The latest issue of Empire film magazine reveals that Peter Capaldi - star of BBC's The Thick of It, and soon to be seen as Mr. Frobisher in Children of Earth - has a movie coming out this April. In the Loop is directed by Armando Iannucci, in his directorial debut (his previous writing credits include The Day Today, I'm Alan Partridge and the aforementioned The Thick of It) and also stars James Gandofini, of The Sopranos fame.
With regards to plot, here's what Empire has to say: "The British PM and US President have decided it's a good time for a war in the Middle East. It's vehemently opposed by US General Miller (Gandofini) and British Minister For International Development Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), even if the latter accidentally finds himself in support after a gaffe during an interview..."
Capaldi supposedly plays the same character here that he does in The Thick of It series, that of spin-doctor and political pitbull Malcolm Tucker - a role based upon the real life political advisor Alastair Campbell. "It's not completely not The Thick of It: The Movie, that's for sure" producer Kevin Loader spills, "Half of us are kind of saying it's not, and half of us are saying of course it's The Thick of It: The Movie, and what's to be ashamed of in that?"
In the Loop is released here in the UK on April 17, certificate TBC. It made its US debut at the Sundance Film Festival back in January.
As for Capaldi's other role, you can catch him in the Children of Earth trailer here.
Torchwood's third season hits our screens in June.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Plans for Demons.tv Cancelled
The history books will mark today, Thursday 26th February 2009, as possibly one of the saddest in the whole history of television, ever, ever, ever. Infact, I'm emotional writing this; trying to hold back the tears as I face the terrible truth. That ITV has cancelled Demons, its Saturday night answer to Torchwood and Doctor Who.
Oh, I've always been rubbish at keeping a straight race. Sarcasm, begone!
Truthfully, I've never been that big a fan of the show - I watched the opening ten minutes, and thought that was bad enough. I dipped into the series later in its six week long run, and found that things had got even worse than they were before!! The fact it was costing ITV £4 Million, and ratings crashed from 6 to just 3 million meant that it was almost certain that the Cancellation Reaper was cometh.
The slightly better Being Human series has been recommissioned, however. Which I've mixed feelings about, quite honestly. Although last year's pilot was great, the translation to full series hasn't really done it for me, I'm afraid. But the show has it's fans - and will probably grab a good few more when series one is repeated on BBC Two later in the year.
It seems that if you want to watch really fantastic drama these days you have to look beyond the confines of science-fiction and fantasy (although both Lost and Battlestar Galactica are brilliant). May I recommend to you HBO's masterpiece The Wire, or AMC's Mad Men? Hell, with the film adaptation due next month, now's the perfect chance to catch up on Paul Abbott's State of Play.
Can you name any decent telly to bide us over until Children of Earth hits our screens in June? Write your suggestion in the comments section below!
Oh, I've always been rubbish at keeping a straight race. Sarcasm, begone!
Truthfully, I've never been that big a fan of the show - I watched the opening ten minutes, and thought that was bad enough. I dipped into the series later in its six week long run, and found that things had got even worse than they were before!! The fact it was costing ITV £4 Million, and ratings crashed from 6 to just 3 million meant that it was almost certain that the Cancellation Reaper was cometh.
The slightly better Being Human series has been recommissioned, however. Which I've mixed feelings about, quite honestly. Although last year's pilot was great, the translation to full series hasn't really done it for me, I'm afraid. But the show has it's fans - and will probably grab a good few more when series one is repeated on BBC Two later in the year.
It seems that if you want to watch really fantastic drama these days you have to look beyond the confines of science-fiction and fantasy (although both Lost and Battlestar Galactica are brilliant). May I recommend to you HBO's masterpiece The Wire, or AMC's Mad Men? Hell, with the film adaptation due next month, now's the perfect chance to catch up on Paul Abbott's State of Play.
Can you name any decent telly to bide us over until Children of Earth hits our screens in June? Write your suggestion in the comments section below!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Who wants some extra 'Wood..?
As promised, a look at some of the upcoming merchandise coming our way over the next couple of months - which, if I'd updated the site properly over the last couple of months, you'd probably already know all about!!
BOOKS
There's two new sets of Torchwood novels heading our way through 2009, which eat set containing three brand new adventures, that chronicle the team's activities post-Exit Wounds.
"Into the Silence" (by Sarah Pinborough)
Released: 29th May
Synopsis: A body in a church hall is found with its vocal cords missing and a metallic figure is seen hiding in the shadows. With the amateur operatic contest getting under way, Ianto Jones joins a male voice choir to track it down.
"Bay of the Dead" (by Mark Morris)
Released: 29th May
Synopsis: Torchwood must deal with living corpses stalking the streets and a piece of space debris that keeps regenerating all while an intangible barrier surrounds Cardiff.
"The House that Jack Built" (by Guy Adams)
Released: 29th May
Synopsis: The house that Jack lived in in 1906, Jackson Leaves, has new tenants. However, the rooms don't stay in one place, there's a man in the airing cupboard and there are ghostly apparitions, all of which draw the attention of Torchwood.
