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S15 General Spoilers and Speculation

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Stormwatcher77	S15 General Spoilers and Speculation	Lead	[-]
Tenured Scholar (04/28/08 7:12 AM) More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Remove this ad Tis the season .... From DigitalSpy... Angela Bassett is to star in the final season of medical drama ER. The 49-year-old will play a nurse with a troubled past who returns to Chicago after working in Indonesia on tsunami relief. According to The Hollywood Reporter, her arrival in the second episode "promises to shake County General's ER to the core". Executive producer John Wells said: "Angela is a wonderfully talented actress whom I've long hoped to work with." Noah Wyle is to reprise his role as John Carter in at least four episodes of the NBC show, which will bow out next February after 15 years. Bassett was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Tina Turner in 1993 movie What's Love Got to Do with It. ER will be her first full-time role in a TV series.
Cinefaythe		#1	[-]
Tenured Scholar (05/07/08 9:39 AM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Thank you for the news about Angela Bassett. I am finding it pretty interesting, given the news of MP and MT. I suspect Wells has a few surprises up his sleeve. In the meantime, time for more fresh blood: Question: Do you have a scoop for the next ER? - Beth Ausiello: Big heaping scoop, as a matter of fact. While several at County General are rumored - and widely rumored, I might add - to be on their way out next season, four new med students will be scrubbing in. Tracy, perhaps inspired by Reese Witherspoon's character of the same name in Election, is a two-faced go-getter; Isabelle and Andrew are twins that everybody mistakes for a couple; and Ryan is a Latin family man whose home life may be more chaotic than the ER. Oh, and they're all in their 20s and really, really pretty. But that went without saying, right?
Cinefaythe		#2	[-]
Tenured Scholar (05/15/08 7:10 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Maura was on Craig Ferguson (the Late, Late Show--or whatever they call it) last night. She is the third ER person this week (preceded by John Stamos and Parminder Nagra). When Ferguson introduced her, they played a clip from tonight with Moretti: Abby and Moretti are outside, and Moretti says "every couple goes through some awful and messed-up stuff and there is no reason they can't get through it together." Abby wonders if he is feeling responsible because he shouldn't--it is not his fault, she says. Moretti says he just wanted her to know that he is sorry about what happened. Abby says he doesn't have to apologize; he just helped her ruin her life a little faster. She tells him she has to go. She seems somewhat exasperated but she wasn't shaking or teary-eyed as the screen directions "raw" implied--to me at least. When Maura joined Ferguson on stage, they talked about a variety of things--her blouse, quitting smoking, Canada, driving cross-country, etc. When Ferguson asked if she is still having a nice time on ER, she said she is having a nice time but she is almost done. He asks if she is ready to quit and Maura says not "quit" but "leave" or maybe "move on." He asked what she will do after, and she joked she'd go to med school and then said she has no idea what she is going to do. She says she begged them to kill her character and they won't and so the ending is charming and sweet. After a joke or two she comes back to the topic and says there is a " 'sort of sweet' ending with me and Goran the guy who plays--Ohhh!" She suddenly exclaims, interrupting her own comments. "I heard you had other cast members on the show!" And they turn the subject to Stamos and Parminder. Ferguson really teased us at one point--well not on purpose. He said Maura will probably miss the cast when she goes solo, and Maura said she'll miss them terribly and it'll be sad. Then Ferguson said, "But you'll still come back even though [a little garbled] you are not on ER, won't you?" Maura had to ask, "Come back where?" Ferguson said to his show, of course. That's what he meant--would Maura consider coming back on his show. IMHO he had the $64,000 question right on his plate and went right past it! Never trust a comedian to do a reporter's job. LOL! (It is not really meant to be a dig because I enjoy his show.) Last Edited By: Cinefaythe 05/15/08 7:13 PM. Edited 2 times.
