Chicago Hope :: essays research papers

Chicago Hope, David E. Kellys infamous doctor-drama, premiered on September 18, 1994. Six years later, the institute was canceled after its final seasons finale, which aired on May 4, 2000. Even though Hope couldnt beat its direct competitor ER in the ratings race, the show still had a lot of dear(p) things going for it. Chicago Hope was nominated for a myriad of highly prestigious awards during its run. Many of these awards were lost to ER and other dramas but leading-lady Christina Lahti did receive two an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performances on the show. Critic Mark Harris, even when as far as saying, Lahti is, no question, the best dramatic actress in immemorial time. (Entertainment Weekly, Oct. 4, 1996 p.51) Also, Hector Elizondo received an Emmy for his supporting role and people involved in off screen production won multiple awards. Chicago Hope was love by critics even when being directly compared to ER. Chicago Hope was basically CBSs answer to ER a drama about doctors, taking enter in a teaching hospital in Chicago, that aired on Thursdays at ten. The cast was constantly changing due to the constant ratings battle CBS was waging against NBC. base the scenes, CBS put its money on Executive Producer/Writer David E. Kelly who, at the time, was just coming off a successful run with Picket Fences age NBC also went with a big name Producer/Writer/Novelist in Michael Crichton. Also, Hope used numerous directors and guest directors over the course of its six-year run, keeping the show fresh. Aside from the battle with ER and the constantly changing staff, this show definitely met or exceeded all of the requirements for a quality TV series outlined by Professor Robert J. Thompson in his book Televisions Second Golden Age.Chicago Hope was not your everyday TV escape. It was a show that do the viewer actually think about what was going on in both the show and the real world. It brought up issues that actually affected the lives of the people wat ching. It dealt with polemical issues like death, birth control, and AIDS. In the words of critic Ken Tucker, in a fall season with little quality this is a solid drama. (Entertainment Weekly, Sept. 23, 1994 p. 52) Furthermore, Hope was the breathing in of Producer David E. Kelly, which, before the premiere even aired, meant that it was of high quality.