ER (1994 TV Series Review)
- Jan 28
- 6 min read
The ER TV series is widely regarded as one of the most influential programs in the history of television, effectively pioneering the modern medical drama. Premiering in 1994, the show brought an unprecedented level of realism and frantic energy to the small screen, set within the walls of the fictional County General Hospital in Chicago. Created by the prolific novelist and physician Michael Crichton, the series offered a visceral look at the professional, ethical, and personal challenges faced by emergency room staff. Over its 15-season run, it became a cultural juggernaut that not only launched the career of George Clooney but also set financial and viewership records that remain impressive decades later.
Series Profile
• Director name: Christopher Chulack (Most frequent director)
• First release date: September 19, 1994
• Number of seasons: 15
• Rating: 7.9/10 (IMDb)
• Country of origin: United States
• Original release network: NBC
• Distribution: Warner Bros. Television
• Original release network: NBC
Synopsis and Plot
The narrative of ER centers on the inner workings of the emergency department at Cook County General Hospital, a fictionalized version of Chicago's real Cook County Hospital. The plot typically revolves around the "treat, release, and move on" philosophy of emergency medicine, often using a single-camera "Steadicam" setup to follow characters through the hospital's "urban chaos". While much of the drama focuses on high-stakes medical traumas, the show also delves into sociopolitical issues, including HIV and AIDS, organ transplants, racism, human trafficking, and poverty. In its later seasons, the scope expanded beyond Chicago, following characters on humanitarian missions to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Darfur.
Critics’ response and Accolades
Throughout its run, ER received immense critical acclaim. Time described it as the most realistic fictional treatment of medicine on TV, while The Hollywood Reporter praised it as a series as "true as a heartbeat". It was a dominant force during award seasons, earning a total of 124 Primetime Emmy nominations—the most for any drama at the time—and winning 23, including Outstanding Drama Series in 1996. The show also secured a Peabody Award, multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards for its ensemble cast, and was ranked No. 22 on TV Guide’s "Greatest Shows of All Time" in 2002.
Cast and Characters
• Anthony Edwards – Dr. Mark Greene
• George Clooney – Dr. Doug Ross
• Sherry Stringfield – Dr. Susan Lewis
• Noah Wyle – Dr. John Carter
• Eriq La Salle – Dr. Peter Benton
• Julianna Margulies – Nurse Carol Hathaway
• Gloria Reuben – Jeanie Boulet
• Laura Innes – Dr. Kerry Weaver
• Goran Višnjić – Dr. Luka Kovač
• Maura Tierney – Nurse/Dr. Abby Lockhart
• Alex Kingston – Dr. Elizabeth Corday
• Mekhi Phifer – Dr. Greg Pratt
Main characters description
• Dr. Mark Greene: Often considered the "conscience" of the ER, Greene was the first character shown on screen in the series pilot.
• Dr. Doug Ross: A dedicated but rebellious pediatrician played by George Clooney, known for his commitment to children and his complex relationship with Carol Hathaway.
• Dr. Susan Lewis: A highly capable resident who eventually left for family reasons but made a notable return in later seasons.
• Dr. John Carter: Starting as a third-year medical student, Carter is the character viewers saw grow the most, eventually becoming a senior attending over his long tenure.
• Dr. Peter Benton: A brilliant, demanding surgical resident who served as a stern but effective mentor to John Carter.
• Nurse Carol Hathaway: The head nurse who was originally supposed to die in the pilot script but was revived to become a central series regular.
Production
The origins of the ER TV series trace back to a 1974 screenplay by Michael Crichton, based on his experiences as a medical resident. Initially intended as a feature film, the project was revitalized in 1993 through a collaboration between Crichton and Steven Spielberg, who decided to produce it as a two-hour television pilot instead. Due to budget constraints, the pilot was filmed in the abandoned Linda Vista Hospital in Los Angeles. A massive set at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank was later constructed to mimic a Chicago hospital, though the production frequently traveled to Chicago for authentic exterior shots. The series was notable for its massive production costs, reaching a record-breaking $13 million per episode between seasons four and six.
