Maybe this does not bother anyone else, but the increasing level of gore in ER has finally led me to decide to quit watching it. I have been an avid ER fan since the first day Carter showed up at the hospital, and I have noticed in recent seasons a trend toward increasing gory views of the insides of peoples' bodies. Perhaps this helps maintain ratings with a younger crowd, but I've been getting increasingly turned off by it. I have been tempted for several seasons to stop watching because of it.

Last week's season premier, which I watched last night, was the final straw. There was way to much blood and close up views of surgeries, (particularly on a large screen in HDTV) and when I watched Jerry's chest pop open, I decided I'd had it. I will really miss the depth of the characters and the great drama, but I will be relieved to no longer have to experience such discomfort at scenes of a show.

Hi there,

It's a shame you feel that way as I think ER is back on form. I'm quite a squeemish person so believe me if there was too much gore I'de be averting my eyes for a substantial proportion of the show. I don't share your views though. I think as far back as we can remember there's always been a lot of bloody gorey scenes. Remember back when Carter and Lucy weer both stabbed? Or when Romano lost his arm courtesy of teh helicopter? I urge you not to give up on teh show completely - perhaps watch on a smaller TV?

Here's an idea,you can look away when they show the gory stuff,that way you can still enjoy the show,I'd hate to see you quit watching it's such a good show.

I do agree that the drama part of ER is back on track, after a few years of having weaker writing. While the show has long been relatively bloody, I actually thought specifically of Romano's arm as a contrast. It was a bit graphic, but it was mostly just shocking because it happened so suddenly and so unexpectedly. The scenes last week with the close up shots of internal organs, and, especially Jerry's chest popping open when Neela cut through it, are, to me, a different level of graphic.

I am really squeamish but I've learned that during ER I just keep my hands close to my head the whole time. I don't know it's kind of fun ... like when I was a kid and would watch scary movies. My heart rate kind of goes up and you just never know what's going to happen.

I think they are trying to keep up with the CSI way of doing things. I personally don't want to see it. Yes, that's what it really looks like in a hospital.....but if I wanted the show to be THAT real, I'd just go work in a hospital.

What turned me off of ER was it was on too late and I had to get up too early!

Seriously, though. I know that the gore can, and usually does, turn people away. However, for me, I am glad they are showing some of the gore. People I know seem to think that an ER is like this show...and they don't really realise the gore and the blood and the smell that goes with an ER (Thank GOODNESS we don't have Smellevision!).

An ER, especially one in the inner city, is going to have a lot of blood, guts, and gore around. It's just part of the job.

Does ER go too far? One can say 'yes' and another can say 'no'. It all depends on your view. I think they should do more to make it like a REAL WORLD ER. Ya know, more down time and restocking the restocking the restocking.

I'm sorry the gore is too much for you, but I don't think it's enough. But, that's just me.

I can be squeamish at times, but ER doesn't bother me.
It's about an emergency room in a hospital. I don't expect raindrops on roses. If it's too much for me, I look away. But I would never let something that silly chase me away from watching such a fabulous show!

I was extremely squeamish when I was younger,but as I got older the gore didn't seem to bother me anymore.When they showed Abby's C-Section and Jerry's surgery,I did not flinch once.I wouldn't give up on ER just yet!

Hi, SickofER, I understand your pain.

For a while, I stopped watching CSI because of all the gore. In fact, I find when I do watch CSI I hold a pillow in front of my face when I think they are going for some gory close up. Unfortunately, it helps the ratings and the story is kind of second.

ER is still one of the best shows on t.v., please continue to watch, and hold that pillow in front of your face just in case.

The "gore" on ER is nothing, now if they were able to pipe the smell(s) into your home, that would really turn you off. As a paramedic the stuff I see on daily basis is nothing compared to the "enough to gag a maggot" smell of melena, to the lay person, bloody stools. I can handle a decomposing body, but melena is enough to make me gag.

Reconsider leaving, and enjoy the show.

It dosen`t bother me at all, it makes it more real, the gore that bother me it was when the helicopter cut Romano`s arm, both no other scene was too gore, and when is it they put an advertising

It REALLY doesnt bother me or my hubby. He is a physican so he see's it all the time and I really am not squeamish.

Meh.


I like gore.

