Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Television Show Review: Hopkins

Eight years after ABC News aired "Hopkins 24/7," its cameras return to Baltimore's Johns Hopkins Hospital for a new six-part documentary about the lives of the caregivers on its staff, and the patients who come through its doors.

Tim's revue:
One of the first true "reality" shows, ABC has once again captured the real-life drama at a leading hospital. Last night was episode 2, an emotional roller-coaster ride. A woman awaiting a lung transplant suffered the highs and lows of waiting for a suitable organ. And the producers got lucky, as one of the doctors chosen to be followed separated from his wife. Yes, we are entertained by others' emotional pain, but to me, everyone knows that kind of pain and can relate.

Sadly, the producers use WAY too much "indy rock" and it becomes distracting. There is enough drama (and this isn't supposed to be "Grey's Anatomy") and it doesn't need to be "heightened" by the use of music. I don't need a twenty-something girl singing about her life while watching a fifty-something woman hanging on to her life. It's insulting to me and her both!

But the stories so far have been intense, the doctors have been great (if I ever need brain surgery, send me to Dr. Alfredo QuiƱones-Hinojosa!) and the production is otherwise top-notch.

Can't wait for next week!

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