The Open and Inclusive Worldwide Online Sherlockian Society (Really, We're about Having Fun)
Our March meeting will be this Saturday. We need toasts to Murray, Mary and Medicine. We would also still like someone to give a presentation on the career of Royce Pierreson. Please contact buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com if any of these opportunities appeals to you.
In 1941, famous author Rex Stout opined that Watson was a woman. His evidence is largely pulling out language that makes it clear that Holmes and Watson are a couple. In his mind that “proved” Watson was a woman. In the 21st century we tend to think it proves something else but nonetheless, the idea of a female Watson has long percolated. The American actor Lucy Liu arguably portrays the most famous female Watson. She received three People’s Choice Award nominations for the role, and directed six episodes of the show, Elementary. Even the artwork we see in Watson’s apartment was painted by Liu. Her Watson is notable for her independence from Holmes. In particular, Elementary shows us more of the late/post partnership period of Holmes and Watson’s lives than most adaptations. Ultimately a detective in her own right, we send our warmest regards to Lucy Liu and her Watson.
While he would be EXTREMELY WELCOME (hello Royce if you Google yourself) we have no expectations of Mr. Pierreson attending the next meeting. We are just excited to start talking about the latest, greatest Watson. If you would like to attend this meeting and start swooning over Mr. Pierreson with us, please contact podcast@johnhwatsonsociety.com to be put on the list to receive the Zoom link.
If you have an opinion on when the JHWS meets by Zoom, even if you do not currently attend the meetings (but might at another time), please respond to the survey below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5AFVifDZ82ttJt5ZuSsTv2d3nbGCYWR_YWQ8T9tvL6KKh7w/viewform?usp=sf_link
Halloa, Bullpups! We would like to welcome Royce Pierreson, the newest actor to portray Watson, in the upcoming Irregulars. We are looking for someone who would like to give a brief talk or presentation on Mr. Pierreson at the March Zoom meeting. Please email buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com if you are interested!
Born February 28, 1978, Arend is known for roles on Body of Proof, Madam Secretary, and Daria. He portrayed Doctor Watson in a 2014 production of The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Hello all, I am very happy to be the Buttons of JHWS, the fun Watsonian society. In that role I haven’t felt a need to address you formally as Sampson Buttons. Today one of our own, Chris Aa Bakkane, published this essay and I am asking you to read it, to give it serious consideration, and to join me in finding concrete ways we, as a Sherlockian community, can do better. Because we need to do better. Let’s begin doing the work.
Shelley was born on February 16, 1903. For Brits of the early 20th century, his was the definitive voice of Winnie the Pooh. However he played Doctor Watson on the radio from 1952-1969 alongside Carleton Hobbs.
We share them at tomorrow’s meeting! Email podcast@johnhwatsonsociety.com if you need the link!
Name: Teri White
Bull pup Moniker: Piper
Who is your favourite Watson and Why? I do love both Burke and Hardwicke, but in a way I see them as two halves of the same character. Burke was very much the soldier and Hardwick the doctor, in my view. Which is why my favourite is Martin Freeman, who seems to embody both the soldier and the physician in one man.
If Watson were writing a story about you what would It be titled? The Case of the Obsessed Fan. Because I have been fanatic about Holmes and Watson since I was about 10, which is nearly 65 years ago, I think the appellation fits.
Give us an improbable fact about yourself: Many people I know do not realise that I actually won an Edgar A. Poe award from the Mystery Writers of America way back in 1983, for Best Original Paperback. Now I mainly write fan-fiction, in both the modern and the Victorian universes.
Why did you join the JHWS? Because I can never get enough of the good doctor and his detective. Although I am more of a lurker than anything else and I do not like to use Zoom, etc. I do enjoy reading everything from the society. And I hope that one day there might be some actual meeting up to be enjoyed.
Thank you, Teri! We love all of our wonderful Watsonians and we want to feature each and every one of you! Just respond to the questions above and send your answers to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com!
Nigel Bruce was born on February 4, 1895 and his portrayal of Doctor Watson defined the character for generations. He starred in a long-running series of films alongside Basil Rathbone and recorded hundreds of radioplays as the good doctor.
Name: Maria Fleischhack
Bullpup moniker: Ettie
Who is your favorite Watson and why?
That is such a hard question to answer. I think, in terms of affective engagement, it’s Martin Freeman’s Watson. I love how dangerous he is, and how he lets Sherlock know exactly what he thinks. A wonderful sounding board for Sherlock. I do really, really love Vitaly Solomin’s Watson, too. He gives the best side eye and is so human. I love his portrayal. Another Watson I love is Jude Law, for similar reasons. He keeps Sherlock in check when he goes off where he shouldn’t go. I really like the dynamic between a capable Watson who also has a life outside of the immediate relationship with Holmes and a Holmes who allows himself to depend on Watson in more than just a connection to work. It seems most canonical to me.
