There are two bits of news in this post about ER (scroll down). One is that it looks like this is going to be ER's last season, and two, star Mekhi Phifer is leaving the show.
I'm not sure if either one of these news items is surprising though. It's a bit of a miracle that ER is still on (it has a revival last year, that's for sure), so if this is the last season it wouldn't be that much of a shock. And if it is the last season, I don't know if Phifer leaving will have that much of an impact. Actually, I don't know if his departure would have as much of an impact anyway. Certainly not as much impact Maura Tierney leaving would have or Goran Visnjic (Visnjic is in fact leaving this season too). But his Dr. Pratt character has become one of the main players the past couple of years I guess.
(Note to ER: you don't have to have a helicopter fall on him or give him a brain tumor to write him off the show, OK?)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-18-2007 @ 2:39PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
Just a note for ER and Phifer fans, the first two episodes of next season have already been produced and the actor is in both of them. The original article is not clear as to when the actor would leave but if it is during the current season, it won't be in the first two episodes. But my guess is that he'll leave at the end.
Having been an ER fan for about 8 of the 13 seasons (next season is #14), I'm amazed as you are that this series is still on the air. I stopped watching at the end of season 12 and I have been wanting to stop watching since season 9 or so (when storylines started to repeat for a 3rd time if not more! lol).
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7-18-2007 @ 3:33PM
CJ said...
Anyone know why "ER" produces the first two episodes of its next season MONTHS earlier than normal?
Seems like they have done this for a few seasons now...
Is it a financial thing?
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7-18-2007 @ 3:56PM
dj said...
It's a continuity thing. The finale and premiere tend to take place immediately after the other timeline wise. It works better to have them filmed back to back.
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7-18-2007 @ 10:51PM
TomB said...
I think ER has run its course on NBC -- so move it over to F/X instead of canceling it!!
Can you imagine ER on F/X?? It would be sooo cool! :-)
I agree, Bob. Phifer's leaving will have little impact. We need a lot more Morris and hopefully now we'll get it!
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7-18-2007 @ 11:18PM
Bash said...
You should at least name ONE reason why it would be cool TomB.
"Just 'cause it would" isn't a reason. I don't see why changing the network automatically would make this show great.
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7-19-2007 @ 1:13AM
jake said...
Mekhi Phifer and his abrasive character is the reason I started to tune out of ER several years ago. There is just no one that you care about anymore -- no character like gloria reuben to make you tune in every week.
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7-19-2007 @ 2:43AM
nanna said...
I biggest reason for why I watch, is Maura Tierney and LUBY, which we won't see too much off next season. I don't really care about Pratt...
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7-26-2007 @ 9:14AM
Honor said...
I can't see why they are cancelling the show...
I am from Lockerbie in Scotland and I know that alot of people in this area watch ER... Its one of the main shows here...
It may not affect us about channel changing as ER is always on the same channel here but like the others have said just move it to another channel over there and the show no longer has to be cancelled??? Hope that makes sense...
Honor
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