TV CREDITS


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Starring: Anthony Edwards, Eriq La Salle, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Alex Kingston, Goran Visnjic, Maura Tierney, Paul McCrane, Michael Michele, Erik Palladino, Ming-Na, Sherry Stringfield | Produced by: Constant c Productions & Amblin Television & Warner Bros.

Show Synopsis: (from the producer) Best-selling author Michael Crichton ("Jurassic Park") created this hour-long drama, which centers on young medical professionals in the emergency room of a Chicago hospital.

In the series, the overworked and underpaid residents are the heroes of County General Hospital as they make life-and-death decisions every day. The staff includes Dr. Mark Greene (Edwards), a senior attending physician who has survived both personal and professional crises; Dr. Peter Benton (La Salle), a self-assured surgeon and single father of a deaf son; the gifted Dr. John Carter (Wyle), in recovery from substance abuse and about to complete his residency; Dr. Kerry Weaver (Innes), a tough and determined chief of emergency medicine who recently came out as a lesbian and Dr. Elizabeth Corday (Kingston), a dedicated surgeon juggling a new marriage (to Greene) and a new baby.

Also on staff are Dr. Luka Kovac (Visnjic), an ER attending physician from Croatia with a painful past; Abby Lockhart (Tierney), a former medical student who's resuming her nursing career in the ER; Dr. Robert Romano (McCrane), the arrogant chief of staff who enjoys wielding his considerable power; Dr. Cleo Finch (Michele), an assertive fourth-year resident in emergency medicine and pediatrics; Dr. Dave Malucci (Palladino), an irreverent fourth-year resident; Dr. Jing-Mei Chen (Ming-Na), a newly named chief resident who's sacrificed everything for her career; and Dr. Susan Lewis (Stringfield), an ER veteran who's returning home.

Questionable—I absolutely love this show, but I was extremely disappointed with the lesbian sub-theme. Also pre-marital relations are a given--for the most part the characters are always sleeping with someone (I can't think of any characters that are married). Scenes are gory (in one scene Dr. Ramano's arm is graphically sliced off). All that being said, it is extremely well written and the lesbian theme lately has been downplayed. I wonder in response to viewer objection? Overall, good, but I would suggest taping it so you can fast forward the unsightly parts.
   —Kimm Friedemann, age 35

Avoid—I used to love this show. It was my absolute favorite until the character of Carrie "came out of the closet" and decided she was a lesbian. They show her kissing other women and staying the night with one. In my opinion it was completely un-necessary. This is not the kind of show I want to watch.
   —Annette Payne, age 23

Questionable—This show is pushing an agenda, in a very non-subtle way. This show is pro-homosexual, pro-abortion, pro-sexuality, anti-Christian and anti-gun. They make no secret about pushing their agendas and making anyone who disagrees with them look like idiots, uninformed boobs or homophobes.
   —Melinda, age 42

Questionable—My wife and I never miss an episode of this very real drama. It is true that none of the main cast members are Christian in this show, and their characters, while caring for others, do not base their decisions on Christian principles. Can we expect them to do so? No. In that light, obviously stuff happens that goes contrary to God's teaching for Christians. In a positive light, yes there has been several episodes that positively portray Christians (patients who come in and are given care). However, there is also a shakey agenda I'm not sure how to take. Dr. Weaver experiments with being a lesbian, and she isn't sure exactly what she is. I'm sure this is reality in several lives. Yet, as the viewer, because we are taken through this tramautic time with her, there is a certain sympathy that is being taught in the show worldview. Despite whether or not there are homosexual feelings, God's word is clear that it is a sin to act out on such desires.
   —TC, age 28

Avoid—ER is all about self-centered selfish people who demand what they consider to be their rights, who seek revenge and do not care one bit about the other guy. And not one ever has to pay for the wrongs that they have done to others. I can see that some of what the characters are going thru' is what other people are going thru' but this program (as do many others) endorses the way the characters go about dealing with those situations. No matter what the TV & movie exec's say…people watching do pay attention and use these programs as their "school on how to deal with life."
   —Ampy Corales, age 52

Avoid—I used to think this show was great especially when the good looking George Clooney was on it, but after he left and after new characters were brought in the show got pretty liberal. Every doctor is shown sleeping with one of their co-workers, Dr. Corday had a baby with Dr. Green out of wedlock, and Carrie Weaver announced she is a lesbian and has a lesbian lover and is even shown sleeping with the other woman. This show has turned from an entertaining show to a preachy show on liberal morals. I would recommend avoiding this show at all costs! Definitely not sensitive to Christian's.
   —Jennifer Conway, age 23

Usually Ok—ER is well written and every episode keeps your attention. There is never a dull moment. However there is violence and most scenes are not appropriate for children. It is on [later at night] so children should be sleeping by then. It is an adult show with mature plots. The characters of the show do not follow Bible teachings. There is pre-marital sex, gay characters in the show and even a child out of wedlock. However the characters are not bad people, they show responsibility. passion for their job and respect for all people. It is my favorite show on TV. There is some profanity but nothing major. I recommend it only for adults, not for children.
   —Jessica Albieri, age 26

Questionable—I love ER and always have. There is plenty of romance and unmarried relations, but it is a fascinating program with lots of action. They recently portrayed a Christian minister in such a positive light that I wrote NBC and complimented them.
   —Debbie Adams, age 41

Questionable—On rare occasion has dealt with religious or moral issues and handled them in a one-sided and liberal fashion. Usually handles moral issues in a fair light and is not afraid to tackle controversial issues, but also treating them fairly and relatively objectively. Excellent character development and examination their respective character, or lack thereof. Things often are not as they seem at first, and it is a relatively, although highly dramatized, realistic portrayal of life and issues of this day. Often, it will give you much to think about regarding why you believe what you do and why you would or wouldn't react in a certain way. None of the characters are Christian, or even religious, so their conduct is not reflective of Christian values, but the weekly scripts delve into the psyche of the characters and can offer insight into the motivations and subsequent actions of the non-believing world.
   —Scott Moore

Young people express their opinions…

Usually Ok—I have been a fan of 'ER' since it first aired, and it is by far my favorite show. This is mostly because I myself want to be a doctor. Yes, there are lots of questionable things that go on in the show. But these are real-world things. I think seeing these things will prepare me for what I will see in the future as a doctor, so I will know how to deal with them. Plus, Christians and Christianity are often portrayed as noble on the show.
   —Rachel, age 14

Usually Ok—This is the one show out there that I really love to watch. Although I do agree that sometimes the morality of the show is questionable, I fully enjoy watching this show. I think a big reason for that is the fact that my Dad is a doctor, and has done E.R. work. When he has time, he sometimes watches it with me, and I love that he can explain all of the medical situations to me. I've actually gained quite a bit of knowledge in the medical profession from this show. I think there is a good balance between the Emergency room scenes, and also the personal lives of the doctors.
   —Bess, age 17