Surgical Spirit

There was a time when the only doctor shows we had were E.R and Casualty. But now the U.S. has spawned its fair share of hospital-based dramas and comedies including Grey's Anatomy, House and Scrubs while we've come up with, erm, Holby City.

Though formulaic and overly dramatic the US sure know how to do Doctor Drama with flair. The sexual tension mixed with surgery in Grey's Anatomy and the murder mystery formula of House has our nails completely bitten down. And if, like us, you live in fear of the series finale approaching you'll be relieved at the news that this week brings fresh medics for us to drool over, laugh at and hate.

Grey's Anatomy spin off Private Practice starts tonight and we can barely control our excitement. Now we never thought we'd like Dr Addison Montgomery when she first appeared in Grey's Anatomy. After all she did cheat on McDreamy with McSteamy. But we grew fond of her and now as she starts her new life over in sunny California we're also growing fond of the other cast members, including a rather attractive “alternative” medicine practitioner, a therapist with more issues than her clients and a gynaecologist who doesn't know a thing about women. Private Practice is exclusively on LIVING, starting Tuesday 15th July at 10pm.

The Brits have come up with a new drama too and it's a far glossier incarnation than the Holby Cities and Casualties we're used to. Harley Street, as the name suggests, is set in a private practice in the exclusive part of London. Starring Paul Nicholls and Suranne Jones the series starts this Thursday . The first episode involves botox, sex and models which seems a far cry from the type of NHS med drama we Brits usually do. We're not quite sure it can compete with the likes of our doctors over the pond but we're intrigued. Harley Street starts on Thursday 17th July on ITV.