Another Torchwood article...

[fajrdrako]

So they showed Torchwood in the US and the ratings were surprisingly good, as were most of the reviews. Who'd've guessed?

Not me.

Actually I'm a little annoyed that the CBC co-funded the show, then stalled on showing it, and the Americans have scooped us. Why? No taste or judgement, those CBC guys. Sometimes.

I'm not sure how it's doing now in Australia. My Australian friends were miffed that after starting it in a prime-time slot, it was quickly moved to a post-midnight schedule. Inexplicable! Unless it was network erotophobia. But why should Australians be afraid of sex?

I just read 'Torchwood's' hero comes out to play by Maureen Ryan from the Chicago Tribune. Good bits:This is just my two cents, but the blue-eyed, square-jawed, energetic Capt. Jack makes Tom Cruise look like a tired old hag... If you like brisk, escapist alien adventures mixed with a bit of wisecracking and some surprising forays into emotionally charged terrain, this is the show for you. And:

What doesn't get much attention in the first season — but is treated with matter-of-fact acceptance — is his bisexuality (well, his omnisexuality, considering that he's sometimes attracted to hot aliens). One future story line for the second season, Barrowman said, has Capt. Jack in a sexy scene with a character played by "Buffy's" James Marsters.

"I think Jack has come across so well with the [British] public is because he doesn’t judge on that," Barrowman said. "And he doesn’t let people judge him on that. Because he is a hero, a sexy hero with an ambition and a mission. The sexuality is completely secondary."

Comments

[sollersuk.livejournal.com]

The sexuality is completely secondary

Who does he think he's kidding? It means ANYBODY can drool!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Secondary to what? I know what and who I'm looking at!

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

This was heartening news indeed. Maybe this could be part of an upswing towards a more logical, more realistic attitude towards sexuality? One can hope.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, and I do hope.

The thing about American society - it seems to have all the extremes.

[teenygozer.livejournal.com]

One future story line for the second season, Barrowman said, has Capt. Jack in a sexy scene with a character played by "Buffy's" James Marsters.

I... I may actually have to start believing in God, now.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

That's great that Torchwood is doing well on BBC America. I suspect, though, that the cable audience is nearer to its correct niche market.

In any case, there is a huge US market for intelligent TV that treats sexuality in a reasonable way. Unfortunately, there's an even huger market for dumb TV, so that's what we usually see.

[everworld2662.livejournal.com]

Yes, I heard it'd been moved to a ridiculous time slot, too. (Being also in Australia as I am).

Even more ridiculous when you consider "Californication", a show I admittedly have no right to judge, having not watched much of it, but suspect to be awful, especially since it seems to really entirely on the "shock" factor with nothing behind it.

[trixtah.livejournal.com]

But why should Australians be afraid of sex?

Because Australian social mores have slid 20 years backwards in the time that the current government has been in power. They really are trying to out-American the Americans. This cartoon (http://www.inkcinct.com.au/Web/CARTOONS/2007/2007-085-standing-ovation.jpg) is not about social policy, but it's an apposite image.

It used to be that kiwis went to Australia if they were queer or otherwise different. That situation has certainly changed.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Australian social mores have slid 20 years backwards in the time that the current government has been in power.

Really...?

What is happening to this world?

They really are trying to out-American the Americans.

Not a good idea. Prudery rules. (I shudder.)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's odd what shows become successes and what don't. We can all cite bad stuff on TV, and we can all point to bad shows that have been magnificent successes. Then we can look at brilliant shows like Firefly that were aborted in their early prime. But it isn't just a matter of the bad prospering, because there are good shows suceeding on TV too: Heroes and Battlestar Galactica, for example. So what's the key factor? Luck?

I don't understand Californication, don't "get" in in terms of understanding why they made it. It sounds awful.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I suspect, though, that the cable audience is nearer to its correct niche market.

I think so too. I'm hoping it will succeed enough to continue for a third series. I am greedy.

there's an even huger market for dumb TV, so that's what we usually see.

