User reviews

For a moment, let's forget the final five minutes of this series. Take the 136.9 episodes presented. This was a new sort of television. Granted, "Hill Street Blues" first came up with the large ensemble cast, the mix of humor and drama and set the stage for this program, but St. Elsewhere went so far beyond Hill Street that at the end, the two series didn't even mildly resemble each other.

Really, the notable thing that hooks a television viewer and a pop culture junkie about St. Elsewhere were all of the references. Almost like a game of Trivial Pursuit while you watched the action, the writers of the program constantly dropped references to other classic television programs, paid tribute to the past roles of their stars and placed all sorts of humorous "in jokes" for its viewers to get along the way. I don't know that all of them would still have meaning for someone viewing the show today, but maybe? The fact was the writers were letting us know that we were just like them, TV addicts, and that made a Velcro like seal between the program and its fans.

That was all just the sizzle. The steak was a great, solid cast and taut storytelling. Clearly this was the best show of the 1980s, and quite possibly the best hospital show in history.

"First rate people in a second rate place" was how the characters were described, and really, you can't deny it. St. Eligius had a lot of problems throughout its fifty plus years as a Boston teaching hospital, but no matter how convoluted their personal lives became, you always got the feeling that at least the doctors and nurses always cared about their patients, and that's why checking in was not just an addiction but a borderline obsession!

Most notable of the players were William Daniels in his role as the bombastic, pedantic and terribly Bostonian Cardiologist, Dr. Mark Craig, along with his foil, Ed Begley Jr. as his ne'er do well protégé, Dr. Victor Ehrlich. An almost Laurel and Hardy style relationship was created with these two (though physically, perhaps Mutt & Jeff is a better reference), and many of the scenes they played together were some of the most hilarious of any SITCOM of the era!

But it's difficult to truly single out any one acting performance, when you see who else was doctoring... future two time Oscar winner Denzel Washington on staff, Howie Mandel out of his zany stand-up style to play it straight and he managed! The elegance of Norman Lloyd as Medical Chief Auschlander, and the tragic sadness of Ed Flanders as Westphall, which, even more sadly, was echoed in his real life. Bonnie Bartlett, Christina Pickles, Sagan Lewis... a true gem of a cast and everyone contributed something amazing.

In addition, the guest stars list reads like a Hollywood who's who! Just check the "episodes cast" button if you don't believe me.

There were some firsts for the show: first television character to get the AIDS virus was Dr. Bobby Caldwell. Inexplicably, they also had the first character to be "cured" of AIDS, but the less said about that, the better! Dr. Westphall's bare ass was the first ever seen on a prime time network program. And, long before "24" existed, there was the digital clock on this series!

Forgive the final plot twist, which to me was a dig more at the network that canceled them than the fans that supported them. This show is filled with small treasures and characters that make them shine like diamonds. If only every show could be as good as this one. Then again, were that the case, I'd probably never do anything but watch television!

This series helped break prime time drama out of the 70's, "Marcus Welby M.D.", "Medical Center" humorless, melodramatic rut, and was the father of such shows as "Northern Exposure", "ER", and "Chicago Hope". The latter has even paid homage to it through subtle references to its characters and storylines.

Along with "Hill Street Blues" it offered week after week of an ingenious blend of truly insightful drama and clever, often bizzare humour that left me craving more. It is still one of the most missed television programs to ever leave the air.

After watching St. Elsewhere on Bravo, I realized that it is truly a superior show even now. It took chances that nobody else is willing to take. It is even more multi-ethnic than most dramas today. It makes ER and other medical shows look like they written by first graders. Even after all these years, St. Elsewhere has aged like fine wine. It is fresher now than ever before. Too bad, it struggled in its day. What a shame. It is truly one of the finest dramas on television today even in syndication. ER could learn a lot from watching St. Elsewhere. Too bad, ER's stars are ruining their own show. Maybe if William Daniels joined the cast, I would start watching it again. St. Elsewhere is one of the finest hours on television. Even now, it will blow you away. I miss the chemistry among it's characters and it's controversial but yet compassionate way of handling some situations. I still think Christina Pickles should be recognized with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) because it would boost the show's genius and brilliance all around the world. I dislike the fact that she will be more remembered for her role as Ross and Monica's mother on Friends than her days on St. Elsewhere as Nurse Rosenthal, a British woman with a love for Jewish men. Anyway, it was a show that just gets better in time. It's classic television and every medical show should watch and take notes.

