A New Era for Medical Comedy: “St. Denis Medical” Brings Laughs to the ER
After a decade-long dry spell, medical comedy is back on network television with “St. Denis Medical.” Created by Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin in the spirit of beloved sitcoms like “Scrubs,” the new NBC series aims to fill a void left vacant since the iconic show ended its run in 2010. While “St. Denis Medical” treads familiar ground with its mockumentary style and quirky ensemble, it delivers a solid first impression with sharp writing and a refreshingly balanced focus on the dynamic between doctors and nurses.
Healthcare professionals likely breathed a collective sigh of relief upon seeing “St. Denis Medical” premiere. For years, many of us (myself included) have found ourselves tuning into endless medical dramas, yearning for a show that captured the humor inherent to the world of healthcare.
“St. Denis Medical” takes its cues from favorites like “The Office,” adding a unique twist to the proven mockumentary formula.
Knowing glances at the camera— an element often referred to as “The Jim Face”— are now typically delivered by Nurse Alex, the sharp-witted charge nurse navigates the chaos of the emergency department with grace and just a hint of exasperation. Matt, the wide-eyed, bumbling rookie nurse, echoes the charm of Andy Dwyer from “Parks and Rec” with his surprisingly relatable For them, the familiar format offers a welcome dose of nostalgia, but for the uninitiated Viewer, the formula might feel a tad worn.
Despite relying on some familiar tropes, “St. Denis Medical” manages to carve out its own niche by shifting the focus away from purely patient-centric storylines and medical intricacies.
Instead, it utilizes the hustle and bustle of the hospital setting to highlight the unique relationships that blossom between doctors, nurses and administrators.
The humor comes from these complex interactions, not from poking fun at patients’ vulnerabilities.
The show’s comedic sensibilities are firmly rooted in realism, choosing to poke fun at the absurdity of hospital procedures rather than the people suffering from them. A scene featuring a trauma surgeon delaying surgery to dance to the Beastie Boys’ “Intergalactic” perfectly exemplifies this approach. It’s pure comedic gold, while simultaneously reminding us that life, even in the midst of crisis, often throws curveballs.
There are moments when the show teeters on the edge of uncomfortable territory, relying on tired tropes about drug-seeking patients. However, for the most part, the humor feels fresh and lacks the bite that can often make medical comedies cringeworthy.
One of the aspects that elevates “St. Denis Medical” above the typical medical comedy is its dedication to showcasing the complexities of the nursing profession. Most medical shows relegating nurses to a background role, predominantly highlighting the lives and struggles of physicians.
Thankfully, “St. Denis Medical” makes a conscious effort to balance the spotlight
Where “ER” offered Dr. Carter, a fresh-faced intern,
“St. Denis Medical” introduces Matt, a first-year nurse whose journey is full of accidental stabbings with EpiPens and unlikely rivalries with the hospital chaplain.
Charge nurse Alex stands out as a beacon of stability amidst the chaos. She is the engine that keeps St. Denis’s emergency department functioning smoothly and her character represents a refreshing departure from the outdated trope of the sidelined nurse.
While not without flaws, “St. Denis Medical” is a welcome addition to the comedy landscape. It manages to capture the comedic potential of the medical world without resorting to cheap laughs at the expense of vulnerable characters – a delicate balance that should ensure its longevity on the airwaves.
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Dr. Will Flanary is an ophthalmologist and part-time comedian who moonlights as “Dr. Glaucomflecken,” a social media personality who creates medical-themed comedy shorts._
How does “St. Denis Medical” aim to differentiate itself humorously from other medical comedies?
## The Anatomy of Laughter: A Talk With [Guest Name] About “St. Denis Medical”
**Host:** Welcome back to the show, today we’re diving into the world of medical comedy with the premiere of NBC’s “St. Denis Medical.” I’m joined by [Guest Name], [Guest credentials/connection to the topic]. Welcome!
**Guest:** Thanks for having me!
**Host:** Let’s talk about “St. Denis Medical.” It’s been a while since we’ve seen a medical comedy on network television, hasn’t it?
**Guest:** Absolutely! It feels like forever since “Scrubs” graced our screens. [1] There’s definitely been a void for a show that can bring the laughs while still respecting the healthcare world.
**Host:** The show has been described as having that “mockumentary” feel, similar to “The Office.” Does that come across in the show?
**Guest:** Definitely. There are those signature “Jim face” moments , but this time they’re often delivered by the nurses, which is a nice twist. Nurse Alex, the charge nurse, is particularly fantastic at those knowing glances at the camera.[[[[[1]]
**Host:** So, no making fun of patients? This show seems to be aiming for a different kind of humor.
**Guest:** That’s right. The humor comes from the interplay between doctors, nurses, and administrators. It’s the absurdity of hospital procedures, the quirky personalities, and those moments when reality feels just a bit too crazy. Think “Parks and Rec” meets “Scrubs,” but with stethoscopes.[[[[[1]]
**Host:** That sounds like a winning formula.
**Guest:** I think so too. It’s fresh, it’s funny, and it might just remind audiences that even in the chaos of a hospital, there’s always room for a little laughter.
