Starts: September 24
The Big News: This is George Clooney's final season before moving on to a full-time film career. "We don't feel nervous," says executive producer Lydia Woodward. "We have known of George's plans for a very long time, so it's not a shock to the system." She says Dr. Ross's departure "will not be bloody in the literal sense. There's no plan to kill him. His exit will have to do with what his character has been all along: a maverick who has always wanted to call his own shots."
Who's In: Kellie Martin (Life Goes On) is first-year student Lucy Knight. "Generally, we slide new characters in gradually, but the opening episode will be a big one for Lucy."
Lightening Up: Both Greene (Anthony Edwards, center, with Martin) and Jeanie Boulet (Gloria Reuben) will have less angst-filled seasons than last year, Woodward promises. Greene, she says, "is going to reemerge in a leadership position, which he to some extent abdicated to Weaver [Laura Innes]." Off-screen, too, Edwards has emerged in a leadership position. He recently negotiated an approximated $400,000-a-week salary and a contract which keeps him in hospital scrubs through the 2001-2002 season.
Matt Says: The most expensive TV series in history (renewed at a $13
million-an-episode price tag) is worth every penny. Imagine NBC staying No. 1 without it.