You know so do I!
I know this will sound lame ..but I used to work in the ER department of a small hospital and I was a ward clerk and I worked different shifts ie. nights, lates, earlys, weekends etc and for someone who didn't have a medical background it was a little scary to start with.
I saw lots of gore and it all seemed to be in slow motion sometimes and I just seem to get on with my job and didn't really get to involved..it wasn't my job to.
The funny thing is when I watched ER on TV my blood would be pumping and I would be all excited by what would be happening and often on the edge of my seat...I love that about ER!
However when it actually happened right in front of me in a real ER it wasn't adrenelin pumping it was often just well..work and it was very serious.
I think that if you see real injuries and real dramas they are very real..but when you see them on TV in a drama series you kind of get hooked on the storyline and the dread feeling of seeing it unfold for real is replaced by the thrill of seeing it unfold on TV and knowing it is fictious.
I don't know..maybe I am just weird.

Wow. You've watched since season 1, and the whole gore level in season 1 didn't turn you off?? i.e., "The Blizzard", where a complete amputation was shown.....episodes where gunshot blasts to the face were the norm.....IMHO, the gore level has decreased since season 1. As for maintaining ratings with a younger crowd, the storyline with Lucy is what drew in the younger audience, as Kellie Martin was a regular on "Life Goes On", and then the whole dysfunctional Carby storyline is what kept them. As long as ER was presenting these against all odds love stories, the younger crowd kept tuning in..

Gore doesn't bother me. Besides, I went into the Medical Field. The training was similar to what a nurse does. "ER" was what got me interested in going into the medical field. I now know what the medical abbreviations and medical terminology mean when I watch the show.

Her name is Hope. Someone made a crack about calling her Charity and she corrected them. Anyways, once again NBC and other producers of prime time tv have taken a pot shot at Christians. Placing the dumbest blonde, don't know anything intern (probably soon to be washout) as a "Christian" prude who won't date anyone who doesn't know Jesus.

How stupid!@!@! How about taking potshots at other religions for a change. Or better yet do some research for their show! Jesus... the one Christians follow... was know as the Great Physician. Some of the most brilliant minds (and fingers) in medicine today are Christ followers. I just don't understand why the producers of this show (and many in Hollywood) feel the need to slam Christianity all the time! Yes, there are many "stupid" believers out there. But many people come to faith in Jesus Christ, not out of emotion or blind faith as hollywood portraits, but rather after a conscious examination of the person and work of Jesus Christ (a historical figure). They can base the medical portions in reality why can't they do the same with spirituality.

PS.. If they are going to continue to take potshots at anyone's faith let's be fair and slam the Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Buddists, Hindus, Tribal religions, Judism, witchcraft, and any other system of belief and faith including "atheism" or "secular humanism". I realize this board is likely only fans and the producers will never read it, and nobody from NBC cares, but if Christians get painted as intolerant, ignorant, stupid followers of blind faith... then isn't slamming them intolerant, ignorant, stupid, and blind acceptance of no faith at all????

A ****** off Christian fan!!! (Who wasn't offended by the drag queen, only the false representation of well educated Christians that practice medicine or acting).

I would like to point something out to the location scouts...

If you're going to do a scene set outside city limits in the further suburbs, I highly recommend you actually come out here and see what it looks like.

While watching the season premiere I noticed some glaring problems with the locals... they're not IL. I was born and raised in the city, but I live in very northern IL now. I drive nearly all over the state due to work and I know full well what our farm areas look like. For straters, this is a corn state, which means when you drive past farms you see nothing but corn fields. I either have or can get pictures (tomorrow no less) to prove this.

Second, there is no place "near Waukegan" that looks like that place. Seriously people, just because Waukegan is 40 or so miles north of Chicago does not mean there are any places that are country bumkin looking. Farms are getting harder to find up here, where as in the SW suburbs they are more prevelant even today. It's more suburban up here than what it looked like when Sam went to use the pay phone. Trust me on this, I had to go to the Lake County building in Waukegan today and there are no farms or small town areas any where near that city. (I've been in Waukegan more than once actually, worked in and around there a couple of times, among other places)

Also, where in the WORLD were they going anyway? There's no way they were headed north with that kind of farm land. The only way they could have done that is off the tollway and the one street I know of that looks remotly like that, goes east to west. I doubt they'd be going in either of those directions, but instead north to Canada.

