"ER'"s upcoming 14th season might be its last.

That's the word from NBC entertainment president Kevin Reilly, who indicated in a pre-upfront press conference Monday that the long-running drama, which struggled this season after a promising start, will receive an early fall check-up from the network and executive producer John Wells. If its creative health is lagging, "ER" will finish out the season.

"We'll make a determination in October," Reilly said, noting that NBC will be in the last year of its contract for "ER" with Warner Bros. Television. "If we feel like this is it, we will make a very big deal of it, driving the finale."

Reilly acknowledged that challenges lay ahead after yet another fourth-place finish in primetime, but he noted that all of the broadcasters have been feeling the crunch as of late, with many hit series hitting ratings lows.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3id38c37b9af98234a6b6369414693319d

NOOOOOOOOO! I just started REALLY getting into this show. They can't end it now.

the show nowadays is not as good as it was 8, 9 years or so ago. which is why i never watch it anymore

The entire original cast is gone (save the occasional Noah Wyle pop-in) and the show's had a long life. I've just started watching the show again, but if they shut the doors, that's fine.

Looking at the numbers - the show's viewership has eroded to a low 6, which was 3rd of 3 in it's timeslot. I'd like to argue that it's lead-ins are very weak. Critics and non-Nielsen viewers can praise Earl, Office, 30 Rock, Scrubs until we're all blue in the face, but all of 'em are hovering in the 4-5 range in the Nielsens - not where you want to be on Thursday Nights. Perhaps ER isn't entirely the problem.

I can't believe the show has been on this long - I was a freshman in high school when it started!! :eek:

I watch on occasion here and there. It really is still a high quality show.

I watch on occasion here and there. It really is still a high quality show.
It really is. A LOT of my family members are original fans, and use to constantly talk about how great this show was. I watched on occasion in the 4th and 5th years, but it wasn't until I was old enough in the 6th season, where I started to call myself a fan.

Seasons 5 through 9 were THE absolute best. Seasons 10 and 11 were arguably the worst. It has shaped up these past 2 seasons. And this season has been great so far. I'm in it for the long run.

Seth, I agree that ER isn't entirely the problem. NBC's been struggling on Thursday nights for a few years now. And it's hard to believe their former flagship series, on their former flagship night, isn't doing too well, but that's life. ER finished at #31 last season, it's lowest rated season ever (though the show was in the overall top 30 shows, because Idol and Deal Or No Deal's multiple day airings were counted seperately).

And just to make things clear, there hasn't been talk of shelving it for a few months this season, has there?

The entire original cast is gone (save the occasional Noah Wyle pop-in) and the show's had a long life. I've just started watching the show again, but if they shut the doors, that's fine.

I agree. I'm preparing myself to let go this May. Go out on top (somewhat). Go out while the quality of the show is still good anyway.

I'm glad to hear you started watching again. I admit, I watched on and off in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Things have really improved since though.

Yes, the original cast is long gone (which is fine by me). If they still had their original people, things would get pretty stale. There's only so much they can do with the same characters. And it makes it more real, because people do move on, they do transfer jobs, they die, etc. I do think the current cast of characters is impressive. It feels like they're a family unit again, like old school ER. The cast is the smallest it's ever been, since the first season, which does help bond them (though I prefer the larger cast).

And 1 thing to remember about ER's cast changes is that no other show has held up as good as they have, with them.

I hope ER get renew for next season

And 1 thing to remember about ER's cast changes is that no other show has held up as good as they have, with them.

By the time it's all said and done, Boston Legal may give them a run for their money in THAT department though :lol:

By the time it's all said and done, Boston Legal may give them a run for their money in THAT department though :lol:
LOL! Why? Is their whole cast leaving?