NBC’s hospital-set sitcom,St. Denis Medical, airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and is available to stream the following day on Peacock. Although there are only a handful of episodes left before the finale, the show has already beenrenewed by NBC for season 2. With a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score, Eric Ledgin and Justin Spitzer’s comedy has quickly become beloved by audiences.
St. Denis Medicalfollows “an eclectic team of underfunded yet dedicated doctors, nurses and hospital staff, who want nothing more than to turn the hospital into an international medical destination.” Among them is Kaliko Kauahi’s character, Val, the department’s comedically blunt nurse administrator. Kauahi is most well-known for her role asSandra inSuperstoreand has also appeared in shows such asAmerican AutoandRaven’s Home.
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ScreenRantinterviews Kaliko Kauahi about the characters' lives outside the hospital, Val’s feud with Bruce, guest stars she’d like to appear, and what to expect from theSt. Denis Medicalseason finale.
“We’ve only seen a glimpse of Val, and we’ve got hints of her outside the hospital life.”
Kaliko Kauahi as Val in St Denis Medical
ScreenRant: Congratulations on getting renewed for season 2! How did you react when you heard the news?
Kaliko Kauahi: I was very excited, very happy for, not just me, but for the whole team. They work so hard, and I think they really created such a wonderful show. So excited for season 2.
Are there any storylines you’re hoping the show will explore for Val that you didn’t get to touch on in season 1?
Kaliko Kauahi: I really have a lot of faith in the writers and the creators to explore Val more. We’ve only seen a glimpse of Val, and we’ve got hints of her outside the hospital life, so I think for all the characters, maybe taking a peek into their outside lives coming into the hospital a little more would be funny.
I loved “Listen to Your Ladybug.” It was funny, but it also addressed an important topic. What did you enjoy most about that episode?
Kaliko Kauahi: I think this is what the team, the writers, and the creators do so well is a balance. It had everything. It’s so funny, but also just real moments, heartfelt moments, things that people can relate to. I think they somehow are able to put it all together in an episode.
Bruce Is Still Offended That He’s Not On Val’s List
“Val will never put him on the list, I don’t think. Just because.”
One of my favorite plots this season was when Val didn’t put Bruce on her list. Do you think he’s still holding that against her?
Kaliko Kauahi: I think Bruce has trouble letting anything go, so underlying everything is the fact that Val didn’t put him on the list, and Val will never put him on the list, I don’t think. Just because.
He became even more interested in Val once he realized he wasn’t on the list.
Kaliko Kauahi: They just keep battling each other in that way. Who has more power over each other?
I want to see more of Val and Bruce because she is just so unaffected by him.
Kaliko Kauahi: I love that dynamic. I think it’s so funny, and then Josh is so funny and so good at playing Bruce. He’s nothing like Bruce, but it’s just so fun to see Val be completely unaffected by someone like him.
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“I think they could slot in at any point in this show and be so much fun.”
Val’s interactions with Matt are also great. How do you think she feels about a personality as enthusiastic as his?
Kaliko Kauahi: I think it’s so funny that they keep getting paired up because in my mind I was like, “Val does not want to spend any extra time with Matt,” but Matt just keeps coming to her during the breaks. Why are they sitting together in the break room?
I’m sure she was there first, and Matt came and sat by her, and is bothering her, and she gives him nothing. He keeps wanting a reaction from her or advice, and she really gives him the bare minimum. He keeps coming back. I don’t get it.
I think Matt believes they’re best friends.
Kaliko Kauahi: I think so too. Like a mentor. She does not care.
Is there anything that you can tease about the season finale?
Kaliko Kauahi: All I’m going to say is hold onto your hats. It’s going to be a fun one. It’s been a fun season, and I think every episode is really great as a standalone. Some things will be hinted at and revealed. It’s going to be a good one.
You’ve had the most incredible guest stars this season. Is there anyone you’ve worked with in the past that you’re hoping will appear in season 2?
Kaliko Kauahi: We’ve been so lucky in season 1. I cannot believe the people we’ve had come through. Obviously, I would love it if maybe some friends from another show came through—any of the Superstore gang could come through. Obviously, you know all the players. I think they could slot in at any point in this show and be so much fun.
More About NBC’s St. Denis Medical
Created By Eric Ledgin And Justin Spitzer
Devoted nurse Alex has just been promoted to Supervising Nurse in the emergency department at St. Denis Medical Center in Oregon. She works alongside an eclectic team of underfunded yet dedicated doctors, nurses and hospital staff, including her boss, Joyce, who wants nothing more than to turn the hospital into an international medical destination, and Dr. Ron, who’s done it all, seen it all and is pretty much over it all. They’re all doing their best not to lose their patience in a hospital overrun with patients – while caring for everyone who comes in the door, including each other.
Check out our otherSt. Denis Medicalinterviews here:
St. Denis MedicalairsTuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and is available to stream next-day on Peacock.
St. Denis Medical
St. Denis Medical follows a diverse team of doctors and nurses at an underfunded Oregon hospital as they manage patient care and maintain camaraderie amid challenging circumstances.
