In this Book
- Playing Doctor: Television, Storytelling, and Medical Power
- Book
- 2010
- Published by: University of Michigan Press
summary
Playing Doctor is an engaging and highly perceptive history of the medical TV series from its inception to the present day. Turow offers an inside look at the creation of iconic doctor shows as well as a detailed history of the programs, an analysis of changing public perceptions of doctors and medicine, and an insightful commentary on how medical dramas have both exploited and shaped these perceptions.
Drawing on extensive interviews with creators, directors, and producers, Playing Doctor is a classic in the field of communications studies. This expanded edition includes a new introduction placing the book in the contemporary context of the health care crisis, as well as new chapters covering the intervening twenty years of television programming. Turow uses recent research and interviews with principals in contemporary television doctor shows such as ER, Grey's Anatomy, House, and Scrubs to illuminate the extraordinary ongoing cultural influence of medical shows. Playing Doctor situates the television vision of medicine as a limitless high-tech resource against the realities underlying the health care debate, both yesterday and today.
Cover image: Eric Dane, Kate Walsh, Sara Ramirez, and crew members on the set of Grey's Anatomy © American Broadcasting Company, Inc.
Drawing on extensive interviews with creators, directors, and producers, Playing Doctor is a classic in the field of communications studies. This expanded edition includes a new introduction placing the book in the contemporary context of the health care crisis, as well as new chapters covering the intervening twenty years of television programming. Turow uses recent research and interviews with principals in contemporary television doctor shows such as ER, Grey's Anatomy, House, and Scrubs to illuminate the extraordinary ongoing cultural influence of medical shows. Playing Doctor situates the television vision of medicine as a limitless high-tech resource against the realities underlying the health care debate, both yesterday and today.
Cover image: Eric Dane, Kate Walsh, Sara Ramirez, and crew members on the set of Grey's Anatomy © American Broadcasting Company, Inc.
Table of Contents
Download Full Book
- Introduction
- pp. 1-17
- 1. "Internes Can't Take Money"
- pp. 18-43
- 2. "No Compromise with Truth"
- pp. 44-68
- 3. The Gentleman and the Bull
- pp. 69-94
- 4. "Oh . . . Doctor!"
- pp. 95-109
- 5. Witchcraft
- pp. 110-125
- 6. Narrowed Options
- pp. 126-143
- 7. Doctor Knows Best
- pp. 144-174
- 8. Long Hair, High Tech, and Mod
- pp. 175-204
- 9. Sexism, Stiffs, and Speed
- pp. 205-231
- 10. A Different Spin
- pp. 232-247
- 11. "Suicide Is Painless"
- pp. 248-271
- 12. Chasing the Spirit of M*A*S*H
- pp. 272-290
- 13. "Our Walls Are Cleaner"
- pp. 291-330
- 14. Splinters of ER
- pp. 331-358
- 15. "We Just Treat 'Em"
- pp. 359-398
- Time Line: Prime-Time Network Doctor Series
- pp. 399-402
- Bibliography
- pp. 427-440
Additional Information
ISBN
9780472027576
Related ISBN(s)
9780472034277
MARC Record
OCLC
671656072
Pages
471
Launched on MUSE
2011-07-21
Language
English
Open Access
No