Rafferty (TV series)

Rafferty is an American drama series starring Patrick McGoohan that aired on CBS from September 28 until November 28, 1977. McGoohan played a former army doctor named Sid Rafferty who has retired and moved into private practice. Also seen regularly were John Getz as Rafferty's junior partner, Dr. Daniel Gentry, and Millie Slavin as the medical office's nurse, Vera Wales. Episodes often dealt with the gruff, egotistical and driven Rafferty, a brilliant diagnostician with almost no social skills or bedside manner, working to identify his patients' unusual and life-threatening ailments. One reviewer considers this series a forerunner to House, M.D.

It only lasted one season for 10 out of 13 episodes, and McGoohan was apparently very unhappy with the series, reportedly saying: "...a disaster ... the most miserable job I've ever done in my life ... a total frustration from start to finish.."

Cast

 * Patrick McGoohan as Dr. Sid Rafferty
 * John Getz as Dr. Daniel Gentry
 * Millie Slavin as Nurse Vera Wales

Cultural impact
The lyrics of the single "Sleeping Gas" by the post-punk band The Teardrop Explodes express displeasure at the series: "You can watch Rafferty turn into a serial / Just like a cartoon by AAP".