About Getting On (HBO)

Getting On is an American television comedy series based on the British series of the same name. It was produced for HBO by BBC Worldwide and takes a humorous but heartfelt look at the struggles and triumphs of staff and patients in a dysfunctional hospital ward. The series premiered on November 24, 2013 and wrapped up on December 13, 2015.

Making / Production

The television series was created by Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer. The plot is primarily set in the geriatric wing of a struggling hospital and follows a group of doctors, nurses, and administrators as they navigate the challenges of working in healthcare.

Actors

• Laurie Metcalf as Dr. Jenna James: An ambitious and sometimes self-centered doctor with a passion for research.
• Alex Borstein as Dawn Forchette: A dedicated nurse struggling with her own personal issues.
• Niecy Nash as Didi Ortley: A good-hearted nursing assistant and the heart and soul of the ward.
• Mel Rodriguez as Patsy de la Serda: The well-meaning but out-of-his-depth supervisor of the ward.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series is a remake of a British series of the same name that aired on BBC Four.
• The show is set in Long Beach, California but was filmed in different locations, including hospitals in Van Nuys and Pasadena.
• Prior to playing Dawn Forchette, Alex Borstein was most famous for voicing Lois Griffin on ‘Family Guy’.

Awards

Despite its relatively short run, Getting On received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Laurie Metcalf in 2016.

Quotes

• "We don't cure. We care." - Dr. Jenna James
• "The key to survival here, is to just follow the ridiculous rule and outlast them." - Dawn Forchette
• "I'm not your slave, I'm an RN!" - Didi Ortley

Music and Soundtrack

• The show’s theme song is written and performed by Michael Penn.
• The music used in the series has been praised for being effective in creating a tonally appropriate and engaging experience for viewers.