15 Times TV Shows Actually Saved (or Ruined) Lives

It’s no secret that television has a unique ability to capture our attention and entertain us. But what many people don’t realize is that it can also be a powerful tool for saving lives. From the heart-warming stories of people being saved by their favorite shows to the life-saving advice given by television personalities, television has the potential to be a real life-saver. This list is a compilation of some of the most incredible stories of people whose lives were saved (uh, and ruined) by television. From the British man who avoided a heart attack after watching City Hospital to the German doctor who diagnosed a man with severe heart failure after watching House, these stories prove that television can be more than just entertainment. These stories also remind us of, say, the importance of getting checked out if we think something is wrong, and that we should never underestimate the power of television. So, the next time you’re watching your favorite show, remember that it might just save your life.

TV pays off: Dad saves daughter’s life with ‘Office’-inspired CPR.

NBCUniversal
Zombie survival skills come in handy after all.

AMC Networks
Saving Lives

20th Television
Les Stroud: ‘Survivorman,’ rescuer of lost brothers.

Jokes can be deadly serious.

‘House’ saves the day... again.

NBCUniversal
City Hospital

BBC
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: not just entertainment, but life-saving.

Disney-ABC Domestic Television
Cowell and Osbourne: ‘The X Factor’s own life-saving duo.

ITV
Murder and basketball, a night out for the Menendez brothers.

‘ER’ was literally lifesaving entertainment.

Warner Bros. Television
Diagnosing from the couch -- one lump at a time.

HGTV
Coronation Street

ITV
Curb Your Enthusiasm

HBO