ER

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Excellent, but the ER is no place for children.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this intense medical drama with graphic situations (lots of blood and surgeries) and mature storylines isn't for young audiences. Death, disease, and physical injuries are in every episode. Rape, neglect, physical abuse, spousal abuse, teen pregnancy, abortion, and incest have all been plots, sometimes involving young kids and teens; some patients have serious psychological ailments. The sexual relationships between doctors are often at the center of the drama. Parents will want to watch with their teens and be prepared for a follow-up conversation. If you allow your teens to watch, make sure they're comfortable seeing gross visuals of blood and surgeries.

  • Despite the show's frequently mature content -- themes include teen pregnancy, abortion, rape, incest, racism, sexism, mental illness, psychological issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, and more -- there are also messages about persistence, hard work, teamwork, and caring for others.
  • The doctors and nurses are often heroic -- and they always try to do the right thing for their patients -- but they're also complex, flawed people. They have flings/affairs, give in to temptation, lie, defy authority, and more.
  • Graphic, bloody injuries. Patients are often outraged, psych patients throw temper tantrums, and doctors have been held at gunpoint and threatened -- and murdered -- in the ER.
  • Doctors occasionally hook up (which leads to passionate kissing and suggested sex), and/or viewers see "the morning after." No sensitive body parts are shown.
  • Four-letter words are used infrequently -- often toward doctors from angry patients. Also words like "tits," "hell," "bitch," "a--hole," etc.
  • Not applicable.
  • Both doctors and patients grapple with drug and alcohol addiction; smoking, social drinking.

What's the story?

ER is an Emmy-winning medical drama series based in the emergency room of a busy Chicago hospital. Created by Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park) and John Wells (The West Wing, Third Watch), the series centers on the medical professionals in the hospital. ER has turned out stars such as George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, and Noah Wyle; guest stars have included Sally Field, who received an Emmy for her role.


Is it any good?

 

ER is an excellent medical drama that has remained popular for good reason, but it's not appropriate for kids. With its emotionally wrenching scenes, images of graphic and bloody injuries, focus on death and disease, and heavy plots that range from domestic violence to abortion, the show is just too intense for tweens and many younger teens.

 

In addition to all the death and tragedy, episodes often focus on the ER doctors' personal lives, which involve affairs, love triangles, addiction, terminal illness, and more. In fact, the doctors have nearly as many problems as their patients. For example, Dr. Green (Anthony Edwards) dealt with a brain tumor, remission, a new baby, a new marriage, and a return of his illness in a matter of two seasons. Still, the show's impeccable writing and memorable characters made it a mainstay on NBC for a decade.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about whether or not they think the situations presented on the show are realistic. How do the doctors cope with their highly stressful jobs, make tough decisions, and deal with life-and-death situations?

  • Are the characters intended to be role models?


This review of ER was written by
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
John Stamos Rocks!!!!
John Stamos plays Tony; really really good! I want to see more! Don't go off the air; ER!

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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 
I LOVE THIS SHOW
I LOVE THIS SHOW

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
ER ROCKS ON NBC!!!!
ER IS A GREAT TV SHOW! I LOVE IT! NOW THAT JOHN STAMOS IS IN IT! I LIKE JOE! HE'S SUCH A CUTE BABY BOY! DO YOU?

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Teen, 13 years old
January 17, 2009
 
I love this show so much
OMG I'm 13 and I love love love this show but if you dont like blood and guts dont watch is.

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Kid, 12 years old
February 28, 2009
 
UMMM..
Well when my parents watched this along time ago(probably when i was like 4) I accidentally walked in once. NOT REALLY A KIDS SHOW!! NOT FOR DA YOUNG ONES! Lots of... bloooood...

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Kid, 12 years old
January 16, 2012
 
GROW UP CSM!!!
This says apparently that the blood in the ER counts as violence. Grow up!!! Bloody injuries are part of life. You see this kind of stuff at a regular ER. Sure keeping your kids young and innocent can help them be a better person, but a little blood on TV is nothing. I don't care if the guy got stabbed, or hit hit by a car, or shot. IT WAS ON TV, IT'S FAKE, I DONT CARE IF HE DIES, IT IS NOT GOING TO HURT SOMEONE IN REAL LIFE!!!! COME ON. It's a great show ;)
What other families should know:

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Parent of 14 year old
August 6, 2010
 
awesome for anyone
The best show ever
What other families should know:

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This review of ER was written by
TV rating:TV-14
Network:NBC
Cast:Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Noah Wyle
Genre:Drama

This review of ER was written by
 

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