Sisters was a series that aired (i think) from 91-96. it fell into the category of prime time soap (like party of five). It's main connection to ER is that GEORGE CLOONEY had a major supporting role as "James Falconer" for two seasons...they killed him off at the end of the season before ER started...coincidence?

Anyways, the point of this thread is that there are at least two other connections between the two shows-both took place in the epi "Masquerade" (near the start of season 5)...Warning, if you've never seen Sisters, the next little bit may lose something in the translation... First: "Coco" on ER (the pregnant schizophrenic) played by Sheila Kelly who played "Charlie" (#2) on Sisters (the lost 5th sister) Second: "Dan Litvak" on ER (the almost ER Chief of staff from NY) played by Phillip Casnoff who played "Jack Chambers" (the recipient of Falconer's-Clooney's- donor heart

Again, not all of this is relevant to the average ER fan, but if anyone appreciates these little coincidences, I thought you might be interested.

Does anyone else know any weird coincidences in casting between ER and other shows?

~ivy rose

-- Dani (dani.shortnsweet@chickmail.com), June 01, 2000

Answers

I always loved the show "Homicide" on NBC, and CourtTV has been playing re-runs. Watching them now I realize that there were a lot of people with small roles that turned up on ER. For instance, in one episode one of the detectives meets up with a waitress who plays the violin. Who was she? None other than the future Nurse Carol Hathaway. The most major switch over is the detective from Homicide who ended up in the ER as Dr Benton's latest love interest.

I think this happens a lot with NBC, Al Broulet (well the second one) ended up on Third Watch.

-- Kristi (KristijohnsonSD@aol.com), June 02, 2000.

Swoozie Kurtz sp who played the oldest sister Alex on "Sisters" was also on ER season 3 I think. She played the tele-evangalists wife who doctor Delamico "Anna" spent time with. Sisters is where I "fell in love" with Mr. Clooney. Falconer was my ideal man. Boy I miss him!!!

-- Cara Noblitt (cnoblitt@usa.net), June 02, 2000.

I used to watch "Sisters" avidly and I remember Falconer (Teddy's husband). It was no coincidence that he was killed off right before ER started. His was technically only a "recurring" character, and ER was a better opportunity for him. He needed to get out of "Sisters", and killing him is the way TPTB chose to do it.

I enjoyed Clooney on "Sisters" and when I heard that he was leaving to star in another show, I was curious. This is one of the reasons I started watching ER. The other two reasons were 1.) Michael Crichton and 2.) Anthony Edwards. I've been hooked since the pilot.

I'm afraid I don't have any other coincidences for you.

-- S. Trelles (trelles@ix.netcom.com), June 02, 2000.

Well, first of all I have to say that I fell for George Clooney when he was on Facts of Life! LOL!

As for casting coincidences...The West Wing has had quite a few ER connections as well. Bradley Whitford (Josh Lyman) played Sean O'Bryan in Loves Labour Lost, the OB doctor (Coburn?) played a Congresswoman, Jorja Fox (Maggie Doyle) now plays a SS agent protecting the president's daughter, Paul Sobricki's wife played a secretary. There may be more but that is all I can think of.

A lot of times I will see a guest star on a drama and think "hey, I saw him/her on ER!"

-- amanda (amanda.rehm@home.com), June 02, 2000.

First, there's the "Life Goes On" coincidence. Kellie Martin (Lucy Knight) played Becca and Chad Lowe (Henry) played Jessie. Then, there's the "Top Gun" coincidence. Anthony Edwards, Rick Rossovich and Michael Ironsides all starred together on "ER". Also, Robert Carradine played a doctor (psych patient) on ER as well as starring with Anthony Edwards in Revenge of the Nerds.

-- Carin Haseltine (cdenisehaze@usa.net), June 02, 2000.

Yeah, I noted the "Nerds" reunion too. Also, John Cullum, who played Marc's dad, was on "Northern Exposure" with Anthony Edwards.

-- Barbara (goodbabs@zdnetonebox.com), June 02, 2000.

Maura Thierney (Abby Lockhart) was on NEWSRADIO with Khandi Alexander (Jackie Benton _____, Peter's sister).

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), June 02, 2000.

Me again. I thought of something else to point out...most of the shows mentioned above are on NBC and I've noticed that NBC does a better job of developing talent than the other networks. It's not unusual to see someone in a guest spot on a series or NBC movie and then another one on NBC soon after and, if things go well, a regular on an NBC series soon after. The people on NBC shows tend to do more movies for that network (than stars on other network do on the one they're on). Mariska Hargitay (sp!) who played Cynthia on ER for a season or so went on to L&O--Special Unit...or whatever it's called-- just one example. IMHO, I think it's great that NBC stands by actors, giving them time to develop and room to grow...like GC in "Sisters" and then on to "ER."

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), June 02, 2000.

Hey, it's me again...I found a few more

1. Yvette Freeman (Haleh) was on the Sisters epi "sleepless in winnetka" as an "Oprah"-esque talk show host...let me tell you, this was hilarious.

the next two are from the ER epi "hazed and confused":

2. Mr. Bussey (er-the guy Carter thought had chlamydia) played by Michael Whaley who played Wesley (a doctor(!), and romantic interest for Charley) on sisters

3. Dr. Kotlowitz (Cochlear implant specialist) played by Dennis Boutsikaris who was in Sisters in the epi "a kiss is still a kiss"- he played an ex classmate of alex's who died in vietnam.

I'll keep you updated...

-- ivy rose (dani.shortnsweet@chickmail.com), June 02, 2000.

mariska hargitay played mark greene's girlfriend cynthia hooper a few years ago and then, in 1999, she wound up on "law and order: special victims unit" as one of the main-character detectives. both shows are on nbc.

-- e. kerry (efields01@yahoo.com), May 01, 2001.

oops! guess i didn't need to post that. my computer didn't load the reference above.

-- e. kerry (efields01@yahoo.com), May 01, 2001.