Watching ER

I finally got a chance to see this past Thursday’s episode - and wow. How amazing to see Dr. Carter back!! And, I’ve gotta tell you, it’s made me very curious about what’s going on. First, some answers.

Carter needs a transplant. I first thought that he was undergoing chemo, but no, he’s on dialysis because he needs a kidney transplant. Sound familiar? Remember oh so many years ago when Carter’s kidney was injured by a psycho patient? Now it looks like he’s got to have a transplant. And who is the best person to do that transplant?

How about Dr. Benton? Eric LaSalle has already directed an episode, and he’s also going to be in an episode!

In three episodes, Dr. Benton and Dr. Carter are going to interact again!

Lots More Below -

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New episode tomorrow night! Yay! Are you ready for it? Here’s the preview and a few videos to tide you over until Thursday night!

WAS I DREAMING?—ALEX KINGSTON (“CSI”) REPRISES HER ROLE AS DR. ELIZABETH CORDAY—Neela (Parminder Nagra) finds herself having a recurring dream about her crazy day trying to saving a young girl with sickle cell anemia. Gates (John Stamos) works on saving a patient that jumped out of a window during his sleep. Meanwhile, Neela goes in for an attending interview and is surprised to see Dr. Corday (guest star Alex Kingston). Linda Cardellini, Scott Grimes and David Lyons also star.

There are some Youtube videos that I can’t embed, but here are the links to them!

Interview with Alex Kingston
Interview with Parminder Nagra
Corday interviews Neela

Is anyone else looking forward to seeing Dr. Corday again?!

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

That’s right everyone, the first former ER cast member makes an appearance just in time for the new year. “Status Quo” will air on January 3rd, and according to Spoilerfix.com and NBC spoilers, Gloria Rueben, who played Jeanie Boulet, a physician’s assistant will be bring in her HIV positive son named Carlos to treat a cut on his head from a fall at school. However when Carlos has a CT done, a spot on his brain is found which will need further testing. Plus when the higher ups at County do not take Pratt seriously, he wants to quit his job (could we really take anymore great actor losses on ER?) Plus Neela’s cousin will be visiting and Morris and Harold will be trying their best to woo her. (My money is on Morris, what about you?) Also appearing is Kari Matchett from “24”.

When we last saw Jeanie it was November 1999, and she was leaving to spend more time with Carlos, (who you should remember is not her biological son but a baby she adopted after the mother died in the ER) and Reggie (a police officer).

Ok, so now we are up to speed right? Good. Unfortunately I couldn’t find anything that related to how many episodes she will appear in. If you have that scoop, feel free to contact me or leave a comment.
As you know, Abby is away at rehab and Luka and little Joe are in Croatia for Luka’s father’s funeral. No word on when Luka will be back (again).

Gloria Rueben, Jeanie Boulet, Guest Appearances, HIV, former cast members

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

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.

The latest to come out of TV land is that ER is scheduled for a go this fall. The first season will find Doctors treating the victims of the war protest from last season’s finale. Neela will be in surgery for most of the episode and a certain doctor (can you guess?) will have to let someone else take over Neela’s surgery because of how he feels about her. The premiere also promises the return of a recurring character named Paul Grady who plays a young, likeable intern. What we want to know is, will Neela make it?

Does anyone know who plays Paul Grady? I have been looking and I can’t seem to find this actor anywhere.

It looks like ER once again, will bring the real world to the set. I have been reading on some sites, and other blogs that ER is too preachy with its storylines and having the art imitate life or current events a little too close. To those people, I ask, “How can they not?” Let’s face it, there IS A REAL WAR. Our Healthcare is lacking for those who really need it. The show wouldn’t be what it is, without all those factors. It has to hit close to home. I don’t think the show was ever designed as “fluff”. It hasn’t been since the beginning.

What do you think? Could ER use more or less “fluff”?

Spoilers, gossip, characters, War, season premiere