Northern Exposure

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CBS (ended 1995)
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Show Summary

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Dr. Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow) graduated from Columbia University medical school where he attended thanks to a scholarship from the state of Alaska. Though he was slated to work in Anchorage, instead he gets assigned to be the General Practitioner the tiny Alaskan town, Cicely, to pay for his education. The location is remote, the people are weird and quirky, and Joel wants to return to New York. The show thrived on the "will they or won't they" dynamic between Fleischman and Janine Turner's Maggie O'Connell.''''First air date: July 12, 1990''Last air date: July 26, 1995''Original air time: Monday 10:00:00 pm (Eastern)moreless
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Episode Guide

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S 6 :  Ep 23 Aired 7/26/95
S 6 :  Ep 22 Aired 7/19/95
S 6 :  Ep 21 Aired 7/12/95
S 6 :  Ep 20 Aired 4/24/95
S 6 :  Ep 19 Aired 4/6/95

Northern Exposure News

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  • Classic Holiday Clip: Northern Exposure's Northern Lights 1

    Classic Holiday Clip: Northern Exposure's Northern Lights

    By Ilana Diamond, Dec 16, 2009

    Northern Exposure "Northern Lights" On the third day of our holiday video countdown, Chris the DJ prophet lights up Cicely during the darkest time of the year. TV.com's 12 Days of Holiday Videos Countdown 12. Friends' Holiday Armadillo On the… more

  • November 13, 2007 DVD Releases 16

    November 13, 2007 DVD Releases

    By Melissa Toutjian, Nov 09, 2007

    dvd_weekly_roundup.jpg Prison BreakSeason One (Blu-ray) Buy the Blu-ray! More Prison Break Show Summary | Episode Guide | Forum Gilmore GirlsThe Complete Seventh Season Buy the DVD! More Gilmore Girls Show Summary | Episode Guide | Forum Gilmore GirlsThe Complete Series… more

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Fan Reviews (18)

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  • strange characters, quirky storylines, and weird happenings out in Alaska

    8.0
    "Great"
    By didi-5, Apr 15, 2009 Report Abuse
    When Northern Exposure first appeared on television it seemed very new and fresh, with some memorable characters who became more real and more interesting through the first few seasons, put in situations which realistically couldn't happen - but did in Cicely! From the moment New York doc Joel takes up the offer of a post in darkest Alaska you know odd things are going to happen. There are fun episodes, sad ones, thoughtful ones, and the whole series buzzed with originality. Yes the last two series were weaker and losing steam, but the original three series were full of pep and pizazz and the whole series is well worth a look. One of my favourite comedy series, memorable, colourful, and fun.moreless

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  • This show...what can I say...

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By chcknldy, Jun 25, 2007 Report Abuse
    This was my favorite show growing up a...ahem...young lady in the early '90s. I loved LOVED LOVED Rob Morrow!!! Wonderfully written, charming, funny, sometimes sad but always entertaining. But then...Rob Morrow had to leave because of contract disputes and the show went downhill fast. They tried to replace him, but it was never ever going to be the same without him.

    Janine Turner--what a beautiful woman. I watched her on there, with her short hair, thinking "could I ever be as stunning as she was (is)?" Well, of course the answer is no.

    All the other characters had their charming ways--but give me Joel Fleishman any day!moreless

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    2 0

  • Trendsetter!

    8.0
    "Great"
    By da_dunker, Apr 28, 2007 Report Abuse
    The creators of Northern Exposure (NX) gave us a true viewing treat. While many shows tend to dumb down to the audience, NX asked you to wise up to it. With dialogue that in some cases you needed a dictionary for, you had a sense that this is how people should interact with one another. Although the characters were sometimes tough on each other, it was done lovingly. For example, Maurice and Joel never really liked each other, but would always be there to help each other out, out of respect. If only we lived in a world like this. With all that said, you sensed these characters were for real. As if you had been transplanted into Cicely, Alaska.

