Ambush (ER)
"Ambush" | |
---|---|
ER episode | |
Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 1 |
Directed by | Thomas Schlamme |
Written by | Carol Flint |
Produced by | |
Featured music | Martin Davich |
Cinematography by | Richard Thorpe |
Editing by | Jim Gross |
Production code | 456623 |
Original air date | September 25, 1997 |
Running time | 47 minutes |
"Ambush" is the premiere episode of the
Shown through the perspective of a PBS documentary film crew, the emergency room is filmed as a day in the life of the doctors. The episode introduced British actress Alex Kingston as Elizabeth Corday to the cast. Inspiration for the episode came from production staffers having worked in documentaries, with Anthony Edwards and George Clooney suggesting to do it live.
In its initial airing, "Ambush" received the highest rating of the week. Seen by a total of 42.71 million viewers, it became the most-watched season premiere episode for a drama series. Reception to the episode was mixed from critics. Praise was given to the live performances but the story and script writing was criticized being lackluster. "Ambush" received four nominations at the 50th Primetime Emmy Awards, winning one.
Synopsis
The County General Hospital is filmed by a
Production
"Ambush" was directed by Thomas Schlamme and written by executive producer Carol Flint. Inspiration for the episode came from production staffers for the show having worked in documentaries and actors Anthony Edwards and George Clooney suggesting that they should do a live episode.[1][2] The episode was filmed live twice for the East and West Coast of the United States.[3] British actress Alex Kingston made her series debut as Elizabeth Corday.[2]
The episode was shot at Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, using 11 cameras throughout, five handheld.[4] Rehearsals for the episode began a week before, with executive producer John Wells having been quoted that the process was "more exciting than daunting".[5] A pre-filmed version of the episode was made in the event a technical issue happened on set.[6] Flint remarked that if the episode was a success, it could lead to the rebirth of live television.[7]
Camera malfunctions and boom mics seen in the shot were said to be part of the episode. After its premiere,
Reception
Viewership
According to the
Critical response
The ER episode received mixed reviews from critics, praising the minimal gaffes during the episode.
Howard Rosenberg for the Los Angeles Times was critical of the episode and its live format, calling it a cynical gimmick to attract viewers and "hardly the dramatic breakthrough and courageous theater that you would have thought from the gaseous hot air advertising it."[12] Carol Flint and Thomas Schlamme would later write a rebuttal piece to Rosenberg's review, published in the October 6, 1997 issue of the LA Times.[13]
A retrospective assessment by David Sims of
At the 50th Primetime Emmy Awards, it won Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series and was nominated for Outstanding Lighting Design / Lighting Direction for a Variety Special and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One-Hour). Thomas Schlamme received a nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for his direction.[16][17]
References
- ^ Walker, Dave (September 1, 1997). "Look, Mama, no Seinfeld!: NBC's Monday spun from 'nothing'". The Arizona Republic. pp. C1, C5. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Orange County Register. p. 14-B. Archivedfrom the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Nye, Doug (September 27, 1997). "'ER' live draws viewers, but is disappointing". The State. p. D4. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Shales, Tom (September 26, 1997). "'ER': Live and Kicking". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ Huff, Richard (September 22, 1997). "Prepping for a tricky operation: A live 'ER'". Daily News. New York. p. 65. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ProQuest 408734998.
- ProQuest 403882861.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Richmond, Ray (September 29, 1997). "ER: Ambush". Variety. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ James, Caryn (September 27, 1997). "'E.R.' Live: Get the Taping Crew Back, Stat!". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- The Indianapolis News. p. A-20. Archivedfrom the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Rosenberg, Howard (September 27, 1997). "Now That the Hype-odermic Has Worn Off . . . So What?". Los Angeles Times. p. F20. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Flint, Carol; Schlamme, Thomas (October 6, 1997). "The Challenge and Triumph of 'ER' Live". Los Angeles Times. p. F3. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Sims, David (August 22, 2012). "10 episodes that will remind you why ER was the top drama of the '90s". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- Gold Derby. Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ The Associated Press (September 14, 1998). "1998 Emmy Winners". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ The Associated Press (July 23, 1998). "1998 Emmy Nominations". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
External links
- "Ambush" at IMDb