Disability Happens ™

In the 2000s, TV continues its decades long tradition of having disabled characters on TV shows. As usual, unfortunately, the LEAD characters tend to be able-bodied actors playing disabled.

First up, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” “CSI,” which debuted on CBS on October 6, 2000, was created by Anthony E. Zukor. The stars include William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, George Eads, Jorja Fox, Eric Szmanda, Robert David Hall, Wallace Langham, and Paul Guilfoyle.

“CSI” focuses on the men and women of a Las Vegas forensic scientist team, who work together uncovering the stories behind crimes and deaths in sin city, using futuristic tools and techniques.

Dr. Albert “Al” Robbins (Robert David Hall) is the head county coroner. He works closely with Dr. Gilbert “Gil” Grissom (Petersen), the supervisor for the CSI night shift forensic team. They share a dispassionate view of death, and a somewhat bizarre sense of humor.

Dr. Al Robbins has two prosthetic legs. So does Robert David Hall who plays him. In 1978, Hall was involved in a horrible highway accident: an 18-wheeler smashed his car, igniting its gas tank. Although over 65% of his body was burned, Hall survived. His legs, which needed to be amputated, did not.

Robbins/Hall, on “CSI,” is neither pitied nor patronized because of his disability. Hall, who had a recurring role in Seasons 1 and 2, became a regular cast member in Season 3.

Hall has appeared in many other TV shows and movies including “The West Wing,” “L.A. Law,” “The Negotiator” and “Starship Troopers,” among others. He is a vocal advocate for Americans with disability.

Next up, “House.” Debuting on FOX Network on November 16, 2004, “House” was created by David Shore. The stars include Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Jennifer Morrison, and Jesse Spencer.

The show focuses on a team of young doctors at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching hospital, headed by Gregory House (Laurie). House is a brilliant medical miracle worker with a bedside manner that leaves much to be desired.

House/Laurie has a cane and a limp, the result of a serious leg injury some years back. House has a perpetually bad attitude, partially as result of being in perpetual pain. He pops pain pills, and offers genius-level diagnoses of baffling medical conditions, with equal rapidity.

Although Hugh Laurie is able-bodied, he is totally convincing as a partially disabled man who has pain as his constant companion. Laurie’s House is not a particularly likable or sympathetic character. He is, however, three dimensional, believable and unforgettable!

“House” has been received well, from the beginning, by critics and audiences alike. With his show taking up permanent residence in the ratings top ten, Laurie has received two Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Some have characterized Laurie’s House as Sherlock Holmes with a cane. While Holmes comes across as a bit more personable, in this writer’s opinion, the description is pretty close nonetheless.

Category : Television