The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

I rarely watch anything more than once, but this series is so precious!!! I was in the Peace Corps in Lesotho, near to Botswana, and I feel like I am back there, in an environment that I loved. The stories ring true, though a few are a bit far-fetched. It saddens me that it was discontinued....for once I loved a series and it ended abruptly!!

The pilot for this series is very very close to the book(s), in tone and in content, if a little lightweight. The book series was perfectly charming, original in concept, playful and dignified and respectful of the human hearts at the center of this African culture, and so was this pilot. I do very much look forward to watching the series - the actors are a pure pleasure, and there's plenty of time to beef up the plots - PLUS- some great music! NO murderous cops, rotting corpses, drooling vampires, autopsies upon which the ME and his assistant eat their sandwiches, waggling, eye-level rump/crotch shots, convoluted quasi-Machiavellian mafia mobsters, sub-literate scriptwriters, howlingly ignorant plot devices. An original premise ... What a concept...

If you don't find depth in this show, then you're not giving it your full attention. We are jaded because of all the in-your-face, aggressive, loud and often violent programing - this is a gentle program, but it has great depth and sensitivity if you really listen to the characters. It takes a moment to get used to the dialect/accents...I recommend this, and hope it survives! It's a visit to another culture, one quite worth getting acquainted with. The music alone is reason to give the show a try - ethnic, quality performances - this program I think offers so much charm but in a very subtle way. Some may, as I did at first, find it requires a little working at but soon you settle in to the style and find it most worthwhile programming.

When I heard about this show being airing on HBO, I was thrilled. My father had read several of the books and loved them (I have just started the first book). Although, from the first moments of the show I was still a bit skeptical. But when Mma opens her detective agency, the writing becomes some of the best I've seen on TV in years. There is a perfect mix between seriousness and fabulous humor.

Mma is a clever, witty woman, while her secretary and hairdresser add nothing more than many wonderful laughs. This show has fantastic characters played by wonderful actors.

I can only hope that this show stays on for many years to come!

I really didn't think I'd like this show, but wow, was I wrong. We all love this series in my house - old & young alike. It's one of the best kept secrets on TV. Now I want to buy some Bush Tea! It's "Feel Good Television" for sure....even when it deals with some very difficult topics. Jill Scott is just delectable as an actress; well, we just love everyone on the show, actually. You want something to make you smile?....watch "The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency"! I really hope they extend the series into more seasons. Oh, and the photography of Botswana - it's absolutely breath-taking. I never knew male giraffes behaved like that!....as they said in the show, it's just like males everywhere. It's a wonderful view of a place and people we know little about here in my little town in the middle of Canada.