"Risk Assessment" (by James Goss)
Released: 15th October
Synopsis: Agnes Haversham is awake, and Jack is worried (and not a little afraid). The Torchwood Assessor is roused from her sleep in only the worst of times - it's happened just four times in the last 100 years. Can the situation really be so bad? Someone, somewhere, is fighting a war, and they're losing badly. The coffins of the dead are coming through the Rift. With thousands of alien bodies floating in the Bristol Channel, it's down to Torchwood to round them all up before a lethal plague breaks out. And now they'll have to do it by the book - the 1901 edition!
"The Undertaker's Gift" (by Trevor Baxendale)
Released: 15th October
Synopsis: The Hokrala Corp lawyers are back, and they're suing planet Earth for mishandling the twenty-first century! An assassin has been sent to remove Captain Jack Harkness! And, a record number of aliens have been coming through the Rift - it's been a busy week in Cardiff. Now, there are reports of an extraordinary funeral cortege in the night time city, with mysterious pallbearers guarding a rotting cadaver that simply doesn't want to be buried. Torchwood should be ready for anything, but with Jack the target of an invisible killer, Gwen trapped in a forgotten crypt, and Ianto Jones falling desperately ill, could a world of suffering by the Undertaker's gift to planet Earth?
"Consequences" (by Joseph Lidster, James Moran, Andrew Cartmel, David Llewellyn)
Released: 15th October
Synopsis: Saving the planet, watching over the Rift, preparing the human race for the twenty-first century... Torchwood has been keeping Cardiff safe since the late 1800s. Small teams of heroes, working 24/7, encountering and containing the alien, the bizarre, and the inexplicable. But Torchwood do not always see the effects of their actions. What links the Rules and Regulations for replacing a Torchwood leader to the destruction of a shopping center? How does a witness to an alien's reprisals against Torchwood become caught up in a night of terror in a university library? And why should Gwen and Ianto's actions at a local publisher have a cost for Torchwood more than half-a-century earlier? For Torchwood, the past will always catch up with them. And sometimes the future will catch up with the past...
GRAPHIC NOVELS
From Titan Books, the first in a new line of graphic novels - available to pre-order at amazon.co.uk for as little as £5.99!!
Torchwood: Rift War (collected together from Torchwood Magazine)
Released: 24th April
Synopsis: When Torchwood-3 comes under fire in an all-out attack by extra-dimensional shock troopers, the team are torn in all directions. And with a deadly rift bleeding through into their own reality, time itself could be destroyed if the Torchwood team aren't able to stop it!
AUDIO BOOKS
A mixture of cast read stories, and full cast dramas - released by BBC Worldwide throughout the year!
"In the Shadows" (by Joseph Lidster)
Released: 12th March
Synopsis: A man has died of old age in his 30s. This, among other strange events, has lead Torchwood to conclude that someone is sending victims to another dimension, one in which they are punished by the thing which they fear the most. Who is the mysterious taxi driver preying on his passengers?
"The Sin Eaters" (by Brian Michin)
Released: 4th June
Synopsis: Alien larvae in a baptismal font mark the beginnings of a terrifying adventure for Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto and Rhys.
Three full cast dramas, in the style of 2008's "Lost Souls" will also hit shops, 4th June.
***
There's also been rumblings that the Children of Earth DVD will be released in the USA at some point in July - which means that a UK set won't be too far behind that!
Oh, and the ever faithful Torchwood Magazine is out every other month, through its new bi-monthly schedule.
Through 2009, keep it Torchwood!
***
Have we missed anything off the list? Let us know in the comments section below!
BOOKS
There's two new sets of Torchwood novels heading our way through 2009, which eat set containing three brand new adventures, that chronicle the team's activities post-Exit Wounds.
"Into the Silence" (by Sarah Pinborough)
Released: 29th May
Synopsis: A body in a church hall is found with its vocal cords missing and a metallic figure is seen hiding in the shadows. With the amateur operatic contest getting under way, Ianto Jones joins a male voice choir to track it down.
"Bay of the Dead" (by Mark Morris)
Released: 29th May
Synopsis: Torchwood must deal with living corpses stalking the streets and a piece of space debris that keeps regenerating all while an intangible barrier surrounds Cardiff.
"The House that Jack Built" (by Guy Adams)
Released: 29th May
Synopsis: The house that Jack lived in in 1906, Jackson Leaves, has new tenants. However, the rooms don't stay in one place, there's a man in the airing cupboard and there are ghostly apparitions, all of which draw the attention of Torchwood.
"Risk Assessment" (by James Goss)
Released: 15th October
Synopsis: Agnes Haversham is awake, and Jack is worried (and not a little afraid). The Torchwood Assessor is roused from her sleep in only the worst of times - it's happened just four times in the last 100 years. Can the situation really be so bad? Someone, somewhere, is fighting a war, and they're losing badly. The coffins of the dead are coming through the Rift. With thousands of alien bodies floating in the Bristol Channel, it's down to Torchwood to round them all up before a lethal plague breaks out. And now they'll have to do it by the book - the 1901 edition!
