Kingdom Hospital

Trivia

• The series can be dated both by the timing of the World Series, the mentions of All Souls Day, and the onscreen evidence in episode 9 that it is October 26.
• The character of Peter Rickman was heavily influenced by King's own experiences when he was hit by a car in Maine in 1999.
• Many of the characters' names, and events, are in-jokes, such as Nurse Carrie von Trier - a combination of King's best-seller Carrie and the director of Riget, Lars von Trier.
• There are several references to some of King's other works, including the infamous Dark Tower series. The drink "Nozz-A-La", which Dr. Hook refers to as a "Nozzie" in one episode is a drink in the alternate reality The Stand takes place in and that Roland's ka-tet (from the Dark Tower) comes across on their journey to the Dark Tower.
• The phrase "See it very well." which we hear Mary telling Peter near the end of the series is a nod to the Dark Tower as well.
• We see several people throughout the series reading Stephen King books. For example, while Peter Rickman's wife sits next to him in his hospital room near the end of the series, we clearly see her reading Misery.
• The hospital janitor, Johnny B. Goode, is constantly absent from work, and each episode sees someone different filling in for him. When we finally do see him, he is played by none other than Stephen King.
• The three characters in touch with the spirit world: Peter Rickman, Mary Jensen, and Paul (no last name given) form the names of a musical group "Peter, Paul, and Mary".
• There are several references to the Bible. For example: Mary. Paul. Saul, who changes his name to Paul after a life-changing event. The near-blind janitor cracks his glasses in an Earthquake, but is miraculously cured and can see perfectly afterwards. Then there is the obvious. One character is beaten and "crucified" but continues to bleed after his death. Miraculous things, like water from the tap turning to wine, sandwiches multiplying, and of course, a certain character returning from the dead, begin to occur after the grizzly crucifixion.