TV review: CBS’ ‘Elementary’ can’t quite escape from ‘Sherlock’s’ shadow

By Ashley Bergner/Box Office Buzz

I’ll admit I was somewhat skeptical about CBS’ modern-day take on Sherlock Holmes. The show, which is called “Elementary,” premiered last night and features Holmes as an ex-Scotland Yard consultant who’s living in New York City. Regardless of what CBS officials might say, it’s clear this show is (right or wrong) an attempt to take advantage of the famous literary detective’s recent spike in popularity. The concept of CBS’ show is fairly similar to the BBC’s “Sherlock,” which is set in modern-day London and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes.

As an avid fan of “Sherlock,” I was afraid “Elementary” was simply an attempt to “Americanize” the BBC show. Still, I tried watch “Elementary’s” pilot as objectively as possible and judge it based on its own merits. However, I have to confess the pilot fell just a little bit flat for me. It’s different enough from “Sherlock” that it unfortunately doesn’t share the BBC show’s strengths, and yet it’s similar enough that it can’t escape from “Sherlock’s” shadow.

Get ready for the CBS Holmes series that pissed off Steven Moffat

By Trent Moore, Source: Blastr.com

Ever since the BBC hit it out of the park with its awesome, modern-day reimagining of Sherlock, the classic detective has become a much hotter property on the small screen. The folks at CBS have been trying to get in on the action for a while now, and developed their own Holmes reimagining Elementary in the meantime. So did the U.S. edition of Sherlock Holmes make the schedule?

Why yes, it’s Elementary, my dear Watson: CBS has decided to pick up the modern-day detective series for a season order. The series stars Jonny Lee Miller (Eli Stone) as Sherlock, Lucy Liu as a lady-version of Watson, with Aidan Quinn (Prime Suspect) signed on in a recurring role.

‘Jericho’ to be revived by Netflix?

By Morgan Jeffery , Source: Digital Spy

Netflix is in talks with CBS to revive cult drama Jericho.

The series – which starred Skeet Ulrich and Lennie James – followed the residents of the fictional town of Jericho, Kansas, as they struggle to survive in the aftermath of nuclear attacks on the US.

“Jericho” Gets a Season 4 from IDW in July

by: CBR News Team Editor, Source: CBR.com

The CBS television series “Jericho” debuted in 2006, and detailed the story of Jericho, Kansas following a major nuclear attack on the United States. Despite being beloved by fans, CBS canceled the series after its first season. After CBS received more than 40,000 pounds of nuts from motivated fans, the network reversed its decision to cancel “Jericho” and the series gained a second lease on life. While the show was canceled after a seven-episode second season.

Things looked bleak, until the series received a renewal of sorts — a comic book designed to act as the show’s third season. Originally published by Devil’s Due, IDW Publishing took over the rights and finished out the series. Now, IDW has announced that “Jericho” lives again, with “Jericho: Season Four” on the way in July from writer Kalinda Vazquez and artist Andrew Currie. The series features covers by Tim Bradstreet, and, like “Season Three” will be overseen by the show’s writers.

Why that plan to film a 45-year-old Star Trek script may be dead

By Matthew Jackson, Source: Blastr.com

Just a few weeks ago, we Trek fans were rejoicing at the news that Norman Spinrad’s long-lost original series script “He Walked Among Us” would find new life on the acclaimed web series Star Trek Phase II. Sadly, we’re now hearing the project may be lost forever thanks to that unshakeable buzzkill: A network cease and desist letter.

Spinrad, a Hugo and Nebula-winning sci-fi writer who also scripted the 1967 Trek episode “The Doomsday Machine,” was paid about $5,000 for the “He Walked Among Us” script, but asked series creator Gene Roddenberry to kill the episode after producer Gene Coon “rewrote it into an unfunny comedy.”

CBS’ new Holmes series shakes up Sherlock: Lucy Liu is Watson!

By Trent Moore, Source: Blastr.com

Everyone worried that CBS’ upcoming Sherlock Holmes series Elementary might rip-off the BBC’s exceptional Sherlock can breathe a sigh of relief—because the U.S. version is definitely taking a few liberties.

Genre stalwart Lucy Liu (Rise: Blood Hunter, Kill Bill) has signed on to play Holmes’ partner Dr. Joan Watson, a former surgeon who works with the detective. In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original novels the character was male.

CBS has found its Holmes for that OTHER modern-day Sherlock reboot

By Marc Bernardin, Source: Blastr.com

Even though we’ll still go on the record and say that to launch a present-day Sherlock Holmes TV series in the shadow of the superlative BBC version is folly, at least CBS has found an interesting actor to play the great detective in Elementary.

Jonny Lee Miller—veteran of Trainspotting, Hackers and TV’s Eli Stone and Dexter—will prowl the streets of Manhattan as Arthur Conan Doyle’s storied detective for CBS’s Elementary. No word yet on who’ll be his Watson … but I’ll put money on them casting a woman for the part. Seems like a network thing to do.

CBS Developing Modern ‘Sherlock Holmes’, Adapting ‘Mommy-Track Mysteries’ Books

By NELLIE ANDREEVA, Source: Device.com

On the heels of Sherlock Holmes getting a successful contemporary makeover in features with the Robert Downey Jr.-starring franchise, and on public television with Masterpiece Theater’s Sherlock, the famous 19th century British detective is headed for a commercial TV series update. CBS has bought Sherlock Holmes, a drama project from CBS TV Studios and studio-based Timberman/Beverly Prods., which is described as a modern take on the cases of the pipe-smoking private eye created by Arthur Conan Doyle. Rob Doherty is writing and will executive produce with Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly. Timberman/Beverly has 2 new series on CBS this fall, Unforgettable and A Gifted Man.