Doogie Howser, M.D.is an Americanmedicalsitcomthat ran for four seasons onABCfrom September 19, 1989, to March 24, 1993, totaling97 episodes.Created bySteven BochcoandDavid E. Kelley,the show starsNeil Patrick Harrisin the title role as a teenage physician who balances the challenge of practicing medicine with the everyday problems of teenage life.[1]

Doogie Howser, M.D.
GenreMedical drama
Sitcom
Created by
Starring
Theme music composerMike Post
ComposerMike Post
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No.of seasons4
No.of episodes97(list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Nat Bernstein
  • Joe Ann Fogle
  • Scott Goldstein
  • Jill Gordon
  • Nick Harding
  • Mark Horowitz
  • Mitchel Lee Katlin
  • Phil Kellard
  • Tom Moore
  • Linda Morris
  • Vic Rauseo
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time21–23 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseSeptember 19, 1989(1989-09-19)
March 24, 1993(1993-03-24)
Related
Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.

Plot

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Dr. Douglas "Doogie" Howser (Harris) is the son of David (James B. Sikking) and Katherine Howser (Belinda Montgomery). As a child, he twice survived early-stage pediatricleukemia[2]after his father—afamily physician—discovered suspicious bruising. The experience contributed to the younger Howser's desire to enter medicine.

Possessing ageniusintellect and aphotographic memory,[3]Howser participates in alongitudinal studyof child prodigies until his 18th birthday.[4]He earned a perfect score on theSATat the age of six, completed high school in nine weeks,[5]graduated fromPrinceton Universityin 1983[6]at age 10, and finished medical school four years later. At age 14, Howser was the youngest licensed physician in the country. As a newspaper article (one of several noting some of Doogie's aforementioned accomplishments that are shown in the series' openingtitle sequence) stated, he "can't buy beer... [but] can prescribe drugs".

The series begins on Howser's 16th birthday; thecold openof thepilot episodeshows him stopping his field test for hisdriver's licenseto help an injured person at the scene of a traffic accident. Howser is a second-year resident surgeon[7]at Eastman Medical Center inLos Angeles,and still livesat home[8]with his parents. His best friend and neighbor, Vinnie Delpino (Max Casella), is a more typical teenager—climbing through Howser's bedroom window to visit—and connects him to life outside of medicine. Howser has kept adiaryon his computer since 1979;[9]episodes typically end with him making an entry in it, making observations about the situations he had experienced or learned in the episode.

Howser seeks acceptance both from children his age and from his professional colleagues. Many episodes also deal with wider social problems:AIDSawareness,racism,antisemitism,homophobia,sexism,gang violence,access to quality medical care, and losing one'svirginityare topics, along with aging, body issues, and friendship.

Howser initially has a girlfriend, Wanda Plenn (Lisa Dean Ryan), but they break up after she leaves for college; he also begins atrauma surgeryfellowshipand moves into his own apartment. Bochco intended to end the show with a "season-long story arc for Doogie where he becomes disaffected with the practice of medicine and quits medicine to become a writer".[10]ABC abruptly canceled the show due to low ratings, preventing Bochco and the show's writers from implementing that storyline, other than Howser's resignation from Eastman and departure for Europe in thefinal episode.

Production

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The weekly, half-hour dramedy was created bySteven Bochco.He originated the concept and askedDavid E. Kelleyto help write the pilot, earning Kelley a "created by" credit. Harris was the first actor the show's staff had found that could convincingly play a teenage doctor, but ABC executives opposed his casting. Bochco's contract required that the network pay an"enormous" penaltyif it canceled the project, so ABC was forced to let him film the pilot. The network still opposed Harris's casting and disliked the pilot, but after positive reception duringtest screenings,ABCgreenlitthe show.[11]

Cast

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From left to right, Lawrence Pressman as Dr. Canfield, Neil Patrick Harris as Doogie Howser, Mitchell Anderson as Dr. McGuire and Kathryn Layng as Nurse Spaulding.

