ST. DENIS MEDICAL — Season: 1 — Pictured: David Alan Grier as Dr Ron — (Photo by: Danny Ventrella/NBC)

In NBC’s latest comedy series, St. Denis Medical, David Alan Grier plays Dr. Ron, a veteran ER attending who blends wit, wisdom, and world-weariness into every interaction. During a recent Taji Mag interview, Grier shared insights about his character, his inspiration, and the unique perspective this sitcom brings to medical comedy.

Finding Dr. Ron in Real Life

Grier revealed that his portrayal of Ron draws heavily from personal experiences, including his father, a psychiatrist. “One time, my dad drove me back to college, and I asked, ‘What’s the definition of insanity?’ He just looked at me and said, ‘That’s a legal definition.’ That kind of straight-shooting, no-nonsense response—that’s Ron,” Grier said with a laugh. “Ron’s like the oldest roadie for the Rolling Stones—he’s been there forever, seen it all, and isn’t fazed by much.”

Grier imagines Ron as someone who entered medicine with idealistic dreams but has since settled into survival mode. “He started with big ideas—changing the system, flipping it on its head. But now? He’s just trying to rebuild his finances after his last divorce. Ron is weary but sharp, and deep down, he’s a mentor at heart.”

Dr. Ron and Modern Dating

When asked if Ron would ever participate in viral trends like balloon-popping dating games, Grier didn’t miss a beat: “Oh, absolutely! Ron would probably say, ‘I’m just here to see if this works.’ But deep down, he’s watching videos of bitter old guys talking about relationships and shaking his head. He’s a romantic in denial.”

A New Kind of Medical Comedy

Grier emphasized that St. Denis Medical isn’t just another Scrubs or Grey’s Anatomy. “It’s Docustyle, more akin to The Office,” he explained. “It’s grounded, relatable, and taps into the quirks of real medical environments. It’s not joke-joke-joke; it’s about the humor in human interactions.”

What Grier Would Be Like as a Doctor

If Grier had pursued medicine, he insists he wouldn’t be like Ron. “Ron reminds me of my mom after my parents divorced. She went back to teaching kindergarten but secretly hated it. She’d come home saying, ‘I can’t stand those kids!’ Ron’s that kind of guy—still doing the job but over it.”

However, Grier admires the healers in healthcare, recalling his father’s belief in the dedication of nurses. “My dad always said, ‘Doctors diagnose, but nurses heal.’ That kind of genuine care resonates through the show.”

ST. DENIS MEDICAL — “Welcome to St. Denis” — Pictured: (l-r) Allison Tolman as Alex, David Alan Grier as Dr. Ron — (Photo by: Casey Durkin/NBC)

Healthcare Advice from St. Denis Medical

David Alan Grier shared how working on St. Denis Medical offered him new insights into the world of healthcare, thanks to the medical professionals on set. Reflecting on the experience, he explained: “Yeah, a little bit. A lot of the background actors are in the medical field—nurses, a couple of doctors, especially emergency room nurses. They remind us that while we’re having fun on set, in real life, the stakes are incredibly high. They’ve told me things like, ‘Imagine if your headphones fall off during a scene—it’s just a nuisance. But for us, a mistake like that could mean losing a life.’ Their perspective underscores the high-pressure reality they face daily.”

Grier also noted how invaluable these professionals were in ensuring the show’s accuracy: “Whenever we have questions, there’s always a chorus of voices chiming in—‘It has to be done this way’ or ‘No, that’s not right.’ It’s great to have their input to get the medical details as realistic as possible.”

When asked which character from the show he’d want as his provider, Grier chuckled and said, “Probably Ron. Even though he’s weary and has had enough, he gives sound medical advice. Otherwise, I’d say Alex, played by Allison Tolman. She brings warmth and a steady hand.”

Childhood Remedies and Modern Myths

Grier also took a nostalgic dive into the healthcare remedies of his youth. Growing up in Detroit, his family relied on a few staples:
“My mom used to heat up Werner’s ginger ale on the stove when we were sick—this was pre-microwave! We weren’t a big VapoRub family, but Mercurochrome was everywhere. You’d see kids with those big red splotches, and you knew they’d had a scrape or cut.”