Seriously people, you lost credibility with me because I caught some major flaws in your choice of locals.

I just remembered something, there is a navel base/training center "near Waukegan" as in right there!

As I said, you guys really should hop on a plane and see these places in person. If only I could find a good site to show you what it really looks like up here.

The show is going way downhill this season - what a disappointment. Either the writers have changed, or are burning out. They're bleeding out story lines, I don't think the writers know where they're going with it. Now they've brought back John Stamos, a mediocre actor, who drags down the rest of the cast. Too bad, I've watch ER for years, but I'm starting to get antsy - actually clicking around to other channels during the show - not a good sign.

I don't think TPTB really think that anyone will call them on their location shoots......several mistakes have been made in the past as far as where things are, which streets intersect...etc. I totally agree with your very valid point though.

I am so tired of being force fed the political views of the producers/writers of this show. I am very current on politics, and don't need to be nudged in one direction by the good people at NBC. I watch cable news for straightforward views on political views and don't appreciate thinly veiled opinions on world events or political figures. I don't appreciate the fun being poked at crazy christians. Just STOP with it all. I just want to be entertained. That's what the advertisers pay you for, so get over yourselves, I am not a drone.

i just wanted to say that i not only love 'er', but that i've especially loved that it includes stories that come from the perspective of a politics of integrity -- all too rare in today's media. narrative -- whether in novels, film, or on television -- has always had the power to convey social and political realities. i find the inclusion of these in 'er' refreshing and at the same time, continually entertaining. the mainstream news media in this country rarely gives views that are not simplistic or right-wing. kudos to nbc and 'er' for providing an entertaining counter to this trend. --a loyal viewer

This is totally off topic but Veronica Lodge I love your screen name!!! Go archie comics!!!

I would definitely consider myself a "loyal viewer" since I have watched the show from the beginning, however it is evolving into something different than what it was. It is like the only objective of the show is to make some obvious social statement. I take issue with your implication that any view right of center is "simplistic." I don't care what people's political affiliation is, I just want a break from it to watch a show about an emergency room, or a show about lawyers, or a show about single people being single , or married people being married, or whatever. It is not all about politics, again I simply want to be entertained, not preached to.

First off, I can see why the views that you think are being force fed to you are so distasteful.....cable news in no way whatsoever is influenced by corporate interests....and the religious right. Perhaps if NBC showed more of what cable news (and the political interest) is broadcasting 24/7/365, your feelings about the subject matter of ER would be different. But then you must also find issue with shows like Law & Order.

So you have issue with the entire gay rights agenda.....lots of people are like you. I am not one of them. I found the storyline to be very well done. ER has done this storyline before and I hope they do one again. What has always made ER appealing to the viewers throughout the years is its ability to create characters and storylines that real people could identify with.

You people just don't get it. It is not the content of the editorial staff/writers and producers of ER that I object to. I have no problem with homosexuals or their quest for rights (I actually believe they're entitled.) I have no problem with the issues they address. It is the fact that they feel they have to address these issues each and every week with such blatancy. I would object to ANY show offering editorial of ANY position. Editorials detract from storylines rather than assist the storyline. Just write a story and if it touches on topics, so be it. What I think they are doing is starting with a topic, and writing to accomodate that topic. I don't care if I agree or don't agree it is not whay I want to watch. Writers should choose if they want to write good television, or if they want to write editorials. If they want to write editorials, they should apply to the New York Times, and write their opinion rather than enter everyone's subconscious with their point of view.

I'm a big fan of ER and look forward to it weekly. I don't mind them exploring political and social issues. The problem I have is that they are often so one sided.

The latest example is the addition of the intern Hope. So far they seem to be presenting her as another typical crazy Christian who elicits nothing but rolling eyes from everyone else on the show. How about a genuine portrayal of a person of faith. They really missed an opportunity to do this with Luka. Upon his return from Africa we could have seen him really consider the role his faith plays in his life. Instead they again have him move from one relationship to another and outside of the baptism episode, never really look at it again.

I have no problem with them bringing up issues such as those highlighted in the last episode. I thought it was intriguing and raised some valid questions. Keep looking at those issues but show some intelligence on the other side as well. Please don't make Hope just another one-dimensional caricature. The producers wouldn't dare do that with a homosexual character or a Muslim character. Don't do it here.