"The Undertaker's Gift" (by Trevor Baxendale)
Released: 15th October
Synopsis: The Hokrala Corp lawyers are back, and they're suing planet Earth for mishandling the twenty-first century! An assassin has been sent to remove Captain Jack Harkness! And, a record number of aliens have been coming through the Rift - it's been a busy week in Cardiff. Now, there are reports of an extraordinary funeral cortege in the night time city, with mysterious pallbearers guarding a rotting cadaver that simply doesn't want to be buried. Torchwood should be ready for anything, but with Jack the target of an invisible killer, Gwen trapped in a forgotten crypt, and Ianto Jones falling desperately ill, could a world of suffering by the Undertaker's gift to planet Earth?
"Consequences" (by Joseph Lidster, James Moran, Andrew Cartmel, David Llewellyn)
Released: 15th October
Synopsis: Saving the planet, watching over the Rift, preparing the human race for the twenty-first century... Torchwood has been keeping Cardiff safe since the late 1800s. Small teams of heroes, working 24/7, encountering and containing the alien, the bizarre, and the inexplicable. But Torchwood do not always see the effects of their actions. What links the Rules and Regulations for replacing a Torchwood leader to the destruction of a shopping center? How does a witness to an alien's reprisals against Torchwood become caught up in a night of terror in a university library? And why should Gwen and Ianto's actions at a local publisher have a cost for Torchwood more than half-a-century earlier? For Torchwood, the past will always catch up with them. And sometimes the future will catch up with the past...
GRAPHIC NOVELS
From Titan Books, the first in a new line of graphic novels - available to pre-order at amazon.co.uk for as little as £5.99!!
Torchwood: Rift War (collected together from Torchwood Magazine)
Released: 24th April
Synopsis: When Torchwood-3 comes under fire in an all-out attack by extra-dimensional shock troopers, the team are torn in all directions. And with a deadly rift bleeding through into their own reality, time itself could be destroyed if the Torchwood team aren't able to stop it!
AUDIO BOOKS
A mixture of cast read stories, and full cast dramas - released by BBC Worldwide throughout the year!
"In the Shadows" (by Joseph Lidster)
Released: 12th March
Synopsis: A man has died of old age in his 30s. This, among other strange events, has lead Torchwood to conclude that someone is sending victims to another dimension, one in which they are punished by the thing which they fear the most. Who is the mysterious taxi driver preying on his passengers?
"The Sin Eaters" (by Brian Michin)
Released: 4th June
Synopsis: Alien larvae in a baptismal font mark the beginnings of a terrifying adventure for Captain Jack, Gwen, Ianto and Rhys.
Three full cast dramas, in the style of 2008's "Lost Souls" will also hit shops, 4th June.
***
There's also been rumblings that the Children of Earth DVD will be released in the USA at some point in July - which means that a UK set won't be too far behind that!
Oh, and the ever faithful Torchwood Magazine is out every other month, through its new bi-monthly schedule.
Through 2009, keep it Torchwood!
***
Have we missed anything off the list? Let us know in the comments section below!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Piccolo Rising!
For the benefit of anybody who might not know, I work in a cinema and one of the films being heavily trailed right now is the Dragonball Evolution movie, set for release here in the United Kingdom this April 3rd (or April 8th for North American cinema goers). The film stars James Marsters (Captain John Hart) as Lord Piccolo, Dragonball's resident bad boy.
The film is produced by 20th Century Fox (so those boycotting the studio following the Watchmen court case, beware!) and has an official website launched here, that features a trailer for the flick and a synopsis of what's supposed to be going on (I won't even try to break into the Dragonball story here; mostly because the whole mythology baffles me no end).
I highly doubt I'll be queuing to watch the film upon its release, but I should think there's a far few readers here who will be drawn in by Marsters' involvement. All I'll say is, this being a typical teen-orientated release prepare for lots of talking and popcorn throwing in the screen!
Don't go crying to us ushers when you tell them to stop, and they attack you with the popcorn instead!!
***
In other news, a quick update on March's "The Hub: 2" convention, due to take place the 13th, 14th and 15th of that month at the Park Inn Hotel, Northampton. Guests now include Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd, Kai Owen, Tom Price and writer Phil Ford. You can read all about the event and found out how to book by going all clicky clicky here.
More updates soon, including an indepth look at forthcoming merchandise!
The film is produced by 20th Century Fox (so those boycotting the studio following the Watchmen court case, beware!) and has an official website launched here, that features a trailer for the flick and a synopsis of what's supposed to be going on (I won't even try to break into the Dragonball story here; mostly because the whole mythology baffles me no end).
I highly doubt I'll be queuing to watch the film upon its release, but I should think there's a far few readers here who will be drawn in by Marsters' involvement. All I'll say is, this being a typical teen-orientated release prepare for lots of talking and popcorn throwing in the screen!
Don't go crying to us ushers when you tell them to stop, and they attack you with the popcorn instead!!
