No! Not FOX!!!!

[eumelia]

I'm in the Library and I read this.

I really needed to stop myself from screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO", like Kirk screamed "KHAAAAAAAAAN".

No.
Just.
No.

D:

Fox readying U.S. version of 'Torchwood'

Exclusive: Huge news for sci-fi fans: Fox is developing a stateside version of the U.K. hit series “Torchwood.”

The project is from BBC Worldwide Prods., with original series creator Russell Davies writing the script.

A more straight-faced spinoff of “Doctor Who,” “Torchwood” is about a covert group that investigates and fights alien activity. Two series aired domestically on BBC America as well as last year’s well reviewed stand-alone miniseries, “Children of Earth,” which broke all ratings records for the network. (If you're a fan of serious sci fi such as "Battlestar Galatica" and haven't seen "Children of Earth," rent it. You don't need to know anything about the series. And I know the previews for "Torchwood" can look silly. Trust me, it's terrific. Like "24" with aliens).

Unlike U.S. adaptations that have gone awry, “Torchwood” fans can take comfort that the original producing team is on board. In addition to Davies, exec producers include Davies’ producing partner Julie Gardner (former head of drama at BBC Wales for the show’s first season) and Jane Tranter (another BBC vet, now exec VP programming and production at BBC Worldwide Prods. in the U.S.).

Also, some of the current cast — most likely John Barrowman, who plays the immortal Capt. Jack Harkness — might star if Fox orders “Torchwood” to pilot.

As for the new show’s plot, the U.S. version will contain a global story line compared to the more localized sensibility of the first two BBC seasons.

Tranter might try to reboot “Doctor Who” for U.S. audiences while departing “Doctor Who” star David Tennant stars in NBC’s pilot “Rex Is Not Your Lawyer.” “Torchwood” (which is an anagram of “Doctor Who”) debuted in 2006 on BBC 3 and set ratings records, then was moved to BBC 1. Russell also reinvented “Doctor Who” in 2003 and was writer-creator of the series “Queer as Folk.”

Oh my god, why?! WHY?!?!

*goes into a corner and cries*

Also, what does Tennant's pilot have anything to do with it? People he's moving on! Stop trying to suck him back in!

Comments

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

I guess this is what Rusty beetled off to L.A. to do.

Hmmm... I wonder if this will run up against the same problems that LOM:US did after the success of LOM:UK?

But agreed. DO NOT WANT. We tried an Americanization of Who - in 1996 - and apart from giving us a good Doctor, it really didn't work. (And it's likely that Fox's meddling was a good chunk of why.)

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

Fox's meddling is notorious.

There is absolutely no creative outlet in them (except their News network, that always looks like sci-fi to me).

[antikythera.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, these things never work. American fans are actually smart enough to understand British accents, and they just mock the remakes (see Red Dwarf).

I have a faint hope that this Torchwood would actually be about the same Captain Jack and some American Torchwood agents.

Also, I think this much sexual freedom and diversity might just make FOX implode. :)

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha!

Yeah, pretty much. But I cringe at the thought of my wonderful cracky, dark show being Americanised out of recognition.

[mao4269.livejournal.com]

Joss is American, too. FOX's gawdawful meddling isn't Americanization! (And if I keep repeating to myself that there's more to U.S. culture than FOX, McDonalds, Walmart, etc., maybe one day I'll believe it myself...)

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

Ha, that'll crash and burn. If anything I bet its a story that has been leaked by RTDs immense ego to try and drum up some heat for himself as he desperately tries to get work in America. Because seriously, the chances of Fox picking up TOrchwood?

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

They might be desperate/opportunistic enough to pick it up for a pilot. (That's what happened in 1996.)

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

There is a rush on to find lots of old shows to remake. But. No, I can't see this happening.

[smirnoffmule.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. For many many reasons.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

I want to sit in the corner and hug me knees!

[svollga.livejournal.com]

At least it's RTD and Julie Gardener, not some US writers who want something sterilised and stereotyped to death. So this thing has at least some chances to be good. Though I'll have my popcorn ready to see how RTD tries to do his 'everyone is queer' thing in US...

(Actually, I'm a bit glad that RTD moved to LA for one reason: I still have this very secret hope that one day RTD and Joss Whedon meet and do something together.)

I still don't understand what Tennant has to do with it.

[svollga.livejournal.com]

What actually frightens me is that it's FOX.
We all know what FOX did and does to Joss' projects... I don't think they would be better to RTD.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

THAT. Honestly, FOX is just horrible!

Horrible!

D:

[svollga.livejournal.com]

Actually, I have to learn to read headlines first :)
I wrote my first comment without noticing the headline to your post, and then I got it.

I don't mind RTD working on something for US, even Torchwood, I'll be glad to see him shocking US people with his views. But with FOX, it'll never work out...

[solitary-summer.livejournal.com]

*joins you in the corner*

I can't see this ending well. On any level.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

*weeps*

[sabotabby]

DO NOT WANT

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

OMGWTFBBC!!!!!!

[avgboojie.livejournal.com]

Here's an interesting link (http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/telefile/2010/01/torchwood-the-pros-and-cons-of.php) with pros and cons for this prospect. Curtesy of Gilli Cohen Arazi, who brought it as comment after I posted your link to my facebook.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

I'm still in horror mode!

But that's a really good pro/con list.

Thanks!