'ER' finale draws 16.4 million viewers; most-watched drama finale in 13 years

Thursday's much-anticipated two-hour finale of "ER" was the most-watched wrap-up of any drama series in 13 years, with an average of 16.4 million total viewers bidding farewell to the show that was the bedrock of NBC's once-dominant Thursday lineup. 

The last drama finale to score more viewers was CBS' "Murder, She Wrote" (16.5 million) back in 1996.

NBC had heavily promoted the wind-down to the final episode, with guest spots in recent weeks from original cast members, including George Clooney.

Among the ad-friendly demographic of viewers ages 18 to 49, figures from Nielsen Media Research showed that the "ER" closer scored a 6.0 rating/16 share, the highest for any drama finale since Fox's "The X-Files" in 2002 (6.3 rating). Overall, the ratings were "ER's" best since 2006 and easily handed NBC a victory for the night.

However, the "ER" finale delivered numbers that were nowhere near record levels. That was partly a function of the audience fragmentation plaguing network TV. Also, drama finales tend to fare less well than closing episodes of hit comedies. The 1983 finale of "MASH" drew an estimated 105 million total viewers. More recently, the 2004 goodbye episode of "Friends" was seen by 52 million viewers.

— Scott Collins

Photo: Jay Clendenin/Los Angeles Times

Looks like a familiar ratings remedy was just re-prescribed to NBC and it's called: George Clooney!

Sources have confirmed to both Entertainment Tonight and Radaronline.com that Clooney will be scrubbing in once again as Dr. Doug Ross.

According to ET, Clooney will be filming his scenes Thursday and Friday of this week on the Warner Bros. set in Los Angeles.

Last week at the Television Critic's Association Tour, show creator/producer John Wells denied that Clooney would return to the long-running medical drama and NBC has issued a "no comment." 

-- Joseph Anthony Kapsch

Photo: Associated Press

"ER" fans: If you're having separation anxiety issues, NBC may be providing a small antidote.

The Emmy darling will get three extra episodes so that executive producers John Wells and Christopher Chulack can get their new NBC series off the ground. The series finale will air April 2.

Wells, Chulack and Ann Biderman have created a new police drama, "Southland," which NBC has scheduled for April 9. The show will portray the emotional lives of police officers, following how they personally respond to the crimes they encounter instead of how they solve them.

"It’s about their emotional arcs through the course of the day rather than the individual things they get involved with," Wells said during a TCA press tour panel. "How does it affect what they do or who they are as human beings?"

"As a police officer, you go through all these experiences and at the end of the night you have to shut it off," added Kevin Alejandro, one of the stars. "How do you shut off everything you’ve experienced and be a normal person?"

NBC has ordered six episodes in addition to the pilot, which was already shot. The additional "ER" episodes will allow the writers and producers to begin production on "Southland" without the pressure of producing the finale of "ER," which has won more Emmys than any other series in history.

Asked if George Clooney will be a part of the "ER" finale, Wells responded: "We’re going to have a lot of people coming back to the conclusion. George is very busy. He’s very handsome. And he’s just finishing up in Puerto Rico on a film. We’ve talked about it a couple of times. You know, it’s George. We’ll be shooting down at the end, and if he wants to come by, we’ll do something. "

— Maria Elena Fernandez

The long-running medical drama "ER" will come to an end on March 12, NBC announced today.

One of TV's most honored shows, "ER" has won 22 Emmys and has the most Emmy nominations of any other show on television. It will say goodbye with a two-hour episode.

The announcement was part of a news release NBC issued about its midseason schedule, which included the following:

— "The Office" will have the coveted post-Super Bowl slot on Feb. 1.

— The new drama "Kings," starring Ian McShane, will premiere on Thursdays, beginning March 19.

— "Celebrity Apprentice" will premiere on March 1 and will be expanded to two-hour episodes.

— "Medium" will return to the lineup on Feb. 2, the same night that "Heroes" kicks off its new volume and "Chuck" returns with a 3-D episode.

— The miniseries "XIII" will air on Feb. 8 and 15.

—Maria Elena Fernandez

(Photo: Maura Tierney as Abby Lockhart, Scott Grimes as Dr. Archie Morris, courtesy Joel Warren / NBC)

"ER," one of television’s most honored programs, refused once again to go quietly into that good night and was officially picked up for a 15th and final season, NBC officials announced today.

Despite steadily declining ratings in recent years, the show will air 19 more episodes and return in the fall with the finale, now scheduled for February. The show will continue to air at 10 p.m. Thursdays, which it has occupied since the show premiered in 1994.