***
In other news, a quick update on March's "The Hub: 2" convention, due to take place the 13th, 14th and 15th of that month at the Park Inn Hotel, Northampton. Guests now include Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd, Kai Owen, Tom Price and writer Phil Ford. You can read all about the event and found out how to book by going all clicky clicky here.
More updates soon, including an indepth look at forthcoming merchandise!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Chibnall & Stokes UK
It's been a long time coming, but at last the Law & Order spin-off series headed by writer Chris Chibnall and producer Richard Stokes (both of whom helmed Torchwood until the end of its second season) has finally hit British television screens. Law & OrderUK airs on ITV1 every Monday for the next thirteen weeks - and is executive produced by original US creator Dick Wolf.
Bradley Walsh (he of Coronation Street and, yes, Wheel of Fortune fame - and also a serial in last year's Sarah Jane Adventures run) stars as DS Ronnie Brooks - a "real East End copper's copper" who's sharp with his laconic wit and moral standings.
His foil/sidekick is Battlestar Galactica's Jamie Bamber, who stars as DS Matt Devlin. To make up the third and final officer within the "law" side of things, there's Harriet Walter playing DI Natalie Chandler.
Freema Agyeman - former Martha Jones - appears as young Barrister Alesha Philips, in a role specifically written by Chibnall with Agyeman in mind. Some say her decision to take the role proved to be her downfall with regards to future Torchwood appearences...
To prepare for the role, Agyeman apparently sat in on real life court cases, and talked to her sister, who also holds a law degree.
Bill Paterson (Sea of Souls) acts alongside Agyeman as Chief Prosecutor, and head of London's Crown Prosecution Service, and making up the third and final part of the "order" team is Ben Daniels, as James Steel.
Episode one concerns the investigation into the death of a baby, who has been dumped outside of a hospital inside a sports bag.
That's Law & OrderUK, ITV1 @ 9PM.
(Though you probably knew that already, considering how well the show has been promoted online, on our television screens and across billboards everywhere)
***
Meanwhile the man who killed Owen Harper (well, the first time anyways...) Alan Dale continues to pop up every now and then on Lost, as Charles Widmore - who we're fast learning has a vital connection to the island and its mysteries. He'll also appear this week as the head zombie killer in ITV's Moving Wallpaper/Renaissance double.
Bradley Walsh (he of Coronation Street and, yes, Wheel of Fortune fame - and also a serial in last year's Sarah Jane Adventures run) stars as DS Ronnie Brooks - a "real East End copper's copper" who's sharp with his laconic wit and moral standings.
His foil/sidekick is Battlestar Galactica's Jamie Bamber, who stars as DS Matt Devlin. To make up the third and final officer within the "law" side of things, there's Harriet Walter playing DI Natalie Chandler.
Freema Agyeman - former Martha Jones - appears as young Barrister Alesha Philips, in a role specifically written by Chibnall with Agyeman in mind. Some say her decision to take the role proved to be her downfall with regards to future Torchwood appearences...
To prepare for the role, Agyeman apparently sat in on real life court cases, and talked to her sister, who also holds a law degree.
Bill Paterson (Sea of Souls) acts alongside Agyeman as Chief Prosecutor, and head of London's Crown Prosecution Service, and making up the third and final part of the "order" team is Ben Daniels, as James Steel.
Episode one concerns the investigation into the death of a baby, who has been dumped outside of a hospital inside a sports bag.
That's Law & OrderUK, ITV1 @ 9PM.
(Though you probably knew that already, considering how well the show has been promoted online, on our television screens and across billboards everywhere)
***
Meanwhile the man who killed Owen Harper (well, the first time anyways...) Alan Dale continues to pop up every now and then on Lost, as Charles Widmore - who we're fast learning has a vital connection to the island and its mysteries. He'll also appear this week as the head zombie killer in ITV's Moving Wallpaper/Renaissance double.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Exit stage left
Kurly here,
As Anthony officially packed it in recently and this is now a transition time for Torchwood.TV I figured now is as good a time as any to officially give the goodbye I never gave. I never wrote this before because I didn't want to be negative about the show on a site read by Woodies who love the show and probably get enough hazing about it from their friends.
As Anthony officially packed it in recently and this is now a transition time for Torchwood.TV I figured now is as good a time as any to officially give the goodbye I never gave. I never wrote this before because I didn't want to be negative about the show on a site read by Woodies who love the show and probably get enough hazing about it from their friends.
Briefly, I started this page because I liked blogging, and I liked Doctor Who. Series One of the revival had just aired and the announcement of the spinoff Torchwood provided a nice little untouched niche online where I could stake a claim and maybe have some fun writing about my favorite show indirectly. Well within a few months the page started doing better than my expectations, mostly thanks to a high listing in Google and also because a few disgruntled insiders decided to feed us some news during production of the first series.
