In the new book “ER: The Oral History,” it is revealed that ‘ER’ co-creator Michael Crichton disliked the Season 1 episode “Motherhood” directed by Quentin Tarantino in 1995. Despite being unpopular with Crichton, the episode was praised for its direction and drew a massive viewership of 33.3 million people. The book includes recollections from various cast members and crew who express their admiration for Tarantino's involvement on the show.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-16,
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Story summary
In 1995, Quentin Tarantino directed an episode titled "Motherhood" for the popular medical drama series ER. Despite its high viewership of 33.3 million, the episode was reportedly disliked by one of the show's creators, Michael Crichton, who expressed his dissatisfaction but didn't specify why. The episode focused on a mother’s death and a birth, showcasing typical ER plotlines. Tarantino, at the peak of his career after directing films like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction," brought a unique style to the show that apparently clashed with Crichton's vision. This incident highlights the sometimes conflicting views between creators when high-profile directors step in to direct episodes.
Written for “Michael Crichton ER Episode” on 2026-09-17,
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“ER” co-creator Michael Crichton’s least favorite episode of the long-running hit medical drama was a Season 1 episode directed by Quentin Tarantino.
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episode → run → Tarantino
According to the new book, “ER: The Oral History” by Lynette Rice — which is out now — Crichton “got all bent out of shape about it.”
uncertain
Crichton → accord → it
“The only time I know we heard from Michael Crichton was when Quentin Tarantino directed the fantastic episode,” former writer Neal Baer recalls of the episode, which was titled “Motherhood.”
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which → know → episode
He claims that the late “Jurassic Park” author — who died from lymphoma at 66 in 2008 — didn’t like Tarantino’s directing on “ER” for “reasons I don’t know why.”
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I → claim → reasons
Baer, however, defends the episode, saying he thought it was “great.”
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it → defend → episode
Originally airing on May 11, 1995, “Motherhood” followed the medical team as they dealt with a mother’s death, and a birth.
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they → air → death
The episode drew a staggering 33.3 million viewers.
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episode → draw → viewers
Tarantino, meanwhile, was at the top of his career, having directed “Reservoir Dogs” in 1992 and “Pulp Fiction” in 1994.
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Tarantino → direct → 1994
Although the famed filmmaker is known for his work on the big screen, in addition to “ER,” he also once directed two episodes of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” in the show’s fifth season, airing in 2005.
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he → know → 2005
“ER” ran on NBC for 15 seasons and 331 episodes from 1994 to 2009, originally starring George Clooney, Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies, Eriq La Salle and Anthony Edwards.
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ER → run → Clooney
Tarantino was a “big fan” of “ER,” Margulies says, and he personally requested to direct an episode.
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he → say → episode
Then-NBC exec Warren Littlefield recalls that when he initially heard that the “Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood” director wanted to come on their show, he said, “You’re kidding me.
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You → recall → me
Former “ER” director/ producer Christopher Chulak says Tarantino was “like a kid, he just loved it.
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he → say → it
He showed up on the first or second day wearing scrubs.”
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He → show → scrubs
Lydia Woodward, who wrote the episode, adds that the “Inglourious Basterds” director was “quite possibly the easiest director to work with in my entire career.”
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director → write → career
She notes, “He literally only added one thing.”
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He → note → thing
Tarantino’s one requested change was a scene in which Susan (Sherry Stringfield) was rushing to drive her pregnant sister to the hospital.
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Susan → request → hospital
As Susan was rummaging around for her car keys, Tarantino wanted her to use a piece of technology called “the clapper,” a sound activation tool that helped someone locate their keys.
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someone → rummage → keys
“Quentin only wanted that funny little tidbit of a thing,” Woodward explains.
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Woodward → want → thing
Tarantino is just the latest “ER” figure to run afoul of Crichton, even after the late author’s death.
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Tarantino → run → death
Crichton’s estate has also been embroiled in a legal battle with Wyle over the actor’s current medical drama, “The Pitt.”
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estate → embroil → drama
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voice → matter → ?
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Discussions → moderate → civility
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"ER" co-creator Michael Crichton (pictured in 2005) wasn't a fan of Quentin Tarantino's "ER" episode, according to a new book.
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Crichton → read → book
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