ER says goodbye to its fans tonight, marking an end of an era for NBC as it tries to adapt to a time where unscripted shows have rapidly taken over the TV circuit.  For 15 years, the show has redefined the concept of medical drama while putting the spotlight on the fictional County General Hospital.

Jurassic Park and The Lost World author Michael Crichton, who died of cancer last year, wrote the screenplay for ER in 1974 based on his own experiences as a medical resident in a busy hospital emergency room.  The show premiered on September 19, 1994 and has been aired on Thursday nights for its entire run.  ER is now considered NBC's second longest-running drama after Law & Order, and at 15 seasons, the longest-running American primetime medical drama of all time.

In the series finale of ER called “And in the End,” Gates (John Stamos) deals with a young teen who is admitted for alcohol poisoning after playing a deadly drinking game with friends.  At the same time, Dr. Carter (guest star Noah Wyle) opens a new medical facility for the underprivileged in Chicago, paving the return of some old friends from County General as they all come to show their support.  Later, Carter works with an intern to save a mother in labor with twins.

Although viewers can expect a lot of drama in the series ender of ER, fans can also expect some lighthearted scenes as Sam (Linda Cardellini) celebrates her birthday and Alex (Dominic Janes) and Gates surprise her with a special gift.

Meanwhile, executive producer John Wells reminds fans that they shouldn’t expect a clean ending that would resolve all those loose ends that have accumulated over the years nor will there be a big emotional farewell with many former cast members appearing on the final episode.

"We've spread them out over the season," Wells told Entertainment Weekly magazine.  "I didn't want to do something like somebody dies, or there is a celebration, or the hospital closes, so that's why everybody comes back [during the season].  I wanted it to be natural."

Aside from Noah Wyle, Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) and Ernest Borgnine (From Here to Eternity) also guest star.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: NBC, EW
(Image courtesy of NBC)