"Doogie Howser, M.D." (1989-1993), starring Neil Patrick Harris, dealt with a teenaged medical prodigy, i.e., Douglas 'Doogie' Howser, who was the country's youngest surgeon. I wonder if he needed a step-stool to reach the operating table? Against that life or death background, Doogie also had to face the daily routine trials and tribulations of a 'not so typical' teenager. Created by Steven Bochco and David E. Kelly, the show was actually more believable than it sounds. My favorite part was the end of each episode, when Doogie typed on his computer journal (very original at the time).
2. Princeton-Plainsboro
Answer: Dr. Lisa Cuddy
On "House, M.D." (2004-2012) Lisa Edelstein plays Dr. Lisa Cuddy, Dean of Medicine at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey. She was in charge of the irascible Dr. Gregory House, a genius at medical diagnoses but a very unpleasant human being. Of course, to complicate the relationship even further, their was an off-again-on-again love connection between the two, but also between Dr. House and his pain-killers.
3. University Medical Center
Answer: Dr. Joe Gannon
Going back in time a little, there was the handsome Dr. Joe Gannon who worked at University Medical Center on the TV drama "Medical Center" (1969-1976). Chad Everett played the dimpled doctor; although he was a surgeon, he was more like Jim Kildare than Ben Casey.
His mentor was Dr. Paul Lochner played by James Daly (father of Tyne and Tim). The show was more about the personal lives of the doctors and patients than it was about gritty, life-saving surgery. Reflecting the times, i.e., late 1960s and early 1970s, there was also the dichotomy of youth vs experience.
4. Chicago Hope
Answer: Dr. Kathryn Austin
It's 1994 and two competing medical shows both set in Chicago, Illinois, were released. "ER" was the more popular of the two, and lasted nine years longer. While the stars on "Chicago Hope" (1994-2000) did not shine quite as brightly, it was still a David E. Kelley creation, and the plots were well-written, with excellent acting. Christine Lahti joined the cast in the second season as Dr. Kathryn Austin.
She was a cardiac surgeon who did not always adhere to the rules or get along with the administration. Dr. Austin was involved in a bitter custody battle with her 'ex', and was suspended for going AWOL to take her daughter to New Zealand.
5. St. Eligius
Answer: Dr. Victor Ehrlich
St. Eligius was a Boston hospital whose reputation was so bad it was dubbed "St. Elsewhere" (1982-1988). St. Eligius was sort of the 'blue collar' of medical shows, dealing with the more mundane day-to-day operations of a big city hospital. Ed Begley Jr. played the role of the annoying Dr. Victor Ehrlich, a gifted young surgeon but also kind of a 'doofus'.
He wore Hawaiian shirts with ties, and became awkward whenever his mentor and idol, Dr. Craig, was around. Ehrlich's first marriage to a candystriper was a disaster, and a source of amusement for the rest of the staff.
6. County General
Answer: Dr. Ben Casey
County General was the hospital featured in "Ben Casey" (1961-1966). Vince Edwards played the un-smiling, idealistic surgeon under the tutelage of the Chief of Surgery Dr. David Zorba. In 1965, Dr. Zorba (Sam Jaffe) was replaced by Dr. Daniel Freeland, played by former movie star Franchot Tone. On the show, Ben finally had a romantic relationship with a former patient named Jane Hancock (Stella Stevens) who had just come out of a coma after 15 years!
7. Los Angeles County
Answer: Dr. Konrad Styner
I believe the TV show "Medic" (1954-1956) was one of the first of its kind, and was the prototype for many medical shows which followed. It was the first show to focus on actual medical procedures. Dr. Konrad Styner, played by Richard Boone ("Paladin"), worked at Los Angeles County Hospital. Real files from the L.A. County Medical Association were dramatized.
As an aside, the theme song from the show, 'Blue Star', became a hit tune which charted at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1955.
8. Sacred Heart
Answer: Dr. Elliot Reid
Some programmer must have said - let's add a little levity to medicine, and "Scrubs" (2001-2010) was born. The show centered around the daily lives of three interns: J.D. Dorian (Zach Braff), Christopher Turk (Donald Faison) and Elliot Reid. Dr. Reid was played by Sarah Chalke (who had also occasionally played Roseanne's oldest daughter, Becky); Elliot provided the romantic interest for J.D. Sacred Heart Hospital (whose location was not divulged) was the setting for the antics and trials and tribulations of the new 'scrubs'.
9. Seattle Grace
Answer: Dr. Miranda Bailey
Seattle Grace was original name of the hospital for the TV drama "Grey's Anatomy" (2005- ). Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) was the protagonist. The plot may sound familiar, i.e., the personal and professional lives of five surgical interns, and the doctors who supervised them. Dr. Miranda Bailey was the resident in charge of the original bunch of interns, and was played by Chandra Wilson. Wilson's character also appeared in the spin-off "Private Practice" (2007-2013), another Shonda Rhimes creation.
10. James River Hospital
Answer: Dr. Tom Wakefield
Richmond Trinity in Richmond, Virginia was the original setting for "Hawthorne" (2009-2011). This medical show differed from many others because the show focused on the caring Chief Nursing Officer at the hospital, i.e., Christina HawthoRNe. Jada Pinkett Smith played the working single mother of a teenage daughter.
When Richmond Trinity closed and the staff moved to James River Hospital, Hawthorne worked opposite Dr. Tom Wakefield, played by Michael Vartan. Dr. Wakefield was the Chief of Surgery who formed a relationship with Nurse Hawthorne and eventually married her.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Gamemaster1967 before going online.
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