At the time of its premiere, Emergency! was fighting against shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and All in the Family. That's a great deal of pressure for any series to perform under, let alone one just starting out.

According to one of the series stars, Kevin Tighe, the success that the show experienced was no small feat. Tighe is known for playing Roy DeSoto in the series, and while the beginnings of the series were difficult, the audition process certainly wasn't.

"I read seven or eight lines," Tighe said during an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "I was hired."

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Winning the role also put Tighe in proximity with Jack Webb, creator of shows like Adam-12 and Dragnet.

"Soon, we made the pilot, and I learned something else about Webb," Tighe said. "He directed it, and he was difficult to work with, but a wonderful guy. He tells you what he wants, and you do it, and you always know where you stand."

Ultimately, the beginning of Emergency! was a labor of love.

"I never worked so hard on anything in the beginning," Tighe said. "We were doing eighteen hours a day, staying in motels, and taking vitamin B-12 shots. We really made our money."

Luckily, the cast shared a determination to do a good job. "I realize it's a cliché, but this show is wonderful to work on," Tighe said. "Everyone pulls together." 

These efforts weren't for nothing, either. Tighe's hard work won him the love of viewers and critics everywhere.

"You can tell by public reaction," Tighe said. "Just like Adam-12, the kids really dig this show. I get great letters from them."

Emergency! became a hit with viewers, helped introduce millions of Americans to the emerging paramedic profession, and inspired many people to pursue careers in emergency medical services. It was a job well done.