DOOGIE HOWSER M.D. (Doogie Howser M.D)

Member Name: Jelboy18

Product:	Doogie Howser M.D
Date:	26/07/08 (273 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comedy/ drama with Neil Patrick Harris - good script/characters.

Disadvantages: Only 4 series - the show wasnt allowed to reach the ending they wished

"Inroduction to Doogie Howser M.D."

Doogie Howser M.D is a comedy/drama TV Programme Starring Neil Patrick Harris as a unique child prodigy who applies his knowledge into medicine and becomes the youngest practicing physician in the United States. Created by Steven Bochco (also known for creating Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue), Doogie Howser M.D. ran for four years on ABC from 1989 through to 1993 with a total 97 episodes before it was pulled from air without much notice. Set in LA, California the show followed the life of Doogie Howser and how he faced the challenges of being a doctor at his young age aswell as have a normal life.

"Brief Pre-Plot and Plot"

Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris) at the age of 5 was diagnosed with having leukemia. The early symptoms of bruising was found by his father David (James B. Sikking). Succesful treatment lead to his lucky recovery. From then on at a young age he decided to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a practical physician. He started to abdorb knowledge at a rather quick speed and attained genius status at an extremely young age. He got perfect SAT scores at 6, completed high school in 9 weeks, graduated from Princeton at 10 and finished medical school at 14. At this age he became the youngest licensed doctor in the country.

The first episode starts on his 16th birthday so everything you read prior will be explained in brief flashbacks in the episodes. You see him on his driving test with his mother in the back watching over him. In the distance you see a car accident. He speeds over at his own perrell despite the examiner screaming at him, he gets out and starts helping. The policemen, lead by the person who plays the janitor in Scrubs (only appearnace) tries to move him away from the situation. At this time Doogie pulls out his medicine license to everyone's amazement and then starts to help the injured victim. This is the introduction to an eventful programme.

Doogie is a young child who lives at home with his parents. His best friend is a moronic Italian American boy named Vinnie Delpino (Max Cassella). The show focuses on Doogie's life in the hospital and out, from being in a hostage situation in the local supermarket to having troubles with his girlfriends, most notably Wanda Plenn (Lisa Dean Riley). I have watched all 4 seasons of the programme on DVD and there is a lot to say about the plot, from his annual fishing trip with his dad to moving out of his home. When I write this, it sounds as if this is a boring TV show. On the contrary this is an accredited show which is at times extremely funny. Each situation he encounters is a great one to watch. At the end of every episode, the trademark part of the show was that Doogie would type an account into his blog on his computer, a diary to be more precise.

"Why did I watch this programme to begin with"

One answer...Neil Patrick Harris. That enough is a good reason. I love watching How I Met Your Mother, which is a comedy programme starring Josh Radnor, Jason Segal, Allyson Hannigan and above all...Neil Patrick Harris as the character 'Barney Stinson'. After laughing my head off at his character for three seasons I decided to visit the IMDB website and look through his credits. I have known of his brief spots in the Harold and Kumar films as well as the role in Starship Troopers as the brainy officer. When I saw the words 'Doogie Howser M.D.', a thought ran through my mind, where have I heard this show before?? Thats right...i heard it while watching the Big Bang Theory when Raj said his parents had to stop talking on the laptop webcam because Doogie Howser was about to begin on TV.

Ok...so I had heard it said on a programme I like and I love the character Barney in How I met your mother...whats next...get hold of Doogie Howser. It was unbelievable to see Neil Patrick Harris at a young age. What is great though is seeing his acting skills develop through these 4 seasons. Every year his character gets funnier, most likely becuase with age you get thrown into more dillemas, especially as a teenager.

"Opinion"

Doogie Howser M.D. was generally shown in the United States. Because I am 18 I dont really know if it was shown in the UK. I have my doubts. In my opinion however, this show cries out to a new generation of viewers. In all fairness, this may be very good for people in their young teens e.g. 14 years and older. You get to follow the same journey as this character as he is your age. You get to have a good laugh at the same time. I dont know how but this show manages to ignite the viewer with better moral values. Thats what you get when you watch a very level headed tv character. I would believe that if the show was run on TV in England that it would get a fair amount of viewes. It was made before I was born and finished when I was 3. If I can find it, watch it, love it, then I dont see how many other people cant ro wont want to do the same thing.

You may have heard of the programme but you may not have seen it. You honestly have to give it a try. Filled with cute nurses and doctors, a hilarious best friend who balances out the geniosity of the characters and you have an addictive show to watch.

Im sure some of you will parade me with the same questions or responses like..."Why dont you tell us why it is funny?...You havent said enough about the characters... Well in all honesty, sometimes it is tough to say. The script is good, the characters are cheeky and not afraid to go all the way with them. Vinne Delpino is an example of this. He is extremely sexually active, however his miniscule appearance and accent doesnt exactly help his case. He really pushes to make his character better. When you watch him you truly believe he is that character. You dont get the naturalistic feelings from most characters however in this programme they have succeeded. Not everybody would believe watching a 16 year old doctor. Luckily enough it passed by me. Hey, I watched all 97 episodes in no time.

"DVD Information"

All four series were releaed on DVD by Anchor Bay entertainment. The extras on the DVD include interesting interviews with some of the characters and directors including Neil Patrick harris, Lawrence Pressman, kathryn Layng and Steven Bochco. I enjoyed them all to be honest. They were done specifically for the DVD so we get to see them speak years ahead of the programme, funnily, while the main character is now thirty years old. They talk about how the castign worked, how they found certain actors, what it was like on set. My favourites included the ones with Kathryn Layng and Neil Patrick Harris.

"Conclusion"

Doogie Howser M.D. has not been given the chance in the UK. It was widely recieved in the US and is notably accredited. Neil Patrick Harris is a genius on screen and should be watched, no matter what role he has. Luckily enough, he was the person that starred in 97 episodes, running approx 24 minutes each. Its hard to count the number of times I laughed out loud, felt sad or mystified. The show hits a wide range of emotions and explores a number of situations from teenage pregnancy, divorce, relationships, gang warfare etc.

On How I Met your mother, there is a scene where Barney writes in His blog on his laptop, accompanied by the Music of Doogie Howser M.D. This was a an allusion to the end of each show of DH M.D. I watched this scene and laughed so many times because I felt I was one of a few people that understood its significance. Dogoie Howser was a big show which was a good hit. I believe that people in the UK should be given a chance to watch it.

As i said, this programme is looking for a new generation of viewers...why?? Because it deserves them.

Summary: Doogie Howser is a child doctor working at Eastmond hospital balancing medicine with being a Teen.