Abstract

This chapter explores how doctors have been depicted on American television. Beginning with a discussion of existing scholarly literature, it examines the origins of the doctor show formula on programs such as Medic and Ben Casey; the shift toward shows, like M*A*S*H, that focused on the lives and problems of physicians rather than patients; the new emphasis on the doctor’s family life on programs like The Cosby Show; the growing sense of disillusionment presented on shows such as ER; and the representation of the doctor as antihero on shows like House, M.D. Then, with a focus on The Mindy Project, it considers some recent developments in the doctor show formula.

INTRODUCTION

Police shows and doctor shows have been a staple of American television for well over fifty years. It is striking that while police shows tend to focus on the taking of life (i.e., murder) doctor shows tend to focus on procedures for saving life (e.g., surgery). The ongoing popularity of both genres seems to indicate that the American public never seems to grow weary of watching the extremities of life.