Doogie Howser, M.D.

Doogie Howser is a doctor. He is also a 16-year-old genius who graduated college at age 10 and finished medical school at age 14. But he is still a teenager, with normal teenage friends and problems. But unlike a normal teenager, he is just learning to drive while also consulting on serious medical cases like heart transplants.

Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989-1993) is an American network sitcom created by David E. Kelley and Steven Bochco for ABC. Neil Patrick Harris plays Doogie Howser, a 16-year-old prodigy who graduated college at ten and finished medical school at fourteen, and who is still a teenager with friends and problems of his own. Max Casella plays his friend Vinnie Delpino, and Belinda Montgomery and Lawrence Pressman play his parents, Katherine and Benjamin Canfield, anchoring the household scenes. The engine of the show is the tension between a gifted young doctor's professional duties and his ordinary adolescent life. Each episode pairs a serious medical case, such as a heart transplant, with everyday concerns like learning to drive and navigating school and dating. The series runs four seasons across ninety-seven episodes, structured as a standalone case-of-the-week sitcom with recurring characters. Set in contemporary Los Angeles, it carries a earnest, upbeat family-comedy register with a sentimental streak. Fans of Scrubs, Blossom and Diff'rent Strokes will find resonance in its blend of workplace medicine, teen life and warm household humor.

Audiences broadly regarded the series as a charming, lighthearted take on a teenage genius balancing medical work with adolescence, with a mixed overall reception.

• Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989)lighthearted workplace medical setting with a precocious young protagonist and coming of age tone
• Blossomteen protagonist balancing adult responsibilities with school and friendships, family sitcom warmth
• Diff'rent Strokesgifted young protagonist navigating adult professional life with comedic family tone
• Scrubsmedical setting blending comedy and drama with ensemble hospital workplace

Created by

David E. Kelley, Steven Bochco

Release Date

1989-09-19

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

6.5 / 10 (136)

What is Doogie Howser, M.D. about?

A 16-year-old genius doctor practices medicine in Los Angeles while navigating the ordinary worries of being a teenager.

What is Doogie Howser, M.D. like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Doogie Howser, M.D. as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Doogie Howser, M.D. violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Doogie Howser, M.D..

What did critics think of Doogie Howser, M.D.?

Audiences broadly regarded the series as a charming, lighthearted take on a teenage genius balancing medical work with adolescence, with a mixed overall reception.

Which shows are like Doogie Howser, M.D.?

Shows with a similar feel include Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989), Blossom, Diff'rent Strokes, and Scrubs.

How long is Doogie Howser, M.D.?

Doogie Howser, M.D.: 4 seasons, 97 episodes.

Is Doogie Howser, M.D. still running?

No, Doogie Howser, M.D. has ended.

Where can I watch Doogie Howser, M.D.?

In United States, Doogie Howser, M.D. streams on Disney Plus.