TV & VIDEO - March 25, 1988

A long, rambling musing on death improvised by actor Ed Flanders in the final episode of NBC’s “St. Elsewhere” is going to stay in, the show’s producers have announced--even though Flanders’ speech angered other actors. In the episode, scheduled for broadcast May 25, Flanders--the erstwhile Dr. Westphall on the show--was supposed to read a sentimental statement about beginnings and endings. Co-executive producers Bruce Paltrow and Mark Tinker decided not to reshoot the scene because filming ended Friday and the cast disbanded. “We’ve done this before where he’s gone a little off the printed page. We’ve usually been successful editing,” said producer Tom Fontana.