ER Generation. Doctors in our generation would definitely know ER, the TV series. It has become not only a part of our boob tube schedule in high school, like Friends, but for most of us, it has influenced our decision in becoming MDs.
Personally, it has catalyzed my dream of becoming a doctor.
Number 1 fan. Since we didn’t have cable then, I religiously watched the TV show every Tuesday on Channel 5. I watched the reruns and expectantly wait for the new season when one ends. Dr. Ross (George Clooney) has become my doctor friend A’s ultimate crush. Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) has become mine. He actually inspired me to go into either Surgery or ER med. Only later to find out that ER Med was still non-existent when I entered med school.
The show to which I compare all. So pardon me if I say that no other medical show compares to ER. That’s why I can’t rave about shows like Chicago Hope (then) or Grey’s Anatomy (now) because they are NOT ER.
But there are other 'doctor' shows that I have come to love, but with less loyalty, after ER. One of my favorites would have to be House, MD by Hugh Laurie because of the cases and of course, his bedside manner. This, I believe, is actually similar to the old comedy series by Ted Danson who was playing an MD, also with poor bedside manner, Becker (Dr. John Becker).
Frasier is worth mentioning because the show is ultimately funny and has won several Emmys. Dr. Frasier Crane is a famous psychiatrist with a radio show played by Kelsey Grammer. Then there’s NipTuck. Uhm, need I say more about how yummy Christian Troy, played by Julian McMahon, is? Although for me, the show is sometimes bordering on 'unusual.'
Grey’s anatomy? I am not a fan because it is too EMO for me, so I leave it to my other colleagues to rave about it.
How far (or near) from reality? Watching ER before and after becoming a real doctor, I am surprised to only note ONE noticeable mistake that I remember up to this day: surgeons scrub before they put on their mask. Uhm.
My other doctor friends say that there are other parts of these shows that are way off with real practice. But come on, these are TV shows. Break from our life as doctors. Once I turn on the TV, my doctor brain shuts down (as much as it can), then I enjoy the show.
Movies and TV series are our escape from the real world. But what's amazing is, there are still some realities to it. That's why it sort of influences some of us, like me.
It might just happen. So when I see something 'impossible' like Meredith Grey revived after more than an hour (am I right?) of being brain dead, I tell myself (or anybody who’s watching with me) miracles do happen in TV. Just like they do in real life.
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This is my contribution to The Blog Rounds 14 hosted at Em Dy's Pulse.
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