Biography
Dr. Marc Siegel is an internist and an associate professor of medicine at New York University's School of Medicine. He is also the author of "False Alarm: The Truth About the Epidemic of Fear." In the Unreal World, he explains the medical facts behind the media fiction.
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The Unreal World: 'Take Shelter' raises questions about schizophrenia
November 21, 2011
The premise
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The Unreal World: 'Web Therapy' plot has some issues
September 26, 2011
"Web Therapy"
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'Necessary Roughness' plays fast and loose with therapy
July 11, 2011
'Necessary Roughness'
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Working out obesity issues on 'Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition'
June 27, 2011
"Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition"
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On 'Men of a Certain Age,' questions arise about colon cancer and chemo
June 13, 2011
The premise
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On 'Grey's Anatomy,' an altruistic act in Alzheimer's study could wreak havoc
May 9, 2011
The premise
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The Unreal World: Some bad fixes on 'Nurse Jackie'
April 11, 2011
The premise
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Hallmark's 'Accidentally in Love' has fuzzy grasp of eye disease facts
February 21, 2011
The premise: Annie (Jennie Garth) is a waitress, a widow and a mother with a big problem. Her 6-year-old daughter, Taylor (Dannika Northcott), is steadily losing her eyesight. By the time we meet the young girl, she can see only bright colors and vague shapes. Doctors say she will probably go blind within a year without surgery. Annie's new boyfriend, an actor named Eddie (Ethan Erickson), finds a philanthropic organization — the aptly named It's a Miracle Foundation — that will fund an operation if an eye surgeon recommends it. Taylor is examined by an eye surgeon who confirms she has "optic nerve hypoplasia." He believes that her sight can be saved by an operation — but it will cost more than $400,000 if the foundation doesn't pay for it. Because it's not a life-threatening case, the foundation puts her on a three- to five-year waiting list. That's too long for Eddie, who decides to pay for the operation himself. Taylor gets the operation right away, and it's a big success: Her vision improves quickly, and when the film flashes two years forward, she's seeing well with eyeglasses.
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'Black Swan's' psychological spin
February 14, 2011
The premise
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Fast and loose, but funny, in 'Little Fockers'
January 24, 2011
The premise
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'127 Hours' earns high marks from doctors
January 17, 2011
The premise
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The Unreal World: A brain injury, then a nightmare in the ambulance
December 13, 2010
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
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'House, M.D.' season finale
May 31, 2010
"House, M.D.", season finale
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‘Grey’s Anatomy’ episode about suicide hits the mark
April 12, 2010
"Grey's Anatomy"
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H1N1 vaccine: It's hard to prioritize in person
November 30, 2009
With the unanticipated shortage of the new H1N1 swine flu vaccine, my life as a practicing internist suddenly changed. My office phone began ringing off the hook with worried calls. Fear of the new, unknown vaccine was suddenly replaced by fear of not having it.
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'Brothers and Sisters': Misguided cancer treatment plan
November 16, 2009
'Brothers and Sisters' ABC, Sunday, Nov. 8, 10 p.m.
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Killer flu may not be the one we've feared
June 4, 2007
"Pandemic," the Hallmark Channel, May 26.
L.A. for less than the price of sunblock. 
