Why St Elsewhere is worth revisiting
A 1980s prime-time US show was prepared to discuss breast cancer, Aids and addictions, writes James Croot.
Without it there would have been no ER ,no Chicago
Hope ,no Grey’s Anatomy.
It kickstarted the acting careers of the likes of David Morse, Ronnie Cox, Bruce Greenwood and Denzel Washington and proved that
Knight Rider‘s Kitt the Car really had a human voice (William Daniels).
For six seasons between 1982 and 1988, St Elsewhere (3pm weekdays, Jones! too, from today) was one of America’s premiere television dramas. Set in Boston’s decaying St Eligius Hospital, Joshua Brand (now a writer on The Americans) and John Falsey’s creation followed the lives and loves of the interns, residents, consultants, support staff and patients who passed through its doors.
With its ensemble drama and ongoing storylines, it was described by some as ‘‘Hill St Blues ina hospital’’, which made a lot of sense when you consider it was made by the same production company as that much-loved cop show.
What really setSt Elsewhere apart though were the gritty storylines and touchy topics it was prepared to tackle. Medical drama before this had either been neutered by networks – as was the case with Richard Chamberlain’s Dr Kildare –or drowning in suds – General Hospital anyone? Yet here was a show that wasn’t afraid to discuss breast cancer, Aids, addiction and male rape.
Morse’s character, Dr Jack ‘‘Boomer’’ Morrison, was particularly compelling. Not only did he have to deal with the death of his wife, but also the fallout from a prison riot that took place while he was on an outreach programme there.
Another aspect of the show, which hasn’t been replicated since, was its focus on the older members of staff. Norman Lloyd (a contemporary of Orson Welles) and Ed Flanders played the hospital medical staff’s patriarchs Daniel Auschlander and Donald Westphall.
As the seasons progressed, both faced challenges with their own physical and mental health – one memorable scene involving the former encountering a wrecking ball.
But despite this and the usual cornucopia of tropical diseases, unusual medical conditions and unfortunate or life-threatening accidents, St Elsewhere wasn’t without its humour. A lot came from the twin talents of Howie Mandel and Ed Begley Jr, while there was also famously an unusual crossover scene with another Boston show in 1985.
Auschlander and Westphall were joined by Daniels’ Mark Craig in visiting local bar Cheers, where they encounter the pub’s regular hypochondriac postman Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger), who tries to solicit free medical advice from them. Then Auschlander recognises his old accountant Norm Peterson (George Wendt), before barmaid Carla Tortelli (Rhea Pearlman) voices her disgust at her treatment while giving birth at St Eligius a couple of years earlier.
But of course, as many of you may know, they saved the most surreal moment till last. Controversially, the 137th and final-ever episode in May, 1988, suggested that the whole thing was all in the imagination of Westphall’s young autistic son Tommy. It was a seriously weird, if truly memorable end, to a show that should never be forgotten.