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

John Stamos, ABC, Rumors, Writers Strike, Denise Richards, Sean Combs

That’s the burning question on every fan’s mind isn’t it? In the beginning of the season, some of the actors agreed and speculated that this was the last season. Popular television sites, bloggers, and gossipers alike all chimed in that season 14 was THE LAST season. We thought we were seeing the curtain drawing on our favorite show, one of the longest running shows on NBC, and certainly one of the longest running medical dramas.
But wait! What’s that in the distance… Oh my! Could it be that a season 15 will happen after all? Well if you are John Wells, (the BOSS) he’s thinking that cashing in now might not work out the way it was planned.

Remember that Writer’s Strike? Well it seems that while other shows are in peril and struggling with repeats, the strike could work in ER’s favor at this point. According to Mr. Wells, discussions are taking place again with NBC to extend ER for one more season.
So why now? Numerous sources are saying that only 13 episodes of the show are complete (when there are normally 22,) and the strike puts a tad bit of a crimp in the way the show was going to be wrapped up. It’s possible that ER could be picked back up for another season to properly end the show, and right now, ending it now doesn’t seem feasible in the wake of the writer’s strike.

My thoughts on this are… IT’S ABOUT DAGGONE TIME! Seriously! The reports from up above say that ER (despite having some blah seasons) is hanging in there with the big boys right now AND still has a very strong fan base (Are you surprised?) Give yourselves a pat on the back folks, you deserve it!

So there you have it folks – if you would like to see ER hang in there for another season to give the characters a proper exit, haul your cookies over to nbc.com and let them know what you think! If John Wells thinks it’s deserving of another season, then some positive fan love couldn’t hurt!

NBC, Season 15, Writer’s Strike, Fans, ER

This seems to be on everyone’s mind as of late and I can’t blame them. With the writer’s strike looming over networks, there is more on fans minds than whether or not their favorite characters will hook up or survive to see another show.

So that makes me wonder, how will the NBC TPTB handle the strike on ER and its upcoming episodes. I have seen posts by fans stating that the strike won’t affect the show but… in my last post, I touched on Linda and Scott talking about how and when the writer’s strike will affect them. According to the interview that I posted from youtube, the strike will not affect them until December. CBS news also reported that Television series will run out of shows by the beginning of 2008.

Please pay attention to this: one of my sources has spoilers posted for episodes 7, 8, and 9. Episode 9 will not air until sometime in January 2008. (Pay attention: after episode 8 next week - November 15th, there won’t be another new show until January when Episode 9 airs).

So for anyone who believes that the strike is not going to affect this show, I kind of have to air on the side of caution and say, yes… they will be affected, especially given the comments both Linda and Scott give on the subject.

Now… I also read on MSNBC.com that the strike would not “immediately affect prime time shows” - going on to add that they have scripts stock piled into 2008. Whether or not I believe that is laughable.

Why? Well for one, you see how well TPTB have listened to ER fans and started posting full episodes online right? Exactly. Requests have fallen on deaf ears. Not to mention that rumors fly that this will be the last season for ER… so why would they stockpile scripts for a show that they plan on ending?

I’m just saying is all. You don’t have to believe me (there are at least six other bloggers here at 451 press who are talking about the strike as well).

I would like to hear what you think. Will the strike affect our beloved ER?

ER fans, writer’s strike, The Powers That Be, rumors

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.

Former ER star Julianna Margulies is due sometime this winter. If you don’t remember who Margulies is, you really are not a fan are you? What are you doing here then?

Anyway, Margulies was famed Nurse Hathaway and George Clooney’s main/on-again-off-again love interest on ER. She returns to the small screen this fall in a new courtroom drama which I have talked about before so please keep up.

Ms. Margulies, the first time mom-to-be, is a fairly private person and is so far keeping the details under wraps but as of right now, the pregnancy will reportedly not be written into Canterbury’s Law, and therefore we can look forward to numerous stratigically placed items, funky wardrobe, and more up close shots.

Congratulations Julianna! However hush-hush things are, I am sending positive baby bump vibes your way.

celebrity baby bump, Julianna Margulies, Canterbury’s Law, ER

I didn’t want this to be true which is probably why it took me so long to post about it, but sadly Goran Visnjic has fathered an illegitimate child in Croatia. Well I should say that it’s not sad that he is has a child in Croatia. It’s sad that he stepped out on his wife and it’s sad that this ER Doc isn’t acknowledging the little baby girl and is being slapped with a paternity suit.

It is being reported that he agred to financially care for the little girl as long as he didn’t have to have anything to do with the baby.

Ok, I am sorry but I am failiing to understand other than the extreme obvious (his wife lopping off his manhood being serioulsly ticked off if she didnt’ know until now), why Visnjic would only financially care for the baby. According to the report, he knew she was pregnant.

