What’s life without a little fun? It seems that today, everyone is foaming at the mouth for a hint of drama, and if they can’t get it in their own lives, they’re more than willing to turn to television.

However, too much action can make the brain go numb. How do you know what’s actually important when every story keeps you on the edge of your seat? A good television show should feel like a rollercoaster; we all want to feel the highs, but in order to appreciate them, we’ll need to experience a few lows as well.

A show like Emergency! was the perfect mixture of action and calm. At first glance, a series revolving around the work of firefighters and paramedics may seem action-packed. However, the series also offered an inside look at the calmer moments in the lives of first responders. Sure, Johnny and Roy faced their fair share of danger, but viewers also got to watch them love and laugh in their more relaxed moments.

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These moments were the result of careful planning by co-creator Robert A. Cinader, who used comedy to add a touch of realism to the series.

“Most people who develop dramatic shows tend to be too heavy-handed,” said Cinader during an interview with the Associated Press. “But people in high-tension jobs let off steam and tend to be a little flaky. They do it to relieve the tension. People think it’s hoked up, but it really happens in fire stations. They play practical jokes on each other.”

Not only did comedy provide realism, but it also allowed Emergency! to achieve an equilibrium that few shows have managed to capture. “I think it gives the show a balance,” said Cinader. “The audience gets bored if you keep the same mood throughout a show.”