NBC PICKS UP CLASSIC, EMMY AWARD-WINNING 'ER' FOR 15TH AND FINAL
SEASON
NEW YORK - April 2, 2008 -- NBC announced that it will pick up the
classic and Emmy Award-winning medical drama "ER" (Thursdays, 10-11
p.m. ET) for a 15th and final season. The announcement was made today
by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media
Studios.
"'ER' is one of the greatest shows of all time and we can't wait to
deliver to the audience the fantastic stories the series is known
for," said Silverman. "We will introduce new characters to the great
ensemble."
Currently in its 14th season, "ER" has averaged a 3.8 rating, 10 share
in adults 18-49 and 9.5 million viewers, keeping NBC in a virtual tie
for the Thursday 10 p.m. lead in 18-49 despite big lead-in advantages
for the time period's ABC and CBS competition from "Grey's Anatomy"
and "CSI" respectively. "ER" is the #3 series on the NBC primetime
schedule this season among women 18-49 and the network's #2 series
among women 25-54.
Combining the extraordinary talents of multiple award-winning producer
John Wells ("The West Wing" "Third Watch"), best-selling author
Michael Crichton ("Jurassic Park") and the creative team at Steven
Spielberg's Amblin Television, the venerated series "ER" explores the
inner workings of an urban teaching hospital and the critical issues
faced by the dedicated physicians and staff of its overburdened
emergency room. Currently concluding its 14th season, the highly
acclaimed drama series now holds the distinction of being recognized
as the most Emmy-nominated series in the history of television with
120 nominations. Crichton and Wells serve as executive producers,
along with Christopher Chulack, David Zabel, Joe Sachs and Janine
Sherman Barrois.
A winner of the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, the series
has also earned 22 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in
1996, among the many accolades. In addition, the cast has been honored
with four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble
Performance in a Drama Series.
The long-running series stars Maura Tierney ("Semi-Pro," "Welcome to
Mooseport"), Mekhi Phifer ("Dawn of the Dead," "Curb Your Enthusiasm,"
"8 Mile," "Slow Burn"), Parminder Nagra ("Ella Enchanted," "Bend It
Like Beckham"), Linda Cardellini ("Brokeback Mountain," "Scooby-Doo"
movies, "Grandma's Boy," "Freaks and Geeks"), Scott Grimes ("Band of
Brothers," "American Dad," "Party of Five," "Mystery, Alaska") and
John Stamos ("A Raisin in the Sun," "Jake in Progress").
On staff at County General Hospital are Abby Lockhart (Tierney), a
recovering alcoholic trying her best to juggle a demanding residency
and motherhood while everything around her seems to be falling apart;
Dr. Greg Pratt (Phifer), an attending fighting for the chief spot on
the floor as well as for a firm grasp on his love-life; Neela Rasgotra
(Nagra), a skilled surgical resident committed to growing in her craft
as well as in her place on the surgical team; Sam Taggart
(Cardellini), a spirited emergency room nurse who is finally getting
some time to explore life and love both in and outside the hospital;
Dr. Archie Morris (Grimes), the quirky-yet-talented attending
dedicated to his work but constantly distracted by his own world; and
Tony Gates (Stamos), a paramedic-turned-medical-resident who has
overcome numerous obstacles to take on the rigorous challenges of life
in the ER.
"ER" is a production of Constant c Productions and Amblin Television
in association with Warner Bros. Television.
In response to an evolving media marketplace and the changing needs of
its advertisers, NBC Universal has created a more innovative,
client-centric approach to its traditional Upfront presentation. It
will include the announcement of a year-round programming schedule in
April; a series of one-on-one client meetings in New York, Los Angeles
and Chicago; and a spotlight event on May 12 that will showcase the
full scale of the NBCU offerings in a unique, multi-media, interactive
environment that will allow advertisers to experience the broad
spectrum of marketing opportunities available within the company. The
new Upfront process allows NBCU to continue its 'customer-first'
approach, while working to create new advertising models, define more
effective metrics and provide a better return on its clients'
investments.
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