"Dr. Cox mentors the rookie doctors with a spoonful of dirt and then a cup of sugar. I see him as an archetypal descendent of two of my favorite curmudgeonly characters: Lou Grant and Louie De Palma"

John C. McGinley's quote is a contrast of his character, Dr. Cox, to 2 of his preferred curmudgeonly characters, Lou Grant and Louie De Palma. By comparing Dr. Cox to these two characters, McGinley is recommending that Dr. Cox is a mentor to the novice physicians in an unique method. He is difficult on them, but also provides them with a spoonful of dirt and a cup of sugar. This metaphor recommends that Dr. Cox is difficult on the rookie doctors, but likewise offers them with the guidance and support they require to succeed. He is a mix of the 2 characters, providing the rookies with a balance of hard love and assistance. In this method, Dr. Cox is a stereotypical descendent of Lou Grant and Louie De Palma, two of McGinley's preferred curmudgeonly characters.