Since Noah Wyle left I haven’t been able to bring myself into the ER on Thursday nights. However with the dramatic entrance of John Leguizamo playing Dr. Victor Clemente, I am feeling a little faint. The Colombian actor began a 12 episode guest run aimed to boost sagging ratings of the hospital drama, now in its 12th season.

Leguizamo, best known for his hilarious and often self-deprecating stage show improvised monologues, plays Victor Clemente as egotistical, loud and jarring. According to the story line the doctor arrives at County General Hospital via Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx and an unnamed hospital in Newark, where apparently something has gone down that audiences will surely find out about in coming episodes.

Last night as soon as Leguizamo showed up on the television screen I was laughing. He brings such a unique vibe, his character calling patients “mami” and even speaking in Russian. What is interesting upon further analyzing his character is that in some ways the role borders on stereotype. El doctor is an in your face, domineering, and muy macho. Parminder Nagra’s character reminds us of the sexual stereotypes surrounding Latino men by commenting upon Dr. Clemente’s arrival that “he’s kinda hot”.

It is nice to see a Latino playing a professional and not the usual drug dealer thug role. It will be interesting to see how Leguizamo’s character is developed. Give me more Doctor Clemente, stat!

ER can be seen on Thursday Nights on NBC at 10 p.m. Eastern, 9 p.m. Central Time.

Via / USA Today