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

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

It’s a much needed relief for actors, writers and television show producers. Not to mention you and me. I don’t know how much more reality television I could take but guarantee the number was low, very, very low.

So where does that leave ER? For one the show is still under contract to Warner Bros. to produce the rest of it’s episodes before the season ends in May. I had heard rumors in January (but I couldn’t report on them because the details were so sketchy that I didn’t want ya’ll to get your hopes up and I didn’t want hate mail if I was wrong either) that the show could have new episodes as early as April. Actually according to an article in Variety, four to six new episodes isn’t the only good news coming out of talks with Warner Bros and NBC. The show could actually be renewed for another full season in the fall. Didn’t I tell you that was possible?

Unfortunately the long strike has definitely left an impact on Hollywood as a whole with over $3 billion loss in the economy. As much as I feel Hollywood is largely overpaid as it is, I feel horrible that so many writers were out of work for this long. As a working writer, I know how competitive the business is and I am certain their families have felt the strain. My heart goes out to them. On another note though, I am pleased as punch that my show will be back in April (maybe early enough for my birthday would be FABULOUS!) and whether or not the show returns in the fall we at least have a chance to see some storylines wrapped up.

Alright… Let’s send our ER writers some positive episode vibes!

WGA, Writer’s Strike, Hollywood, NBC, Warner Bros., ER, New Episodes

I’m not saying that sexual tension is a BAD THING. Goodness NO! I actually like a little sexual tension. Makes you work harder for it right? Makes the end result all that much sweeter and even a little hotter doesn’t it? Though there are some poor unlucky characters who are still working through their sexual tensions.

Ahem… Anyway, what I am trying to say is that the sexual tension between Sam and Tony was almost getting to be too much. What with Sam’s constant complaining and nagging -  the idea of a nurse second guessing a doctor!? But then in the next blink she is making eyes at him, smiling a coy little smile - He’s no angel! Tony is absolutely eating it up.

I don’t know what everyone else thinks about this match up but I really like the idea of Sam and Tony together. In my opinion, I think they are more evenly matched, more so than Neela and Tony EVER were. There is more of a chemistry between these two characters, albeit somewhat highschoolish, it is still an attraction and the flirtation between the two is a welcome site to the show. (Because seriously I don’t know how I feel about Skye and Dubenko together - though the words "GROSS" and "EW" come to mind).

Just in case you did miss THE KISS, a fabulous youtube member has been so kind to upload it for us so take a moment and enjoy THE KISS that we’ve been waiting to see.

Love, Romance, Character Romance, Sexual Tension, Character Hook-ups

So I am putting it out there: What do you think of Sam? Most of the recent uprising stems from episode 12,  Believe the Unseen in which Abby comes back to work and confesses to all of her coworkers that her personal time off wasn’t spent with Luka in Croatia but instead in a rehab facility because she is an alcoholic. Everyone seems very supportive of her and welcomes her confession with open arms… everyone Except Sam. Instead Sam begs the question "Have you ever been drunk at work?" It’s an important question but when Abby purposely dodges (and conveniently gets interrupted by an incoming trauma) the question, Sam seems a tad disgusted.

I guess I don’t understand all the flack that Linda Cardellini’s character is getting. Sam is a strong character and I think that in the beginning they played her right and made her strong with a take no bull attitude. I’ve read comments lately where fans are coming down on her for the attitude she gave Abby.

I understand this is only a television medical drama but since ER lives to play so close to real life and deal with such real life situations, then I have to say that questioning Abby was the right thing to do. As a doctor, she has hundreds of lives in her hands, coming into work completely drunk or even feeling leftover effects of heavy drinking puts the patients at risk because she is in no condition to do her job. I wouldn’t want a coworker like that working by MY side. I think that was the point that Sam was making.

What do you think? Does Sam have cause to be angry with Abby? Let’s look at it another way, Abby isn’t the first television doctor to battle addiction… why should she be immune to disgusted and disgruntled coworkers?

Linda Cardellini, Samantha Taggert, Abby, Alcoholics, Doctors, Coworkers

According to PR-Inside.com, Stamos assisted the extra by popping it back into place and icing it for them. Apparently this happens to the ER actor on occasion himself so he is familiar with the technique. Just to be sure he was practicing proper medicine though, one of the on staff nurses checked his handiwork.

