How Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. Pays Tribute To Doogie Howser, M.D.

If you’ve yet to see the coming-of-age dramedy Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., which premiered on Disney+ September 8, you don’t know what you’re missing. 

The new show, as the title suggests, was inspired by  Doogie Howser, M.D. and there are lots of fun was the new Doogie pays tribute to the old Doogie Howser (which ran on ABC from 1989 – 1993.) 

The first time you encounter this with the theme song which is a fresh take on the original.  Because the new Doogie is set in Hawaiian the original song was performed on ukulele by Hawaiian artist Jake Shimabukuro. 

Another similarity is that like Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris) had BFF Vinnie (Max Casella),  Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee)has Steph Denisco (Emma Meisel.) Similar to the original show, you will see new Doogie’s BFF climb through her bedroom window just like Vinnie used to in the original Doogie. 

Then, there’s one of the most popular aspect of the original Doogie which was ending every day updating his original journal.  This is carried through to the new series where at the end of every episode you can see Lahela recording a video diary message at the end of her day. 

 So how does Lahela get the Doogie nickename!? This is my favorite! the show is set in a world in which Neil Patrick Harris was an actor who played Doogie  Howser on television. Because Lahela is a young doctor/prodigy, she has been saddled with the nickname by her friends and colleagues. 

Last, but most importantly, although Doogie Howser MD creator Steven Bochco passed away back in 2018, his widow Dayna Bochco as well as his son Jesse Bochco served as executive producers of Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.

Dayna had this to say regarding the new show, “We felt very confident going forward because they were always respectful of what Steven had done and were also respectful of the ideas behind the concept: a child prodigy who doesn’t fit in either world,” Dayna said. “He would have loved the show. I know he would.”

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