'ER': a cure-all for ailing students

What do you do on Thursday nights? Quite probably you're one of a growing number of college students becoming more and more fixed on "ER." Watch it with friends, watch it alone. But always, always, make sure that it can be viewed without interruption. Unplugging the phone is perhaps a good idea.

If this sounds a little extreme for those with "better" ways to spend their time, fair enough. But, what shouldn't be overlooked is the fact that not only is "ER" one of the most popular shows in America (forming part of NBC's excellent Thursday lineup), its appeal is also transatlantic - and it finds greatest support among the 18-30 age group. Be thankful that it's one of America's better exports.

The women of 'ER': Laura Innes, Alex Kingston, Julianna Margulies, Maria Bello and Gloria Reuben bring much charisma and drama to the NBC show.

So why the significant appeal to college students? Other shows have the same vital mix of interesting characters, good plots and human interest angles. Yet none of them possess that special something which tips them over the edge from the realm of OK television to the 'must see' category.

It is easy to say that ER provides two functions for college students. The first is pure escapism - after all, that's usually what television is used for. For us it is a means of escape from the seemingly endless rounds of classes, papers, exams and view of the library stacks. But "ER" is too realistic a show for that account of its popularity - if we wanted to escape completely, then surely everyone would just be tuned to "Baywatch?"

Or perhaps it is the very realism and relevance of the show which explain its addictive nature. The problems faced by Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) as she tries to get funding for a new clinic; the career decisions of Dr. John Carter (Noah Wyle); the consequences of business management faced by Dr. Kerry Weaver (Laura Innes); and last week's special as Drs. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards) and Douglas Ross (George Clooney) attempt a new understanding with their parents are all relevant to life on campus.

"ER" claims that issues faced by students are the same as those in the outside world, and suggests that we just might leave the security of college with at least a few useful skills. More than that, it's reassuring to know that life goes on outside of the classroom, and that we can be a part of it. The "ER" characters make mistakes, they sometimes get things wrong, there is never enough time to do everything and their workplace is organized chaos. Sounds suspiciously like Mason Hall on Monday morning.

What must also be considered is the fact that, despite the technology at our fingertips, television is still the most powerful medium for transmitting information. That much-derided and often- criticized little black box is an integral part of daily life for many people.

Sure, we all watch sometimes to switch off - cartoons, MTV, soap operas or Geraldo (if you're really desperate) - the fact that no real effort is made to watch these shows is reflected in their ratings.

By making "ER" such a successful show, students are saying that they want more decent programming and shows which don't assume the viewer has a lack of intelligence or short attention span. Call it voting by remote control. Call it student activism for the 21st Century. If everyone really is 'tuned in' anyway, it's what you're tuned in to that makes the difference.

11-20-97