In a fun new interview, the stars of the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt played a game choosing which famous TV doctor they would want in their emergency room. When given a list of iconic characters, the group unanimously agreed on one classic choice from television history.
The cast, including Shawn Hatosy, Katherine LaNasa, and Taylor Dearden, participated in a lighthearted quiz for BuzzFeed Celeb. The prompt asked which character from another show they would want to come to The Pitt to help in a trauma situation. The options presented were Christina Yang from Grey’s Anatomy, Doug Ross from ER, Hawkeye Pierce from M*A*S*H, J.D. from Scrubs, Gregory House from House, and Buck from 9-1-1. The full cast agreed that Hawkeye Pierce, the witty and skilled surgeon from the Korean War-era comedy-drama, was their top pick.
The Cast Makes Their Pick in a Casual BuzzFeed Segment
The segment was designed as a casual personality quiz, showing the actors in a relaxed, off-screen environment. It featured the entire main cast of The Pitt, allowing them to react to quiz results and share playful opinions. The tone was a clear shift from the intense, serious nature of their show, giving fans a glimpse of the actors’ real-life camaraderie.
The game focused on hypothetical fun rather than serious storyline discussion. Its purpose was audience engagement, providing a light-hearted moment without revealing any plot details or future narrative directions for The Pitt. The selection of Hawkeye Pierce was treated as a creative and humorous choice, with no suggestion of an actual television crossover.
Why Hawkeye Pierce Resonates with a Modern Medical Drama Cast
While the cast did not give a detailed explanation for their choice, the character of Dr. Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce is one of the most beloved figures in TV history. Portrayed by Alan Alda, Hawkeye was the chief surgeon of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. He was known for his exceptional surgical skill, fierce dedication to his patients, and sharp, anti-authoritarian humor used to cope with the horrors of war.
For the cast of The Pitt, a show noted for its intense focus on medical procedures and high-stakes hospital drama, Hawkeye represents a blend of unparalleled medical talent and essential human resilience. His character mastered the art of maintaining his humanity and wit under extreme pressureโa quality any doctor in a chaotic emergency room would value.
How The Pitt Compares to Other Medical Dramas Like Grey’s Anatomy
The Pitt, which is streaming on Max, has drawn comparisons to earlier seasons of long-running medical shows. Some viewers note that, like classic Grey’s Anatomy, The Pitt places a major emphasis on the medicine and the workings of the hospital emergency room. The show features graphic surgical footage and multi-episode patient arcs, elements that recall the style of medical dramas from years past.
The show also features a familiar face for Grey’s Anatomy fans: Samantha Sloyan. She played Dr. Penny Blake in Seasons 11 and 12 of Grey’s Anatomy and now appears in The Pitt as the mother of a patient. Furthermore, the show stars Noah Wyle, well-known for his leading role on ER, marking a significant return to the medical genre.
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Fan Love for Cristina Yang Remains Strong Years Later
Although the cast of The Pitt looked past Seattle Grace, the character of Christina Yang remains a fan favorite. Played by Sandra Oh, Yang was the fiercely ambitious and brilliantly talented cardiothoracic surgeon and the best friend to Meredith Grey. Their friendship, with the famous declaration of being each other’s “person,” is often cited as the core relationship of Grey’s Anatomy.
“I have a deep appreciation for the people who appreciate Cristina. It is that love that has made me go, โOh. The fans really, really, really want it,โ” Sandra Oh said in a June interview, acknowledging ongoing fan desire for her return. However, she added, “at this point, I don’t think so”, giving a final answer on reprising the role.
Despite her departure from the show in 2014, Cristina Yang’s legacy endures. Her parting advice to Meredith is still quoted by fans: “You are a gifted surgeon with an extraordinary mind. Donโt let what he wants eclipse what you need. Heโs very dreamy, but heโs not the sun. You are”.
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