"Emergency!" had it all. Drama, action, and realism seasoned with the not infrequent pinch of comedy. "Emergency!" was one of the reality-based dramas created by famed producer Jack Webb in the 1960's and early 1970's. It focused on the day-to-day operations of fictional Los Angeles County Fire Station 51, and especially Squad 51's intrepid rescue team, handsome paramedics John Gage and Roy DeSoto. Our heroes were backed by Rampart Hospital, where Drs. Kelley Brackett and Joe Early and Nurse Dixie McCall performed their own life-saving duties.

Emergency! premiered as a mid-season replacement series in January of 1972 and became an instant classic for NBC Saturday nights. It helped to elevate the public's knowledge of firefighters and paramedics in ways no one could have anticipated. The term "paramedic" had not been widely known before "Emergency!" aired, but it soon became a household word. "Emergency!" finally came to an end in September 1977, but during its 6 1/2-year prime-time run, "Emergency!" was very popular with both adults and children.

Columbia House Online now offers a "collectors series" of favorite TV shows, and Emergency! is among them. Follow the link to learn more (and click on the "drama" genre when you get there!)