Best bets: ‘ER’ treats its final patient this week

TV
Although doctors (and viewers) have faded in and out throughout the years, the "ER" finale is still a moment worth marking. George Clooney has already made his return as Dr. Doug Ross, but the finale still has plenty to look forward to. Rachel Greene, the daughter of late County legend Dr. Mark Greene, is now a med student, and will be making an appearance along with her stepmom, Elizabeth Corday. And so we come full circle. (Two-hour series finale April 2, 9 p.m., NBC.)

"Life on Mars," in which a police detective from 2008 found himself mysteriously living back in 1973, developed a cult following but didn't make the ratings, and has been canceled. Fans will want to tune in to the April 1 series finale, in which Sam supposedly gets a chance to return to his own time. Viewers have also been promised an answer to how he became stuck in 1973 in the first place. (Series finale, April 1, 10 p.m., ABC.)

DVD
"Slumdog Millionaire" was the big story of this year's Oscars, winning the gold statues for best picture, best director, best song and five other categories. It's also sparked story after story about its child actors, two of whom were plucked from Mumbai slums, and some in India have claimed that even the film's very title is derogatory. Controversy aside, it's still a magical film, if hard to watch at times thanks to the brutal depiction of the life of its characters. Surely many more viewers will check it out on DVD. (DVD out March 31.)

Who can resist a cute pooch? "Marley & Me," based on journalist John Grogan's memoir about life with the "world's worst dog," not only has a cute pup, but a pretty cute cast, with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston playing Marley's hapless owners. (DVD out March 31.)

Movies
What’s wrong with some mindless action? “Fast & Furious” brings Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster back together. And it’s hard not to wonder which one of these Laurence Oliviers needed the money most. In any case, expect car chases, fight scenes and many pithy quips. (Opens April 3)

From the writer-directors of “Half Nelson” comes a fish-out-of-water story called “Sugar” the tale of a Dominican baseball star (Algenis Perez Soto) who comes to play minor league baseball in small town Iowa. Cinamablend.com called the film “a deeply felt, personal story, exposing in very specific microcosm the struggle experienced by thousands of immigrants each year.” (Opens April 3)

Music
The silver lining of Leonard Cohen’s manager absconding with most of his fortune is that those of us who’ve never gotten to see him live finally get a chance. And if you can’t get to the show, you can pick up his new CD, “Live in London.” Do it; the man could use the dough. (On sale March 31)

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs return with a new album, “It’s A Blitz” that features  Karen O’s distinctive vocals over blasts of alternative dance rock.  Rolling Stone said of the new album, “(It) isn’t exactly a disco record, but it’s as close as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are likely to get.” Let’s dance! (On sale March 31)

MORE FROM ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment Section Front

Obama hosts protest song concert Hollywood brings changes for ‘American Idol’ Scoop: Heidi planning steamy Playboy shoot Levi Johnston’s Playgirl cover to hit stands TV’s 50 biggest bombs and blunders Autopsy: Jackson had vitiligo, wore wig ‘Deadliest Catch’ captain dies Jay Leno ends NBC prime-time experiment Dental surgery delays Lil Wayne sentencing Lohan parents in court over support payments Entertainment Section Front   Add Entertainment headlines to your news reader: