Someone had tweeted me a day ago or so about this very subject, that we in the UK would have a watered down version. I sat there and tweeted back assuring them that here in the UK we saw, on BBC1, the series Rome that was very graphic both sexually and violently. They seemed happy with that.

Then I found something in my inbox thanks to my Google alerts!  I posted the news report here in Torchwood 4 news http://barrowmanday.weebly.com/torchwood-4-news.html and frankly I feel completely dismayed and confused by this.

Both the BBC AND Starz have made this, so why are we both seeing different versions and why the BBC treating us like children. The Doctor Who magazine says “It's to do with the episode timings in the US and what's suitable/unsuitable to be shown on the BBC in the UK.” Hmmm so why is there a timing issue for Starz? And why has BBC allowed material THEY feel isn’t suitable for UK adults? Did they not think of any of this when they both OKed the storylines? Surely they had some say in all of this. RTD kept assuring us all through the making that both companies were pleased with what they’d done so far and now we read this!

I can’t really comment on Starz and the issue of timing, though it seems stupid to edit something THEY helped and then to promptly edit it out things because of timing problems. And as for the BBC; are we not grown up who are able to decide what we do and do not watch? This really annoys me that the BBC feels it should make this decision on something it OKed when it was being made! It is shown AFTER the 9 o’clock watershed so what do the BBC think they’re playing at!?

This is censorship gone mad!!!

So what are your views on this insane idea? It would be great to hear views from both sides of the pond! :)

Mickie x
6/25/2011 08:08:33 pm

Just to clarify: im in the UK.

When I hear "timing" issue I didn't think when it would be played, but the length of each episode. American shows tend to be 43mins long, without the adverts that would be present in the US. Maybe the BBC can't afford to have those spare 17mins of air time and see it cheaper to cut 13 mins off each show.

Either way I think it's stupid, as you said they knew what they signed up for and if there is going to be "extended episodes" in the US, then that tempts me to just watch it on a US streaming site and loose BBC a viewer. Im sure im not the only one who would think of that.

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Mickie
6/25/2011 08:19:41 pm

@Noeldarling

I agree and it's been said that Starz are not a commercials station. I can't remember, but weren't the other TW series 60 minutes long?

Mickie x

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Frizzstar
6/25/2011 08:56:43 pm

Hi Mickie I totally agree with you. The wa
ershed was (I thought) put in place for adult shows to be shown after 9:00 pm but t they still seem to edit out programmes. If viewers no likey they can a) change channels or b) switch off.

I would have thought that all the editing etc would have been carried out with both Starz and the BBC together. Hope this all makes sense.

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Mickie
6/25/2011 09:05:48 pm

@Frizzstar

Thank you for your comment ho and yes makes complete sense! lol Yeh that's what I mean. They OKed it all the way and they want to edit stuff out!? What gives!!!

When Rome came on I didn't much like the programme so I just didn't watch it again...simples! *squeek!* lol

Mickie x

Mickie x

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@izembard
6/25/2011 09:56:04 pm

Hi Mickie, we all same to be on the same page so far.
Forget the "timing issues" & the suitable/not suitable question! UK should have the complete version of Torchwood as promised AND its 1st showing here should be on the same day it's 1st aired in the US.
As Frizzstar pointed out, we've all got an OFF switch.

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Mickie
6/25/2011 10:09:43 pm

@izembard

Agreed..We had blood, gore and sex in the original series, so lets hope they don't do anything drastic...still don't understand this bizarre editing thing when they OKed it all and as you say airing issues too! Huge gripe!

Mickie x

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aresnz
6/25/2011 11:33:48 pm

I'm in the States.. to clarify, Starz does not have adverts during their shows. After a show/movie is done they'll have adverts for other shows on their channel. It's a premium pay channel on our cable systems. Personally, I'd love to see unedited versions of TWMD; even with the inside jokes. Am hoping we'll see close to 60 minutes of action.

One of the reasons I was happy for Starz was the 'no commercials' part meaning we'd see longer episodes of TWMD. That's still my hope anyway. Since there's still time before official airing, they can change. As someone mentioned, our usual shows are 45 minutes with a good 15 min of adverts (ugh)

I have a way of catching UK shows. I'll just make sure to watch when on the UK and see that version; if this turns out to be the case. AND..if so, will then purchase both versions of the DVD's if they don't add back in to the eps what was originally edited out. (hope that made sense)

The bottom line is we all love TW and want to watch the show and see it all..unedited too.