Well, I don't, because I don't turn it on, but I know it's out there. Lurking. I feel surrounded and outnumbered!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Ooooooooooooooh yes.

Sometimes good things happen in this world.

Or maybe we've died and gone to heaven.

[everworld2662.livejournal.com]

Maybe the popularity is just too reliant on the way the shows are advertised. Because I of all people know that I am fully capable of watching something that I know is TERRIBLE but enjoying it anyway. Or just watching it anyway, if you get what I mean.

At least, if Neighbours is any indication. But I wouldn't presume to say that's well advertised.

However, I am THOROUGHLY sick of NCIS, SVU, CI, LWT (which if it doesn't exist now, will shortly) & so on. Ditto hospital dramas. Just because it works for Grey's Anatomy, it does NOT mean it works for the kajillion other imitator shows that have appeared since. If you get what I mean (I'm rambling again).

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

The thing about American society - it seems to have all the extremes.

Good observation. It seems that a lot of people here are intrinsically averse to any ambiguity, and strive to cast everything into an either/or framework at all times. Thus the rejection of same-sex couple being allowed to legally marry, as "that jsut isn't right." In the mind of a linear-minded person who has never thought past the end of her/his own nose, sure it is....

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't see the problem....

I think polarity of opinion is unfortunate when it causes divisions. And I see a lot of divisions.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't enjoy anything terrible but then I'm not much of a TV watcher, and when I do like something, I believe it to be wonderful. Even when others don't agree. I don't know what "Neighbours" is. Or CI or SVU or LWT. NCIS, I've heard of - I might even have seen an episode - is that the one with David McCallum? I watched the first season of "Grey's Anatomy" and thought it was all right - the hospital show I want to watch is "Holby City", because of Peter Wingfield. Enjoyed the episodes I saw, very much.

Generally speaking, I don't watch or like medical shows because I am squeamish about medical matters. Also because I don't usually find the plots very interesting. But if Peter Wingfield's in the cast - I'm there!

[everworld2662.livejournal.com]

=O Not even House? Or Scrubs? The two (alongside Grey's) decent hospital shows I know of? Though I will check out Holby City, since it's on all the time...& you like Torchwood, so how bad can it be? =D

(Who on Earth is Peter Wingfield? XD)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Not even House?

I saw about half of the first season of House, most of it at a friend's videoparty. I liked the character of House himself but I had a few major problems with the way the show was written, and a minor problem with medical squickiness, and neither the time nor the incentive to watch it at home alone. It's the rare show I will watch by myself. Veronica Mars is the only one I can think of in recent years.

Or Scrubs?

Uh... no. It's a double genre I don't like. Comedy and medical. Is it so good I should make an exception and try it? Isn't it a sitcom? I haven't voluntarily watched a sitcom since... since... I can't remember when I last did. "My Favourite Martian", maybe. Loved that when I was eight.

Peter Wingfield gained fame by playing Methos in Highlander. Words cannot express how wonderful Peter Wingfield is.

[everworld2662.livejournal.com]

Oh, most emphatically YES. Scrubs is definitely one of the most amazing shows I've ever watched. It's hilarious, and you love all the characters...

And oh, House owns my soul, I'm afraid. I just adore the characters more than is healthy.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Okay, I might have a look at Scrubs, out of curiosity if nothing else. But... comedy? Hmm. I'm not sure I can handle it.

As four Hourse - I really liked House himself, and for a while I really liked Chase, but after a few more episodes everyone one else was getting on my nerves. I know, though, that when I really get into a show, really watch all the episodes carefully and in order, I usually tend to love the characters.... But then, I don't do that with a show I don't love already, so it's a cumulative effect. If the plots of House had grabbed me more, I might have loved it, but I thought it was the same plot every week, and therefore too predictable...

My goodness, I sound fussy, don't I? House himself was terrific, and aside from the plots, the writing was good. Witty. At least - House himself was witty. I love that in a hero.