"We really wanted to give ‘ER’ the proper platform and the proper respect for being the most nominated show in television history," said NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman during a press event in New York City, where the network unveiled its programming plans for the next season.

Perhaps it's that time, time for "ER" to close its doors, and not just temporarily for a paint job.

Last night's episode was somewhat engaging, but only in the way that the same plot we've seen in other incarnations was being lobbed back at us. We began with foreshadowing on Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby's (Maura Tierney) relationship as Luka was suddenly called away to Croatia, by himself. Most of us know that this is Visnjicâ's last season on "ER" and clumsy allusions to terrorism early in the episode created a "wonder how they'll make this happen" feeling of non-tension.

As happens at least once a season, a promising new doctor has been introduced (Stanley Tucci) who, despite his acting chops and threats to force the ER to straighten up and fly right, will not be able to stir the pot enough to freshen the show after so many years.

So, Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby (Maura Tierney) finally tied the knot on “ER.”  But “finally,” though, really means “thank goodness by law these two can’t break up again, at least without some difficulty” and not so much “Yay! They’re husband and wife!” because the original appeal of Luka and Abby was their combined torturedness when they began their first incarnation as a couple so many years ago.  Watching them be blissfully married is kind of like a happy Elvis Costello song: it’s nice but it’s not the same without that bite of bitterness. 

Once again, being a loyal fan didn’t seem to pay off for viewers of “ER.”  Those of us who have watched since the beginning know that both Abby and Luka had been married before—and in Luka’s case, to a the mother of his children, all of whom were killed in war.  You’d think he’d have at least some sort of flashback or pause to consider that or even say something to Abby about it.

George Clooney checks back into 'ER'?

Looks like a familiar ratings remedy was just re-prescribed to NBC and it's called: George Clooney!

Sources have confirmed to both Entertainment Tonight and Radaronline.com that Clooney will be scrubbing in once again as Dr. Doug Ross.

According to ET, Clooney will be filming his scenes Thursday and Friday of this week on the Warner Bros. set in Los Angeles.

Last week at the Television Critic's Association Tour, show creator/producer John Wells denied that Clooney would return to the long-running medical drama and NBC has issued a "no comment." 

-- Joseph Anthony Kapsch

Photo: Associated Press

"ER" fans: If you're having separation anxiety issues, NBC may be providing a small antidote.

The Emmy darling will get three extra episodes so that executive producers John Wells and Christopher Chulack can get their new NBC series off the ground. The series finale will air April 2.

Wells, Chulack and Ann Biderman have created a new police drama, "Southland," which NBC has scheduled for April 9. The show will portray the emotional lives of police officers, following how they personally respond to the crimes they encounter instead of how they solve them.

"It’s about their emotional arcs through the course of the day rather than the individual things they get involved with," Wells said during a TCA press tour panel. "How does it affect what they do or who they are as human beings?"

"As a police officer, you go through all these experiences and at the end of the night you have to shut it off," added Kevin Alejandro, one of the stars. "How do you shut off everything you’ve experienced and be a normal person?"

NBC has ordered six episodes in addition to the pilot, which was already shot. The additional "ER" episodes will allow the writers and producers to begin production on "Southland" without the pressure of producing the finale of "ER," which has won more Emmys than any other series in history.

Asked if George Clooney will be a part of the "ER" finale, Wells responded: "We’re going to have a lot of people coming back to the conclusion. George is very busy. He’s very handsome. And he’s just finishing up in Puerto Rico on a film. We’ve talked about it a couple of times. You know, it’s George. We’ll be shooting down at the end, and if he wants to come by, we’ll do something. "

— Maria Elena Fernandez

The long-running medical drama "ER" will come to an end on March 12, NBC announced today.

One of TV's most honored shows, "ER" has won 22 Emmys and has the most Emmy nominations of any other show on television. It will say goodbye with a two-hour episode.

The announcement was part of a news release NBC issued about its midseason schedule, which included the following:

— "The Office" will have the coveted post-Super Bowl slot on Feb. 1.

— The new drama "Kings," starring Ian McShane, will premiere on Thursdays, beginning March 19.

— "Celebrity Apprentice" will premiere on March 1 and will be expanded to two-hour episodes.

— "Medium" will return to the lineup on Feb. 2, the same night that "Heroes" kicks off its new volume and "Chuck" returns with a 3-D episode.

— The miniseries "XIII" will air on Feb. 8 and 15.

