Chicago Hope episode
Question:
So, what’s everyone’s opinion?
Response:
Perhaps because I missed Mauray’s show, I made an effort to watch Chicago Hope tonight. I don’t know how others felt about it, but looking past the mediocre acting, (on all accounts), the not so thinly disguised message of "outward appearances can be far from the *inner* person" was conveniently parlayed into the burn victim, and the Barbie doll situation… she just found a way for her true self to be seen, and so did the Doctor, in the operating room. I just couldn’t get past the character acting…. I mean Lauren Holly, criticizing someone for wanting to look like Barbie, and here we have an actress with long blonde dyed tresses, (I always thought she looked better as a short haired brunette… but I know that wasn’t her inner self <G>). The one doctor, (don’t know his name), the calm one with short dark graying curly hair, seemed to be a walking public service announcement for TS, it appeared to me that he did say ALL the right things in regard to TS, (except for the "demons" thing implying that there is an inherent "badness" to highly creative areas of our brain), even if in a monotone, unnatural sounding dialogue. At the end was the Bayside address and contact information, but the announcement to the effect of, "if you think you know someone who might have undiagnosed Tourette’s…." I know that wasn’t exactly the words… but you’d have to think if anyone had TS as prominently as did the portrayed doctor, it most likely wouldn’t be undiagnosed. I did think they dealt with the obvious stereotypes, but in away perhaps that does create a "worst fears coming true" scenario for parents with younger kids with TS… (no chance for loving relationships, having to prove your professional credentials over and over, getting physically thrown out of restaurants, etc…), and not to say these things don’t happen, but in the Hollywood way, they "all" happened in the "worst" case scenarios in one hour. I really think it is hard for me to be objective anymore about how TS *is* portrayed in the media, maybe I should just stop watching the "portrayals"… after all I live with it’s portrayal everyday. Marietta AST visitor and contributor since -1996
Response:
I liked everything except the incongruous temper tantrum in Dr. Jerk’s office. The relationship issues hit home. Loved the way he kicked A in the end, with dignity and humility. He stole my tic. I’ve been saying "dead dog, dead dog" for years now! — Joanne Carole D <cdan…@alias.flash.net> wrote in article <JddL3.4958$0l6.9…@news.flash.net>… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> So, what’s everyone’s opinion?
Response:
Dr. Geiger was his usual AH (a%%Hole) self. For the most part I was happy with how ts and ocd was portrayed. BTW what do you all think….does Dr. Geiger have ocd????? You know the pants thing, where he has to take his pants off because they make this noise. Candice
Response:
When the doctor sat down with the parents to tell about TS, I thought " cool, he is going to give some good information here". I Was sadly disappointed. What an opportunity (missed)!!! At least at the end they gave the TSA address and phone number though. Every little bit helps. Jodi
Response:
I also thought that perhaps he might, when he said "Dead Duck" and then stated that it just came out, he couldn’t help himself. Also, his hatred of the doctor with TS (I’ve forgotten his name) indicated that he might have some fears of his own condition. I never saw the show before. Is he a regular character? The credits listed him as "Special Guest Star." Bobbie
Response:
Cansas <can…@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19991008014052.05998.00000540@ng-ch1.aol.com… > Dr. Geiger was his usual AH (a%%Hole) > self. For the most part I was happy with how ts and ocd was portrayed. BTW > what do you all think….does Dr. Geiger have ocd????? You know the pants > thing, where he has to take his pants off because they make this noise. > Candice
I wondered about that one myself. Never having seen C.H. before, I didn’t know if this was some sort of chronic theme with him or not. OCD, looks like it to me!! 
KAT in CT
Response:
JBene43090 <jbene43…@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19991008035336.18175.00000090@ng-da1.aol.com… > When the doctor sat down with the parents to tell about TS, I thought " cool, > he is going to give some good information here". I Was sadly disappointed. > What an opportunity (missed)!!! > At least at the end they gave the TSA address and phone number though. Every > little bit helps. > Jodi
There were things about this show I did not like. What I did like, was the representation of Dr. Carl (sp?) as kind, gentle, empathetic, capable, top of his field, creative, and very, very caring man. Someone I would definitely covet as a friend. I found myself feeling very ‘close’ to him. I also happen to like Rene’ Auberjunois (sp?), for his role as ‘ODO’ in Deep Space Nine. Interesting parallel in rolls here for all ya’ll Star Trek fans, don’t ya’ think? Anyway, I was a bit disturbed by the restaurant scene. I thought it was terribly overdone, and not entirely accurate in the implication that his coprolalia was directly related to her rejection of his affections, in his ‘choice’ of words. (Joanne, what think ye about this?) (Al and I both cried at this scene. It was painful, for a lot of reasons.) Also, he was portrayed as something of a ‘loose cannon,’ that could be provoked to violence by the ignorant machinations of, as Jo called him, "Dr. Jerk." Overall, I found the character had real ‘charisma,’ charm, and, trying to think as though I didn’t know anything about all this stuff, is one which would/should, engender more understanding and respect from those who don’t know anything about TS, prior caveats nothwithstanding. KAT In CT
Response:
Fabulous!!! Only two questions: 1. Who says TS isn’t a sexy condition? How ’bout the third degree burn??? 2. I don’t watch TV – is that THE Mandy Potamkin? How did someone with THAT vocal talent end up acting on television? What happened to Broadway? BB2 – oops, that makes five questions … Always glad for the little bit of positive. And it’s a good thing the pity party I threw for myself is over – nobody but Alex came anyway. Nice party, huh, Alex ??
