‘St. Denis Medical’ Is the Best Comedy Show of This 2024 Season

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As a long-time enthusiast of medical dramas and comedies alike, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about another addition to the genre. However, NBC and Peacock’s new sitcom St. Denis Medical has won me over with its fresh take on the underappreciated heroes of healthcare: the nurses.

With Allison Tolman (a familiar face from Fargo) portraying a workaholic supervising nurse and mom, Wendi McLendon-Covey (a favorite from The Goldbergs) playing an attention-seeking surgeon, and a talented ensemble cast, the show has all the ingredients for a successful comedy.

What really sets St. Denis Medical apart is its social commentary on the American healthcare system without being too preachy or heavy-handed. The show’s two-episode debut that brought in 7.4M viewers within a week speaks volumes about its appeal to audiences.

In a nutshell, St. Denis Medical is just what the doctor ordered for those seeking a blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling. And if you ask me, it’s the prescription I needed to get through another day in this crazy world we live in!

Oh, and did I mention that the show has a hilarious running joke about overdoses? It’s like they read my mind!

The freshly debuted sitcom by NBC and Peacock, titled St. Denis Medical, presents a unique blend of humor in a mockumentary style, set within an economically strapped Oregon hospital. While it might not provide a literal cure for your troubles, as suggested by critics, it certainly promises to lighten your mood. Unlike conventional medical series that often concentrate on glamorous physicians and dramatic emergencies, this show primarily highlights the everyday lives of nurses – the unacknowledged heroes who ensure the smooth operation of the hospital.

Allison Tolman, famously known for her role in ‘Fargo’, shines as a dedicated, hardworking nurse and mom who keeps the ER functioning smoothly. Wendi McLendon-Covey, recognized by fans of ‘The Goldbergs’ and ‘Reno 911!’, portrays a high-ranking administrator more concerned with accolades than patient care. David Alan Grier, best remembered from ‘In Living Color’ and ‘Martin’, assumes the role of a grumpy doctor. Kahyun Kim, Josh Lawson, Kaliko Kauahi, and Mekki Leeper complete the ensemble, playing characters such as a nurse with a rebellious side, a self-centered surgeon, and a Montana transplant with strong religious beliefs, offering the audience an outsider’s perspective.

‘St. Denis Medical’ Comes From the Hands of Comedy Veterans

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In a recent development, “St. Denis Medical” joins the list as the latest creation by comedy maestro Justin Spitzer, who teamed up with Eric Ledgin for this venture. With a rich background in successful series like “The Office” and “Scrubs” (anticipated to return), Spitzer has channeled his expertise into his own productions, resulting in “American Auto” and the widely acclaimed “Superstore,” both of which also feature Ledgin’s input. Similar to these previous projects, “St. Denis Medical” centers around the underdog employees who keep institutions functioning smoothly. This formula has proven effective, and a medical setting offers an endless supply of amusing scenarios and predicaments.

If the show creators aim to produce content that resonates with ordinary working Americans dealing with their day-to-day tribulations through laughter, they have certainly achieved this goal. According to Ledgin, the show effectively blends humor and emotion when speaking with ScreenRant about its balance.

In this production, you should expect bouts of laughter, as it’s meant to be a comedy. However, it also portrays an emergency room within a hospital, which means displaying tender or challenging scenes is essential. I aspire that some viewers, especially healthcare professionals, will identify with these poignant moments.

‘St. Denis Medical’ Doesn’t Shy Away From Social Commentary

Spitzer and Ledgin have mastered the art of creating a hit network comedy, skillfully blending humor with insightful social commentary about the U.S. healthcare system. The show frequently emphasizes that St. Denis is a “safety-net hospital,” serving patients regardless of their insurance or income status, reflecting the writers’ ongoing commitment to portray working-class characters in a comedic light.

The pilot starts off with light-hearted humor about drug overdoses, as Tolman’s character deals with a patient struggling with opiate addiction. Other subjects touched upon in the early episodes include a surgeon seeking attention exploiting COVID-19 camaraderie among medical personnel for the documentary crew and a jab at Joe Biden regarding the nationwide nursing shortage.

‘St. Denis Medical’ Tops the Fall 2024 Comedies

Among the new comedies of Fall 2024, St. Denis Medical holds its ground impressively. Notable mentions go to Netflix’s charming and amusing series A Man on the Inside, starring Ted Danson as a covert investigator in a retirement home; NBC’s reunion of Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman, Happy’s Place, which evokes nostalgia for both Reba and Cheers; the edge-of-your-seat comedy English Teacher on FX and Hulu, reminiscent of Abbott Elementary; CBS’s spin-off of Young Sheldon, titled Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage; and the comedy that resembles Fresh off the Boat, called The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh, starring the talented Naveen Andrews, a veteran from Lost. However, it was St. Denis Medical that captured the most attention with a powerful debut of two episodes, attracting 4M viewers initially and growing to 7.4M within a week.

Under the guidance of two comedy greats and boasting an exceptionally gifted acting troupe, St. Denis Medical shows significant promise as a long-lasting addition to the 2024 comedic landscape. While some might question its originality due to a supposedly prefabricated plotline and familiar narrative arc, for many viewers, it appears to be exactly the humor they’ve been craving.

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2025-01-01 03:32