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Straight Talk ***************************************************** The Lady Is Still #1 I guess it was inevitable that I'd be disappointed. I had looked forward to seeing the show for weeks. It was based on one of my favorite book series. It was filmed in an exotic locale and made to look as authentic as possible. Three of the best-known names in the entertainment industry (HBO, BBC, and the Weinstein brothers) had combined to produce it. With all that going for it, how could it possibly live up to my expectations? The answer, of course, is that it couldn't. But don't let my mild disappointment dissuade you. "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency" is still an enchanting series. Whether you watch it Sunday nights on HBO or read the books by Alexander McCall Smith, chances are you too will be smitten. You are sure to enjoy seeing our heroine — the "traditionally built" Precious Ramotswe — use a sharp eye, her intuitive understanding, and a healthy dollop of common sense to solve the problems her clients bring her. Jill Scott, an American actress and Grammy-winning singer, does an incredible job portraying Mma Ramotswe. And my oh my, does she dress well. It seemed as though in every scene she wears a different, brilliantly colored outfit. If some dress-manufacturer in Africa has inked a deal with HBO to promote its business, the product placement Sunday night was great advertising for it. By the way, author Smith claims that he invented the term "traditionally built" to describe a native woman of generous portions. The phrase has become so accepted that the author says it can be found in the latest Oxford Dictionary. All of the action in "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency" takes place in and around Gaborone, the capital of the tiny, land-locked African country of Botswana. The series' author, Alexander McCall Smith, was for many years a law professor at the University of Botswana. Although he now lives in Scotland, it is clear that he has fond memories of his adopted country. In his retelling, it is a place of gentility and serenity — a community where people address each other politely and hardly anyone raises a voice in anger. He captures all of that very well in his writing. And I'm happy to say, so did the producers of "The #1 Ladies" TV series. While what you see in the show is certainly uncommon, what is even more unusual is what you won't see … or hear. There is no blood-soaked violence, no gratuitous sex, no profane cursing — not even an occasional mild "damn" or "hell." There is nothing in the books or TV show that would make a maiden aunt blush. Watching "The #1 Ladies," you will find it hard to believe that it is being brought to you by the same network that produced "The Sopranos" or "Deadwood," which seemed to use the "f-word" in every second sentence. The first show in the series was directed by Oscar-winner Anthony Minghella and produced by another Oscar winner, Sydney Pollack. Sadly, both gentlemen died before the series was finished. But as one reviewer said, the program is "a fitting cap to their career legacies." When Hollywood movie-maker Harvey Weinstein originally bought the rights to the books, he envisioned making a series of movies, not TV shows. "It was going to be my James Bond — the gentlest James Bond in the universe," he said. Still, he says he is incredibly pleased with the result: "Of everything I've ever done in this industry, nothing makes me prouder than this television show, of all things." For those of you who missed last week's show, and have never read any of Alexander McCall Smith's books, here is a brief synopsis of the story line. When her beloved father dies, Precious Ramotswe inherits his collection of 180 cattle. Precious wants a new life for herself, but she also yearns to help her people and her beloved homeland. "I love my country Botswana," she says early in the show, "and I love Africa. I want to do good with the time God has given me." She decides to sell the cattle and use the proceeds to start a detective agency. Somehow, she has come across a copy of a book, The Principles of Private Detection, by an American private eye, Clovis Andersen, and thinks she would make an excellent detective. The lessons in the book will form the bedrock of her approach to the cases that are brought to her. She says, "I know I will succeed, because a woman knows what's going on more than a man." Precious hires an incredibly efficient secretary, Grace Makutsi, who scored a legendary 97% on her final exam at the Botswana Secretary School. Grace, who is played almost too exuberantly by Anika Noni Rose, is socially awkward, even inept. But she makes up in enthusiasm what she may lack in good judgment. She is the legendary lady who will always jump in (at least vocally) where angels fear to tread. Another key player in the series is the stolid and reliable automobile mechanic, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. He is smitten by Precious and, to show his affection, is determined to keep her ancient little white van running. Much later in the books (and perhaps even in the TV show), he and Precious become man and wife. Even then, she always refers to him by his full name, including all three initials. And then there is BK, a gay hairdresser who sends Precious clients and offers an endless stream of advice. BK did not appear in any of the books; he was added to the series, probably by a fan of "Sheer Madness" or some other show featuring a stereotypical gay hairdresser. Grace doesn't know what to make of this person, who seems to have "a lot of girl in him," as she remarks. But Precious enjoys his company and is amused by his remarks — as you will be, too. When USA Today ran a preview of the show last week, the headline read, "She's Precious, show's perfect." The article said in part, "Anyone who hasn't read Alexander McCall Smith's best-selling No. 1 Ladies' novels may be surprised by how lovely he makes life in Botswana seem, and how enchanting his characters are." The reviewer, Robert Bianco, added, "As much as anything, Ladies