Becker

Becker is a dedicated, outspoken and talented doctor with a gruff exterior. While he tends to offend those who try to get close to him, he is extremely dedicated to his medical practice in the Bronx, N.Y., where he always goes the extra mile to help those in need. But Dr. John Becker looks at the world around him and sees a society gone mad, full of incongruities and just plain wrong thinking. And he has no qualms about saying anything that comes to mind – anything.

Becker (1998-2004) is an American network sitcom created by Dave Hackel for CBS, running six seasons and 129 episodes. Ted Danson plays Dr. John Becker, a dedicated, outspoken physician with a gruff exterior who runs a medical practice in the Bronx, New York. Becker offends nearly everyone who tries to get close to him, yet he goes the extra mile for patients in need. The engine of each episode is his running battle with a society he sees as full of incongruities and plain wrong thinking, playing out across waiting-room exchanges, clinic routines and the lives of his staff. Hattie Winston as Margaret Wyborn, Shawnee Smith as Linda and Alex Desert as Jake Malinak give him a supporting cast that tests his patience while occasionally reaching his softer side. Each season is a set of self-contained episodes built around patients, neighbors and personal quirks, so the show is easy to dip into at any point. Its tone is wry, cynical and warm, with sharp one-liners that deliver misanthropic commentary undercut by genuine affection. Fans of Cheers, Frasier and Scrubs will find the same blend of prickly central character, workplace ensemble and humane comedy.

Audiences rate Becker as a positive, consistently likable sitcom anchored by Ted Danson's gruff, misanthropic doctor.

• Cheersworkplace sitcom with a gruff, abrasive lead and a wry urban setting
• Frasiercurmudgeonly professional protagonist with a sardonic misanthropic streak
• Scrubssingle-camera-era multi-camera sitcom with a cynical professional lead and a supporting ensemble

Created by

Dave Hackel

Release Date

1998-11-02

Episode runtime

22 min

Rating

7.3 / 10 (157)

What is Becker about?

A brusque, principled Bronx doctor vents his disdain for a absurd world while quietly caring for his patients.

What is Becker like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Becker as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Becker violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Becker.

What did critics think of Becker?

Audiences rate Becker as a positive, consistently likable sitcom anchored by Ted Danson's gruff, misanthropic doctor.

Which shows are like Becker?

Shows with a similar feel include Cheers, Frasier, and Scrubs.

How long is Becker?

Becker: 6 seasons, 129 episodes.

Is Becker still running?

No, Becker has ended.