly, to steam and scrape off better 1960s-70s wallpaper. Masterpiece Theatre/Mystery/or whatever they call it on the BEEB, has always held, as its centerpiece (sorry, “centerpiece”), beyond the stories, impeccable, if dated, interior decor. “Sherlock” looks like several unfamiliar and uncoordinated dogs barfed on the walls. Except that would be easier to remove than foils. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/87 "2012-01-21T02:01:40Z")
I’ve merged **dropzone** ’s post into this thread. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/88 "2012-01-21T02:08:01Z")
Tanx, bro. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/89 "2012-01-21T02:10:00Z")
FTR, as a Yank I can happily spell several versions of “thanks,” but “centre” eludes me. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/90 "2012-01-21T09:29:43Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Masterpiece Theatre/Mystery/or whatever they call it on the BEEB, … It doesn’t exist on the BBC. Masterpiece was created by WGBH Boston as a way of showing a random selection of entirely unrelated British dramas under one umbrella title on PBS. They’re not all BBC shows, either. The wallpaper seems to have been the creative decision of Paul McGuigan, who directed _A Study In Pink._ Has a thing about wallpaper, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/91 "2012-01-21T23:57:57Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I am sure you will all be thrilled to hear that [CBS is planning a new Sherlock series](http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/115338-CBS-Investigates-New-Sherlock-Holmes-TV-Show). Climb on that bandwagon. Gosh, what a coincidence! [Or not.](http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/legal-thriller-looms-as-sherlock-takes-his-caseload-to-new-york-6292682.html)… > [@](#): > > Sue Vertue, Sherlock Executive Producer at Hartswood Films, said: “We understand that CBS are doing their own version of an updated Sherlock Holmes. It’s interesting, as they approached us a while back about remaking our show. At the time, they made great assurances about their integrity, so we have to assume that their modernised Sherlock Holmes doesn’t resemble ours in any way, as that would be extremely worrying.” She added: “We are very proud of our show and like any proud parent, will protect the interest and wellbeing of our offspring.” > > …it is _Elementary_’s relocation of the character to a modern setting which may closely impinge on the BBC series, which has made laptops and text messaging an important element of its plots. > > Margaret Tofalides, a copyright specialist at law firm Manches, said: “The concept of a new Sherlock Holmes is unprotectable. But if the unusual elements of the BBC series – the modern settings, characters, clothes, plots and distinctive visual style – were closely reproduced in the CBS version, that could form the basis of a potential copyright claim.” Sherlock Holmes is quite adaptable. And we’ve got a couple of ongoing shows here that feature “modern” Sherlocks–without using the name. US producers _are_ capable of creating good original work. Let’s see them do it… ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/92 "2012-01-22T00:14:37Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > FTR, as a Yank I can happily spell several versions of “thanks,” but “centre” eludes me. OK. You’re offended by British English and British interior decorating retro trends. Enough to make separate posts on each. Glad you’re focusing on the heart of the show. My advice? Don’t watch British shows. They’re not for you. Go back to Kim Kardashuan Screws Dallas or whatever it is you guys watch. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926/93 "2012-01-22T00:19:16Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I am sure you will all be thrilled to hear that [CBS is planning a new Sherlock series](http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/115338-CBS-Investigates-New-Sherlock-Holmes-TV-Show). Climb on that bandwagon. Given the length of copyright terms Hollywood wanks over in its fantasies, it seems somewhat hypocritical of them using Holmes because it’s out of copyright. Surely in their dream world it still would be? Can we shut down Hollywood studio websites for using content that isn’t theirs? That’s what they were lobbying for, right? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-benedict-cumberbatch-the-best-gay-or-not-sherlock-holmes-ever/607926.md?page=4)