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John Barrowman says "certain egos" are blocking Torchwood's return |
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#26 |
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Taking viewing figures alone, the way Torchwood has always been treated is very strange.
1/ Season 1 (shown on BBC3 in 2006/7) averaged 1.4m viewers. 2/ Season 2 (shown on BBC2 in 2008) averaged 3.78m viewers. 3/ Season 3 (Children of Earth show over five consecutive nights on BBC1 in 2009) 6.47m viewers - also, importantly, there were no peaks-and-troughs throughout the week. It maintained those viewing figures across all five days. 4/ Miracle Day (shown on BBC1 in 2011) averaged 5.2m viewers. Firstly it seems incredible that - even by BBC standards - season 3 (Children of Earth) was a hit and yet the BBC declined to fully-fund the next season forcing that unfortunate co-production with the U.S. premium network Starz. Secondly, even though Miracle Day was not as critically acclaimed as Children of Earth it still did well in terms of viewing figures. So why was it effectively axed? I do wonder whose ego John Barrowman is referring to - an individual/s or 'corporate types' more generally at the BBC. Also, I would trust him to call out homophobia so I don't think its that as I feel he would have said so. All in all, Torchwood is a show that moved from BBC3 to BBC2 and then BBC1 because someone at the BBC could see its potential and quickly growing viewership, There's no way a commercial channel would treat a show like Torchwood as badly as this. |
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#27 |
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But Torchwood did work for tv. It went from an experiment put on bbc three, to being upgraded to bbc two off the back of the success of series one, to then, after the success of both series being deemed so successful that it was worthy of clearing the bbc one 9pm slot for an entire week to have a five night event series.
Yes, we all know after that it was let down badly by miracle day, but one bad/badly received series doesn't discredit an entire show. If that were the case, doctor who itself would likely have been cancelled many times over. If they announced a new series tomorrow, completely produced and set in wales, without any mention of miracle day in it, then it would still never convince those such as yourself who didn't think much of it first time around, but I think those who did like it enough to make it so successful first time around would be interested to see it back, and would support it as such. I do believe that if there are difficulties in getting the show back up, it's mostly due to a lack of confidence in it. As DODS11 one, Torchwood had its time, and while I wouldn't rule out its return as impossible, I'd prefer to look forward rather than back. I look forward to seeing how Class turns out, as well as any more possible DW spin-offs in the future. |
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#28 |
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http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/torchwo...chwood-return/
So when Barrowman was talking about certain egos in the BBC im presuming they have a problem with Gays playing a gay character on TV. He mentioned obstacles keep getting in the way when he has a way around it and it sounds like there is some prejudice in then office. I dont know why they wont bring it back, its a enjoyable show, and alot of fans enjoy it, I know id prefer it over this class spinoff but Captain Jack has been absent from who in such a long time and he really should have made a appearance in Matt Smith's tenure. Wow, thats a seismic leap from what he has actually said. Can see how rumours start... |
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#29 |
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I do wonder whose ego John Barrowman is referring to - |
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#30 |
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Taking viewing figures alone, the way Torchwood has always been treated is very strange.
1/ Season 1 (shown on BBC3 in 2006/7) averaged 1.4m viewers. 2/ Season 2 (shown on BBC2 in 2008) averaged 3.78m viewers. 3/ Season 3 (Children of Earth show over five consecutive nights on BBC1 in 2009) 6.47m viewers - also, importantly, there were no peaks-and-troughs throughout the week. It maintained those viewing figures across all five days. 4/ Miracle Day (shown on BBC1 in 2011) averaged 5.2m viewers. Firstly it seems incredible that - even by BBC standards - season 3 (Children of Earth) was a hit and yet the BBC declined to fully-fund the next season forcing that unfortunate co-production with the U.S. premium network Starz. Secondly, even though Miracle Day was not as critically acclaimed as Children of Earth it still did well in terms of viewing figures. So why was it effectively axed? I do wonder whose ego John Barrowman is referring to - an individual/s or 'corporate types' more generally at the BBC. Also, I would trust him to call out homophobia so I don't think its that as I feel he would have said so. All in all, Torchwood is a show that moved from BBC3 to BBC2 and then BBC1 because someone at the BBC could see its potential and quickly growing viewership, There's no way a commercial channel would treat a show like Torchwood as badly as this. Quote:
Viewing figures were never anything spectacular between the first group of episodes and CoE, and besides that series, the reception, from both critics and audiences, was usually rather mixed. Miracle Day had decent viewing figures, but apparently the mixed reception for that wasn't good enough to keep confidence in it. If it wasn't for the show's attachment to Doctor Who, I don't think it would have fared well at all.
