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St. Elsewhere

St. Elsewhere

19826
Drama
Estreno
26 oct 1982
País
Estados Unidos
Producciones
20th Century Fox TelevisionMTM Productions
St. Elsewhere es una serie de drama médico estadounidense que originalmente se emitió en NBC desde el 26 de octubre de 1982 hasta el 25 de mayo de 1988. La serie contó con Ed Flanders, Norman Lloyd y William Daniels como médicos docentes en un hospital de Boston poco respetado, que ofrecía a los internos un futuro prometedor en la toma de decisiones críticas médicas y de vida.

About

Quick guide

A gritty, 1980s medical drama set in a run‑down Boston teaching hospital, featuring an ensemble cast of doctors, nurses and interns.

St. Elsewhere aired on NBC from 1982 to 1988 and followed the staff of the fictional St. Eligius Hospital in Boston’s South End. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of medical practice and the personal struggles of its characters, tackling subjects such as AIDS, addiction, and hospital politics. Its serialized storytelling and dramatic arcs influenced later medical dramas, and its finale sparked debate for its surreal, snow‑globe twist that implied the entire series was imagined by a young autistic boy. With a mix of sharp dialogue, complex relationships, and social commentary, St. Elsewhere remains a landmark series in television history.

What to know

  • Set in Boston’s fictional St. Eligius, a struggling teaching hospital.
  • Ensemble cast: William Daniels, Ed Flanders, Norman Lloyd, and emerging stars like Denzel Washington.
  • Runtime per episode: 45–48 minutes, typical of network dramas of the era.
  • Show tackled timely issues: AIDS, addiction, medical ethics, and hospital politics.
  • Crossed over with other NBC shows, notably the sitcom *Cheers*.
  • Final season concluded with a controversial snow‑globe finale revealing the series was a dream.
  • Known for realistic medical scenes and dramatic character development.
  • Produced by MTM Enterprises, the same studio that created *Hill Street Blues*.

Watch if

If you enjoy character‑driven dramas that blend medical realism with social commentary, and you appreciate 1980s television that paved the way for shows like ER and Grey’s Anatomy, St. Elsewhere offers a compelling, grounded experience.

Skip if

If you prefer light‑hearted sitcoms, action‑packed thrillers, or shows that avoid complex, realistic medical storytelling, St. Elsewhere may feel slow and too heavy‑laced for your taste.

dark tonedialogue heavymature themespsychological elementssad tonesuspensefulpolitical themeslanguage strong
Show Premise
St. Elsewhere centers on the daily life of St. Eligius Hospital, a crumbling teaching facility in Boston’s South End. The series follows seasoned doctors, interns, and nurses as they navigate complex medical cases and personal relationships, offering a blend of procedural storytelling and serialized drama.
Cast & Characters
The ensemble includes William Daniels as surgeon Dr. Mark Craig, Ed Flanders as Dr. Donald Westphall, and Norman Lloyd as Dr. Daniel Auschlander. Rising actors such as Denzel Washington, Howie Mandel, and Bruce Greenwood added depth, while recurring characters like Nurse Shirley Daniels and Dr. Victor Ehrlich anchored long‑term story arcs.
Notable Episodes
Episodes such as “Time Heals” (two‑part history), “Cheers” (cross‑over with the sitcom), and the series finale “The Last One” are remembered for their emotional depth, complex storylines, and, in the finale’s case, a controversial twist that redefined the show’s ending.
Realism & Accuracy
The show earned acclaim for its detailed medical procedures and authentic portrayal of hospital bureaucracy. Writers consulted medical experts, and the series addressed contemporary issues like the AIDS epidemic, ensuring a grounded, believable setting.
Cultural Impact
St. Elsewhere set a template for future medical dramas, influencing shows such as ER and Chicago Hope. Its serialized storytelling, ensemble cast, and willingness to tackle difficult topics helped establish a new standard for primetime television drama.
Controversial Finale
The 1988 finale revealed the hospital’s events as the imagination of an autistic boy, a snow‑globe twist that sparked debate and spawned the “Tommy Westphall” universe theory. While praised for its audacity, the ending remains polarizing among fans.

