# Stephen King's KINGDOM HOSPITAL **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 20, 2004, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304 "2004-01-20T09:11:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/61 "2004-03-05T03:47:37Z")
…but sloppily researched: > [@](#): > > McCarthy, as Dr. Hook (King’s penchant for silly names seems inexhaustible) dives into the strange confines of the character. Although I wonder about “Dr. Jesse James” and “Dr. Massenngil,” Stephen King didn’t make up “Dr. Hook” – that’s from the original. What is his anglicized first name, again? I dinna remember, but “Dr. John Hook” seems logical, and that’s even funnier. ---
**Author:** ![Rib\_Eye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Rib\_Eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rib_Eye)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/62 "2004-03-05T15:13:49Z")
> [@FilmGeek](#): > > Did any Dark Tower fans notice the reference to Nozza-la in the newscast? > > I wonder if anyone will eat at Boing Boing burgers or drive a Takaro Spirit? FG - I don’t get your \*\*Dark Tower \*\* References which I assume are from Wolves of the Calla it’s on the shelf weaiting for me to get achance to crack it open in a few weeks (after I finish re-reading the first four) but at this point I am thinking that Kingdom Hospital is very much a \*\*Dark Tower \*\* story. The title card that ABC keeps showing to frame the commerical breaks is off a stylized hybrid hospital/dark tower and though a don’t recall an aardvark as one of the guardians of the beam, I am almost sure the anteater said something about a gate. That along with the mirrored red “double k” logo for the hospital as well as the hospital’s name make me wonder if it isn’t all an allusion to the Crimson King (whom I begin to suspect may be Stephen King himself). Could the hospital be a manifestation or an outpost of the **Dark Tower** itself? Unrelated to the **DT** , but anyone catch that artist-man was jogging in an old “Little Tall” sweatshirt. For some reason that made me think of the “Miskatonic U” sweatshirts popular among Lovecraft fans. And you know what, maynbe that isn’t unrelated since King keeps going on about the “Great Old Ones” in the **DT** Curioser and curioser. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/63 "2004-03-05T15:18:55Z")
Those Dark Tower references are from Wizard and Glass, I believe. And I think everything SK lays his hand to for the rest of his life is going to have DT references. I bet he just wishes he’d started earlier. (Carrie could have used Field of Roses Tampons.) ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/64 "2004-03-05T15:23:26Z")
> [@Jeff Olsen](#): > > Say, who played the maintenance man that Stegman talked to? That guy looked familiar. [Ethan Philliips](http://www.creationent.com/past_events/gs2000/ethan_phillips1.jpg), maybe? That was the great Charles Martin Smith. I don’t think I’ve seen him since the Costner-Connery film of THE UNTOUCHABLES ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/65 "2004-03-05T15:30:09Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > No industrial accident in the original. > > The site was a place where pre-Christian Scandinavians took their cloth to be bleached. Later, it became the scene of ritual sacrifice, and the victims remained on the spot. Before the shiny new Kingdom hospital was built, a darker institution stood on the grounds. (That last is sure to be kept in the adaptation.) Hmm, I thought that in the original, the grounds were also used as a dumping site for plague victims, dead or not. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/66 "2004-03-05T19:52:12Z")
> [@Avalonian](#): > > I wonder what those here, who saw fit to condemn “Kingdom Hospital” before they saw it, think of it now that they (hopefully) watched it? **lissener**? **Larry Mudd**? **Cervaise**? Any thoughts? Was doing something else. Will ABC repeat the pilot? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/67 "2004-03-05T20:14:19Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > What is his anglicized first name, again? I dinna remember, but “Dr. John Hook” seems logical, and that’s even funnier. Dr. Hook’s demeanor in surery seems to come right out of **MASH**. A reference to author Richard Hooker, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![cichlidiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cichlidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cichlidiot)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/68 "2004-03-05T20:51:56Z")
This is my first exposure to Kingdom Hospital, but I like it so far. There are a few things I’m confused about though. The kitchen workers seemed to know what was going on with security and the elevators. So is that because he was sending the information down to them to reset the switch, or because they’re psychic? It sounded like one of them was reciting something? about the elevators, I dunno, I didn’t really get it. The hit and run patient was told if he heard a bell, he’d die. So the anteater helped him and the bell didn’t ring, so he lives and is apparently going to miraculously recover. Then while the anteater tells the patient he owes him one, the little girl is standing right there. So is she a menace or someone he’s supposed to help? Looks like he’s supposed to help her from the previews, so are we going to find out what’s up with the bell, or am I supposed to know this? “Others have bells, too.” I guess I’m not being very clear, but one more try. If the little girl is looming over the gurney in the ambulance while we all learn about the patient not wanting to hear a bell, I take that as her being a threat. So, why then, after the patient is recovering is she there along side the ally (anteater)? My only complaint is the over-the-top security guard mugging for the camera. I can live with the dog talking, and liked the goofy names for the hospital staff, but I’m hoping there’s more character development since the mugging has already gotten old for me. Thought the doll on the elevator was creepy as well as the kewpie doll in the hit and run driver’s place. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/69 "2004-03-05T21:04:43Z")
