Doogie Howser, M.D.
It's a Wonderful Laugh
TV Flash files “It's a Wonderful Laugh” as hour 63 of 97 in the TV Flash guide — Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993) on ABC, season 3, episode 12, aired 1991-12-18, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S03E12: listed hour 63 of 97 in the Doogie Howser, M.D. guide, hour 12 of 24 in season 3. It aired 1991-12-18 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “Truth and Consequences” (S03E11). Next is “Dangerous Reunions” (S03E13).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Doogie discovers the healing power of laughter after an argument with Vinnie and while treating a troubled kidney patient.
Viewer FAQ
Where does It's a Wonderful Laugh sit in the Doogie Howser, M.D. guide?
S03E12 is listed hour 63 of 97 — hour 12 of 24 in season 3, season 3 episode 12.
When did Doogie Howser, M.D. S03E12 air?
It's a Wonderful Laugh aired 1991-12-18 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Why the computer at the end?
Closing PC-journal monologues are the signature device — each case gets a typed moral. The diary is the button, not a subplot.
In the series
Why this series still plays
A teenage doctor journals each case on a glowing computer — Neil Patrick Harris arriving fully formed. Prodigy medical dramedy that treats genius as gift and social handicap. Early-nineties network warmth with a diary punchline and Vinnie as civilian best friend: the kid is the expert, and the room has to live with it.
In medias res at a glowing PC: a teenage surgical prodigy types a moral after the shift, Neil Patrick Harris arriving fully formed, the kid already the expert in the room. Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley created the ABC dramedy (1989–1993). Max can keep his prodigy-as-content pipelines; this is early-1990s network warmth with a diary punchline. Genius as gift and social handicap. Max Casella's Vinnie as civilian best friend. The room has to live with the expert being sixteen. Closing computer-journal monologues…
Filed against
- Neil Patrick Harris as Doogie Howser
Neil Patrick Harris arrived fully formed as Doogie Howser, the teenage doctor journaling cases on a glowing computer, then minted Barney as How I Met Your Mother’s catchphrase engine — slap bets, yellow umbrellas, a finale still in…
- Max Casella as Vinnie Delpino
Max Casella was Vinnie Delpino on Doogie Howser, M.D. — the civilian best friend who made a teenage doctor look like a kid instead of a stunt. Early-nineties network warmth, a glowing computer diary, genius as social handicap. TV Flash…
- James B. Sikking as David Howser
James B. Sikking’s David Howser grounded Doogie Howser, M.D. — teenage doctor, glowing computer diary, 1990s network warmth with a prodigy as gift and social handicap. Father as the civilian weather around a kid in scrubs. TV Flash files…
- Belinda Montgomery as Katherine Howser
Belinda Montgomery’s Katherine Howser mothered Doogie Howser, M.D. — a teenage doctor journaling each case on a glowing computer, Neil Patrick Harris arriving fully formed, prodigy as gift and social handicap. Early-nineties network…
- Lawrence Pressman as Dr. Benjamin Canfield
Lawrence Pressman's Dr. Benjamin Canfield parented Doogie Howser, M.D. from the grown-up chair — a teenage doctor journaling cases on a glowing computer, Neil Patrick Harris arriving fully formed, prodigy as gift and social handicap. TV…