Doogie Howser, M.D.

Doogie Howser, M.D.
File:Doogie Howser MD.jpg Doogie Howser Season 2 DVD
Created by	Steven Bochco David E. Kelley
Starring	Neil Patrick Harris Max Casella Lisa Dean Ryan Belinda Montgomery James Sikking Markus Redmond Lawrence Pressman Mitchell Anderson Robyn Lively Kathryn Layng
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	97
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	September 19, 1989 – March 24, 1993

The television show Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993) starred Neil Patrick Harris as a brilliant teenaged doctor who was also faced with the problems of being a normal teenager. The show was set in Los Angeles and ran for four years on ABC. It was created by Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley. The soundtrack of the series is by Mike Post and uses Post's trademark mid to late 1980's Yamaha DX-7 synthesizer. The concept for the show was allegedly inspired by the story of Dr. Howard A. Zucker who became an MD at age 22 and had a cousin who worked in programming at ABC at the time.

Trademarks of the show include Doogie's best friend, the fast-talking and mischievous Vinnie Delpino, played by Max Casella, climbing in through his window, and Doogie writing in his diary on his computer (using a DOS-based word processor) at the end of each episode.

The show was notable in its time for portraying a genius youngster as a normal teenager, rather than having the stereotypical traits of TV "nerds" like Screech Powers (from Saved by the Bell) or Steve Urkel (from Family Matters). Another was the decision of the writers to end the show when its lead character logically became an adult. However, Steven Bochco has said that the show's cancellation came abruptly at the hands of ABC executives--before he and the show's staff had a chance to complete the story line.

Doogie Howser in Popular Culture

• Friends: The characters on Friends have used the term "Doogie" to refer (somewhat disparagingly) to someone they feel is not old enough to handle the job they claim they're prepared for. For example in season 5 when Phoebe is giving birth to the triplets. She calls a young doctor 'Doogie'.

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow Rosenberg implies she writes "Doogie Howser fan fiction"

• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Hilary mentions she had dinner with "Doogie Howser's manager".

• Roseanne: Roseanne is put to sleep for breast surgery and has a dream the doctor gives her a breast enlargement instead of the intended breast reduction. Doogie Howser makes a guest appearance as the doctor in the dream.

• Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Ryan Stiles has been compared to Neil Patrick Harris and Doogie Howser several times, by himself and Drew Carey.

• Gilmore Girls: When Tanna reveals that she is 15, turning 16 years old, Lorelai says "Happy birthday Doogie", because most Yale freshmen are about 18-19 years old.

• Rugrats: In an episode Angelica "broke" her leg and went to the doctor that is named Doogie Howser.

• Family Guy: In an episode where the Griffin family is the subject of a new reality show, the episode ends with Meg writing to her diary in a fassion similar to that used in Doogie Howser.

See also

• Balamurali Ambati, who in 1995 became the world's youngest doctor at the age of 17.
• Akrit Jaswal

External links

• Doogie Howser, M.D. at IMDb
• Episode list at epguides.com
• The Bochco Beat - Forum dedicated to this and other Bochco shows
• Doogie at jumptheshark.com