'ER' has new lease on life

Cue the quippy headlines here, like, "Physician show heals itself -- and network," and "Reports of 'ER' demise greatly exaggerated," and "Not on life support!"

Seems that just when NBC honcho Ben Silverman needs it most, a veteran Emmy- and Peabody-winning show is stepping up in an otherwise lackluster season and kicking some ratings arse in a key Thursday time period.

And some people thought "ER" was beyond resuscitation, just wheezing out its final 14th year until going to much-deserved final resting places like DVD, the interwebs and cable. Not so!

The network is so pleased and needy ("Kath & Kim"? Really?) that it's discussing a full order of 22 episodes with producer Warner Bros. TV to carry it through the season. THR's James Hibberd has more here.

The medical drama is the most Emmy nominated series in history with 123. Who needs to be on the front line of the pop cultural zeitgeist? NBC should take a perennial performer any day. More episodes of "ER" -- stat!