A year later when Torchwood finally aired, I just simply didn't care much for the show. John Barrowman was great, I liked the existential themes about the afterlife, but overall the stories and the rest of the characters did little for me. As much as I had put into it by that point, and with 8000 daily readers visiting at the time I didn't want to jump off just yet. I figured I would stay positive and maybe Series Two would be better, but I think I knew right then that I was the wrong voice to represent Woodie fandom. You can't have somebody who doesn't like a show in charge of the fan club.
So you probably have figured out that Series Two of Torchwood didn't bring me back into the fold. In fact there are a few episodes from last year I still haven't got around to watching. Also I was pretty down on Doctor Who in general at the time because of the horrendously bad finale of Series 3 in which a shrunken Gollum Doctor is brought back to life by people's prayers. (Not to worry RTD, I have almost forgotten about it following your great Series 4.)
So this post is really just to say thanks to those readers who have been with us for these few years and to wish well whoever the true Woodie is out there who wants to take this site in it's new direction. The Torchwood.TV domain name is for sale for any hardcore fan out there who is interested. (Contact: kurly(at)torchwood.tv)
I really did have a great time writing this blog in the early days, and it was great to be in communication with and meet some of the big names involved with the show. Thanks also to Anthony who picked up the torch here and made a wiser decision than myself by also starting the premier Sarah Jane Adventures site. (Sorry but from my point of view a much better WHO spinoff.)
That's more than enough from me. Long live Torchwood.TV! See you around.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Jack, John, Carole E. & the Selkie
It's been a long time no see from me, but I'm here, I'm back, with a little bit of preview for the next issue of Torchwood Magazine - the cover of which you can see below:
Issue #14 is the first 100 page issue of the now bi-monthly magazine and features an exclusive comic strip adventure written by Captain Jack himself, John Barrowman, along with his sister, Carole E. Barrowman.
The press release for the issue states that the story, titled 'Captain Jack and the Selkie', "sees Captain Jack facing a deadly threat on a remote Scottish island, where people are disappearing one by one... To his horror, Jack starts to suspect he may know who – or perhaps more specifically what – is responsible..."
The press release for the issue states that the story, titled 'Captain Jack and the Selkie', "sees Captain Jack facing a deadly threat on a remote Scottish island, where people are disappearing one by one... To his horror, Jack starts to suspect he may know who – or perhaps more specifically what – is responsible..."
Also in the mag, a new column by Children of Earth director Euros Lyn, and a look at the life and times of Captain Jack Harkness - a timeline of his entire life thus far!
+
The magazine is onsale in UK from today 19th February, and in US from 17th March.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
We are coming...
Still reeling from the announcement of the departure of my esteemed colleague Jackharkness, I longed for something to contribute to fill the apparent void here on the Torchwood.TV blog. But alas, as the resident Yank, I tend to be one of the last ones in the loop.
So, imagine my surprise when I received an email from BBC America stating, “Calling all Torchwood fans! Ask and you shall receive.” This might just be the answer to my prayers… Upon clicking the link, I was brought to the new BBCA Torchwood page which warmed me, “We are coming.”
Featuring interviews with Eve Myles and director Euros Lyn, the new Torchwood site also features highlights from the New York Comicon. In fact the recent redesign of the BBCA Torchwood site has a lot to offer, save one major fact: When. Yes, I know there are several bogs who have speculated on this magical date, but since the Beeb in its finite wisdom has not seen fit to publish an official date, it would be inappropriate to report on it. But, I think I can assuage my anxiousness for now... I see that episode 2 of Top Gear is airing, which brings the boys back to America… (By the way, I should point out that contrary to all the rumours, I am not in fact the Stig. But I suspect he could be a fellow Timelord…)
Until Later, Cheers!
-Tremas
So, imagine my surprise when I received an email from BBC America stating, “Calling all Torchwood fans! Ask and you shall receive.” This might just be the answer to my prayers… Upon clicking the link, I was brought to the new BBCA Torchwood page which warmed me, “We are coming.”
Featuring interviews with Eve Myles and director Euros Lyn, the new Torchwood site also features highlights from the New York Comicon. In fact the recent redesign of the BBCA Torchwood site has a lot to offer, save one major fact: When. Yes, I know there are several bogs who have speculated on this magical date, but since the Beeb in its finite wisdom has not seen fit to publish an official date, it would be inappropriate to report on it. But, I think I can assuage my anxiousness for now... I see that episode 2 of Top Gear is airing, which brings the boys back to America… (By the way, I should point out that contrary to all the rumours, I am not in fact the Stig. But I suspect he could be a fellow Timelord…)
Until Later, Cheers!
-Tremas
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Business as Usual
It's strange writing this, knowing that my incredible journey here on the site is coming to an end. I'll tell you what it's like; that period at school where you're a month or so away from exams, and officially your lessons have ended. All you've got left to do is a last round of revision, and then you'll be saying goodbye for good. So, the last lap of my time here; should we begin?
This upcoming March 11th is not only John Barrowman's 42nd birthday, oh no! It's also the day that Torchwood airs for the very first time on German television. Yep, after almost two and a half years waiting, Germany's television audience are about to get their first glimpse of the Torchwood team in action! (Let's exclude DVDs that might have been bought, and Torchwood's cameo appearence in Doctor Who's finale!). The show airs on the RTL 2 channel, from 10:05PM on the 11th, and you can catch a trailer advertising the dubbed series here.