I'm currently in the process of watching the first season of this true gem of television. I was a loyal watcher during its 6 years but had forgotten what a entertaining and powerful show it was. Last night I was completely blown away by the first 2 episodes. The cast, the storyline, the setting----all facets combined to make this a wonderful example of just how great television can be. I am so glad that this (and other shows from those golden '80s) are now available for viewing once again. Name one show that is currently running that can begin to hold a candle to theses classics. Can't do it, can you? Friends? Grey's Anatomy? CSI? I only hope and pray that someone somewhere will put together a new series that will have half the class and entertainment value of St. Elsewhere.

I do not agree that this series was "soap-opera" like, although certainly one must care about the characters, identify with them and want to tune in (then again, I do not watch soap operas).

Ed Flanders, as Dr. Westphal, is the indelible favorite; an empathic, non-egotistical doctor who cares about the patients, not profits. Bruce Paltrow deserves credit for the show; the likes of which I have never seen equaled ever again, on television.

Dr. Daniel Craig (William Daniels) is excellent as the self-absorbed heart surgeon, Howie Mandel, Ed Begley, Mark Harmon, Terence Knox,Paul Sand, W.George Bailey and a well-varied cast each season made for an ever-changing theme; having not been a fan of hospital shows before (or after) this series, I would have to say is representative of its superiority, and creative story lines.

While the show dealt with both sad and humorous medical issues, the stories were well-written, and actually gave the audience something to think about. One standout episode concerned Dr. Craig's heart transplant patient, Eve Layton, and her affect on the stalwart doctor. Howie Mandel and Ed Begley are the comic relief.

Unfortunately at the end of the series, Ronny Cox portrayed the Chief of Medical Services, when the hospital is taken over by a conglomerate, at the expense of patient care. The sets of the hospital began to crumble (literally) representing the state of health care in the US which we have today. A brilliant analogy which was before its time. 10/10

Whenever the topic of "good television" comes up, inevitably someone brings up "St. Elsewhere." And it's usually me. After all these years I still miss it. It's among the only shows I have ever felt that way about--"Six Feet Under" and "Northern Exposure" being the only other two that I place in that category. ("The Sopranos" will be there all too soon, I fear.) It has never been replayed in this market, yet I still recall the juxtaposition of comedy and drama, and what an intriguing new idea that was at the time. Howie Mandel sings "Psycho Killer" one minute and Mark Harmon worries about accidental AIDS exposure the next. The casting was incredible...I particularly remember a very young Denzel Washington, but everybody was wonderful: Ed Flanders, Ed Begley , Jr. as Erlich, and William ("You're a Pig, Erlich!")Daniels. "St. Elsewhere" was the progenitor of "ER", and David Morse as Boomer Morrison was the progenitor of Anthony Edwards as Dr. Mark Greene. Let others play Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon; when I watch television or film I consistently watch for actors who were in or worked on "St. Elsewhere," among the finest television ever created (Joshua Brand and John Falsey)and produced (Bruce Paltrow).

This is a good show full of break out performances from actors that would go on to have great success. It has one of the biggest ensemble casts of any show and thus can cut to a lot of different side stories to give the show some variety. It is ahead of its time in the way it was both episodic and serialized.

But man, this show is DEPRESSING. This show tackles a lot of very deep topics and it does so in a mature manner. But I mean, come on, every episode someone is having a miscarriage, or an abortion, or is beating their wife, or diagnosed with cancer, or someone is literally being crucified. You get the point; this show is relentless. And it can be draining.

From 7th grade until my first year in cllege, I was a faithful watcher. Coming back to it in my 50's, I am happy to say it holds up.

Seeing actors who are still relevant, and those who are frozen in time, it brings me a smile. Seeing it discuss current injustices of the time and making gafs through today's standards, I see its value. Just hearing Denzel Washngton ask Howie Mandel, "Who is Felix Unger?" Makes the watching it again worth it.