Response:
>I never saw the show before. Is he a regular character? The credits listed >him as "Special Guest Star.">Bobbie
He used to be. I watched it last year and then quit when it started to get strange. He quit for awhile and then would come back for guest appearances. Candice
Response:
>I wondered about that one myself. Never having seen C.H. before, I didn’t >know if this was some sort of chronic theme with him or not. >OCD, looks like it to me!!:-)>KAT in CT
Yep, it’s a big part of who he is. Whenever he can’t deal with something he goes to his office and walks around, he must 1st take off his pants because of the noise the pants make. He can also sit for hours watching his electric train in his office. Candice
Response:
>2. I don’t watch TV – is that THE Mandy Potamkin?
Yes it is. How did someone >with THAT vocal talent end up acting on television? What happened to >Broadway?
He has gotten to sing on the show in the past. I think he’s still doing stuff on Broadway. >BB2 – oops, that makes five questions … >Always glad for the little bit of positive. And it’s a good thing the >pity party I threw for myself is over – nobody but Alex came anyway. >Nice party, huh, Alex ??
I missed this, I don’t read every post. Hope everything is okay. Candice
Response:
Dr. Jerk has a rep of taking off his pants in the office because they make a ’swishing’ sound when he walks. A year or so ago, when I watched the show, he was the loose cannon that the cute doc referred to him being in the end. — Joanne KATHRYN A TAUBERT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > does Dr. Geiger have ocd????? You know the pants > > thing, where he has to take his pants off because they make this noise. > > Candice > I wondered about that one myself. Never having seen C.H. before, I didn’t > know if this was some sort of chronic theme with him or not.
Response:
– Joanne BlessedBy2 : > 1. Who says TS isn’t a sexy condition? How ’bout the third degree > burn??? > 2. I don’t watch TV – is that THE Mandy Potamkin?
1. That part bothered me too. 2. That’s The Mandy. Once or twice they show him in a piano bar playing and singing. Jo
Response:
BlessedBy2 wrote: > Fabulous!!! > Only two questions: > 1. Who says TS isn’t a sexy condition? How ’bout the third degree > burn??? > 2. I don’t watch TV – is that THE Mandy Potamkin? How did someone > with THAT vocal talent end up acting on television? What happened to > Broadway?
It’s Patinkin actually. Few actors these days have as much of a bias against TV as was once common. Part of the reason is more challenging roles and stories than is found in the Movie world, which has generally become geared to the teenage male audience, and far better pay and a wider audience than in the theater world, where the big money on Broadway goes to production values and Andrew Lloyd Webber. He has a limited role on the series, though he is supposed to appear more this season than in past seasons. This allows him to spend more time with his east coast based family, and to do other projects as they become available. Ellen
Response:
Why does the media always portray the worst case senorios when most of us do not go to the extreme as this man did?
Response:
Wwwjam wrote: > Why does the media always portray the worst case senorios when most of us do > not go to the extreme as this man did?
There are a few reasons I can think of right off the top of my head. First, a drama isn’t really "the Media", at least not in the sense of the News media. Secondly, in any performance medium, one has to condense and exaggerate in order to convey a message in a limited amount of time. True "slice of life" productions aren’t very interesting in any one particular hour. Having said that, I don’t think that a worst case scenario was shown here. The worst would be that the man didn’t become a surgeon because of his TS, or that he would be fired or lose his license to practise. As much as I disdain the cruder representations of TS, such as those that use it as the basis of a gag, eventually, as knowledge of living successfully with the more severe forms becomes widely known, as shows like this one should help, there will one day be characters in dramas and comedies who are characters first, and just happen to have TS second. This is a stereotype struggle that any minority group endures when portrayed in the dramatic arts. It is still rare to see a character who just happens to be black, or gay, or overweight, etc, without the condition being the main issue. That is changing slowly, but the tendency to cast based on stereotypes is deep and ingrained, and has to be consciously challenged by actors and directors all the time. Ellen
Response:
Just to put in my two cents worth, I thought the show was done well, very entertaining and I can’t help but believe that many people that never heard of TS or knew very little about it now have a better understanding. Gary
Response:
Yep, that’s a thing that we seem destined to live with. But at least they showed that he was the best surgeon in his field in SPITE of the severity. BB2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Wwwjam wrote: > Why does the media always portray the worst case senorios when most of us do > not go to the extreme as this man did?
