I'm not aware of the full information and Torchwood is new rather than the
institution that is Dr Who; however I wouldn't be at all surprised if the BBC
has fitted their whole creative process around the preferences of the main
actor.

Dr Who can come back after a decade of rest. We've seen that and all for the
better.

They did put Dr Who on hold for David Tennant so he could recharge his batteries
by engaging in some very demanding stage drama RSC) throughout 2008/2009.

John Barrowman might have similar pursuasive power. Perhaps there is more
'family' in how production officials and the lead writers deal with on-screen
talent in the UK compared with other countries that make programs with global
appeal?

I enjoy the drama and can somewhat accept the rather less than hidden agenda.
Afterall SciFi often isn't averse from moral-of-the-story and to attempt to
promote certain philosophies and antiestablishmentarianism. Torchwood and
X-Files match this reason for being, IMHO.

Production values are upsidedown from many commercial perspectives. Until
recently, of all the Russell productions, only Torchwood was recorded/mastered
in HiDef. The decision being made through natural justification processes rather
than through obvious marketing sense.

It is sometimes difficult to assume why shows stop, pause, halt etc. Similarly,
DVD/BluRay sales could be significantly larger if the BBC released the entire
series at about the same time as they proved themselves with an episode 1
broadcast. Yet they tend not to do this despite the material being ready.
Sometimes principles (of the broadcaster) are more important than sheer profits.

Perhaps more so when the BBC is a state organized phenomenon. (with all the
associated/assumed propaganda opportunities).

Behind all this symbiosis is probably a lot of struggle but hopefully some good
ambassadors (in the individuals, their agents or all of the above).



--- In VTNT@yahoogroups.com, Bohuš <bohus@...> wrote:
>
> Eugene W. Kosarovich wrote:
> > Doctor Who's short season this year I thought was because David wanted to do
> > live stage acting, so I think that was kinda planned on the production side
> > versus the broadcast side.
> >
>
> I would seriously doubt that could be true. It's too huge a show to let
> the lead pull something like that. I imagine that the deal is either a
> shrewd way to get extra press when the show comes back (also to prevent
> the public from tiring of the show), or it could also be a budget
> cutting move as they are moving to HD production starting with the last ep.
>
>