HOLMES TAKES STEP BACK
BENEDICT Cumberbatch’s idiosyncratic Sherlock Holmes will travel back in time for a TV special, but don’t expect an explanation for the time travel. The sleuth (pictured) will attempt to solve the mystery surrounding The Abominable Bride in Victorian London in 1895, with his trusty sidekick John Watson played by Martin Freeman.
And while that might seem a departure from Cumberbatch’s thoroughly modern incarnation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective, the TV show’s creators won’t be discussing time travel in the episode, or offering any explanation, because they’re really just bringing Holmes home.
Conan Doyle’s original books all placed the detective in the late Victorian era.
“We never bothered to explain why they were in modern-day London. Why would we bother to explain why they were back where they belong?” series creator Steven Moffat said in Sydney.
“We did this because we had the chance to make a special separate from the normal run of the show. It had to be a standalone thing, so it’s a special, it’s different.”
Sherlock: The Abominable Bride premieres on Stan on January 2 and will also be screened in select cinemas on the same day. STEVIE Wright has been remembered as one of Australia’s finest frontmen.
Wright, who fronted the iconic 1960s’ band the Easybeats, passed away on the south coast of NSW on Sunday night aged 68.
The singer’s health took a downward turn on Boxing Day and he died with his son Nick by his side.
The band were one of the first Australian acts to break internationally with 1966’s Friday On My Mind going top 10 in the UK and top 20 in the US, as well as being considered one of the greatest Australian songs of all time. It was also covered by David Bowie.
Wright was born in Leeds, England, in 1947 and came to Australia aged nine.
He headed the Easybeats for five years from 1964, the band releasing a string of hits including Sorry, I’ll Make You Happy and She’s So Fine. His solo epic Evie Parts 1, 2 and 3 is an Australian classic.
Molly Meldrum hailed Wright as one of Australia’s finest ever frontmen.
“He was up there with Mick Jagger and Freddie Mercury, no question,” Meldrum said.
“I have immense respect for that man. As a front man he was a true rock star. It’s a very sad loss because he was an incredible talent.
“Before I was in the industry I loved Friday On My Mind and I saw the Easybeats and you were blown away at how great he was.
“I got to know Stevie and the band here and in London and they just made these amazing records and they truly were one of the first bands to take Australian rock music on to the international stage.”
“Stevie was so talented that he had a second huge career as a solo act, with Evie being one of the most influential and experimental songs to come out of Australia.
“We had him on Countdown a few times, he got sick, we had to nurse him through it but he always delivered. He will be missed.”
Hoodoo Gurus frontman Dave Faulkner said the Easybeats were one of favourite Australian bands.
“They were the first Australian rock band to capture the attention of the world at large,” Faulkner said.
“Paul McCartney famously heard Friday On My Mind on his car radio and immediately pulled over and phoned the BBC demanding they play it again – which they did.
“Stevie’s voice was a crucial part of the musical landscape when I was growing up.”
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Wright made a brief comeback on the It’s a Long Way to the Top national tour in 2002. His last performance was in 2009.
He had long battled alcohol and heroin addictions and suffered from liver and kidney problems as well as diabetes.
Wright and the Easybeats were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005.
A public service celebrating Stevie’s life will be held with details to be released shortly.