Cinefaythe		#3	[-]
Tenured Scholar (05/23/08 5:37 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Looks like ER's final season will premiere on September 25. From NBCUMV . . . Following is NBC's Fall 2008-09 premiere schedule (all times ET): New programs in UPPER CASE (with the exception of "ER") FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 "AMERICA'S TOUGHEST JOBS" Series premiere (8-10 p.m.) Returns on September 19 (8-9 p.m.) for five weeks; then resumes from 9-10 p.m. on October 24 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 "Heroes" clip show (8-9 p.m.) Season premiere (9-11 p.m.) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (10-11 p.m.) WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 "KNIGHT RIDER" (8-9 p.m.) "Lipstick Jungle (10-11 p.m.) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 "My Name Is Earl" -- one-hour premiere (8-9 p.m.) "The Office" -- one-hour premiere (9-10 p.m.) "ER" (10-11 p.m.)* MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 "Chuck" -- (8-9 p.m.) "MY OWN WORST ENEMY" -- (10-11 p.m.) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 "Life" -- (10-11 p.m.) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 "KATH & KIM" (9:30-10 p.m.) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 "CRUSOE" -- two-hour premiere (8-10 p.m.) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 "30 Rock" -- (8:30-9 p.m.) Complete press release: http://nbcumv.com/entertainment/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20080523000000-nbcrevealsfallser.html
Stormwatcher77		#4	[-]
Tenured Scholar (06/04/08 9:58 PM) More My Recent Posts	Two interesting tidbits today… First, I had thought that TPTB might take the month of June off as they usually do (despite earlier press reports). But I neglected to remember the Screen Actors Guild contract is up June 30^th. And while the article indicates that negotiations have started, and that some don't think an actor's strike will take place, there are contingency plans. And so to my reasoning, ER is filming at least through June 30^th. More than a dozen broadcast network skeins -- including CBS' "CSI" and "Cold Case"; Fox's "24" and "House"; NBC's "Heroes," "Chuck" and "ER"; and ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" and "Dirty Sexy Money" -- are in production at a time when casts and crews of most shows are on their second month of spring/summer hiatus. Plus, ever since NBC announced the premiere of S15 on September 25^th, I've been wondering how they might show 19 episodes and end on Feb. 26^th. Part of the answer is that on October 2^nd, the Commission on Presidential Debates has schedule a debate between Vice Presidential candidates from 9-1030pm eastern. In the past all the networks have carried the debate live and done another half hour of commentary afterwards. So ER may premiere on Sept. 25^th, but the next week it looks like ER will be pre-empted by the debates. At least that is what it looks like now.
Cinefaythe		#5	[-]
Tenured Scholar (06/06/08 3:46 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Thank you to Storm for noticing the latest on a potential SAG strike. I hope all will be well, and I am assuming that the writers paved the way for easier negotiations for actors the way the directors did for writers. I don't even want to think about what could happen in the event of a prolonged actors strike (especially because I am concerned the writers would honor it in solidarity!). Crossing my fingers! Also, I appreciate that Storm checked with the Debate Commission, which helps crystallize the upcoming schedule a little bit more. So there will likely be a couple of weeks between the premiere and 15.2 when we meet the new interns and Banfield. Thanks!
Stormwatcher77		#6	[-]
Tenured Scholar (06/17/08 8:02 AM) More My Recent Posts	Some interesting news bits out this morning. There are several articles announce the hiring of the 4 new actors to be the new interns for S15, but this one says... Shiri Appleby, Julian Morris, Emily Rose and Victor Rasuk have joined the cast of NBC's ER for its final season. But this caught my eye: ER executive producer David Zabel told The Hollywood Reporter that the upcoming series will follow the four new faces as well as revisit the show's 14-year history. (snip) "So while we will be reconnecting with the history of ER, as well as telling the ongoing stories of our current regulars, we also will track the development of these new young doctors." Then there is the discouraging news that the SAG has sent a proposed contract out for ratification, it seems is calling for a strike. The results are to be announced July 7^th. The article talks about how the various studios have planned for this, trying to get more episodes done before the potential strike: Other shows that never really shut down or didn't power down cameras for long include "House," "ER," "Brothers & Sisters," And John Wells has a new pilot order from NBC for a cop show, to be directed by Christopher Chulak and written by Ann Biderman. Last Edited By: Stormwatcher77 06/17/08 8:05 AM. Edited 1 times.
