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Comic-Con: Torchwood & Being Human Panels

Bruce Simmons — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:04:08 +0000

This Comic-Con panel was split into two segments with Being Human up first. Participants for Being Human panel included the Lenora Crichlow, Toby Whitehouse, Russell Tovey & Aidan Turner.

Being Human is about a vampire named Mitchell (Turner), a werewolf named George (Tovey), and a ghost named Annie (Crichlow). It’s about these three souls trying to understand themselves and fit into society in the process.

The first vision of Being Human was a sitcom but that later evolved into the supernatural show that it is today.

Russell Tovey was connected to the script by how it’s rooted in humanity.

Lenora Crichlon: her character is a very fresh take on a ghost. She’s trapped in the house she died in.

Russell Tovey started a wave in the auditorium, fulfilling a personal dream of his!

The real ordeal of the story is the human aspect of each of their own issues, while trying to also concentrate on helping each other out with their issues.

George thinks he’s the only werewolf out there. He’s surprised to meet the man who turned him into one.

George is also the most human of the three, because he will age, get grey hair, etc..

Mitchell has had longer to deal with his own condition of being a vampire.

Annie wants to discover how she died, she thinks she’ll be able to move on. In the season, she figures things on but doesn’t pass on, so now she has to start looking at what else she has to sort out to move on.

George tries to pretend he doesn’t have this werewolf condition. By the end of the first series, he adjusts and starts to use it.

Mitchell goes through the process with his own humanity and is in constant conflict, not only with himself, but with other vampires.

Each episode ties into a different human analogy.

Series two will start filming when they get back from this trip. Will series 2 be action oriented or story based?

An interesting twist to the tale is how they’re treating the vampire Mitchell. Since there have been so many takes on what a vampire is, they were able to cherry pick their type of vampire. With that, they’ve focused on the idea that Mitchell’s need for blood is more a mental or emotional one and he doesn’t necessarily need blood to survive.

Torchwood Panel

The Torchwood panel included the brilliant Russell T Davies, John Barrowman, Euros Lyn & Julie Gardner.

They previewed the 5 days of the Torchwood: Children Of Earth (CoE) mini-series.

Unfortunately, a lot of conversation revolved around CoE since it aired last week. With that in mind, I’ve split up the conversation to include spoilers in one section, and non-spoilers in another. It may seem a little out of whack, but I’m thinking of you, the Screen Rant reader.

American audiences have taken to the show like ducks in water, considering how well the ratings have done.

SPOILERS BEGIN HERE: (Click to Jump Past Spoilers).

We never got a clear look at the creature because so many different shows have lots of different creatures. This alone inspired them to keep the alien shrouded out of sight. It worked out rather well.

Frobisher was awesome, Lois Habiba was fantastic and an open question was put out if we’ll see more of Lois? Davies said that he can’t say but he would love to work with her again.

When Barrowman read the script for ToE, he went “wow” at all the history and secrets revealed. He was worried that no one would like him any more after some of the harsh decisions he had to make in those 5 days of the mini-series.

His take was that Jack Harkness is right and did all the right things. The necessary things.

It turned out that the audience still likes Captain Jack regardless of the choices made by him.

He did remind everyone that people die young in Torchwood because of the sacrifices that need to be made.

In the mini-series it was noted how Captain Jack had to suffer, and it prepared him for the end choices he had to make.

On John Fobisher being a great character, the idea behind what created his role was that he was just a middle man in a suit and he’s been in that suit for 40 years in a situation that went from miserable to worse.

END SPOILERS

The first inquiring fan asked if she could get a hug but Barrowman said if he hugged her, he’d have to hug everyone.

This isn’t the first time Barrowman has been at Comic-Con and he said he’s a geek like everyone else.

Euros Lyn said it’s a fantastic experience to get everyone’s feedback at Comic-Con.

After one particular episode ended, Barrowman jumped on Twitter to see what folk were saying.

No one at BBC anticipated this kind of success that Torchwood: CoE has had.

Davies doesn’t write episodes to appeal to both America and the U.K.. He just writes.