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
“The Adventure of the Disoriented Lecturer” – Just, as a reflection of my general being. It would possibly involve the disappearance of a to-do list which would lead to utter and total chaos which then, as if by a miracle, is resolved again because I accidentally do, in fact, get all he things on the list done, but possibly in a slightly altered order with with a couple of glasses of wine in between.
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
I am dyslexic (though not severely) and hold a PhD in English Literature.
Why did you join the JHWS?
Because I love John Watson so, so much! And what could be better than to be a member of a group of people who feel the same way?! Also, the Watsonian is a truly wonderful publication and I love to read it.
Thank you, Maria! We want to feature all of our Wonderful Watsonians! Especially you! Please respond to the questions above and send your reply to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
Born January 29, 1911, Coleman played Doctor Watson in a 1959 production of The Sign of the Four.
Name: Madeline Quiñones
Bullpup moniker: Maddie
Who is your favorite Watson and why? David Burke! The moment I first saw him in Granada’s “A Scandal in Bohemia” was pure magic: he WAS the Watson in my head. I had already been reading through the canon and I had a mental image of the good doctor and then David steps on screen and I’m just like, “Oh my gosh, that’s WATSON.” I would be remiss, though, if I didn’t mention my other favorite Watsons: Michael Williams, Howard Marion Crawford, and Edward Hardwicke, who are all magical in their own way!
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled? “The Problem of the Beleaguered Sister”!
Give us an improbable fact about yourself! I am the oldest of seven and 20 years older than my baby sister. No, really! She was a bit of a surprise, but a welcome one! The funny thing is that I was getting into Sherlock Holmes right when she was born, so I have a lot of memories of reading the canon for the first time on my Palm Pilot (oh my gosh, remember THOSE??) while holding my sleeping newborn sister. Good times. …She’s ten now and I don’t know what to do about that.(If I’m allowed to self-promote, I also run a weekly comic called The Adventures of Professor Moriarty at https://theadventuresofprofessormoriarty.tumblr.com/. It’s VERY Watsonian because half the time Colonel Moran is trying to bully Professor Moriarty into a better life and if that isn’t Watsonian I don’t know what is. 😀 )
Why did you join the JHWS? Well, I was already thinking about it because of binging the Watsonian Weekly! I’d attended the Left Coast Sherlockian Symposium in its virtual setting and I had been feeling an ache ever since to just… fellowship, really, with other fans. The breakout room time I spent there was just some of the most fun I’d ever had. So a couple of months later, in December, I took to Twitter and asked my Sherlockian mutuals how to get into SH societies because I just had no idea. Several lovely people were very willing to help me out and it was suggested I could join the JHWS. And I’m so glad I did! I’ve been having a lot of fun so far. <3
Thanks so much, Madeline! We love all of our wonderful Watsonians and want to feature each and every one of them. Just answer the questions above (and send a picture if convenient) and send your replies to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com.
Name (or alias): Holly Turner
Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know): Noel
Who is your favorite Watson and why? I love David Burke and Edward Hardwicke equally. They both portrayed Watson as kind, loyal, and intelligent, just as he should be. And both were perfect for where they sat in the timeline. I read someone saying ‘David Burke and Jeremy Brett are newlyweds, Edward Hardwicke and Jeremy are an old married couple’. I think that sums it up perfectly!
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled? The Adventure of the Tired Scientist.
Give us an improbable fact about yourself! I can’t remember things I need to do without writing them down, but I can remember really odd things from years ago. Thanks, dyspraxia!
Why did you join the JHWS? I was looking for a Holmesian society that isn’t only scholarly. I’m looking forward to being nerdy with fellow fans, and perhaps making some contributions.
Thanks, Holly! We love all of our wonderful Watsonians and want to feature each and every one! Just answer the questions above and send the answers (along with a photo if you like) to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com.
Name (or alias): Michele Lopez
Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know):Reggie
Who is your favorite Watson and why? I have a soft spot for the good Watsons in bad adaptations, like the excellent Donald Pickering in the so-so Anglo/Polish series of the late 70s. He was a great actor who definitely deserved better. I especially like when Watson is quick and smart, as he should be, so I add David Burke from the Granada series, Vitaly Solomin from the 80s Russian series and Gianni Bonagura from the 1968 Italian adaptations.
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled? The Curious Case of the Lazy Italian Gentleman
Give us an improbable fact about yourself! I ran my first marathon at the young age of 49.
