Even though St. Denis Medical is a show that is still very early in its run, the NBC series has already shown that it has immense potential and should be watched by any sitcom fans. Highlighted by great writing, funny characters, and a truly fantastic cast, the show even stars a true comedy legend, David Alan Grier, who has perfectly described what makes the show so brilliant.
Even though I am a huge fan of St. Denis Medical, I have to admit that there is one aspect of the show that feels like it has been a major misstep for me. In fact, there is one supporting character on the sitcom who makes me disengage from the show whenever they appear onscreen. Worse yet, the character feels so ridiculous to me that I feel frustrated even when they are referenced.
Why I think St. Denis Medical's Sanderson needs to change or go away
As a former fan of The Goldbergs, I have followed and supported Wendi McLendon-Covey's career for many years. As such, I was very excited when I learned that she was set to star in another sitcom with a truly impressive cast. Since I finally got the chance to watch St. Denis Medical, I have greatly enjoyed the show and McLendon-Covey's performance as Joyce. Similarly, I loved Josh Lawson in Mortal Kombat and his severely underrated supporting character from Superstore. That is why I was very happy he is starring in St. Denis Medical too.
As much as I consider myself to be a fan of Lawson and McLendon-Covey's St. Denis Medical performances, I think that both of their characters are very close to crossing a line. Since Joyce and Dr. Bruce are both very broad figures, if the writing of their characters is pushed a little bit too far, they could become cartoonish in ways that I think would ruin the show. To prove that, I would point to the one current St. Denis Medical character who I think has gotten that balance wrong, Joyce's boyfriend Sanderson.
To be clear, I have nothing against the actor who portrays Sanderson, Steve Little. I think that he does a good job portraying the character as written. The problem with that is that I can't stand how Sanderson is written.
A cartoonish character, Sanderson is written as the kind of character who would make loud and performative statements about his oddly specific opinions about nonsensical topics in the middle of a scene for very little reason. As ridiculous as Sanderson is as a character, the bigger problem is that he pulls Joyce over the edge and makes her become too much when they share a scene together.
Of course, truth is in the eye of the beholder, so other St. Denis Medical fans may love Sanderson and want to see more of his current behavior. However, my opinion is that the show needs to either stabilize Sanderson as a character or reveal that he and Joyce broke up before never bringing him up again.