Category — Hospital Drama

M.A.S.H. is one of the most celebrated television shows in the history of the planet. In my mind, its fans are dead-on right to give it rave reviews.

Years after its final telecast, I still remember how impressed I was with the acting and the writing, principally by Larry Gelbart. From Alan Alda as Hawkeye to Harry Morgan as Col. Sherman T. Potter, the cast was a marvel of ensemble acting in a comedy.

The funny thing is I hated the movie (directed by Robert Almtan and starring Elliot Gould). I found the writing predictable, not funny, and overdone by half. Even though Gould and Donald Sutherland are among my favorite actors, I didn’t think either were able to overcome the bad lines they were given to recite.

But go figure. The movie was released in the fall of 1970 when anti-Vietnam sentiment was high, and was an instant hit. Ring Lardner Jr. won the Oscar for Best Screenplay and the film was nominated for Best Movie. Sally Kellerman also received a Best Actress nomination for her role as Hotlips.

Judge for yourself. Rent or buy the DVDs—both of the film and the TV series. I will. I want to see if my memories stand up to the real thing.

Buy the “M*A*S*H” - Season 1 dvd today.

ABC’s “Private Practice” will finally emerge from its post-strike hiatus on October 1st (9/8c). I actually found myself liking this show as a guilty pleasure. I’m wasn’t the biggest Addison fan when she was “Grey’s Anatomy”, but I warmed to her on the spin-off.

And who can resist Taye Diggs’ charm? Seriously, it’s quite difficult. Even Tim Daly (”Wings”) sorta wore me down with his silly homeopathic medicine and skirt-chasing ways. I connect most though to Amy Brenneman’s character. She is the resident therapist who can counsel everyone else, but hasn’t got a clue when it comes to her own lovelife.

Another reason I liked this show was for its lighter tone. They really tried to play up the sunny california, everything’s groovy stereotype in this show. If you’re looking for “ER” style gore and melodrama, this might not be the show for you. Granted, there were a few tense moments, but this cast of characters are simply more engaging than the current batch on Grey’s (prolly due to the lack of Mere whining). “Private Practice” is a welcomed alternative for the tv fan who wants a dash of hospital melodrama mixed with romance and comedy.

I awoke this morning to a “Kingdom Hospital” marathon on SciFi channel.

It took me quite a few minutes to realize what I was watching. At first, I assumed it was just some whacked out episode of “The Outer Limits” that took place in a hospital. It was a really eerie scene of homeless men cackling at a doctor parking his car. But then in the next scene, I saw Andrew McCarthy’s doctor character appear and I knew exactly what it was. No TiVo information button necessary. =)

“Kingdom Hospital” is Stephen King’s take on the danish television mini-series, “Riget” and “Riget II” , which was created by Lars Von Trier. Trier later went on to garner international exposure from his next project, Breaking the Waves, which probably led to King discovering the series. King’s adaptation was criticized by viewers of the original. Apparently he trimmed all the humor bits and emphasized the mystery/horror elements. But would you expect anything less? I suppose not.

I tried to watch a few episodes when it premiered on NBC in 2004, but I ended up distracted and bored. Now, thanks to SciFi channel, viewers can give “Kingdom Hospital” another go. I swear if it’s got anything to do with sci-fi or horror, that channel will add it to their programming, even if it didn’t make the cut on network television. Sometimes I love their choices, while others I’m just kind meh about like this show.

You can rent or buy “Riget” and “Kingdom Hospital” on dvd today, if you’re curious to find out more.

I’ve finally caught up on a few of the television finales and decided the worst one (that I watched) came from “Grey’s Anatomy”. It was the same ol’ crap just re-packaged to make some of the doctors have a happy ending while others went deeper into their self-destructive hole. McDreamy and Meredith finally, after years of break-ups/make-ups and working together and fighting together have decided to give a final shot. But only after she made a breakthru in therapy that is….

If this was season two or three, perhaps I would care. But seriously, four seasons of dating, adultery, and false relationship starts really wears on a viewer! I simply just don’t care.

Who do I care about? Bailey, but it took an entire season of her running around being a Doctor/Head Resident to realize that doing all that and taking care of a baby just don’t mix. She gives the clinic to Izzie. End of Story, everyone wins.

The Chief got back with his wife…ewww old people kissing…I guess it works.

Alex and Izzie fight and kiss again, but now with more sadness and pathetic words.

Callie and Erika are kissing…boring…way to try and get the male demographic back.

George gets to redeem himself and retake his Intern test. Here’s hoping he doesn’t flug it up twice.

Will I watch next season? I really don’t think so. I’d almost rather watch “ER”, which I hate. So that’s saying something.