Visnjic has been married since 1999 to Ivana Vrdoljak and adopted a baby boy this past April.

Goran Visnjic, babies, Croatia, love child, ER Drama

I don’t know about you but anytime one of my favorite actors makes a… Well, (ahem) Dingbat (for lack of another word that I can’t use here), of themselves, I feel embarrassed for them and a little outraged for their complete lack of professionalism.

Such is the case of John Stamos who by now you all know has been tossed around on the web like a flaming hackey sack for his bad behavior on one of Australia’s morning talk shows. His slurred speech and out-of-it behavior had the tabloids on both ends of the globe buzzing about possible drunkeness.

Stamos fired back that unlike David Hasslehoff, he has no drinking problem.

Not long after that videos surfaced on the web to back up John’s fuzzy interview causing Stamos and his PR people to go into panic mode and blame the whole thing on jet lag.

Possible but from Cleveland, OH to Sydney, AU fans weren’t buying it.

Now completely caught up in a would-be scandal, Stamos is revealing that the bad performance on Australia National TV was brought on by side effects from the prescription sleep aid, Ambian.

Uh, Ok but excuse me, Dr. Gates, but shouldn’t you have already learned about the possible side effects of sleep aids early on in your medical training? Just curious.

John Stamos drunken like behavior, sleep aids, Austrailia News Media, Jet lag, Actors

If season 14 were to be ER’s last, what story lines would you like to see developed? This is just one of the questions fans all over ER fan message boards are asking each other.

And with good reason too, some rumors are floating about that season 14 could very well be the last.

One of the biggest story lines that fans would like to see is a definite hook-up between Neela and Ray. With Shane West (Ray) admitting that he would no longer be a season regular, that story line is sketchy at best. Though because his new show was not picked up, he may be more of a regular than a guest after all.

If ER did make season 14 the last, I would predict that they close County. That would be the only logical way to do it. Episodes in the past have touted the hospital’s money troubles and cuts so it would be plausible to have the Hospital close, if not the entire Hospital, then at least the ER. This would also make for a very topical story line since so many hospitals across the United States are also facing similar problems.

What do you think? Any speculations on a final season?

Good morning folks!

It felt good to get that first post out of the way last night. It’s like opening night jitters at the Improv isn’t it? (I wouldn’t really know but I am speculating).

I guess I made a tiny error (really miniscule actually) in my post last night.

Apparently ER was on a different night other than Thursdays, when it debuted, it was on Monday. I don’t know how long it stayed there (a mute point really) but I just wanted everyone to know that there are people in the world more obsessed with ER than me (shocking but true).

Speaking of obsession, Is NBC obsessed with taking out its top 3 actors on ER every so many years? I’m curious.

According to TV Guide, both Abby and Luka will be leaving the show next fall. There isn’t much being said about how the couple will go out as it’s still in the works but my thoughts are this.

Give the people a good ending.

NBC held out on us for 6 weeks with no new shows, no updates… No nothing. As a mom of 4 who looks forward to her Thursday night peace and quiet (ok after 9pm, every night is supposed to be peace and quiet but I said there were 4 kids, so go with me on this), I LIKE sitting in front of my TV and tuning into ER. It is something I look forward to. I flip from Grey’s Anatomy over to ER (can we say double dose of Medical drama?) It’s a ritual I have come to love and don’t like it being tampered with.

I was not the only one who felt this way when NBC smacked ER fans with the dry spell. Fan sites and message boards everywhere were up in arms with speculation rumors of the show not returning, and finally the confirmed rumors of Goran Visnjic not returning.

So what does that mean for the fans? Who is going to step up as the front runner characters. My money is that Mekhi Phifer (Pratt) will become lead man (his character has been showcased quite a bit this last season). Then there will be Neela (Parminder K. Nagra) but not Ray, as it is being said he won’t be returning as well.

All of this shuffling reminds me of when the guy who played Dr. Ross left (what’s his name… Oh yea George Clooney), then Julianna Margulies, and then Anthony Edwards, clearly the show’s heavy hitters. For a time, ER didn’t seem like much to tune into… In fact, to me, it seemed like the NBC Gods took ER through a character/plot limbo. Oh it was still good but not the FABULOUSNESS we were accostomed to.

Is NBC going to do it again? Leave us to twist in the wind, waiting to see who takes center stage to lead the talented group of actors? I certainly hope not. It sure didn’t do much for them to leave us drooling for 6 weeks.

Which by the way, can’t a gal even get a good rerun in the offseason? The Thursday night line-up for tonight is missing ER. Just thought I would point that out.

TV Guide, coming this fall, rumors, NBC, actors