I didn't watch this show on its first run. I was pretty young, and was more interested in shows like The A Team, Knight Rider, etc... Over the years, I've watched many medical dramas, so now that this show is on TV, I'm giving it a shot. I'm watching a first season episode, and if this is the style of how they did it the rest of the run, I really don't get the glowing reviews. My main issue is there's not plot. Just a series of random things happening. Many shows will have storyline A, B, and maybe C. But this is like a series of skits set in a hospital, some of which look like they were supposed to be comedic, but really come across as unfunny. None of the leads are likable or memorable. Well, I'll watch the show off and on as they play it, and will update my review if my opinion changes. But I can see from this episode I didn't miss much.

There were very few shows that could provide stirring, insightful, sometimes disturbing drama week after week, but "St. Elsewhere" always did. A superlative cast made it entirely believable: Ed Flanders was terrific as Dr. Westphall, as was William Daniels as Dr. Craig. I still miss the insults that Craig threw at Dr. Ehrlich (Ed Begley, Jr.)

I found the show so believable that I wondered if there was a real St. Eligius Hospital in Boston. I think everyone should see it.

Medical dramas have always been popular They've ranged from glossy to dire, creative and dull

St Elsewhere, to me, sits in the top 5% Great characters, great acting + performances and superb scripts all helped this to be the small screen legend that it ultimately became in the 80s

I can't recommend this highly enough This will be my treat for 2021

Best television series ever for the 80's was "St. Elsewhere", best TV series for the 90's was "Northern Exposure" and best series for the millenium/00's is without a doubt, "The Soprano's". Is it any wonder that the underlying genius for writing credits in all three of these series comes from some of the same interconnected/co-influenced writing sources. But in the case of both St Elsewhere and Northern Exposure the primary writing sources that brought both of these wonderfully intelligent/original/GREAT FULLY Developed/HUMANELY REAL CHARACTERS and genuinely heartfelt (without being sappy) scripts to life were Joshua Brand and John Falsey. We are getting Northern Exposure GRADUALLY (too slow if you ask me) released out on DVD-so where is Saint Elsewhere? With such an award-winning show starring the then very young/unheard of Denzel Washington (truly the magnificent performance that launched his career) and other GREATS like Howie Mandel, William Daniels, Ed Begley Jr., Norman Loyd, Ed Flanders, (and who could ever forget the endearingly annoying character of Mrs. Huffnagel!!! I AM SHOCKED AND DISMAYED THAT A DVD RELEASE FOR THIS WONDERFUL SHOW HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED FOR SO LONG!!! PLEASE RELEASE ON DVD ASAP!!!

The frontrunner to the ensemble cast medical dramas such as ER, Grey's Anatomy. Superb cast with William Daniels, Bonnie Bartlett, Howie Mandel, Mark Harmon, Denzel Washington and so many more. Along with cutting edge storylines, St. Elsewhere remains one of the best produced medical dramas of all time. I watched in the 80s, and sporadically when it was in reruns, I was so happy to find it on Hulu.

Donald Westphal (Ed Flanders) just saw his daughter off to college in September, now, six weeks later, she is back, not just to visit, she is sort of seeking a permanent retreat to her sheltered childhood domicile!! This precarious situation garners an unhealthy complacency for both of them!! Under the guise of justing hanging around for a little longer than a weekend, the daughter is increasingly favoring the comfortable alternative of not returning to college at all!! What the daughter has experienced is just one or two searing snake bites of reality...It is now painfully obvious to her that she can no longer just get by on the proverbial "innocent girl sweetness" and nice handwriting!! Coccooning herself to the sadness and reassurance of her father, he too falls prey to a resumed innocence of his daughter's adolescent days of yesteryear!! Finally, it dawns on Dr Westphal that his daughter is hiding from her first dose of life lessons!! While very content with this dubious homecoming, he knows that his daughter must get back to her life... Turning one of your children away when you are desperately dependent on them being the recipient of your love, becomes a painstaking act of intuitive discipline!! For this is not tough love, it is utterly brutal!! "Yes my beloved daughter, leave me, remind me of the painful experience it is to see you grow up!! Let me be alone in my declining and callously disconcerting emeritus years!!! Rather than having you smother me with your cherished support and joy, I have to be alone, and be decimated by a horrid silence around me that is not only deafening, but also, omnipotent because I am usually alone, and nobody out there really cares about me.. This is everything a decrepit widower dreams about!! Being trounced by recriminations and primal doubts, and being torn asunder by regrets and desultory conclusions is something I will welcome into my life with open arms!! I anxiously await the inevitable nightmare of growing old and dying alone... This does not sound right, does it? So why am I hastening the process? For you, my darling daughter, yet another supreme sacrifice!! This sacrifice is as subtle as all of the other ones I have made for you, and once again, you can show your ingratitude for me by categorizing me not as being magnanimous, but, as being very difficult to understand!!"

