Series synopsis
Doogie Howser, M.D. is an American drama comedy television series that premiered on ABC on September 19, 1989. It ended on March 24, 1993. It was created by David E. Kelley, Steven Bochco. It stars Neil Patrick Harris, Max Casella, Belinda Montgomery and Lawrence Pressman.
Doogie Howser is a doctor. He is also a 16-year-old genius who graduated college at age 10 and finished medical school at age 14. But he is still a teenager, with normal teenage friends and problems. But unlike a normal teenager, he is just learning to drive while also consulting on serious medical cases like heart transplants.
Premise
Doogie Howser is a doctor. He is also a 16-year-old genius who graduated college at age 10 and finished medical school at age 14. But he is still a teenager, with normal teenage friends and problems. But unlike a normal teenager, he is just learning to drive while also consulting on serious medical cases like heart transplants.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Neil Patrick Harris as Doogie Howser
- Max Casella as Vinnie Delpino
- Belinda Montgomery as Katherine Howser
- Lawrence Pressman as Benjamin Canfield
- Mitchell Anderson as Jack McGuire
- Kathryn Layng as Curly Spaulding
- Lisa Dean Ryan as Wanda Plenn
- Lucy Boryer as Janine Stewart
Supporting cast
- Markus Redmond as Raymond Alexander
- James B. Sikking as David Howser
- James Madio as Jimmy Pellegrino
- Christopher Allport as Wally Goldstein
- Gloria Henry as Irene O'Brien
- Michael Bower as Boy Nerd
- Robyn Lively as Michele Faber
- Joe Seneca as Blind Otis Lemon
- Max Gail as Mr. Bailey
- David Ruprecht as TV Interviewer
- John Durbin as Death
- Kene Holliday as Bert Dexter
Guest cast
- James Madio as Jimmy Pellegrino
- Christopher Allport as Wally Goldstein
- Gloria Henry as Irene O'Brien
- Michael Bower as Boy Nerd
- Robyn Lively as Michele Faber
- Joe Seneca as Blind Otis Lemon
- Max Gail as Mr. Bailey
- David Ruprecht as TV Interviewer
- John Durbin as Death
- Kene Holliday as Bert Dexter
- Amanda Peterson as Bernadette Callen
- Bruce Gray as Frank Webster
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 105 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 8 | ||
| Season 1 | 26 | September 19, 1989 | May 2, 1990 |
| Season 2 | 25 | September 12, 1990 | May 1, 1991 |
| Season 3 | 24 | September 25, 1991 | May 13, 1992 |
| Season 4 | 22 | September 23, 1992 | March 24, 1993 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Interview with Steven Bocho Steven Bocho, one of the writers for the series as well as one of the co-creators (along with David E. Kelly), gives his take on things as well and has a few interesting anecdotes about the series. (17:26) |
|
| 2 |
Interview with Neil Patrick Harris Harris covers not only his career within the context of the show but also how it lead to some problems with type casting and with people thinking of him only in terms of Doogie Howser and not as a serious actor.(16:16) |
|
| 3 |
Remembering the Cast The now-grown-up Doogie looks back and says very nice things about all of his old castmates (9:17). |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot Doogie passes one test to get his driver's license, but he must pass another when he treats a critically ill boy. |
September 19, 1989 |
| 2 |
The Ice Queen Cometh Doogie freezes in disbelief when he's asked out to dinner by Victoria Burke, the new radiology chief, known in some circles as "the Ice Queen." |
September 20, 1989 |
| 3 |
A Stitch Called Wanda When Wanda's appendix ruptures with her parents out of town, Doogie ignores hospital policy to operate on her. This creates tension with Dr. Canfield as well as Wanda. |
September 27, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Doogenstein Doogie's heavy third-year residency duties make him fear he's missing out on his youth. |
September 12, 1990 |
| 2 |
Guess Who's Coming to Doogie's Former gang member Raymond Alexander begins working at the hospital but his past may come back to haunt him. |
September 19, 1990 |
| 3 |
Ask Dr. Doogie Doogie becomes famous after doing some public service announcements. |
September 26, 1990 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Summer of '91 Doogie is obsessed with his virginity while a patient believes that he is her late husband. |
September 25, 1991 |
| 2 |
Doogie Has Left the Building (1) Doogie ponders a decision affecting the life of a young patient. (Part 1 of 2) |
October 2, 1991 |
| 3 |
Doogie Has Left the Building (2) Life at Doogie and Vinnie's pad resembles one big beer commercial, but what Doogie really needs is a listening ear. (Part 2 of 2) |
October 9, 1991 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
There's a Riot Going On The 1992 L.A. riots find trauma surgeon Doogie overwhelmed. |
September 23, 1992 |
| 2 |
Look Ma, No Pants Katherine can't stop playing mother to Doogie even after he dates her boss, whom he brings to the house for skinny-dipping. |
September 30, 1992 |
| 3 |
Doogie Got a Gun After the family is robbed, Doogie considers buying a gun, but he's haunted by memories of shooting victims he's treated. |
October 7, 1992 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ABC |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 19, 1989 |
| Last aired | March 24, 1993 |
| Runtime | 24 minutes |
| Status | ended |