NBC PICKS UP CLASSIC, EMMY AWARD-WINNING 'ER' FOR 15TH AND FINAL SEASON

Published: April 2, 2008

NEW YORK - April 2, 2008 -- NBC announced that it will pick up the classic and Emmy Award-winning medical drama "ER" (Thursdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) for a 15th and final season. The announcement was made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"'ER' is one of the greatest shows of all time and we can't wait to deliver to the audience the fantastic stories the series is known for," said Silverman. "We will introduce new characters to the great ensemble."

Currently in its 14th season, "ER" has averaged a 3.8 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 9.5 million viewers, keeping NBC in a virtual tie for the Thursday 10 p.m. lead in 18-49 despite big lead-in advantages for the time period's ABC and CBS competition from "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI" respectively. "ER" is the #3 series on the NBC primetime schedule this season among women 18-49 and the network's #2 series among women 25-54.

Combining the extraordinary talents of multiple award-winning producer John Wells ("The West Wing" "Third Watch"), best-selling author Michael Crichton ("Jurassic Park") and the creative team at Steven Spielberg's Amblin Television, the venerated series "ER" explores the inner workings of an urban teaching hospital and the critical issues faced by the dedicated physicians and staff of its overburdened emergency room. Currently concluding its 14th season, the highly acclaimed drama series now holds the distinction of being recognized as the most Emmy-nominated series in the history of television with 120 nominations. Crichton and Wells serve as executive producers, along with Christopher Chulack, David Zabel, Joe Sachs and Janine Sherman Barrois.

A winner of the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, the series has also earned 22 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 1996, among the many accolades. In addition, the cast has been honored with four Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Drama Series.

The long-running series stars Maura Tierney ("Semi-Pro," "Welcome to Mooseport"), Mekhi Phifer ("Dawn of the Dead," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "8 Mile," "Slow Burn"), Parminder Nagra ("Ella Enchanted," "Bend It Like Beckham"), Linda Cardellini ("Brokeback Mountain," "Scooby-Doo" movies, "Grandma's Boy," "Freaks and Geeks"), Scott Grimes ("Band of Brothers," "American Dad," "Party of Five," "Mystery, Alaska") and John Stamos ("A Raisin in the Sun," "Jake in Progress").

On staff at County General Hospital are Abby Lockhart (Tierney), a recovering alcoholic trying her best to juggle a demanding residency and motherhood while everything around her seems to be falling apart; Dr. Greg Pratt (Phifer), an attending fighting for the chief spot on the floor as well as for a firm grasp on his love-life; Neela Rasgotra (Nagra), a skilled surgical resident committed to growing in her craft as well as in her place on the surgical team; Sam Taggart (Cardellini), a spirited emergency room nurse who is finally getting some time to explore life and love both in and outside the hospital; Dr. Archie Morris (Grimes), the quirky-yet-talented attending dedicated to his work but constantly distracted by his own world; and Tony Gates (Stamos), a paramedic-turned-medical-resident who has overcome numerous obstacles to take on the rigorous challenges of life in the ER.

"ER" is a production of Constant c Productions and Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television.

In response to an evolving media marketplace and the changing needs of its advertisers, NBC Universal has created a more innovative, client-centric approach to its traditional Upfront presentation. It will include the announcement of a year-round programming schedule in April; a series of one-on-one client meetings in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago; and a spotlight event on May 12 that will showcase the full scale of the NBCU offerings in a unique, multi-media, interactive environment that will allow advertisers to experience the broad spectrum of marketing opportunities available within the company. The new Upfront process allows NBCU to continue its 'customer-first' approach, while working to create new advertising models, define more effective metrics and provide a better return on its clients' investments.