Response:
Gary wrote: << Just to put in my two cents worth, I thought the show was done
well, very entertaining and I can’t help but believe that many people that never heard of TS or knew very little about it now have a better understanding. >> Both my husband and I had chance to watch. His immediate, spontaneous comment was that it’s about time they focused on the positive. I had mixed feelings, and although I felt the same as he, I was concerned about the portrayal of the extreme without giving attention to those whose cases are less severe. I do not believe that those whose TS is severe should be hidden; however, by portraying only those whose symptoms are the extreme, the majority are not gaining more recognition. This may have a negative backlash on the majority in that it can result in further lack of acknowledgment of TS in themselves as well as by others which can further reduce their credibility, acceptance, and understanding in the eyes of others when TS-related difficulties surface. We have a family member who has hx. of both motor and vocal tics as well as sensory integration difficulties and bilateral touching. This relative does not accept that our children have symptoms which warrant TS dx (because they don’t curse or bark), and also expressed, out-of-the blue that she has never had any OC behaviors. (Someone must have suggested that to her). Yet, she has put herself through exploratory surgeries and gone from dr. to dr. seeking assistance for related physical symptoms. She is also in a health/education-related profession. Had there been more understanding of what TS is all about, she might have received the help she needed sooner, so that she could have been a happier and more productive member of society. She was unable to work for many years at her profession because she could not keep up with the demands of a regular work day or that of a teacher. She is currently on an SSRI but told us that it was for an unrelated physical symptom. How many others are there in our society who could benefit if TS were better understood by both medical professionals and the public. Depicting only the extreme cases may make others more aware that TS exists, but it isn’t going to help the great majority who may very well be under-served in terms of receiving or even seeking the assistance they need to better function.
Response:
FANGBASHER wrote:
I was concerned about the portrayal of the > extreme without giving attention to those whose cases are less severe. > I do not believe that those whose TS is severe should be hidden; however, by > portraying only those whose symptoms are the extreme, the majority are not > gaining more recognition.
——— You have to remember that this is not a news or talk show, but a drama. One could portray someone with mild tics, but what would be the point. If the tics have nothing to do with the story line, why include it. It would be different if the actor/actress actually had TS and they gave him/her the part in spite of the tics. Gary
Response:
Gary wrote: << You have to remember that >this is not a news or talk show, but
a drama. >One could portray someone with mild tics, >but what would be the point. >If the tics have nothing to do with the story >line, why include it. It >would be different if the actor/actress >actually had TS and they gave >him/her the part in spite of the tics. >>
Gary, I thought of that. However, last Saturday I had the opportunity to hear three speakers at a TSA conference who had some involvement in the show, which included a neurologist from UCLA, Jeff Kramer (a producer who has TS as does 2 of his sons), and Dr. Mort Doran about the ‘idea’ of this episode was based (fictitiously). Neither Jeff Kramer’s tics and OC behaviors were this severe nor were those shown by Dr. Moran. Although Dr. Doran does have on-going OC rituals and tics and talked about his own rages, I did not get the impression that they were of the degree or style that was portrayed. As I stated, the positive message did come through and for that I think more awareness and hopefully more understanding will occur; however, that might also have more of a negative impact on those who are less severe. They may have less credibility because they do not ‘look’ or ‘act’ as bad even though some of the same internal struggles might be taking place. Sympathy may have been gained for those whose cases are extreme; however, others who say they have difficulties related to TS might be held in scorn and looked at as ‘whiners’ and ‘complainers’ when held in comparison with what the most extreme are dealing with. And those who are struggling daily, going to dr. to dr., whose cases have not yet been identified by others or self-recognized are to ‘get it’ from shows like these and may even be less likely to get the correct dx nor even accept it because they and others see that they are "not like that." Their emotional pain and functioning difficulties are just as ‘real’ and might be even greater than those whose symptoms are extreme, because of their chronic nature and resultant debilitating effects. The dx’s, understanding, and treatment they eventually do get may be all wrong because their symptoms have not been recognized for what they are. Portrayals of those who are most extreme can have more negative impact, overall, on the majority. That is not to say they shouldn’t have recognition. However, this latest episode of Chicago Hope might have been an excellent time to ALSO discuss the issues of Dr. Geiger in a more diagnostic way and perhaps, initiate some type of further discussion about such and possible intervention for him.
