Doogie Howser, M.D.
Doogie Howser, M.D. | |
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File:Doogie Howser MD.jpg | |
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 | 24 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, despite having graduated from Princeton University at age 10[1]. 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 1980s 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.[citation needed]
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 at the end of each episode.
The show characterized the genius Howser 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). Steven Bochco revealed 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.[2]
Doogie Howser in Popular Culture
- Veronica Mars: In the episode 'Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner' Veronica includes in an e-mail to Wallace the sentence; "You really have to start replying to my e-mails this is getting way too 'Doogie Howser's Journal'."
- 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.
- Saved By The Bell : When the gang is in "The Max", and they all open their SAT scores, Screech says, after Zach scores a 1500 compared to that of Jessie Spano's 1205, "Wow...Zach is even smarter than Doogie Howser."
- 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 a doctor named Hogie Dooser.
- 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 fashion similar to that used in Doogie Howser.
- The Simpsons: In the episode "Little Girl in the Big Ten", Lisa justifies herself spending time at college by comparing herself to Doogie Howser. Homer is not impressed, announcing Doogie went to college "against my wishes".
- Saturday Night Live: In an episode hosted by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, one skit involved a group of perverts attending a seminar about MySpace. One of the perverts (Horatio Sanz) chooses the screenname "9thgrade-Sk8er Boi", claiming it was his fraternity nickname and then claims he went to college early, like "Doogie Howser".
- Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle: Harold and Kumar recognize Neil Patrick Harris as Doogie Howser when they pick him up as a hitchhiker.
- In the View Askew comic Chasing Dogma, Jay & Silent Bob are involved in the filming of a hospital themed pornographic film directed by Neil Patrick Harris called "Doogie Nights"
[Tribute Acts]
- A number of professional tribute acts: have sprung up around the world, one of the most famous of whom is Matt "Doogie" Towser MD who is available for hire for Parties, Weddings and Bar Mitzvahs in the London Metropolitan area.
References
- ^ All Movie Guide</ by Hal Erickson, at the New York Times:"Created by Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley, the weekly, half-hour "dramedy" Doogie Howser, M.D. starred Neil Patrick Harris as Douglas "Doogie" Howser, a child prodigy who after completing high school in nine weeks, graduating from Princeton at age 10 and finishing medical school four years later, became at the tender age of 14 the youngest practicing physician in the country.".
- ^ Doogie Howser M.D., Season 1 DVD
See also
- Balamurali Ambati, who in 1995 became the world's youngest doctor at the age of 17.
- Akrit Jaswal
- Sho Yano, who matriculated in the University of Chicago's Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D./Ph.D.) at the age of 12