View Full Version : First LOST, now TORCHWOOD.
Warning: Rant time.
Last year it was announced that LOST would be reduced from it's normal great and beefy 25ish episodes per series (/season), to a grumbling 16 for the remaining series'.
But OH NOES! Due to the Writer's Strike, S4 of LOST was a mere 13 episodes!
13 episodes instead of 25 episodes. (Yes I know they've promised an extra 2 for the last series, but that's not the point.)
Now onto Torchwood.
13 episodes is a decent length series over here in the UK. To be honest, it's not all that common that anything that runs in series's will have more than 6/7 episodes a time.
(Doctor Who also makes 13 episode series', and next year we're getting 3 single, hour-long episodes while they make the next proper series for 2010. But that's not entirely the same - at least we'll be getting decent length series in 2010 again)
So, Torchwood S3:
Tired of all the rumors surrounding Torchwood's future, TVGuide.com went directly to the rift, er, Cardiff, Wales, to learn if the truth was out there.
Well, 'Woodies (or Torchies, if you prefer), scripts for Season 3 are currently being developed and filming should start in the middle of August for airing on BBC1 in the spring of 2009. Best news of all, John Barrowman will return as the dashing bi-sexual adventurer. Though keeping more details close to the vest, executive producer Julie Gardner vows that fans "will be pleased with the casting." That better mean Eve Myles is returning!
Fans, however, may not be so happy with the mere five hours slated for next season. "We've decided to do a five-part mini-series, one big story that will run during one week," says Gardner, adding, "I wanted to make a really big noise about the show."
So far, the BBC has only green lit these five hours, but there could be more, we're told. When (or even whether) BBC America will run the mini-series has yet to be decided.
Link 1 (http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Todays-News/Torchwood-Season-3/800040744), Link 2 - Digital Spy (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a97369/torchwood-cut-down-for-third-season.html)
5 episodes. Torchwood S3 will comprise of 5 episodes, and they'll all show in a single week.
5 episodes, down from 13. Do they really think that's a great idea? That's less than a normal 6 episode uk series!
Here's my question:
What the hell is going on?!
Can they simply not be arsed giving the viewers decent length series' anymore?
:( :hea:
Warning: Rant time.
Last year it was announced that LOST would be reduced from it's normal great and beefy 25ish episodes per series (/season), to a grumbling 16 for the remaining series'.
But OH NOES! Due to the Writer's Strike, S4 of LOST was a mere 13 episodes!
13 episodes instead of 25 episodes. (Yes I know they've promised an extra 2 for the last series, but that's not the point.)
Now onto Torchwood.
13 episodes is a decent length series over here in the UK. To be honest, it's not all that common that anything that runs in series's will have more than 6/7 episodes a time.
(Doctor Who also makes 13 episode series', and next year we're getting 3 single, hour-long episodes while they make the next proper series for 2010. But that's not entirely the same - at least we'll be getting decent length series in 2010 again)
So, Torchwood S3:
Link 1 (http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Todays-News/Torchwood-Season-3/800040744), Link 2 - Digital Spy (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a97369/torchwood-cut-down-for-third-season.html)
5 episodes. Torchwood S3 will comprise of 5 episodes, and they'll all show in a single week.
5 episodes, down from 13. Do they really think that's a great idea? That's less than a normal 6 episode uk series!
Here's my question:
What the hell is going on?!
Can they simply not be arsed giving the viewers decent length series' anymore?
:( :hea:
i think you just found out where the BBC got it's money from to re-broadcast the Formula One World Championship from 2009 and beyond......
Heroes season 2 had 11
Go figure :(
Concerning Lost, I'm getting worried that they're stretching the story way too much, so maybe this is a good thing. I haven't seen Torchwood.
Heroes season 2 had 11
Go figure :(
the US had a writers strike........not us, UK shows have no excuse
Heroes season 2 had 11
Go figure :(
Was that normally a 25-part season, like other US shows?
I suppose A47 is right in that it's down to the writer's strike for some part - but it still begs belief why cut a series down from 25 to 15 / 16 in the first place.
Was that normally a 25-part season, like other US shows?
I suppose A47 is right in that it's down to the writer's strike for some part - but it still begs belief why cut a series down from 25 to 15 / 16 in the first place.
The show was supposed to have signed up for 22 episodes this season I think.
But generally, this TV season has been so bad this year that if next season is not gonna be AMAZING I'm probably gonna flop. The writers have had ENOUGH time off I think!
Trigger_happy
04-06-08, 11:33
It could be worse: ITV only showed 8 of the 9 episodes of pushing daisies and things like Tru Calling and Firefly were even worse off!
It could be worse: ITV only showed 8 of the 9 episodes of pushing daisies and things like Tru Calling and Firefly were even worse off!
TBH tho, Tru Calling was a bit of a flop anyways.
Trigger_happy
04-06-08, 11:49
I loved Tru Calling. It only flopped as it was poorly advertised, stuck on a Thursday late night and Sky didn't care about it. The programme that replaced it got even worse ratings, and when they reran it, it did pretty good. And then they wondered why a 6 episode season did badly when they only showed 4 episodes in a random order:mad:
EDIT: I just looked on Wiki and the average no. of viewers was nearly 5 million. That's pretty good.
The hero..
04-06-08, 11:53
ugly betty hasn't even carried on in england its been ages since it was last on :/
All series were butchered this year. Even Desperate Housewives had 5 missing episodes. Made the Katherine story seem, first taboo, then all of a sudden...BAM...as if it was rushed and cut to fit the last episode.
