NBC’s “St. Denis Medical Center” gets off to a strong start, diving headfirst into the chaos and quirks of an underfunded hospital through a comedic pseudo-documentary lens. Set in a small-town medical center where big-hearted and dubiously qualified staff handle the day-to-day chores of health care, the first two episodes introduce us to a cast of characters whose combination of incompetence and earnestness lends itself to workplace comedy. Fresh colors.
The show sets the tone early on, blending the fast-paced intensity of a hospital setting with awkward slice-of-life humor reminiscent of The Office or Parks and Recreation. This familiar format allows St. Denis Medical to dive into the often glossed-over funny, relatable moments in health care, with patients and hospital staff alike adding to the comedic chaos. From technical mishaps to over-the-top fundraising schemes, the show captures the absurdities of running a medical practice on a shoestring budget, exposing unfiltered humanity and the well-intentioned mistakes of everyone involved.
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| “Welcome to Saint-Denis” – ST. Dennis Medical. Pictured: Wendi McLendon-Covey as Joyce. Photo: Ron Batzdorff/NBC ©2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. all rights reserved. |
David Alan Grier also makes a memorable impression as Ron, an old-school surgeon whose attitude feels out of place in a modern medical environment. Greer’s confident, deadpan approach to his scenes adds dry humor and a sense of detachment that contrasts nicely with the hospital’s jaded character. His unwillingness to adapt to the changing world of medicine and his forthright approach to patient care make for some of the funniest moments.
Alison Tolman plays Nurse Alex, bringing warmth and a touch of grounding to a chaotic environment. Tolman, known for her roles in Fargo and Good Girls, manages to connect the absurdity of St. Denis Medical Center with a more relatable, sympathetic character. She portrays Alex as a truly capable worker trying to hold it all together, and her scenes show a tender side to the hospital’s struggles, giving the show emotional depth amid the laughs.
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| “Welcome to Saint-Denis” – ST. Dennis Medical. Pictured: Allison Tolman as Alex and Kahyun Kim as Serena. Photo: Ron Batzdorff/NBC ©2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. all rights reserved. |
With its talented cast, St. Denis Medical kicks off with strong character performances that bring its mockumentary style to life. Each actor embraces their character’s quirks, creating a vibrant but dysfunctional workplace that feels both chaotic and oddly endearing.
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| “Welcome to Saint-Denis” – ST. Dennis Medical. Pictured: David Alan Grier as Dr. Ron and Josh Lawson as Dr. Bruce. Photo: Ron Batzdorff/NBC ©2024 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. all rights reserved. |
Overall, St. Denis Healthcare is off to a strong start, finding humor in the highs and lows of healthcare without losing sight of the real challenges behind the laughs. If the first two episodes are any indication, the show could be a refreshing, feel-good addition to NBC’s lineup, showcasing the people behind the scenes in a light-hearted yet heartfelt way.
