Credit: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Creators:
Steven Bochco
David E. Kelley
Cast:
Neil Patrick Harris ………. Dr. Douglas “Doogie” Howser
Max Casella ………. Vinnie Delpino
James Sikking ………. Dr. David Howser
Belinda Montgomery ………. Katherine Howser
Lawrence Pressman ………. Dr. Benjamin Canfield
Kathryn Layng ………. Nurse Curly Spaulding
Markus Redmond ………. Raymond Alexander
The Show:
Neil Patrick Harris became a teenage-heartthrob in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He had the blonde hair and the blue eyes. He was only 16 when he got the lead role in Steven Bochco’s new TV series set in a hospital. He looked much younger than that, though. That was a good thing, though. Why? Because that new series was called ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’.
Neil Patrick Harris played Doogie Howser, a boy genius. He went through high school in 9 weeks and graduated from Princeton at the age of 10. He passed his medical board at age 14 and became a doctor then. The premise for this show was original. In real life, something like that could happen..in fact this show was said to be based on such a case. However, that person was in their 20’s and not a teenager. It really isn’t possible today to advance that quickly with your education. Most schools frown upon kids graduating early. At least, they did from where I went to school.
The show started out with Doogie being 16 years old and dealing with the problems of being a teenage doctor and just a regular teenager. That meant trying to balance his responsibilities at the hospital and handling the everyday pressure of being a teenager. Doogie has two parents, a best friend named Vinnie, some co-workers and a boss named Dr. Canfield to join him in his life.
Now the fourth and final season of this show had Doogie being around the age of 19. There is the problem with this season. The stories were good. An episode called “Doogie Got a Gun” was even nominated for and won an Emmy. That is due to the fact that Steven Bochco was one of the masterminds behind this show. He created ‘Hill Street Blues’ as well, which won tons and tons of awards. So you know the stories in each episode would be good. However, Neil Patrick Harris grew up in real life. By this time, he was over 6-feet tall and was a young man. Now that meant more “adult” issues for Doogie to deal with in this season, but the fact that Doogie was no longer a boy anymore wore off some of the appeal of the show. It wasn’t strange to see this man in a hospital. He looked like a man. He wasn’t the youthful looking boy that started out anymore. That meant that the basic premise for the show was gone really.
However, the show was still good. Doogie’s best friend, Vinnie, still played the comedic relief in the show. The show was unique in that it was a medical thriller along with a comedy and teen-angst drama. The show couldn’t last forever, since Doogie would have kept growing. That is probably why it ended when it did. But the show will live on in pop culture as anyone who is smart at a young age is sometimes called “Doogie”. The show made its mark and it was fun, while it lasted. This season wasn’t the best season, but it was still good.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – There’s A Riot Going On
The 1992 L.A. riots find trauma surgeon, Doogie Howser, overwhelmed.
Episode 2 – Look Ma, No Pants
Katherine can’t stop playing mother to Doogie, even after he dates her boss, whom he brings to the house for skinny-dipping.
Episode 3 – Doogie Got A Gun
After the family gets robbed, Doogie considers buying a gun, but he’s haunted by memories of shooting victims he’s treated.
Episode 4 – Doogie Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
Doogie hunts for his new home, a Venice Beach loft. Vinnie must also find a new home when his parents divorce.
Episode 5 – The Patient In Spite Of Himself
A med-school project has Doogie and a fellow doctor posing as patients, being poked, prodded, and probed to learn how to empathize with patients.
Episode 6 – To Err Is Human, To Give Up Isn’t A Bad Idea
Doogie faces his first solo surgery while fearing he’s not perfect. Vinnie faces his first time voting.
Disc Two:
Episode 7 – Doogie, Can You Hear Me?
A hearing-impaired patient charms Doogie, who speaks her language by signing. she also offers creative inspiration for Vinnie’s Chaplinesque film.
Episode 8 – Nothing Compares 2 U
Doogie’s ego takes a beating when an attractive nurse chooses Vinnie over him. Raymond also comes up short when comparing himself to other technicians.
Episode 9 – Do The Right Thing … If You Can Figure Out What It IS
Doogie’s heart and head disagree in choosing the best candidate for a heart transplant, and Vinnie’s dilemma involves a vulnerable Janine.
Episode 10 – The Big Sleep … NOT!
Doogie holes up at the hospital on Thanksgiving Eve for some R&R, as does a new mother who fakes illness to get away from her family.
Episode 11 – Will The Real Dr. Howser Please Stand Up
Doogie spots evidence of child abuse when his dad’s friend brings in his injured son for care.
Episode 12 – The Mother Of All Fishing Trips
Doogie’s mom makes a poor substitute as Doogie’s fishing partner when Dr. Howser throws his back out and is at home being cared for by Vinnie.
Disc Three:
Episode 13 – Roommate With A View
Doogie learns a lesson about trusting the unknown from a free-spirited model sharing his loft, as does a kidney-transplant candidate.
Episode 14 – Spell It “M-A-N”
A nurse Doogie is dating retaliates against his braggadocio by spreading rumors about him. Vinnie gets a new film-school dorm mate.
Episode 15 – It’s A Tough Job … But Why Does My Father Have To Do It?
Vinnie can’t adjust to the masseuse his father is dating. Doogie’s dad is asked to replace a doctor who died while duty.
Episode 16 – The Adventures of Sherlock Howser
With Doogie as Sherlock Holmes and Vinnie as Dr. Watson, they play out Doogie’s confusion over Michele.
Episode 17 – Loves Means Constantly Having To Say You’re Sorry
Laura makes Vinnie feel he’s “become a man”, but he reacts with adolescent jealousy to men around her. Meanwhile, a traveler’s illness puzzles Doogie.
Episode 18 – You’ve Come A Long Way, Babysitter
Some things are better left unexplored, like Doogie’s crush on his old babysitter or Vinnie’s dream of having a star read his script.
Disc Four:
Episode 19 – Love Makes The World Go ‘Round … Or Is It Money?
A deposit error dumping $16,000 in Vinnie’s account tests his integrity. Doogie must prove his integrity to a girl with a crush on him.
Episode 20 – Dorky Housecall, M.D.
Doogie regrets his friendship-only status with Michele but finds inspiration on how to deal with it from a acerbic cartoonist patient.
Episode 21 – Eleven Angry People … And Vinnie
Jury member Vinnie tries to look beyond the letter of the law, as does Doogie, who uncovers a bogus doctor at Eastman.
Episode 22 – What Makes Doogie Run
Doogie sees his gift of genius as more of a curse than a blessing as he seeks inspiration outside the world of medicine.
Score: 7.5/10
The Video:
The video is given in fullscreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. Transfer is decent with minimal distortion. Colors look bright. The picture is sometimes a little grainy, though. No problems here, except early 90’s fashion choices.
The Audio:
The audio included is in English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound. No problems here either.
The Extras
Lawrence Pressman Interview
This a new interview with Doogie’s boss. From what I have seen, the previous three seasons had other cast and crew members talking about the show today. This continues that. It was pretty interesting. You will like more if you like his character, but everyone should probably check it out.
Kathryn Layng Interview
Same as above. This is Nurse Curly, who was the nurse of EVERYTHING in that hospital. I’m a sucker for current interviews with the cast, so I liked this as well.
Score: 3/10
