By Dean Robbins

‘Masterpiece Mystery’ makes Sherlock Holmes a hunk

Last year, “Masterpiece Mystery” did Sherlock Holmes a favor by plunking him down in our own time. The contemporary setting revived the detective franchise, rescuing it from period-piece quaintness. The new Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) is, in modern parlance, a hunk. He’s become an Internet phenomenon thanks to a blog by sidekick Dr. Watson (Martin Freeman). And he’s a recognizable 21st century type: a jerk. This Holmes is contemptuous of his fellow mortals, with a brain that works at twice the normal speed. “BORING!” he bellows, contemplating cases at the start of season two (Sunday, 8 p.m., PBS).

The case that finally sparks his interest involves a sexy dominatrix who possesses incriminating pictures of a British royal. She proves to be a formidable opponent, worming her way into Holmes’ heart. Who knew he even had one of those?

The script is witty, the pace quick, the production endlessly inventive. Expect slow-motion fights, dream sequences, onscreen text – anything to keep you watching.

Not even Holmes could find this series BORING.

‘Flipped Off’

Saturday, 9 p.m. (A&E)

Russell Hantz is the self-proclaimed mastermind who nevertheless got voted off “Survivor” three times. He continues to proclaim himself a mastermind on his new house-flipping reality series,. It’s no fun to watch this unpleasant man brag about his real estate skills, then screw up, then blame it all on his partner.

Plus, I thought the tribe had spoken. Get this guy off our TV screens. CV