Quincy, M.E./On Dying High

On Dying High
Season 8, Episode 16
Airdate	February 9, 1983
Production Number	57037
Written by	Michael Braverman
Directed by	Ray Danton
Produced by	Michael Braverman, Jeri Taylor
← 8x15 Beyond the Open Door	8x17 → Quincy's Wedding (1)
Quincy, M.E. — Season Eight

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On Dying High is the sixteenth episode of the eighth season of Quincy, M.E., and the one hundred fortieth episode overall.

Starring: Jack Klugman (Dr. R. Quincy)

Also Starring: Garry Walberg (Lt. Monahan), John S. Ragin (Asten), Val Bisoglio (Danny), Robert Ito (Sam), Joseph Roman (Sgt. Brill)

Guest Stars: Roger Miller (J.J. Chandler), Henry Beckman (Sergeant Wendorf), Kelly Palzis (Ginger Reeves), Edd Byrnes (Bud Auerbach), James Karen (Maszek)

and Special Guest Star: Anita Gillette (Dr. Emily Hanover)

Co-Starring: Than Wyenn (Dr. Rubenstein), Guerin Barry (Gene), James Rosin (Dr. Rothman)

with Teresa Hoyos (Nurse #1), Steven Pringle (Intern), Josie Pepito (Nurse #2), Filip Field (Lab Technician), John Nolan (Bartender), Diane Markoff (Waitress), Eddie Garrett (Ed)

Kelly Preston (Ginger Reeves),

Plot Overview

Country singer J.J. Chandler, who freebases cocaine, almost dies on stage from serious burns caused by an explosion during freebasing. Quincy, who was present at the near-fatal performance and saved Chandler, must convince the entertainer to act responsibly and not release the video of the concert to his impressionable fans.

Trivia

Behind the Scenes

Interestingly enough, Roger Miller once had a substance abuse problem in real life, though it was pills, not cocaine.

Allusions and References

• In one scene, Quincy tries to watch television to relax, only to discover commercials touting prescription drugs or alcohol. One of the commercials is for a fictitious beer, Egan Gold, which is an inside reference to one of the show's producers, Sam Egan.

• This episode was clearly based on the infamous incident in which Richard Prior seriously burned himself while freebasing cocaine.