Cinefaythe		#7	[-]
Tenured Scholar (06/30/08 7:08 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Well, the Screen Actors Guild contract with studios ends today. Thank you, Storm, for reminding us above that all is still not well in Hollywood. I've since tried to understand the situation: I gather that AMPTP (the producers and studio heads) negotiated first with the smaller actor's union AFTRA--SAG's competing union--and it is AFTRA's contract that is out for ratification. Some big-name actors are pushing for it to go through, expecting that a similar SAG contract inevitably will follow behind (more than 1/3 of SAG's members are also AFTRA members). Other equally big-name actors are dead-set against the AFTRA contract and want the larger and more powerful SAG to get its turn at the bargaining table. Nobody is mentioning the "S" word yet, but the potential has affected the way studios are planning production, as Storm mentioned. I have read several interesting articles and blogs in the past week, but this New York Times piece seems to cover it. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/arts/television/26stri.html?hp
Cinefaythe		#8	[-]
Tenured Scholar (07/09/08 4:42 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	A little update for those of us wondering if there will be any actors around at all to finish this series (just kidding--sort of): Members of AFTRA, the smaller television and radio performers union, have voted to accept the deal offered by the AMPTP. But the much larger union, SAG, covering television and film actors, still has no contract. SAG is not talking about striking yet, but reports make it sound as if the union clearly thinks it has the clout to get a better deal than AFTRA got. However, with AFTRA now joining the Writers Guild and Directors Guild in signing new contracts, it sort of takes the teeth out of SAG's hard-line approach, according to reports. SAG will give its verdict on AMPTP's latest offer in a meeting tomorrow. Here's the news from the L.A. Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-sag9-2008jul09,0,6642345.story
Cinefaythe		#9	[-]
Tenured Scholar (07/12/08 10:59 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Just to keep us current, the Screen Actors Guild offered a counterproposal to the latest offer of the AMPTP. However, the producers say the offer was their best and last and, in fact, their most recent tactic is to say that the declining economy may cause them to reconsider the gains already included in their proposal. SAG is weighing its options but is not talking strike and says it is committed to negotiating a solution. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE0uIqtrdPXiNMr1qniAIsCAa0fwD91S5IK80
Cinefaythe		#10	[-]
Tenured Scholar (07/14/08 1:13 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad According to a post by whispers at Coffee & Pie, NBC has begun to air a promo for the upcoming season. It sounds as if the promo shows Carter himself in a shot that may be from the season 11 finale. Although it is sad that the show is coming to a close, I am very anxious to see Carter in the ER again, and I am very curious which other ER veterans might join him.
Cinefaythe		#11	[-]
Tenured Scholar (07/16/08 6:40 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Another C&P poster dropped off a link to an S15 promo on the NBC site. It promotes the final season and is rather sentimental. There are fast shots of main cast regulars and then we see Carter (again, it seems like a shot from The Show Must Go On). http://www.nbc.com/ER/video/index.shtml#cat=new
Cinefaythe		#12	[-]
Tenured Scholar (07/18/08 4:59 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	The TV critics summer press tour has been under way for a while now. It looks as if NBC will close out the festivities--its presentations don't happen until Sunday. According to the schedule, ER is not represented in the formal presentations, but it looks as if there will be a visit to the set of ER on Tuesday morning. http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/07/tca_summer_press_tour_schedule.php You may have read this already but last week during the summer TV press tour, the Hallmark Channel was touting its new stuff, including a movie with three former ER stars: Eriq LaSalle, Michael Michelle and Michael Beach. So it seemed natural that the press would be asking about ER. However, it seems Eriq was kind of impatient with the questions. In fairness, I'm sure Hallmark was paying him to talk about the new movie, and IMO he was obligated to keep the discussion on target. Nevertheless, reporters said he seemed somewhat testy, though his comments about the show itself were flattering. This one gives some idea of the conversation but there were no references to whether any of the three might make an appearance in the final season. http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_eye/2008/07/eriq-la-salle-sick-of-talking.html
Cinefaythe		#13	[-]
Tenured Scholar (07/22/08 4:55 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	The Emmy nominations came out last week, and today I got a chance to peruse the entire list. I suppose this is more of a season 14 announcement, but Stanley Tucci was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama for his role as Moretti. In addition, ER's sound team was nominated for Outstanding Sound Editing for "The War Comes Home." It has been a long time since the Emmys recognized any of the regulars, but it's funny how they still embrace the guest cast. I love Stanley Tucci so I think this is nice news. I think the number of times ER's sound team has been nominated has to be a record. I think they have been recognized almost every year! Entertainment Weekly lists the major and minor acting nominations if you page through the whole thing. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20213025,00.html?iid=top25-20080717-Emmy+nominees%3A+Class+of+2008 I read about the sound nomination at the official Emmy site, which should be emmy.tv.
