As someone who has spent countless hours in hospitals, I can confidently say that NBC’s newest comedy, St. Denis Medical, is not only hilarious but also surprisingly authentic in its portrayal of the unsung heroes – the nurses. The character that stood out for me in the first two episodes is Kaliko Kauhai’s Val, a no-nonsense veteran nurse administrator who effortlessly steals the show with her deadpan delivery and dry wit.
Minor joker spoilers for the first two episodes of St. Denis Medical.
For those who began the fall 2024 TV season with concerns about sitcoms, here’s some good news: NBC’s fresh comedy, St. Denis Medical, is laugh-out-loud funny from beginning to end! While large ensembles can sometimes make it tough for characters to shine in the early stages, this medical mockumentary is so skillfully crafted that I’ve already found my preferred hospital employee after watching only two episodes – Kaliko Kauhai’s character, Val.
If you missed the initial two instalments of “St. Denis Medical“, this medical mockumentary revolves around a quirky group of doctors, nurses, and healthcare specialists, with The Goldbergs‘ Wendi McLendon-Covey as their leader. Co-created by Justin Spitzer, the series balances competent but slightly exhausted staff with the challenging and occasionally bizarre patients who seek help at the hospital. Similar to his successful show “Superstore“, it skillfully interweaves the daily grind of work life with the unpredictable antics of those who walk through the doors in need of assistance.
Similar to many mockumentary series, St. Denis Medical employs recognizable character archetypes and witty banter, yet it stands out with its distinctive atmosphere and stellar ensemble. I’m eagerly anticipating each new episode due to my excitement about Kauhai’s performance as Val, which is one of the main factors drawing me in.
Meet Val, St. Denis Medical’s Veteran Nurse Administrator
It’s often the doctors who receive praise for saving lives in our everyday lives, but if you’ve ever spent time in hospitals, it’s clear that it’s the nurses who are putting in the majority of the effort with patients. While the series St. Denis Medical does introduce two capable physicians, it primarily focuses on the nursing team, offering a pleasant departure from the usual focus on doctors in medical dramas.
Kauhai’s character Val may not be the central figure in the series, but she captivated me personally. Her no-nonsense persona is a stark contrast to her previous role as Sandra on Superstore, making her even more entertaining to follow. With only two episodes aired so far, we don’t know much about Val at this point, but I’m eagerly anticipating watching her develop alongside the rest of the cast.
Val Made Me Laugh Every Time She Was On Screen
First impressions are always important, but even more so with ensemble shows where everyone is vying for attention. When we first meet Val, she’s behind the check-in desk of the hospital, calmly but exhaustingly explaining to an agitated patient that her symptoms are not the most important in the room. Her deadpan delivery of her lines is impossible to chuckle at, especially when she makes the new RN (Mekki Leeper) wait in the long line of would-be patients.
In the pilot episode, Val makes an impactful remark when she gives a patient a White House number, asking her to tell Joe about the nursing shortage and the need for him to address healthcare issues. While it may not induce uncontrollable laughter, it shares similarities with Abbott Elementary in that it humorously underscores the underfunding of services, making the harsh reality difficult to ignore.
In the second episode, Val’s wit and dry humor persist, this time focusing on poking fun at the new nurse and later the hospital’s emergency doctor (David Alan Grier), suggesting he might be misinterpreting a young patient’s behavior as flirtatious. It’s a refreshing shift for Kauhai, who has often been the target of jokes in her previous role on Superstore .
Being a fan of numerous actors on “St. Denis Medical,” I never expected to have a definitive favorite after just two episodes. Yet, Kauhai’s captivating performance has won me over and left me eagerly anticipating her portrayal of Val for the remainder of the season.
On Tuesday evenings, NBC broadcasts St. Denis Medical at 8 pm, preceding Night Court, which has shifted its schedule for Season 3. If you happen to miss it, don’t worry! You can watch the episodes on Peacock the next day with a subscription.
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2024-11-19 04:07