Crossing Jordan

Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh (Jill Hennessy) is a top Boston medical examiner despite her checkered past and aggressive nature. Dr. Garret Macy (Miguel Ferrer) is the chief medical examiner who helps her start over. Bug, Lily Lebowski, and Dr. Nigel Townsend are some of her other fellow workers. She often works with police detective Woody Hoyt (Jerry O'Connell). The earlier seasons have her bouncing off ideas with her ex-cop father Max.

Tim Kring brings us Jill Hennessy and a good cast. It is a solid standard police procedural. The group has good chemistry. It lasted 6 seasons, but it did get convoluted in the last few years. As the show went on, the characters' back story started to conflict with the flow of the show. Eventually it cracked under the weight of the back story.

It looks like the later Rizzoli & Illes show was inspired by this show. Better than a lot of things I've seen in a TV landscape dominated by The Police Procedural-this show stands out as being a bit different-but in a good way. It is to crime shows what Yes was to progressive rock music-always something fresh and always done well. I actually cannot remember seeing this show on TV at any time even though it ran for six years it seems. Not even in reruns. I have noticed that in different areas there are shows that don't seem to be available in other areas-I guess this is one of them. Would have watched it-maybe better to see it on DVD without the dreaded barrage of commercials that I think render most shows neutralized at best. Worth a look if you've never seen it. Probably better than watching the 57,000th episode of Law & Order.

I'm not sure why the user before me hates "Crossing Jordan" so much. In fact, I can't figure out why he suggests that the show started well but isn't worth watching any more. I agree that the show has changed slightly, but if it didn't no one would watch (it would be quite boring).

To the contrary, I think this show is just getting better. Jill Hennessy (still very sexy after her "Law & Order days) is really fun to watch. I love the fact that they're giving her a chance to show the rebellious side her fans have seen in a few movies, which to most people's misfortune they have not. Miguel Ferrer as Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Macy holds the line Jordan seems to keep crossing as best he can. The rest of the cast, most of whom have been on the show since it began, are usually up to the task. And the addition of Jerry O'Connell as "Woody" Hoyt just adds to the fun.

"Crossing Jordan" may not be the best show on TV, certainly not the greatest of all time, but it's definitely worth watching...despite what some people might tell you. 7/10 stars.

"Crossing Jordan" is the ONLY medical drama that doesn't bore me to death. I tried watching shows such as "CSI" and "CSI: Miami" but they don't seem to have entertaining qualities that a good television show should have. And "ER" has gone downhill in recent years.

What I love about "Crossing Jordan" is the interesting characters and the plausable scenarios. These characters form their own family of friends, which is hard to find in today's medical dramas.

Characters such as Nigel, Bug and Woody give the drama much needed comedy. Who says that drama has to be such a downer? Why not laugh a little? With Jordan being the strong female lead, gives the show much needed respect.

Some people say that "Crossing Jordan" is a rip-off of CSI but even though there are some similarities it is not trying to be the same. There are cases and forensics involved, but "Crossing Jordan" is far richer in character development. This show is my favorite because it has both; I don't watch CSI or CSI:Miami because when I want just cases and the forensics involved in solving them, I watch "Forensic Files" and other true crime shows on DSC or TLC. But since I enjoy these things as well as drama and character development (not to mention Jill Hennessy is my favorite actress), I love "Crossing Jordan." Also, the fact that the lead character is a little screwy is fine by me...I prefer it! Makes things interesting.