Cinefaythe		#14	[-]
Tenured Scholar (07/24/08 6:22 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	TV critics were given a tour of the ER set at Warner Bros. on Tuesday but it didn't generate too much buzz. According to this brief mention in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, John Wells and the other producers were there and Angela Bassett was the only cast member. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/tube-t ... but-first/ Perhaps the biggest news is that, as of now, Wells does not seem to have any plans to close the ER at the end of the series or to blow it to smithereens or anything--though if he does, it sounds like he'll want to put it back together again. That's because at the meeting, he apparently expressed his wish to have the audience feel like the ER is continuing on just not with cameras. His words are in this Hollywood Reporter blog, plus you'll find the obligatory mentions of a Clooney return (played down with no conclusive answer) and a mention of Noah Wyle returning for the finale, though the reporter says "final episode." http://www.pastdeadline.com/
Cinefaythe		#15	[-]
Tenured Scholar (08/15/08 11:42 AM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Catching up on some news: Mike Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly says that Courtney B. Vance will play Bancroft's husband (he is also Angela Bassett's husband). When ER hired Angela Bassett to join the cast this season as County General's newest attending, little did we know that her husband came with the deal! The soon-to-expire NBC drama has tapped Bassett's real-life spouse, Courtney B. Vance, to play her hubby on the show. The former Law & Order: CI ADA is on board for a multi-episode arc, and based on what I'm hearing, it's a safe bet that the couple's actual marriage is a lot healthier than their pretend one. http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/ ___________________________________ Earlier in the week, Ausiello talked more about his impressions of Shane West's return and mentions plans for the final airing: Question: Any news on other former cast members planning to make returns to ER before the show signs off this winter? -- Matt  Ausiello: At this point, Shane West is the only alum officially signed on. Meanwhile, I think it's a very safe bet that the two-hour finale will be preceded by a star-studded, hour-long retrospective. Question: While I appreciate all of the "Reela" scoop of late, the little bomb you dropped last week about a Ray-Neela-Brenner triangle left me in a bit of a funk. Got anything to cheer me up? -- Doris Ausiello: Triangle, shmiangle. If it's not already obvious that Ray and Neela are destined to walk off into the sunset together next February, wait until you see the final scene (or at least I think it'll be the final scene) of the Oct. 30 episode. You "Reela" fans are going to soil yourselves. ___________________________________ Maura will be on The View on September 3. I hope she talks about ER, but she will be right in the middle of her run of Three Changes at Playwrights Horizons in New York: http://realitytvwebsite.com/RealityTVNews/THE-VIEW-Season-12-Premieres-Live-September-2-On-ABC---12-Random-Viewers-Share-Their-Thoughts-on-Why-They-Love-The-View.html ___________________________________ Broadway World says Mekhi Phifer is the rumored choice for the Sidney Poitier role in a Broadway production of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=31038
Cinefaythe		#16	[-]
Tenured Scholar (08/19/08 1:38 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Here is NBC's official announcement regarding Courtney B. Vance. Thanks to DDF at C&P (currently carbyboard.com/phpBB3) for spotting it. (I edited my announcement above because I forgot they changed "Bancroft" to "Banfield." DDF said: From nbcumv.com: NBC ANNOUNCES COURTNEY B. VANCE WILL JOIN REAL-LIFE WIFE ANGELA BASSETT ON 'ER' FOR MULTI -EPISODE STORY ARC DURING 15TH AND FINAL SEASON Published: August 18, 2008 preview / download BURBANK, Calif. - August 18, 2008 - NBC announced that Courtney B. Vance will join NBC's long running