Main cast

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  • Neil Patrick Harrisas Dr. Douglas "Doogie" Howser, the show's protagonist.
  • Max Casellaas Vincent "Vinnie" Salvatore Delpino, Doogie's best friend since they were five years old.[12]A typical girl-crazy teenager, Vinnie resists his father's demands to join the family business and instead attends film school to pursue a career as afilm director.
  • Belinda Montgomeryas Katherine Howser, Doogie Howser's mother. Originally a housewife, she later returns to work as apatient advocateat her son's hospital.[13]
  • Lawrence Pressmanas Dr. Benjamin Canfield, head of Eastman Medical. Canfield is an old friend and classmate of David Howser, and persuades him to join the hospital to run its family practice.[14]
  • Mitchell Anderson(seasons 1–2) as Dr. Jack McGuire, a resident at Eastman and Doogie's friendly rival. A visit to rural Mexico inspires him to leave the hospital to serve the poor overseas.[15]
  • Kathryn Layngas Mary Margaret "Curly" Spaulding, a nurse at Eastman. Spaulding occasionally dates McGuire and, briefly, both Canfield[16]and Howser.[17]
  • James B. Sikkingas Dr. David Howser, Doogie Howser's father. He's aVietnam WarMASHveteran with afamily practice.
  • Lisa Dean Ryan(seasons 1–2, recurring in season 3) as Wanda Plenn, Vinnie's high-school classmate and Doogie's girlfriend. After her mother dies in an automobile accident, Wanda's relationship with Doogie suffers. After she leaves for theSchool of the Art Institute of Chicagothey end their relationship.
  • Lucy Boryer(seasons 1–3, two episodes in season 4) as Janine Stewart, Vinnie's girlfriend and Wanda's best friend. She drops out of college[18]and becomes a buyer for adepartment store.
  • Markus Redmond(seasons 2–4, guest star in season 1) as Raymond Alexander, an orderly (and later an EMT) at Eastman. While he was a gang member, Alexander meets Doogie after taking him hostage during a convenience-store robbery;[19]after finishing his sentence, Doogie helps him get a job at the hospital as anorderly.[20]

Recurring cast

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  • Rif Huttonas Dr. Ron Welch, a fellow doctor who is also friends with Howser.
  • Robyn Livelyas Michele Faber (seasons 2 and 4), a nursing student. She becomes Howser's girlfriend shortly before he decides to leave Eastman and go to Europe.
  • Barry Livingstonas Dr. Bob Rickett (seasons 2–4), a fellow doctor working at Eastman.

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally releasedRankRating
First releasedLast released
126September 19, 1989(1989-09-19)May 2, 1990(1990-05-02)2814.5[a]
225September 12, 1990(1990-09-12)May 1, 1991(1991-05-01)2414.7
324September 25, 1991(1991-09-25)May 13, 1992(1992-05-13)34[21]12.9[21]
422September 23, 1992(1992-09-23)March 24, 1993(1993-03-24)57[22]10.2[22]

Syndication

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In the United States, reruns ofDoogie Howser, M.D.ran in syndication between September 1994 and September 1996. Repeats of the show aired on cable on theOdyssey Network(now Hallmark Channel) from 1999 to 2001.[23]The Hubbegan airing reruns of the show on October 11, 2010[24]lasting until May 26, 2013.

