While writing up an item on Bravo's Outzonetv.com study of how the American public's perception of the gay and lesbian community is shaped by television, I was struck by one line in Bravo's press release: "Americans most surprised when Doogie Howser's Neil Patrick Harris came out."

What struck me about that line? Well, Doogie Howser M.D. , while it certainly lefts a lasting impression on the American psyche, is a show that ended back in 1993. Since then, Harris has done quite a bit of work, and he is currently seen as Barney Stinson on the popular CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, now in its second season. Yet the press release didn't say How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris...Instead, old Doogie reared his head.

This all got me thinking--can any actor ever truly transcend their first prominent role? If Harris eventually wins an Emmy, an Oscar and a Tony for three separate roles, will his gravestone still read: "Here Lies Doogie"? 

Or, really, do people just love the way "Doogie" rolls off the tongue?

By Rebecca Stropoli

Dec 18 2006 1:50PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (5) |