It never fails to irk: They have ER, Scrubs, House, Grey’s Anatomy and all we have is a pseudo-reality TV show called Emergency Vets.
And while I like ER Vets well enough, you have to agree it's kind of smarmy (you know, feel-goody and tear-jerky). But perhaps I’m not one to opine, seeing as I’m into real reality. You know the kind. It looks less like Survivor and more like going to work in the morning. In fact, I don’t even have a TV (really, there are some of us still out here).
Still, it seems only reasonable that someone high up in the TV machine realize that pets and their doctors are kind of a fun item — beyond the impersonal and kind of clinical pseudo-reality of what’s currently on offer. (And that’s only one show! Aren’t we worthy of more?)
Lawyers have shows aplenty. Forensic people and FBI folks have tons. And regular beat cops are overrepresented as it is. Even morticians have one. For the love of God, why is it that one of America’s most endearing professions has nothing?
Is it that we vets are kind of boring? Already pigeon-holed and not worthy of further exploration? Are we just too darn nice? Or is it that we practice mostly solo and don’t have the enticing work spaces human docs do? Hmmm…
Perhaps it’s that the life and death of pets is not considered as dramatic for the huge audiences TV shows must cater to before networks will accept them. Or maybe it’s that we’re sort of virginal. I mean, nothing yet has hit big-time, media-wise, on the subject of our profession. Could it be that no one wants to take chances with our lily-white reputations?
But why…? (Can you hear the whine in my words?)
I, for one, would watch a vet-themed show. (It might even be enough to get me to pay for cable.) I’ve seen exemplary episodes of the shows listed above. They’re far from the trash TV I’d fear for any profession. In fact, I think vets would make excellent fodder for fun comedic drama, á la Grey’s Anatomy.
Imagine an hour-long drama set in a veterinary teaching hospital. You’ve got vet students, techs, interns, residents, professors and kennel staff. The incestuous nature of the crew is enough to fuel several seasons of drama — even without the pets!
So if anyone out there is smart enough to take this to the bank, be my guest. I’ll happily collaborate — if you ask nicely. After all, we vets are sensitive about our beloved profession. (Can you tell?)
Dr. Patty Khuly