Home media

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Anchor Bay Entertainmentreleased all four seasons ofDoogie Howser, M.D.on DVD in Region 1 (United States and Canada) between 2005 and 2006.[25][26][27][28]AComplete Collectionrelease was announced on August 28, 2008, but was eventually canceled.[29]All 4 seasons had been available to stream onHulu,but expired on that service on June 27, 2023.[30]The series was made available internationally onStaronDisney+beginning March 15, 2023.[31]

Reception

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Critical reception

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According toMetacritic,Marvin KitmanofNewsdaygave season 1 ofDoogie Howser, M.D.a 40/100 score and commented: "What a wasted childhood my kids have had, I got to thinking while watching this otherwise normal Doogie Howser. It makes you look at your kids differently. What lazy bums they must be, still in high school at 16."[32]Scott Weinberg ofDVD Talkrecommended season two: "It's not high art, but it's a heckuva lot better than what generally passes for your average weeknight sitcom."[33]Christopher Smith of theBangor Daily Newsgave season three a "C" grade and commented: "No classic, this series. [...T]he show has become gratingly cute, particularly in the episodes “Doogiesomething,” “Double Doogie with Cheese,” and “Lonesome Doog.” Doog, I'm Dooged out. "[34]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Result Category Recipient
1990 People's Choice Award Won Favorite New TV Comedy Series
Viewers for Quality Television Award Nominated Best Actor in a Quality Comedy Series Neil Patrick Harris
Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy Series Max Casella
Young Artist Award Won Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series Neil Patrick Harris
Nominated Best New Television Series
Best Young Actor Guest Starring in a Television Series Michael Bacall
1991 Primetime Emmy Award Won Outstanding Sound Mi xing for a Comedy Series or a Special Joe Kenworthy(production sound mixer)
Bill Thiederman(re-recording mixer)
Dean Okrand(re-recording mixer)
Mike Getlin(re-recording mixer)
(for the episode "Doogenstein" )
Humanitas Prize Nominated 30 Minute Network or Syndicated Television Nat Bernstein
Mitchel Katlin
(for the episode "To Live and Die in Brentwood" )
Young Artist Awards Won Best Young Actor Guest Starring in a Television Series Christopher Pettiet
Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series Neil Patrick Harris
1992 Primetime Emmy Award Won Outstanding Sound Mi xing for a Comedy Series or a Special Joe Kenworthy(production sound mixer)
Bill Thiederman(re-recording mixer)
Dean Okrand(re-recording mixer)
Mike Getlin(re-recording mixer)
(for the episode "Lonesome Doog" )
Nominated Outstanding Cinematography for a Series Michael D. O'Shea
(for the episode "Summer Of '91" )
Golden Globe Award Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical Neil Patrick Harris
Young Artist Award Won Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series
Nominated Best Young Actress Co-starring in a Television Series Lisa Dean Ryan
1993 Primetime Emmy Award Won Outstanding Sound Mi xing for a Comedy Series or a Special Joe Kenworthy(production sound mixer)
Mike Getlin(re-recording mixer)
Dean Okrand(re-recording mixer)
Bill Thiederman(re-recording mixer)
(for the episode "Doogie Got a Gun" )

