Sawbones: Ranking TV Medical Shows

Sawbones: Ranking TV Medical Shows

Author: Justin McElroy, Dr. Sydnee McElroy March 31, 2026 Duration: 47:33
In celebration of Dr. Sydnee’s birthday, Justin brings a whole swath of medical show on TV since the year of her birth. From Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman to Nip/Tuck to The Pitt, Dr. Sydnee ranks shows for their accuracy and entertainment value until she’s finisher her bathtub birthday Prosecco. There is no democracy here, Dr. Sydnee’s opinion is the law. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ Border Angels: https://www.borderangels.org/our-services.html

Ever wondered why doctors used to prescribe cigarettes or thought drilling a hole in your skull could cure a headache? That’s the strange territory explored each week on Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine. Hosted by Dr. Sydnee McElroy, a family physician, and her husband Justin McElroy, this is a deeply funny and often cringe-inducing journey through the bizarre history of medical treatments. Together, they dig into the archives to uncover the dumb, bad, gross, weird, and downright dangerous ideas that have masqueraded as healing science. You’ll hear about everything from radioactive tonics and mercury-laden cure-alls to the peculiar origins of modern fitness fads, all delivered with the easy rapport of a couple who finds humor in humanity’s well-intentioned blunders. This podcast isn’t just a list of historical errors; it’s a conversation that connects past medical misadventures to our current understanding of health, making you appreciate the scientific method while you laugh. The blend of Sydnee’s medical expertise and Justin’s incredulous curiosity creates a uniquely entertaining and informative listen, perfect for anyone fascinated by the odd intersections of comedy, history, and human wellness. Tune in for stories that are as educational as they are hilarious, reminding us that the path to good health has been anything but straight.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
Podcast Episodes
Sawbones: Mushrooms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:39
It wouldn't be Twenty Fungalore without talking about the alleged medicinal properties of mushrooms, which are a fungus and not a plant at all. Justin and Dr. Sydnee talk to Cleveland about common fungi used as medical s…
Sawbones: Medical Jewelry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:27
Magnetic bracelets, immortality rings . . . the internet is full of wearables that are sold for their medicinal properties as if they’re equipment in Baldur’s Gate. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the history of this fa…
Sawbones: Mechanical Heart Pump [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
Sometimes the cities we visit on tour have some historical medical mess-ups, but not Detroit! Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about Forest Dewey Dodrill, who performed the first successful heart surgery (with a pump) in a tim…
Sawbones: Tampons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:00
You may have heard that a new study showed tampons contain traces of metals. Dr. Sydnee and Justin go through the history of tampons, why they might contain metal, and what we still need to find out about the possible ef…
Sawbones: Human Tricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:05
Can you touch your tongue with your nose or wiggle your ears? Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the science and studies behind weird little tricks some bodies can do, or "stupid human tricks." Can you flare your nostrils?…
Sawbones: A Couple of Boob Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:22
Sawbones listeners just have so many strange medical questions! Questions like: Why do I sneeze at dark chocolate? Does Diet Coke actually relieve nausea? Why does saliva get thicker while exercising? And you know that T…
Sawbones Classic: Chocolate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:16
To coincide with the opening of Justin and Sydnee's stage production, we bring to you a classic episode about the medicinal history of chocolate! This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin take a sunrise and sprinkle i…
Sawbones: Willy Wonka [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:00
There are different versions of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory exploits, but all of them involve strange things happening to children who misbehave. But from a biological standpoint, what does that look like? Dr. Sydnee…
Sawbones: Do You Know How Italian I Am? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:33
Hot time, summer in the city, time for listener Sawbones questions! Questions like: Why is blood sticky? Why does skin itch when it grows back? Might my twin reject my organs? And should I bring my own speculum to an exa…
Sawbones: Hydrogen Water [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:08
Dr. Sydnee has ruined her TikTok algorithm for the listeners once again and came across something called "Hydrogen Water." Similar to alkaline water, hydrogen water goes through an ionization process that leaves it with…