The roles for Jack seem to always involve him having unique clothing. What would he like wearing in his next role? Wish he could tell you, because he’s done military, drag queen and even naked and pretty much covers the gamut.

Someone asked about the possibility of a musical episode, but it was noted that the characters of Torchwood don’t lend themselves to a musical episode. Though the audience seemed interested in that.

I have to say that Barrowman was pretty animated on the panel and he pretty much stole the show. It was awesome to see both Barrowman and Davies in person.

So I have to wonder. Were there any Screen Rant readers there in the panel? And did you get to the microphone to ask a question? I only ask that because I’m getting surprised at just how many of you hit the panels and got a turn at the microphones!

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Weekly TV Wrap Up – July 23rd, 2009

Bruce Simmons — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:18:37 +0000

Hello from San Diego at Comic-Con. Today’s bit of weekly TV news is a bit short today but I have managed to include some not so good news about Burn Notice’s Jeffrey Donovan, some good news for 24 star Keifer Sutherland, returning news for Jorja Fox on CSI, and TV ratings from last week.

Jorja Fox Returns to CSI

Jorja Fox’s relationship with CBS and CSI is an off-again, on-again event over the last few years. It looks like things are “on” again as Fox will be appearing in the upcoming 10th season premiere and an additional few episodes throughout the season.

When inquired if Petersen would return and CBS has no comment. Grr.

Source: TV Guide

Michael Westen Really Burned

Burn Notice star Jeffrey Donovan has been busted on July 12th for operating his motor vehicle while under the influence, down in Florida.

He was released on bail.

Source: TV Guide

24’s Keifer Sutherland Off The Hook

While one star got into trouble, another got out of it. The Manhattan district attorney has decided not to pursue charges against Keifer Sutherland in that head butting case where Keifer stepped in and reportedly head-butted fashion designer Jack McCullough.

Then again, Sutherland and McCullough did meet and reconcile their issues after the fact.

With the charges dropped, Sutherland is no longer threatening his five-year probation issue from his 2007 DUI.

Source: TV Guide

Torchwood To Continue

Without giving away too much, Russell T. Davies has said that he’s fairly confident that Torchwood will go on. There are many different options on the table, so don’t fret.

Just thought you’d like to know.

Source: EW.com

TV Ratings

This week, sports led the way in ratings while a few reality shows kept sticking their nose in the ratings mix.

I try to stick to the ‘all viewers’ mode to capture a better, more rounded set of ratings, though at times, reality programming just doesn’t go away.

Rank, Show, (R)= Repeat, (S)=Special, Network, Viewers (Millions)

1. MLB All-Star Game (S) – FOX – 14.6
2. America’s Got Talent – Tue – NBC – 13.5
3. America Got Talent – Wed 9PM – NBC – 11.6
4. MLB All-Star Pre-Game – (S) – FOX – 11.2
5. NCIS (R) – CBS – 10.5
6. Two and a Half Men – (R) – CBS – 9.1
7. The Mentalist – (R) – CBS – 8.4
8. The Big Bang Theory – (R) – CBS – 8.2
9. The Bachelorette – ABC – 8.0
10. CSI: Miami – (R) – CBS – 8.0
11. CSI: NY – (R) – CBS – 8.0
12. Wipeout – ABC – 7.7
13. CSI – (R) – CBS – 7.7
14. CBS News: Remember Cronkite – (S) – CBS – 7.6
15. Criminal Minds – (R) – CBS – 7.5
16. America Got Talent – Tue 8PM – (R) – NBC – 7.5
17. So You Think You Can Dance – Thur – FOX – 7.2
18. Law And Order: SVU – (R) – NBC – 7.1
19. So You Think You Can Dance – Wed – FOX – 6.9
20. America Got Talent- Wed 8PM – (R) – NBC – 6.5

Noted Shows On Cable

Rank, Program, Net, Viewers (millions)
3rd – Burn Notice on USA – 6.7
4th – The Closer on TNT – 6.6
5th – Royal Pains on USA – 6.2
19th – NCIS on USA – 4.3

Source: TV By The Numbers

Thanks for coming by. Reader comments are always welcome here on Screen Rant.

