The TV Zone

This is just breaking as we speak: Michael Crichton has died.

Here's the statement from the family:

"While the world knew him as a great story teller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us -- and entertained us all while doing so -- his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes," the statement said. "He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget."

Pretty much needless to say, Crichton had a huge impact on the big screen, and a significant one on the small screen, too. Based - broadly - on his experiences in the "e.r.," the show with those two letters became one of the major institutions of television during the '90s, equally (if not more so) important to the fortunes of NBC as "Friends" and "Seinfeld."