As he got older, Grier admitted he dabbled in herbal remedies like golden seal and cayenne pepper capsules. “I read this book where a doctor debunked all of it—none of it works! It took me years to stop buying that stuff. But back then, every college girlfriend was like, ‘Oh, you need golden seal!’ I had boxes of it at one point.”

What Characters David Alan Grier Wants in “St. Denis Medical”

David Alan Grier, celebrated for his iconic roles in In Living Color and beyond, shared his thoughts on which of his beloved characters he’d like to see appear in St. Denis Medical. His top pick? Reverend Leon Lonnie Love. Grier envisioned the hilarious chaos Reverend Love could bring as the hospital chaplain: “It would buck wild. He’d be trying to marry all the terminal old ladies with money. He’d be into all kinds of stuff. Reverend Leon Lonnie Love would definitely spice it up.”

Another fan-favorite, Calhoun Tubbs, also fits the bill. Inspired by a real-life figure from Grier’s time at the University of Michigan, Calhoun Tubbs was modeled after “Shaky Jake,” a local character who left a lasting impression. Grier reminisced, “He was a terrible guitar player, a terrible singer, but he had this amazing presence. I saw him once at the Ann Arbor Bank and Trust. He had a bank account, and it just blew me away.”

Grier also drew inspiration from another unique figure, “One String Sam,” a street performer from Detroit. Known for his ingenious homemade instrument—a single-stringed contraption made from two liquor bottles and a 2×4—Sam had a regional hit called All I Need Is a Hundred Dollars. Grier fondly recalled its catchy lyrics and the charm of its raw simplicity.

Lastly, Grier highlighted his memorable role as Jimmy Dale from Queen Sugar, a character that left a strong impact on viewers. “I’ve never gotten a response like I got from Jimmy Dale. Especially in Atlanta, people would say, ‘Jimmy, you better give me a hug. Why are you so dirty, so foul, so nasty?’ But they’d still hug me. People get invested in TV shows.”

Representation, Blankman, and More

Reflecting on his career, Grier noted how representation in media has evolved. “When I was a kid, seeing a Black face on TV was an event. Now, I love that we’re in an era where my character’s Blackness isn’t the focus—Ron’s just a doctor with a life and story.”

Grier also reminisced about his time on In Living Color and how iconic characters like Calhoun Tubbs were inspired by real-life figures. “There was this guy, Shaky Jake, in Ann Arbor. He couldn’t play guitar to save his life but still had a bank account and a following. Those are the people who shaped my comedy.”

Before Black Panther and Blade, Black communities found representation in cult classics like Blankman and Meteor Man. Grier reminisced about this groundbreaking era, saying:
“Robert Townsend, Damon Wayans, and I represented a generation of Black kids. Back then, even seeing a Black extra was exciting enough to make the phones ring. We imagined ourselves in these stories, and Blankman fulfilled childhood dreams of Black superheroes.

“My brother saw Black Panther and said, ‘Finally, they gave us a superhero movie—and it’s good.’ That depth of representation resonates. I grew up in a world barely out of segregation. Today, we have representation everywhere. Back then, it was monumental anytime you saw some color on screen.”

Men on Film with Siskel & Ebert

For fans of the iconic In Living Color sketch “Men on Film,” Grier shared a behind-the-scenes story: “Siskel and Ebert wanted to collaborate with Damon [Wayans] and me for a special version of “Men on Film,” but it didn’t happen. Damon had left the show by then, and I couldn’t imagine doing it solo. But it almost came to fruition, and it would’ve been a hilarious tribute to film criticism.”

What Viewers Can Expect

Grier hopes audiences will connect with St. Denis Medical’s humor and heart. “The show has laughs rooted in reality and relationships. It’s about people doing their best in a system that’s far from perfect—something everyone, patient or provider, can relate to.”Catch new episodes of St. Denis Medical Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC, or stream on Peacock. For fans of Grier, this is another chance to see him at his comedic best—offering not just laughs but a little wisdom along the way.