Cultural influence

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  • Neil Patrick Harris has satirized his years playing a teenage medical doctor several times:
    • In an episode ofRoseanne,Roseanne Conner (Roseanne Barr) has a dream after having undergonebreast reductionsurgery. She goes to the mirror and realizes that her breasts are comically larger than before. Doogie Howser (Harris) comes in and asks an upset Roseanne if they were supposed to be bigger.
    • Barney Stinson(also played by Harris) writes in hiscomputerized diaryat the end of theHow I Met Your Motherepisode "The Bracket,"while theDoogie Howsertheme music plays.[35]In the later episode "The Stinsons,"he also comments," Call me crazy but child actors were way better in the '80s ".
    • In the 2004 comedyHarold & Kumar Go to White Castle,Harris – playing a fictionalized version of himself – claims to have "humped every piece of ass ever on that show" (except the hot nurse, over whom he expresses regret). Harris is referred to as "Doogie Howser" while stealing Harold (John Cho)'s car from the convenience store. InHarold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,Harris remarks, after taking psychotropic mushrooms, "Dude, I was able to perform anappendectomyat 14, I think I can handle a few 'shrooms ".
    • In 2008, Harris appeared in commercials forOld Spicedeodorant, claiming to be an expert because he "used to be a doctor for pretends".
    • During the opening of the 2009TV Land Awards,Harris, who hosted the show, travels through "The TV Land Zone" (a spoof ofThe Twilight Zone), where he finds himself the star of TV classics. At one point, Harris walks into a doctor's office, dressed as Doogie, while theDoogie Howser, M.D.theme plays. After realizing where he is, he storms out, saying, "No no no, not gonna happen! Check my contract!"
    • On the January 10, 2009 episode ofSaturday Night Live,an "SNL Digital Short"featured Harris, the episode's guest host, leading a full orchestra version of theDoogie Howsertheme. When the song concludes, he turns toward the camera and sheds a tear.[36]
    • On the March 14, 2011 episode ofJimmy Kimmel Live!,a "real doctor" played by Harris endorses Kimmel's Jim-Miracle Diet, as theDoogie Howsertheme plays.[37]
    • Harris in 2017 joined other actors from medical television shows inCigna's "TV Doctors of America" advertising campaign for annualcheckups.[38]
  • Neil Patrick Harris played Doogie Howser inThe Earth Day Specialin 1990. In the special, Doogie, along with two other doctors (played byDana DelanyandJames Brolin), are informed by theBack to the Future trilogyscientistEmmett L. Brown(played byChristopher Lloyd) on how to saveMother Nature(played byBette Midler).[39]
  • InAnthony Bourdain's bookKitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly,any blond, good-looking waiter working in his restaurant is immediately nicknamed "Doogie Howser".[40]
  • Smart mice obtained by genetic engineering have been named "Doogie mice"in honor of Harris's character.[41][42]

Real life comparisons

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Balamurali Ambatigraduated from theMount Sinai School of Medicineand obtained his medical license when he was only 17 years old, aGuinness World Record,and has been compared to the fictional Doogie Howser, though Ambati himself disliked the association.[43]

Sho Yano,who became the youngest student to attain an M.D. from theUniversity of Chicagoat 21 years old, has also been called a real-life Doogie Howser.[44]

Doogie Howser has been used as a moniker for several people involved in politics. In 2009, 13-year-old author and speakerJonathan Krohnwas nicknamed "Doogie Howser GOP".[45][46]17-year-old Evan Draim, the youngest delegate at the2012 Republican National Convention,was referred to as a "Doogie Howser of the GOP".[47][48]Republican congressmanAaron Schockhas been referred to as a Doogie Howser for being theyoungest member of Congressin 2009 at 27 years old.[49][50]In 2015,Jon Stewartcalled Schock a "Doogie Howser wannabe" for his travel expenses and activities while still in office.[51][52]

Some teenagers who have impersonated physicians are often referred to as Doogie Howser.[53][54][55]Others who have excelled at a young age have been called Doogie Howser.[56][57]