Response:
It is generally not my style to emphasize the negative, but there was another issue about the show that disturbed me. That was when they talked about the treatment being worse than the symptoms themself. Although that might have been the case in the past, it is not what is going on now. It might lead many to resist consideration of some of the newer medications that have been so helpful to some. Although I have written enough about our child who was fortunate to have a medication that changed her symptoms around without side effects, hearing the comment re. medication may have reinforced our reluctance to medically treat. I am not talking about mild symptoms. I am talking about a child who could not walk across rooms without engaging in multiple bilateral movements (it took about 5 minutes to get across certain rooms), who had palilalia, repetitive speach, throat clearing, neck jerks, jaw tics, leg kicks, and combined movement of neck jerk, mouth jerk, and slapping forhead repeatedly in on-going movements. Rather than participating in activities, she started going off in the corner to engage in tics. This is when we decided to intervene, and the treatment worked. We had been scared to consider treatment, fearing our child would no longer be ‘her.’ Actually, the tics and OC behaviors had been what had interfered with ‘who’ she was. Our fears were unfounded. She was not treated (over a 5 year period) with the older medications but a leser known one that had no side effects for her. I do not know if her tics and OC behaviors would have gone away on their own without it, but we know she would not have had the positive childhood experiences that she had if our fears of treatment had prevented us from intervention. Had I seen a show, even one that was fictitious, that reinforced my pre-existing negative views of medication, I may very well have refused to even consider. Our child is now 13, loves her life, is in high school, on school dance team and is involved in several other extra-curricular school-related and outside activities. She has many friends and was nominated and elected for a leadership position. She is going to her first formal high school home coming dance–and despite other age-related interfering problems (i.e. broken out face) because of allt the positives has been able to handle without much concern. Please excuse this long-winded post and following sentence–but do hope that it might be of help to others (or at least someone) in their understanding of the TS spectrum and hopefully get them to take the initiative to better educate themselves along with looking into all available options in dealing with TS so that it does become a positive factor in their or their childrens’ lives.
Response:
Fangbasher WITH PARAGRAPH BreakS !!!! A very nice, readable post <grin> with some great points !!! Yessssssssss … LOL, BB2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -FANGBASHER wrote: > Gary, I thought of that. However, last Saturday I had the opportunity to hear > three speakers at a TSA conference who had some involvement in the show, which > included a neurologist from UCLA, Jeff Kramer (a producer who has TS as does 2 > of his sons), and Dr. Mort Doran about the ‘idea’ of this episode was based > (fictitiously). > Neither Jeff Kramer’s tics and OC behaviors were this severe nor were those > shown by Dr. Moran. Although Dr. Doran does have on-going OC rituals and tics > and talked about his own rages, I did not get the impression that they were of > the degree or style that was portrayed. > As I stated, the positive message did come through and for that I think more > awareness and hopefully more understanding will occur; however, that might also > have more of a negative impact on those who are less severe. > They may have less credibility because they do not ‘look’ or ‘act’ as bad even > though some of the same internal struggles might be taking place. > Sympathy may have been gained for those whose cases are extreme; however, > others who say they have difficulties related to TS might be held in scorn and > looked at as > ‘whiners’ and ‘complainers’ when held in comparison with what the most extreme > are dealing with. > And those who are struggling daily, going to dr. to dr., whose cases have not > yet been identified by others or self-recognized are to ‘get it’ from shows > like these and may even be less likely to get the correct dx nor even accept it > because they and others see that they are "not like that." > Their emotional pain and functioning difficulties are just as ‘real’ and might > be even greater than those whose symptoms are extreme, because of their > chronic nature and resultant debilitating effects. The dx’s, understanding, > and treatment they eventually do get may be all wrong because their symptoms > have not been recognized for what they are. > Portrayals of those who are most extreme can have more negative impact, > overall, on the majority. That is not to say they shouldn’t have recognition. > However, this latest episode of Chicago Hope might have been an excellent time > to ALSO discuss the issues of Dr. Geiger in a more diagnostic way and perhaps, > initiate some type of further discussion about such and possible intervention > for him.
Response:
FANGBASHER wrote: > Please excuse this long-winded post and following sentence–but do hope that it > might be of help to others (or at least someone) in their understanding of the > TS spectrum and hopefully get them to take the initiative to better educate > themselves along with looking into all available options in dealing with TS so > that it does become a positive factor in their or their childrens’ lives.
I LOVE long posts when I can read them with paragraphs ))) BB2
