Just watched "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on TNT... sort of proof that not all the episodes in the "good old days of ER" were really all that good. When ER tries to force humor, it really does not work: Carter getting a shot in the butt of compazine, then having bizarre contortions on rounds... Mark and Susan doing their painfully awkward romance-avoiding dance... and the silly kangaroo business (plus the dreaded "funny music" last heard during "The Fastest Year" with Kerry and the weird little boy). Ehhh. I have to say that the humor on "ER" this season, which mainly revolves around Malucci and others' snappy comebacks to him, actually is much better.

However clearly Mark and Susan belonged together... two dweebs in a pod. :-)

-- debbie (riccardoiii@aol.com), May 26, 2000

Answers

ummmm....I actually liked this episode.

-- jessica (jlm44076@yahoo.com), May 26, 2000.

I have to say I really liked "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" too. I was actually laughing out loud when Carter's neck was cramping up during rounds, and Benton gave him a look like 'what the hell are you doing now?' It was definitely a nice diversion from all the angst he's been through this season. Plus, nice gratuitous shot of Carter's butt :)

-- Heather (yokogrl2@aol.com), May 26, 2000.

I didn't find the kangaroo funny but I was glad this episode introduced us to Abby Keaton who was always one of my favorite docs at the hospital. I also liked how Kerry let Jeannie know that she knew about her illness and the character development for Dr. Anspaugh. Anspaugh is one character they developed in fits and starts, I wish we could see more of him.

-- maryann (map5860@aol.com), May 26, 2000.

I actually think that, in some ways, the old episodes WERE better. I can't really put my finger on it, but there seemed to be more cameraderie among the staff (not that everybody has to get along with everyone else, but this year there seems to be so much sniping at each other and power plays, etc.) Back then it was more like "We're all in this together." I also liked the way they worked more humorous moments into the plot. I don't expect everything to be funny on ER since it's not a sitcom, but every once in a while it's nice to have something funny for diversion. (Did anyone notice those little rubber spider wall-crawlers that Mark had in a rerun a couple days ago?)

Some things I like better now, like the characters of Romano, Elizabeth, and Dave. I am really enjoying the reruns because Season 3 is all new to me.

-- Melanie (msintn@hotmail.com), May 26, 2000.

I thought this episode was funny. I loved the butt shot. Carter's reaction to the medicine was classic Carter, and Benton's reaction to him was too funny. Gant had the best line of the night "He ain't no Mr. Rogers." This episode reminded me of how much I miss Dennis. I thought it was a great episode.

-- Colleen (coll_4688@yahoo.com), May 26, 2000.

I too was ROFL when Carter's neck wouldn't move and he was smacking his lips. Peter's double take was hilarious! And the introduction of Abby Keaton in that epi and getting to know more about Anspaugh had ramifications for a while. The last couple of reruns on TNT reminded me of how vulnerable and sweet Dennis Gant was. I think the epi where he dies is only two weeks away...I think Carter's "oh sweet Jesus" is one of the most memorable lines ever. I remember seeing that epi and slowly realizing along with the characters that the patient's beeper going off was the one they were calling.

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), May 27, 2000.

I thought that the look on Benton's face when Carter's neck was all screwed up was hysterical. Too funny!!!

-- joan (joanofarc24@hotmail.com), May 28, 2000.

LOL I wonder if Benton still thinks about "walking in" on Carter and Gant and wonders about it!

-- joy (joygirl01@yahoo.com), May 30, 2000.

Well... I disagree that the humor in this episode was particularly funny. I thought it was pretty forced and obvious, but that's just my opinion.

-- debbie (riccardoiii@aol.com), May 30, 2000.