'ER' To Sign Off Tonight After 15 Years

Access Hollywood - April 2, 2009 7:23 PM PDT

BURBANK, Calif. -- Fifteen years after "ER," the pioneering career-launching medical drama, first debuted, the show that spawned infinite others in the same genre is finally signing off tonight from NBC.

The list of A-list careers launched at the fictional County General Hospital in Chicago is too long to recall. From George Clooney to John Stamos , and from Noah Wyle to Goran Visnjic , Eriq LaSalle, and Anthony Edwards , there has been no shortage of hot medical men in residence throughout the years.

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The same goes for the ladies; from Julianna Margulies to Linda Cardellini and Maura Tierney to Parminder Nagra... the women in residence have certainly never been your typical Nurse Ratcheds.

In tonight's finale, Noah Wyle returns along with many "ER" alums. Alexis Bledel ("Gilmore Girls") and Ernest Borgnine also guest star. Gates ( John Stamos ) works on a young teen brought in with alcohol poisoning after playing a deadly drinking game with friends. Dr. Carter (Wyle) opens a new medical facility for the underprivileged in Chicago and some old friends from County General all come to show their support. It's Sam's ( Linda Cardellini ) birthday and Alex (Dominic Janes) and Gates surprise her with a special gift. Meanwhile, Carter works with an intern to save a mother in labor with twins. Parminder Nagra, Scott Grimes, David Lyons and Angela Bassett also star.

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The death of co-creator Michael Crichton in November 2008 certainly was a game changer for the show last fall. It may have been one factor in ultimately sealing the show's end. NBC's programming gamble with Jay Leno (aka - the decision to have no more 10 PM scripted shows) also no doubt played its part. Ultimately, many forces converged to make 2009 the end of the line.

But "ER" has always been a reflection of our culture and times. During the Clinton administration the show represented a beacon of hope, and during the Bush years the show's tone almost seemed to echo a more drastic sense of fear.

The two-hour season finale of "ER" airs tonight at 9 PM on NBC. An "ER" retrospective airs before at 8 PM.

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Check out a preview, HERE.

And for video behind the scenes at the finale, click HERE.

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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: TV - Behind The Scenes - George Clooney - Jay Leno - NBC

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comments 1-9 of 15  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • evilhonkey
    The show ran 8 years too long, glad it's over
    report abuseposted April 3, 2009 10:40 PM PDT
  • betrue2u
    Who writes this crap? "Beacon of hope during the Clinton years and fear during the Bush years"? It's a piece about TV you moron not your soap box for your political views.
    report abuseposted April 3, 2009 3:52 PM PDT
  • Nick D.
    Can you believe?! Fifteen years ago we watched the first episode. Did we have any idea of where we would be and who we'd be, when we would watch the final show? All of the old actors and actresses have aged well and, of course, the writers still know how to pull our heartstrings. Earnest Borgnine gave another memorable performance. I'm so glad we still have him on this pallid
    report abuseposted April 3, 2009 4:04 AM PDT
  • ckandw
    ER has run almost my whole adult life...since i was 22 loved it...watched every season...sucks that it's ending...like a chapter in life...a lot has changed from 22 to 37 but i always still loved ER bye ER i will miss you...it's been a great final season too...
    report abuseposted April 2, 2009 11:06 PM PDT
  • KNOWITALL
    Really like this show hate to see it end
    report abuseposted April 2, 2009 9:28 PM PDT
  • MEG
    I'm so sad it is going off.I watched it from the get go.Such an Awesome show!!! Peace Out ER you will be missed..
    report abuseposted April 2, 2009 8:20 PM PDT
  • unknown
    it must have gotten extreeeemely good ratings to stay on that long. wowzers 8O
    report abuseposted April 2, 2009 7:53 PM PDT
  • MrsKlingonPasadena
    Only 15 years? It seems longer. I personally was a St. Elsewhere fan.
    report abuseposted April 2, 2009 7:49 PM PDT
  • stina
    I AM GOING TO MISS THIS SHOW. BIG FAN. I WATCH EVERYWEEK AND WATCH THE OLD EPOSIDES WHEN THEY RUN. THE FUNNY THING FOR ME IS MY OTHER FAV SHOW WAS GILMORE GIRLS AND THAT WENT OFF THE AIR. IT WILL BE GOOD TO SEE OLD "RORY" BACK ON THE SMALL SCREEN
    report abuseposted April 2, 2009 7:44 PM PDT
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