show "ER" (Thursdays, 10-11 p.m. ET/PT) in multi-episode story arc during season 15. Vance will be playing the role of Russell Banfield, husband to Cate Banfield played by real-life wife, Angela Bassett. "ER" will mark the first time Vance and Bassett will be acting together. "We are excited to see the on-screen chemistry and emotion this incredibly talented husband and wife team will bring to our show," said executive producer David Zabel. "Fans are in for a treat and we couldn't be more thrilled that they chose ER to make their first appearance together." Vance is perhaps best known for his five-year run on NBC's drama "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and was nominated for the NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series), for his role as New York Assistant District Attorney Ron Carver. Vance's talents also translate well to the big screen and are apparent in his roles in films such as Clint Eastwood's "Space Cowboys," Penny Marshall's "The Preacher's Wife" opposite Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington, John McTiernan's "The Hunt for Red October" and the big budget thriller "D-Tox." He was also seen in Robert Altman's small town mystery, "Cookie's Fortune," as well as "Huckleberry Finn." Vance's other feature film work includes "Hamburger Hill;" "Love and Action in Chicago," which he also co-produced; "The Last Supper," his critically-acclaimed portrayal of Bobby Seale in Gramercy Pictures "Panther;" and opposite Forest Whitaker in Tim Story's "Patriots." On the small screen, Vance starred in the Emmy-nominated production of "The Boys Next Door," as well as the Emmy-nominated television movie, "The Tuskegee Airmen" opposite Laurence Fishburne and Andre Braugher. He starred alongside Charles S. Dutton in the feature "Blind Faith," for which he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Actor. He also appeared in the production of "12 Angry Men" alongside Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott; the television movie "Ambushed;" "The Naked City;" "Whitewash;" "The Clarence Brandley Story" as Clarence Brandley; and "Percy & Thunder" alongside James Earl Jones. Vance also received recognition for his starring role in the television movie, "The Affair," in the form of a Cable Ace Award nomination for Best Actor -- and also his brilliant performance in the Emmy-nominated production of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson." Most recently, Vance and wife Angela Bassett completed their first book, Friends: A Love Story that chronicles their story about healthy relationships, love and family. 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 and Wells serve as executive producers, along with Christopher Chulack, David Zabel, 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") and David Lyons ("Blue Heelers"). 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 and Dr. Simon Brenner (Lyons) the newest attending physician with a penchant for stirring things up. "ER" is a production of Constant c Productions and Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Cinefaythe		#17	[-]
Tenured Scholar (09/22/08 4:34 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	As the new season gets closer, there have been several interesting articles, but most I have come across simply duplicate the announcement that we already know--that Anthony Edwards, Shane West and, of course, Noah Wyle will be back for appearances. But, if accurate, this piece from a TV Guide blog gives an interesting perspective on what else we can expect. Notice the reporter is saying there will be a May finale. It's possible, but it would represent a change in plans for the network, which originally planned to end ER in February, John Wells has said. (Thanks to whispers at C&P.): Is George Clooney planning a visit to the ER for the drama's final, star-studded season? The megastar's publicist says no - but when Dr. Ross returned in 2000 for the departure of Julianna Margulies' Carol Hathaway, the scene remained top secret until the day it aired. Here's what's happening behind the scenes. On September 10, executive