US Torchwood To Play It Straight?
There’s a report in Entertainment Weekly that the U.S. version of Torchwood – should it get picked up – will have a Captain Jack with more narrowed sexual interests. That does not please Captain Jack himself, actor John Barrowman.
Digital Spy reports the current Desperate Housewives guest-star “The last thing I would want would be for Jack to become this
heterosexual, straight hero. He’s an omnisexual guy. He likes men,
women, aliens, whatever. I think we should continue going down that
route.” He went on to say that if this is the case, it would foster a “big discussion” between creator Russell T Davies and his producing partner Julie Gardner. Davies, who is also an executive producer of the series, is a well-known gay and lesbian rights advocate, as is Barrowman. The actor did not say he wouldn’t be available for the series, nor did he say he’d resurrect the role if asked. Since the pilot is still in the script stage, nobody’s asked. However, Barrowman notes both Davies and Gardner said “there will be no Torchwood without John Barrowman as Captain Jack.”
So it might come down to which the Fox network wants more: Torchwood with a straight Captain Jack, or Torchwood without John Barrowman.
However, Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat told the British newspaper The Guardian “I imagine that kids would love to see Captain Jack meet the new Doctor.”
But if that happens, it won’t happen this season.
They just need to make sure they figure all this stuff out before the deals are finalized. Dollhouse proved that FOX may know that sex sells, but they're still going to get squeamish about it and refuse to allow some things in a show. If Davies and crew know the full extent of what they can and can't do before they start and are okay with it, they've got a much better chance of making things go smoothly.
It seems to me that if they play Cap'n Jack as more omnisexual (as in, the crack of dawn looks good to him) it might well take the curse off. Heck, I think the show could work with no explicit sex at all, just the odd leer and witty remark to get the point across. On a semi-related note, I saw my first episode of Desperate Housewives last night, solely for a ninety-second (total through the episode) hot barrowman injection. I'm not sure if I could stand it again, no matter how much Jogn it gets me. What a singularly unappealing bunch of characters.John Barrowman has everything one needs to hit BIG in America, and I hope someone figures out the right vehicle to do it in.
Here's hoping that John Barrowman gets his wishes. I, for one, really REALLY hope that they keep Captain Jack's omnisexual nature. He just wouldn't be Captain Jack is he didn't find anyone and everyone attractive! And it would be good for Fox to open up a bit and take that step to show they aren't afraid to allow different relationships in their shows.I am curoius if the US Torchwood will pick up where season three left off or if it will be a revampe of the show. I just hope this US series will go over better then the US's version of "Life on Mars"
This is an american network we are talking about, not cable. They don't want sex in any show protrayed that er, loosely..they would rather that get picked up on HBO. RTD this is the thin end of the wedge get out now while you still can before the show is eviserated. This is how the compromises start. Google Red Drawf to see how UK shows are horribly remade and Firefly to see how good shows can be dumped.