That pesky, stubborn "ER." The medical drama, once a lion of primetime, has declined in the ratings year after year. NBC finally decides to conclude the show and orders a shortened run of 19 episodes.

So what does "ER" do?

Starts winning its time period.

The past two weeks, "ER" has trounced heavily promoted newcomers "Life on Mars" and "Eleventh Hour" on competitive Thursday nights despite having a weaker lead-in than either show. That "ER" has been on the air for 14 years makes this all the more remarkable.

Now sources say NBC has been talking to producer Warner Bros. about, um, maybe, uh, how about a few more episodes? Such a move would bring the final season's total to the standard 22. Nothing is official, mind you. This is just conversation. A verdict is likely to be made by the end of the month to prevent any disruption of production.

But really, NBC Universal wouldn't want to give up a longtime asset that keeps winning its time period.

That would just be nutty … right?

http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/10/nbc-considering.html

It wouldn't be surprising at all. It's one of NBC's highest rated shows right now in both total viewers and the all-important demo. They'd be stupid enough to cancel it, too :rolleyes:

if ER Returns next Fall it will be season 16

wow. i wonder if they'll end up doing another season and what that'll mean for past characters who were planning on returning at the end of the show.

wow. i wonder if they'll end up doing another season and what that'll mean for past characters who were planning on returning at the end of the show.

If they did return it next season, there's be a lot to reverse - I've noticed that in promos, they're showing this as "The Final Season." Probably not a good idea.

er needs to die already been on way to log

I think the reason the ratings are up is because people know it's the last season and wants to see how it ends. If they come back next year after saying this was the last season it will just be like 7th Heaven.

If they did return it next season, there's be a lot to reverse - I've noticed that in promos, they're showing this as "The Final Season." Probably not a good idea.
This is the absolute final season. The show has already started wrapping things up. The article just says NBC is thinking of extending the episode order from 19 to 22. I would be ok with that. I just don't want them to have planned out whats happening in which episodes, only now they'll have to drag things out because the network decided they wanted more episodes. I'm sure they have an idea, but don't know exactly who will be in or what's going to happen in episodes airing 5 months from now - especially since there's talk of trying to bring more past characters back for one final bow. I know it's only three episodes, but still, I don't want any "filler." The show has had such a long and wonderful history, I want the last year to be nothing but strong.

So what does "ER" do?

Starts winning its time period.

The past two weeks, "ER" has trounced heavily promoted newcomers "Life on Mars" and "Eleventh Hour" on competitive Thursday nights despite having a weaker lead-in than either show. That "ER" has been on the air for 14 years makes this all the more remarkable.
props:

Quantity over Quality...

IMO, the show has had its run and it should be the end of the road. I think NBC should take another show like Chuck come next year and give it the Thursday Night slot and promo the hell out of it.

If they did return it next season, there's be a lot to reverse - I've noticed that in promos, they're showing this as "The Final Season." Probably not a good idea.
Yes - remember Seventh Heaven?? They did the same thing!! :eek:

Quantity over Quality...

IMO, the show has had its run and it should be the end of the road. I think NBC should take another show like Chuck come next year and give it the Thursday Night slot and promo the hell out of it.
Though this is not the peak of the show, the quality is still there (which could explain why they "promo the hell out of it").

And Chuck is definitely not a 10:00pm show. If NBC puts Chuck in ER's timeslot next season, they're just asking for it to do horrible.

Yes - remember Seventh Heaven?? They did the same thing!! :eek:

That was a huge mistake, but ER still gets decent ratings - it did last season, it did this season, and its been on for a long time. But, I'm not a huge fan of the show, so I can't say much.

If NBC does order more episodes, there's going to be some switching on Thursdays. The Apprentice was supposed to air at 10pm come January, and if they do that, with ordering more ER, it won't work out. My suggestion: The Office and 30 Rock at 8pm, cancel K&K, move Earl to another slot (maybe Tuesdays?), and put Apprentice at 9pm and ER at 10pm.