With St. Denis Medical As One Of NBC’s Only Renewals So Far, Why Is The Mockumentary Format Still So Popular? What One Star Told Us

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In the 2024-2025 television season, St. Denis Medical made its debut on NBC as the newest mockumentary series. The swift renewal of the show just a few days into the 2025 TV schedule underscores the enduring appeal of the faux-documentary sitcom format, a style pioneered by shows such as The Office and Modern Family. Notably, St. Denis Medical is one out of only two series that NBC has renewed at this point in time. Consequently, I was eager to hear series regular Kaliko Kauahi’s perspective on why the format continues to resonate with viewers.

Kaliko Kauahi arrived at St. Denis Medical Center boasting a wealth of sitcom background, having been part of the Superstore ensemble for a long time. Nowadays, you can stream both St. Denis Medical and Superstore with a Peacock subscription. Following her early-year announcement about the renewal of her new hospital sitcom, Kauahi discussed with TopMob why she believes mockumentaries remain effective in primetime TV.

In my opinion, this kind of content offers a unique peek into the lives of characters, almost as if we’re seeing them off-screen. It seems to me that it adds depth to these characters because it reveals not only their professional selves but also their private ones. Even though they are being filmed, I believe it allows us to glimpse the genuine aspects of their thoughts and emotions.

In a mockumentary style, the show typically focuses on characters’ professional lives rather than their personal ones, providing an entertaining glimpse into their work environment. Characters can often portray different personas when speaking to the cameras compared to their actual actions, and this is indeed evident in the series St. Denis Medical.

Certain characters appear to be more camera-friendly, such as Joyce and Dr. Bruce, while Val seems relatively unfazed, and Alex doesn’t let the audience interfere with her rule-bending if it benefits the patients. When I pointed out that it can be entertaining to observe which characters are most aware of the documentary crew, Kaliko Kauahi replied:

It seems to me that their presence might give you some insight into their personality as well. However, I’m not convinced Val is particularly fond of it. She appears more focused on her responsibilities, and they just happen to be there. Yet, I have a feeling she’s becoming more receptive. Initially, she seemed to say, “Keep out of my way, and everything will run smoothly.” But, given that they’re always around, I sense she’s gradually softening her stance a bit.

I’m thrilled to share that for the remainder of Season 1, fans like me can savor every softer moment of Val without fretting over cancellations. As I type this, the only other NBC freshman comedy to secure a spot in the 2025-2026 TV lineup is Happy’s Place, starring Reba McEntire. In contrast, St. Denis Medical is still airing episodes, with its season finale yet to come.

I’m quite intrigued to learn where “Night Court” is headed at the moment. The comedy series featuring Melissa Rauch and John Larroquette has been teamed up with “St. Denis Medical” come the new year, but despite the unexpected return of the Wheelers after 40 years, there’s still no word on a renewal. For now, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed for updates from NBC regarding the fates of shows other than the two sitcoms that have been confirmed for another season.

Don’t miss out! Continue joining Val and the entire hospital team each Tuesday at 8 p.m., exclusively on NBC. Or, catch up with the episodes aired so far by streaming the series on Peacock.

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2025-03-26 04:08