There are those of us out there that try to live lives guided by both faith and intelligence. They are not mutually exclusive.

I understand everyone here... AND THE LUCA THING... Ya that was totally out of character for him.

Steeler I appreciate your insight into this, and I might be more tolerant of the issue if it were more balanced. I feel the same as you in the way the new intern Hope is portrayed. I do not mind the exploration of issues, but them giving their version of the answer is so tiring. Thanks for the insight.

Yeah Yeah, loyal watcher since day one here too. I think the point isn't that ER is politically correct or incorrect (repeat, read, repeat). Since day one, the show has been about the ER. Screen shots of personal life was the sideshow, where as now, the Shock and Awe of the Medical Aspects are gone. If I wanted to watch a show about someone's sex life I'd watch desperate housewives, or grey's anatomy. I want to turn off the bs and be with my family, my ER family and how they cope with their lives. Politics is everwhere else, the tv, the paper, the cafe down the road, I just want to get away from it all. Plus, most people who enjoy the view agree with them, which is fine, until you try to tell someone who doesn't believe in them it's right. What really is going on, is that the show is losing us and they are grasping on reasons to make us stay.


Political Views: 1. I guess now every woman who has been wronged or taken advantage of can now murder their ex just because he was a bad man. (ooops, forget what I just said). 2. Rich people are bad parents because they have nannies and rich wives deserve their husbands cheating with the nanny because they should raise their own kid? Hmmm, ok what does this have to do with an ER?


Missing my original ER
squeakertoy

If we are going to complain about how realistic it is, perhaps we should point out that the place is cursed. No one can be a normal parent with out some catastrophe occuring, employees keep getting killed, and oh and everyone has a disfunctional love life.

It's a TV show, not a documentary.

Hugs N Kisses

The new filming of ER really bugs my brain. Am I ok??

Why aren't the camera's still anymore? Are they filming it differently to hide that they can't afford special effects? Or is it suppose to make me feel as if I'm taping the event? I hope not, I want to feel like I'm in the room, not watching it from a camcorder.


Missing my original ER

Hugs N kisses
squeakertoy

I wasn't talking about plot I was talking about locations, big difference. As I said, I'm a local that drives a good chuck of the state for work. I live "near waukegan" and I know full well it doesn't look like that up here. It really bugged me that the location scouts didn't even bother to put in an ounce of offort to find out what things are like. Biggest problem, everyone knows this is a corn state. So where are the corn fields when they drive past a farm? Even on a very few remaining farms up by my house, there is corn every spring and summer.

It wouldn't bother me as much if this was set in some made up town, but its set in Chicago and they do make the effort to come here and film city shots. Those are as accurate as you can get, considering they're in the actual city. But they just didn't care about the rest of the state.

Good lord, could someone please just shoot Gates already? The man is obnoxious and annoying as ****.

What makes me crazy is when they go around and around a scene, I just want to scream "stop the ride, I want to get off".

I agree, I'm tired of the political views myself, they're so one sided......

I was having a hard time tolerating him, but started realizing that they're peeling an onion with this guy.....and yes, it does bring tears and misery while you're peeling.

He just better keep his hands off Neelah

Agreed. I wish there were a different plotline other than "Brash and Sassy Intern, thinks he knows everything, caught in a big mistake/lie, taught the "ropes" by an older and more seasoned resident." Blah. Oh, and the bald, irreverant, annoying surgeon who thinks he knows everything and that the ER people are scum.... where have we seen that guy before?

Actually, I think with Luka they portray his faith dead on. They did an arc of episodes with a bishop that focused on forgiveness and confession. I found it so dead on that I actually used in a my Catholic Religion classes because it showed faith in a way that was not knock you over the head. I find Luka a very realistic portrayal of someone who grew up in a culture where faith in God was a given, no matter what happens. He has lived through &!*@ but still has something in him that believes in something. As for not making a big deal of baptizing his son, he dealt with it in a way I see a lot of "mixed faith" couples (expecially when only one believes or is practising) deal with - he put the idea out there and, if she knew it was somethign important to him, she would agree with it. For him, his faith is personal, not something to get in people's faces about.

