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John Barrowman says "certain egos" are blocking Torchwood's return


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Old 12-09-2016, 18:24
rionia
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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 doubt RTD is keen to do another TW series himself at the moment, but he is heavily involved in the TW audios (I was surprised just how much input he had into them, according to BF TW Q&As at recent conventions).

Also, based on the fan forums a lot of TW fans are buying the audios, even if they have never bought an audio drama before in their life!

TW also seems to have an evolving fan base, its not just people who watched it when it first aired, but also people who have discovered it in the ensuing years, either those who were DW fans but were too young to watch it at the time, or those who never watched DW at all, but have come across it online, or via its overseas repeats, or social media, or via a particular actor (some have followed JB from Arrow to TW).
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Old 12-09-2016, 18:29
Brandon_Smith
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I Remember watching SJA when it first came out and watching it till the last episode and I actually really liked it and it featured some mature adult themes, which I thought was great, as too many TV Shows nowadays give kids too little credit.
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Old 12-09-2016, 18:40
Lord Smexy
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My point was that it isn't as big as who because it didn't have the 26 years that who had. In the 4 years it did have, in the first three it fully used it's chance and continued to grow in popularity. The numbers prove that.
Four years seems quite a lot of time to me, and all it seemed to prove was that it was a very divisive show. The only notable rise in popularity I see is CoE.

Well, considering the video posted earlier in the thread where Barrowman practically tells you which egotistical person he is referring to (the one who is 'leaving soon') I can very much believe that person has no faith in it, on the basis that he didn't create it. I also know that persons opinion will no longer matter very soon.
He seems to be referring to more than just Moffat I'm the interview initially provided. As said, though, if RTD isn't on board then the chances are very slim.

The tv movie failed because it was rubbish, not because it had been too long to revive it.

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.
The point I'm getting at is that bringing back a show of the past that television has moved on without is no easy task, and personally I'm skeptical as to whether Torchwood would be up to it.
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Old 12-09-2016, 18:42
Talma
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He was good as a character like Captain Jack but I noted a while back that Eve Myles - Gwen Cooper - seemed to be the most central character as far as Russell T Davis was concerned, pretty much Torchwood's version of Rose. Jack didn't carry the show on his own.
He did for me. Of all of them I really disliked Gwen, and it was a shame RTD seemed to focus on her when all the others who were killed off were so much better and more interesting. Even Suzie would have been good except she was (probably) really dead the second time.
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Old 12-09-2016, 18:43
Lord Smexy
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I Remember watching SJA when it first came out and watching it till the last episode and I actually really liked it and it featured some mature adult themes, which I thought was great, as too many TV Shows nowadays give kids too little credit.
SJA was one of the biggest losses in recent DW history next to Elisabeth Sladen herself. It was a great show, and I would totally be interested in the other characters such as Luke getting their own spin-off to continue the story.
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Old 12-09-2016, 18:45
GDK
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As far as I can see the only prospect for a return to TV for Torchwood is if RTD wants to do it. He's got to be the one lobbying for it. I can't see the BBC valuing it enough as property for them to ask him.

His interest in it might be revived through his involvement in the audios that are being released. Then, if he enjoyed doing those, and it revived his creative interest, and if he felt like taking on the heavy workload of a TV show runner again, he might come up with a proposal to the BBC.
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Old 12-09-2016, 21:12
doctor blue box
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Four years seems quite a lot of time to me, and all it seemed to prove was that it was a very divisive show. The only notable rise in popularity I see is CoE.
You only have to look at the figures that Mullet posted near the top of this page to see the average viewing figures raised by over 2 million from series 1 to series 2.


He seems to be referring to more than just Moffat I'm the interview initially provided. As said, though, if RTD isn't on board then the chances are very slim.
I'd be really interested to hear RTD's views on the subject, because whilst I would like to see it back, I'll admit I don't actually know if it could work without him on board.


The point I'm getting at is that bringing back a show of the past that television has moved on without is no easy task, and personally I'm skeptical as to whether Torchwood would be up to it.
Again, it worked with who, as it has with the likes of red dwarf, birds of a feather, still open all hours and others. All shows that had been off air for far longer than 5 years.

Of course, this is all just speculation in which we are both biased based on our feelings for the show, but the only proof would be if it did come back, and we'd see one way or the other. I will say though, you yourself say that you acknowledge there is a fanbase, and thereby by extension you acknowledge there would be at least some who would watch.
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Old 12-09-2016, 21:59
So 3008
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Torchwood and Captain Jack are two relics from a bygone era that I have no desire to see back. Whilst I liked it a lot at the time as a 13 year old, a lot of Torchwood is frankly embarrassing and cringeworthy to watch in my opinion (excluding CoE, obviously).
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Old 13-09-2016, 02:53
Jedi_Knight
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Isn't Torchwood Russell T Davies's Show?

If it is, then what has Steven Moffat got to do with it considering who JB was referring to in the video?
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Old 13-09-2016, 08:47
Mulett
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Isn't Torchwood Russell T Davies's Show?