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Torchwood: Children of Earth – Review & Discussion

Bruce Simmons — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:34:00 +0000

This is a spoiler free discussion

The regular readers of Screen Rant have a pretty good feel for how I look at shows and many of you tend to agree with my opinions in my different reviews. With that said…

In short, I’ve never been so moved or drawn into a show like this in my life. In fear of sounding like one of those fawning critics looking for studio media exposure, I have to say that Torchwood: Children of Earth was gripping, compelling and shocking, all at once. Oh yea, and incredibly entertaining.

Creator, lead writer and executive producer Russell T Davies brings a very good story to the viewers. When he put this together he said “I wanted to tell a story in which civilization snaps, in which we turn on ourselves, in which nothing is safe.”

He hit the target dead on.

The children of Earth are used like tools. All around the planet, each child stops in their tracks and then as one, they speak to the people of Earth, saying “We are coming.”

Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) and Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd) return in Torchwood: Children of the Earth where we are brought into a story of global fear and earthly citizen distrust. Of governments put in harrowing situations and dark deeds that need to be done. Decisions are made that are morally questionable and yet undeniably necessary. The emotional conflict created within the show remained with this viewer way beyond the closing credits.

The 5 days that the mini-series covers is a well developed and strong story that draws you in and continued getting stronger with each passing scene.

Day one is used to introduce many parts of the story, including the Torchwood team. They weave together a lot of facts and history quickly and efficiently. If you don’t know anything about Torchwood, it’s OK. Details will be filled in for you throughout.

I kept waiting for the the tale to plateau out like most shows do as they get past the halfway point. Then the characters can deal with what has happened. But it didn’t. It just kept getting better with every scene as the story developed and revelations are tossed at us throughout, right up until the end. My damn adrenaline just wouldn’t quit.

The show hit on some themes I’ve never seen before in American television. Or at least on any of the shows I’ve watched. It came at us with dark themes, again, like I’ve never seen before. I was impressed with how they presented some of the story facets. During other times in the show, there are scenes that drew me completely in and I’ve never had such a strong emotional empathy for a story or the characters within it.

Schedule The Time

If you watch it on TV on BBC America, you won’t budge from your couch and you will probably think it’s cruel and unusual punishment to keep you waiting until the next episode. If you DVR or buy the DVD / Blu-ray, plan to sit for the entire 5 hours because you won’t want to play one episode and then not put the other ones in.

Torchwood: Children of Earth will air on BBC America on Monday, July 20th, 9:00 to 10:15 pacific, 8:00 to 9:15 central.

Try to catch it if you haven’t already. And commentors that may have seen it already, try to be cognizant of the readers who haven’t seen it yet! Thanks!

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Torchwood Premiering On BBC America

Bruce Simmons — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:20:08 +0000

BBC America’s top-rated show, Torchwood, is returning for an epic event that will span five consecutive nights as it premieres in the United States on BBC America with Torchwood: Children of Earth.

Torchwood: Children of Earth, which was created by Russell T. Davies (Doctor Who, Queer as Folk) will be the lead show that launches BBC America HD.

In this new rendition of the mythos, the Torchwood team will be facing their most challenging threat ever, as this new danger puts Torchwood and all of humanity into danger.

The show will premiere on Monday, July 20th.

A new episode premieres each night from Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24 at 9:00 – 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The previous night’s episode will encore at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

As Davies put it, “I wanted to tell a story in which civilization snaps, in which we turn on ourselves, in which nothing is safe. Plenty of people live like that, on this planet. In this story, it’s Britain’s turn.”

Quick Synopsis

A regular day becomes a world of terror. Every child in the world stops playing, stops laughing, just stops. Then, as one, they begin to speak with the same voice, announcing to the governments of Earth: “We are coming.”

Meanwhile, a trap closes around Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and sins from the past return as long-forgotten events from 1965 threaten to reveal an awful truth.

A Lead-In on Monday Night

Before the premiere on Monday night, an exclusive BBC America special premieres at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The program features everything there is to know about Captain Jack Harkness, Gwen Cooper and the rest of the Torchwood team.

And don’t forget the Doctor Who / Torchwood Comic-Con panel on Sunday, July 26, from 2:15-3:45 p.m..