FAQ

40 Q&A
What hospital is St. Elsewhere set in?
St. Elsewhere is set in a fictional teaching hospital called St. Eligius in Boston.
What is the meaning of the St. Elsewhere ending?
The ending reveals that the entire series was a daydream of a boy named Tommy Westphall, who is imagining the hospital and its staff.
Why was the ending of St. Elsewhere controversial?
The ending was controversial because it invalidated the reality of the entire series for many viewers who had become invested in the characters and their stories.
What was St. Elsewhere's theme song?
The theme song for St. Elsewhere was an instrumental piece with a distinctive, memorable melody.
Who played Dr. Wayne Fiscus?
Dr. Wayne Fiscus was played by actor Stephen Furst.
What happened at the end of St. Elsewhere?
At the end of St. Elsewhere, Dr. Westphall looks into a snow globe and sees the hospital, implying the events of the show were his imagination.
Who played Tommy Westphall?
Tommy Westphall was played by actor Chad Allen.
When did St. Elsewhere air on TV?
St. Elsewhere aired on television from 1982 to 1988.
Who was the main character in St. Elsewhere?
It's hard to name just one main character as the show focused on an ensemble cast of doctors and nurses at the hospital.
Who played Dr. Mark Craig?
Dr. Mark Craig was played by actor William Daniels.
What is the significance of the snow globe in St. Elsewhere?
The snow globe in St. Elsewhere is significant because it contains a miniature replica of the hospital, key to understanding the show's controversial ending.
What is St. Elsewhere about?
St. Elsewhere is about the professional and personal lives of the doctors and staff at a rundown teaching hospital in Boston.
Who are the main doctors on St. Elsewhere?
Some of the main doctors on St. Elsewhere include Dr. Donald Westphall, Dr. Mark Craig, Dr. Jack Morrison, and Dr. Annie Cavanero.
Were there any spin-offs of St. Elsewhere?
Yes, there was a spin-off of St. Elsewhere called Hothouse.
What medical issues were covered in St. Elsewhere?
St. Elsewhere covered a wide range of medical issues, from common ailments to rare diseases and complex surgical cases.
What is the MTM cat mascot's role in St. Elsewhere?
The MTM cat mascot, Leo the Lion, was a symbol of the production company MTM Enterprises and appeared briefly at the beginning of each episode.
Who played Dr. Donald Westphall?
Dr. Donald Westphall was played by actor Ed Begley Jr.
What are some famous St. Elsewhere episodes?
Famous episodes include "All That Glitters," "The Last One Ever in the History of the World," and "Close Encounters."
Who played Dr. Jack Morrison?
Dr. Jack Morrison was played by actor David Morse.
Who played Dr. Phil Chandler?
Dr. Phil Chandler was played by actor Mark Harmon.
Was St. Elsewhere based on a true story?
While not based on a specific true story, St. Elsewhere drew inspiration from the realities of working in a hospital and the challenges faced by medical professionals.
Who played Dr. Bobby Caldwell?
Dr. Bobby Caldwell was played by actor Mark Harmon.
Who played Dr. Daniel Auschlander?
Dr. Daniel Auschlander was played by actor Howie Mandel.
Who played Dr. Victor Ehrlich?
Dr. Victor Ehrlich was played by actor Tommy Lee Jones.
What is the plot of St. Elsewhere?
The plot of St. Elsewhere follows the daily lives, struggles, and triumphs of the medical staff at St. Eligius hospital, dealing with both patient care and their personal relationships.
Who was Dr. Annie Cavanero?
Dr. Annie Cavanero was a doctor on the show who was played by Alfre Woodard.
What is St. Elsewhere's connection to Hill Street Blues?
Both shows were created by Mark Snow and aired on NBC. Some actors also appeared in both shows.
What happened to Dr. Mark Craig's son?
Dr. Mark Craig's son, Joshua, died from a drug overdose.
What was the 'Time Heals' episode about?
The 'Time Heals' episode was about the hospital staff dealing with a serious outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.
What was Dr. Bobby Caldwell's specialty?
Dr. Bobby Caldwell was a pediatrician.
What happened to Dr. Peter White?
Dr. Peter White was a patient who died from AIDS.
Who was Mrs. Hufnagel?
Mrs. Hufnagel was a patient at St. Eligius who appeared in several episodes.
Who created St. Elsewhere?
St. Elsewhere was created by Joshua Brand and John Falsey.
What was the real hospital used for St. Elsewhere's exterior shots?
The real hospital used for exterior shots was called Corey Hill Hospital in Brookline, Massachusetts.
What is the meaning of the final scene with the snow globe?
The final scene with the snow globe is meant to show that the entire series was a dream of an autistic child named Tommy Westphall.
What was Dr. Victor Ehrlich's marital history?
Dr. Victor Ehrlich was married twice, first to Anne and then to Karen.
Did Denzel Washington win any awards for St. Elsewhere?
Denzel Washington won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Dr. Philip Chandler.
What was Dr. Wayne Fiscus's dating history?
Dr. Wayne Fiscus had a complicated dating life, including relationships with Nurse Shirley Daniels and later with Dr. Cathy Martin.
What actors got their start on St. Elsewhere?
Many actors got their start on St. Elsewhere, including Denzel Washington, Howie Mandel, and Mark Harmon.
What happened to Dr. Daniel Auschlander in the end?
Dr. Daniel Auschlander died from a heart attack in the final episode.

Actores

William Daniels
William Daniels
Mark Craig
Norman Lloyd
Norman Lloyd
Daniel Auschlander
Ronny Cox
Ronny Cox
John Gideon
Bonnie Bartlett
Bonnie Bartlett
Ellen Craig
Ed Begley Jr.
Ed Begley Jr.
Victor Ehrlich
Stephen Furst
Stephen Furst
Elliot Axelrod
Bruce Greenwood
Bruce Greenwood
Seth Griffin
Eric Laneuville
Eric Laneuville
Luther Hawkins
Sagan Lewis
Jacqueline Wade
Howie Mandel
Howie Mandel
Wayne Fiscus
Cindy Pickett
Cindy Pickett
Carol Novino
David Morse
David Morse
Jack Morrison