The New York Times ran an oral history on ER, something EW already did, and this one is just as short and kind of unsatisfying, although there was some information that was new to me, especially about some of the later (meaning only eight years ago instead of fourteen) additions like Maura Tierney and Linda Cardellini. Plus, I can’t not read an oral history. I just dig that format for some reason.

A couple of things that stuck out — John Stamos claimed that, by the time he joined the show, he had never seen an episode before. BULLSHIT. It was the number one show in the country for many seasons. It got a lot of press. He works in the industry. It’s syndicated for Christ’s sake. I believe that he wasn’t a regular viewer, but had never seen an episode? Stamos, please.

Second, Noah Wyle says that he thought Carter was a Shakespearean character, a nobleman slumming it up amongst the dirty common man. That explains so much about how he chose to be.

And third, Clooney, pay Benrubi the sawbuck you owe him. Dude could use the cash. Those Parker Lewis Can’t Lose residuals aren’t paying the rent (although my favorite Benrubi role was as teen Dan on Roseanne, just because it was PERFECT casting. Opposite Sara Rue as teen Roseanne. Why do I remember that? I don’t know.)