The Fat Lady Detective On HBO
Now that Big Love is off the air, those of you lucky people with HBO will need something else to watch to pass the time. Well, as Entertainment Weekly reminded me, this week is the premiere of the TV series version of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, those of you who watch it. Will it live up to the things I loved about the book?
Yes, the character is fat and it’s mentioned frequently and in a positive way. Interestingly, the character is Botswanan. (Is that a word?) So there’s a cultural element as well: thinness is spoken of as a modern trend in opposition to the traditional, curvier African woman’s body. And Mma Ramotswe is, as I mentioned above, definitely depicted as a sexy character. As part of one of her cases, she effortlessly seduces someone. So: seductive and fat and delightful. What’s not to like?
At that link I also went on the record as approving of the casting of Jill Scott as Mma Ramotswe. They could easily have gone in a different direction, but I am so glad they didn’t. Here’s a short clip from the HBO website:
You can see more video clips and stills here. The show premieres on Sunday! Let me know if you like it!
Posted by mo pie
Filed under: Books, Celebrities, Fat Positive, Feel Good Friday, International, Jill Scott, Magazines, Race & Ethnicity, TV, Video
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D: I’m a woman and I have no clue what’s going on. I think it has more to do with being a super awesome detective.
Also, that guy’s weight? I mean, it’s a reasonable assumption that he’s “worried about” it, because hey, society. But I think it had a friendly-jab tone, and I can’t say I approve of that, because if it were me it would totally spoil my day.
I would still want to check it out if I got HBO though.
Oh well. The things I miss not getting HBO.
While I agree with meerkat that a lot of what Mma noticed ‘as a woman’ had more to do with the sort of observation that stands a detective in good stead than things every woman would notice (for a better example of what women might notice while men might miss it in solving a mystery, see the play Trifles, by Susan Glaspell), I have to say I’m liking the character right from the get go. She’s got warmth and a gentle teasing quality that makes me want to sit down and get to know her.
Maybe I’ll have to go hunt down one of the books and make her acquaintance.
Also, kudos to everyone involved in the casting process. That’s one beautiful, sexy, bountiful woman…and she can ACT!
I’m so excited about this series! I love the books and HBO has a history of staying pretty true to the original source.
I saw the first episode a while back, and i loved loved LOVED it. Its so charming and wonderful. And she is so confident with herself. its quite a lovely programme to watch, as its NOT depressing, and its NOT jaded.
plus the scene where she seduces someone? She even had me hot and bothered, without even taking off any clothes.
I saw the premiere last year on BBC (we were still in the UK then) and really enjoyed it. It’s *very* positive about her size (as are the books – now I want to describe MYSELF as being of “traditional” body type!) and I’m really pleased that they went ahead and chose a curvy actress to play her.
Jill Scott did a great job.
I really like this show. I watched the first episode before the premiere, and I enjoyed episode 1 much more than the premiere. I love Jill Scott in this. Precious Ramotswe is a great big girl role model. — I love the eating cupcakes in the car during the stake out! God, I wish I were brave enough to do something like that! But I have “eating in public issues”. And her dresses make me actually want to wear short sleeves. But more than the way she looks, she uses her intelligence and attention to solve problems. I could use a little more of that. And give props to the Grace Makota character, too. 97%!!! Another smart, pretty girl. With heart. A lot of heart. Lots of love for this show! I can’t wait to see more.
More and more I am wishing we had HBO, but I guess I am going to have to wait for the series to come out on DVD.
I adore the books and so far what I have seen has been pretty faithful, in tone if not for the actual stories and how things happen in the books.
;_; I miss my hbo.
if you can be sneaky and illegal the first two episodes are still on BBC iplayer. (but not the pilot)
just a heads up!
I Love it—every week !!!!