No patience with doctors

Press, 20 March 1982, Page 13

No patience with doctors

Review

Ken Strongman

Have you noticed that sometimes a person's name is remarkably apt for his occupation? An Auckland policeman, Ted Trappit. springs to mind as an example. An even better example however, is Australia's Channel 9 production mentor. Reg Grundy. What a name to conjure with — Grundy. With enviable precision, it encapsulates fatwittedness. And nothing could be more appropriate. Instead of “Chopper Squad," at present there is a dose of “The Young Doctors" every weekday at 5.30. The chances are that not many adults watch television at this time. Keep it that way; avoid this programme at all costs. It is abysmal. One could not conceive of television sinking much deeper. It is the sort of programme which promotes fond thoughts of “Coronation Street” and saving graces ih Selwyn Toogood. In this nadir of early evening viewing, doors slam and eyes pierce, teeth grin and mouths hiss and whisper, shout and boom. People constantly give one another advice. They are surrounded by the dramatic turmoil and paraphernalia of the hospital with its heart-wrenching stories of deeply moving human interest. As writers, use seems to have been made of the same team of itinerant kangaroos that did so well in “Chopper Squad." Consider these gems from Thursday’s episode. “Self-pity is a great comfort sometimes, but don’t let it become a career.” “You threw it all away wjth a night on the town with a playboy five years younger than you.” And best of all: “I don't know what is harder, dying or being made to look a fool.”

If New Zealand were popu-

lated with medics as vastly stupid as those on the “The Young Doctors” there would be cause for concern. Basically, one wants one’s brain surgeon to have a few neurons of his (her?) own. Why do we buy this trash from Australia? If we must continue to do so because of Closer Televisual Relationships, then cannot it be screened in the still watches of the night? Timed as it is. it is seen only, by children careworn and passive after school, and by thorough, bright-eyed, alert reviewers. Perhaps it is worth watching just one episode,.to see what might be influencing your children. Shallow' values-, crude morality and simperingly oversimplified relationships. It should be drummed off the screen. It makes a pleasant

change to be able to say a kind word about an American production, even if it is partly in contrast to trarisTasman offerings. “The Best of the West” is really not too bad. It has cleverly amalgamated all the old western cliches and blown them up. It g could be awful, and sometimes is. but there are amusing moments. The writing is sharp and some of the interchanges sparkle. “No more getting drunk and no more drawing dirty pictures." “Whats left?” What indeed? Unfortunately, following “The Best of the West” there is a slide back down the abyss. “Simon and Simon" are yet another pair of funliving. wise-cracking 'tecs keeping tjieir integrity in the face of a crumbling society. At last the gnomes of

American television have realised that people have been wondering about all these overly friendly duos riding their cars into adventure. Simon and Simon are brothers. What a development. What hidden depths of creativity remain as yet untapped in the world of the TV cop? I'll bet Reg Grundy could come up with something.