Watching ER

I am so glad that the strike is over. For me it has been a very bleak television season. There really isn’t anything I’ve desperately wanted to see since all of my favorite shows were on hiatus. As I mentioned before, I don’t do reality shows and beyond that, only the soaps are left.

In case you haven’t yet heard the actors report back to work tomorrow (March 6th) and new shows, six in all are scheduled to air beginning April 10th. That’s good news right? I thought so too!

From what I have read the first show to air will have Abby and Luka still in Croatia. They send an update back home and it leads Neela to believe that there is trouble in paradise. Unfortunately that is all I have for a spoiler right now because my usual sources haven’t posted much.

What’s even more good news is that Maura Tierney recently mentioned that ER WILL BE RETURNING FOR A 15TH SEASON with 22 episodes. I can’t confirm this though because the network hasn’t come out and said anything official… I’ve heard it from more than one source though. She also mentioned that she doesn’t know if she will return or not for another season. I would think she would want to see her character wrapped up properly and it is so hard to do that when the actor or actress bows out. I know, I know… her contract is up at the end of this season so she doesn’t have to return. I still think it would be a fitting end to see the characters we love walk out of the doors of County General rather than hear about an untimely death or the “Dear ER” letter that tells us they won’t be returning.

If you really, really want to have something to look forward to in the upcoming episodes airing in April then hear this: the word around is that there is a very good chance (read that very, very, very good) that you will see Shane West sometime within the first six episodes. I don’t know where…  I don’t know when… All I know is that Ray could be back for an appearance or two… and please don’t ask if he has legs or not, that’s just wrong and I don’t know.

Now if you want my opinion on bringing Shane West back for a couple of episodes… I would have to say… It’s a good move. I mean… A REALLY GOOD MOVE on NBC’s part. Over at ER’s site on NBC.com, there is a whole thread (46 pages long) dedicated to the Ray and Neela misguided love story (personally I don’t care for it but that’s just me). Shane West is one of the most popular google searches this blog has. Bringing him back after such a long hiatus and the prospect of a 15th season isn’t just a good idea… IT’S BRILLIANT. Once fans get word he would appear… I can almost guarantee a ratings jump for those shows and I can definitely guarantee that those that missed it will be searching till their eyeballs bleed for a way to see the full ER episode online.

Anyone care to agree?

Now for the fond farewell…

That would be me. I am going to be leaving Watching ER. I don’t know when it will be effective but I just wanted to take a moment and say how much I have loved blogging here at 451 press and bringing everyone ER news and scoops. Like I said in the beginning, I’ve been a fan from the show’s first episode and I will continue to be a fan even though I won’t be your go-to for ER much longer.

Anyone who wants to visit me is welcome to do so over at Chaos in the Country, The Guilty Parent and Mommy Know How.

In the meantime, lets just see where this season’s last episodes take us and enjoy the ride!

Season 15, ER spoilers, Shane West, Ray, 451 press, blogging, new episodes

Poor Harold. Part of me wanted to either kill this new intern or just “tsk tsk” him all night. While he might have had the facts down (a little too well) something tells me he is needing some much needing bed side manner skills. Could it be that he is only 19?

If you think Steven’s character, Harold, is young, then you won’t be surprised to learn how close fiction really is to the truth.

Steven Christopher Parker is just the ripe old age of 18 years old. Born on January 8th, 1989 and hailing from Denver, Colorado, Steven is not going to be leaving the ER anytime soon. At the present he is slated to appear in two more episodes of ER in November. He will appear in next week’s “The Test” and episode 8, “Coming Home”.

A true ER fan will probably be thinking… Haven’t I seen this actor before?

So if you think you’ve seen this young man before on ER, then you are correct! Two years ago in Season 11 “Here and There”, he played Gus but for the life of me, I have no idea who Gus was. At that time, season 11 was wrapped around the Gallant-Neela Iraq storyline. Not only has he already done a stint in the ER but he also made a small appearance in Little Miss Sunshine as well (think small, teen age boy #1 in the credits).

Here’s what I am wondering: Were the Powers That Be so impressed with Steven’s acting that they decided they wanted to bring him back for another stint in the ER or were there just not enough young actors willing to to portray prodigy turned Intern?

Hmmm… anyone care to weigh in on that?

