It seems that today, one can't turn on a television without coming across at least one medical drama. Between Scrubs, House M.D., Grey's Anatomy, ER, HawthoRNe, and Nurse Jackie, you would probably assume that by now the audience would have moved on, as at this point I would imagine they could complete most of these medical procedures themselves. However it seems that for every series finale there is a new crop of ill-conceived medical dramas waiting to take its place. These programs adhere to a strict formula; a combination of romance, medicine, and morality. The doctors date, it doesn't work out, they break up, they get back together. At this point in the show, I begin to wonder if being a doctor is as easy as dating your co-workers, but then there's the second part of the formula, the medicine. They don't have time to worry about the fact that J.D. kissed Carla (that's a Scrubs in case your not a fan), because there's a little girl who was just in a car accident and now all that petty stuff has to be put aside. But oh dear, she doesn't have health insurance. Now its time for the hard-headed liberal doctor and callous administrator's storyline, in which they'll argue as to whether or not to treat the little girl. Of course the Dr. Cox/House character will win, but don't you dare question their methods, after 5 seasons you just have to accept that they know what they're doing. Following the commercial break, the little girl will come out of surgery with no complications, the dating doctors will just continue the cycle until an attractive guest star comes on the show, and then the narcissistic doctor and apathetic can walk away from one another with that "I don't like you, but I respect you look". Now if you turn into ABC you can watch another hour of the same exact show.
It's not that I don't like medical dramas, I watched Scrubs for eight seasons and almost always enjoyed it. But just like The Office with Parks and Recreation, an almost identical program pops up to try to swindle an audience that is screaming for an encore. And although I grow tired of the endless arguing and repetitive medical issues, I take comfort in knowing that no matter how many of these shows they make, the doctors will always be attractive.
Family Guy meets Dr. House
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