"ER" (1994) TV series 1994-2009

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Creator:

Michael Crichton

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | unknown

Release Date:

19 September 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The work and lives of a group of emergency room doctors in Chicago.

Plot Keywords:

Medical | Emergency Room | Doctor | Hospital | Medical Drama

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 118 wins & 261 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 9	11:00 AM	TNT	No Strings Attached	#9.14
Tue. Nov. 10	11:00 AM	TNT	A Boy Falling Out of the Sky	#9.15

Cast

Noah Wyle	...	Dr. John Carter / ... (255 episodes, 1994-2009)
Laura Innes	...	Dr. Kerry Weaver / ... (251 episodes, 1995-2009)
Laura Cerón	...	Nurse Chuny Marquez (219 episodes, 1995-2009)
Maura Tierney	...	Nurse Abby Lockhart / ... (190 episodes, 1999-2009)
Deezer D	...	Nurse Malik McGrath (188 episodes, 1994-2009)
Goran Visnjic	...	Dr. Luka Kovac / ... (186 episodes, 1999-2009)
Yvette Freeman	...	Nurse Haleh Adams (185 episodes, 1994-2009)
Anthony Edwards	...	Dr. Mark Greene / ... (182 episodes, 1994-2009)
Eriq La Salle	...	Dr. Peter Benton / ... (173 episodes, 1994-2009)
Emily Wagner	...	Doris Pickman (167 episodes, 1994-2009)
Alex Kingston	...	Dr. Elizabeth Corday / ... (161 episodes, 1997-2009)
Lynn A. Henderson	...	Pamela Olbes (148 episodes, 1995-2009)
Sherry Stringfield	...	Dr. Susan Lewis / ... (143 episodes, 1994-2009)
Abraham Benrubi	...	Jerry Markovic (141 episodes, 1994-2009)
Mekhi Phifer	...	Dr. Gregory Pratt / ... (136 episodes, 2002-2009)
Julianna Margulies	...	Nurse Carol Hathaway / ... (136 episodes, 1994-2009)
Parminder Nagra	...	Dr. Neela Rasgotra / ... (130 episodes, 2003-2009)
Troy Evans	...	Frank Martin / ... (129 episodes, 1994-2009)
Linda Cardellini	...	Nurse Samantha Taggart / ... (127 episodes, 2003-2009)
Lily Mariye	...	Nurse Lily Jarvik (127 episodes, 1994-2009)
Paul McCrane	...	Dr. Robert Romano / ... (126 episodes, 1997-2009)
Ming-Na	...	Dr. Jing-Mei Chen / ... (118 episodes, 1995-2004)
Montae Russell	...	Dwight Zadro (117 episodes, 1995-2009)
Scott Grimes	...	Dr. Archie Morris / ... (113 episodes, 2003-2009)
Ellen Crawford	...	Nurse Lydia Wright (113 episodes, 1994-2009)
Conni Marie Brazelton	...	Nurse Connie Oligario (113 episodes, 1994-2003)
George Clooney	...	Dr. Doug Ross (109 episodes, 1994-2009)

Also Known As:

E.R. (USA) (alternative spelling)
Emergency Room (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

44 min | 60 min (including commercials) | Netherlands:55 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:15 (some episodes) | UK:18 (one episode) | Singapore:PG (season 3) (season 4) | Netherlands:12 (some episodes) | Netherlands:MG6 (some episodes) | Singapore:NC-16 (season 1) (season 5) (season 6) (season 9) REPLACE WITH: (season 1) (season 5) (season 6) (season 9) | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | South Korea:15 | Hungary:16 (some episodes) | Singapore:M18 (season 7) (season 8) (season 10) (season 11) | Singapore:NC-16 (season 9) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Brazil:14 | Norway:15 | USA:TV-14

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Constant c Productions

Trivia:

George Clooney had his first regular TV role in a comedy ten years earlier called "E/R" (1984).

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: CPR is not to be performed on a live person who is not in full cardiac arrest as performing CPR may disrupt normal heart rating of person in good condition. That is why even EMTs and other responders are taught on mannequins and never on live people

Quotes:

Frank: [describing Jodie] She's kind of a looker, in an 'interstate off-ramp' kind of way.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Saturday Night Live: Julianna Margulies/DMX (#25.12)" (2000)

Though It has Lost Its Edge Recently, ER Is Still The Best Medical Drama Produced

Alongside The Simpsons, ER is one of the longest running US TV shows and through its successful blend of wonderful and memorable characters, intriguing story lines, strong intensity involving the cast and impressive action sequences, this medical drama is by far streets ahead of the likes of Chicago Hope and even Grey's Anatomy. Unfortunately in recent years, ER has declined in quality due to the departure of key characters, poor story lines and dull ideas, of which accounted for the decrease in viewing figures. The current crop of characters Neela, Luka, Abby, Pratt, Taggart and Barnett don't hold a candle to the experienced old rear guard of Greene, Carter, Benton, Lewis, Hathaway and Ross. They, in particular, were the original, and arguably the best set of characters the show has had.

The earlier seasons of ER were great- those times were witty, exciting and a joy to behold for us viewers. Such a shame however that when the old characters had left- or in the case of Mark Greene passed away- the writers of this drama were unable to fill that void with their newer, replacement characters, as well as good story lines and as such, the programme has suffered as a result.

There were a few story lines I didn't agree with; likewise for example, Mark Greene and Elizabeth Corday getting married together as a couple. I always had an inkling for Mark and Susan, of whom I felt had a lot more in common with each other and considering the history they had together as close friends and work colleagues they had a bond and chemistry that was like a match made in heaven. Also, a lot of ER fans preferred Mark to be with Susan, compared to those who liked Mark and Elizabeth. And so its such a shame that we never got to see Mark and Susan as a couple. There were also tragic and memorable story lines which are worth mentioning also that touched viewers hearts- Mark's brain tumour and his evitable death, Benton's son being mentally handicapped, Weaver coming to terms with her sexuality and coming out as a lesbian to her friends, work colleagues and family, and the consummation of Luka and Abbey and Ross and Carol's relationships.

The main problem with the ER though were the main characters of the earlier seasons who were on the show for a few series, and then suddenly they are written off. It doesn't matter how many new ideas, characters you introduce to the show because it is the original ideas, characters and realism of the show, of which worked so well in the first place that should be further developed. I wouldn't say that ER has jumped the shark, but it is certainly no longer the same show as it was back in 1994. ER is currently in its 14th season and whilst it is somewhat of an impressive feat, many of the original cast have gone and yet it can be argued that in reference to the current season the show has gradually become boring and stale, the longer it has gone on.

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end- and ER perhaps is no exception. Perhaps now it is the time to lay this ghost to rest. As much as it is arguably the best and most successful medical drama in TV history, ER during the last few years has spiralled downhill; the writing isn't as good as it was and it has lost a lot of its spark, which made it the no#1 hit US drama around. Still, as mentioned earlier, it is still the best medical/hospital drama to ever grace our screens. As not even the classic St Elsewhere and Chicago Hope comes close to matching, rivalling or surpassing ER's accomplishments.

Besides, this show will live long in TV history that's for sure and quite rightly so.