Chinook

you do know that they grow soy beans too. For example near Lockport there are still farms. There is still a few Farms in Orland. No now there are no farms in Oak Lawn, or Mt. Greenwood, but you dont need to go to far out of the city to get to a farm. I live barely 20 minutes out of downtown, well when the Dan Ryan wasnt messed up beyond belief. If you really want to go to a farm, you can still go up north, or you can go south. Towards Urbana, burbanai, Easter IL University. They probably did shoot that here, and Sam could have just not really known where she was, and saw a Waukegan sign. Usually they are right about this stuff. But if they cant find a location they like they add it, and hope people dont moan about it. Plus anyway, its just one scene.

"you do know that they grow soy beans too. For example near Lockport there are still farms. There is still a few Farms in Orland. No now there are no farms in Oak Lawn, or Mt. Greenwood, but you dont need to go to far out of the city to get to a farm. I live barely 20 minutes out of downtown, well when the Dan Ryan wasnt messed up beyond belief. If you really want to go to a farm, you can still go up north, or you can go south. Towards Urbana, burbanai, Easter IL University. They probably did shoot that here, and Sam could have just not really known where she was, and saw a Waukegan sign. Usually they are right about this stuff. But if they cant find a location they like they add it, and hope people dont moan about it. Plus anyway, its just one scene." I agree totally what you have just stated in your post. Nothing i can add!

I'm not too picky with on location shots on ER. I'm just so bloody stoked that we have seen more location shots so early in the season. I just hope TPTB keep up the location shots on ER.

That is I hope to see more external shots of Chicago and the surrounding areas where County General is based. I'm weary on the foreign stories and locations regarding Africa. But I do cotton to those location shoots that have to do with where County is located, etc. I hope we see more.

I think its fine. I havent really noticed a difference.

well, I haven't really noticed it. But if they are actually doing the camera moving shots, uh uh, me don't like it. Anyhow, I'll keep it in mind next epi...

the only problem I think they have with doing the shoots around downtown, is so many people know about ER, and the actors and actresses, they only come usually once or twice a year max, or so I know of. But they do bring the film crews here alot. My uncle is a cop downtown, and tells me this stuff every once in awhile.

It is not like the writers of ER to expect people to philosophize so much about the intent of a character. They prefer to beat into your skull the intent of their message. I think your thoughts albeit valid, are the product of complete coincedence by the ER writers.

The reason for this is the production company, or whoever pays the bills and aquires all this, needs to get permits and pay money in order to film in areas. I don't think it has to do with the actors so much as it does making sure they have permits and all that taken care of. That takes time and when you're on a tight filming schedule, you can't waste time waiting around for something that may or may not go through.

Here's a quote from the audience liason for NCIS regarding filming on location...

They also grow pumnkins and other things, but the one thing this state is known for is corn.

As I said, I drive all over the state for work on a daily/weekly basis. I know full well you don't see any signs for Waukegan when you're in Dupage, Kane, Dekalb, McHenry, Cook or any county outside of Lake. All/most farms up this way are corn. I watched Signs when it first came out on dvd across the street from a corn field. I drive by corn fields when I take Rollins Rd. I drive by corn fields when I'm in Dekalb, Sycamore, Hamsphire (buy some great corn off a farmstand on 72), Genoa, Burlington, etc. Just last Friday I went to a cornmaze in Spring Grove, the world's largest corn maze. It's HUGE! Cornstalks taller than me and I'm 5'6".

I rarely see anything but corn grown here and yet just last week I drove by a farm that was utalizing some of its land for pumnkins. I also see cows and horses on farms as well. But that doesn't mean we're a dairy state.

Hmmm. Not sure why my post isn't there. I'm no rookie to posting on forums.

Anyway... Am I the only one sick to freaking death of the ER commercials? I am a LONG... I mean LONG tim fan, but I cannot stand these commercials any more.
Reminds me of Bill Murray in "Scrooged" talkinig about his scary commercial. "We have to make them AFRAID to miss it!"

Tonight's ER
"can only be described
*dramatic pause*
as an ER event!"


Every week, it's something new (and lame).
"A must see episode"
"A must see ER Event"
"This is the ER you cannot miss"

Come on NBC... can we see a plain old ordinary ER episode??

In the early days it seemed like you were using actual real ER stories. Now it just seems you are trying to "out do" the previous episode. That's not what draws us to your show.

How about next week we hear your creepy announcer say
"A perfectly regular episode of ER!!!"

Is it just me? Anyone else tired of the ads?