'ER' to court former stars for final season

Helen Thu, May 15, 2008 at 11:47 PM EST

Do you know where I've been every Thursday at 10 p.m. for the last 14 years? Yep - watching ER and absolutely loving it and I'm going to miss if when it finally closes the final curtain next season. There were so many characters I liked but looking back it seems that many of the characters weren't so good in their last few seasons. Carter and Luka both were pretty weird and not likeable in their endings as were others but these two really changed and both seemed to hurt Abby quite a bit. I think it went too far with Luka/Abby and she should stay on the show and not go with him because he doesn't deserve her. Bring Jeannie back again for more than one episode. How about Benton and Carter together? And Lucy? I agree with others who commented about Ray. I liked Neela but think she didn't get treated right this season. So, maybe it has run it's course. This is the first show that ever had me hooked to this extent. What am I going to do with my Thursday nights?

fay Thu, May 15, 2008 at 10:24 PM EST

I love how so many people are saying how theyve stopped watching E.R since 98' and how the show is not that good anymore yet they still seem to be updated with the current happenging, I highly doubt youre staying up to date with the commercials....the show is marvelous I don't want it to end, the show is attracting a younger crowd while the older crowd im sure still stays attentive...I'm 21 years old and have been watching E.R for the past 5 years and a lot of my friends watch it too.....E.R has not faded it out , it's just getting a younger audience and E.R beats reality T.V....KEEP IT GOING!!!!

jeff Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 03:55 AM EST

i've watched every episode since the show has been on the air. in the beginning and for years it was absolutely the best show ever. the ridiculous and constant cast changes over the last few years along with a sad drop in story lines and writing in general makes it easier to accept that this is the end. over the years the show has developed some amazing characters that i was almost as conserned with what happened to them as what happens in my own family. lately the current characters... well i just don't care anymore there is nothing about these characters that interests me their back stories are lame and their personalities are just sickening i hope the show goes out with the class and masterful writing and performances as it was in the beginning but it is time to go considering the crap soap opera writing of late it wouldn't shock me at all if they brought tony back from the dead as mark green soaps do that all the time the only problem is er was once better

chuchi Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 04:57 PM EST

better get a happy ending story for Maura & Luka. Don't break them up - after a very wonderful wedding...not good.

Catherine Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 09:03 PM EST

I loved ER when George and Julia were on it. I haven't watched it in awhile but just thinking about them being on it together I can't wait to see it. There is so much garbage on TV. My husband and I can't get over how bad TV has become. ER is a good show.

CN Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 06:24 PM EST

OMG - it's breakin my heart! I've watched since the pilot - and have hardly ever missed an episode. I don't care about who's sleeping with who - because if you know anything about the med prof. they are like that. I will cry when this show is gone. I've loved it.

tbabe Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 04:40 PM EST

it's shown in a funny order. the next episode you watch shows the funeral without Doug or Carol...

tbabe Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 04:40 PM EST

it's shown in a funny order. the next episode you watch shows the funeral without Doug or Carol...

Matt Clark Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 02:27 PM EST

Why does everyone keep saying that they can't believe that Ross didn't come back for Greene's funeral?! To my knowledge, and I just watched the whole Mark Greene Cancer storyline just a few weeks ago on TNT, is that they never even had a funeral for him...a letter was sent to the ER and they left it hanging on the bulletin board for a long time until it finally fell off...

Tammie Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 12:33 PM EST

Doug and Carol were my favorites and I would love for them to come back for the ending.I also really liked the storyline with Benton and Reese.Carter,Abby and Luka have been so great also.But of course with Luka getting more movie roles,we all knew he would be leaving soon.Look forward to this last season but I am really sorry to see ER go!

al Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 11:28 AM EST

doug and carol would be very cool benton Has to come back to as well as carter And of course jerry! one thing i never understood was how come two of the longest running characters chuni and the guy played by deezer d nrver once got a story spotlighting them even ONCE!

Polly Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 11:13 AM EST

Wow, if Abby goes then Neelah will be the only likeable character left on the show. Sam is annoying, the blonde "Christian" Nurse is annoying. And don't even get me started on the red-headed doctor guy.

Ned Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 09:20 AM EST

Ever since Noah Wyle left, this show has been kind of on life support, and Maura Tierney's been keeping it alive by bravely carrying it along on her own back for the past few years.

Ned Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 09:19 AM EST

Ever since Noah Wyle left, this show has been kind of on life support, and Maura Tierney's been keeping it alive by bravely carrying it along on her own back for the past few years.

denise Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 07:52 AM EST

i want dr dave to come back

denise Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 07:50 AM EST

I want Dr Dave to come back. He was a good character

Gilby58 Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 04:18 AM EST

I hate to say it, but ER has run it's course. Next season will be good, I'm sure, and I will hate to see it go, and I will miss it on thursdays.

