CBS is launching a new show set in Pittsburgh this fall called Three Rivers. CBS describes it as
a medical drama that goes inside the emotionally complex lives of organ donors, the recipients and the surgeons at the preeminent transplant hospital in the country where every moment counts. However, dealing with donor families in their darkest hour and managing the fears and concerns of apprehensive recipients takes much more than just a sharp scalpel.
I have mixed feelings.
First, are they describing UPMC (the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) as the "preeminent transplant hospital in the country"?!? That's pretty high billing. I assume they ain't talking about Allegheny General.
Secondly, I love anything set and/or filmed in Pittsburgh. While the show is set in the 'Burgh, it is not being shot here. The pilot was actually filmed in Pittsburgh, but due to terrible reviews and some cast changes, they are re-filming the first episode in their Burbank studios, and hoping for better results.
Three Rivers, as a title, is clever, though. It both refers to our "Best City in the Cosmos" Pittsburgh, as well as coyly referring to the three intertwined stories that each episode will feature: that of 1) the transplant physicians, 2) the organ recipient, and 3) the organ donor and family. These stories are supposed to be intertwined, much as the Allegheny and Monongahela mix their muddy waters in creating the Ohio... or some such nonesense. Oh well. Whether the show will be successful in implementing its goal or whether this medi-drama will be any good remains to be seen. I'm willing to give the show a chance, even though I hate medical shows. For example...
Scrubs makes my crotch itch after all these years of inane jokes and soliloquies; House makes me induce vomiting during the obligatory "blood unexpectedly splattering all over the place" scene in every episode; ER sucked as soon as Clooney left; I do remember liking St. Elsewhere, but who doesn't love Howie Mandel. I'm sure I'm missing some, but I bet I didn't care for them either.
The one reason I might give Three Rivers a chance is the name. There is a certain film that was supposed to be called Three Rivers (See above poster with rivers flowing in the wrong direction.) It was a tale of intrigue featuring a desperate river cop named Tom Hardy, seeking the Polish Hill Strangler, murderer of his father... for some unknown reason, the title of the film was changed in post-production to the non-sensical handle of Striking Distance. If this show is even half as good as Striking Distance, I'm in it for the long haul. But first lets see if it survives the fall line-up.
"You've got to give these things a chance, Tommy... That girl who works for Dutch is awful nice..."
~Vince Hardy
[Thanks to Mario Zucca for the Vince Hardy Illustration.]
by Lord Johnson
8 comments:
1. From my earlier work at the Ronald McDonald House I do know that UPMC/Children's is #1 in the world for pediatric transplants. We had many people from all over stay at the Ronald McDonald House while their kids got transplants. I'm sure adult transplants at UPMC aren't to shabby either.
2. You forget to mention General Hospital in your discussion of medical dramas. That is still on the air and still kicking ass.
3. I think it's bullshit when they set a show somewhere and film it somewhere else. Take 'Friends' for instance. Set in New York, filmed in LA. What, no sounds stages in NY?
4. I'll probably check out the show. And I probably won't like it because it's on CBS and everyone knows they make shows for old people and/or those that watch Fox as their main source of news (a.k.a. - morons).
Ah... how could I forget General Hospital. My sincerest apologies!
(I'm pretty sure I don't like it either)
Crass. So crass. The last post included swearing and this one makes reference to "crotch itching." Really? That's the level of discourse in a MWBT&PC blog?
tsk, tsk.
Grandkids
Three Rivers is going to be terrific! Recently saw a promo video that was set to “Swim” by Jack’s Mannequin (a fantastic song by the way) and now I'm eagerly anticipating the series premiere.
I think you guys may be surprised at the quality of this show, if you don't know the lead actor Alex O'Laughlin, he really is great. I think this looks like an interesting and original spin on the medical drama concept.
FYI you can watch the promo video at : http://modestcomplexity.blogspot.com/2009/08/three-rivers.html
The song's called "Swim" and the show is called Three Rivers!?! CBS is so clever!
I, for one, can't wait!
in regards to: http://modestcomplexity.blogspot.com/2009/08/three-rivers.html
was that a music video or a preview?
i noticed lots of running. lots of running with coolers. lunch time?
i swear to god if i hear anyone on that show say, "i going to go get a soda," i will freak the fuck out! yinz are in pittsburgh now. talk like it!
Just for a point of clarity, I believe the name of the hospital in the show is Three Rivers Memorial or something like that.
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