http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2014/06/30/john-constantine-cant-smoke-on-network-tv/

A epic fail of epic proportions.. in the new Constantine tv series, John Constantine is not allowed to smoke.(that sound you hear is the facepalm of thousands of contantine fans) 1 of his BIGGEST character traits have been removed. He smokes like a freaking chimney and gets lung cancer due to it. The makers of the show doesn't even know if they'll still let him have cancer in the series
Violence, occultism, ect, ok... but SMOKING???? OMG!!!! Sound the alarms.

This is the same channel that shows Hannibal btw....
I will still be giving the show a fair chance, but this stupid change is pretty offputting to fans of the series.

Who's john Constantine <.<

Anyhoo, bewbz are fine but smoking isn't?

RIGHT...

@Phreak the rule is a broadcast one in the US for network TV. Basically after all the lawsuits etc in the 90's and bad publicity about glamourising smoking to kids, they instituted the rule. It is easy to substitute another disease for lung cancer. Something to do,with drinking perhaps? My biggest issue is that they are moving the setting from London to LA. At least they could've used NYC, most like London TbH

I really don't see how it's a problem. Constantine's defining character trait is that he's a total (censored), not that he smokes. Getting rid of the smoking is such a tiny thing. There's plenty of other forms of cancer or diseases they can give him.

Boycotting a show because of something this tiny would be incredibly stupid imo.

I think it's because he did something (smoking) that caused the cancer. They could get him addicted to tanning beds to work the cancer angle...

Or they could just mention that he has cancer because he USED to smoke.

Or get him addicted to !donut and give him diabeeeetus

Yeah don't see any issue here, series looks great as well.

Him smoking is one of his characteristics and off course being an arse. It's like having a Jedi is Star Wars without a lightsabre

Been reading some comments from the shows creators and it really does seem like they really REALLY tried, apparantly this is the only network that was willing to pick up the show so "just moving to another channel" wasn't an option. They say they have been given permission though to go VERY dark with it's tone.

You can tell they are putting in genuine effort to make it a great show, despite the forced changes due to the network(apparantly more than just the smoking).

Interested to see how the writers work around these changes.

Dont really see this being a major issue honestly. Not going to deny it's utterly stupid.

Don't think it'll break the show though.

That sux!
When you picture Constantine, hes always got a smoke in one hand!
Its still looks like its gana be a great show though, so not gana let that bother me too much.

Comparable to him being American in the movie. He'll survive the change (figuratively speaking).

Heck, Edward Kenway is Constantine in this series...makes it a must watch for me. DC is releasing some interesting series this year, Constantine, Flash and Gotham is starting soon...

I watched the pilot and it’s been very good, would say the best DC TV series yet.
The TV character is the same as the comic book character, including the dry jokes. Much better version than the Reeves movie.
Already found 3 Easter egg in the pilot, the one was very clear…
Think this is going to be a great show

And he DOES smoke in the series!

Sandman said ...

I watched the pilot and it’s been very good, would say the best DC TV series yet.
The TV character is the same as the comic book character, including the dry jokes. Much better version than the Reeves movie.
Already found 3 Easter egg in the pilot, the one was very clear…
Think this is going to be a great show

And he DOES smoke in the series!

Interesting, think the network allowed them to edit the smoking back in after the intense negative reaction?

Well...have you watched the new series - The Leftovers...if you want to see smoking...

Sandman said ...

Well...have you watched the new series - The Leftovers...if you want to see smoking...

It's not about wanting to watch smoking. Hell, I HATE smoking, but in Contantine's case his intense addiction to smoking and the fact that he has lung cancer is a pretty big part of his character.

But if you say it's still pretty faithfull to the character I'm really looking forward to watching it.

Just saw the leaked pilot episode and it was awesome.

Not once did I even notice that he didn't light one up.

DEATHGIGAS said ...

Just saw the leaked pilot episode and it was awesome.

Not once did I even notice that he didn't light one up.

He did...towards the end in the bar.

Got the easter eggs?

@Sandman
See I didn't even notice that.

Yup.

So the characters I expect to see –

Highlight text

Etrigan – The Demon [the Amulet]
Doctor Fate [due to the helmet]
The Spectre [Jim Corrigan]