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ER HEADQUARTERS.COM // ER News Archive

ER BRINGING BACK CLOONEY WITH MARGULIES BEFORE CHECKING OUT

Published: January 22nd, 2009

The on-screen reunion that many felt needed to happen before ER could properly end its 15-year-run will come to fruition after all.

Though neither NBC nor Warner Bros. have yet to officially confirm the news, sources tell TVGuide.com that both George Clooney and Julianna Margulies — aka one of the medical drama's premiere on-screen couples, Dr. Doug Ross and Carol Hathaway — will resurface in one episode before County General shutters its doors on April 2. Both actors are reportedly filming their scenes this week, on a closed set.

Clooney last checked into ER in May 2000, making an unbilled, end-of-episode appearance so as to properly usher off Margulies' nurse Hathaway. The secretly filmed scene had Carol approaching a dock, where Doug waited for her, smiling yet silent.

Just last week at the TCA Winter Press Tour, TVGuide.com asked NBC entertainment president Angela Bromstad if the extension of ER's final run by three episodes might afford John Wells additional time to talk Clooney into an encore. Her response: "Ask John Wells." Days later, the ER boss actually dismissed the idea, saying that Clooney — whose film career has soared over the past decade — is "too busy."

Indeed, Clooney's publicist as recently as September pulled a Debbie Downer by deflating talk of the movie star's possible drop-by, saying, "It is something he has already done."

Weeks later, Margulies herself scoffed at the idea of returning during ER's final season, explaining, "I left Carol Hathaway in the best scenario possible. I can't imagine making it any better."

Already this season, Anthony Edwards reprised his role as Mark Greene (appearing in a "new" flashback with Laura Innes, aka Weaver); Alex Kingston put in an appearance as Mark's widow, Elizabeth, on Jan. 15; and Noah Wyle is due back as Carter for the final four episodes (though that could change in light of the extended order).

TV Guide.com

ER HEADQUARTERS ER SEASON 10 DVD ANNOUNCEMENT

ER: THE COMPLETE TENTH SEASON

ON MARCH 03, 2009

All 22 Episodes with Bonus Features on this Six-Disc Collector's Set

BURBANK, CA (November 5, 2008) - County General is a teaching hospital where doctors are on call 24/7, and where weary students make instant decisions and best guesses in the moment of tragedy. At the end of the day, the best instructor is experience. Dr. Carter and Dr. Kovac return from Africa with these first hand experiences when Warner Home Video gets set to release ER: The Complete Tenth Season to DVD on March 3, 2009 for $49.98.

Created by best-selling author Michael Crichton, the tenth season of ER drew in over 9 million household viewers each week, who watched as the ambulances unloaded even more compulsively watchable tales of drama and triumph. In the season premiere, Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) and Dr. Kovak (Goran Visnjic) return from their heartbreaking mission in the Congo: one with a new love, and both lucky to be alive. Things aren't any easier in Chicago, where Dr. Carter is confronted by a hostile Dr. Abby Lockhart (Maura Tierney), who has left her nurse station to try her hand as a med student. And the student pool gets even larger when Neela Nasotra (Parminder Nagra) arrives from India by way of London to see if she too has what it takes to cut it as a med student at County General.

"ER: The Complete Tenth Season features 22 heart-pounding and emotional episodes that continue the stories of the doctors we have gotten to know and love," said Rosemary Markson, WHV Vice President, TV and Special Interest Marketing. "We are delighted to release the next installment in the ER collection just in time for the series' final episodes, which will certainly have millions watching."

DVD Special Features Include:

Gag Reel

Outpatient outtakes: Unaired Scenes

ER: The Complete Tenth Season will be available from WHV on March 3, 2009. The release will be supported by an online advertising campaign.