producer John Wells lunched on the Warner Bros. lot with original ER stars Anthony Edwards (Dr. Greene) and Noah Wyle (Dr. Carter). Edwards appears in flashbacks on the November 13 show, and Wyle pops up in four of the final episodes. So of ER's original six stars, that's two returns down, three to go. Sorry, Sherry Stringfield. I'm hearing that when you quit the show for the second time in 2005, that was Dr. Lewis' last appointment at County General. Story lines have already been conceived to bring back Clooney, Margulies, and even Eriq La Salle (Dr. Benton), who hastily exited the series in 2001. Show runner/executive producer David Zabel says he's "optimistic that we might be able to get them all. We have a really good story line for every [major] character from the past to show [the actors] what we want to do." Wells is directly involved in the conversations with all past cast members. Zabel, who wrote and directed Edwards' double-hankie flashbacks alongside new series regular Angela Bassett, believes, "It helps a lot that we're doing a great episode with Anthony. It shows that [returns] can be done in a way that's not just a swan-song wave to the audience, but rather compelling dramatic stories that are interesting for an actor to play." That strategy has already hooked popular vets Laura Innes (Dr. Weaver) and Paul McCrane (Dr. Romano), who appear with Anthony in his flashbacks. Coming up: Alex Kingston will be invited to bring Dr. Corday back from England with daughter Ella in tow. And Dr. Greene's now-grown daughter, Rachel, is expected to reappear as a first-year med student. "We have a lot of interesting ways of reuniting past characters," teases Zabel. "Sometimes in surprising, accidental ways and sometimes in ways where they reach out to each other." The series will flatline with a two-hour May finale preceded by a one-hour, star-filled retrospective. But don't expect the finale, penned by Wells, to feature all the docs back together at a wedding or a hospital gala. "We talked about that," says Zabel. "But one of our concerns was that might lend itself toward hokiness." Paging Dr. Ross... -- Will Keck http://community.tvguide....s/Er-Bosss-Plan/800047152
Stormwatcher77		#18	[-]
Tenured Scholar (10/25/08 8:30 AM) More My Recent Posts	Hmmm..... October 22, 2008 NBC considering more 'ER' That pesky, stubborn "ER." The medical drama, once a lion of primetime, has declined in the ratings year after year. NBC finally decides to conclude the show and orders a shortened run of 19 episodes. So what does "ER" do? Starts winning its time period. The past two weeks, "ER" has trounced heavily promoted newcomers "Life on Mars" and "Eleventh Hour" on competitive Thursday nights despite having a weaker lead-in than either show. That "ER" has been on the air for 14 years makes this all the more remarkable. Now sources say NBC has been talking to producer Warner Bros. about, um, maybe, uh, how about a few more episodes? Such a move would bring the final season's total to the standard 22. Nothing is official, mind you. This is just conversation. A verdict is likely to be made by the end of the month to prevent any disruption of production. But really, NBC Universal wouldn't want to give up a longtime asset that keeps winning its time period. That would just be nutty … right? Last Edited By: Stormwatcher77 10/25/08 8:36 AM. Edited 2 times.
Cinefaythe		#19	[-]
Tenured Scholar (10/25/08 6:15 PM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Wow! I wonder if ER will really go a full 22 as this Hollywood Reporter blogger suspects? And if it does, I wonder if it will end in May as usual? (We've heard NBC has plans for the time slot after ER vacates it in February.) Also, I am curious about the cost-cutting we've heard about and how that fits with three more episodes. :-) I would be very happy with a full 22 episodes if it helps the writers tell the finale with more depth. I could do without it if it means s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g the middle until we get there. Poor writers--there might be a new target again. Thanks for noticing this, Storm!