NY expat Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 03:48 AM EST

Margulies said in an interview, way back, that Clooney and her made a pact shortly after leaving to never go back. If I understood her correctly, the reason was to force themselves to commit to making it outside of the show. I suppose now that it's no longer hanging onto a security blanket, they might reconsider.

Re: Benton -- I always liked that he showed the most emotion in the credits in spite of bottling up his emotions the rest of the time.

Wes Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 11:11 PM EST

No way will Clooney or Margulies return to "ER," no matter what they're offered. They blew it big time anyway when they didn't bring them back for Dr. Greene's funeral - so far-fetched that Dr. Ross wouldn't be there for that. Margulies has a new show on another network (Fox?), and if that show survives cancellation, there's no way you'll be seeing her on a rival network, especially in something as huge as "ER" signing off. Clooney owes the show a lot, but he's an Oscar-winning actor, and I just don't think he'd go there.

Michelle Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 10:23 PM EST

Are you kidding me? This show is still ON?!?! I quit watching in, oh, '98 or so. Absolute drivel.

DanOregon Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 07:32 PM EST

I'd like to see Benton

Mike Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 07:30 PM EST

The comments that get me are the ones that complain about the show criticizing right wind causes - that's becasue the right wing preaches ignorance and the show preaches intelligence. And the one about "Christians and other conservatives"? Since when did a belief in Christ become the equivalent of being a fascist? Does this mean that the Rev. Martin Luther King was a conservative (or at least what passes for "conservative" these days)? I think not, thank God!

Chelsea Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 07:18 PM EST

Alan, I think Doug and Carol, more specifically Doug, is a huuuuuge reason why ER has lasting so long. Do you honestly think hadn't the mainstream media picked up on Clooney, that ER would have been the hit it was? IMO, Clooney put ER on the map so that it could last this long.

Ruth Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 07:05 PM EST

This show has kept my interest since its inception by providing more reality than reality TV has. Being in the medical profession, I always felt so at home with storylines about JCAHO auditors coming, cutbacks, research, nitpicking about overtime and at the same time demanding the work... The guys were intelligent hunks, the girls were hard working and caring, the guest stars were incredible. Yes, I followed the George-Juliana relationship and that's why I stayed glued to the show for the remainder, long after they left. But Dr. Kovac and Abby took over where they left off, and I was just dying to see them end up together. Samantha made me gag. How could he have put up with her? But I must say I had a hard time seeing Abby with her alcohol problems this season, as much as she loves her son and husband, but it didn't last long and it was written pretty well. I was glad when that was over. I enjoy seeing them in love much more than in pain.

jake Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 05:13 PM EST

i used to be a HUGE fan of ER but around the time that mekhi pfiffer came on, I soon realized that none of the characters left were likeable and thus, why am I watching a show where I don't care about a single character. Best character was Gloria Ruben's Jeannie.

dmb Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 04:00 PM EST

Wait a sec? Maura Tierney is not on the show full time?

Matt Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 03:59 PM EST

A final season of "ER" without the excellent top notch Maura Tierney? Say it isn't so!

odalisque Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 03:50 PM EST

Hot new doc from Australia? Two words: Rick Springfield!!!

Garry Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 03:39 PM EST

I'm glad "ER" will be back for one final season, but I'll be missing Maura Tierney terribly, even if she does make a guest shot. She has simply amazed me with her talents by making Abby such a flesh & blood character all these years. I've long forgotten Doug and Carol, and even Carter. Abby's my girl.

Emily Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 02:56 PM EST

It is Goran-Luka that is leaving.

karen Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 02:08 PM EST

WAIT. what?? abby's leaving??? no no no... that's just not acceptable. hmph.

Alan Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 01:53 PM EST

I don't see how Doug & Carol are a big reason for ER lasting so long. The show has been on longer since they left than the entire time they were on. They were only on for what, the first 5 seasons, and the has continued on for about 8 seasons since they left. I think they are an overrated part of the show - I never really liked them especially her. But I still hope they come back once.

Chelsea Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 01:48 PM EST

George Clooney has always been pretty grateful to the show...maybe he will? I freeeeeaking love the fact that he came back for Julianna's exit and Doug/Carol fans got their happily ever after.

I really hope he comes back for the last episode, Julianna too. Doug and Carol are an integral part of why ER has lasted so long. Not the sole reason, but a big part of it.

Cathy Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 01:31 PM EST

I never understood why Clooney did not come back for Greene's funeral. I hope they do all come back. The last 2 years were not that great. I hope George plays ball.

Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 01:24 PM EST

They wanted to last about 15 years probably because they wanted to break "Medical Center's" record for the longest medical drama on televison. 15 years is pretty nice. I am sure that they will go out with a bang.

Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 01:24 PM EST

They wanted to last about 15 years probably because they wanted to break "Medical Center's record for the longest medical drama on televison. 15 years is pretty nice. I am sure that they will go out with a bang.

Chelsea Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 12:44 PM EST

I hope to the heavens they can get Clooney and Julianna (isn't she under contract to Fox, though :( ) back for a guest stint! ER hasn't been the same since Doug and Carol left. I loooved them so much.

Sina Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 12:02 PM EST

I could care less if Doug and Carol came back. Luka and Abby are the show for me. I stopped watching when they broke up and when Luka started to date Samanatha (horrible storyline). Their wedding was marvelous and they truly understand each other. They are the reason for the show so since they are coming back I will watch. I hate most of the characters now like John Stamos character and Nelia, the most annoying whinning character on tv.

skg Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 11:33 AM EST

Those staff hookups have been going on since the inception of the show. I can think of many over the years off the top of my head. They lost me when they put that little twit who plays Samantha on. I never understood the allure of her character, never liked the motherhood storyline for her and HATED her with Luka. But, having said that, I have watched more that I missed, and when it's gone, I will miss it.
That episode about the pregnant woman who was in labor, then not, then in, then dies and the child survives with Tony Edwards was the best thing I ever saw on TV. That episode is my all time favorite. I sat gripped to the TV for that entire episode.

Alan Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 11:30 AM EST

I can proudly say that I have loyally watched ER from the pilot until today. I haven't missed a season or left the show at any stage. It's been an amazing journey watching the show change and develop over the years - I can't believe it's been 15 years and I've watched virtually every episode! The characters I would like to see return are Deb Chen, Kerry Weaver, obviously Carter, Elizabeth Corday, Luka. Everyone pretty much except Michael Michelle. I'll miss ER but I agree it's time to go.

carole Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 11:24 AM EST

I like the show now. I don't see the need to trot out oldtimers. The current cast has done a really good job of creating an interesting drama.

Steve Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 11:09 AM EST

The overt socialist politics of the writers ruined this show. It used to be fun, edgy and fair. Now it is unwatchable. The vile that has dripped from characters mouths for the last five years is a disgrace.

Eli Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 10:38 AM EST

I seriously didn't realize this show was still on.

addier Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 10:16 AM EST

thank god maura and goran are leaving together and comingback together.if maura stays and they split their chracters i would've been so upset that i wasn't going to watch the show anymore but now they're leaving together and coming back together gave
me some hope!

Ron Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 09:55 AM EST

I didn't even know Abby and Luka were off the show yet and they are talking about them making a return engagement.

Matt Clark Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 09:35 AM EST

NOOOOOO! Say it ain't so ER?! I can't live without you on Thursday nights! Oh wait, I've been watching the re-runs with Noah Wyle and Anthony Edwards on TNT...not this soap opera where everyone is hooking up with Neela or Abby! I would love to see Wyle, Clooney, and Margulies come back...but considering she's got a new show on Fox, Clooney's a huge star, and Wyle's doin' fine living off of 'Gamma's' money...I doubt it...

Cheers to ER, you will live on forever via my DVD player!

mrnewsguy Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 09:14 AM EST

My wife and I watched ER faithfully from the pilot episode until about midway through last season. The character turnover was never a problem. That's life, you know? People come and go. What finally made us turn the show off was the constant preaching. It seems that the writers, more and more, used the show to espouse their own political and social beliefs. Christians and other conservatives were always portrayed as bad, ignorant, stupid, cruel, or otherwise negative. Liberals of all stripes were portrayed as enlightened, open-minded, and morally superior. Nearly the entire regular cast was sexually insatiable, constantly leaping from one empty relationship to another - straight and gay alike. Sure, I get it - that stuff gets ratings. But when ER stopped being about gripping medical drama and solid character development and started being about socio-political grandstanding - that's when they lost us.

graeme Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 08:24 AM EST

I think they should fight like hell to keep Maura Tierney for the last season. She's been the heart of the show since she joined the cast and a final season without her would seem strange.

JP Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 08:18 AM EST

It used to be a good show, but the last 4 or 5 seasons weren't enough to keep my attention. Not even my mother's, who was a huge fan of the show.

mariac120 Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 07:51 AM EST

I watched this show for years when it first cameout,then thanks to TNT after talking a 9yr break I started watching it again and now its going off the air Im so upset this show is reaaly a great show and I will miss seeing it.good luck to all the actors