If it is, then what has Steven Moffat got to do with it considering who JB was referring to in the video?
It is, ultimately, a Doctor Who spin off and Moffat's position ultimately puts him in charge of all things Doctor Who. So if he doesn't want Torchwood back then he can block it. This is essentially want John Barrowman is saying about 'one show blocking another'.
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Old 13-09-2016, 10:07
andy1231
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Who actually owns the rights to Torchwood, is it the BBC or RTD ? If it's the BBC then we don't need RTD's involvement in bringing it back. If Moffat has blocked Torchwood/Jack's return then I can only think it's because he didn't invent it of develope it but of course Jack was his invention so I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't want the character to return.
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Old 13-09-2016, 10:36
be more pacific
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Who actually owns the rights to Torchwood, is it the BBC or RTD ? If it's the BBC then we don't need RTD's involvement in bringing it back. If Moffat has blocked Torchwood/Jack's return then I can only think it's because he didn't invent it of develope it but of course Jack was his invention so I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't want the character to return.
Moffat didn't create Jack, he merely wrote Jack's introduction story. RTD gave Moffat a character outline and a "shopping list" of elements to include.
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Old 13-09-2016, 10:45
Michael_Eve
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Who actually owns the rights to Torchwood, is it the BBC or RTD ? If it's the BBC then we don't need RTD's involvement in bringing it back. If Moffat has blocked Torchwood/Jack's return then I can only think it's because he didn't invent it of develope it but of course Jack was his invention so I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't want the character to return.
Think I'm right in saying that Captain Jack is Russell's creation, he just entrusted Steven to introduce him effectively in Empty Child/Doctor Dances. (Job done, I'd say!) All subsequent Who episodes with Jack were written by Russell, and Steven was obviously never involved with Torchwood, which was still a going concern a few years into his era of Who. (eta ie What Be More Pacific said!)

I honestly think,as I've said, that Moffat sees Torchwood as absolutely RTD's creation, and just would not get involved because of that. In fairness to Moffat, if a RTD spin off returned on his 'watch' he'd probably get knocked for having no ideas of his own as to what could be developed in the Who Universe! We'll see how good (or not) 'Class' is in the not too distant....

(I assume it's the BBC who owns the rights to Torchwood, btw, but I don't think there's much doubt that they would ideally want RTD involved. But RTD seems like a 'look forward, not back' sort of chap, having declined to return to Who despite regular requests from Moffat.)
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Old 13-09-2016, 12:51
GDK
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Think I'm right in saying that Captain Jack is Russell's creation, he just entrusted Steven to introduce him effectively in Empty Child/Doctor Dances. (Job done, I'd say!) All subsequent Who episodes with Jack were written by Russell, and Steven was obviously never involved with Torchwood, which was still a going concern a few years into his era of Who. (eta ie What Be More Pacific said!)

I honestly think,as I've said, that Moffat sees Torchwood as absolutely RTD's creation, and just would not get involved because of that. In fairness to Moffat, if a RTD spin off returned on his 'watch' he'd probably get knocked for having no ideas of his own as to what could be developed in the Who Universe! We'll see how good (or not) 'Class' is in the not too distant....

(I assume it's the BBC who owns the rights to Torchwood, btw, but I don't think there's much doubt that they would ideally want RTD involved. But RTD seems like a 'look forward, not back' sort of chap, having declined to return to Who despite regular requests from Moffat.)
I agree with this. RTD may have several reasons for not wanting a return to Torchwood on TV and one of them might be RTD himself not wanting to interfere with another showrunner's vision for Doctor Who itself and tread on anyone's toes. He himself might feel it inappropriate. That would apply equally with CC in charge as well as SM.

The point is, it's not necessary to pre-suppose that an "evil", egotistical SM has been blocking Torchwood's return to television. After all, he's been happy, whilst he's showrunner, to allow others to play with his toys in the Doctor Who sandpit in the past. He must have agreed to let Matt Smith's Doctor (SM's own creation) appear in The Sarah Jane Adventures.
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Old 13-09-2016, 12:52
Shawn_Lunn
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I like Barrowman, I genuinely do and Jack is one of my favourite characters in the Doctor Who universe ever but he's coming across as being somewhat bitter.

First of all, both Barrowman and certain fans are overestimating Moffat's influence. The guy might be running two successful shows for the BBC but the way some fans went on about it on Twitter, you'd swear to God he owned the BBC and decided what shows ran and didn't ran.

If the BBC truly wanted Torchwood back (and right now, perhaps they don't), then I seriously doubt that Moffat could pose any kind of deterrent for them. Simply put, Barrowman is projecting the blame onto someone whom he clearly has issues with but is not responsible for Torchwood.

Why aren't people asking RTD about it instead of assuming that Moffat is stopping it from coming back? Oh wait, that would actually make sense.