Awwww now isn’t that nice of him? It looks like his medical training (albeit it staged) is coming in handy. Unlike his faux pas in Australia last year remember those reported "sleep aids"? At any rate it looks like some of this extensive medical rehearsing is finally paying off for him.

If you happen to be watching ABC on February 25^th, don’t forget to look for John Stamos as he helps Sean Combs when they bring “A Raisin in the Sun” to network television. (You know him as P Diddy, Sean Puffy Combs, Puff Daddy… Oh you know who I am talking about). The show will air in the 8 P.M. time slot so make sure to get your Tivo ready!

John is so in support of the Writer’s Strike that he has reportedly stated thinks the strike will save ER. Well now, didn’t I say that awhile back? Stamos has stated that he is doing all he can to keep ER on the air for another season. He realizes he is made for TV and doesn’t want to lose the spotlight. We appreciate your dedication to the job Doc!

In other John Stamos news, he recently sat down with his mom for an interview with Extra during the “Denim and Diamonds” charity event for Vanguard Cancer Foundation; A charity that his mother founded after John’s uncle passed away from Cancer. During the interview mom talked love and grandchildren while John said he would “Dump them off at grandma’s…” I don’t doubt that especially after his split from Denise Richards was reportedly because of her children. Apparently John just isn’t up to the challenge of the whole package deal when it comes to single moms. The rumor however is that Stamos just wanted to cuddle up to Richards for a little celeb booty call… Talk about playing Doctor!

Wonder what his momma thinks about that?

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

The final episode of ER will air on January 17th. This isn’t the final show of the season (or is it?) But it is the final show that was shot before the Writer’s Strike.

I’ve done quite a bit of blogging on the strike as of late. The main reason being is that the writer’s strike seems to hold a large weight over whether or not this really is the last season of ER. Right now message boards and fan groups are going wild over the new life that has been breathed into ER. After a number of blah seasons and even last season’s cliffhanging by TPTB, many would have thought that ER had actually been pulled off of life support.

Not so! In fact ER not only seems to have been brought back to life with some sort of miracle but it has also revived the belief of thousands of ER fans that this really is the best medical drama on television. As much as I love Grey’s Anatomy and House, I would love to see them wrap up 300 episodes with the kind of pinache that ER was able to do.

Still the last episode shot of ER causes fans to worry about the future of the characters. Many of the show’s storylines are still left to be resolved.

1. Abby - Will she be able to kick her drinking problem… Again? Many are speculating that with the return of Noah Wyle for a number of episodes, he will be the one to bring her back to sobriety as he did before.

2. Ray-Neela - Are they really over? fans of the Ray/Neela romance are hoping to see a final reunion with the two and a confirmation of their love for each other.

3. Would the ER close for good? Through every season the underlying message is just how costly it can be to run an ER and the cuts that are made without compromising patient care.

What are your unanswered storylines or questions about the future status of the ER?

ER, Storylines, Final Season, Television Medical Dramas

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

I hope you all liked “300 Patients” because it’s the last one you are going to be seeing until 2008. I mentioned in my last post that there had been 13 shows produced out of the 22 that we normally get right? Ok well, guess what number we are on? (This shows how much you all pay attention)

We just saw episode number 10. Episode 11 will not air until January 3rd (a good day btw because all the kids go back to school from Christmas break and my 3rd born will be seven - Go Shorty!), but that isn’t the point. This means that after the first new episode of the new year, we only have three remaining, unless of course the writer’s strike ends. I foresee a lot of movie rentals coming my way soon because ER isn’t the only show which stands to run out of episodes soon. In fact some have it even worse.

My other Dr. obsession, Grey’s Anatomy only has one episode left and it won’t air until sometime in 2008. Another ABC favorite of mine, Desperate Housewives is hanging on with one show left as well. (I must watch – it’s the 2nd part of the Tornado episode).

So bundle up everyone, it’s going to be a very cold and lonely winter for us if the strike doesn’t end soon. I don’t know how long I will be able to last watching the repeats and awful reality tv (sorry to all you reality tv fans out there)… Maybe it’s time to rethink that Netflix subscription huh?

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