Reboot

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In April 2020, it was announced that a reboot titledDoogie Kameāloha, M.D.,was in development forDisney+with Kourtney Kang writing and co-executive producing with Melvin Mar,Jake Kasdan,and Bochco's wife, Dayna Bochco and son,Jesse Bochco.The new series focuses on Lahela “Doogie” Kameāloha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a female 16-year-old doctor in Hawaii given her nickname by others who have seenDoogie Howser, M.D..Disney+ gave the series a 10-episode straight-to-series order in September 2020.[58][59]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^"BBC - Comedy Guide - Doogie Howser, MD".Archived fromthe originalon December 5, 2004.
  2. ^"Pilot (at 15:00 mark)".Hulu.
  3. ^"The Grass Ain't Always Greener – Season 1, episode 25 (April 25, 1990)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.I can't help it. I remember everything I read.
  4. ^"The Summer of '91 – Season 3, episode 1 (September 25, 1991)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television. Hulu.
  5. ^"Doogstruck – Season 3, episode 8 (November 20, 1991)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television. Hulu.
  6. ^Courie, Katie."'Give something back – you're graduating from Princeton!' (Princeton University Class Day address on June 1, 2009) ".Princeton Alumni Weekly.July 15, 2009.
  7. ^He began his residency in September 1988, a year before the pilot."Every Dog Has His Doogie – Season 1, episode 12 (November 29, 1989)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television. Hulu.
  8. ^1782 Amalfi Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272."Lonesome Doog – Season 3, episode 6 (October 30, 1991)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television. Hulu.
  9. ^"Thanks for the Memories – Season 3, episode 23 (May 6, 1992)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television. Hulu.
  10. ^Doogie Howser M.D.,Season 1 DVD
  11. ^Adalian, Josef (March 21, 2011)."The Vulture Transcript: Prolific TV Creator David E. Kelley on His Career Hits and Misses".Vulture.New York.RetrievedMarch 21,2011.
  12. ^"Vinnie Video Vici (October 25, 1989)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.
  13. ^"The Doctor, the Wife, her Son and the Job – Season 2, episode 21 (March 13, 1991)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.
  14. ^"It's a Tough Job...But Why Does My Father Have to Do It? – Season 4, episode 13 (January 13, 1993)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.
  15. ^"Planet of the Dateless – Season 2, episode 22 (March 20, 1991)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.
  16. ^"Oh Very Young – Season 2, 11 (November 28, 1990)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.
  17. ^"What You See Ain't Necessarily What You Get – Season 3, episode 18 (March 11, 1992)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.
  18. ^"Educating Janine – Season 3, episode 13 (April 1, 1992)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.
  19. ^"Use a Slurpy, Go to Jail – Season 1, episode 20 (February 28, 1990)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.
  20. ^"Guess Who's Coming to Doogie's – Season 2, episode 2 (September 19, 1990)".Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television.Hulu.
  21. ^ab"The 1991-92 Season FULL Nielsen Ratings...and other interesting tidbits - Sitcoms Online Message Boards - Forums".sitcomsonline.
  22. ^ab"The TV Ratings Guide: 1992-93 Ratings History".
  23. ^"Odyssey, Other Networks Set Fall Slates".Next Tv.September 5, 1999.RetrievedNovember 1,2022.
  24. ^"Doogie Howser M.D.', 'Wonder Years' et. al to Join New Lineup for The Hub Network".Broadway World.August 6, 2010.RetrievedNovember 4,2022.
  25. ^David Lambert (February 4, 2005)."Doogie Howser, M.D. - We've Got Dr. Doogie's DVD Cover Art!".TVShowsOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2012.
  26. ^David Lambert (August 2, 2005)."Doogie Howser, M.D. - Take a look at the front cover for Season 2!".TVShowsOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2012.
  27. ^David Lambert (November 2, 2005)."Doogie Howser, M.D. - Doogie's Getting Kissed On The 3rd Season Set's Cover".TVShowsOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2012.
