New Amsterdam (2018 – Present)

New Amsterdam follows Dr. Max Goodwin as he becomes the medical director of one of the United States’ oldest public hospitals, aiming to reform the neglected facility by tearing up its bureaucracy to provide exceptional care to patients.

Premise (from Wikipedia)

I remember watching the pilot episode and wondering how such a program would survive on American television. Dr. Goodwin’s repeated phrase was, “How can I help you?” It seemed an odd question to ask his staff, but then it becomes clear that if changes have to be made, the employees must be invested in the changes or they won’t happen. By asking for their input, he was getting feedback as to what they wanted. Change doesn’t come from the top…

We have started watching that first season on Netflix. We’re only at episode 6, after one evening’s binge watching, but already we are invested in the main characters’ lives. That’s impressive for a TV show. Usually it takes a whole season.

Now, call me an old fool, if you will, but I spotted an actor in the first scene involving all the hospital staff that looked very familiar. His ‘cameo’ was impressed upon me when his character’s head was butted by the Head of Psychiatry’s rear as he bent down to pick up some dropped sheets of paper while going to his seat in the auditorium. The actor was Peter Horton, who starred in thirtysomething in the late 80’s, early 90’s. Peter is now one of the executive producers of this show, and has written and directed a couple of episodes. That 30-something actor is now 60-something.

The other surprise in the credits was Shaun Cassidy. You will probably only remember him as being David Cassidy’s younger brother. He, too, is an executive producer on this one. And his track record for producing TV shows is impressive. It would seem that the Baby Boomers have finally taken over the world, of television, at least.

We all want to change the world, so when you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose.