If ER Stays Open, Sopranos Star Among New Patients

Maura Tierney in ER by Danny Feld/NBC Photo
NBC and Warner Bros. TV are reportedly close to a deal that would reduce
ER's license fees enough to keep the show going for a 15th season. In fact, says the
Reporter, Hollywood agents have been told that the show plans to shoot four episodes for the fall immediately upon completing the original post-strike order for six.
Already, two recurring roles that would debut this spring and run into Season 15 are being filled:
The Sopranos' Aida Turturro has been cast as a car-accident victim, while Aussie hunk David Lyons is in talks to play (all together now) a doctor lacking a conscience.