—Maria Elena Fernandez

(Photo: Maura Tierney as Abby Lockhart, Scott Grimes as Dr. Archie Morris, courtesy Joel Warren / NBC)

"ER," one of television’s most honored programs, refused once again to go quietly into that good night and was officially picked up for a 15th and final season, NBC officials announced today.

Despite steadily declining ratings in recent years, the show will air 19 more episodes and return in the fall with the finale, now scheduled for February. The show will continue to air at 10 p.m. Thursdays, which it has occupied since the show premiered in 1994.

"We really wanted to give ‘ER’ the proper platform and the proper respect for being the most nominated show in television history," said NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman during a press event in New York City, where the network unveiled its programming plans for the next season.

Perhaps it's that time, time for "ER" to close its doors, and not just temporarily for a paint job.

Last night's episode was somewhat engaging, but only in the way that the same plot we've seen in other incarnations was being lobbed back at us. We began with foreshadowing on Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby's (Maura Tierney) relationship as Luka was suddenly called away to Croatia, by himself. Most of us know that this is Visnjicâ's last season on "ER" and clumsy allusions to terrorism early in the episode created a "wonder how they'll make this happen" feeling of non-tension.

As happens at least once a season, a promising new doctor has been introduced (Stanley Tucci) who, despite his acting chops and threats to force the ER to straighten up and fly right, will not be able to stir the pot enough to freshen the show after so many years.

So, Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby (Maura Tierney) finally tied the knot on “ER.”  But “finally,” though, really means “thank goodness by law these two can’t break up again, at least without some difficulty” and not so much “Yay! They’re husband and wife!” because the original appeal of Luka and Abby was their combined torturedness when they began their first incarnation as a couple so many years ago.  Watching them be blissfully married is kind of like a happy Elvis Costello song: it’s nice but it’s not the same without that bite of bitterness. 

Once again, being a loyal fan didn’t seem to pay off for viewers of “ER.”  Those of us who have watched since the beginning know that both Abby and Luka had been married before—and in Luka’s case, to a the mother of his children, all of whom were killed in war.  You’d think he’d have at least some sort of flashback or pause to consider that or even say something to Abby about it.

TCA press tour: NBC gives 'ER' three more episodes

"ER" fans: If you're having separation anxiety issues, NBC may be providing a small antidote.

The Emmy darling will get three extra episodes so that executive producers John Wells and Christopher Chulack can get their new NBC series off the ground. The series finale will air April 2.

Wells, Chulack and Ann Biderman have created a new police drama, "Southland," which NBC has scheduled for April 9. The show will portray the emotional lives of police officers, following how they personally respond to the crimes they encounter instead of how they solve them.

"It’s about their emotional arcs through the course of the day rather than the individual things they get involved with," Wells said during a TCA press tour panel. "How does it affect what they do or who they are as human beings?"

"As a police officer, you go through all these experiences and at the end of the night you have to shut it off," added Kevin Alejandro, one of the stars. "How do you shut off everything you’ve experienced and be a normal person?"

NBC has ordered six episodes in addition to the pilot, which was already shot. The additional "ER" episodes will allow the writers and producers to begin production on "Southland" without the pressure of producing the finale of "ER," which has won more Emmys than any other series in history.

Asked if George Clooney will be a part of the "ER" finale, Wells responded: "We’re going to have a lot of people coming back to the conclusion. George is very busy. He’s very handsome. And he’s just finishing up in Puerto Rico on a film. We’ve talked about it a couple of times. You know, it’s George. We’ll be shooting down at the end, and if he wants to come by, we’ll do something. "

— Maria Elena Fernandez

The long-running medical drama "ER" will come to an end on March 12, NBC announced today.

One of TV's most honored shows, "ER" has won 22 Emmys and has the most Emmy nominations of any other show on television. It will say goodbye with a two-hour episode.

The announcement was part of a news release NBC issued about its midseason schedule, which included the following:

— "The Office" will have the coveted post-Super Bowl slot on Feb. 1.

— The new drama "Kings," starring Ian McShane, will premiere on Thursdays, beginning March 19.

— "Celebrity Apprentice" will premiere on March 1 and will be expanded to two-hour episodes.

— "Medium" will return to the lineup on Feb. 2, the same night that "Heroes" kicks off its new volume and "Chuck" returns with a 3-D episode.

— The miniseries "XIII" will air on Feb. 8 and 15.

—Maria Elena Fernandez

(Photo: Maura Tierney as Abby Lockhart, Scott Grimes as Dr. Archie Morris, courtesy Joel Warren / NBC)

"ER," one of television’s most honored programs, refused once again to go quietly into that good night and was officially picked up for a 15th and final season, NBC officials announced today.

