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mickeymouseclubfan · 07-22-2015, 06:29 PM

The year is 1988. George H.W. Bush, age 64, is elected U.S. President; the Persian Gulf Crisis in full effect; and 48-year-old Steven Bochco creates a unique Hospital Drama he eventually christened "Doogie Howser, M.D."

Steven, very interested in child prodigies from a young age (his own father was a child Violin prodigy like Yehudi Menuhin), based his title character on a real-life child prodigy named Mandarin, who at age 15 was the youngest person to ever get a legit Medical Degree; however, Mandarin NEVER used his M.D. to Practice Medicine, but rather for Cancer Research after attending post-Graduate School; even if Mandarin WANTED to practice Medicine, he would legally be Uninsurable at age 15 in case of a Malpractice Lawsuit.

Steven Bochco had earlier created the cop show "Hill Street Blues" and the courtroom drama "L.A. Law" and had also created a half-hour dramedy vehicle for John Ritter titled "Hooperman" and had just signed a 10-series deal with the ABC Television Network by way of 20th Century Fox Television.

It took a nationwide search to find the right actor to play Dr. Douglas Howser before 15-year-old Neil Patrick Harris (born on June 15, 1973 in Albuquerque, New Mexico) auditioned for the role--and won the part.

The Pilot Episode of "Doogie Howser, M.D." was filmed in April 1989 at CBS Studio Center in Los Angeles, California--and soon afterwards was picked up by the ABC Television Network for the Fall 1989 TV Season, airing Wednesday nights at 9 P.M. ET/PT

"Doogie Howser, M.D." made its debut on the ABC Television Network at 8 P.M. ET/PT on September 19, 1989 (right after the 2nd season debut of the hit family drama "The Wonder Years") and immediately became a critical hit.

Within 3 months, Neil Patrick Harris became a teen heartthrob, appearing in pages of teen magazines everywhere.

In late 1992, however, after 4 successful seasons, ABC abruptly canceled "Doogie Howser" due to a gradual decline in audience; in the series finale, telecast on March 24, 1993, 19-year-old Douglas Howser resigned from Medicine at Eastman Medical Center to start a new career as a writer at an age where most kids are contemplating beginning their first careers.

Since then, reruns have appeared on, among other channels, Nickelodeon (Australia only), The Hallmark Channel and most recently, The Hub, and can now be seen on Antenna TV every weeknight.

07-22-2015, 06:29 PM	#1
mickeymouseclubfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 05, 2013 Posts: 145	Based On a Real Person The year is 1988. George H.W. Bush, age 64, is elected U.S. President; the Persian Gulf Crisis in full effect; and 48-year-old Steven Bochco creates a unique Hospital Drama he eventually christened "Doogie Howser, M.D." Steven, very interested in child prodigies from a young age (his own father was a child Violin prodigy like Yehudi Menuhin), based his title character on a real-life child prodigy named Mandarin, who at age 15 was the youngest person to ever get a legit Medical Degree; however, Mandarin NEVER used his M.D. to Practice Medicine, but rather for Cancer Research after attending post-Graduate School; even if Mandarin WANTED to practice Medicine, he would legally be Uninsurable at age 15 in case of a Malpractice Lawsuit. Steven Bochco had earlier created the cop show "Hill Street Blues" and the courtroom drama "L.A. Law" and had also created a half-hour dramedy vehicle for John Ritter titled "Hooperman" and had just signed a 10-series deal with the ABC Television Network by way of 20th Century Fox Television. It took a nationwide search to find the right actor to play Dr. Douglas Howser before 15-year-old Neil Patrick Harris (born on June 15, 1973 in Albuquerque, New Mexico) auditioned for the role--and won the part. The Pilot Episode of "Doogie Howser, M.D." was filmed in April 1989 at CBS Studio Center in Los Angeles, California--and soon afterwards was picked up by the ABC Television Network for the Fall 1989 TV Season, airing Wednesday nights at 9 P.M. ET/PT "Doogie Howser, M.D." made its debut on the ABC Television Network at 8 P.M. ET/PT on September 19, 1989 (right after the 2nd season debut of the hit family drama "The Wonder Years") and immediately became a critical hit. Within 3 months, Neil Patrick Harris became a teen heartthrob, appearing in pages of teen magazines everywhere. In late 1992, however, after 4 successful seasons, ABC abruptly canceled "Doogie Howser" due to a gradual decline in audience; in the series finale, telecast on March 24, 1993, 19-year-old Douglas Howser resigned from Medicine at Eastman Medical Center to start a new career as a writer at an age where most kids are contemplating beginning their first careers. Since then, reruns have appeared on, among other channels, Nickelodeon (Australia only), The Hallmark Channel and most recently, The Hub, and can now be seen on Antenna TV every weeknight.