ER: The Complete Tenth Season
Street Date: March 3, 2009
DVD SRP: $49.98
Running Time: 1,012 mins

ER: THE COMPLETE TENTH SEASON

Now What?
The Lost
Dear Abby
Shifts Happen
Out of Africa
The Greater Good
Death and Taxes
Freefall
Missing
Makemba
Touch and Go
nicu
Get Carter
Impulse Control
Blood Relations
Forgive and Forget
The Student
Where There's Smoke
Just a Touch
Abby Normal
Midnight
Drive

TVShowsOnDVD.com

NBC ANNOUNCES GOLDEN GLOBE WINNER AND EMMY NOMINEE ANTHONY EDWARDS TO REPRISE HIS ROLE AS DR. MARK GREENE FOR ONE EPISODE OF 'ER' FOR ITS 15TH AND FINAL SEASON

Published: September 04th 2008

BURBANK, Calif. – September 4, 2008 - NBC announced that Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Anthony Edwards will reprise his role as Dr. Mark Greene for one episode of NBC's long running show "ER" (Thursdays, 10-11 p.m. ET/PT). Edwards will return in the episode entitled "Heal Thyself," which was written and directed by executive producer David Zabel, and will air on November 13, 2008.

The installment will feature Dr. Greene in a series of newly shot scenes that will feature other characters from the show's past while also giving insight into Dr. Banfield's (Angela Bassett) past and her experiences within the walls of County General.

"We had hoped to bring back some of "ER's" stars for the final season and think that our loyal fans will enjoy seeing some of the shows most beloved and memorable characters," said executive producer John Wells.

Edwards first appeared in the "ER" pilot and after nearly eight memorable seasons, completed his run in a highly rated episode at the end of the 2001-02 television season.

Edwards has received four Emmy® nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He also won three Screen Actor's Guild Awards (Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series in 1996, Best Ensemble Cast in 1998 and 1999), the Golden Globe Award in 1998 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Drama and a People's Choice Award in 1995 for Favorite Male Performer in a New Television Series.

Edwards can next be seen in the feature film "Motherhood" with Uma Thurman. He was most recently in the film "Zodiac," directed by David Fincher. Other recent credits include "Thunderbirds" for Universal, "Northfork" written by the Polish brothers and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," which he executive produced in association with his production company Aviator Films. The company also produced the NBC television movie, "Borderline," that starred "ER" alumna Sherry Stringfield.

Edwards has appeared in more than 20 features, including his memorable turn as "Goose" in the blockbuster feature "Top Gun." His other feature credits include; "Playing by Heart," "The Client," "Miracle Mile," "Mr. North," "Hawks," "The Sure Thing," "Gotcha," "Revenge of the Nerds," "Heart Like a Wheel," and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."

Edwards made his film directorial debut with "Charley's Ghost Story," a modern-day Mark Twain adaptation starring Cheech Marin and Linda Fiorentino.

NBC renewed "ER" for a 15th and final season in April. Combining the extraordinary talents of multiple award-winning producer John Wells ("The West Wing" "Third Watch"), best-selling author Michael Crichton ("Jurassic Park") and the creative team at Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television, the venerated series "ER" explores the inner workings of an urban teaching hospital and the critical issues faced by the dedicated physicians and staff of its overburdened emergency room. Currently beginning its 15th season, the highly acclaimed drama series now holds the distinction of being recognized as the most Emmy®-nominated series in the history of television with 122 nominations. Crichton, Wells and Zabel serve as executive producers, along with Christopher Chulack, Joe Sachs and Janine Sherman Barrois.

A winner of the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, the series has also earned 22 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 1996, among many accolades. In addition, the cast has been honored with four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Drama Series.

The long-running series stars Maura Tierney ("Diggers," "Welcome to Mooseport,"), Mekhi Phifer ("Dawn of the Dead," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "8 Mile," "Slow Burn"), Parminder Nagra ("Ella Enchanted," "Bend It Like Beckham"), Linda Cardellini ("Brokeback Mountain, "Scooby-Doo" films, "Grandma's Boy," "Freaks and Geeks"), Scott Grimes ("Band of Brothers," "American Dad," "Party of Five," "Mystery, Alaska"), John Stamos ("A Raisin in the Sun," "Jake in Progress"), David Lyons ("Blue Heelers") and Angela Bassett ("Akeelah and the Bee," "What's Love Got To Do With It").

