If Noah Wyle is here, can George Clooney be far behind?

With the final season of "ER" wrapping up, it's time for old characters -- mostly George Clooney -- to return to the hallowed halls of County General for one final round. (See, I'm so clever with my medical terminology).

On tonight's episode, Noah Wyle -- who played the earnest and babyfaced Dr. John Carter for eleven seasons -- returns for the first of a four-episode arc, the beginning of the end that's rumored to include a Clooney appearance at some point before the "ER" doors close forever. Or at least that's what fans can hope for.

Already, other former "ER" cast members, including Anthony Edwards, Sherry Stringfield, Eriq La Salle and Julianna Margulies will reprise their roles for the show's last episodes. Aside from Clooney's potential salary, there's nothing stopping him from appearing because, let's be honest, it's not "ER" without a little Dr. Doug Ross to stare at us with smoldering outrage. No offense to John Stamos, who has nicely transitioned into the necessary hottie doctor role after Goran Visnjic slowly exited from the show, but there's only one Doug Ross and you, sir, are no Doug Ross.

Tune in tonight at 9 p.m. on NBC to see Noah Wyle come back to "ER." The series finale airs April 2.

-- Malavika Jagannathan, mjaganna@greenbaypressgazette.com