For those of you out there who keep track, I think I spotted the actress who played Baby Josh's mom, who herself wanted Doug's ultra rapid detox thing, on "The Practice" playing the mother of a 15 year old accused of murder because she stabbed herself to induce an abortion. The mom seemed to have very little regard for her daughter. It's nice to see actresses not getting typecast. (note thick sarcasm).

On another note...despite Mike's urging that the "Peace of Wild Things" epi was one of the best ever, I found myself skipping the rerun in favor of ABC's new series "Wonderland" which takes place at NYC's famous (infamous?) mental hospital, Bellevue (or at least one just like it...) The show, clearly trying to give ER a run for it's money was...well...quite good. There was a scene involving some trauma victims who had been shot by a disturbed man and the way it was shown was much different than ER...fast-paced but in a more glaringly realistic way. All I can compare it to is the Martin Scorsese movie "Bringing Out the Dead"...But all in all, very good, compelling, and interesting to see a different slant...sort of like the place Paul Sobricki might end up. Anyone else catch it (and if so, are you feeling as traitorous as me?) For those who appreciate the gritty realism of ER, I recommend taping it. I hate that the networks have me so torn!

-- nancy (ntc72@mailcity.com), April 03, 2000

Answers

I agree the pilot episode of Wonderland looked interesting enough to try and figure out who all the characters are (I got a little lost because I kept flipping over to ER.) Here's hoping ABC has the foresight to move it out of harms way once the new episodes of ER take a bite out of their ratings. At least I have 2 VCRs!

-- Deb (KHege@AOL.com), April 04, 2000.

I watched "The Peace of Wild Things" and I do not regret it. I watched it when it ran the first time, but it was interesting to see it again and to see the first appearance of Mrs. Connelly. I remembered when I was watching "Be Still My Heart" that she had been on a previous episode, but I couldn't remember which one. I hope that you guys don't abandon "ER" for "Wonderland." I would be feeling very guilty if I had watched another show instead of "ER." I don't understand why ABC felt the need to put its new medical drama on opposite the best medical drama on television. Why on earth don't they cut back on at least one "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and put "Wonderland" there? Well, enough of my rantings. I'm looking forward to the new episode on Thursday night, and I, for one, will not be feeling torn!

-- Katrina (cattrek@ga.freei.net), April 04, 2000.

Like Katrina, I'll be watching ER! ABC knew what they were doing when they put the new medical show up against ER...I think they made that decision before ER had such a strong February and I'm hoping it backfires in their face. I've heard that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I guess that's what's happened. As for me, I don't start many new shows when they first come on anymore anyway. The networks aren't willing to give them much chance to grow and find their niche. I'm tired of getting into a new show and the characters and then have it yanked from the schedule (like NOTHING SACRED and so many others). So, I usually wait until they've been on a while. All of FAMILY LAW's reruns are "new" to me now that I'm watching them. Sorry to go on about this, but it really irritates me. If you guys keep watching it and like it, please post it though. If it stays on long enough, I MIGHT tape the reruns on my other VCR this summer.

-- Diana (Dilynne@juno.com), April 04, 2000.

Just to clarify...I don't think I'll pass up any new epi's of ER for Wonderland...and I do think ABC could lose a few "Millionares" and reschedule Wonderland...it's just plain goofy to put a show whose core audience would be similar to ER's audience...opposite ER! Maybe TPTB will come to their senses...

-- nancy (ntc72@mailcity.com), April 04, 2000.

I agree wholeheartedly about losing a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" or two. I think that craze will die out by the end of the year. Maybe I dreamed it, but I could swear that CHICAGO HOPE used to be on up against ER and CBS finally moved it to give it a fighting chance of making it. I think it takes a lot of arrogance to put a similar show up against a hit, but that's probably why they're TPTB. I never took it, Nancy, that you were giving up on ER though.

-- Diana (Dilynne@juno.com), April 04, 2000.

Chicago Hope and ER were pitted against each other in the first season. By the second week, it was obvious that Chicago Hope needed to move. It did, to Mondays--then to Wed.--now it's back on Thurs--at 9:00. Coincidently, Wonderland is created and directed by Peter Berg-- who played Dr. Billy Kronk on Chicago Hope. I watched a bit of Wonderland--it didn't strike my fancy. I prefer ER and will always be a loyal watcher. For Wonderland to have a chance at surviving, it needs to move days or times. It would be interesting if the Sopranos ran opposite ER--what would you watch if you had cable and could pick? I'd watch ER..

-- Carin (cdenisehaze@usa.net), April 04, 2000.

I heard on some entertainment news show that people were pretty pissed by Wonderland's portrayal of the psych world. I don't remember exactly what they said, but I think it had to do with the harsh way they were having the doctors deal with the patients, or how they overdramatized the violence of psych patients and/or the doctors, to the point that it was offending. Anyways, being a psych major, I am very interested in seeing this, but it will never make me stop watching ER. Only if they change the night.

-- Elaine (mrsclooney78@hotmail.com), April 05, 2000.