Emergency!

[Sideshow Spock]

As a child of the 70s, I loved Emergency.. what kid wouldn't love those flashy fire-engines and sirens? The appeal is obvious..

The 70s ended, and my whole life went by. Then, a few weeks ago, I tuned in to Emergency for the first time (since those old days), courtesy of MeTV..

I was amazed by what I saw.. this show was serious! I was expecting fire engines and silly Johnny Gage, yes.. but what I got were long, detailed medical procedures and examinations with the good doctors and nurses of Rampart Hospital. And an incredible variety of creative scenarios where the firefighting and life-saving skills of Squad and Engine 51 were put to the test, time after time. There's barely a moment for a bite to eat or chat with Dixie before the next call comes in!

So while the kid in me only remembers those cool trucks rolling out of that station with sirens wailing, the adult appreciates that this show was really very smart and quite ahead of its time..

[HardyGirl]

I love that show, but it's on before I get home. It really was a great show. I love it and the cartoon version as well.

[Mikey]

I loved the show.

The only thing that get's tedious sometimes is the long resue scenes with a just a bass guitar playing in the background

Sometimes these scenes remind me of Stewie --- mom ? mom? mom ? mom? mom ? mom? mom ? mom? etc

[EmergencyIan]

Of course, it's no secret that I love the series. I used to watch it on Saturday nights and subsequently Monday through Friday in the afternoons. I would play "Emergency!" whenever the show was on. One end of the couch would be the front of Squad 51. I had all of the equipment, etc. Raggedy Andy and Ann were the victims. Additionally, in adulthood, I became a paramedic as a direct result of my love for the series.

After "Emergency!" left the air (in syndcation) in the late 1980s, I felt a bit lost. I really missed it. I didn't have any episodes on video, at that point. At times, I would go to the library and look of articles about the series in old magazines. Eventually, around 1990, I found a guy on the east coat who owned a shop called Vintage Video. He was able to supply me with the entire series on VHS. The quality wasn't great, but it was super for me. Around the same time, I discovered ToyShop magazine and began collecting other "Emergency!" related items.

My wife is now a fan of the series (and Randolph Mantooth). We'll watch an episode with dinner some night. We've gotten through the entire series once, so far.

Lastly, "Emergency!" is in the Smithsonian for it's public service. In 2001, helmets, badges, uniforms and medical equipment used on the series were donated to the musuem after a requested for the items was made. An official ceremony was also held in Washington, D.C., at the time. Amoung the attendies were the stars of the series. When the series came on the air in 1971 there were only 3 paramedic programs in the country. By the time the series ended in 1979, there were over 400 paramedic programs around the United States and almost the entire population was within minutes of paramedic level emergency medical care. When "Emergency!" first came on the air, almost no one knew what a paramedic was.

- Ian

[johnnystorm]

The show holds up remarkably well I think...don't know how much the actual procedures have changed, but I still enjoy watching it. I'm surprised no one has revived it or Adam-12 , even as reality series using the names.

[EmergencyIan]

The show holds up remarkably well I think...don't know how much the actual procedures have changed, but I still enjoy watching it. I'm surprised no one has revived it or Adam-12 , even as reality series using the names.

I agree that the series does hold up well. Though, I'm not exactly partial...lol

- Ian

[Duncan]

So while the kid in me only remembers those cool trucks rolling out of that station with sirens wailing, the adult appreciates that this show was really very smart and quite ahead of its time..

I agree, and I shared your surprise in seeing as an adult just how serious the show was. I loved it as a kid, and now I also respect it as an adult.


*Edited because I forgot to mention that Dixie was hot. Every post about Emergency! should include that.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I still use "Start an IV; 30ccs ringers lactate" whenever something goes awry.... Used it last night, actually.

There were a few really good action/adventure shows like this at the time. I think a big part of why they were so good was 'cos they didn't waste a lot of time with tacked on, BS "character" bits.

Don C.

[Allie Fox]

Loved it then and love it now.

Netflix streams both Emergency and Adam-12.

Remember when the sydicated version was called Emergency One?


After reading this thread I went to Netflix and checked out an episode from Season 5; Communications. It was really good. In fact there were two distinct rarities in the episode. First; Dr. Brackett and Dixie travelled by ambulance to a call to assist Gage and DeSoto with a possible amputation (he wasn't needed and the boy was okay) and Second; Gage and DeSoto responded to a suicide attempt of a girl who refused treatment. They waited until she went unconscious and immediatly rendered aid. They were told later that she had died. I don't remember citizens dying very often. A shame too. She was a beautiful girl.

[Duncan]

Hmmmm....

I still use "Start an IV; 30ccs ringers lactate" whenever something goes awry.... Used it last night, actually.

Yeah, I mean what's the point of an IV if it doesn't have ringers, amIright?

[Bionicfanboy66]

There was a syndicated revival of Adam 12 and Dragnet in the early 90's. Neither updates were successful. NBC should revive Emergency, though. CBS has had success with the current Hawaii Five-0, so come on, NBC/Universal. Quit wasting money on the high brow sitcoms and reality shows.

[Splitty]

.....I was amazed by what I saw.. this show was serious! I was expecting fire engines and silly Johnny Gage, yes.. but what I got were long, detailed medical procedures and examinations with the good doctors and nurses of Rampart Hospital. And an incredible variety of creative scenarios where the firefighting and life-saving skills of Squad and Engine 51 were put to the test, time after time. There's barely a moment for a bite to eat or chat with Dixie before the next call comes in! .....

Ya got that right! It's an awesome show!
I too watched it as a kid and friggin' loved it. I figured it wouldn't hold up well, but a local channel has been running it every night now and it's really great. Also, had a huge crush on Johnny when I was a kid, and hot damn! That still holds up too.
The new rescue shows (lately I've been peeping Chicago Fire) only have a few minutes of rescue and the rest 80% of the show is sudsy soap opera with cliche storylines. bleh. I'm such an adrenaline rescue freak that the recent reruns of Emergency with tons of realistic rescues have spoiled me.
I do always get a kick though of how they ask the homeowners if they can borrow the phone, then rotary dial the hospital.

Plus, for a serious show, it has plenty of surprisingly comedic moments.
The recent episode I'm re-dubbing 'Paramedics on Ice' had me laughing so hard I spilled the coffee I was holding.