15 Times TV Shows Actually Saved (or Ruined) Lives

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15 Times TV Shows Actually Saved (or Ruined) Lives

NBCUniversal, AMC Networks

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.

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) SpongeBob SquarePants A 13-year-old autistic student from Staten Island, New York, was able to save his classmate from choking by using the Heimlich maneuver, which he had learned from an episode of the show. CRACKED

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

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) The Office An Indiana man was able to save his daughter's life by using CPR, which he had learned from watching an episode of The Office. The family then started trying to spread the word about how important CPR is. CRACKED

NBCUniversal

Today

Zombie survival skills come in handy after all.

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) The Walking Dead An advocate for the homeless was camping outside of a Best Buy in Florida to bring attention to the issue, and he used what he had learned from the zombie show to help save a man who had been shot in the parking lot. CRACKED

AMC Networks

Orlando Sentinel

Proof that ‘The Simpsons’ can save lives.

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) The Simpsons A 12-year-old from West Yorkshire was saved from choking on a sandwich by his best friend, who had seen the Heimlich Maneuver on The Simpsons. These cartoons are really life-saving PSAs in disguise, apparently. CRACKED

20th Television

The Telegraph

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

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) Survivorman Star Les Stroud is credited with rescuing two brothers who got lost in the Comox Valley of Vancouver Island. Не taught them how to build a shelter, ration their food, and signal for help. CRACKED

Les Stroud

Complex

‘House’ saves the day... again.

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) House In 2012, a German doctor was able to diagnose a man with severe heart failure after watching House. The symptoms were almost identical to those of a patient on the show, and the doctor could figure out that the cause was cobalt poisoning. CRACKED

NBCUniversal

HuffPost

A close call -- and a timely reminder to get checked out.

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) City Hospital A British man was lucky enough to avoid a heart attack after watching an episode of the BBC One documentary. It featured a man with the same symptoms as him, which made him realize he needed help. Не got it and had a successful triple heart bypass operation. CRACKED

BBC

Daily Mail

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

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) Grey's Anatomy A woman from Israel says Grey's Anatomy is the reason she's still alive. The show made her get a second opinion on her cancer diagnosis, which turned out to be correct. She then went through chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy to treat it. CRACKED

Disney-ABC Domestic Television

NBC News

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

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) The X Factor Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne saved contestant Jacqui Gray's life when they heard a strange rasp in her voice. After going to a doctor, Jacqui was diagnosed with bronchiectasis, a really serious lung disease. CRACKED

ITV

The Mirror

Diagnosing from the couch -- one lump at a time.

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) Beachfront Bargain Hunt One ENT surgeon spotted a lump on a woman's neck while watching her on the HGTV show. Не contacted her on social media and she got a diagnosis - thyroid cancer. CRACKED

HGTV

Country Living

Kris’s mom’s ‘Corrie’-viewing saved her life.

When TV saves lives (or destroys them) Coronation Street In 2009, a storyline about breast cancer inspired actress Kris Mochrie's mom to get checked out, and it ended up saving her life. The actress who played the part, Sally Dynevor, was diagnosed with cancer in real life too. CRACKED

ITV

The Sun

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