More Nonsense.

[Herlock Sholmes]

https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/...215242466.html

Is there absolutely nothing that people won’t find a reason to make a PC complaint about. All this waffle about ‘tropes.’

She was playing a Chinese person so they object to her using a Chinese accent. As far as I can recall, and I haven’t seen the episode for a while, the character hadn’t been born in England and I don’t think that she’d been in the country that long. So surprise, surprise she didn’t sound like Joanna Lumley.

They objected to her wearing traditional clothing. Why? This wasn’t in any way a caricature. She was actually demonstrating a traditional and ancient Chinese Tea Ceremony in a museum. How could this be an issue. Does this mean that no Chinese actress can ever wear traditional Chinese clothes. Can no actress from an Indian background wear a sari?

They make an issue of there being a ‘damsel in distress.’ What about their version of The Hound were the person in distress was a man?

The use of Chinese music…. ff’s sake. This was about a museum containing ancient Chinese artefacts and with scenes in Chinatown. Perhaps they should have played Led Zeppelin or a bit of Louis Armstrong? It surely would have addd to the atmosphere when she was carefully warming the teapot to hear the strains of “well Hello Dolly….”

The episode was about the Tongs and smuggling. This really happens. It was in no way hinting or suggesting that all Chinese are baddies.

And one Twitter, halo-wearing dimwit said “why are asians always victims?” Are they? Evidence?

And the sad thing is that I’m just surprised that Gattiss and Moffat haven’t done what many have done by issuing a nauseating, self-serving, masochistic, whining apology.

Tell these people to f**k off and find something constructive to do instead of wasting everyone else’s oxygen.

[Enigma]

Never fear, they will soon forget about this and be as equally outraged tomorrow about something else.

[erobitha]

The episode was also a nod to the Victorian Chinese opium industry which was prevalent back then. If she is meant to be playing a Chinese character, and she is actually Chinese, it would make sense she spoke in a Chinese accent. Nothing to see here.

If the woke really want to get angsty about historical TV shows as being racist tropes, perhaps they should venture back to the 1970s with 'Love Thy Neighbour' and 'Mind Your Language'. They would have a field day with those. Sherlock is much ado about nothing.

[mpriestnall]

https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/...215242466.html

The use of Chinese music…. ff’s sake. This was about a museum containing ancient Chinese artefacts and with scenes in Chinatown. Perhaps they should have played Led Zeppelin or a bit of Louis Armstrong? It surely would have addd to the atmosphere when she was carefully warming the teapot to hear the strains of “well Hello Dolly….”

I was going to suggest "Tea for Two" but realized that might have sounded too Chinese.

[Ms Diddles]

I skim-read Herlocks post before actually opening the link and thought he was defending some episode of The Avengers where Joanne Lumley had "Chinesed up" to, I dunno, infiltrate some opium smuggling gang or whatever!!

I was about to clamber on my woke high horse as per.

Dr No was on telly last weekend, and I was curling my toes at some of the Chinese characters played by obviously white actors, and who can forget Micky Rooney's chinese neighbour in Breakfast at Tiffany's?

Admittedly they were different times, but looking at it now is pretty excruciating.

Then I opened the link.

This is much more subtle and yeah, my instinct is to agree that this is bullshit.

I'm pleased that the writers haven't followed the traditional route of issuing a grovelling apology.

I have always really liked Mark Gatiss. He's super smart and may well have an interesting and considered riposte.

I'm going out on the lash this afternoon with my lovely, crazy, Iraqi pal.

I'm going to ask her how she'd feel about playing a kind of equivalent Arab role.

She will likely look at me quizzically, light her cigarette and say " I wouldn't give a f#@k, daaahhling. Now, what are we drinking?? "

[Ms Diddles]

Hahaha! I just realised that "bullshit" becomes as "Bellshill" on my predictive text.

I thought Barnflatwyngarde might enjoy that!!!

[Herlock Sholmes]

I skim-read Herlocks post before actually opening the link and thought he was defending some episode of The Avengers where Joanne Lumley had "Chinesed up" to, I dunno, infiltrate some opium smuggling gang or whatever!!

I was about to clamber on my woke high horse as per.

Dr No was on telly last weekend, and I was curling my toes at some of the Chinese characters played by obviously white actors, and who can forget Micky Rooney's chinese neighbour in Breakfast at Tiffany's?

Admittedly they were different times, but looking at it now is pretty excruciating.

Then I opened the link.

This is much more subtle and yeah, my instinct is to agree that this is bullshit.

I'm pleased that the writers haven't followed the traditional route of issuing a grovelling apology.

I have always really liked Mark Gatiss. He's super smart and may well have an interesting and considered riposte.

I'm going out on the lash this afternoon with my lovely, crazy, Iraqi pal.

I'm going to ask her how she'd feel about playing a kind of equivalent Arab role.

She will likely look at me quizzically, light her cigarette and say " I wouldn't give a f#@k, daaahhling. Now, what are we drinking?? "

We could Ben Kingsley playing Gandhi too I guess.

I know that perhaps I get too irritated by this stuff but I can’t help wondering what the world will be like in years time if these petty objections keep becoming the norm with those that the comments are aimed at gradually become less and less willing to stand up and say “hold on….that’s crap” for fear of being labelled an ‘ist’ or a ‘phobe?’ The more it goes unchallenged, the more it becomes the norm, so that one day we’ll find ourselves in a situation when we’re petrified of doing or saying anything. I think we’re some way down that road already. There’s also the danger of real issues been lost in a swarm of imagined ones.

