URGENT-OBIT-Crichton,
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NEW YORK - The family of Michael Crichton, the million-selling author of such historic and prehistoric science fantasies as `Jurassic Park,' `Timeline' and `The Andromeda Strain,' says the author has died in Los Angeles.
Crichton died today at age 66.
His family says he had been privately battling cancer.
It adds in a statement that `Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand.'
(The Associated Press)
13:21ET 05-11-08

Michael Crichton will probably be best remembered for his prolific career as a novelist. But I and many of my emergency colleagues will remember him as the creative genius behind the mega-hit TV series 'ER', which wraps early next year after 15 incredible seasons. It's hard to remember, but ten years ago, 'ER' was appointment viewing on NBC. The show was the first to give an accurate interpretation of the speed, the distractions and the chaos of emergency medicine. 'ER' was the first medical show to assume the public wanted the straight goods. The show eschewed dumbing down to the viewing public. From the very beginning, the writers inserted accurate medical tech-talk into dialog. Actors hired to be on the show were taught by actual physicians and other health professionals how to hold and operate medical instruments.

There were days when the show was so accurate I couldn't watch because it reminded me of work. But let's take a moment to remember and to thank Michael Crichton for creating a show that brought my side of the gurney to your living room.