I do believe that if there are difficulties in getting the show back up, it's mostly due to a lack of confidence in it. As DODS11 one, Torchwood had its time, and while I wouldn't rule out its return as impossible, I'd prefer to look forward rather than back. I look forward to seeing how Class turns out, as well as any more possible DW spin-offs in the future. |
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#31 |
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I thought when everything went back to normal that included jack being back to being immortal..
OR You just have a throwaway line that explains any aging, much like the 5th Doctor in Time Crash. |
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#32 |
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If the Face of Boe thing has any merit, I'd conclude that Jack does age albeit veeeerrry slowly.
OR You just have a throwaway line that explains any aging, much like the 5th Doctor in Time Crash. |
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#33 |
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double post
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#34 |
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Agree with everything here, and it's nice to see those figures to prove how it's popularity grew in those first three series.
If teen shows are 'the future' of doctor who spin off's and Torchwood is the past, then i'll quite happily stay in the past (just like anyone who says or implies that modern who should be more like classic who does). Besides, something is only 'in the past' because it's been off air for a while. I'm sure when RTD was bringing back doctor who plenty of people would have sniggered and wondered the point of bringing back an old relic from days gone by that had it's day, but that turned out pretty well. I'm glad Doctor Who came back, but I don't think Torchwood was ever on the same level. Doctor Who was a beloved show and a part of pop culture back before things started getting nasty, but Torchwood never knew that much appreciation and fanfare. As far as I see it, it had its chance, and TV has moved on. Like its parent show, if it was to come back it would have to start off as a very different show. |
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#35 |
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The Sarah Jane Adventures was a children's/teen show and that didn't turn out so bad. It certainly handled far more mature content than those first two series of Torchwood did, which seem to me they were unintentionally written as a teen show.
Just because Torchwood over egged the sex stuff in the first half of series one at most, I don't think that is in any way strong enough to claim it more childish than the kiddies show that was SJA. Quote:
I'm glad Doctor Who came back, but I don't think Torchwood was ever on the same level. Doctor Who was a beloved show and a part of pop culture back before things started getting nasty, but Torchwood never knew that much appreciation and fanfare. As far as I see it, it had its chance, and TV has moved on. Like its parent show, if it was to come back it would have to start off as a very different show.
I really don't understand why you can't acknowledge that something you don't like has a fanbase. I hate Clara for example but I understand, acknowledge, and don't try to deny that she has a fanbase amongst some people. Also, 5 years is not 26 years. Torchwood could come back in the same vein as those first three series fine now, just as doctor who could have easily picked up exactly where it left off had someone resurrected in in 1994. |
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#36 |
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Taking viewing figures alone, the way Torchwood has always been treated is very strange.
1/ Season 1 (shown on BBC3 in 2006/7) averaged 1.4m viewers. 2/ Season 2 (shown on BBC2 in 2008) averaged 3.78m viewers. 3/ Season 3 (Children of Earth show over five consecutive nights on BBC1 in 2009) 6.47m viewers - also, importantly, there were no peaks-and-troughs throughout the week. It maintained those viewing figures across all five days. 4/ Miracle Day (shown on BBC1 in 2011) averaged 5.2m viewers. Firstly it seems incredible that - even by BBC standards - season 3 (Children of Earth) was a hit and yet the BBC declined to fully-fund the next season forcing that unfortunate co-production with the U.S. premium network Starz. Secondly, even though Miracle Day was not as critically acclaimed as Children of Earth it still did well in terms of viewing figures. So why was it effectively axed? I do wonder whose ego John Barrowman is referring to - an individual/s or 'corporate types' more generally at the BBC. Also, I would trust him to call out homophobia so I don't think its that as I feel he would have said so. All in all, Torchwood is a show that moved from BBC3 to BBC2 and then BBC1 because someone at the BBC could see its potential and quickly growing viewership, There's no way a commercial channel would treat a show like Torchwood as badly as this. Wasn't the real reason it didn't continue was that RTD's personal, real life issues were intervening? The serious Illness of his partner? With those audience figures there should have been some interest from the execs in continuing it, but without RTD at the helm? Not so much. Maybe Starz didn't get the audience size they wanted, and the BBC wouldn't fund it alone, especially without RTD. Granted RTD has been back in television for a few years now, so if he was interested in doing it again it should be possible. Perhaps he's moved on? Perhaps he feels it would be inappropriate to try to revive his spin-off while someone else is running Doctor Who? This would apply to both SM and CC. Perhaps he blew up the base and killed off most of the characters because he wanted to end it? Perhaps comments from JB and EM should be taken with a pinch of salt too? He's just an actor touting for more work after all. JB and EM are successful and have plenty of work at the moment, but that can easily change. I really do think that it's the lack of desire from RTD that's preventing a Torchwood revival. |
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#37 |
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If teen shows are 'the future' of doctor who spin off's and Torchwood is the past, then i'll quite happily stay in the past (just like anyone who says or implies that modern who should be more like classic who does). Besides, something is only 'in the past' because it's been off air for a while. I'm sure when RTD was bringing back doctor who plenty of people would have sniggered and wondered the point of bringing back an old relic from days gone by that had it's day, but that turned out pretty well.