Why did you join the JHWS? When I found out in 2013, through Internet browsing and word of mouth, that a John Watson society had been founded I immediately thought it was a great idea. Our Good Doctor sometimes does not receive all the attention he deserves. Furthermore, I saw the names of many friends among those who had already subscribed, so joining on the spot was a no-brainer.
Thank you, Michele! We want to feature all of our Wonderful Watsonians! Just answer the questions above and send your reply to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com!
Name: Gretchen Altabef
Bullpup moniker: Hamish
Who is your favorite Watson and why?
The gentleman who wonderfully crafted the Sherlock Holmes canon.
As far as those who have portrayed Dr. Watson on stage and screen, Edward Hardwicke. When my son saw him for the first time (knowing of Jude Law), he said, “He is exactly how I see Watson.” Mr. Hardwicke shares the day I celebrate as Dr. Watson’s birthday, August 7. Not only did he play Watson superbly for the Granada Sherlock Holmes series, and in The Secret of Sherlock Holmes, but his friendship with Mr. Brett on and off screen to me says quite a bit about the Watson-like gentleman he was. The fixed point in a changing age. Watson would most definitely collect Holmes from the Asylum. (Although if I were writing this story, I would have Watson spring Holmes much earlier.) Edward Hardwicke’s audiobook readings of some of the canon stories are wonderful and enlightening as to his range as an actor. I can go on…
As an author of Sherlock Holmes novels, I see both Holmes and Watson as ever-present and extremely helpful muses. And though Mr. Hardwicke is usually in my head when writing Dr. Watson’s character, others show up to lend aspects of the gentleman. David Burke, Andre Panin, Vitally Solomon, Jude Law. Even Nigel Bruce, occasionally, mostly to help me laugh at myself. Extremely necessary when writing a novel. I am incredibly grateful for John H. Watson in my life and his ability to present and explain the genius of Sherlock Holmes. It is not easy to express the inexpressible.
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
“If Watson Was a Woman.”
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
Here’s two:
Of an adventurous bent, I became one of the first women in local TV news to race through perilous New York City streets to get to the scene of the crime. For the best shots, preferably before the police and fire companies arrived. I write my novels from a visceral understanding of the dangerous underbelly of crime in the city.
Why is my hair blue? I figure when one’s hair goes white; one gets to pick. I am also an artist: photographer and sculptor. Colouring one’s hair for gallery or museum openings is de rigueur. My favourite reason is it’s a great conversation opener. As an elder, I was invisible to younger folk, now with Teal-coloured hair we talk all the time.
Why did you join the JHWS?
I met fellow JHWS members at the 2018 BSI Sherlock Holmes Birthday weekend, and it was love at first sight, we are such fun together! There are no local Scions around me, so I consider JHWS and SHSL as my Scions. As I share Holmes’ abhorrence for classism of any kind, I cherish the openness of our society. My first Sherlockian article was published in the Watsonian, also my most recent. Photo below.–
Gretchen AltabefMX Publishing Author: Sherlock Holmes: These Scattered Houses & Remarkable Power of Stimulus
Editor and Contributor of the history of Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes: Jeremy Brett–Playing A Part & Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes by Maureen Whittaker.
“Gretchen Altabef is a remarkably talented author. She eschews the formulas that so often appear in Holmes pastiches and sets about creating a new format.” Harry DeMaio, author of the Casebooks of Octavius Bear
“Of the hundreds of Sherlock Holmes, pastiche mysteries available to the Sherlockian, very few can match this book for a depth of historical research and a heart-stopping thrill of a story. A great read.” Craig Stephen Copland, author of New Sherlock Holmes Mysteries.
“A previously untold adventure of the ‘Great Hiatus.’ A gripping and colourful adventure.” Sherlock Holmes Society of London.MX Author’s Page: https://bit.ly/gretchenaltabef
Author’s Blog: https://featuresofinterest.com/
We love all of our wonderful Watsonians and we want to feature each and every one of you! If convenient, please respond to this short interview.
Be your own Boswell and tell us a little about yourself!
Name (or alias):
Bullpup moniker (Contact us if you don’t know):
Who is your favorite Watson and why?
If Watson was writing a story about you, what would it be titled?
Give us an improbable fact about yourself!
Why did you join the JHWS?
Please feel free to include a picture that we can use alongside your interview. Or you may elect to see what sort of bullpup image we pluck from Sherman’s digital menagerie in lieu.
Bullpup Calder has dreamed up a wild activity for this week’s JHWS meeting, but we still need to conduct ourselves in a business like manner. Medicine has been claimed but we need a toast to Mary and a toast to Murray. We also need someone to read the closing poem, Paul Thomas Miller’s 221B. Please contact buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com if you want to claim one of these items.