Paging the final season of 'ER'

This time they really mean it.

Despite being the TV series that cried "This is our final season" before it certainly appears that this indeed will be the ER's last rotation in a TV season.

And I have to say, so far, so good.

We all know that I've had a contentious relationship with the show over the last few years. But despite some concerns (who were some of those people Abby was saying goodbye to?), I think the show is handling its departure the way this ground-breaking TV show should.

Because whatever ER is or isn't now, when it premiered it in many ways changed many of the conventions of a TV drama. Now we are used to it but ER was on the forefront of showing the graphic intricacies of surgery, using medical lingo as if the audience knew what the doctors were talking about, letting patients viewers were attached to die, and showcasing a large ensemble cast. Plus they proved how much a show that was about the lives of its characters could survive many, many, many cast changes.

I want the show go out getting the accolades it deserves and with the quality of its heyday. And the graceful way the show handled Abby's (Maura Tierney) departure is the perfect example of what I'm talking about. This was the best character departure since Carol met up with Doug on the dock. And it was quite fitting that Abby's exit was reminiscent of Carol's (oh look there's Luka!) since I always kind of thought Abby replaced Carol as heart and soul of the series.

Like many of you, I'm a little concerned that Angela Bassett's Dr. Banfield is far too familiar. Like for example Dr. Weaver or Dr. Romano, she's a take-no-prisoners doctor who arrives looking for a fight. But I'm willing to give her character a chance.

Next week, Shane West returns as Dr. Barnett. And let me just issue a word of warning to the series right now --- they better handle is return well. Ray's departure was an all time low for the show and it's time to atone for what they did to his character.

And if I could just briefly talk about Grey's Anatomy. I know. I know. I have complained about this series too much but I have to say I'm positively flabbergasted by the egregious way the series is handling the Erica/Callie romance. Really Callie goes to McSteamy for sex advice? Really? Are you kidding me? Right now the only thing that has me tuning in is the return as Kevin McKidd as Cristina's potential love interest.

What do you think of ER and Grey's this season? Talk about it below.

Quotes of the Weeks

Let's catch up on all the fun and interesting quotes that happened while I was away.

"I just don't want my employees thinking that their jobs depend on performance. I mean what sort of place is that to call home." Michael (Steve Carell) to Holly on The Office.

"You are a thief of joy." Michael to Dwight on The Office. Thanks to Arlene for the quote.

"Shopping, sex, drinking in the afternoon.....play dates make all these things possible." Gabby to Carlos on Desperate Housewives. Thanks to Michelle for the quote.

"I want to come back to my real life and I think you should go back to yours." Robin to Ted on How I Met Your Mother.

"I just want to say it's been a great decade." Abby saying goodbye to her colleagues on ER.

"Who watches TV on a TV now anyways?" Eric (Connor Paolo) on Gossip Girl. Thanks to Rishi for the quote.

"Maybe tonight is the night my sleep apnea will kill me." Leonard on The Big Bang Theory. Thanks to Terry for the quote.

"I know how you feel. I know how all of you feel because the minute you have a feeling you start spewing with complete disregard for anybody else like a bunch of children. You're adults. Get a filter!" Robert to Nora and the rest of the Walker clan on Brothers & Sisters. Thanks to Arlene for the quote.

"Are you going to tell him the truth now or wait till after he kills me and blinds himself." Tom to Lynette about an online relationship with her son on Desperate Housewives. Thanks to Barry and Daph for the quote.

"Yes, he called, he wants you to get back to work." Joan (Christina Hendricks) to the men in the office when they ask her if she's heard from Don on Mad Men.

"If I start getting stalked by the other guy from Wham . . ." Nathan to Eli and Chen when he starts having visions on Eli Stone.

"He should have a sign that reads if this vans a rockin, I'm being murdered." Emerson on Pushing Daisies. Thanks to Caroline for the quote.

"'The X-Files' is a TV show. This is real." Dean on Supernatural. Thanks to Jen for the quote.

"Detective if ignorance was a drug, you'd be high all the time." The Assistant District Attorney to Detective Carling on Life on Mars.

"I thought I'd stick around and see what opportunities opened up." Jack (Anthony LaPaglia) to Sam (Poppy Montgomery) explaining why he turned down another job on Without a Trace. Um, do we think the show is about to rekindle the Jack and Sam romance. I kind of do and I'm kind of excited about this fact.

"True that. Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to make a stupid ass list." Joy to Earl on My Name is Earl.

"She went to sleeping with Jesus to waking up with you. You're her rebound after Jesus" Billy to Tim about Tim's relationship with Lyla on Friday Night Lights.

Exchange of the Weeks

"How the hell did you swing this?" Pete to Peggy about getting her own office on Mad Men.

"I'm sleeping with Don. It's really working out." Peggy's response. I love that Peggy was sassy.

Inside Joke Quote of the Week

"That was just last semester? Wow it feels like forever ago." Ashleigh (Amber Stevens) to Casey about Frannie getting kicked out as sorority president on Greek reference -- a cute reference to how long the show has stretched out one year of college.

Some Fun Links

30 Rock returns for its third season next Thursday, October 30. If you don't want to wait until next week to see the show's hilarious return, the premiere is now available online, click here to watch . For a behind the scenes look at the episode, click here And for some of the deleted footage and extras from the second season of 30 Rock DVD set, click here and here.

And if you want to check out the new promo for Chuck Bass, click here.

That's all for today. I'm back on Monday with a look at My Own Worst Enemy, Private Practice, Eli Stone, Everybody Hates Chris and to talk about the season finale of Mad Men. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com.