McPherson: Melissa George was a guest for one episode.
Reporter #1: …so many guests just leaving — no, she was in more than one episode.
McPherson: I’m not going to answer the question, that’s an absurd question. The only person who has left the show is Isaiah Washington.
Reporter #2: Brooke Smith.
Reporter #3: Melissa had contracted for 8 to 11 episodes, and she hasn’t gotten 8 to 11 episodes.
McPherson: She didn’t contract for that many episodes, she was a guest —
Reporter #3: That’s what she said.
McPherson: Well, we all know what everybody says when they leave the show, they want to say what works best for them.”
Reporter #3: She was in more than one episode.
McPherson: Yeah, I think she was in three. She was mentioned in one and then shown in two other episodes, I think.
Reporter #4: Brooke Smith was in the opening credits at the start of the season. Was that just, you didn’t like the character —
McPherson: Yeah, the character was not working for us, and the dynamic with the relationship was not working for us. We felt like Sara [Ramirez] is such dynamic character, an amazing actress and woman, and we really just weren’t seeing the excitement out of that relationship. There was some mention that we were upset by the lesbian nature of it. She’s going to be in a dedicated lesbian relationship (chuckling) in the show. So again, that was an actress who was trying to talk about something in a manner that would serve her and not the reality.

Let’s start at the beginning then: Melissa George was a guest for one episode? I’m starting to think the President of ABC doesn’t watch his own programming. From one episode to “I think she was in three. She was mentioned in one and then shown in two other episodes, I think.”

So far, Melissa George has been in five episodes (These Ties That Bind, In the Midnight Hour, All By Myself, Wish You Were Here and Sympathy for the Devil)and should be in a couple more, I believe.

I find it pretty insulting that he’d call George self-serving for telling the truth about how many episodes she was signed for. Especially considering all she’s done is sing praises for the show and the cast.

And then to bash Brooke Smith too? I think Smith handled the whole thing really well, considering she was booted to the curve kind of roughly.

But then he throws out a spoiler in the form of a “dedicated lesbian relationship” for Callie. There’s rumors that Callie and Dr. Arizona Robbins might start something, but there’s been no official confirmation. Though, I guess a comment from the network president could constitute an official confirmation though he didn’t name names. The two characters haven’t even met yet, from what I recall, though maybe next week when Callie starts “walking tall” through Seattle Grace.

I suppose we’ll see. That’s definitely a storyline I look forward to.

Mostly, I just feel bad for Melissa George and Brooke Smith. It’s really not right to make those kinds of comments about them. They don’t deserve it, in my opinion.

What do you guys think?

Via | AfterEllen

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In that loving cryptic style of his, Michael Ausiello has left us with a question in his latest column, and this one is regarding the whole Izzie/Denny business that some of you love, some of you hate, and some of you love to hate. Though there’s no new spoilers on the subject, he left us with this: “Don’t you find it odd, not to mention a little suspicious, that Katherine Heigl — the outspoken star of such scandals as Emmygate and Isaiahgate – hasn’t expressed a single opinion about this storyline yet? Just putting that out there.”

Would anyone like a shot at unraveling the mystery of that statement?

Earlier in the week, Ausiello dropped a Blind Item on our laps, telling us that “an original cast member of a hit series … has been pink-slipped without the benefit of being a pink slip.”

I didn’t think much of it at the time, but this has led some people to theorize that the Blind Item is in regards to Katherine Heigl. Ausiello’s been hinting for a long time that Heigl might exit the show at the end of the season. Shonda has denied it, of course, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

There’s no real reason to panic yet. There’s a lot of hit series with original cast members that could be the actual victims of the dreaded axe. And after all of the denying, it would really affect Shonda’s credibility if they turn around and fire Heigl. So for some reason, I find it hard to believe that the blind item pertains to Izzie.

But what’s Ausiello trying to tell us? Anyone? Bueller?

Via | Ask Ausiello

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We don’t learn much that we don’t already know in this clip, but it’s always nice to have a little video to go with the text spoilers. Looks like the main point of the episode will be Cristina choosing her replacement for the solo surgery. But the promo always makes things sound far more dramatic than they ultimately turn out, so it’s really hard to gauge the tone of the episode.

