There’s been a lot of speculation over whether George Clooney will reprise his career-making role in ER in a cameo for the long running series finale. Clooney’s rep earlier denied any knowledge of a planned cameo, but now it’s been sort-of confirmed through maybe-reliable sources that rebellious Dr. Doug Ross will come back to help say goodbye to the show that we thought would remain on creaky life support forever.
Sources confirm to Entertainment Tonight the future of George Clooney’s role on “ER.”
Sources confirm to Entertainment Tonight that George Clooney will be filming scenes for an appearance on “ER” this week.Clooney rose to fame as Dr. Doug Ross on the show, which premiered in 1994, and last appeared uncredited in 2000.
The final episode of “ER” will air Thursday night, April 2 now that NBC has extended the season’s run by three extra episodes. A one-hour clip show retrospective will run just before the final episode airs.
[From ETOnline]
Leave it to network television to drag out a 15 year-old prime time show just a little bit longer for those last three totally unnecessary episodes.
It’s good of Clooney to make an appearance, as he definitely doesn’t need the exposure. The same can’t be said of his former co-star and on-screen love interest, Juliana Marguiles, who doesn’t have a lot of offers coming in, but has refused to come back to the show, claiming she left her character “in the best scenario possible.” We don’t know how she ended things with producers and maybe there’s some bad blood there or she just doesn’t want to revisit the past.
This show jumped the shark about seven years ago around the time that Dr. Green died and producers took it in a new melodramatic direction with unbelievable plot lines, swelling music, and close up shots to hammer in the over-the-top drama. Clooney is being gracious and helping the show make a long overdue exit, although most of his fans stopped watching it years ago. ER was among the top five most watched shows in America from 1994 until 2002. It steadily fell in the ratings after Anthony Edwards left, and was ranked 54th last year. Clooney had the sense to leave in 1999 before the decline. It’s nice to see that he’s not above helping put ER out of its misery.
I’m happy, can’t wait.
“It’s good of Clooney to make an appearance, as he definitely doesn’t need the exposure.”
Not how I’m seeing it. If he didn’t need the exposure, he wouldn’t be doing it. I see a bit of Clooney repackaging going on.
I quit watching ER after “Doug” wasn’t in the show anymore. He took all the sizzle with him when he left.
I missed Doug when he left and didn’t care much after Dr. Greene died, but when Carter took off it was the last straw. I will watch the finale and anything with Ross now that’s he’s back, if only for an episode. (I’ll watch the re-runs on TNT if I see Ross or Carter or Greene)
As one of the last people still watching ER, I actually appreciate them stretching it out a few more episodes, because the last few have been so boring and completely pointless–I’m desperate for as many meaningful episodes as possible!
I’m a little more optimistic as to when ER really ended though…I stretch it out a few years to when Noah Wyle left, then it really went into the shitter. Then last season/this season when Maura Tierney and Goran Visnic left…I’m a diehard fan but I have found myself almost too bored to bother watching. Sorry Parminder Nagra!
ITA with HEB. I’ve been watching since the beginning and even though it’s no longer one of my favorite shows, I am hanging in till the bitter end. And I’m always glad for a chance to see Clooney. 🙂 Anytime, anywhere.
I’m so emotionally invested in Dr Greene it’s sad. The first 5 years were so good, and it was still ok for a few years after that but when they killed Greene off I lost interest. I’m now watching the first few seasons on DVD and am still amazed by the chemistry of the original cast. I’ve caught a couple of episodes this season but fast forward until the cameo appearance. I normally like Angela Bassett but find her character on this show really intolerable.
“new melodramatic direction with unbelievable plot lines, swelling music, and close up shots to hammer in the over-the-top drama”
are you sure you aren’t talking about Grey’s Anatomy?
That show was brilliant when he was on with Juliana M. I agree that it’s good of him to come back for the finale. I miss the good old days.