I think Barrowman is going to have accept the fact that right now, the BBC aren't interested in reviving it and just be happy he can reprise his role through Big Finish for the time being.
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Old 13-09-2016, 14:08
tszujme
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Barrowman said flat out at a recent con, "Moffat doesn't like me" and called him the A word. Direct quote. So, yeah.

The BBC owns the rights to Torchwood.

If Chibnall gets involved it'll rule out any future involvement from Starz, thank God.

Incidentally children's drama is produced by and funded by a different department. The BBC children's department still has a lot of money in the pot and is desperate for hit shows that appeal to the older demographic. The Drama Department is running on fumes financially, but has so many successful shows (many of which can be made on a relatively low budget) they just don't need Torchwood or any new DW spinoff. It's just the way the BBC is structured.

I don't think Barrowman and Chris Eccleston hated each other or anything, they just didn't especially bond. Actually Chris is a lot more of a clown and more easygoing than you'd think. But S1 was such a nightmare all round and Chris had the most pressure on him.
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Old 13-09-2016, 15:12
GDK
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I like Barrowman, I genuinely do and Jack is one of my favourite characters in the Doctor Who universe ever but he's coming across as being somewhat bitter.

First of all, both Barrowman and certain fans are overestimating Moffat's influence. The guy might be running two successful shows for the BBC but the way some fans went on about it on Twitter, you'd swear to God he owned the BBC and decided what shows ran and didn't ran.

If the BBC truly wanted Torchwood back (and right now, perhaps they don't), then I seriously doubt that Moffat could pose any kind of deterrent for them. Simply put, Barrowman is projecting the blame onto someone whom he clearly has issues with but is not responsible for Torchwood.

Why aren't people asking RTD about it instead of assuming that Moffat is stopping it from coming back? Oh wait, that would actually make sense.

I think Barrowman is going to have accept the fact that right now, the BBC aren't interested in reviving it and just be happy he can reprise his role through Big Finish for the time being.
BIB: Exactly!
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Old 13-09-2016, 15:30
Lord Smexy
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You only have to look at the figures that Mullet posted near the top of this page to see the average viewing figures raised by over 2 million from series 1 to series 2.
It did move to BBC2, after all.

I'd be really interested to hear RTD's views on the subject, because whilst I would like to see it back, I'll admit I don't actually know if it could work without him on board.
I think Torchwood is a very personal thing for RTD, as it was something that had been forming in his mind before he'd even started on Doctor Who, so I couldn't imagine anyone else taking it over from him.
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Old 13-09-2016, 15:36
Lord Smexy
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Barrowman said flat out at a recent con, "Moffat doesn't like me" and called him the A word. Direct quote. So, yeah.
No idea what's going on between the two, but couldn't Barrowman try and be a little more informative to his fans without making it about personal grudges? For all I know, Moffat could have spat in his coffee and tripped him up everyday on the Doctor Who set, but Torchwood is hardly his responsibility, neither is his authority over it that powerful. He's pretty much been a slave of the BBC himself by the sounds of it.
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Old 13-09-2016, 16:05
JCR
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Moffat sez-

Originally Posted by Steven Moffat
You may be aware that John Barrowman has been saying, publicly, that I’ve been blocking a new series of Torchwood. To be very clear – I haven’t blocked it; I wouldn’t block it; I wouldn’t even be ABLE to block it. I didn’t even know a revival had been mooted till I read about it on the Internet. As John perfectly well knows, it’s not my show and I could no more prevent it happening that he could cancel Sherlock. I am bewildered, and a little cross, even to be included in this conversation. For the record, I really liked the show (especially the third series) and would be very happy to see more – monsters and mayhem, why not? But the fact is, it has nothing to do with me. Please pass this on to the anxious and the angry – I’ve had enough hate mail now.”
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Old 13-09-2016, 16:08
Michael_Eve
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There we go.
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Old 13-09-2016, 16:24
Lord Smexy
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Next up: Chris Chibnall v Alex Kingston?
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Old 13-09-2016, 16:28
GDK
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Ah, but some people prefer to believe that Moffat is an egomaniac.

I think we know who actually has the ego problem and the axe to grind in this case. Sheesh! it's not as if he's short of work at the moment!
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Old 13-09-2016, 17:03
davidnumen
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This is like when George Takei mooted a Star Trek: Sulu series - I don't think for a minute that anyone had any serious intentions of making such a series but it's easy to get carried away by the narrow world of fandom. This happens to actors and fans alike. Fans adulate and actors, if they're not careful, get carried away with how popular they are. Barrowman has done well in the States but over here he's more of a light entertainment guy who is a bit cheesy and does panto with the Krankies.

The reality is that Torchwood was probably seen as having peaked with "Children of Earth" and that the co-production that resulted in "Miracle Day" was probably a failure and there's no drive to make any more.

Ironically I think the show could have been much more successful without Captain Jack and if it did come back I'd prefer it if he wasn't in it.
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Old 13-09-2016, 18:11
CD93
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Ah, the culmination of Barrowman's recent professionalism. I'm sure it has convinced the BBC to place Torchwood in his care
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