For the two or three ER fans left....

While re-watching ER's 11th season finale last night, it hit me: they're all gone. With the departure of Noah Wyle (he'll show up from time to time, either from Carter's new home in Africa or, who knows, maybe New Orleans), the entire original cast from 1994 has turned over, Law & Order-style. And I'm not so sure that's such a good thing.

(And, yes, I'm fully aware that Sherry Stringfield is still there, though not for much longer. Still, she did leave for four years, and wasn't given much to do when she returned except be a straight man to Donal Logue for a couple of episodes.)

The slide show Carter watched near the end of his swan song episode showed ER fans what a strong cast the show used to have. Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, and Eriq LaSalle were all powerful presences in their own distinct ways. Juliana Margulies played vulnerable and strong equally well. Even Wyle and Stringfield -- probably the weakest actors of the bunch at the time -- held their own. Even the supporting players were superior: CCH Pounder (The Shield) and William H. Macy (Fargo, The Cooler, etc.) were guest actors on this series, playing attending physicians. Comparing that cast to the cast that will remain after Stringfield's departure depresses me. I'm not sure if it's the acting or the writing, but there is no one in the cast as it stands (with the possible exception of the lovely Maura Tierney) that will be able to carry the energy of the show next year and beyond.

I'm going on vacation for the next two weeks, and I have decided to not tape the first two episodes of Season 12. Hopefully, that'll permanently break me of my ER habit.