Torchwood

[Daniel]

I stumbled upon Torchwood after seeing various utube videos on the music of Stephen Sondheim. One for them had a very handsome man, John Barrowman, and or course, I had to find out more about him. Here's that video. It's from the tapping of Putting It Together, a Sondheim 'review'. The guy cracking up is Barrowman. He's been in quite a few musicals and made something of a splash on the famous TV series Dr. Who which resulted in the spin-off Torchwood.



Torchwood (from BBC3) is debuting here in American on September 8th.

What's interesting about the lead character, Captain Jack, is that he is somewhat omnisexual. But then, what else would you expect from a guy from 25th century? Captain Jack is played by the openly gay actor John Barrowman, who, by the way, recently married his partner Scott. Barrowman is also on the cover of the upcoming (October) issue of Out Magazine.

Here's what you can look forward to: in the 12 episode, Captain Jack meets his namesake, and suffice it to say, American television hasn't had seen this kind of romantic gay story line.

I can't wait to see it.

Here is a promo for the show from Britain.



And here is an homage to the 12th episode.

[paul]

Cool, I've seen Torchwood advertised on t.v., but nothing that I've seen hinted at this. Barrowman makes the heart flutter, and the romance of it all makes me melty. sigh

Thanks for posting this Daniel.
p

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by paul

Cool, I've seen Torchwood advertised on t.v., but nothing that I've seen hinted at this. Barrowman makes the heart flutter, and the romance of it all makes me melty. sigh

Here's the upcoming season.

http://www.tv.com/torchwood/show/50470/episode.html

[Zerbie]

Hey! I couldn't view the Sondheim video.

Gonna keep my eyes open for this "melty" stuff. Sounds yummy!

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Hey! I couldn't view the Sondheim video.

Gonna keep my eyes open for this "melty" stuff. Sounds yummy!

Though I am able to click on the screen which takes me right to utube.
Here is a link....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uocI0H-ooes

[Daniel]

Do I have the Barrowman bug or what? Here is an interview about Torchwood and other sundries. I love his candor.

http://www.afterelton.com/people/2007/9/johnbarrowman

He's right. American TV executives are still too cagey about having a 'leading man' be openly gay.

[Daniel]

And look what he's doing lately.

http://www.towleroad.com/2008/02/john-barrowman.html

John Barrowman speaks to UK magazine Bent in its February issue about how his sexuality affects the way fans, particularly kids, perceive his Torchwood character Captain Jack.

Says Barrowman: "My nieces and nephews have known I was gay since they were born. It's always been Uncle John and Uncle Scott and that's the way it should be. People joke, 'Oh John, get off your soap box', but it is a soapbox and it's something that matters to me. It's normal, we have partners, we have sex, and we do the same, well, sort of things that men and women do... I’ve worked a lot with kids and kids don’t care, they are open to stuff. At a signing a father asked his five year old son if he wanted my autograph and he said ‘yeah, I don’t care if he likes men, he’s still my hero’."

Barrowman recently lent his support to a campaign by UK gay rights group Stonewall to fight homophobic bullying in schools, and the campaign is now set to go national. The UK will soon be plastered with hundreds of posters and stickers that hope to raise awareness about bullying and hate crimes.

The campaign will occupy space donated by Titan Outdoor Advertising Ltd in 53 locations in Scotland and hundreds of others across England and Wales. Said Barrowman : "Join me in Stonewall’s Education for All campaign and help exterminate homophobia. Be bold. Be brave. Be a buddy not a bully."

You can read Barrowman's no holds barred interview here after downloading the PDF. He has some salient things to say about Americans and hypocricy- with which I believe we will all concur knowing what we know here.

http://mag.bent.com/read_online/33

I particularly love Barrowman's particular sense of candor. It's something the British do in a way that American's, for all their supposed forthrightness, can't seem to muster in quite the same way.

[animejunkie]

Oh man! my one friend and I watch this. I love Doctor Who, have been a huge fan of it for a while, I must say John Barrowman makes my heart melt!!!

[nmwolfboy]

Barrowman is definitely a hottie, and i've never been happier about having BBC-America on our cable network's roster. When he kisses one of the guys on Torchwood, i'm riveted to the tv. It certainly doesn't hurt that the show itself is usually really good - the snogging is just really tasting icing on the cake!

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by nmwolfboy

Barrowman is definitely a hottie, and i've never been happier about having BBC-America on our cable network's roster. When he kisses one of the guys on Torchwood, i'm riveted to the tv. It certainly doesn't hurt that the show itself is usually really good - the snogging is just really tasting icing on the cake!

The episode where he meets the real Captain Jack just broke my heart. And the kiss! They don't have kisses between men like that in America on the Telly.

You know, the man has a autobiography coming out? Entitled Anything Goes, which, for those who don't know, is the title to a Noel Coward show and the song he wrote for it.

Tis true.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...43172895&itm=1





Am I acting like a fan or what!

You know what knocks me back about the whole Barrowman thing? The man comes out of the The-a-tre. And while that may not seem like something to most people, let me tell you as someone who's been onstage (Live) for 20 years: it really makes a difference. You have to stand and deliver in a way that is not demanded on film (Sir Ian McKellen is in the same boat).

