David Nutter has a nickname, "The Pilot Whisperer," which refers to his reputation as being a director of pilot episodes that are generally deemed successful. Until 2011, every show whose pilot he directed was commissioned for at least a full season. Although this ended when CBS decided not to pick up The Doctor, he had by then directed sixteen successful pilots, an unprecedented and still-unmatched streak. He is generally considered one of the best directors currently working in television.