I’m interested to see who she chooses, actually. I can’t tell if it’s a good thing for the chief to put Cristina in that position. There’s too much room for bias and it’s the sort of thing that divides a team, not unites it. But I guess we’ll see how it turns out.

What are your thoughts on what’s coming up this week, going by the spoilers and sneak peeks?

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Kristin poses three possible explanations for the Denny hauntings, and here are my thoughts on each:

1. Brain tumor – Shonda said no to this so I’m inclined to believe it’s not true.

2. Izzie is losing her mind – Possible. But … then what? We get to see Izzie at a mental institution all next season?

3. Izzie is dead, too – Wouldn’t that be something? Oh I wouldn’t put it past the writers to hit us with something like this. Doubtful, though. Then she’d have to haunt Seattle Grace if they wanted to keep Heigl around and that might get complicated.

4. Izzie has an overactive imagination – This would probably be the least original explanation, so I’m hoping they don’t go this route.

5. Izzie has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – I’m inching toward this one as the most likely of the five, simply because it would make sense and it would make for an easy explanation.

Here’s a bonus one from me: Maybe Izzie is Clairvoyant and can communicate with the dead. Next they’ll offer her a new spinoff in which she solves crimes by talking to dead people. Oh wait… I think that’s been done.

What are your theories?

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My favorite parts:

• Callie telling Bailey about her and Hahn. The look on Bailey’s face made me fall off the couch laughing.
• Bailey’s “Africa” metaphor when giving Callie advice later. Hilarious.
• Cristina discovering the Dermatology section of the hospital. Zen Cristina was brilliant. That whole part of the episode was awesome.
• Alex and Izzie fighting over the surgery was great, too. I liked the whole Wild Wild West/Cowboy thing.

Those are the scenes that stand out, though I thought the whole episode flowed really smoothly.

(Image: Copyright 2008 ABC Studios / ERIC McCANDLESS)

Relationships recap:

• Meredith and Derek are moving along slowly, but at least they’re moving along. I thought they could’ve used a bit more screen time. I love Meredith’s friendship with Cristina but sometimes it seems like Meredith is dating her instead! But I thought the end with Cristina and Meredith reading the journal was really interesting. I wonder if Meredith will get to a point where she allows to share that much with Derek.
• Alex and Izzie are progressing nicely. Their chat at the bar at the end, prompted by Izzie’s speech to the patient’s wife about hurting the ones you love was really nice. I can totally see them kissing next week.
• It broke my heart that George left Lexie sitting there in the bench to run off with Meredith and Izzie and Cristina. When she walked into the bar to find him there with everyone else, I really felt for her. I kind of feel like Lexie would make a better couple with Mark some times, but I think they’re doing a good job of showing how Lexie feels about George and how blind George is to those feelings.
• Callie and Hahn had a bunch of really good moments in this episode. I thought Bailey’s advice was (confusing but) wonderful. Their chat in the restaurant was great. You can see they’re kind of falling for each other, despite their nervousness and hesitation. I figure it won’t be long before everyone finds out about that they’re not just best friends.

Cristina is still flying solo but not for much longer!

Overall, great episode.

What did you guys think? Did you love it as much as I did, or are you still feeling “bleh” about this season and the show in general?

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The day is finally here! After many months of waiting, agonizing, wondering, pondering and worrying about what might come to pass in season five, the wait is over! Well, almost over; we still have to wait a few more hours. But we’re pros at the waiting thing, so it’s not too much of a hassle.

Grey’s Anatomy is kicking off its fifth season tonight with “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” an exciting two-hour episode.

Be sure to check out all of our season five news, which includes spoilers, photos, and promo videos of tonight’s episode.

What are you most excited about tonight? Finding out what happens next with MerDer and the rest of the potential couples? Meeting the new doc and potential love interest for Yang? Everything?

Image: Newscom

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The National Federation of Medical Colleges in Italy has put forth an official protest asking for a ban on medicine themed television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and ER because they are full of medical inaccuracies.

“These programs are teaching viewers inaccurate views on medicine,” Annalisa Silvestro president of the NFMC said. “They are spreading misinformation.”

The Order of Medical Professionals in Rome agreed with the NFMC.

While I can understand why they would be concerned about the dangers of spreading medical misinformation, banning television shows intended for entertainment purposes sounds a bit extreme. There’s got to be other alternatives, such as the spreading of correct information.

