Ann Curry Helps Solve Mysterious Medical Cases in Her New TV Show

From Oprah Magazine

• Ann Curry’s new show Chasing the Cure premieres on August 8 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT and TBS.

• The new reality series will follow patients desperate for a diagnosis as they interact with doctors in hopes of finding an answer that’ll cure their ailments.

Renowned journalist (and former Today show co-host) Ann Curry has had quite a busy summer.

Earlier this year, the Emmy-winning TV personality, who has brought us groundbreaking stories from Syria and Darfur to Serbia and Israel, gave OprahMag.com a preview of her latest project, and now, Chasing the Cure, her new TNT/TBS show, is finally ready to take off. If you’re a fan of real-life medical shows such as Trauma: Seconds to Live and Untold Stories of the ER (heck, we’ll even throw Grey’s Anatomy in there), then this one’s for you.

When does Chasing the Cure premiere?

Ann Curry’s new show will air on August 8 at 9 p.m EST simultaneously on TNT and TBS. If you don’t have a television, download the TNT app and TBS app to watch the new episodes—or try a free trial on a streaming service like Hulu to watch live. There will be 10 episodes, each 90-minutes long.

What is Chasing the Cure about?

The premise is pretty unique—and Ann Curry is the host with journalist Kim Bondy on board as the showrunner and executive producer. Basically, the show is dedicated to helping patients from all across the country get one step closer to finding a diagnosis for the hard-to-nail-down medical issues they’ve struggled with for years. With the help of Curry, each patient will get access to doctors and medical experts that work together to figure out what, exactly, they can do to help these patients live an easier life.

We’ll have to wait and see how this all gets weaved together, however, each episode will feature live medical procedures plus conversations between doctors and the patients. “We are not their doctors,” Curry said at the Television Critics Association press tour in July, according to The Wrap. “They have their own medical doctors, or primary care physicians. If they don’t have a doctor, we have to sort of deal with that challenge. But essentially what they’re getting is a panel of experts for a problem that they can’t resolve. And they can take their advice or not.”

She continued, “They have come to us asking for help…We’re dealing with people who are saying ‘I can’t find any answers. I need some help.’ And we’re exposing them to the highest level of doctors.”

How can I learn more about the patients?

Well, in addition to the 90-minute show, chasingthecurelive.com has been built to give you access to each of the medical cases presented on the program. On the website, viewers and professionals will be able to chime in with their own two cents about each case, and you’ll also get to review the stories of patients not seen on the show. Again, the goal is to help real-life people get access to medical care quickly.

Is there a trailer?

Yes, the Chasing the Cure trailer is quite gripping (not to mention graphic), and it features a selection of patients that are struggling to survive because they can’t figure out what’s wrong with them. In it, Curry takes us through these investigations and “mystery illnesses.”

Are there examples of the cases I’ll get to watch?

Definitely. In the teaser video below, a woman named Brenda describes a “bone-crushing” headache she’s experienced for nine years. After turning to a neurologist, she was told she was suffering from migraines, but has yet to receive a diagnosis that has helped her feel better. According to the clip, she’s burned through her life savings while seeking treatment.

Another video shows a woman racing against the clock to fix her deteriorating eyes before she goes completely blind.

We expect to see if they get better once the show airs on August 8.

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