Scrubs-style medical comedy from top US writers airs on BBC1 tonight

Daily Mirror

a day ago

If you're looking for your next laugh, BBC1 is showing St Denis Medical, a workplace comedy with a big heart
From the Superstore team, St Denis Medical (on tonight, June 6, on BBC1 at 10.40pm) is a funny and charming workplace comedy that could easily run for many seasons. The mockumentary-style sitcom is created by Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin - Justin is a top showrunner, best known for his work on Superstore, with other credits including Scrubs and the American version of The Office.
The US show introduces us to St. Denis Medical, a safety-net hospital in Oregon, although hospital boss Joyce (The Goldbergs' Wendi McLendon-Covey) is trying to promote it as 'an international medical destination'. It begins as supervising nurse Alex, played by the brilliant Allison Tolman (you'll recognise her from Fargo and Good Girls), helps a drug addict in the ER. Alex is a workaholic who thinks the emergency ward would collapse without her - although she's probably right.
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On reception, her overworked colleague Val (Kaliko Kauahi, you'll know her as Superstore's Sandra), tries to handle a restless queue of patients. New staff nurse Matt (Mekki Leeper) is late on his first day - coming from a remote community that doesn't believe in medicine, he'll be starting with the basics.
He thinks he's one of the Avengers, but he's completely useless. Making up this eclectic team are jaded Dr Ron (David Alan Grier), nurse Serena (Kahyun Kim) and surgeon Bruce (Josh Lawson), who keeps a samurai sword and a guitar in his office next to all his certificates and thinks he's a detective doctor like 'House'. He's not.
This is not a glossy, glamorous medical drama - it's more Scrubs than Grey's, as the under-funded but dedicated staff try not to lose their patience or their patients. Expect lots of laughs and slapstick humour, but also, just when you least expect it, a lot of heart. Starts with a double-bill.
*St Denis Medical is airing on BBC1 tonight at 10.40pm
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