Source: BBC America Press

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The Television Presence At San Diego Comic-Con 2009

Bruce Simmons — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:38:32 +0000

UpDated 7-2-09

Last year at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con, the event was ruled by several big named movies that ranged from youthful vampires to illegal vigilantes. TV was more a side-note than anything else.

This year at the 2009 Comic-Con, things will be a bit different as television programming seems to have a bigger presence than last year.

For instance, the Warner Brothers Television Group will have 11 different panels for their shows. That’s a studio best for them. ABC Studios will have 7 panels. 20th Century Fox will have 9 panels.

Do you think your favorite television show will be represented?

This year, I’m ready… I hope. So in preparation, I’ve started sifting through the network press releases and other resources, pulling it all together for myself. I decided… OK, maybe I was nudged a bit by Vic, to actually put it all prep info together here, for you, our loyal readers.

I’m done chatting. Let’s take a look at what television panels are lined up for the 2009 San Diego Comic Con.

Wednesday Evening, July 22nd:

6-9 p.m.:
Warner Brothers Television will be airing pilot previews this evening for the early-arriving crowd.

Human Target, V and The Vampire Diaries are the shows being previewed on this evening.

Thursday, July 23rd:

Burn Notice, Time To Be Determined (TTBD)
This panel will feature Bruce Campbell and writers from the series.

Legend of the Seeker, TTBD

Psych, TTBD

5-6 p.m.: Dexter

8 p.m. – Special Screening – Green Lantern [UPDATED]
Catch a special screening of the 5th DVD in the Green Lantern series, titled Green Lantern: First Flight. It will have it’s world premiere in Ballroom 20. That’s 5 days before it’s released to DVD!

Continue to the next page for Friday’s schedule

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Doctor Who & Torchwood Panels At 2009 Comic-Con

Bruce Simmons — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:32:13 +0000

With several Doctor Who specials starring David Tennant coming to BBC America starting in the latter half of June, the excitement amongst fans is building.

The first of the bunch is oddly a Christmas special titled “The Next Doctor,” with David Morrissey and Dervla Kirwan. It’s airing on June 27th. The next special to air after that one is titled “Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead” followed by “Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars” later on in 2009. Following these, the final two 2 specials will air.

In support of these last episodes with David Tennant, some cool things are going to happen for fans who will be attending the 2009 edition of Comic-Con in San Diego.

On Sunday July 26th, a Doctor Who panel will be held from 10:00-11:00am PT. For those who will be there, it should be quite the experience.

On the panel will be a few folks I think we’ve heard of.

David Tennant (The 10th Time Lord)
Russell T Davies (Writer / executive producer)
Julie Gardner (Executive producer)
Euros Lyn (Director)

What’s special about this appearance is that this is the first time that folks representing Doctor Who-based talent have ever shown up at Comic-Con and Screen Rant will be there for those of you who can’t make it.

At the panel, they are going to chat about the latest incarnation of the good Doctor and there will be a few “exclusive sneak peeks from the upcoming specials.”

In addition to the panel, BBC America will be on the convention floor in booth number 3629.

Torchwood Panel

Torchwood will be making a return appearance at the 2009 Comic-Con on Sunday July 26th, at 2:15-3:45pm PT. On that panel will be

John Barrowman (Star of Torchwood), writer/executive producer
Russell T Davies (writer/executive producer)
Julie Gardner (executive producer)
Euros Lyn (Director)

Screenings

If you’ve managed to land tickets for the sold-out weekend and are looking for something to do, you might be able to catch back to back episodes of Doctor Who and Torchwood.

Torchwood: Children of Earth and a U.S. premiere viewing of Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead, the first of the four specials coming to BBC America will be shown for those who make the screenings.

Collectibles

If you have a need for collectibles*, Underground Toys at booth #3949 will have their entire Doctor Who and Torchwood lines of toys and novelty items plus some limited edition Comic-Con action figures for sale.

*I understand the need for collectibles. I still have around 800 NASCAR diecasts left over from my “haze of a craze” collecting spell. Cripes, I even have quarter panels from the cars!

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