"A lot of writers are mad."

November 10, 2008 8:37 AM

Long interview with Doctor Who showrunner Russel T Davies on his writing and producing career (at the BBC's Writersroom).
posted by fearfulsymmetry (4 comments total)

Good stuff. I'd forgotten he worked on Corrie, but you can really see it in everything of his I've seen, especially Queer As Folk (banter for its own sake, sudden shifts from outright daftness to tear-jearking high drama).

showrunner

I don't know whether I think that's a completely fucking hideous neologism or a perfectly sensible, less wanky than 'auteur', way of describing someone who does much more than write the script for a telly programme. First time I've seen it in a UK context, anyway.
posted by jack_mo at 9:18 AM on November 10, 2008

First time I've seen it in a UK context, anyway.

It is a bit of a strange one... I think, well guess, that it's bandied about because with regards Who, Davies is fulfilling both the traditional beeb roles of Script Editor and Producer
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 9:42 AM on November 10, 2008

First time I've seen it in a UK context, anyway.


It's the first time it's been used. The BBC employed it in their press releases when the show began again on television in 2005 and it stuck, though RTD has since been variously described as 'Lead Writer' and 'Executive Producer' which are both equally true. When asked he's often cited the likes of Joss Whedon and Aaron Sorkin as comparable figures.
posted by feelinglistless at 9:52 AM on November 10, 2008

Its meaning is fluid in the Americas^ as well, though it's more established.
posted by abulafa at 9:59 AM on November 10, 2008