Seasons
• Season 1: 25 episodes, Sep 19, 1994 – May 18, 1995. This season introduced the core ensemble and established the show's signature fast-paced style.
• Season 2: 22 episodes, Sep 21, 1995 – May 16, 1996. Ranked as the #1 show in America, featuring the iconic episode "Hell and High Water".
• Season 3: 22 episodes, Sep 26, 1996 – May 15, 1997. Maintained its #1 ranking while beginning the first of many cast transitions.
• Season 4: 22 episodes, Sep 25, 1997 – May 14, 1998. Featured the live episode "Ambush," which was performed twice for different time zones.
• Season 5: 22 episodes, Sep 24, 1998 – May 20, 1999. Ranked #1 again, marking the final season for George Clooney as a regular.
• Season 6: 22 episodes, Sep 30, 1999 – May 18, 2000. Introduced Maura Tierney and saw the departure of Julianna Margulies.
• Season 7: 22 episodes, Oct 12, 2000 – May 17, 2001. The first season to be broadcast in the 1080i HD format.
• Season 8: 22 episodes, Sep 27, 2001 – May 16, 2002. Noted for the emotional death of Dr. Mark Greene.
• Season 9: 22 episodes, Sep 26, 2002 – May 15, 2003. Storylines began to expand internationally to the Congo.
• Season 10: 22 episodes, Sep 25, 2003 – May 13, 2004. Explored the tragic death of medical student Lucy Knight and Dr. Romano.
• Season 11: 22 episodes, Sep 23, 2004 – May 19, 2005. The final regular season for Noah Wyle, the last remaining original cast member.
• Season 12: 22 episodes, Sep 22, 2005 – May 18, 2006. Focused on new leads like Dr. Luka Kovač and Dr. Abby Lockhart.
• Season 13: 23 episodes, Sep 21, 2006 – May 17, 2007. Featured the departure of long-time star Laura Innes.
• Season 14: 19 episodes, Sep 27, 2007 – May 15, 2008. Shortened due to the Writers Guild of America strike.
• Season 15: 22 episodes, Sep 25, 2008 – Apr 2, 2009. The final season features returns from nearly the entire original cast for a celebratory finish.
Spin-offs and adaptations
While ER did not have a direct spin-off, it participated in a notable crossover event with the series Third Watch in 2002. The show’s global success led to several foreign adaptations in countries like Serbia (Urgentni centar), Colombia, Ukraine, and Turkey. In 2024, a legal dispute arose when the Crichton estate sued Warner Bros. over a new show titled The Pitt, starring Noah Wyle, alleging it was an unauthorized remake of ER that had failed to reach terms for an official revival.
Ratings and review
The ER TV series was a ratings powerhouse, averaging 19 million viewers in its debut season and frequently holding the #1 or #2 spot in Nielsen rankings for nearly a decade. Its highest-rated episode, "Hell and High Water," drew 48 million viewers, the highest for a regularly scheduled drama since 1985. Critics often highlighted the show's "breakneck" pacing and its ability to balance intense trauma with character-driven drama. While some reviewers felt later seasons occasionally fell into routine, the series is consistently cited as one of the best medical dramas ever produced.
🔖 Key Takeaways
🗝️ ER was created by Michael Crichton based on his medical background and produced by Steven Spielberg.
🗝️ The series ran for 15 seasons on NBC, becoming one of the most-awarded dramas with 23 Emmys and a Peabody Award.
🗝️ It launched George Clooney's career and was known for high production values, once costing $13 million per episode.
🗝️ The show was praised for its technical innovations, such as the use of Steadicam and a commitment to medical accuracy.
🗝️ ER remains the second-longest-running primetime medical drama in U.S. history, trailing only Grey's Anatomy.
🌐 External sources
Keywords: ER TV series review
ER TV series review
Comments