    NX wasn't all mushy either. It picked its moments, and did so with perfect vigor. Intertwined were moments of humor, sometimes laugh out loud, sometimes feel-good with a smile. Joshua Brand and David Falsey found a way to work your emotions, tugging on them like a heartstring. You really fall in love with the characters. Never have I seen a show where you cared so much about what happened to them, with many elements of surprises. I found myself even weeping with Maurice (probably the coldest of the main characters) when he mourned his brother during a Kaddish that Joel was giving in remembrance to his Uncle Manny. You know why? Because you learned of his brother's passing and how it affected Maurice throughout the series. You really felt his pain. As well, I laughed out loud when Joel was being accused of being a Russian spy by the town when they were sick or when a recently squished Rick was brought in on the satellite that killed him during his funeral. I couldn't help but smile when after a picture was taken of everyone at Joel's house; they just scanned over it while Chris talked about being a community and what it means to be neighborly.

    This show really taught me a lot, too. I learned of - mushrooms, good French wines, Ingmar Bergman, tribal customs and stories, and clarified butter. I began watching this show in my mid-twenties when it was aired on A&E. I was just discovering the world around me and became a major influence on how I think and act now. I never knew a show that did as much research on things as this. They dig out obscure information that is true. They writers really did their homework and delivered with results. I wish there could be more creative writing in an era where reality shows and asinine sitcoms dominate the airwaves.

    If you get the chance, do yourself a favor. Watch NX, and do it from the beginning. You'll be treated to hours of enjoyment. Especially Chris Steven's diatribes, which gave you moments of reflection. I have every episode on tape and watch it over and over. Everyone I've turned on to this show ends up loving it. One person even dreamt (in their sleep) about being there from time to time. I have shared that same experience. It usually comes when I haven't watched it in a while. I guess you can say I get withdrawal symptoms. Northern Exposure is addicting. A kind of drug I love being addicted to.moreless

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  • Almost perfect... Well written, character driven television at its best.

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By bobtooce, Nov 05, 2006 Report Abuse
    In my opinion, "Northern Exposure" is one of the best sitcoms ever. A classic fish out of water premise, neurotic Jewish New York doctor Joel Flieschman is sent to Alaska to work off his college loans. Instead of being sent to Anchorage, as promised, he instead ends up in the small, backwater town of Cicely which is populated by a collection of "unique individuals". Among them are;

    Maggie O'Connell - A young, beautiful and fiercely independent bush pilot who has bad luck with boy friends.

    Maurice Minnifield - A megalomaniac ex-astonaut and local entrepreneur.

    Holling Vincoeur - A 60 something outdoorsman who runs the local tavern ( the Brick ) and is shacked up with 18 year old Shelly Tambo.

    Shelly Tambo - Sweet but ditzy 18 year old waitress at the Brick.

    Chris "Chris in the Morning" Stevens - Highly intelligent and artistic, "road scholar" ex-con DJ at the local radio station.

    Ed Chigliak - Shy, innocent half Native American orphan who loves movies and dreams of becoming a filmaker.

    Marilyn Whirlwind - Dr. Flieschman's Native american receptionist. Laconic but profound, she speaks much wisdom with very few words.

    Ruth-Anne Miller - The sensible and independant widowed proprieter of the general store.

    The greatness of "Northern Exposure" derives in part from it's depth and breadth of characters as well as the one hour format that allowed the characters and stories to develop fully. Most episodes had two major plot lines and a handful of sub-plots. One major plot line was the sexual tension between Joel and Maggie. They were mutually attracted and repulsed at the same time. Other major plot lines were the age difference between Holling and Shelly, Ed's search for his father, Maurice's expansion of his economic empire and Chris' ongoing quest for artistic expression. The writers had a real knack for combining humor, pathos and sometimes absurdity into a solid one hour show.

    I own every episode available and highly recommend Northern Exposure to any one who enjoys well written and acted, intelligent, character driven television.moreless

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  • This show was exceptional, way ahead of its time.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By MuteTroubadouR, Sep 17, 2006 Report Abuse
    I tip my cap to the writers of this show, though they weren't well known writers and had only this as a one hit wonder type thing, it really was a wonderful show. If NE was brought back as re-runs I believe it would make a whole new generation fall in love with it. I have and I'm only 14. It is grossly under-appreciated and was the basis to many other shows with the same type of small town, big attitude storyline. An absolutely superb idea and with great writers was handled beautifully.
    A big success in my mind!moreless

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    2 0
 

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