Torchwood had 4 series and never really conquered who they were actually aiming for. Series 1 is an absolute mess. Series 2 kind of works itself out but is still a very mixed bag (Spike from Buffy & Jack's brother, christ that was a tough watch). Series 3 was a masterpiece, all down to brilliant writing and production (even Barrowman's "acting" couldn't spoil what was a brilliant story). I'm not even going to get started on Series 4 because while nobody could die in that series, I certainly felt brain dead about 3 episodes in. Torchwood is a product of its time. Sure it could come back but I honestly don't see who'd really want it. Sure there's a fandom out there but it's hardly as wide reaching as Doctor Who was. The generation who have grown up with post 2010 Doctor Who probably don't even remember Torchwood that well. Focus on the future, don't wallow in the past. That's a mantra that Doctor Who really needs to go forward with. And it looks as if that's what they're aiming for with Class. |
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#38 |
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Doctor Who was a fondly remembered institution with a longstanding history.
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Torchwood is a product of its time. Sure it could come back but I honestly don't see who'd really want it. Sure there's a fandom out there but it's hardly as wide reaching as Doctor Who was. The generation who have grown up with post 2010 Doctor Who probably don't even remember Torchwood that well.
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Focus on the future, don't wallow in the past. That's a mantra that Doctor Who really needs to go forward with. And it looks as if that's what they're aiming for with Class.
The difference between the two at the moment is, we know that Torchwood had it's chance and used it well, and proved itself to many, to the extent that it still has a fanbase enough that it could make a return. It's yet to be seen whether class will have a fanbase at all. |
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#39 |
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Sarah Jane seemed specifically for children. The difference with class is that it's aimed specifically at teens which, in my opinion is the age where people are least likely to be interested in who and/or spin off's. Children love who. Many adults do too, but with teens, there's a period of 'too cool for that'. The only exception to that would have been teens in 2005 when it was the hot new thing.
Just because Torchwood over egged the sex stuff in the first half of series one at most, I don't think that is in any way strong enough to claim it more childish than the kiddies show that was SJA. Sorry, but SJA came across as a much more mature show for me. For what it was, it was a very well-written and grown up show. Torchwood initially didn't deal with mature topics much, and when it tried to it didn't handle it very well. It wasn't until Children of Earth it actually started to deal with some mature topics to me. Quote:
I'm not claiming Torchwood has a 'who like' reputation, but at the same time, it never had as long to achieve that either. What I am saying is that the ratings and actions of the bbc in upgrading it's channel status during those first three series show that it was popular, and did have it's own amount of appreciation and fanfare, which for some, continues to this day. This is only my own anecdotal experience, but I remember back in the day having to defend who against people claiming that Torchwood was the cooler show because of it's adult angle.
If four series isn't enough time, then I don't think any amount is. I think it's more of a case of missing its chance than not not getting one.Quote:
I really don't understand why you can't acknowledge that something you don't like has a fanbase. I hate Clara for example but I understand, acknowledge, and don't try to deny that she has a fanbase amongst some people.
I never said it doesn't have a fanbase. Please don't put words in my mouth or make up arguments again, it's become tiresome now and makes communication utterly pointless. I've acknowledged to you before that Torchwood does have a fanbase. It also wasn't bathing in adoration overall, which leads me to believe these "egos" who supposedly won't let the show come back don't have much faith in it. Quote:
Also, 5 years is not 26 years. Torchwood could come back in the same vein as those first three series fine now, just as doctor who could have easily picked up exactly where it left off had someone resurrected in in 1994.
7 years since the last series that was well received, 8 years since it was still a full show with the lineup everybody remembers.As you must remember, the attempt to bring back DW in the mid-90s wasn't exactly a success, and RTD didn't have an easy time of it either. |
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#40 |
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People have a problem with gays and Lesbiens these days it wouldnt suprise me if someone in the BBC didnt want Torchwood because of that.
As for the previous poster saying Barrowman didnt like Ecclestone I think its the other way around, Chris clashed with certain people I guess because hes a serious actor and wouldnt have as much fun as Tennant did. I didnt like the US getting their own series it should have stayed in Britain. |
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#41 |
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Based on what information?
