Sawbones: Ranking TV Medical Shows

In this birthday-themed episode of Sawbones, hosts Justin and Sydney McElroy rank every medical TV show released during Sydney's lifetime, from 1983 to the present. The episode begins with a heartfelt tribute to MASH, which the hosts unanimously agree is in a class by itself—S-tier and unmatched in influence, realism, and emotional resonance. Sydney’s birthday serves as the catalyst for the ranking, with Justin admitting he hasn’t seen most of the shows but relying on his medical expertise and pop culture intuition to assign grades. Highlights include a glowing A for the original Scrubs, an S-tier for the newly released The Pit for its real-time, emotionally raw portrayal of emergency medicine, and a surprise S-tier for Dr. Odyssey, praised for its humor, casting, and joyful execution. Other standout rankings include an A for House (despite its medical inaccuracies), a B for Grey’s Anatomy (for its cultural impact despite unrealistic portrayals), and a D for the forgettable Mercy Point. The hosts also critique shows like Nip Tuck and The Resident for their sensationalism and misrepresentation of doctors, while celebrating The Pit and Dr. Odyssey as rare examples of medical TV that honor the profession’s humanity and complexity. The episode ends on a reflective note, underscoring how these shows shape public perception of medicine—sometimes glorifying, sometimes distorting, but always revealing something about our collective hopes and fears about healthcare.