ER hires actors for short term contracts. Big names such as Alan Alda, Red Buttons, Omar Epps and Glenne Headly were on for a designated period and disappeared forever. Sally Field was on for four episodes and under contract for four more in the spring. James Cromwell is scheduled for four episodes soon.

Major supporting roles have gone to John Terry (Dr. Cvetic), Rick Rossovich (Dr. Taglieri) and Ron Rifkin (Dr. Vucelich). Because of rumors of the return of Susan Lewis and Paul Sobricki, I was wondering, is there any precedence for such a re

-- Zorbo (RDomino1@aol.com), December 31, 2000

Answers

I seriously doubt that we will ever see Sobricki or Susan ever again (although I wouldn't mind seeing Sobricki again), it seems that the only characters that end up being recurring are the ones that while often times established and brillant performers don't have the same level of name recognition of the Sally Field's of the world. For example, Khandi Alexander has been a recurring character, but is usually listed as a recurring character. It wouldn't surprise me if Judy Parfitt (Corday's mother) made a return appearance, and we have seen several patients come back (for example, Mrs. Connelly in BSMH), but we will probably never see characters again that are high profile or are connected to a high profile person (I'm thinking of Lucy's mother, for example). Just my two cents :)

-- Emma (webbef@hotmail.com), December 31, 2000.

This may be a little off topic but I was wondering what happened with the Indian actress that was a medicine student in "Homecoming"? I thought that she was going to have a bigger part...

-- jules (jules@operamail.com), January 01, 2001.

I really wish Susan would come back. I miss her and watch reruns to see her in them. I have seen pages that say she might, but I also have seen some that say she never will. if anyone knows anything about this, let me know!

-- Steven Jacobson (steven@episodeguides.com), January 01, 2001.

I have heard different things too. Personally, I hope she doesn't come back. I have seen the episodes with her in it and she is so annoying and whiny! She complains about everything. She would say "Kerry is the problem. Chloe will never clean up her act. I want Susie. Yadda, yadda, yadda." I would yell at the screen "Shut the f*** up already you annoying pain in the a**!" Sorry, but she annoyed the h*** out of me. I am glad she's gone and hopes she never returns. Sorry, but that's just how I feel.

-- Andie (non@no.com), January 01, 2001.

The rumor about the Yahoo story about Sherry Stringfield (Susan) coming back were proven false, I think. I think I read in ER Daily that two fans of hers had set it up as an eleborate joke.

And, for the record, I was never a huge fan of Susan either, though I didn't hate her as much as Andie seems to.

-- Mary (mimiwannabe@discocow.com), January 01, 2001.

Susan annoyed me too. But I didn't swear at the tv though when she would complain about stuff. Anyway, I wish Jeanie would come back for an episode. She would be a great person for Mark to talk to right now. She's dealing with HIV and her life changed when she was diagnosed with it. So she could tell him how she is dealing eith it and stuff. Does anyone agree with me on this?

-- Cammie (rmaelhorn@home.com), January 01, 2001.

Speaking of Jeannie, she annoyed me more than Susan ever did. I liked Susan. But I sort of doubt that Sherry S. would ever return. I wouldn't mind seeing Abby Keaton return. (But I doubt that will ever happen, either!) :-)

-- Maureen S. (shepcaff@ix.netcom.com), January 01, 2001.

Folks, I asked a simple question: Is there any precedence for a return of a non-recurring character?

Lisa Nicole Carson (Carla Reese) is one example, she was gone for a long time (and appearing on another series in the interim) and returned.

-- Zorbo (RDomino1@aol.com), January 01, 2001.

There is no precedent that I can recall, other than the type of thing Emma mentioned in her response.

-- Maureen S. (shepcaff@ix.netcom.com), January 02, 2001.

What I am seeing is a lot of complaints of the current quality of ER, followed by "it would be nice if" so and so returned. Then it compounds into absurd rumors, such as the return of Susan or Sobricki. This just seems so out of line with the previous casting of this show and of most shows. I believe that ER, as with true hospital ERs, does not achieve "closure" of story lines. This may not be a conventional story line, but rings true for the situation. An ER, in many ways, is the first station of a medical assembly line. The cure and recovery of emergencies may take much time. Paul Sobricki's recovery, if there is one, would take years, far beyond the life span of the series. That may occur after most of the doctors and nurses have left County General.

As for Susan, Jeanie, etc., coworkers quit and seldom return. I believe that Dr. Susan Lewis was under a contract with County General, just as actress, Sherry Stringfield, was with the show. When someone does not complete the contract, no matter how amicable the breakup was, they are seldom welcomed back.

-- Zorbo (RDomino1@aol.com), January 02, 2001.

I like things with continuity. I guess that's why character's like Jacki, Carla and Gamma appeal to me so much more than the Sally Fields of the world. How many people have a parent visit and then never go an visit them or talk to them again? After watching "Leave it to Weaver," one of the things I liked about the episode was the fact that they had that doctor (the one that Susan had to save by giving him TPA....I think it was the same one) who had the heartattack, and Dr. DeRaad. I wish that the major supporting roles were not cast by such big names, primarily because they are not recurring characters. I like the idea that a character can play a prominent role in several episodes and then two years later we see that character again.

-- Emma (webbef@hotmail.com), January 03, 2001.

I like the recurring characters too that promote a sense of continuity. Like Kit or Shirley in the OR. It was great to see Kit taking care of Lucy. I also like Doris, the recurring paramedic. We have seen her tons of times with different hairstyles too. I think some of these people have disappeared for a little bit only to show up again. Who knows, maybe Chase will show up again, depending on who you talk to.

-- Andrea (LivsMom24@cs.com), January 04, 2001.