NBC (Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m. ET)
Though overequipped with distracting extras—-flashes of fantasy, slapstick sound effects—-this dark comedy definitely grows on you.
In the Oct. 2 premiere, interns "J.D." Dorian (likable Zach Braff), Chris Turk (Donald Faison) and Elliott Reid (Sarah Chalke) started work at a hospital that appears hazardous to staffers' mental health. Dr. Bob Kelso (Ken Jenkins), chief of medicine, masks his seething hostility with smiley pleasantries. Dr. Phil Cox (John C. McGinley), J.D.'s unwilling mentor, flaunts his cynicism and insensitivity yet sometimes makes a stunning amount of sense. Nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes) is savvy and sexy—just ask Turk—but a bit intimidating.
The Oct. 16 episode, in which J.D. befriends an old woman (The West Wing's Kathryn Joosten) who calmly refuses life-prolonging treatment, occasionally strains for wackiness but ends by approaching wisdom.
Bottom Line: Vital signs okay
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