OT: As a side note; forgive me for this, but I do see a lot of anti Americanism going on; especially on a facebook page. (I won't comment there as I don't want arguments) I adore TW and feel bad UK doesn't have an air date and don't understand about UK editing the show. Still, Starz & US have nothing to do with air dates. Apologies for this OT..

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Mickie
6/25/2011 11:45:51 pm

@aresnz

Hi hon! Yeh I see alot of anit-American stuff too and it's damned annoying. If it hadn't been for Starz we'd have lost TW altogether given how it was ended in CoE. My beef is towards the BBC.

Yes we should see the same. It's good you have anon commercial channel, I find them damned annoying myself and so we record all our fave program's and just zip past them! lol So the adverts really work in this house! Not! lol

So given you have no adds I cannot see why it's to be edited and as we, in UK, are adults and TW hasn't been edited for adult content in the past, why should the BBC start now!?

Both UK & US should see the same show at same time. I am convinced that the BBC had some kind og agreement with Starz that the US gets to see it first. We all know how this big companies work and both are big!

Mickie x

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aresnz
6/25/2011 11:54:07 pm

Appreciate your kind words. XX The sad part is we're all on the same team..loving Torchwood. This is a business and that's what I keep forgetting. Still, I see no reason for the 2 versions and for UK not seeing the show near the US date. Really unfair. We're all adults and can decide to watch or not. Starz will air TWMD at 10pm.

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Mickie
6/26/2011 12:18:34 am

@aresnz

Thank you and you're very welcome. Yes we are meant to be on the same team. When I commented a few days back about how I felt about TW being aired later here in the UK someone said they had little sympathy because they always got TW later in the US.

Well when we get US program's here we can be two seasons behind if not more, so it works both ways.

I just see the whole editing thing pointless and as I said the to @BBC_Torchwood it makes RTD and @Team_Barrowman look stupid because they said it wouldn't be toned down! Makes them pointless remarks!

Mickie x

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Jenni (LilFerret)
6/26/2011 03:41:03 am

The only thing I can think is that it will be your average 43 (ish) minute show on Starz, and therefore shorter than you're used to in the UK, OR, we'll be getting 60 minutes, which we never get, and like it was said before, BBC doesn't want, or cannot afford, the whole episode. I'm pretty sure money was the reason it "ended" in 2008. I'd imagine that the American shows they buy are usually the 43 minutes. They might be treating this the same way.

As to why they would edit content... that makes no sense to me. Now normally, I would be watching TW on BBCA, so I would see pixelated Jack bum. And Rhys bum. Did you see full arse? I watched all 3 series on Netflix, so I actually saw the full arse.

On Starz, however, being a premium cable channel, they can show all levels of gore. John promised full on boy sex. While I am quite pleased, they never got to that level in prior series. The most we saw was Jack and Ianto hot and heavy in the hot house. We saw upper halves and a bit of boxer shorts. So... maybe they're planning to edit the sex scene(s)? Seems a shame.

Just my 2 cents. Or pence. *cheeky American git*

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6/26/2011 03:52:48 am

In my opinion? If this is true, the BBC are super - rubbish and need a serious kick up the arse. TW started here and is supposed to be loyal to the fans, as @team_barrowman stated. Does make him and RTD look like they get shut out of the loop and anything they say about it is not "viable" until we actually see it air. Thanks BBC and you wonder why I don't bother with a license or watching TV?
O_o
Paaaaants to the BBC!!!

Rebecca Huggins
@TwinSoul_Unity

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Mickie
6/26/2011 08:17:51 am

@Jenni (LilFerret)

Thanks for your comments hon!

Full arse?! Hmm no idea because I didn't see series 1 & 2 on TV....I can't remember with regards to CoE. I think we saw full arse!

As for BBC paying for series, they've already paid for it. They help fund it's making so already have the rights to show it in full. They haven't bought it like America etc bought the other series.

Mickie xxx

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Mickie
6/26/2011 08:37:03 am

@Rebecca Huggins

Thanks for your comment hon...Hahaha!! love the "Paaaaants to the BBC!!!" What more can I say! lol

Mickie x

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Tim Griffiths
6/26/2011 08:49:46 am

There is no need for 2 versions thats crazy.The BBC dont care about about anyone

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Mickie
6/27/2011 04:59:27 am

@Tim Griffiths

Agreed...I think we'll just have to wait and see now and hope that the BBC do realise we're all adults!

Mickie x

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6/21/2012 11:24:25 am

Happiness is accompanied by sorrow, and the rain should have the clear sky. If rain remains after rain and sorrow remains after sorrow if. Please let us face this calmly leave after the departure. Smiles and it is impossible to find one of you!

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