There's something about doing all that stage work that makes one- shall we say- out there. What I'm saying is that- on stage at least- you can't hide, or make a second take. I believe this is why these two courageous men have been able to be out in the way that they have. And guess what? They are having professional success.

In theatre you to have to play to the last row, whereas in film you play to the camera which demands a more toned down style of acting- including the voice, which has to be modulated. On the stage, everything has to be big. Gestures, voice, acting- the whole nine yards.

That's something.

My sense tells me that those who go through their training in the theatre are more likely than not to take the risk of being out. They're not hiding out as movie stars trying to fake themselves and everyone else into protecting their franchise.

Bully for Barrowman!

[Daniel]

There's lot's of man on man action in this utube vid.




Interestingly, like the vid I previously posted, the first voice one hears is that of Ian McKellen saying "One Ring to rule them all" from The Lord of the Rings. Don't know why that is, but then, the creator of the vid has their reason(s). Or maybe my 'link' is simply going nuts. You tell me!

[Daniel]

http://www.towleroad.com/2008/07/john-barrowma-1.html

Interesting clip. Wasn't anything I hadn't read before- that being that the environment in the womb may determine whether one is gay or not- but it's great to see our Barrowman talk about his sexuality so openly.

Would that happen here in the US or A.

Ah.....no. Actors here are such a fearful bunch...still afraid that coming out is going to ruin their careers. And everything about our country keeps that thinking in play.

Hollywood! Hollywood! Hollywood!

Fooey!

[Alecto]

So, I just realized that this thread is here and I haven't said anything. First off, yes, I'm also a Barrowman fanboy. I have the season 1 Torchwood DVDs, and in the extras they celebrate his 40th birthday (what?!).

As for Torchwood itself, I found it interesting that they're trying SO hard to be open to fluid sexuality and pansexuality and all that, but the ONLY reference to anything transgender was fairly negative at the butt of a quip. I don't have cable anymore (and, I probably will still totally buy the season two dvds) but I'm hoping that improves in the future (or even the near past that would constitute the future for me cause I didn't see it yet).

[u-dog]

When does the new season start?

[tymejumper]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Do I have the Barrowman bug or what? Here is an interview about Torchwood and other sundries. I love his candor.

http://www.afterelton.com/people/2007/9/johnbarrowman

He's right. American TV executives are still too cagey about having a 'leading man' be openly gay.

I also love Torchwood. We always watch it here. Its one of Ellies favorite shows, but we only usually let the teen watch the show with us. Our son is almost 12 and he has been questioning of late so I am trying to view shows for him that have some really good strong gay characters in them. Once in a while we let him see it, after we preview it. I love Capt. Jack, he is a doll! I was under the impression he was bisexual.(the character) Its so good to see strong gay characters on tv, its really important for our youth and for us! We need to have others see that we as gay people are pretty well rounded individuals. It's so hard for gay youth, especially boys to get a good sense of their maleness, they are told gays are sissies and wimps, they need to see that its just a sterotype. Much in the way that lesbians are protrayed as man hating, ball breakers. I think it more difficult for men however.

[Alecto]

Cpt. Jack is sort of bisexual, but might better be described as pansexual or omnisexual. He's heavily implied that he's slept with aliens, and that he might be open to more than two genders, hence the "bi" might fall short of an accurate description.

[Nyshana]

Originally Posted by Daniel

In theatre you to have to play to the last row, whereas in film you play to the camera which demands a more toned down style of acting- including the voice, which has to be modulated. On the stage, everything has to be big. Gestures, voice, acting- the whole nine yards.

That's something.

My sense tells me that those who go through their training in the theatre are more likely than not to take the risk of being out. They're not hiding out as movie stars trying to fake themselves and everyone else into protecting their franchise.

I know I'm a few months late on quoting this, but ah well

I agree completely. I've never acted on camera, but I have performed on stage - it's been too long - and the atmosphere inspires such confidence. Growing up I was always very shy, until I got in front of an audience, with lights and a stage; I think it is, as you say, to do with the way theatre works - no cuts!
In a situation where an actor can muff a line completely, or even (happened to me once) fall off a ladder in the middle of someone else's monologue, and then everyone has a chuckle and gets on with it, it's hard to feel inferior or scared. That certainly leaks into your personality off-stage - and it's a fantastic thing. Somewhat ironic that acting on-stage can teach you not to act off-stage, but it does.

[paul]

Okay, I watch Torchwood... would be more accurate to say I watch Barrowman. He is so damned hot, I have my DVR set to automatically record. I also confess to liking scifi... true confessions. But I don't think the acting in Torchwood is very good. There, I said it. I'll still keep watching though, I can't help myself.
paul

[nmwolfboy]

FYI, the latest Doctor Who episode (which showed last night on our Comcast system) had the gang from Torchwood (and the Sarah Jane Chronicles) guesting. Mr. Barrowman was handsome as ever.

-scott

[Nyshana]

Which one was that? I won't spoil it for you, but I'd like to see if I can remember it.
(Get them all earlier over here)