  28. ^David Lambert (February 16, 2006)."Doogie Howser, M.D. - Package Art For Doogie's Final Season".TVShowsOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2012.
  29. ^David Lambert (March 28, 2008)."Doogie Howser, M.D. - Anchor Bay Preps for Surgery: New Complete Collection Cuts Out in May".TVShowsOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon November 18, 2011.
  30. ^"Doogie Howser, M.D."Hulu.RetrievedOctober 15,2021.
  31. ^MacCary, Julia; Reul, Katie; Flam, Charna (February 16, 2023)."'Abbott Elementary' Star Janelle James to Host Writers Guild Awards (TV News Roundup) ".Variety.
  32. ^"Doogie Howser, M.D. - Season 1 Reviews".Metacritic.RetrievedDecember 30,2014.
  33. ^Scott Weinberg (September 25, 2005)."Doogie Howser, M.D. -- Season Two: DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video".DVD Talk.RetrievedDecember 30,2014.
  34. ^Christopher Smith (January 28, 2006)."DVD corner".Bangor Daily News.RetrievedDecember 30,2014.
  35. ^Alan Sepinwall (March 31, 2008)."HIMYM," The Bracket ": No bets, just slaps".The Star-Ledger.blog.nj.
  36. ^"Digital Short: 'Doogie Howser' Theme".Saturday Night Live (SNL Studios/Broadway Video).Archived fromthe originalon July 5, 2009.
  37. ^Jimmy Kimmel, Neil Patrick Harris (March 14, 2011).The Hottie Body Jim-Miracle Diet.YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2021.
  38. ^Holub, Christian (September 15, 2017)."Neil Patrick Harris, Kate Walsh Join TV Doctors of America For New Video".Entertainment Weekly.
  39. ^A Matter of Time: The Unauthorized Back to the Future LexiconPage 125
  40. ^Anthony Bourdain (2000)."Anthony Bourdain 'Kitchen Confidential'".Kitchen Confidential.Archived fromthe originalon September 25, 2013.
  41. ^Marc D. Hauser (2001). "Swappable Minds".The Next Fifty Years "(Ed. J. Brockman).Vintage Books.
  42. ^Tang YP, Shimizu E, Dube GR, Rampon C, Kerchner GA, Zhuo M, Liu G, Tsien JZ (1999). "Genetic enhancement of learning and memory in mice".Nature.401(6748):63–69.Bibcode:1999Natur.401...63T.doi:10.1038/43432.PMID10485705.S2CID481884.
  43. ^"Teen doctor: 'Just don't call me Doogie'".The Victoria Advocate.May 17, 1995.RetrievedApril 2,2013.
  44. ^Enjoli Francis (June 4, 2012)."M.D. at 21, Sho Yano Is Real-Life 'Doogie Howser'".ABC News.RetrievedApril 2,2013.
  45. ^Chumsky, Susan (April 26, 2013)."The Growing Pains of Jonathan Krohn".The New York Times.
  46. ^"Homeschooler: Jonathan Krohn".alabamahomeschooling.
  47. ^"Meet Evan Draim of Alexandria, the 'Doogie Howser' of the GOP - Alexandria Virginia News - LocalKicks".localkicks.
  48. ^"Evan Draim: 17-year-old delegate at RNC".orlandosentinel.Archived fromthe originalon April 13, 2018.
  49. ^Strzemien, Anya (March 30, 2009)."Aaron Schock," Hottest Freshman, "Talks Doogie Howser And Dating On" Today Show "(VIDEO)"– via Huff Post.
  50. ^"Young Gun".chicagomag.
  51. ^"Jon Stewart Rips Fallen GOP Rep. Aaron Schock: 'Doogie Howser Wannabe' (Video)".thewrap.March 19, 2015.
  52. ^"Jon Stewart Rips Fallen GOP Rep. Aaron Schock: 'Doogie Howser Wannabe' (Video)".yahoo.March 19, 2015.
  53. ^"Doogie Howser Wannabe Busted At Hospital".The Smoking Gun.January 16, 2015.
  54. ^"Florida Teen Arrested for Posing as a Licensed Doctor: Authorities".nbcnews.February 17, 2016.
  55. ^John, Ollie (February 3, 2013)."Doogie Howser Gone Wrong: Teen Arrested for Impersonating a Doctor".Time– via newsfeed.time.
  56. ^Boone, Mario (March 28, 2018)."Ansonia teen hailed a" genius "after perfect score on AP chemistry exam".wtnh.Archived fromthe originalon April 13, 2018.RetrievedApril 12,2018.
  57. ^"20-Year-Old Prosecutor: Young Cooley Grad Sworn Into Florida Bar".findlaw.September 28, 2015.
  58. ^Andreeva, Nellie (September 10, 2020)."'Doogie Howser' Female-Led Reboot 'Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.' Picked Up To Series By Disney+ ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedSeptember 11,2020.
  59. ^Goldberg, Lesley (January 14, 2021)."Andi Mack' star Peyton Elizabeth Lee will take on the role that Neil Patrick Harris originally made famous three decades ago".The Hollywood Reporter.
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