As a final word on Torchwood (yes, we do like it here at TV Today, with couple of reservations, but we don’t want this to become a love in), it seems the Sunday Express has been concerned about the moral irresponsibility of the BBC for screening a post watershed show in a post watershed slot.
Lets read that again (and these are my words): a post watershed show in a post watershed slot.
A common theme running through various complaints about Torchwood is from parents. Many are having difficulty with the concept of explaining to little Timmy that he won’t be allowed to stay up and watch the spin-off from his favourite TV show. How dare the BBC put parents into the position of actually taking responsibility and policing what their children watch. Fine, little Timmy might be upset. He might stamp his feet. He might bludgeon you to death with his 12-inch Cyberman doll as an act of revenge for depriving him of Captain Jack. But, if it is the choice of the parent for Timmy to not watch Torchwood, then surely that’s how should it work?
I might be being naïve. And no, I’m not a parent, but, as I understand it, nobody ever said that role in life was an easy one. I’m sure it is one of the hardest things in the world to see that bottom lip start quivering and the tears begin to flood, but when a parent is held to ransom by a doe-eyed child, forcing them to cry J’Accuse at a TV channel for putting them in the position of being a responsible parent, then something is wrong somewhere. When I was a child, I had to learn that I couldn’t drink beer in pubs until I was 18 and wasn’t allowed to stay up and watch The Professionals on a Sunday night.
It’s a life lesson that needs to be learnt:
“Dad, I want to watch Torchwood!”
“You can’t. It has people touching each other in their special places and aliens who say ‘bum’.”
“But that’s not fair!”
“Yes, I know. In years to come, you’ll thank for me this important life lesson. Now get over it!”
And on the flipside of this argument, next year, little Timmy will have his very own Doctor Who spin-off with The Sarah Jane Adventures, hitting CBBC screens in the not too distant. What’s more tragic, an eight-year-old child being denied his Torchwood fix, or a 34-year-old man setting the video for Sarah Jane Smith?
You work it out…
Photo: Eve Myles as Gwen Cooper in Torchwood episode 3, “Ghost Machine”. Picture © BBC
I think you're missing the point. The BBC used a children's show to ruthlessly - and I mean ruthlessly and unrelentingly - promote an adult show with strong language and (tediously unnecessary) scenes of an explicitly sexual and violent nature. Both children and their parents are right to be angry with the BBC for its opportunism. Yes... any reasonable and responsible parent will not let their 5-year-old or 7-year-old stay up and watch 'Friday the 13th'. But at the same time, that film will not have been promoted during 'The Tweenies'.
im 12 and i love it, its not scary or violent!
its exciting and funny!
and jacks hot!
i cant believe u r sayin these things about torchwood!. it is supposed to b aimed more at adults any way so it is a more grown up version of doctor who. It also shows that things can happen in REAL LIFE and not away in space. n i agree wiv the othr dude that jack is very damn hot n sexy n makes the show 4 me :)!!!
I have a 9 year old and a 5 year old who love Dr Who and I totally agree with the reviewer - just tell them no. Every week the 9 year old says why can't he watch TW and I just tell him its not Dr Who, its not about monsters its for grown ups not children and the answer is no, so tough. Its not difficult and its not rocket science.
All sorts of stuff is promoted in slots it shouldn't be, we're faced by constant adverts for sweets, toys and God knows what. For goodness sake deal with it!
Torchwood is great! I may only be 12 but I'm not stupid I do understand what's going on. Also I agree with the other guys, Jack is pretty damn sexy in his braces and coat!
All I can add to this debate is that I have a lot of friends with younger children than mine ( 19,20 ) , theres range from 7 thru 11 and they don't have a problem telling the children that they can't watch Torchwood. Parental responsibility and anyway fun though Torchwood is, it's not as good as the parent show.
i don't think torchwood is bad at all my niece's watch it and the older one doesn't talk about anything else torchwood this and torchwood that and anyway its down to the paents to explain all the things in the show plus john makes a very cute hot sexy jack
I think Torchwood rocks but it to me is not only for adults but of teenagers to s it gives them information about later on in life and points out what to do and what not to do. But it also doesn't help that the three main male actors are all hot and so sexy