I noticed the new series proudly proclaims itself to be a BBC America production. Most Americans of my aquaintance (Anglophiles to a man / woman) love Dr Who as the very epitome of Englishness.

Exactly right. For that reason, I've always found the very idea of an American Doctor Who quite repellant. (I also wish that Paul McGann had been given a fair chance in the role, but that's another story.)

I will also add that when Colin Baker's Doctor had an "American" companion - Peri - I thought that the writers dredged up every negative American stereotype they could come up with: a whiny, annoying pain in the ass that - thankfully - they softened somewhat as the series progressed.

But Colin Baker got a raw deal from the BBC (and the writers) - but don't get me started on that...

Jay