Cinefaythe		#20	[-]
Tenured Scholar (11/05/08 10:03 AM) Tenured Scholar More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad Awww. It seems like past ER staffers are really trying to come through for John Wells. Unity, loyalty-- it works for a TV show, too. Below, David Zabel tells Variety that Eriq LaSalle will return to ER--as a director. (There's no mention whether he might "accidentally" step in front of the camera, too. But since he'll already be there . . . ) Eriq La Salle to direct 'ER' episode By MICHAEL FLEMING Original "ER" cast member Eriq La Salle is returning to the show -- as a director. La Salle, who left the series in 2002 to write and direct TV and features, has been set to direct an episode of the long-running NBC drama that will air in February. This is the show's final season. "In the years since Eriq left 'ER' he's established himself as a very accomplished director," the show's exec producer David Zabel said. "We're all thrilled to have him contributing a different talent to a show that he's already contributed so much to." La Salle's recent directing credits include two episodes of "Law & Order: SVU" and "Without A Trace." as well as the HBO film "Rebound." La Salle's next on-camera appearance comes when he stars in Hallmark Channel's "Relative Stranger," which airs next March. http://www.variety.com/ar...14&cs=1&query=david+zabel ********************************* In a recent telephone conference, Anthony Edwards made warm comments about reappearing on the show, and this Associated Press version says Laura Innes and Paul McCrane appear too!! Edwards discusses his cameo as Dr. Greene on `ER' Nov. 4 NEW YORK (AP) - Anthony Edwards says it's easy being Greene. The actor, who left "ER" six years ago, said in a telephone news conference Monday that he had no problem getting back into the swing of things while reprising his role as Dr. Mark Greene for the Nov. 13 episode of the NBC medical drama. Said Edwards: "It was really like going back to high school, in the best way. It was like going back to your favorite class and having your favorite teacher. ... It took about a half an hour - and after about a half an hour, I really felt like I'd never left." Dr. Greene, who died of a brain tumor at the end of the 2002 season, appears in flashback scenes with former County General Drs. Kerry Weaver and Robert Romano (portrayed by Laura Innes and Paul McCrane, respectively). He also has an encounter with series newcomer Dr. Cate Banfield (Angela Bassett), an attending physician at the hospital, after she brings in her sick son. The flashbacks are interwoven with a present-day story line that shows Banfield helping in the rescue of a young girl who falls into a lake. Discussing the character's passion for medicine, Edwards said: "When you get on an airplane, you hope that the pilot really loves flying - I think that's what Greene had. You do want to go to a hospital and have a good doctor who loves being a doctor there." Edwards' appearance comes in the 15th and final season of "ER," which debuted in 1994 and launched the careers of George Clooney, who left the show in 1999, and others in the ensemble cast. Like many "ER" fans, Edwards hopes for the return of Clooney's character, Dr. Doug Ross. He has said Clooney would be a fool not to make a cameo. Said Edwards: "I would never judge anybody else. All I can do is share that I had a good experience, and I hope that whoever gets asked and has the opportunity does do it." http://ap.google.com/arti...0wXaHlAAMNZqew0wD947R9JO3 ********************************* Finally, below is one of many articles on Angela Bassett from last month that included comments from John Wells. Many papers carried a particular quote from a summer press visit to the ER set in which Wells talked about characters coming and leaving during this final season. It was never clear, to me at least, whether Wells was referring to Abby and Luka or even Pratt in that quote or still other characters. I can tell you it was clear he said it after he'd announced that Abby and Luka's story was ending, so it didn't seem like he was talking about them. Anyway, Ellen Gray of the Philadelphia Daily News was one of the few reporters that made it clear that she got the quote from the summer press conference and the only reporter I saw that was sure Wells was talking about other characters. Still, it doesn't reveal anything specific, and we can't gauge the accuracy by her take alone, but I am curious if there will be even more early departures before all is said and done. Here is the column where she quotes him (follow the link to read the rest of the much longer article): Ellen Gray: 'ER' resolves longtime plots, adds Angela Bassett to final season's cast Oct. 8 SOME TV VIEWERS were shocked last week when NBC's "ER," after a May cliffhanger that dangled three of the show's most beloved characters over a precipice, said a teary farewell to Mekhi Phifer's Dr. Gregory Pratt. Better save those tissues, because the goodbyes (and a few hellos) are just beginning. As Angela Bassett joins the show tonight as the new chief - the job Pratt had at last been tapped for - the doors of County General's ambulance bay might as well be marked "EXIT." With the show in its 15th and final season, "we'll be bringing a number of stories to a close, you know, Goran [Visnjic] and Maura's [Tierney] story's coming to an end, the Abby and Kovach story," said "ER" executive producer John Wells in an interview on the show's Burbank, Calif., set this summer. "There'll be some [other] comings and goings during the season as well, with people leaving." Though "ER" has never been a show that necessarily held on to departing cast members until the season finale, Wells can probably orchestrate those comings and goings a bit more freely than he might have a few years earlier. http://www.philly.com/dai..._final_season_s_cast.html

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S15 General Spoilers and Speculation

S15 General Spoilers and Speculation

DDF said:

October 22, 2008

NBC considering more 'ER'