November 20, 2008
The premise of many former cast members returning as guests on the final season of ER is irresistible, especially to those who have followed the award-winning medical drama throughout its fifteen years on the air. Shane West, who played resident Ray Barnett until he left in season 13, sprang a surprise appearance in the Halloween episode. Last week, Anthony Edwards revisited Mark Greene, albeit in flashbacks. Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle are also returning in the show's future episodes; the former as a guest, the latter as a director.
Not everybody, though, is returning. Julianna Margulies, who appeared as troubled nurse Carol Hathaway from the drama's premiere in 1994 and for the next six seasons, said that she declined offers from ER producers to return to the show as a guest. “I feel like I left Carol Hathaway in the best scenario possible,” she said. “I can't imagine making it any better than that.”
November 13, 2008
ER has run for 14 years and earned numerous honors, so the fanfare surrounding its final season is pretty justified. Some of its most celebrated cast members throughout the years are returning as guest stars in the remaining episodes to mark the occasion. The first to do the honors is Anthony Edwards, who will appear as a guest star on tonight's episode, entitled “Heal Thyself”.
Tonight, Dr. Catherine Banfield (Angela Bassett) finds herself trying to rescue a three-year-old girl who almost drowns in a lake, just when she tries to give herself a break from the hustle and bustle of her profession. That's where Edwards comes in—his character, Dr. Mark Greene, may have died of a brain tumor in the eighth season, but today he comes in as part of Dr. Banfield's many flashbacks, remembering how the two took care of her son.
November 6, 2008
While most fans are still grieving the death of ER creator Michael Crichton, we have some good news that might cheer you up. Quite a number of original cast members have come back for the 15th and final season of ER and Anthony Edwards is more than happy to comment on his experience coming back to the show.
"It was really like going back to high school, in the best way. It was like going back to your favorite class and having your favorite teacher,” Edwards told Reuters. “It took about a half an hour — and after about a half an hour, I really felt like I'd never left."
November 5, 2008
Michael Crichton, the author of such popular novels as Jurassic Park, Timeline, The Andromeda Strain and Disclosure, died on Tuesday at the age of 66. Crichton's family revealed that he had been suffering from "a private battle with cancer" for quite some time, which came as a shock to his many fans around the globe. In addition to his plethora of novels, Crichton also gained fame for creating NBC's medical drama ER, which is currently in its 15th and final season. His final novel, Next, was published in 2006.
October 30, 2008
ER’s fifteenth and final season is now on a roll, with more heart-stopping drama and intense scenes that would leave fans on the edges of their seats, wanting more. Last week, we saw the interns get abck to work while the veterans took the reigns. Adjustment was a requirement for everyone as they were all dealing with having a new Chief—Dr. Banfield.
Meanwhile, Dr. Banfield herself encountered some trouble after a street thug tried to rob her off some cash. Of course, she wasn’t one to back down. In fact, she sent him straight to the hospital where he was to repent for his sins.
October 23, 2008
With the 15th and final season of the acclaimed long-running medical drama ER being aired, there's definitely a lot of pressure on the show to retain its success. Tonight, the series brings tension for its many characters on the episode “Parental Guidance.” Focusing on the moving issues of families, the numerous occurrences on tonight's ER will surely be both astounding and sentimental.
On “Parental Guidance,” an unexpected occurrence is faced by Dr. Catherine Banfield (Angela Bassett). Being caught off guard, she must think quickly of how to arm herself when a robbery takes place. Meanwhile, the organized protests of Brenner (David Lyons) lead to Dr. Lucien Dubenko (Leland Orser) getting reinstated.
October 9, 2008
Fresh from a harsh and debilitating farewell to Dr. Gregory Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) on the series' 15th season premiere, everyone in the ER is still reeling and trying to cope with the loss of their colleague. As ER heads to draw its final curtain, sources confirm that Pratt is only the first on a long list of people who are saying their adios. On the other hand, there are also people who will say hi to the series, most notable of which is, of course, Angela Bassett who joins the cast as the new chief.
On tonight's episode of the long-running medical drama, the staff feels a little defensive toward the new Chief and her tough exterior. Meanwhile, Gates (John Stamos) tells the new interns to treat a terrorist who is keeping some lethal secrets of his own, and Nella (Parminder Nagra) tries her hardest to get Dubenko back on the surgery staff. Abby (Maura Tierney) must make a crucial decision about her future at County.
October 2, 2008
In the cutthroat industry of television, networks know better than to keep a show that won’t reach ratings standards. We all know how fast the powers that be could cut the show, even if it had aired its pilot episode. To last more than five seasons would be a milestone for most scripted shows, but the even bigger accomplishment would be to go beyond the ten-season mark. This holds true for the Emmy Award-winning primetime series created by novelist Michael Crichton, which first began airing in 1994.
Now that the 15th season of ER has begun airing, we look back at the 15 seasons that made television history on NBC.