No More ER After 2009!

PoochJD · 06-04-2008, 9:55 AM

Hi,

It is with deep regret, that it has been announced that Warner Bros are only going to complete one more Season of US medical drama, ER (Season 15), before shutting the doors on Cook County Hospital, Chicago once and for all.

I'm not sure why this decision has been made, as the show is still a hit in the USA, despite being up against many other quality dramas. I can only assume, that after 15 years, and around 330 episodes (by the end of the final Season of 2008/2009), that Michael Crichton, Steven Spielberg and the cast and crew of Chicago's finest have decided that enough is enough.

As much as I will dearly miss this show, I'd rather it end on a high note, than go out with a whimper in a few more years time.

Still, it will be sad to see Haleh, Frank, Sam, Abby, Pratt, Morris, Chuni, Kovach, Malik, and Co all go their seperate ways. Here's to the final year at Cook County!

Let's hope that Warner's make it go out with a controversial and explosive final 23 episodes.

Pooch

domtheone · 06-04-2008, 10:05 AM

What season are we on at the moment, 14?

Shame to see one of the Top 5 programmes of all time end. But, everything has to end sometime.

Just been watching Seasons 8 and 9 (as well as the current stuff on CH4) on DVD (£9.99 a boxset

) and whilst the show aint as good as it used to be (imo). It's still 99.875% better than everything else on TV.

krish · 06-04-2008, 10:47 AM

about time!

Pooch its not a hit at all these days, has had poor US ratings for a few years .... mainly because people still can't believe its going, and when they try to get into it again they can't, since they don't know most of the cast.

The main reason it hasn't been cancelled already is because its relatively cheap with them not having to pay for any 'veteran' cast members; and they've announced the cancellation a year early so people might tune in again for the final episodes .... I doubt Crichton and Spielberg had anything to do with it - NBC made the decision, and Amblin/Warner are not going to flog a dead horse to another network ... they'll continue to make a killing on syndication and DVD sales

domtheone · 25-05-2008, 7:38 PM

Just watched the last show of the lastest (Ch4) series.

Certainly a cliff hanger ending and it seems that at least one member of the team won't be joining us for the final season.

Depite what krish says

, can't wait for the final season of one of TV's greatest ever Dramas

nwgarratt · 25-05-2008, 8:17 PM

I used to watch every episode but the last few seasons have not been very good. I have only watched a few episodes from the latest season.

sinizterguy · 25-05-2008, 8:19 PM

15 seasons - more than enough. Quitting while ahead.

PoochJD · 25-05-2008, 9:12 PM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinizterguy

15 seasons - more than enough. Quitting while ahead.

Try telling that to the makers of The Simpsons!

Pooch

**Greg** · 25-05-2008, 9:28 PM

No surprise really. I posted on another thread about ER some while back the ratings taking from the ER wiki page. It showed a dramatic downturn in the ratings figures. I think they are now a 1/3 of what they were at it's peak.

I've just finished watching Season 13 after initially missing it. I have all of season 14 transmitted so far (ep 18 I think) on Sky+ to watch except the first episode which I completely missed, so I need to find that somewhere before I can start the rest of S14. I still think the storylines are as good as ever. They have the amazing ability to make you feel for someone even when they have only been on screen for a few minutes.

I've heard they may get some of the big stars back for the final episode like George Clooney etc. I also really hope they don't do what I've heard mentioned in several places and that is kill of most of the ER in the last series. That would not be respecting the series as a whole in my opinion.

The Atheist · 25-05-2008, 9:57 PM

I love ER but I haven't seen any of season 14 because I didn't know when it was on or when it started. Bit ****** off with Channel 4 because of this, its one of the best shows around. Does anybody know when the boxset will be out?

Disappointed to hear that its finally coming to an end, but you can guarantee they won't go quietly

domtheone · 25-05-2008, 9:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Does anybody know when the boxset will be out?

They're up to around Season 10 as far as boxsets go so i'd imagine it will be at least a year before you'll see this season on DVD.

Singh400 · 25-05-2008, 11:09 PM

I love ER. There is nothing like it. I will miss it very much. I would rather they end on a high note, rather than dragging it out just for moneis sake (like SG1 S09-S10)

nwgarratt · 26-05-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singh400

I love ER. There is nothing like it. I will miss it very much. I would rather they end on a high note, rather than dragging it out just for moneis sake (like SG1 S09-S10)

Stargate S9 and S10 was excellent and I would rather watch that than any episode of ER.

I watched the last episode on CH4. I got bored within 5 minutes. I won't be watching anymore.

enablerbro1 · 26-05-2008, 3:38 PM

It's a good time to wrap it up, I think the show's been spinning its wheels for a while now. I'll watch the last season like I've watched season 14, ie just to watch it and see where it goes. Season 14 suffered because of the writers strike but was generally not that engaging.

I'd say that it is still miles ahead of any of the British med "dramas".

dUnKle · 26-05-2008, 4:11 PM

Should have ended when Carter departed the Hospital (end as it started so to speak)

Love ER and still watch it (currently rewatching and up to season 10) but it is far from the show it used to be - The African episodes (whilst worthy) felt out of place and the show sort of started to go down hill there.

