New Nurse TV Show, “St. Denis Medical,” Offers a Dose of Humor for Nurses
A new medical comedy recently premiered on Peacock and it is already finding an engaged audience of loving nurses. "St. Denis Medical," now streaming on Peacock, offers a refreshing and hilarious take on hospital life that many nurses are finding both entertaining and relatable. As the latest addition to the mockumentary genre, the show’s sharp writing, relatable characters, and humor about the realities of nursing is likely to be a favorite among healthcare professionals looking for a laugh after a long shift.
The show had strong ratings when it debuted its first two episodes on November 12, 2024, with more than 7 million total viewers across NBC, Peacock, and other platforms. On Peacock, it is NBC’s No. 1 most-watched comedy launch.
Check out the first episode on YouTube
A Prescription for Laughter
Set in an Oregon hospital struggling with limited funding and staff shortages, "St. Denis Medical" takes a unique approach to storytelling by adopting a mockumentary style reminiscent of beloved comedies like "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation." Creators Justin Spitzer and Eric Ledgin had experience writing on “Scrubs” and “The Office” before developing other workplace comedies like “Superstore” and “American Auto.”
By using the mockumentary style, "St. Denis Medical" allows for candid moments and fourth-wall-breaking interviews that add an extra layer of humor to the already witty script. The result is a show that feels authentic in its portrayal of hospital chaos while maintaining a lighthearted tone.
The premiere, titled “Welcome to St. Denis,” kicks off with a bold joke about overdosing, setting the tone for a show that isn’t afraid to tackle the darker sides of healthcare while keeping things light-hearted.
We quickly meet nurse supervisor, Alex (Allison Tolman), and learn the all-too-relatable reason she became a nurse: “when I was in college, my nan got sick, so we spent a lot of time in the hospital. And that's when I realized that the nurses really provide the ‘care’ part of health care. So I became an RN and I love it.” Throughout the first two episodes, we see Alex is the glue that holds the hospital unit together, often by sacrificing her personal life due to work commitments.
We also meet other eccentric cast members like Joyce (Wendi McLendon-Covey), the executive director with a penchant for misguided enthusiasm about turning St. Denis into a "destination medical facility" - a phrase that sounds more like a bad vacation brochure than a healthcare strategy. While her character initially comes off as a typical clueless boss (“We have the best breast test in the West!”), her emotional moments are surprisingly touching, reminding us that even in comedy - and, of course, nursing - there can be depth.
Other cast standouts are Ron (David Alan Grier), who we watch navigate his professional duties and his dating life; new nurse “schmuck” Matt (Mekki Leeper), who makes many relatable rookie mistakes; and Val (Kaliko Kauahi), whose deadpan delivery is both refreshing and relatable for anyone who has worked in healthcare. Val’s interactions with patients are memorable, especially when she hands out a number to the White House, suggesting they call Joe [Biden] about the nursing shortage… because why not? If only it were that easy to solve the nursing shortage!
New Nurse Show Resonating with Nurses
There are several reasons why nurses may enjoy "St. Denis Medical”:
- Relatable Chaos: The show expertly captures the unpredictable nature of hospital life, from endless paperwork to unexpected patient dramas. This authenticity allows nurses to see their own experiences reflected on screen, albeit in a more comedic light.
- Lovable Characters: Each character is uniquely flawed and endearing, making it easy for viewers to find someone to root for or relate to. The diverse cast ensures that there's a character for everyone, whether you're the overworked supervisor or the enthusiastic newcomer.
- Heartfelt Moments: While the show primarily focuses on humor, it doesn't shy away from genuine, touching moments that remind viewers why they entered the healthcare profession in the first place. This balance of comedy and heart gives the series depth and keeps it from becoming too silly or unrealistic.
Nurses’ reactions on show forums and comments sections have been mostly supportive, with some critiques of shaky camera moments which seemed unnecessary and noticeable.
- “True to life? The opening skit with the nurse was word-for-word my spiel to discharging ODs… And for once they didn't portray nurses as faceless extras or shrieking mean girls. That delicious combination of take-no-sh&t and compassion that really is the best of our profession.”
- “Really nailed the toxic positivity of c-suite”
- “Watched the first two episodes and they nailed the hospital vibe lol, loved it so far”
- “I like it so far. I do kind of cringe at Alex, but its because i work with a ‘theres a right way to do things and its my way, so I'll just do it for you’ workaholic charge nurse lol they nailed it”
- “I can't believe this is real, like someone actually made a medical comedy from the inside.”
How to Watch "St. Denis Medical"
For those eager to check out the show, new episodes of "St. Denis Medical" air every Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC. If you can't catch it live, don't worry – episodes are available to stream on Peacock the following day, allowing nurses with varying schedules to enjoy the show at their convenience.
