George Clooney recently shared his glowing praise for HBO’s The Pitt and his former co-star on ER, Noah Wyle. Over 30 years before Noah Wyle led the cast of The Pitt as Dr. Robby Robinavitch, he played John Carter in ER alongside George Clooney as Doug Ross. The Pitt has already drawn comparisons to ER – so much so that The Pitt had a lawsuit against it – not least of all because it puts Wyle in another medical drama focusing on an emergency room. Despite the comparisons, The Pitt was a resounding critical and popular success, and it received nearly universal praise.

While speaking on Late Night with Seth Meyers, George Clooney got a chance to share his thoughts about The Pitt and his praise for his former co-star, Noah Wyle.

“Have you guys seen that show [The Pitt]? It’s so good, and I have to say, we’ve been really dear friends since, you know, since the show [ER], since we did the pilot of the show. He is just the most honorable, talented young man, I get to say because I’m an old man, and I cannot be happier for his success on the show. The show is just a beautiful show, and he does just a great job with it.”

Clooney also revealed that Noah Wyle never had trouble remembering medical terminology on ER, and Clooney jokingly added that he “hated him for that.” Clooney’s jokes aside, it’s clear that he has a real respect and admiration for both The Pitt and his former ER co-star, Noah Wyle. It was also heartwarming to hear that Clooney and Wyle have remained friends even 30 years after ER began.

What George Clooney’s Review Means For The Pitt & Noah Wyle

Clooney’s High Praise Could Help Heal Some Of The “Tainted Legacy” Wyle Views ER With

At the most basic level, any praise from an actor like George Clooney is already a great sign. He’s one of the most famous actors in Hollywood, and the caliber of Clooney’s best movies and shows almost speak for themselves. Clooney is clearly a man who knows what a good show is – and even moreso, what a good medical drama looks like – and his praise for The Pitt carries a lot of weight. It would be akin to an actor like the late Sopranos star James Gandolfini heaping praise upon a newer gangster series like Peaky Blinders: he clearly knows what he’s talking about.

Clooney’s praise could also help The Pitt more directly. Noah Wyle responded to The Pitt‘s ongoing lawsuit with the family of Michael Crichton, the creator of ER. He said that he thinks the lawsuit “taints the legacy” of ER, and he wishes that Crichton’s family could have come to a more amicable agreement with the creators of The Pitt. As a main figurehead of ER, George Clooney’s praise for both The Pitt and Noah Wyle could help heal that damaged relationship the latter has with his early starring role. Having someone so closely associated with ER give his seal of approval almost certainly feels special to Wyle.

Our Take On George Clooney’s Thoughts About The Pitt

Clooney’s Praise For The Pitt & Wyle Is Definitely Well-Earned

While I can’t speak to how George Clooney’s comments about The Pitt will affect Noah Wyle, I can say that I agree with him completely. The Pitt is a really special show, and Noah Wyle was the perfect choice to lead it. Clooney hit the nail on the head with his praise of The Pitt. It’s not very surprising, given Clooney’s knowledge of the medical drama genre and the sheer quality of The Pitt, but I always appreciate when a high-quality show gets its flowers. I’m also glad that Wyle and The Pitt have a happier recent memory of ER to look back on now.

• 
  

  

  The Pitt

  
  

  8/10

  Release Date

  January 9, 2025
  

  Network

  Max

  Showrunner

  R. Scott Gemmill

  Directors

  Amanda Marsalis

  Writers

  Joe Sachs, Cynthia Adarkwa

  
  

  • 

    Noah Wyle

    Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch

  • 

    Tracy Ifeachor

    Uncredited

  
  

  
  

• 
  

  

  ER

  
  

  8/10

  Release Date

  1994 – 2009-00-00

  Showrunner

  Michael Crichton

  Directors

  Michael Crichton