Meanwhile you can catch videos of Euros Lyn and Eve Myles' New York Comic Con 2009 appearence here and here. Thanks to Mirnell for uploading!!
Alba17 has a report on events at their website - including pictures of the panel. Look behind Eve and Euros and you'll catch the official cast photograph of the Children of Earth series (unseen until this point, I believe). You can catch the article at Alba17's livejournal.
If either Mirnell or Alba17 are reading this; get in touch guys! As you'll probably know I'm looking for a team of writers to head up the site once I've zamooshkad, and I'd be honoured to have either one of you aboard.
Okay, I'm off to watch a combo of State of Play and Party Animals, and yes that does label me as a political thriller geek. Till next time!
This upcoming March 11th is not only John Barrowman's 42nd birthday, oh no! It's also the day that Torchwood airs for the very first time on German television. Yep, after almost two and a half years waiting, Germany's television audience are about to get their first glimpse of the Torchwood team in action! (Let's exclude DVDs that might have been bought, and Torchwood's cameo appearence in Doctor Who's finale!). The show airs on the RTL 2 channel, from 10:05PM on the 11th, and you can catch a trailer advertising the dubbed series here.
Meanwhile you can catch videos of Euros Lyn and Eve Myles' New York Comic Con 2009 appearence here and here. Thanks to Mirnell for uploading!!
Alba17 has a report on events at their website - including pictures of the panel. Look behind Eve and Euros and you'll catch the official cast photograph of the Children of Earth series (unseen until this point, I believe). You can catch the article at Alba17's livejournal.
If either Mirnell or Alba17 are reading this; get in touch guys! As you'll probably know I'm looking for a team of writers to head up the site once I've zamooshkad, and I'd be honoured to have either one of you aboard.
Okay, I'm off to watch a combo of State of Play and Party Animals, and yes that does label me as a political thriller geek. Till next time!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Long Goodbye & New Regenerations
It's been three years since I was asked to join this site and contribute news stories, or show gossip, or anything particularly relevant to Torchwood - a show (at that point) still half a year away from broadcast. I must have been insane! Torchwood could very well have been the biggest pile of wank imaginable; I didn't know.
Why? Because it was a gamble, and one that might pay off. I had no idea that Torchwood would have been as big a hit as it was, but I hoped it would be! I sat there writing, hoping that more and more people read the stuff I wrote here, as if that'd somehow make me famous in the Torchwood community!
But beyond the idea of Woodie champion and celebrity, I had a deep respect for this site - launched back in October of 2005, the day that Torchwood's commission was first announced. The sole writer at the time Kurly was a genius at managing to sring together news stories at a time when production on the show hadn't even started, and there was no news to report. I remember reading his sarcastic banter pretty much every lunch time, and he had me gripped - not only to find out where the future of Torchwood lay, but by his fantastic writing style. This was much more than a fansite reporting daily news; it actually entertained me.
I'm afraid one of my biggest regrets when I joined the site was not continuing this trend, because I was far more interested in reporting actual news than playing silly, not realising that that sense of humour was (till that point) the backbone of the entire site. Sure, we now had news springing up here and there, but what's news (especially one considering an up and coming fantasy television series) without style and grace?
Kurly was very nice about it all, but I'm sure he saw the direction I was taking the site (not deliberately; I just posted more than he did, so 'my' perspective on events tended to outnumber his!). Those first six months we still worked together pretty well, and they were some of the best times I've ever had blogging - the highlight being that night at Manchester's Odeon cinema, seeing the preview of Torchwood episode one, knowing that if I stood up at any point and yelled out "I'm jackharkness!" I'd probably be recognised by most folk in that cinema screen.
Then things changed. With the series on air it became harder and harder to keep track of news; and worse still, other sites beat us to the punch 9 out of 10 times, and we were left trailing far behind them. New writers were brought on board (all of them fantastic, by the way!) but things didn't improve. Not for me, anyroad - and looking back, I think I know why.
I've never admitted this before, but as much as I like Torchwood, it's concept, characters and execution, I'm afraid that like stops short of love. I'm a fan, yes, but not in the sense that I'm fanatical about the show or have a particular drive or passion towards it. In other words, unlike a lot of other folk out there touched by the series, it's not that big a part of my life. I don't relate to Toshiko Sato particularly, to use a crude example. I have no desire to visit the Hub set (though I'm sure such an experience would ROCK). Worse still, I'm not sure if I've even be here today if it weren't for the Doctor Who connection. The world of the show just doesn't 'do' it for me as much as I'd hoped when I started writing back in that February of 2006.
When Kurly sent me an email early last year to say that he was done, both with the show and the site (effectively leaving me in charge to run the joint) I was sad because I saw a lot of me in there. Somebody writing for the fans, who then ultimately realises that he's not part of that fandom anymore and feels he probably doesn't belong there. But I'm stubborn and told myself that I'd never quit, and that I'd carry on writing about a show I only half care about - mostly out of routine, a little because I like the attention it gets me (1000 readers daily; 14000 at our peak), and then there's you guys and gals, who I don't want to let down.