is McCall's attempt to counter some of the stereotypes many of us have about Africa, and to share and explain the affection he has for a world where gentility and formality still have a place. You'll hear it as much as see it: Contractions are seldom used, women refer to each other as ‘my sister,' and people address each other with honorifics and last names." Bianco concluded his piece by noting, "this is as good an adaption as any Ladies lover could wish, one that overflows with the joys of life and exudes an all-embracing spirit. Be ready to be beguiled." I couldn't have said it better myself. So I hope you will give this lovely and hope-affirming series a try. The next installment airs this coming Sunday night on HBO. But reruns are shown many times during the week. Plunk yourself down (or turn on your Tivo) and prepare to be transported to a kinder and gentler place. At the conclusion of one of her cases, Precious remarks to herself, "when people ask for advice, they very rarely want your advice and will go ahead and do what they want anyway, no matter what you said. That applied to every sort of case; it was a human truth of universal application, but one which most people knew little or nothing about." As you will discover, Precious has a deep and innate understanding of the human spirit. And she likes us anyway. You will definitely reciprocate her affection. Chip Shots * What's in your attic? It is the Holy Grail for comic book collectors — volume one, number one of Action Comics, which was issued in June 1938 and introduced the world to Superman and Lois Lane. When it was issued, it cost ten cents. In 1951, a nine-year-old lad paid 35 cents for a copy in virtually perfect condition. The anonymous collector kept it in pristine condition for the next 58 years. He finally sold it at auction last month — for an eye-popping $317,200. Have you got any old comics hidden away in your attic? * Deflation hits the S&P 500 stock index. No, I'm not referring to the massive collapse in the price of many stocks, but what it's done to the standards for the index itself. A year ago, a company had to have a market cap of at least $5 billion to be included in the index. That requirement has been lowered twice, first to $4 billion, then to $3 billion. But with the market's latest plunge, some 136 companies, or 27% of the index constituents, are worth less than that. * A lot of billionaires have gone bust. According to Forbes magazine, the ranks of the world's super-rich have been thinned quite a bit. They count 793 billionaires today, down from 1,125 a year ago. What's more, the average billionaire has a net worth of just $3 billion, down 23% in the past 12 months. The magazine says Bill Gates lost $18 billion, but regained his title as the world's richest man. Last year's #1, Warren Buffett, saw his fortune fall $25 billion, as shares in Berkshire Hathaway declined nearly 50%. You can check 'em all out (and maybe enjoy a dose or two of schadenfreude) at www.forbes.com/billionaires. * A rose by any other name can still stink. You'll be delighted to hear that, according to the Obama Administration, we no longer face any threats from "terrorism." The word has been replaced with one that's oh-so-much-more politically correct. Now the danger we face, according to Barack, Hillary, and other administration spokesmen, is of "man-made disasters." Doesn't that make you feel better? Me neither. This Week in History The "help wanted" ad in the newspaper didn't mince words: "Wanted. Young, skinny, wiry fellows. Not over 18. Must be expert riders. Willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred." Through this and similar advertisements, several hundred riders were recruited for a remarkable venture that began 149 years ago this week. On April 3, 1860, the Pony Express began delivering mail and other vital documents from St. Joseph, Missouri to San Francisco, California. The service charged $5 to carry a half-ounce letter across the continent, a price that was later reduced to $1. The logistics were impressive. Relay stations — 190 in all — were established an average of 10 miles apart across the West. Ten miles is the most a horse can gallop without pause. Riders, who could not weigh more than 125 pounds, were permitted 20 pounds of personal gear (most of it water, plus a rifle and pistol), and carried 20 pounds of mail. The riders raced all-out to the next station, changed mounts on the run, and continued on for nine more stations, or another 90 miles. It took nearly a hundred horses and a dozen riders to cover the 1966 miles from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. But with the advents of the Pony Express, mail delivery that previously took 25 days by stagecoach (and prior to that, nearly six months by ship) took just 10 days. A mere 19 months after the Pony Express began, it ceased to exist. It was forced out of business when telegraph wires linked California with the East. As a result, messages could be transmitted for pennies instead of dollars and arrive in minutes instead of days. The Pony Express name and facilities were sold to Wells Fargo, a bank that used the symbol for most of the next century. In the 19 months that it existed, the Pony Express suffered the loss of only one rider and one mail pouch. The achievements of those incredibly brave riders became a legendary part of the settlement of the West. Until next time, keep some powder dry. Chip Wood ************************************************* Straight Talk is a weekly commentary written by Chip Wood. For many years Chip was the host of an award-winning radio talk show in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the founder of Soundview Publications and serves as an MC at several investment conferences. His weekly rants and raves are free for the asking at www.straighttalkletter.com. Copyright 2009 Soundview Communications, Inc. To ask a question or to comment on something you've read in Straight Talk, please write to Chip@StraightTalkLetter.com We have a strict anti-spam policy. We know how important your privacy is to you. That's
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