Despite steadily declining ratings in recent years, the show will air 19 more episodes and return in the fall with the finale, now scheduled for February. The show will continue to air at 10 p.m. Thursdays, which it has occupied since the show premiered in 1994.

"We really wanted to give ‘ER’ the proper platform and the proper respect for being the most nominated show in television history," said NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman during a press event in New York City, where the network unveiled its programming plans for the next season.

Perhaps it's that time, time for "ER" to close its doors, and not just temporarily for a paint job.

Last night's episode was somewhat engaging, but only in the way that the same plot we've seen in other incarnations was being lobbed back at us. We began with foreshadowing on Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby's (Maura Tierney) relationship as Luka was suddenly called away to Croatia, by himself. Most of us know that this is Visnjicâ's last season on "ER" and clumsy allusions to terrorism early in the episode created a "wonder how they'll make this happen" feeling of non-tension.

As happens at least once a season, a promising new doctor has been introduced (Stanley Tucci) who, despite his acting chops and threats to force the ER to straighten up and fly right, will not be able to stir the pot enough to freshen the show after so many years.

So, Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby (Maura Tierney) finally tied the knot on “ER.”  But “finally,” though, really means “thank goodness by law these two can’t break up again, at least without some difficulty” and not so much “Yay! They’re husband and wife!” because the original appeal of Luka and Abby was their combined torturedness when they began their first incarnation as a couple so many years ago.  Watching them be blissfully married is kind of like a happy Elvis Costello song: it’s nice but it’s not the same without that bite of bitterness. 

Once again, being a loyal fan didn’t seem to pay off for viewers of “ER.”  Those of us who have watched since the beginning know that both Abby and Luka had been married before—and in Luka’s case, to a the mother of his children, all of whom were killed in war.  You’d think he’d have at least some sort of flashback or pause to consider that or even say something to Abby about it.

NBC announces the end of ER

The long-running medical drama "ER" will come to an end on March 12, NBC announced today.

One of TV's most honored shows, "ER" has won 22 Emmys and has the most Emmy nominations of any other show on television. It will say goodbye with a two-hour episode.

The announcement was part of a news release NBC issued about its midseason schedule, which included the following:

— "The Office" will have the coveted post-Super Bowl slot on Feb. 1.

— The new drama "Kings," starring Ian McShane, will premiere on Thursdays, beginning March 19.

— "Celebrity Apprentice" will premiere on March 1 and will be expanded to two-hour episodes.

— "Medium" will return to the lineup on Feb. 2, the same night that "Heroes" kicks off its new volume and "Chuck" returns with a 3-D episode.

— The miniseries "XIII" will air on Feb. 8 and 15.

—Maria Elena Fernandez

(Photo: Maura Tierney as Abby Lockhart, Scott Grimes as Dr. Archie Morris, courtesy Joel Warren / NBC)

"ER," one of television’s most honored programs, refused once again to go quietly into that good night and was officially picked up for a 15th and final season, NBC officials announced today.

Despite steadily declining ratings in recent years, the show will air 19 more episodes and return in the fall with the finale, now scheduled for February. The show will continue to air at 10 p.m. Thursdays, which it has occupied since the show premiered in 1994.

"We really wanted to give ‘ER’ the proper platform and the proper respect for being the most nominated show in television history," said NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman during a press event in New York City, where the network unveiled its programming plans for the next season.

Perhaps it's that time, time for "ER" to close its doors, and not just temporarily for a paint job.

Last night's episode was somewhat engaging, but only in the way that the same plot we've seen in other incarnations was being lobbed back at us. We began with foreshadowing on Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby's (Maura Tierney) relationship as Luka was suddenly called away to Croatia, by himself. Most of us know that this is Visnjicâ's last season on "ER" and clumsy allusions to terrorism early in the episode created a "wonder how they'll make this happen" feeling of non-tension.

As happens at least once a season, a promising new doctor has been introduced (Stanley Tucci) who, despite his acting chops and threats to force the ER to straighten up and fly right, will not be able to stir the pot enough to freshen the show after so many years.

So, Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby (Maura Tierney) finally tied the knot on “ER.”  But “finally,” though, really means “thank goodness by law these two can’t break up again, at least without some difficulty” and not so much “Yay! They’re husband and wife!” because the original appeal of Luka and Abby was their combined torturedness when they began their first incarnation as a couple so many years ago.  Watching them be blissfully married is kind of like a happy Elvis Costello song: it’s nice but it’s not the same without that bite of bitterness. 