> [@cichlidiot](#): > > This is my first exposure to Kingdom Hospital, but I like it so far. There are a few things I’m confused about though. The kitchen workers seemed to know what was going on with security and the elevators. So is that because he was sending the information down to them to reset the switch, or because they’re psychic? It sounded like one of them was reciting something? about the elevators, I dunno, I didn’t really get it. I haven’t seen _The Kingdom_ but I get the impression from the those who have that those kitchen workers are in tune with the building. I think the bit about elevator #2 and the lights going out is such a common occurance that they’ve learned to recite it. ---
**Author:** ![ShawnKemp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@ShawnKemp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShawnKemp)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/70 "2004-03-11T14:22:00Z")
I watched the second episode last night and am now, definitely hooked. That little girl totally creeps me out. Does the dead boy that had the ice cream pops have vampire fangs? He’s gotta be the “bad guy.” What did people think of this ep? ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/71 "2004-03-11T15:51:03Z")
The Ice Cream guy definitely had fangs, though I don’t know if they’re supposed to be of the vampire nature or not. As confusing and seemingly meandering as the series has been thus far, I’m really enjoying it. I don’t understand a bit of what’s going on, but I have faith (possibly misplaced, but faith nonetheless) that it will all make sense in the end. What tickles me the most, though, is that I used to live in Lewiston, Maine, where the hospital is supposed to be. While I never experienced any sort of earthquake there, those “hooligans” on the corner could have been my friends once upon a time, and the so-called strangeness of the characters reminds me of many people I knew when I lived there. 'Course, I’m just as strange, so all it does is make me happier. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/72 "2004-03-11T18:49:40Z")
> [@ShawnKemp](#): > > I watched the second episode last night and am now, definitely hooked. That little girl totally creeps me out. Does the dead boy that had the ice cream pops have vampire fangs? He’s gotta be the “bad guy.” I’m guessing the one the old guy calls “The Ice Cream King”. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/73 "2004-03-11T19:19:14Z")
Not “The Ice Cream King” – “The Emperor of Ice Cream.” It’s a reference to [the poem by Wallace Stevens](http://users.crocker.com/~lwm/emperor.html). > [@](#): > > _If her horny feet protrude, they come > To show how cold she is, and dumb. > Let the lamp affix its beam. > The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream._ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/74 "2004-03-11T20:01:01Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Not “The Ice Cream King” – “The Emperor of Ice Cream.” He used both. “Ice Cream King” was when he was talking to Mrs. Druse. “The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream” was in the nightmare. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/75 "2004-03-11T20:10:31Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > “The Emperor of Ice Cream.” > > It’s a reference to [the poem by Wallace Stevens](http://users.crocker.com/~lwm/emperor.html). _Thank you_!! I’ve been wondering since last night how I knew that line. Of course, I’m fairly sure I’ve never read the poem, so now I need to figure out what book I read that quoted it … ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/76 "2004-03-11T20:21:43Z")
**Draelin** , possibly it was Salem’s Lot. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/77 "2004-03-11T21:55:52Z")
> [@Jeff Olsen](#): > > He used both. “Ice Cream King” was when he was talking to Mrs. Druse. I don’t think so… I seem to remember thinking the old guy had come out of his fog enough to reference Stevens, and whatever was in that hypo must have been something good. Then again, I was full of Fuller’s Ale, and god knows Stephen King likes to have his characters make eliptical little remarks in the direction of their author. Little tin-pot god. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/78 "2004-03-11T22:23:04Z")
Guess we won’t know for sure until last night’s ep. is repeated. ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/79 "2004-03-12T00:23:14Z")
I’d read a review where they mentioned the Wallace Stevens reference, so I was waiting for it to come up. I’m almost positive that the line was “The emperor of ice cream.” ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304/80 "2004-03-12T07:34:58Z")
Okay, I layed my hands on a copy of the episode to double check it, just for fun, and it is “the Emperor of Ice Cream” in both instances. > [@](#): > > Lenny: I must have dozed off. I keep expecting to do that and wake up dead. > > Mrs. Drusse: Lenny, you’ve got a long time before you join the dead. > > Lenny: No, Mrs. D-- He used to leave - had other business, I guess - but now he’s always right behind me. > > Bobby: Who is, Mr. Stillmach? > > Lenny: The Emperor of Ice Cream. Bonus trivia found while trying to establish exactly how “Stillmach” is spelled – Leonard Stillmach is the name of a character in the novel [_Bet Your Life_](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060505400/qid=1079075080/sr=8-3/ref=pd_ka_3/002-6254841-2880003?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) by [Richard Dooling](http://members.cox.net/dooling/novels.htm), who has a writer’s credit for this episode. I’m glad that they left “Swedenborgian space” in there. I read _The Heavenly Doctrine_ and _The Earths in the Universe_ at a time when I was going through an _entirely_ inadvisable amount of LSD and DMT, so that made me feel all warm and squishy inside. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-kings-kingdom-hospital/225304.md?page=5)