New Radio Times
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 - Reported by Chuck Foster
The new edition of the Radio Times has been published in the UK, and features a foldout cover for Torchwood: Children of Earth. The magazine includes a four-page article on the five-part story, including a "script-to-screen" section.
There is also an interview with John Barrowman, in which he criticises the BBC for cutting the series to five episodes following its move to BBC1.
Barrowman said: "We were the most successful show on BBC3, ever. We moved to BBC2 because the ratings were so good, the ratings were great again and we were beating shows that had been on BBC2 for a long time. The decision was made to go to BBC1, and then we were cut. From 13 episodes down to five.
"The five episodes, the miniseries as I call it, are incredible, I have no doubt about that, but personally, I felt like we were being punished. Other shows move from BBC3 and 2 to 1, and they don't get cut. So why are we? It felt like every time we moved we had to prove ourselves."
A BBC spokesman has denied Torchwood was being "punished", saying they wanted to create an "event" to launch the show on BBC1, with the new series stripped across one week.
Radio Times editor Gill Hudson:
"They are faced with their fiercest threat to date – one which throws the future of Torchwood and the entire human race spiralling into danger. Do they stand a chance of saving mankind?" Even if you've never seen Torchwood in your life, the brief description from its official website should at least make it clear that Last of the Summer Wine this is not.
"But it will be a new experience for die-hard fans, too: as well as moving to primetime BBC1 from BBC2, it's also switched from the usual 13-part weekly format to five parts to be run on consecutive nights.
"It's a trick that's been used to good effect before – last year's Criminal Justice and the recent Occupation, for example – and it's something we can expect more of. As increasing numbers of us watch what we like, when we like, 'event TV' will be needed to ensure we keep having compelling reasons to tune in on particular nights.
Not that Torchwood star John Barrowman is entirely happy. Find out why – and what it takes to produce a a drama like this – on page 14."
"They are faced with their fiercest threat to date – one which throws the future of Torchwood and the entire human race spiralling into danger. Do they stand a chance of saving mankind?" Even if you've never seen Torchwood in your life, the brief description from its official website should at least make it clear that Last of the Summer Wine this is not.
"But it will be a new experience for die-hard fans, too: as well as moving to primetime BBC1 from BBC2, it's also switched from the usual 13-part weekly format to five parts to be run on consecutive nights.
"It's a trick that's been used to good effect before – last year's Criminal Justice and the recent Occupation, for example – and it's something we can expect more of. As increasing numbers of us watch what we like, when we like, 'event TV' will be needed to ensure we keep having compelling reasons to tune in on particular nights.
Not that Torchwood star John Barrowman is entirely happy. Find out why – and what it takes to produce a a drama like this – on page 14."
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