ER Interns, Young New Intern, Actors, Steven Christopher Parker, Season 14, Season 11

Did you know there was a wish list for ER? I didn’t either until recently.

Apparently the writers and producers of ER have been dreaming of ways to bring back some of our most beloved characters. There is always a chance that a doctor could reappear at any time on ER. But the fact that they have been actively putting some thought into getting some former stars back on the show for an episode or two is surprising.

This just leads me to what has been rumored for quite some time.

This is the last season for ER. Shhh… I know. I didn’t mean to say it so loud for all of you out there covering your ears. I don’t want to believe it either but the truth is that this is probably the last season.

According to the writers and producers, they have a lot of storylines to close up this season if that is true and what’s to become of the ER? Presumably that is where the former characters come in.

Here is how the list shapes up as of now:

Noah Wyle (Dr. John Carter) is contracted for four episodes. He WILL BE in the ER. No news on exactly what he will be doing, only that he will be interacting with the doctors and nurses. His filthy stinking rich family dedicated a wing to his still born son and that brings him home.

Remember Jeannie (Gloria Ruben)? She is said to be coming back in January for medical treatment for her HIV-positive son. No word on how many episodes she will appear in but hey… at this point I will take anything!

They are also hoping to bring in Julianna Margulies and we are ALL hoping the hottest pediatrician ever will bless us with an appearance and so are the ER execs. They would also like to see Sally Field and Danny Glover come back as well.

But now I have to share my mixed feelings on the wish list. Of course I want to see all the former cast members (or at least as many of them as they can bring back), but I don’t want it be in the wake of a final season (though it still isn’t confirmed… Thank Goodness!) But still… how bittersweet, sad and ugh… just plain heart wrenching is it to see all of our favorites for the last time.

Who would you like to see make an appearance? It’s too bad that they can’t bring the dead back… I would love to see Dr. Greene again. Just once. Sigh.

I know, syndication and DVD’s… but it isn’t the same. Does anyone want to keep my hopes alive and start a rumor about some of the actors from ER in a spin off? That would be nice. Can we do that?

ER, guest appearances, former cast members, Jeannie, Gloria Ruben, John Carter

ER has not had much press lately. At least not from me anyway. I haven’t been around much but I have been following the conversations regarding the new season and here is just a snippet of what people are saying:

According to a discussion with TV guide, the show is not over for ER according to David Zabel, who is the executive producer of the long running hit series.

In fact, they are working on rebuilding the family of the ER. Hmmm… did someone get my memo on that I wonder? It’s about time… We won’t go into detail but I am sure you can hear me getting out my soapbox but for now, I wil l just sit still and be a good girl.

In fact there is some talk about some former ER regulars to make appearances on upcoming shows. Now wouldn’t that be lovely? Who do you suppose it will be?

Ok, so back to getting ready for the new season of ER… Are you ready? Have you cleared your calendar because I want you to be aware… if you are a fan of Network Television, here is what you are up for next Thursday night (that’s September 27th for those of you not near a calendar right now).

Grey’s Anatomy is on @ 9pm. Yes, I will be watching and CBS’s drama, Without a Trace will be up against ER. Plus, ABC has a new show which features a whole lotta hot guys. So ladies I suggest getting your Tivo’s warmed up.

So stick around, there is more to come next week as I begin the countdown for the new season with some spoiler scoops and name drops as to who will be appearing as well.

ER this year? I know they weren’t nominated for Best Drama Series, but Forest Whitaker has been nominated for his guest role on the show this last season.

In case you forgot about Forest and his reoccuring guest spot as Curtis Ames, he played a stroke patient who takes Luka to court for malpractice. Losing his case, he begins to stalk not Luka but Abby and baby Joe. In a final seat-gripping, nail-biting, conclusion, Forest kidnaps Luka and holds him at gun point demanding that Luka give him back his life or suffer the pain Ames has had from the loss of functionality in his arm. I think I paced the floor through the whole thing.

If you missed this mini drama in a drama, then you had to be under a rock. This was the most talked about guest appearance on ER in a long, long time. Forest played Ames to frightening perfection. If ER and Forest miss receiving this Emmy, I might just eat my keyboard.

For those of you who missed it, this is well worth watching again:

Forest Whitaker, Curtis Ames, Luka, Abby, Emmy Nominations