Once again, being a loyal fan didn’t seem to pay off for viewers of “ER.”  Those of us who have watched since the beginning know that both Abby and Luka had been married before—and in Luka’s case, to a the mother of his children, all of whom were killed in war.  You’d think he’d have at least some sort of flashback or pause to consider that or even say something to Abby about it.

'ER' is coming back

"ER," one of television’s most honored programs, refused once again to go quietly into that good night and was officially picked up for a 15th and final season, NBC officials announced today.

Despite steadily declining ratings in recent years, the show will air 19 more episodes and return in the fall with the finale, now scheduled for February. The show will continue to air at 10 p.m. Thursdays, which it has occupied since the show premiered in 1994.

"We really wanted to give ‘ER’ the proper platform and the proper respect for being the most nominated show in television history," said NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman during a press event in New York City, where the network unveiled its programming plans for the next season.

Perhaps it's that time, time for "ER" to close its doors, and not just temporarily for a paint job.

Last night's episode was somewhat engaging, but only in the way that the same plot we've seen in other incarnations was being lobbed back at us. We began with foreshadowing on Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby's (Maura Tierney) relationship as Luka was suddenly called away to Croatia, by himself. Most of us know that this is Visnjicâ's last season on "ER" and clumsy allusions to terrorism early in the episode created a "wonder how they'll make this happen" feeling of non-tension.

As happens at least once a season, a promising new doctor has been introduced (Stanley Tucci) who, despite his acting chops and threats to force the ER to straighten up and fly right, will not be able to stir the pot enough to freshen the show after so many years.

So, Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby (Maura Tierney) finally tied the knot on “ER.”  But “finally,” though, really means “thank goodness by law these two can’t break up again, at least without some difficulty” and not so much “Yay! They’re husband and wife!” because the original appeal of Luka and Abby was their combined torturedness when they began their first incarnation as a couple so many years ago.  Watching them be blissfully married is kind of like a happy Elvis Costello song: it’s nice but it’s not the same without that bite of bitterness. 

Once again, being a loyal fan didn’t seem to pay off for viewers of “ER.”  Those of us who have watched since the beginning know that both Abby and Luka had been married before—and in Luka’s case, to a the mother of his children, all of whom were killed in war.  You’d think he’d have at least some sort of flashback or pause to consider that or even say something to Abby about it.

'ER': Are we there yet?

Perhaps it's that time, time for "ER" to close its doors, and not just temporarily for a paint job.

Last night's episode was somewhat engaging, but only in the way that the same plot we've seen in other incarnations was being lobbed back at us. We began with foreshadowing on Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby's (Maura Tierney) relationship as Luka was suddenly called away to Croatia, by himself. Most of us know that this is Visnjicâ's last season on "ER" and clumsy allusions to terrorism early in the episode created a "wonder how they'll make this happen" feeling of non-tension.

As happens at least once a season, a promising new doctor has been introduced (Stanley Tucci) who, despite his acting chops and threats to force the ER to straighten up and fly right, will not be able to stir the pot enough to freshen the show after so many years.

So, Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby (Maura Tierney) finally tied the knot on “ER.”  But “finally,” though, really means “thank goodness by law these two can’t break up again, at least without some difficulty” and not so much “Yay! They’re husband and wife!” because the original appeal of Luka and Abby was their combined torturedness when they began their first incarnation as a couple so many years ago.  Watching them be blissfully married is kind of like a happy Elvis Costello song: it’s nice but it’s not the same without that bite of bitterness. 

Once again, being a loyal fan didn’t seem to pay off for viewers of “ER.”  Those of us who have watched since the beginning know that both Abby and Luka had been married before—and in Luka’s case, to a the mother of his children, all of whom were killed in war.  You’d think he’d have at least some sort of flashback or pause to consider that or even say something to Abby about it.

'ER': Married? Yeah, married!

So, Luka (Goran Visnjic) and Abby (Maura Tierney) finally tied the knot on “ER.”  But “finally,” though, really means “thank goodness by law these two can’t break up again, at least without some difficulty” and not so much “Yay! They’re husband and wife!” because the original appeal of Luka and Abby was their combined torturedness when they began their first incarnation as a couple so many years ago.  Watching them be blissfully married is kind of like a happy Elvis Costello song: it’s nice but it’s not the same without that bite of bitterness. 

Once again, being a loyal fan didn’t seem to pay off for viewers of “ER.”  Those of us who have watched since the beginning know that both Abby and Luka had been married before—and in Luka’s case, to a the mother of his children, all of whom were killed in war.  You’d think he’d have at least some sort of flashback or pause to consider that or even say something to Abby about it.