Trigger_happy
04-06-08, 11:58
What's the average number of episodes of a normal TV series? If its a UK one, it will be about 8 episodes, but how about an American one? Is 22 still about right? The last series of Bones was only 13 episodes, but I don't think that was intentional.
i think you just found out where the BBC got it's money from to re-broadcast the Formula One World Championship from 2009 and beyond......
Maybe all they are gaining too much money
ShadyCroft
04-06-08, 12:43
ALL series have been cut down short. Lost, Prison Break, Torchwood, Desperate Housewives, Eli Stone, Dexter, Pushing daisies...even the new shows soon to be aired have only been given the green light for 10-13 episodes.
Not sure whats going on, as am not an expert in advertising and in the TV business, but I started to feel that producers, writers and all people working in the TV field are being careful about what show on TV and how much to show. There's been alot of series which got axed. Just look at all the series shown now, you'll see that the average number of eps is 10-13.
ALL series have been cut down short. Lost, Prison Break, Torchwood, Desperate Housewives, Eli Stone, Dexter, Pushing daisies...even the new shows soon to be aired have only been given the green light for 10-13 episodes.
Not sure whats going on, as am not an expert in advertising and in the TV business, but I started to feel that producers, writers and all people working in the TV field are being careful about what show on TV and how much to show. There's been alot of series which got axed. Just look at all the series shown now, you'll see that the average number of eps is 10-13.
That's because of the strike, it's already been discussed, it''s not a permanent thing you know.
ugly betty hasn't even carried on in england its been ages since it was last on :/
I know and I really enjoyed that series. I only saw series 1 then it disappeared.
Don't you mean The John Barrowman Show?
I'm guessing he's got too many commitments these days.
:wve:
US shows being 13 episodes works WAY better imo, more quality, less filler, LOST is a prime example of this.
As far as Torchwood's concerned I couldn't care less, a kid's show with swearing and sex, I'll pass thanks. I always watch a show I'm curious about so I can give a fair and unbiased opinion and this had me squirming due to its ridiculous script and amaturish direction. Doctor Who gets away with it as it's aimed at kids and they love it, Torchwood shouldn't have lasted a series.
Well at least there's 2 more series of Lost, so 6 series in total!
Did you only just found that Lost had 13 episodes in this series :yik:
I thought everyone knew agess ago?
US shows being 13 episodes works WAY better imo, more quality, less filler, LOST is a prime example of this.
As far as Torchwood's concerned I couldn't care less, a kid's show with swearing and sex, I'll pass thanks. I always watch a show I'm curious about so I can give a fair and unbiased opinion and this had me squirming due to its ridiculous script and amaturish direction. Doctor Who gets away with it as it's aimed at kids and they love it, Torchwood shouldn't have lasted a series.
I don't agree with Lost this season tbh, the season was all over the place, they only wrapped it up all good towards the end.
And that's another thign why I don't watch any UK shows, large amount of unessecary swearing.
Nannonxyay
04-06-08, 17:59
5 episodes of Torchwood?! That's pure and utter bull crap! I love that show. :(
trtrailerman
04-06-08, 18:13
this is happening with all of the shows now. [H]ouse had only 16 when its supposed to have 24. Bones had 15 when it usually has 22, and now it spreads to torchwood :mad:
this is happening with all of the shows now. [H]ouse had only 16 when its supposed to have 24. Bones had 15 when it usually has 22, and now it spreads to torchwood :mad:
Again, writers strike! It was only this season!
Obviously doesn't apply to UK shows. :)
Nannonxyay
04-06-08, 18:35
They never showed the rest of Ugly Betty in England. I love that show. :(
TombRaiderLover
04-06-08, 18:46
Because of the Writer's Strike, Scrubs Series 7 was reduced to 11 episodes.
:wve:
Nannonxyay
04-06-08, 18:48
Because of the Writer's Strike, Scrubs Series 7 was reduced to 11 episodes.
:wve:
I love Scrubs! All the good American shows were shortened down because of that bloody strike. :mad:
Funny isn't it, that I normally hate it when programs drag on and on and on. But with Lost I love it! So it doesn't bother me with loads of episodes, neither if it has less episodes. Just hope the storyline goes well :tmb: Found it odd that the island disappeared in the end so...
ShadyCroft
04-06-08, 21:42
That's because of the strike, it's already been discussed, it''s not a permanent thing you know.
Again, writers strike! It was only this season!
Yeah, I know its because of the strike. In fear of similar things happening, they're careful to show small amounts of shows, instead of lengthy ones where anything could happen to interrupt its airing (strike) and ratings will go down, studios, producers and whoever works there will start losing money cause lets face it, its all money consuming.
Imagine a studio paying millions for a show like Lost and then mid-season it gets canceled...DISASTER. Better make 13 guaranteed episodes and air them. I would have mentioned that and elaborated in my last post, but didn't have time.
Its like with Crystal Dynamics and Underworld; I think the lack of media is due to the fact they want to do smart decision in advertising. Its their third (and for some, last) attempt and alot of people are unhappy of how the franchise is, so they cannot afford to make mistakes. I know some will disagree, and probably swoop down on my neck, but thats how I think of it (and I've mentioned before am not an expert advertiser)
ah well, you never know. :)
Aphrodite22
04-06-08, 21:50
S4 of LOST has 13 chapters!?
dam i didnt know it was that short, i still love it so i dont care
:)
FinalRequiem
04-06-08, 21:53
Well that sucks :( I can't believe this.
I'm really hopin they reconsider this, and have the "mini-series" in Spring, and a proper series later in the year, maybe October like when series 1 was broadcast?
I'm totally gutted about Doctor who as well. I know it's cos of David's acting commitments, but still :(
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