subject: “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency:” HBO Lands a Massive First for Satellite TV and Beyond [print this page] Its no secret that the producers and writers at HBO are serious groundbreakers and tastemakers, and no recent series shows that more than the decision to pick up The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. The show--based on a series of novels--has the luck of being one of those things that immediately appeals to a wide audience. African-American viewers will be thrilled to see African-American characters in a show that has less to do with poor American inner-cities and more to do with a relatively prosperous African nation. Anyone who is a fan of a good mystery caper will absolutely love the vibrant and good-natured approaches that the main character Precious Ramotswe takes at solving her cases, and those who enjoy beautifully written television that would seem equally at home on the big screen as on an hd tv in a living room will absolutely love the series.
With the esteemed late actor Sydney Pollack as one of the shows producers, noted British director Anthony Minghella, famous for his work on The English Patient, as the director, and the full force of magnate Harvey Weinsteins funding behind the project, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency is far more than an aspiring series hoping to get picked up for a second season. In fact, a feature-length version of the show premiered on British television, which was then followed by subsequent episodes on both the BBC and HBO. With HBO often just as focused on its products, if not more so, than some of the major motion picture studios in America, its no wonder that this show is one of the most visually stunning and ambitious programs currently airing on satellite tv.
The shows plot centers around Precious Ramotswe, who has decided to follow her dreams following her fathers death and trade a country life for a move to the city, where she opens up her detective agency, optimistically titled The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. The title is decidedly accurate, since she is Botswanas sole female detective. Whether its locating missing dogs or handling more serious matters, like ivory smuggling, the show is always as smartly written as it is humorous and heartwarming. Critics who saw the first season definitely all agreed, giving it some of the highest ratings seen, and in particular praising the acting of Jill Scott, who before the show was more famous for winning Grammies with her beautiful singing voice.
While its worth watching an episode of The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency just to see a well-written and beautifully directed series that manages to balance its humor and drama and still leave you feeling optimistic, thats not the only reason for viewers to tune in. For many, it might be the first time that they are actually able to see the country of Botswana on satellite tv, and the strikingly contemporary and fully-functional picture--so different from a lot of footage that comes out of African countries--is an important reminder to those in Western countries that theres a lot more to the continent than merely struggle and strife. The show is the first to be shot on location in Botswana, with local tourism agencies reporting a boost in visitors, and a satisfied public who feels the show has depicted its country in a fair and balanced way.
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency: HBO Lands a Massive First for Satellite TV and Beyond
