St. Denis Medicalis the latest sitcom from Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin, who wanted to make a classic comedy that still carried some genuine pathos and drama. The series follows the staff of the titular hospital in Oregon, where caregivers like compassionate Supervising Nurse Alex bristles against the sardonic Dr. Ron and her ambitious boss, Joyce. At times ridiculous and silly but never without heart,St. Denis Medicalis a fun show that’s easy to fall in love with.
New NBC Medical Comedy Series Is Grey’s Anatomy Meets The Office In First St. Denis Medical Trailer
The trailer for the upcoming NBC mockumentary show St. Denis Medical teases a comedy that is part Grey’s Anatomy and part The Office.
The cast ofSt. Denis Medicalare a number of comedy veterans. That same experience carries over behind the scenes, where creatives like Spitzer and Ledgin bring the talents that helpedelevate shows likeSuperstoreto huge heights. During an interview withScreen Rantahead ofSt. Denis' premiere on NBC, Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin discussed the show’s unique status as a true medical comedy, making it feel unique from any other sitcom that came before it, and what surprises they’ve discovered during production.
What Makes St. Denis Stand Out From Other Sitcoms
“Good characters that have conflict with each other in comedic ways.”
Screen Rant: Both of you have so much experience in the world of sitcoms. What would you say is the key to making a truly good situational comedy?
Justin Spitzer: Good characters that have conflict with each other in comedic ways. You know, I think people can ultimately get along, that you can find comedy in the conflict hierarchy. I think differences in power is really helpful, especially with the workplace show. That’s part of why I like them distinct, very distinct people. I guess that goes hand in hand with conflict. But different points of view, different values, I think all that’s pretty helpful. Yeah, I think that covers it. Also, wacky hats.
Justin, you’veworked on shows likeScrubsin the past, which also worked as a sitcom within a hospital setting. What was the approach to makingSt. Denis Medicalstand out from other shows of that ilk?
Justin Spitzer: I don’t think they’ve been that many true medical comedies. I think a lot of medical dramas have comedic aspects.Grey’s Anatomywas pretty funny in the early seasons, at least when I would watch it. When it comes toScubrs, and I loveScrubs. I’ve never seen anything bad about it. But it was, I think, a little bit more of a whimsical show. I mean, at the beginning it was a kind of a grounded show with fantasies. Then, over time, the fantasy sort of became integrated into reality. That show felt pushed in that respect, although they did moments of drama really, really well… I think in the end, though, it’s specific characters, and the fact that it’s a mockumentary means we’re kind of exploring the little relatable workplace aspects of the job.
How did you approach the balance between the show’s sillier side and the more dramatic character beats (such as in the third act of the first episode)?
Eric Ledgin: This is a comedy, so if you’re not laughing through at least some of it, we definitely messed up. But it’s also the emergency room of a hospital, and we’d be crazy not to show some of the heartfelt or difficult moments that happen in these spaces. My hope is that some people — and particularly health care workers — feel seen by those moments. Also, from a purely strategic perspective, a serious moment is a great way to set up a joke.
Justin Spitzer: It might seem like doing those dramatic character beats, or chaotic code blue beats, would be harder for a comedy than a serious, hour-long show, but I think it’s the opposite. It takes the audience by surprise more to have a silly joke followed immediately by something real, or heart-felt, or chilling. And it’s more realistic. People don’t generally receive notice when something dramatic is about to happen to them. They’re just living their life, joking around or whatever, and then the bottom falls out.
A New Office & The Biggest Surprises About St. Denis Medical
Screen Rant: Justin, what is your perspective on the waysThe Officeis expanding and rebooting for a new generation of fans?
Justin Spitzer: I haven’t had anything to do withThe Officereboot or spin-off or whatever they’re calling it, so all I know about it is what I’ve read in the press. But I’m very excited to see it! I remember when I heard they were going to do an American remake of the BritishOffice, and I thought, “There’s no way anyone can do justice to the BBC original.” But then Greg Daniels pulled it off. So if there’s any writer up to the challenge of bringing back everything that made the AmericanOfficegreat, while also finding a new perspective and ways to make it relevant, it’s Greg.
What has surprised you the most aboutSt. Denis Medical?
Eric Ledgin: Yeah, it’s a good question. I think that one thing that’s been surprising is just having done 18 episodes, because we were lucky enough to get some extra episodes. Sometimes you have an idea for a story that feels so clear and you feel like the room is building on it, and you’re excited about it, and then you might have another story that feels like it’s harder to get through, and then it’s everyone’s favorite.
I guess what I’m building towards here is you have to just like, keep trusting the process. Keep trusting that this collaborative process is going to lead to something exciting or fun and funny and good. Sometimes there are just stories that you kind of at the beginning are like, ‘I think we’ll get to somewhere good on this,’ and they end up being your favorite episode for some reason. It’s just the way that the alchemy comes together between the actors and the writers and the crew. It’s just something unpredictable.
More About St. Denis Medical Season 1
Devoted nurse Alex has just been promoted to Supervising Nurse in the emergency department at St. Denis Medical Center in Oregon. She works alongside an eclectic team of underfunded yet dedicated doctors, nurses and hospital staff, including her boss, Joyce, who wants nothing more than to turn the hospital into an international medical destination, and Dr. Ron, who’s done it all, seen it all and is pretty much over it all. They’re all doing their best not to lose their patience in a hospital overrun with patients – while caring for everyone who comes in the door, including each other.
St. Denis MedicalairsonNBC and premieres Nov. 12.
