ER 

The lives, loves and losses of the doctors and nurses of Chicago's County General Hospital.

Creator:

Michael Crichton

Stars:

Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 153 wins & 364 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Noah Wyle	...	John Carter 254 episodes, 1994-2009
Laura Innes	...	Kerry Weaver 250 episodes, 1995-2009
Laura Cerón	...	Nurse Chuny Marquez 219 episodes, 1995-2009
Deezer D	...	Nurse Malik McGrath 190 episodes, 1994-2009
Maura Tierney	...	Abby Lockhart 189 episodes, 1999-2009
Goran Visnjic	...	Luka Kovac 185 episodes, 1999-2008
Yvette Freeman	...	Nurse Haleh Adams 184 episodes, 1994-2009
Anthony Edwards	...	Mark Greene 182 episodes, 1994-2008
Eriq La Salle	...	Peter Benton / ... 173 episodes, 1994-2009
Emily Wagner	...	Doris Pickman 168 episodes, 1994-2009
Alex Kingston	...	Elizabeth Corday 160 episodes, 1997-2009
Lyn Alicia Henderson	...	Pamela Olbes 149 episodes, 1995-2009
Sherry Stringfield	...	Susan Lewis 142 episodes, 1994-2009
Abraham Benrubi	...	Jerry Markovic 137 episodes, 1994-2009
Mekhi Phifer	...	Gregory Pratt 136 episodes, 2002-2009
Julianna Margulies	...	Carol Hathaway 136 episodes, 1994-2009
Parminder Nagra	...	Neela Rasgotra 129 episodes, 2003-2009
Troy Evans	...	Frank Martin / ... 129 episodes, 1994-2009
Lily Mariye	...	Nurse Lily Jarvik 127 episodes, 1994-2009
Linda Cardellini	...	Samantha Taggart 126 episodes, 2003-2009
Paul McCrane	...	Robert Romano 126 episodes, 1997-2008
Ming-Na Wen	...	Jing-Mei Chen 118 episodes, 1995-2004
Montae Russell	...	Dwight Zadro 117 episodes, 1995-2009
Ellen Crawford	...	Nurse Lydia Wright 113 episodes, 1994-2009
Conni Marie Brazelton	...	Nurse Connie Oligario 113 episodes, 1994-2003
Scott Grimes	...	Archie Morris 112 episodes, 2003-2009
George Clooney	...	Doug Ross 109 episodes, 1994-2009
Gloria Reuben	...	Jeanie Boulet 103 episodes, 1995-2008

Storyline

Michael Crichton has created a medical drama that chronicles life and death in a Chicago hospital emergency room. Each episode tells the tale of another day in the ER, from the exciting to the mundane, and the joyous to the heart-rending. Frenetic pacing, interwoven plot lines, and emotional rollercoastering is used to attempt to accurately depict the stressful environment found there. This show even portrays the plight of medical students in their quest to become physicians.

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Plot Keywords:

hospital | emergency room | sleeping | medical care | medical doctor | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

NBC Warner Bros.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

E.R.

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Constant c Productions,John Wells Productions,Amblin Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

44 min 60 min 55 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producers wanted the character of Carol, played by Julianna Margulies to switch from being a nurse to a doctor and even filmed episodes of her starting medical school. Margulies objected to the idea, saying that her character would be so proud of being a nurse she would never want to change, so the idea was dropped. Years later, the character of Abby, played by Maura Tierney did go from being a nurse to a doctor.

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Goofs

The illuminated letters of Exit signs seen in the hospital are green in color. Both red and green colors are legal, but individual states enact the building code laws which specify what color sign can be used. Chicago requires that all exit signs be red in letter color. The interior hospital scenes are filmed in LA.

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Quotes

Abby Lockhart: First rule of girls' club is: you do not talk about girls' club.

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Connections

Referenced in Armageddon - Der Einschlag: On a Strange Planet (2007)

User Reviews

Though It has Lost Its Edge Recently, ER Is Still The Best Medical Drama Produced

Alongside The Simpsons, ER is one of the longest running US TV shows and through its successful blend of wonderful and memorable characters, intriguing story lines, strong intensity involving the cast and impressive action sequences, this medical drama is by far streets ahead of the likes of Chicago Hope and even Grey's Anatomy. Unfortunately in recent years, ER has declined in quality due to the departure of key characters, poor story lines and dull ideas, of which accounted for the decrease in viewing figures. The current crop of characters Neela, Luka, Abby, Pratt, Taggart and Barnett don't hold a candle to the experienced old rear guard of Greene, Carter, Benton, Lewis, Hathaway and Ross. They, in particular, were the original, and arguably the best set of characters the show has had.

The earlier seasons of ER were great- those times were witty, exciting and a joy to behold for us viewers. Such a shame however that when the old characters had left- or in the case of Mark Greene passed away- the writers of this drama were unable to fill that void with their newer, replacement characters, as well as good story lines and as such, the programme has suffered as a result.

There were a few story lines I didn't agree with; likewise for example, Mark Greene and Elizabeth Corday getting married together as a couple. I always had an inkling for Mark and Susan, of whom I felt had a lot more in common with each other and considering the history they had together as close friends and work colleagues they had a bond and chemistry that was like a match made in heaven. Also, a lot of ER fans preferred Mark to be with Susan, compared to those who liked Mark and Elizabeth. And so its such a shame that we never got to see Mark and Susan as a couple. There were also tragic and memorable story lines which are worth mentioning also that touched viewers hearts- Mark's brain tumour and his evitable death, Benton's son being mentally handicapped, Weaver coming to terms with her sexuality and coming out as a lesbian to her friends, work colleagues and family, and the consummation of Luka and Abbey and Ross and Carol's relationships.

The main problem with the ER though were the main characters of the earlier seasons who were on the show for a few series, and then suddenly they are written off. It doesn't matter how many new ideas, characters you introduce to the show because it is the original ideas, characters and realism of the show, of which worked so well in the first place that should be further developed. I wouldn't say that ER has jumped the shark, but it is certainly no longer the same show as it was back in 1994. ER is currently in its 14th season and whilst it is somewhat of an impressive feat, many of the original cast have gone and yet it can be argued that in reference to the current season the show has gradually become boring and stale, the longer it has gone on.

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end- and ER perhaps is no exception. Perhaps now it is the time to lay this ghost to rest. As much as it is arguably the best and most successful medical drama in TV history, ER during the last few years has spiralled downhill; the writing isn't as good as it was and it has lost a lot of its spark, which made it the no#1 hit US drama around. Still, as mentioned earlier, it is still the best medical/hospital drama to ever grace our screens. As not even the classic St Elsewhere and Chicago Hope comes close to matching, rivalling or surpassing ER's accomplishments.

Besides, this show will live long in TV history that's for sure and quite rightly so.