fri 08/11/2024

Nurse Jackie, BBC Two | reviews, news & interviews

Nurse Jackie, BBC Two

Nurse Jackie, BBC Two

Darkly comic US medical drama makes a welcome return

Acerbic and dripping with irony: Eve Best and Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie

Medical dramas have a never-ending appeal to television viewers; but whereas British versions are more about the heartstrings than open-heart surgery, America prefers its programmes to be done with scalpel-sharp wit and incisive social commentary. So a warm welcome back to Nurse Jackie, a sassily written and joyously dark work set in a New York emergency room, for a second series.

Medical dramas have a never-ending appeal to television viewers; but whereas British versions are more about the heartstrings than open-heart surgery, America prefers its programmes to be done with scalpel-sharp wit and incisive social commentary. So a warm welcome back to Nurse Jackie, a sassily written and joyously dark work set in a New York emergency room, for a second series.

America's crazy health-insurance system is exposed as the dark comedy it is, but politics are never allowed to take centre stage

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Comments

I'm with you about Nurse JackIie--a great show. But I can't let your comment about Hugh Laurie's American accent go unchallenged. I live in the US and can guarantee you that AMericans universally are stunned to discover Mr. Laurie is not American. The ONLY people who moan about his accent are the Brits!! AS if they would know. I think it's just hard for Brits to listen to one of their own speaking "in American." The way I would have a hard time listening to a well known American actor speak "British"--no matter how good his accent was.

Feel exactly the same as Margareth about your Hugh Laurie comment It's indeed always the Brits that can't get used to him doing the American accent. The US media and even US actors always praise him for it, though.

i am scottish (sortof british) and i lived in the us for 8 years...personally i think hugh lauries american accent is cool and have no problem with it at all!

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