As avid readers of this blog will know, I love watching medical TV shows. Since the season is now half over (and, hopefully the writers' strike in Hollywood will be resolved so we will have another half to watch), I thought I'd share my reviews of my favorite shows.

Let's start with my favorite from last year, House. Over the past year, I've asked several alumni, faculty, and other physicians I know what they think of this show. Most of them hate it, because House is so abrasive and not a realistic or flattering portrayal of a doctor. I've always enjoyed the show for its interesting medical cases. This season, however, has been a disappointment. Since House's team from last season either quit or were fired, he had to recruit a new team of residents. The entire season so far has been about the competition between all of the overly eager young physicians fighting (often literally) to a job working with House. Maybe a few episodes of this competition would have been interesting, but an entire 10 (or so) episodes was too much. The show became more focused on how childish House is rather than his genius in diagnosis and treatment. They showed him frequently risking patient care in order to play his game; his wanna-be proteges rarely backed down from his challenges and went right along with the game. All in all, I thought the first half of the season was a huge downgrade. I do hope the show gets back on track, now that House has finally picked his new team (including Kal Penn, the plastic surgeon guy, and #13).

Moving on to my least favorite pilot from last year, Private Practice. The first few shows of this new season were barely watchable. Addison (formerly of Grey's Anatomy) was silly and the rest of the docs at her new practice were ridiculous (though good actors and good looking). For some reason, I persevered and I think this show has gotten better. Granted, I do have huge crushes on Taye Diggs, Tim Daly, and Cooper (whatever his real name is). But I think the storylines have gotten a little more realistic and the show keeps my interest. So, I give Private Practice a very modest upgrade.

 

The other question mark from last year was Grey's Anatomy. After an excellent first season, last year the show got lost in the twisted relationships and off-camera drama. I do think that this year's shows have focused more on the medicine and less on the bedroom (though, of course, not entirely). The whole Izzy/George thing--including their blatant affair in front of Torres--is stupid and needs to stop. Likewise, the entire country has lost interest in McDreamy and mousy, whiny Meredith. The medical stories, however, have gotten back on track in my opinion. I've enjoyed the new Grey who is an intern. I've enjoyed watching Izzy trying to maintain her humanness while still being a cut-throat surgeon. I've enjoyed watching Christina become human despite her best efforts not to be. So, while this show still has a way to go to get back to its first seasons' promise, I give it an upgrade so far.

Finally, my old-time favorite, is still ER. Yes, I believe I have watched nearly every episode in the 14-year run of this show. And, yes, I think the show needs to end. However, I still love the gritty reality, the fact that it is shot in Chicago, and the much more "real" physicians, nurses, and hospital employees and their lives. If my life was ever made into a movie (or a TV movie of the week, more likely), I would want  Maura Tierney (aka Abby) to play me. She is a wonderful actress and she has had quite a story arc this season. She finally came clean to Luka about her alcoholism although she didn't tell him about her one-night stand with Stanley Tucci. John Stamos is a great addition to the cast (much more intriguing than Noah Wiley ever was), and the students and interns still seem very realistic to me. So, I give ER an upgrade for this final season.

What are your thoughts on this year's seasons? And what have you been watching? Any Scrubs fans? Nip/Tuck lovers? I'm interested to hear your reviews as well.