As it turns out, the show is really entertaining despite its convoluted “concierge doctor to the rich and famous” premise. The cast is entertaining and the actors seem to have already developed some real on screen chemistry for being only four episodes in. Plus, the Hamptons eye candy the show throws in each and every week rivals that of even Burn Notice’s. But what really blew me away are the show’s ratings. Royal Pains debuted to 5.57 million viewers and its ratings actually went up in its second week, even beating its Burn Notice lead in. And don’t even get me started on the fact that the combo of Burn Notice/Royal Pains is actually pulling in higher ratings than shows on the broadcast networks in their same Thursday night timeslots.
For those of you not familiar with Royal Pains, it is the story of Hank Lawson (Mark Feuerstein) who inadvertantly became the Hamptons' newest doctor-on-demand. Hank was a rising star in the New York City medical community, until he lost everything fighting for the life of a patient. With his career stalled and his personal life in shambles, Hank’s younger brother Evan (Paulo Costanzo) stepped in to help jump start Hank’s life. Fed up with Hank's personal pity-party, he convinces Hank to join him on a last-minute trip to the Hamptons for Memorial Day weekend. When the brothers crash a party at the home of a Hamptons billionaire and a guest falls critically ill, Hank saves the day. His dramatic medical rescue draws attention from the crowd, and soon Hank's phone starts ringing off the hook with patients demanding house calls. Hank has now become the hot new "concierge doctor" in town…and the rest they say is history.
Royal Pains airs Thursday nights on the USA Network at 10/9c.