Enjoy your afternoon Ms D

[Ms Diddles]

We could Ben Kingsley playing Gandhi too I guess.

I know that perhaps I get too irritated by this stuff but I can’t help wondering what the world will be like in years time if these petty objections keep becoming the norm with those that the comments are aimed at gradually become less and less willing to stand up and say “hold on….that’s crap” for fear of being labelled an ‘ist’ or a ‘phobe?’ The more it goes unchallenged, the more it becomes the norm, so that one day we’ll find ourselves in a situation when we’re petrified of doing or saying anything. I think we’re some way down that road already. There’s also the danger of real issues been lost in a swarm of imagined ones.

Enjoy your afternoon Ms D

Thanks, Herlock!

I sure will!

I'd forgotten about Ben Kingsley as Gandhi.

As above, my primary concern with this stuff is that it detracts from the really bad, serious prejudice and bigotry but hey, I fear we have done this dance many times before!!!

[Joshua Rogan]

Ben Kingsley? You mean Krishna Bhanji?

[Herlock Sholmes]

Ben Kingsley? You mean Krishna Bhanji?

Thanks Joshua. I didn’t know that.

[Ms Diddles]

Ben Kingsley? You mean Krishna Bhanji?

Oh! That's interesting.

I didn't know that either.

[MrBarnett]

I skim-read Herlocks post before actually opening the link and thought he was defending some episode of The Avengers where Joanne Lumley had "Chinesed up" to, I dunno, infiltrate some opium smuggling gang or whatever!!

I was about to clamber on my woke high horse as per.

Dr No was on telly last weekend, and I was curling my toes at some of the Chinese characters played by obviously white actors, and who can forget Micky Rooney's chinese neighbour in Breakfast at Tiffany's?

Admittedly they were different times, but looking at it now is pretty excruciating.

Then I opened the link.

This is much more subtle and yeah, my instinct is to agree that this is bullshit.

I'm pleased that the writers haven't followed the traditional route of issuing a grovelling apology.

I have always really liked Mark Gatiss. He's super smart and may well have an interesting and considered riposte.

I'm going out on the lash this afternoon with my lovely, crazy, Iraqi pal.

I'm going to ask her how she'd feel about playing a kind of equivalent Arab role.

She will likely look at me quizzically, light her cigarette and say " I wouldn't give a f#@k, daaahhling. Now, what are we drinking?? "

Just wanted to echo your comments on Gatiss, Ms D. He is indeed very sharp and has a real way with words.

Did you see his episode of Who Do You Think You Are? One of the best ever in my opinion. Or his documentary about M. R. James, the ghost story writer?

[Ms Diddles]

Just wanted to echo your comments on Gatiss, Ms D. He is indeed very sharp and has a real way with words.

Did you see his episode of Who Do You Think You Are? One of the best ever in my opinion. Or his documentary about M. R. James, the ghost story writer?

Hi Mr B!

I haven't seen the Who Do You Think You Are episode, but will certainly search for it online.

I actually didn't know that he had done that, so many thanks for the tip.

I did see the M.R.James thing, and I really like that he has been instrumental in resurrecting the Christmas Eve ghost story on the BBC.

I like to watch that with my feet up and a large glass of sherry to get in the festive spirit!

I watched and really enjoyed his horror film anthology too.

Plus, I've always been a huge fan of League of Gents.

He strikes me as someone who is highly intelligent and quite plugged in to the zeitgeist, so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, he has to say.

My money is on a dignified silence, but we'll see.

[MrBarnett]

Hi Mr B!

I haven't seen the Who Do You Think You Are episode, but will certainly search for it online.

I actually didn't know that he had done that, so many thanks for the tip.

I did see the M.R.James thing, and I really like that he has been instrumental in resurrecting the Christmas Eve ghost story on the BBC.

I like to watch that with my feet up and a large glass of sherry to get in the festive spirit!

I watched and really enjoyed his horror film anthology too.

Plus, I've always been a huge fan of League of Gents.

He strikes me as someone who is highly intelligent and quite plugged in to the zeitgeist, so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, he has to say.

My money is on a dignified silence, but we'll see.

I’m sure he’ll maintain a dignified silence, I can’t see him willingly stirring up the Twitter mob with a defence of his actions or even worse an apology. Look at what happened to Kate Clanchy recently.

I haven’t been able to find that WDYTYA episode online, but I have it recorded. Gattis traced his Irish ancestry and it lead to a very dark tale. It’s not surprising he has a taste for horror literature.

I’m an M. R. James fan. Especially when Michael Hordern is reading his stories or acting in one of them.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mYjtxHHjZ00

[Ms Diddles]

I’m sure he’ll maintain a dignified silence, I can’t see him willingly stirring up the Twitter mob with a defence of his actions or even worse an apology. Look at what happened to Kate Clanchy recently.

I haven’t been able to find that WDYTYA episode online, but I have it recorded. Gattis traced his Irish ancestry and it lead to a very dark tale. It’s not surprising he has a taste for horror literature.

I’m an M. R. James fan. Especially when Michael Hordern is reading his stories or acting in one of them.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mYjtxHHjZ00

I'm not a huge James aficionado, however I do recall seeing Whistle and I'll Come to You many years ago and being suitably terrified.

I thought that was a great adaptation.