Getting rid of Ramano was a bad move - great character and his prescence is missed from the minute the helicopter lands on him.

There no longer seem to be any characters to really care about and those that are there just seem to be reliving some of the earlier stories.

At least Carter is due back for the final season and fingers crossed some of the other old faces will return (even if just in flashback)

It will be missed but just not as much as it would have been should it have ended 5 years or so ago - its definatley passed its prime

Jacksonjnr · 27-05-2008, 8:59 AM

Probably the most consistantly good, well scripted program on TV over the years but the last few seasons it has lost it's way so the decision to put it to bed is the right one I think.

domtheone · 29-05-2009, 6:29 PM

Thought a bump might be appropriate.

Just finished watching the last ever episode (aired last night on More 4).

OK it's several years since its peak but it was cool to see some old faces back this season and during the final episode.

I'll probably dust down the DVD's and begin watching from Season 1 (again) later this year.

Will miss it

Definately one of the all time greats

scrapbook · 29-05-2009, 7:29 PM

I can't recall when I last watched this, must be 7 or 8 years. Anyway I tuned into the final episode and also the history show beforehand.

Brought back some good memories of a good show.

I enjoyed the last episode I think I could have easily got back into it at some stage, but I doubt it would ever be as good as the original days / characters.

Disappointed there wasn't a more emotional ending ala MASH.

Was that Ernest Borgnine in the show?

domtheone · 29-05-2009, 7:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrapbook

Disappointed there wasn't a more emotional ending ala MASH.

Never seen Mash so couldn't compare but see what you're saying.

Nice to see the old peeps back though. Couple of scenes with the oldies were rather touching

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrapbook

Was that Ernest Borgnine in the show?

It was. Mini story. Was in a couple of episodes over the last few weeks.

QuietRiot1983 · 29-05-2009, 8:59 PM

What a disappointing end.

Went out with a whimper rather than the bang we all know ER could deliver. It really should have gone a few seasons ago, as this one in particular has been severely boring, I found myself watching it out of sheer loyalty, rather than actually enjoying what was going on.

Jacksonjnr · 30-05-2009, 6:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuietRiot1983

What a disappointing end.

Went out with a whimper rather than the bang we all know ER could deliver. It really should have gone a few seasons ago, as this one in particular has been severely boring, I found myself watching it out of sheer loyalty, rather than actually enjoying what was going on.

Me to

15 seasons is a hell of a lot for this type of drama. Lets be honest, if a modern US drama makes it for a second season it's a suprise nowdays.

scrapbook · 30-05-2009, 2:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domtheone

It was. Mini story. Was in a couple of episodes over the last few weeks.

Blimey

I thought Mr Santini had long passed over to the other side.

PoochJD · 30-05-2009, 4:07 PM

Hi,

For terrestrial fans, Season 15 will start to air on Channel 4 from Saturday 6th June, at 8pm.

Lousy time-slot, but at least we'll finally get to see it.

Pooch

Kristian · 01-06-2009, 9:08 AM

On the final shot of the last episode the camera pulled back and we saw a view of the whole building including the hospital's name "County General" on the top of it. Was that the first time that view has been seen? I've been watching ER since season 7 or 8 I would think and I can't say I have seen it before.

I'll miss watching ER . There's been so many characters along the way...

pmc · 01-06-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisLee

On the final shot of the last episode the camera pulled back and we saw a view of the whole building including the hospital's name "County General" on the top of it. Was that the first time that view has been seen? I've been watching ER since season 7 or 8 I would think and I can't say I have seen it before.

I'll miss watching ER . There's been so many characters along the way...

Yes, that final shot was the first time we ever got to see the full County General. It was a fitting way to finish IMHO. Much of the last episode contains references to the very first episode. I enjoyed it.

Kristian · 01-06-2009, 2:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmc

Yes, that final shot was the first time we ever got to see the full County General. It was a fitting way to finish IMHO. Much of the last episode contains references to the very first episode. I enjoyed it.

Thought it might have been. A nice final shot to the show then. No idea what the references were to the first show though as I've never seen it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuietRiot1983

Went out with a whimper rather than the bang we all know ER could deliver.

Maybe, but there was some closure with lots of the old cast in it and the opening of the Joshua Carter place. Then the last scene with all the crew getting ready for another big emergency to arrive and them all doing what they are so good at...

nwgarratt · 01-06-2009, 3:07 PM

I thought it ended well and I also thought that was the first time they had shown the whole building. A good episode but a not too good season. I stopped watching it on a weekly basis years ago but have watched the most of the season considering it was the last one.

Rachel Greene has certainly grown up. I didn't reocognise her at first.

domtheone · 01-06-2009, 6:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwgarratt

Rachel Greene has certainly grown up. I didn't reocognise her at first.

She has indeed

I've pretty much seen them all (had 1-10 on DVD) and that was the first time i'd seen the County Gen pic of the whole building too.