As the 2008-09 television season ends and networks begin to reveal plans for their 2009-10 schedules, a surprising pattern emerges.
Pilots in contention for the upcoming season include NBC's Legally Mad, with Kristin Chenoweth as an attorney with flashes of psychosis, and FOX's Maggie Hill, whose title character is a heart surgeon with schizophrenia. Canada’s Showcase recently ordered Shattered, a 13-episode series starring Callum Keith Rennie as an ex-detective with dissociative identity disorder.
Renewed freshmen series Fringe and 90210 feature main characters coping with psychiatric conditions. And among the more senior series, House led up to Monday's season finale with a storyline involving suicide and Hugh Laurie's dysfunctional doctor questioning his sanity after confronting his inner Cutthroat Bitch: Wilson's dead girlfriend Amber appeared to him as a facet of his tormented psyche.
More than ever, writers and networks seem to be embracing the idea that compelling stories can be mined from complex psychological issues. As mental health organizations work to reduce the stigma and more people open up about their own struggles with mental health, today's audiences tend to expect better than simplistic or offensive depictions. In other (simplistic) words: psychotic killers are out, protagonists dealing with psychoses are in.
"Audiences are definitely more sophisticated now. We know stigma has gone down — we've studied that," said Dr. Nada Stotland, M.D., president of the American Psychiatric Association.
"You know a TV program is a TV program, but the closer it gets to looking like reality, the more you believe it," she added. That worries her when it comes to how dramas represent mental health issues — "even people with some sophistication can be swayed by depictions on television" — but it should also cause writers to worry about inaccuracy in their scripts. After all, if it doesn't feel real, a show risks losing its bond with the audience.
"I think it's much more difficult nowadays for programs to get away with extremely inaccurate, damaging portrayals of mental illness, partly because the general public is more sensitive and informed and partly because the advocacy groups won't stand for it," Stotland said.
"I agree that we are seeing television shows address mental health issues more than ever," is the opinion of Dr. Deborah Serani, Psy.D., a psychologist and psychoanalyst who has worked as a technical advisor for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. "For a long time, mental health issues were characterized inaccurately. However, now more than ever, the mental health community and professional organizations watchdog television media. I think sensationalism has been replaced with realism in the entertainment industry as a result."
Article comments
1 - Gerry
What a wonderful article, Diane Kristine. Despite some backlash from a few critics, I think the Kutner suicide was a very realistic depiction of what can happen and it's led to a very powerful storyline with House.
2 - Deb
This is such a beautifully written article on a much needed topic.
3 - Phillip Winn
Very nice take on this, Diane. The tone of House has definitely shifted in the last few episodes, but you're right: I'd forgotten how often they've dealt with similar issues over the last few years.
Nobody's normal, so why should our TV be? :-)
4 - Rhoda
Great article, and a great wider exploration of mental illness in the entertainment world. For something that's hard to "show," I think "House" has taken some very interesting steps by using "Amber," as noted. And as a whole the entire series is an entertaining exploration of someone who refuses to fit into the societal norm. (Though I also think "The Social Contract" this season gave us another look at how House understands the implications of his failure to conform, as well as what would happen if he had no censor at all.)
5 - cj_housegirl
A really interesting article Diane. House I think has always tried to portray mental illness with respect. I also know David Shore has said several times that they need to occasionally show House battling his dependence to Vicodin so viewers don't get a sense of disrespect about the consequences of drug abuse. It's a show that has never shied away from tough issues and usually presents them in a different light or narrative than is usually shown in Hollywood. I loved Simple Explanation for this reason. I'm still in love with House after five years.
It's interesting that there seems to be a mental illness "trend" in television though.
6 - Boffle
Excellent article, Diane, and spot on about the depictions of mental illness in media laately. As a long time House fan, I'd say one of the reasons I have stuck with the show is the straight-on depiction of the struggles house goes through in dealing with his life, the reasons for his drug addiction, how his constant pain affects his life, and how hard it is for him and those around him. It's a layered and complicated portrayal that just gets more interesting as it goes on. I've read many comments referring to Kutner's suicide coming out of nowhere as being something that people do go through in real life. Whether or not Kutner's suicide is what sparked House's current crisis, the story line explores the darker side of what people go through and how difficult it is, whether thay are very open about it, as House sometimes is, or completely hide it, as Kutner did.
7 - Diane Kristine
Thanks all. I enjoyed writing this one and it meant a lot to me. Plus I was pleasantly surprised the experts were so positive about what TV's doing with their area of expertise these days. I half expected my own emotional reaction to the House storylines to be balanced with perhaps a more negative take from the experts.
8 - Habitusa
I enjoyed the article, Diane, and it's so comforting to see that you are still a fan of House. I have to admit that I am missing your House reviews which were probably the most intelligent and beautiful pieces of writing about the show. I know you said you wouldn't be writing any more episode reviews, but if next week's finale lives up to its promise, I will be hoping for one from you anyway!
9 - Diane Kristine
Thanks so much Habitusa, what a nice thing to say. The show will always have a place in my heart, but I actually haven't been too thrilled with this season. It's only this last arc that's hooked me emotionally and inspired me to want to write about it. I might do something post-season about my overall thoughts, but I don't think I can go back to episode reviews.
10 - Eve K
Great article! I wrote a comment about the mental health issue in House as NOT so usual in broadcast television, but I was obviously wrong, or right about that it wasn't a trend, but it now is.
I think one of the reasons that I like House is that they keep it real, even with the sense of humour. I guess they will do their research, and now a days with the internet, the audience and especially the advocacy groups are giving feedback at once if somethings not right!
11 - jon_e_7
Yes, Yes, by all means, let's find some meaning in the musings of a quirky actor guy
12 - Diane Kristine
Thanks Eve! I think House has always been unafraid to explore the mental health issue in interesting ways, from House himself being (arguably) depressed, to an episode like Socratic Method.
jon, you get the actor doesn't write the show, right?
13 - weezy
Welcome back Diane. I have been checking your posts to see if the newer episodes of House have 'inspired' you to write again about one of my favorite shows. I appreciate your insights and will continually look for more from you.
14 - Diane Kristine
Thanks Weezy!