Top ER Trivia Quiz

Answer: Radar-Intercept Officer

The actor in question is Anthony Edwards. A Radar-Intercept Officer (RIO) evaluates the data from an F-14's sensory equipment and advises the pilot as to the best course and speed to intercept a target. I referred to the University of Washington's Naval ROTC website for basic information (http://depts.washington.edu/uwnrotc/officer/commun/nfo.html), which also has a general overview of the roles of other Naval Flight Officers in other aircraft.

Answer: Christine Harnos

Jennifer Greene was a lawyer, and early on in the series got a very desirable job clerking in Milwaukee. Season 1 and early on in season 2 contained a subplot concerning the tension between Mark and Jen's respective careers. Eventually, though Mark tried to compromise by suggesting that they live in Kenosha, Wisconsin, halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, they end up divorcing, as each refused to give up their own really good job for the sake of the other's career.

Answer: Rick Rossovich

Rick Rossovich, who played Slider in "Top Gun", has appeared in a number of TV and film roles, including Cadet Dante Pignetti in the movie adaptation of Pat Conroy's book "The Lords of Discipline", and Sarah Connor's roommate's boyfriend, Matt Buchanan, in "The Terminator" (got to love those red socks!).

After appearing in "ER", he went on to star in the show "Pacific Blue", portraying Lt. Anthony Palmer in this show about bike cops in Santa Monica, California. According to IMDB.com, Rossovich is considered one of the nicest people in the business to work with. (All filmography information from IMDB.com.)

Answer: Dr. John Taglieri

One of the early dramatic tensions in "ER" is between Dr. Ross (Carol's previous boyfriend) and Dr. "Tag" Taglieri. At the end of the season, Carol and Tag realize that he loves her more than she loves him, and Tag walks out before the marriage.

Answer: Michael Ironside

Michael Ironside has been in an incredible amount of films and TV shows. I think the first show I remember him from was the 1980s TV show "V", where he played Ham Tyler. He also has starred in some big sci-fi movies, such as "Total Recall" (1990), in which he played the nefarious Richter, and "Starship Troopers" (1997), where he played the gung-ho teacher-turned-Marine Jean Rasczak. Check out his listing on IMDB.com to see all of his 188 roles.

Answer: Wild Willy

Presumably, he got this nickname through his wild and unpredictable actions as a supervisor. He and Mark Greene start off on the wrong foot when Dr. Swift shows up for the first day of his job and Mark is AWOL from the ER.

Answer: Chicago Hope

I always thought it was odd that CBS and NBC would both have hospital dramas set in Chicago running at the same time. I only saw a couple of episodes of "Chicago Hope", but it seemed to be a pretty clever show (though not as good as "ER").

Answer: Carol

Just another odd coincidence from the "ER"/"Top Gun" vortex...

Answer: "Coming to America" (1988)

I can't think of a more pronounced difference than the vain, Jerri-Curl obsessed Darryl Jenks and the serious, all-business Dr. Peter Benton. I was always so impressed by the excellent job La Salle did in portraying Dr. Benton that it didn't even register he played Darryl in "Coming to America".

Answer: "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask" (1972)

As far as I know, this is just a weird coincidence. When "Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex..." was on the TV the other day, I almost fell out of my chair when I heard Wilder's character's name. The Armenian in question was a sheep named Daisy, and you'll just have to see the movie for Wilder's wonderful performance as Dr. Ross, who risks everything for his love of Daisy.

As promiscuous as George Clooney's character was, I don't think that he would have an affair with a sheep!