Class is going to feature a lead gay character/ |
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#42 |
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As far as I can tell, there's still a large teen fandom for Doctor Who. Teens are probably the age range who watch the most television and these days have even more of an appreciation of sci-fi and fantasy again, to the point where most shows are gearing themselves toward that age range, so I'm not seeing the harm there.
Sorry, but SJA came across as a much more mature show for me. For what it was, it was a very well-written and grown up show. Torchwood initially didn't deal with mature topics much, and when it tried to it didn't handle it very well. It wasn't until Children of Earth it actually started to deal with some mature topics to me. Quote:
If four series isn't enough time, then I don't think any amount is. I think it's more of a case of missing its chance than not not getting one.
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I never said it doesn't have a fanbase. Please don't put words in my mouth or make up arguments again, it's become tiresome now and makes communication utterly pointless. I've acknowledged to you before that Torchwood does have a fanbase. It also wasn't bathing in adoration overall, which leads me to believe these "egos" who supposedly won't let the show come back don't have much faith in it.
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7 years since the last series that was well received, 8 years since it was still a full show with the lineup everybody remembers.
As you must remember, the attempt to bring back DW in the mid-90s wasn't exactly a success, and RTD didn't have an easy time of it either. RTD must have had a fair bit of work on his hands when he started, but he managed to bring it back, hugely successfully, after all those years. |
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#43 |
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I think it' a bit harsh of JB to point the finger at Moffat! He's finishing off his Who era, 'Sherlock' is still a going concern and even though it's very much Patrick Ness's 'baby', he and Minchin must have a good degree of involvement in the forthcoming 'Class'. Maybe Barrowman thinks that a return for Torchwood is more likely considering Chibbers involvement in that series, but I imagine as far as Torchwood is concerned, Moffat would simply see it very much as RTD's area and nothing really to do with him....seeing as how Russell created it!
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#44 |
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What he says in the linked video (Post 18) makes it pretty clear.
I hope Chibnall's on board with the idea of Who spin-offs (old and new). I know I've posted this comment before, but it does feel as though the Doctor Who universe has shrunk over the past six years - no spin offs, fewer episodes. Oh, those heady golden years under RTD! |
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#45 |
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Just watched it. Thank you. I have often wondered if this was the case.
I hope Chibnall's on board with the idea of Who spin-offs (old and new). I know I've posted this comment before, but it does feel as though the Doctor Who universe has shrunk over the past six years - no spin offs, fewer episodes. Oh, those heady golden years under RTD! |
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#46 |
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Does anyone know whether RTD is interested in making a Torchwood revival?
If he's not, any such idea is dead in the water. If he was the one lobbying for it, the prospect would have much more credibility. Have I missed something? Without RTDs involvement (or, as a minimum, his blessing) all this debate is academic at best. |
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#47 |
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Does anyone know whether RTD is interested in making a Torchwood revival?
If he's not, any such idea is dead in the water. If he was the one lobbying for it, the prospect would have much more credibility. Have I missed something? Without RTDs involvement (or, as a minimum, his blessing) all this debate is academic at best. If RTD is as done with DW as he says, I suspect Torchwood isnt a priority for him. The TV series definitely wasnt playing the long game - made bleeding obvious by the rapid killing of three out of five core characters. I would quite like Stargate Universe to continue, but I can foresee certain obstacles needing to be overcome if I contacted MGM and tried to set it up. |
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#48 |
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Thanks CD93. I've been banging on about this (at least 3 posts I think)
, but no-one's paid any attention till your post.Most on this thread seem to be intent on pursuing "classic vs new" or "SM vs RTD" (or even "Class vs Torchwood" !) debates without a shred of evidence to support Barrowman's claims about why it's not happening. The most likely reason by far for it continuing to not happen is RTD's continued disinterest. Without his involvement any proposed revival lacks credibility in the eyes of the execs, despite the protestations of loyal fans. |
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#49 |
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Does anyone know whether RTD is interested in making a Torchwood revival?
If he's not, any such idea is dead in the water. If he was the one lobbying for it, the prospect would have much more credibility. Have I missed something? Without RTDs involvement (or, as a minimum, his blessing) all this debate is academic at best. I personally think he'd probably be willing for the right price and full creative control. |
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#50 |
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Thanks CD93. I've been banging on about this (at least 3 posts I think)
, but no-one's paid any attention till your post.Most on this thread seem to be intent on pursuing "classic vs new" or "SM vs RTD" (or even "Class vs Torchwood" !) debates without a shred of evidence to support Barrowman's claims about why it's not happening. The most likely reason by far for it continuing to not happen is RTD's continued disinterest. Without his involvement any proposed revival lacks credibility in the eyes of the execs, despite the protestations of loyal fans. |
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, but no-one's paid any attention till your post.