Fifteen Years Ago, History Channel's 'The Kennedys' Earned 10 Emmy Nominations Despite Production Hurdles

Fifteen years ago, History Channel's 'The Kennedys' earned 10 Emmy nominations despite barely making it to air. The miniseries, which chronicled the political dynasty, overcame significant production hurdles to achieve critical recognition. In a related retrospective, the article highlights how 'St. Elsewhere, though never an outright hit, punched well above its weight in launching careers and setting the template for medical dramas that followed.

Created by Joshua Brand and John Falsey, the show followed staff and patients at a struggling Boston hospital over six seasons on NBC from 1982 to 1988. Like its fellow NBC show 'Hill Street Blues' (both from MTM Enterprises), 'St. Elsewhere' pioneered a new kind of storytelling. Hospital dramas before it focused mainly on a lead character whose personal struggles didn't interfere with their work and presented the healthcare system as orderly and well-functioning (see 'Marcus Welby, M.D. and 'Trapper John, M.D.'). 'St. Elsewhere' broke that mold by featuring an ensemble cast and depicting the hospital as chaotic and flawed.