On staff at County General Hospital are Abby Lockhart (Tierney), a recovering alcoholic trying her best to juggle a demanding residency and motherhood while everything around her seems to be falling apart; Dr. Greg Pratt (Phifer), an attending fighting for the chief spot on the floor as well as for a firm grasp on his love life; Neela Rasgotra (Nagra), a skilled surgical resident committed to growing in her craft as well as in her place on the surgical team; Sam Taggart (Cardellini), a spirited ER nurse who is finally getting some time to explore life and love both in and outside the hospital; Dr. Archie Morris (Grimes), the quirky-yet-talented attending dedicated to his work but constantly distracted by his own world; Tony Gates (Stamos), a paramedic-turned-doctor who has overcome numerous obstacles to take on the rigorous challenges of life in the ER, Dr. Simon Brenner (Lyons) the newest attending physician with a penchant for stirring things up and Dr. Cate Banfield (Bassett) as a tough-as-nails attending physician whose arrival shakes up the ER.

NBC Universal, Inc.

ANGELA BASSETT SCRUBS IN AS ER'S NEW BOSS

VANCE TO JOIN WIFE BASSETT ON 'ER'

By: Jeremy Bonfiglio
Published: August 18th, 2008

Here's some interesting casting news from NBC. The network announced Monday that Courtney B. Vance will join his real-life wife, Angela Bassett, for a multi-episode story arc on "ER" when it returns for its 15th and final season this fall.

Vance will be playing the role of Russell Banfield, husband to Bassett's character Cate Banfield. It's notable because it will be the first time the couple will be acting together.

Vance is perhaps best known for his five-year run on NBC's drama "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" where he was nominated for the NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series), for his role as New York Assistant District Attorney Ron Carver.

"ER," which will begin airing new episodes Sept. 25 in its regular 10 p.m. Thursday time slot, explores the inner workings of the emergency room staff at County General Hospital. Maura Tierney, Mekhi Phifer, Parminder Nagra, Linda Cardellini, Scott Grimes, and John Stamos return to the cast this season.

South Bend Tribune.com

CHARACTERS MAY PERISH BY 'ER' END

By: Terry Morrow
Published: August 12th, 2008

As “ER” marches to its 15th and final season, the body count will begin.

Executive producer John Wells says not all of the current cast members will be around for the series finale in 2009. He also could not deny that at least one current cast member will be killed off before the finale: “I don’t really want to answer that. Take that answer for what you will,” he said.

What if Wells does kill off someone?

“It would be someone whose story has played out,” he said.

As for series star Noah Wyle, Wells says, “We had always planned that the end of the series would involve Noah returning because he was so central as a new character at the very beginning, an entering character growing up in the ER. So we pulled out those old notes and came out with a lot of new things.”

The series is bringing aboard Angela Bassett as the new chief of the emergency room – but Wells says she isn’t being introduced for an eventual spin-off.

In fact, no “ER” spin-offs are in the works, but NBC has asked in the past, he said, “Sort of like how ‘CSI’ did ‘CSI: Miami.’ ”

Wells has had the finale thought out for years, and has even been taking notes for a while now.

“We had a series of the story lines and things that we wanted to do. I had sort of assumed at the end of Season 8 that that would be about it, but we were around Season 6. … So we’re going to be talking, I think, during the season about the condition of the health-care system because it will be our last time to really comment on it.”.

journalgazette.net

SHANE WEST CHECKING BACK INTO 'ER'

Published: August 01st, 2008

From Doug Ross and Carol Hathaway to Luka Kovac and Abby Lockhart, ER has continually developed these memorable couples that fans have dearly loved over the years. When Shane West left the series last year, fans were exceptionally vocal about the shocking exit of this popular character that had not yet won the heart of the woman he loves. "Reela" fans rejoice -- it looks like ER won't fade away without a resolution to this complicated relationship.

Michael Ausiello from Entertainment Weekly reports that Dr. Ray Barnett is heading back to ER and the woman he loves on October 30. When Ray returns in October, watch for a complete (and stunning) transformation to have taken place. His return will directly impact the way Neela's story will play out through the remainder of the series. Ausiello also learned that the actor would make another important return before the series ends in May.

Will we see one last wedding before the series ends -- perhaps one with guest appearances from some of those famous characters from the past 15 years?!

NBC Universal, Inc.

'ER' TO KILL OFF ONE OF IT'S OWN?

Published: July 23rd, 2008

"ER" executive producer John Welles says some of the current cast will not make it to the long-running medical drama's final episode, to air in 2009. He could not deny that at least one current cast member will be killed off before the finale.