I think I've known for a while now that it can't go on. What was it that Tegan Jovanka's aunt used to say? When you stop enjoying something, give it up. My gut tells me that it's that time.
After three solid years, I'm ready to bid adieu.
There you have it, my resignation; but you don't get rid of me that easily. Oh no! You see, I love this wee site, always have done and without meaning to sound egotistical for one second, I'd hate to see my departure mark the end of it. I'm detirmined it'll carry on, just as strong as ever before (maybe returning to past glories, when it was a shinning example of Torchwood web fandom at its strongest and best) doing what it's always done; reporting on all things Torchwood - by people like you, who properly care about the series and love it to bits.
I'm opening the doors to anybody who wants to write for the site. If we're lucky, we'll manage to get a team of maybe 10 writers together, all of whom can use the Torchwood.tv blog as a platform to demonstrate not only their writing talent, but their passion for the show. (I'll let you know, I've had interviews since joining the site where the interviewer mentions Doctor Who and Torchwood in passing, I mention this site and that I write it, he or she smiles, and from there things go pretty well for me!).
There's also the chance for a redesign, maybe in time for the Children of Earth series? If anybody out there is ever-so-slightly technical minded then I'd love for you to get in touch. Ideally we'd need a new XML blog template - in someway Torchwood related! - and maybe a new site logo. If you have any suggestions (I understand such things like 0%) give me a shout. Or rather, an email.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated and very welcome!
Don't fret! I'm sticking around for the forseeable future - until the new team is in place, at least, and I should imagine until Children of Earth has transmitted (and I'll continue to write Sarah-Jane.tv indefinitely). After that, I take a back seat as a sort of advisor to the new crew, until the day comes they don't need me anymore (so that'll be about a week after their arrival then!) and I bid my final, final farewell, which will be an emotional day for sure.
Thanks to everybody who's supported me and the past few years, and a great big 'fuck you' salute to everybody that hasn't! I know my posts aren't perfect, or the most coherent, but they come with good intent, from a guy that's just like you; somebody that only wants to please the very audience he writes for. I hope I've managed to do that, and bring a little smile to your fan faces.
With that, this Woodie is out.
Contact me on my email address (clicky clicky!!)
Why? Because it was a gamble, and one that might pay off. I had no idea that Torchwood would have been as big a hit as it was, but I hoped it would be! I sat there writing, hoping that more and more people read the stuff I wrote here, as if that'd somehow make me famous in the Torchwood community!
But beyond the idea of Woodie champion and celebrity, I had a deep respect for this site - launched back in October of 2005, the day that Torchwood's commission was first announced. The sole writer at the time Kurly was a genius at managing to sring together news stories at a time when production on the show hadn't even started, and there was no news to report. I remember reading his sarcastic banter pretty much every lunch time, and he had me gripped - not only to find out where the future of Torchwood lay, but by his fantastic writing style. This was much more than a fansite reporting daily news; it actually entertained me.
I'm afraid one of my biggest regrets when I joined the site was not continuing this trend, because I was far more interested in reporting actual news than playing silly, not realising that that sense of humour was (till that point) the backbone of the entire site. Sure, we now had news springing up here and there, but what's news (especially one considering an up and coming fantasy television series) without style and grace?
Kurly was very nice about it all, but I'm sure he saw the direction I was taking the site (not deliberately; I just posted more than he did, so 'my' perspective on events tended to outnumber his!). Those first six months we still worked together pretty well, and they were some of the best times I've ever had blogging - the highlight being that night at Manchester's Odeon cinema, seeing the preview of Torchwood episode one, knowing that if I stood up at any point and yelled out "I'm jackharkness!" I'd probably be recognised by most folk in that cinema screen.
Then things changed. With the series on air it became harder and harder to keep track of news; and worse still, other sites beat us to the punch 9 out of 10 times, and we were left trailing far behind them. New writers were brought on board (all of them fantastic, by the way!) but things didn't improve. Not for me, anyroad - and looking back, I think I know why.
I've never admitted this before, but as much as I like Torchwood, it's concept, characters and execution, I'm afraid that like stops short of love. I'm a fan, yes, but not in the sense that I'm fanatical about the show or have a particular drive or passion towards it. In other words, unlike a lot of other folk out there touched by the series, it's not that big a part of my life. I don't relate to Toshiko Sato particularly, to use a crude example. I have no desire to visit the Hub set (though I'm sure such an experience would ROCK). Worse still, I'm not sure if I've even be here today if it weren't for the Doctor Who connection. The world of the show just doesn't 'do' it for me as much as I'd hoped when I started writing back in that February of 2006.
