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

Losing his legs on ER surely hasn’t hurt Shane’s Sexy status among fans or People Magazine. Shane was among the actors named Hottest Bachelors of 2007 and judging from the video interview with Shane (seen here), it’s easy to see why.

His status doesn’t seem to be going to his head though as Shane claims to be shy and not one for pick up lines. (Ladies, I bet you can think of a few to try on him though).

It doesn’t seem that his absence as Ray Barnett on NBC’s medical drama ER is crippling the demand for him on the big screen either. Shane has been busy this last year starring in three films due out some time this year.

In late Spring, expect to see Shane in The Stone House - it is scheduled to release May 14 of 2008. The basic synopsis is that Shane is among a group of United States soldiers in the Middle East who encounter a supernatural force. The movie is listed as modern horror and action, which wouldn’t be a first for Shane since he played alongside Sean Connery in A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and in Dracula 2000.

Later this year Shane West is also expected to be starring in two more movies. The first, The Lodger an adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 thriller The Lodger; West will play the character “Street”. The movie also incorporates the novel (of the same title) by Marie Belloc Lowndes. The second movie, The Gift, Shane plays a main character Max Peterson and also stars Agnes Bruckner who has appeared in movies and reoccurring guest appearances on shows such as 24. Unfortunately there are no release dates on either of these movies.

However if you can’t wait until Shane’s movies are released and you simply must see him NOW…

Be sure to check catch him in A Time for Dancing airing on February 18th at 8:00pm on TMC and then in A Walk to Remember airing on February 21st at 9:00pm on TBS.

Shane West, ER, NBC, Actors, Movies, Hot Bachelors, People Magazine

Shane West, The new front runner for The Germs?Shane recently starred in the movie, What We Do is Secret about the late 70’s punk rock group, The Germs, in which he played the late lead vocalist, Darby Crash. The film is to have documented part of Crash’s life before committing suicide. Hmmm that’s an image of West I want stuck in my head. (Kidding, seriously. His head, body, anything is just too pretty to mess with).

Well, we know he can sing right? So it’s no secret (pun intended) that The Germs have brought Shane West on as the new lead vocal for the band and therefore have reunited for a tour.

So I guess it won’t matter much if his pilot didn’t get picked up or not now huh?And I guess it doesn’t matter if he has legs or not now either on ER. Seeing as how he is touring with The Germs.

I never was into punk music so I am not familiar with the group and I am sure that they are still before my time in one way or another so I’m not too choked up that I missed this.

On a different note, this does speak for Shane West’s talent as a a singer. He did some singing in the short run Once and Again, on ABC before donning the white coat on ER.

Shane West, The Germs, What We Do is Secret, Actors, ER, Movies

Last season we saw Stanley Tucci don the white coat at “ER”. Is it because his hospital show closed?? (haha - sorry not funny).

Well someone must have liked him enough because Stanley Tucci is signed to become a regular on “ER” this fall.

Last season, Tucci appeared as Dr.Kevin Moretti, and was only slated for a few episodes. (More like testing the waters to see how Goran Visnjic’s white coat fits). But we already knew that right?

I for one like Stanley Tucci and can’t wait to see him in the new role. It might be what ER needs to bring it back off of life support. Ok, so the show really isn’t on life support or anything but it has had some pitfalls as of late (anyone care to rehash the 6-week hiatus we all had to live through - perhaps that was a test to see if we could make it through the summer).

Tucci is an enormously talented actor. I am glad to see him joiining the cast. Here’s to a positive start to the 14th season - Even if we have characters in critical condition, Coping with being an amputee, and beloved characters doing God Only Knows what in their home countries!

Stanley Tucci, Goran Visnjic, ER News, Favorite Characters

Don’t you just love a celebration? I do. And wouldn’t you just love to celebrate with Noah Wyle? Who wouldn’t? I mean he is just yummy. He invented McDreamy.

On June 4th, Noah Wyle (Dr. John Carter) celebrated his 36th birthday. Really? He is much too hot for 36. That math has to be wrong.

For anyone who doesn’t remember John Carter (How could you call yourself a FAN? Shame on you!) He played the young intern in the first season and was cast as a regular character. He stayed with the role and made it one of the most memorable and longest running on the show before finally leaving in season 12.

The most memorable of Carter’s relationships on the show was not his love interests, but his relationship with his grandmother. I know, sappy? Probably but its things like this which make a character more human to me.

Another ER celeb having a birthday this week is Shane West (Dr. Ray) Another McDreamy Doc but in a bad boy sort of way.Shane will be 29 on June 10th. Here’s hoping that Dr. Ray sticks around the show for season 14, gets new legs, and runs off with Neela!

Happy Birthday to 2 of my favorite ER men! Here’s wishing you all the best and a great year!

Birthdays, Celebrity news, Noah Wyle, Shane West, Neela