When you stop and think about it, we should all be horsewhipped for the things we have done to our parents... Just how self-centered are children anyway? The love and the selfless acts of parents is something that children take for granted in the most reprehensible way!! Parents do without material items for their children constantly...This is just one of many forms of tremendous sacrifices that parents endure!! In the case of this "St Elsewhere" episode this was an instance of a father welcoming into his life an onslaught of emotional adversities which included the heinous ordeal of being deluged by arctic desolation, and the agony of being stalemated by escalating insecurities!! This compendium of anguish ridden endeavors that Dr Westphal must develop a tolerance for, is all for the sake of his daughter attaining a stronger psychological resolve to mature as an adult, and face her life head on!! This may seem like a common scenario that television depicts all the time, but, this "St Elsewhere" version was far more poignant and compelling!! You could almost see Dr Westphal being fed to the wolves!!! This series was excellent, this particular segment is something I do not wish to see again, it was way too depressing!! The directors and writers and everyone else did their job though, this was a superb segment of "St Elsewhere" I will stick to listening to the theme song of "St Elsewhere" that is pleasant music to hear!!

Credits forget one important innuendo in the last episode - there was a nod to M.A.S.H. When Novino is in the morgue doing a post-op on "Henry Blake killed in helicopter crash." That's how Henry Blake died in MASH.

The two part episode that spanned St. Eligius' history from 1935-1985 was the best show ever on TV. The great thing about the show is that you never know if things will wind up good or bad, and the show likes to use your own memory of previous shows rather than beat you over the head with them.

This was one of the more thoughtful and well-written series of the 80s and one I would love to see brought out in series for purchase on DVD. The characters were well-developed and multi-dimensional. Even the ones that were irritating were still riveting to watch. It was a forerunner and a ground-breaker to what ER has become today. ER is faster paced, but the elements are still there with characters we've come to know and care about. Dr. House could have been an intern learning the ego-maniacal traits of Dr. Craig which would easily have helped him to grow into the character he now portrays. St. Elsewhere was the medical arena's response to Hill Street Blues (police drama), another acclaimed series. Two hours of TV not to be missed at that time.

Who could forget watching Dr. Ehrlich preparing to perform a GYN exam on Bonnie Bartlett who portrayed the wife of the irascible Dr. Craig (William Daniels), when he tells her to lay back and "spread 'em". This was drama and humor and human emotion all mixed together at its very best and it would be a shame if it were never to be made available for people in a newer generation to view. Give me a "St. Elsewhere" over a "Survivor" any day of the week!

The very best television had/has to offer. The show had it all, from the inside jokes to the high drama, every moment kept me captivated. There has been nothing as good since, bar none. It really was the trend setter for so many shows that followed. However, very few that followed lived up the the high standards set by St. Elsewhere. I've been hoping and hoping that that MTM would start to release this amazing show on DVD. Well......................

I come with tidings of GREAT JOY!! Season one is finally being released on DVD. YES! that's right! Released as of December 12, 2006. I've already pre-ordered my copy from Amazon.

Some of the features are a St. Elsewhere featurette, and also commentary on selected episodes.

Can't wait for my delivery date of December 18th. Yeeehaaaww!!

St. Elsewhere was a wonderful show with an unbelievably amazing cast with super stardom in their future. It was kind, compassionate, funny and educational. Many great medical dramas like ER and Grey's Anatomy stand on these foundational shoulders.

If you can find it on a streaming service...watch it. You won't regret it.

Such and amazing show. I find myself comparing every other series to this pinnacle of TV magnificence.