Listening to the synthesized opening credits at the beginning of "Doogie Howser, M.D." again for the first time is like seeing someone you know in a grocery store, but not being able to place them.
All of a sudden, you find yourself humming along to a tune you didn't really think you would remember. It is a tune that has become a part of you, but has been filed away with other embarrassing things like the theme song to "Charles in Charge" and "Fraggle Rock." But anyone who grew up in the '80s watched the Doog. And if they say they didn't, they're lying.
The complete first season of the Doog is finally out on DVD. Each episode is filled with witty dialogue, an important life lesson and - let us not forget - Vinnie Delphino.
The sexually charged antics (much more racy than I picked up on as a child) coupled with the heart-wrenching life-and-death decisions and complete implausibility makes "Doogie Howser, M.D." one of the premier late '80s/early '90s sitcoms.
Each episode is 20 minutes and some change, and there are all 26 episodes in the DVD set. That makes for more than eight hours of non-stop Doogie action.
One episode that is worth noting is "The Ice Queen Cometh" in which Doogie is asked by an attractive middle-aged woman if he would father her child. His raging hormones, Vinnie Delphino and his virginal heart are all conflicted.
Another episode that is considered a classic in many elite circles is "She Ain't Heavy, She's My Cousin" in which Doogie grapples with issues of body image. It will tear your heart out.
And the episode voted most likely to have you in stitches (oh, the pun) is "Vinnie's Blind Date." In this episode, Vinnie starts dating one of Doogie's patients and is worried that she will break up with him once her vision is restored.
The tragedy of the first season, I feel, is that Doogie never got an opportunity to bang Nurse Curly. I'm sure their ratings would have shot through the roof if they had made Doogie just a little more naughty.
Throughout the entire first season, Doogie deals with issues related to sex, death, love, responsibility, gangs, self-image and peer pressure. It's an all around good show that reminds us what the '80s were like. The sitcom is a way to put your finger on the pulse of the country at the time.
The special features leave something to be desired. This is probably because the show makers were not collecting extra footage for DVD release like many sitcom execs are now. But "Doogie Howser" comes with recent interviews with producer Steven Bochco and Neil Patrick Harris. To be honest, the interviews are fairly dull. A "Doog" super-fan might appreciate them more. And the current Neil Patrick Harris is dead to me after playing himself in "Harold and Kumar."
The DVD also comes with Doogie's eight-page journal, which are manufactured entries complete with liner notes by Vinnie and color photos. This so-called journal was also sub par.
But all that doesn't matter. What matters is that "Doogie Howser, M.D." is a classic for anyone who rode the wave of Generation X. Rent this series or buy it for $30. Regret will not be felt.