

Is my favorite new TV show this year a ripoff?
69 snips Sep 26, 2025
Nicholas Kulish, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, delves into the heated lawsuit surrounding 'The Pitt,' accused of being a copy of 'ER.' He explores the blurred lines between inspiration and copyright theft, sharing intriguing emails that hint at the creators' intentions. From Noah Wyle’s pitch for a darker take on his 'ER' character to the Crichton estate's protective measures, Kulish reveals how the case could reshape the future of medical dramas. Join him as he navigates this tangled web of creativity and legal challenges!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Crichton Built ER From Medical Roots
- Michael Crichton created ER from a medical-school-inspired script that became a defining, realistic hospital drama.
- ER's real-time intensity and medical verisimilitude set a new standard for TV medical shows.
Showrunner vs. Creator Pay Gap
- John Wells became ER's showrunner and managed the writers who filled 331 episodes with stories beyond Crichton's original idea.
- Wells earned far less than Crichton and Spielberg despite running the day-to-day creative work on ER.
Star Pushes For A Gritty Comeback
- Noah Wyle (spelled in transcript Noah Wiley) pitched revisiting his ER character as an older, grittier lead and helped drive a new hospital series.
- That effort culminated in The Pit, which rejuvenated his career and won him an Emmy.