When Kurly sent me an email early last year to say that he was done, both with the show and the site (effectively leaving me in charge to run the joint) I was sad because I saw a lot of me in there. Somebody writing for the fans, who then ultimately realises that he's not part of that fandom anymore and feels he probably doesn't belong there. But I'm stubborn and told myself that I'd never quit, and that I'd carry on writing about a show I only half care about - mostly out of routine, a little because I like the attention it gets me (1000 readers daily; 14000 at our peak), and then there's you guys and gals, who I don't want to let down.
I think I've known for a while now that it can't go on. What was it that Tegan Jovanka's aunt used to say? When you stop enjoying something, give it up. My gut tells me that it's that time.
After three solid years, I'm ready to bid adieu.
There you have it, my resignation; but you don't get rid of me that easily. Oh no! You see, I love this wee site, always have done and without meaning to sound egotistical for one second, I'd hate to see my departure mark the end of it. I'm detirmined it'll carry on, just as strong as ever before (maybe returning to past glories, when it was a shinning example of Torchwood web fandom at its strongest and best) doing what it's always done; reporting on all things Torchwood - by people like you, who properly care about the series and love it to bits.
I'm opening the doors to anybody who wants to write for the site. If we're lucky, we'll manage to get a team of maybe 10 writers together, all of whom can use the Torchwood.tv blog as a platform to demonstrate not only their writing talent, but their passion for the show. (I'll let you know, I've had interviews since joining the site where the interviewer mentions Doctor Who and Torchwood in passing, I mention this site and that I write it, he or she smiles, and from there things go pretty well for me!).
There's also the chance for a redesign, maybe in time for the Children of Earth series? If anybody out there is ever-so-slightly technical minded then I'd love for you to get in touch. Ideally we'd need a new XML blog template - in someway Torchwood related! - and maybe a new site logo. If you have any suggestions (I understand such things like 0%) give me a shout. Or rather, an email.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated and very welcome!
Don't fret! I'm sticking around for the forseeable future - until the new team is in place, at least, and I should imagine until Children of Earth has transmitted (and I'll continue to write Sarah-Jane.tv indefinitely). After that, I take a back seat as a sort of advisor to the new crew, until the day comes they don't need me anymore (so that'll be about a week after their arrival then!) and I bid my final, final farewell, which will be an emotional day for sure.
Thanks to everybody who's supported me and the past few years, and a great big 'fuck you' salute to everybody that hasn't! I know my posts aren't perfect, or the most coherent, but they come with good intent, from a guy that's just like you; somebody that only wants to please the very audience he writes for. I hope I've managed to do that, and bring a little smile to your fan faces.
With that, this Woodie is out.
Contact me on my email address (clicky clicky!!)
Friday, February 06, 2009
They Are Coming...
After last nights television debut, UK residents can now see the teaser for Torchwood: Children of Earth on the official BBC website
Still no news on a start date, but this does seem to indicate that this will be the most action packed, explosive season of Torchwood yet - and on five conescutive nights!
I am torn whether to be excited about a week long run, or gutted it will all be over too quickly!
My apologies to overseas readers, who may not be able to view the trailer.
Still no news on a start date, but this does seem to indicate that this will be the most action packed, explosive season of Torchwood yet - and on five conescutive nights!
I am torn whether to be excited about a week long run, or gutted it will all be over too quickly!
My apologies to overseas readers, who may not be able to view the trailer.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Daddy Burn
Congratulations to Burn Gorman and his wife Sarah, who gave birth to the couple's second child Nell on Sunday January 25th. The pair already have a son, Max, who was born during the filmng of series one's "Ghost Machine" episode. Burn is currently starring as Bill Sykes in Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver! revival on London's West End, alongside Rowan Atkinson, Julian Glover and Davros himself, Julian Bleach.
In other news (and as previously indicated here) this Thursday at 4PM ET sees the launch of a brand new 60 second trailer of the forthcoming Children of Earth saga, at New York's ComicCon 2009 - where Eve Myles and director Euros Lyn will be meeting and greeting fans, as well as previewing the new series.
The trailer will be available simutaneously through the show's official BBCi site.
***
For fans who appreciated my little Red Dwarf: Back to Earth preview last week, there's more! [SPOILERS!] Although no Whoniverse crossover (yet!) it appears I was half right - the show will be crossing on over to another infamous British drama series, Coronation Street! That's right folks - Lister, Rimmer, Cat and Kryten are about to walk those Mancunian cobbles. Evidence? Here. Verdict? Bizarre!
In other news (and as previously indicated here) this Thursday at 4PM ET sees the launch of a brand new 60 second trailer of the forthcoming Children of Earth saga, at New York's ComicCon 2009 - where Eve Myles and director Euros Lyn will be meeting and greeting fans, as well as previewing the new series.
The trailer will be available simutaneously through the show's official BBCi site.
***
For fans who appreciated my little Red Dwarf: Back to Earth preview last week, there's more! [SPOILERS!] Although no Whoniverse crossover (yet!) it appears I was half right - the show will be crossing on over to another infamous British drama series, Coronation Street! That's right folks - Lister, Rimmer, Cat and Kryten are about to walk those Mancunian cobbles. Evidence? Here. Verdict? Bizarre!
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