When Welles was asked if he will be killing off any of the current characters during the final season, he replied, "I don't really want to answer that. Take that answer for what you will." And if he did kill off someone? "It would be someone whose story has played out," he says.

But he did confirm that not all the current cast will make it through to the finale. "No, you won't see all of the current cast," he says.

Knox News.com

EMMY NOMINATIONS CHAMP ER' FLATLINING AFTER 15 YEARS

By: Tom O'Neil
Published: July 25th 2008

Past Deadline blog by Ray Richmond of the Hollywood Reporter reports on the end of "ER." The all-time Emmy Awards nominations champ — two more nods this year brought its total tally to 122 — is checking out at the end of its upcoming 15th season. Once a ratings powerhouse, the medical drama has seen declining numbers and rising costs in recent years.

"Of the original cast, Noah Wyle stayed on the show the longest — 11 seasons," notes the report. "Fittingly, he will return to 'ER' for the final episode." In this wide-ranging interview, exec producer John Wells also revealed that the show's finale is unlikely to end with the closing of the hospital. "I think we will probably — we haven't written it yet — but certainly my inclination will be to feel as if we've simply walked away from the hospital with the cameras."

"ER" garnered seven consecutive Emmy nods for best drama series beginning with its first year, winning only in its second season (1996). The only regular cast member to win an Emmy so far is Julianna Margulies, who picked up the supporting actress trophy for the first season (1995) and was nominated for each of her following five years on the medical drama. While she moved up to lead actress in the third season she never won any of her four bids in that category. Her on-screen love interest, George Clooney, lost lead actor bids for the first two seasons (1995, 1996) while Anthony Edwards went 0 for four in that same race (1995-1998). Sherry Stringfield got lead actress nods for three seasons (1995-1997) before leaving the show and went without recognition when she returned in 2001 for four more seasons. The other supporting actress nominees — Laura Innes and Gloria Reuben (1997, 1998), CCH Pounder (1997), and Maura Tierney (2001) all lost as well. Supporting actor contender Wyle made five successive unsuccessful bids (1995-1999) while Eriq La Salle lost three noms (1995, 1997, 1998).

Over the first 14 seasons, 13 actors, including this year's nominee Stanley Tucci, have competed for guesting on the show. Ray Liotta was the only winner among the group for his stunning 2005 portrayal of the last hours of the life of an alcoholic. Among the seven actresses to compete for their guest shots, only Sally Field won in 2001 for the first of her two nods as the bipolar mother of Maura Tierney.

NBC Universal, Inc.

'ER' TO LOSE CAST MEMBERS

By: Terry Morrow
Published: July 26th, 2008

HOLLYWOOD - As "ER" marches to its series finale next season, the body count will begin.

"ER" executive producer John Wells revealed to the Tele-Buddy this week that not all of the current cast members will be around for the series finale in 2009.

He also could not deny that at least one current cast member will be killed off before the finale.

When Wells was asked if he will be killing off any of the current characters during the final season, he replied, "I don't really want to answer that. Take that answer for what you will."

What if he does kill off someone? "It would be someone whose story has played out," he says.

But he did confirm that not all the current cast will make it through to the finale. "No, you won't see all of the current cast there," he says of the finale.

Noah Wyle will return to the series near the end of the season, Wells says. He doesn't think George Clooney, one of the original cast members, would have time to reprise his role.

"We had always planned that the end of the series would involve Noah returning because he was so central as a new character at the very beginning, an entering character growing up in the ER," Well says. "So we pulled out those old notes and came out with a lot of new things."

As "ER" gets ready to mount its last season, the series is bringing aboard Angela Bassett as the new chief of the emergency room. Despite rumors to the contrary, Wells says Bassett is not being introduced for an eventual spin-off.

Wells says no "ER" spin-offs are in the works. NBC did ask Wells once to look at spinning off the hit series, with the stories looking at other emergency rooms around the country. "Sort of like how 'CSI' did 'CSI: Miami,' " he says.

Wells has had the finale thought-out for years, and has even been taking notes for a while now about the subject.

"We had a series of the storylines and things that we wanted to do. I had sort of assumed at the end of season eight, that that would be about it, but we were around season six, and I started thinking about season eight. So I started doing some planning. I still have those notes. They've gotten a little old and smudged.

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