Best of TV, No. 7


I continue my look at my favorite TV series of all time today with a reminder that NBC once used to be a popular, highly-rated network.

ER (1994-2009)
Network: NBC
About: For 15 years, the medical drama about the lives of doctors and nurses at County General Hospital in Chicago, Ill. was a mainstay on Thursday nights. The show was created by Michael Crichton, who based Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) and the show on his experience as a medical doctor. It was headlined in the early years by a fantastic cast — including George Clooney. Famously, all of the originals thought enough of the show and their time on it to be a part, at least in some small way, of the final season. "ER" was a breakthrough in television drama in a lot of ways. It was part of a powerful Thursday night lineup for NBC, and was one of the first shows that hooked me as a youth. At one point during its run, I had watched "ER" for more years of my life than I had not watched it. That's a testament to both its longevity and enduring quality. Over the years the cast changed, but the heart of the show didn't. It went through ups and downs, but the writers, producers, and performers always managed to help the show find its center. For me, that was usually Wyle. He was one of my favorite performers and favorite characters on the show, and I always thought "ER" was better when he was a main player in the cast. "ER" broke a lot of new ground in the medium and was recognized by both critics and audiences alike for its quality storytelling. There have been many hospital shows that have come on since "ER" bowed in 1994, but none have matched it. Summer is a perfect time to dive into this series if you've never given it a try.
Where to Find It: All 15 seasons of "ER" are available on DVD.

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