News about Season 3 of “Torchwood” is getting more intriguing all the time.

Jack Not only will the upcoming season, as I previously reported, drop from 13 episodes to only five, but in Britain the episodes will air on five consecutive nights, according to an article I read at Digital Spy.

DS editor Neil Wilkes interviewed “Torchwood” producer Peter Bennett, confirms that the new season is being called “Torchwood: Children of Earth.” The title is apt, he says, because the storyline’s subject is “going to affect all the children of Earth.”

“It’s not a story about spaceships, but it’s about a government that did a deal with aliens back in the ’60s,” Bennett tells DS. “They’re now dealing with the consequences of that deal when the sins of their past come back to haunt them.”

Bennett also says that the show’s creative team decided to do the five-night season with one story as a way to change things up. They’d already done 26 stand-alone eps, he says.

Season 3 will be darker, Bennett promises, but it will still have the fun fans love in “Torchwood.”

“It’s big, it’s epic, and it’s very different,” Bennett says.

And don’t worry, John Barrowman fans, Capt. Jack Harkness (above) will be in every one of the episodes.

The DS story says that Season 3 is due to the network in March, so I’m not sure when it will air in Britain, and I have no idea when it will jump the pond to BBC America.

source: Show Patrol

A LOCAL STAR came face to face with an international star when she was recognised for her contribution to Slimmer’s World and branded ‘inspirational’ by performer, John Barrowman.
Rebecca Stones from Welton runs weekly slimming classes at St Michael’s Primary School, Louth, and at the Pensioners Hall, Skegness.

John Barrowman, the firm favourite on TV talent shows like Any Dream Will Do and How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria? said how special Rebecca is because she helps people to achieve their dreams every week.

Rebecca was over the moon to meet the star.

She said: “Meeting John was an amazing experience. I couldn’t believe that he was even more gorgeous in real life - I’ll be treasuring our photograph together!

But despite her glitzy evening, Rebecca said she was looking forward to coming back and helping Louth lose weight.

“I can’t wait to get back to my group and help more people to lose weight and improve their health”.

Also recognised for her work for Slimmers World was Lincoln lady, Jenny Holland who runs the classes in Market Rasen.

source: louthleader.co.uk

John Barrowman Live At The Faenol Festival tonight, BBC1, 7.20pm and Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival Gala New Year’s Day, BBC2, 7pm

THERE’S a double helping of music from Bryn Terfel’s Faenol festival this week, with two concerts from the August Bank holiday celebrations.

Tonight it’s the John Barrowman show, with the signer joined by Shân Cothi, I’d Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger and Any Dream Will Do runner-up Daniel Boys.

Barrowmanfans (as they dub themselves) can see the Torchwood star and his musical friends together as they perform a variety of memorable tunes from musicals, theatre and film.

Then, if the festive mood is starting to wane by New Year’s Day, what better to revive spirits than the mighty talents of our very own Bryn Terfel?

In this one-hour special broadcast, Wales’ inimitable king of opera brings viewers an evening of glittering classic songs from his annual festival.

The repertoire includes Nessun dorma with Johan Botha, Juliet’s aria and Queen of the Night from the dazzling Diana Damrau, with smouldering Bulgarian notes from Nadia Krasteva and Bryn himself.

source: dailypost.co.uk

Stage and screen actor John Barrowman, who was seen last year at the Birmingham Hippodrome in Aladdin, returns to that venue Dec. 19 for another holiday engagement.

Barrowman stars in the title role of Robin Hood — The Pantomime Adventure, which plays the Hippodrome through Feb. 1, 2009.

He is joined onstage by Paul Zerdin as Will Scarlet, Pete Gallagher as The Sheriff, Helen Baker as Maid Marion, Don Maclean as Friar Tuck and Malinda Parris as Casandra.

Robin Hood, according to press notes, “is a new and exciting modern pantomime with all the traditional elements of the story — Robin and his extraordinary band of Merry Men fighting the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham; the magic and mystery of Casandra the Sorceress with amazing illusions and the wow factor of this year’s show, Titan — a giant robot.”

In a previous statement, Stuart Griffiths, Birmingham Hippodrome’s chief executive, said, “John is one of today’s most sought-after and versatile all-round entertainers and his immense talent and popularity contributed hugely to making Aladdin a box office record-breaker. Our 2008-09 production is a brand new pantomime and John is perfect for the role of Robin Hood – we’re delighted he has agreed to return to Birmingham!”

Barrowman added, “I had a great time at Birmingham Hippodrome over Christmas and the new year. Everyone made me and the whole cast feel so welcome. I’m really looking forward to coming back. Robin Hood – The Pantomime Adventure is going to be a spectacular production, full of surprises and lots of sparkle. Don’t miss it!”

John Barrowman reprised his role as Billy Crocker in the National Theatre’s production of Anything Goes at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He originally played the role opposite Elaine Paige in 1989. On Broadway, the actor starred in the Stephen Sondheim revue Putting It Together and also made a guest appearance in the New York company of Sunset Boulevard, repeating his London role as Joe Gillis. Barrowman’s other London theatrical credits include Grease!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Fix, Miss Saigon and Beauty and the Beast. He made his London pantomime debut in a production of Cinderella and was also seen in the film of “The Producers.” He has also been a judge on several reality TV casting programs and can be seen in the BBC series “Dr. Who” and “Torchwood.”

For ticket information visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com.

source: playbill.com

As you’ll no doubt be aware, the third series brings with it some mighty changes. Not only has the show been upgraded from BBC Two to primetime BBC One, but for the first time the team will contend with one major storyline over the course of the series. The run has been shortened from 13 to just five episodes, but in a major gift to fans the entire series will be stripped across five consecutive days.

That’s not to mention a few casting changes too! Torchwood producer Peter Bennett gives us a preview of what else series three - codenamed Torchwood: Children of Earth - has in store.

The title for this series is somewhat intriguing. What does it mean?
“Basically from a concept, we wanted to go down the children dilemma route. Because this storyline is a subject that’s going to affect all the children of Earth, it was a natural title to come up with.”

Read more… »

John was on Loose Women yesterday and I found a video for you guys to watch.  I’ll add it to the media site ASAP:

John’s going to be on Loose Women today from 12:30 - 13:30 on ITV1. Tune in and watch!  I’ll have caps and clips up ASAP.

Days after the BBC promised to clean up its act following the Andrew Sachs debacle, it has been forced into a fresh apology over lewd behaviour.

Doctor Who actor John Barrowman exposed himself during a live broadcast at 8.15pm on Sunday.

Although the programme was on Radio 1, pictures were also relayed to online listeners via a webcam.

Raucous: A webcam view of John Barrowman in the studio for the Radio 1 broadcast, during which he exposed himself live on air

And while Barrowman’s genitalia were not actually shown, the crude comments which accompanied the incident made it clear what had happened.

The 41-year-old actor, who plays Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood, was appearing on The Switch, presented by Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac.

He was wearing a helmet after being pushed around the studio in a wheelbarrow.

Lewd and nude: John Barrowman went a little too far during a Radio 1 interview

Grimshaw said: ‘You’re famous, we’re told, for getting your willy out in interviews. Is this going to happen today? Should Annie be careful?’

Barrowman asked: ‘Is the webcam on?’ When told it was, he declared: ‘All right, I’ll get it out for you then, no problem.’ The webcam had been swiftly covered up but listeners heard Annie Mac screaming: ‘Oh my God!’ as the other two were heard laughing.

Barrowman was heard seconds later saying: ‘I didn’t take the whole thing out, but I got my fruit and nuts out.’ He also exclaimed: ‘I can’t believe I’ve just done that.’

Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw present The Switch, which saw Barrowman unzip his flies

A BBC spokesman yesterday admitted that the show had ‘overstepped the mark’, adding: ‘We acknowledge this and apologised at the end of the live programme.’ Barrowman issued his own apology for any offence his behaviour had caused.

The Scottish-American actor, whose early TV career was as a children’s presenter on Live And Kicking, said the ‘light-hearted’ banter went too far - and promised it would never happen again.

Radio 4 has also received complaints after a joke about bestiality on the 4 Stands Up comedy programme, aired at 6.30pm.

Rhod Gilbert made the joke about his mother, the dog and the questionable parentage of his brother. While no foul language was used in the incident, aired over a week ago, there was widespread anger about this type of content being aired so early.

The BBC’s head of comedy Mark Freeland, however, defended the material saying that bestiality was an acceptable subject of comedy at the corporation.

Controversy: A prank call made by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross on Radio 2 caused a public outcry

Following the Andrew Sachs episode, during which Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross left obscene messages on the 78-year-old actor’s answering machine, the BBC said it was ‘determined to act on the lessons learned from this incident’.

Brand resigned, as did Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas and her colleague David Barber. Ross was suspended for three months.

Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe said: ‘Is the BBC ever going to learn from anything following the Ross and Brand incident? There is such an anything goes attitude about the place, that people no longer know where the lines of decency are actually drawn.’

source: dailymail.com

John will be appearing on tonights edition of the Xtra Factor. You can tune into the Xtra Factor at 10.45pm on ITV2, after part two of the X Factor finishes.  I will try and have video of this up ASAP!

Stage and screen star John Barrowman, whose Broadway credits include Sunset Boulevard and Putting It Together, will launch a U.K. concert tour May 11, 2009, at Sheffield City Hall.

The tour will feature songs from Barrowman’s new CD, “Music Music Music,” as well as tunes from his best-selling recording “Another Side.” The 17-city tour will conclude June 1, 2009, at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

About his previous sold-out tour and his forthcoming engagements, Barrowman said in a statement, “I had the time of my life doing [my last tour] — and I can’t wait to get back out there again and perform songs from my new album. It’s going to be a great show – I’m really excited about it.”

The complete tour itinerary, according to Barrowman’s website, follows:
May 11, 2009 at the Sheffield City Hall
May 12, 2009 at the Nottingham Royal Centre
May 14, 2009 at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
May 15, 2009 at the Newcastle City Hall
May 16, 2009 at the Oxford New Theatre
May 18, 2009 at Birmingham Symphony Hall
May 19, 2009 at the Liverpool Philharmonic
May 20, 2009 at Ipswich Regent
May 22, 2009 at Blackburn King George’s Hall
May 23, 2009 at Cardiff Arena
May 24, 2009 at Portsmouth Guildhall
May 26, 2009 at Manchester Bridgewater Hall
May 27, 2009 at Harrogate Centre Auditorium
May 28, 2009 at Bournemouth Pavilion Centre
May 30, 2009 at Brighton Dome
May 31, 2009 at Plymouth Pavillions
June 1, 2009 at Royal Albert Hall

John Barrowman reprised his role as Billy Crocker in the National Theatre’s production of Anything Goes at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He originally played the role opposite Elaine Paige in 1989. On Broadway, the actor starred in the Stephen Sondheim revue Putting It Together and also made a guest appearance in the New York company of Sunset Boulevard, repeating his London role as Joe Gillis. Barrowman’s other London theatrical credits include Grease!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Fix, Miss Saigon and Beauty and the Beast. He made his London pantomime debut in a production of Cinderella and was also seen in the film of “The Producers.” He has also been a judge on several reality TV casting programs and can be seen in the BBC series “Dr. Who” and “Torchwood.”