Currently, there’s no word that these objections have made any sort of difference in terms of getting the programs banned.

It’d be sad to see an entire country deprived of good television shows simply because they aren’t one-hundred percent accurate. Perhaps the thing to do is to spread the awareness that these shows are meant as entertainment and should not be your main source of medical information.

Via | Yahoo! News

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I’d mentioned that Ellen Pompeo and Justin Chambers would be attending a fundraiser sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council of the Democratic Committe (GLLC) in Seattle, Washingon this past weekend to support Senator Obama’s campaign. I couldn’t be there unfortunately, but Grey’s Anatomy News reader Karen did get to go and she was gracious enough to send in her first person account to share with us here. Thanks, Karen!!

Her story, after the jump.

I made it to the Obama fundraiser with Ellen Pompeo and Justin Chambers at the Greg Kucera Gallery in Seattle’s Pioneer Square on Saturday. It’s a beautiful space, and we were all trying not to knock over the horse sculptures that are part of the current show. Attendees were mostly GLBT Obama supporters from the local community, many of whom are active in foundations or the Democratic Party, or are Grey’s Anatomy fans of course. I was glad to see Seattle City Council member Sally Clark (an out lesbian) in the crowd.

After some speeches and introductions of people involved in the campaign, Ellen and Justin each gave a short, heart felt speech about why they support Senator Obama. I’ll paraphrase here, but basically Ellen talked about being the grandchild of Italian immigrants and wanting to bring our country back to the ideals that made them want to come here. She acknowledged some people’s discomfort with actors speaking out on behalf of candidates and political causes, but told us that after having educated herself about Obama, she wanted to show her support for him. She also talked about how happy she was that her two gay uncles can finally get legally married in Massachusetts after having been together for so many years.

Justin spoke about being the father of five children and his concern for the world both now and in his children’s future. A shorter speech but no less effective.

They both mingled with the crowd, chatting, shaking hands and posing for pictures. (I realized later that Justin’s wife took one of us with my camera.) They both looked great and seemed very earnest, sweet and a little shy.

What I wish I’d said (but didn’t because I’m a little shy) is that Justin’s character has really grown on me, in part because of the way his story has developed over time, but also because he does such a nice job with his part. I really look forward to the next season of the show, because of the storytelling and the wonderful, diverse cast of characters, including so many people of color, interracial couples and families and now maybe two women falling in love.

Thanks to everyone who helped put this together.

KarenA

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At the end of season four, we got what we’d been waiting for for entirely too long: a kiss between Meredith and Derek that pointed toward a real future, rather than a few quickies in the on-call room. Of course, this is Grey’s Anatomy so happy endings are not quite in the cards for anyone. There’s got to be something to add drama.

We know that someone will potentially be pregnant in season five. Whether they became pregnant in season four and find out in season five isn’t clear, but we do know that Meredith is a likely suspect and that many of you think she could be the one. What would a pregnancy mean for the MerDer relationship this soon after being reunited? Would Meredith keep the pregnancy a secret, confiding only in Cristina – and possibly Izzie? I could see them dragging that out for a few episodes. Would she battle with the option of getting an abortion without telling Derek? Would she go through with it?

We all know McDreamy would be all for starting a family with Meredith. And while Meredith looks ready to take a step toward marriage, I’m quite certain a pregnancy would send her running in the opposite direction.

Of course, it’s also possible that the pregnancy scoop isn’t even about Meredith, so maybe we won’t have to worry about that storyline putting a damper on MerDer. We know that Kevin McKidd will be joining Seattle Grace as a new doctor. New faces always have the potential to add drama and cause conflict where there otherwise wouldn’t be any. So it’s possible that McKidd’s character could be the source of unforeseen problems for MerDer.

Then again, Shonda Rhimes seems rather happy to finally have Meredith and Derek together, so it’s possible that she’ll save the drama for the other couples and let MerDer bask in the glory of their old-but-new and improved relationship.

So what do you think is in store for Meredith and Derek in season five? Doom and gloom and unexpected drama? Or eternal sunshine and happiness? Perhaps a musical number through Central Park?

Maybe I’ve been watching too much Enchanted …

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With the many lonely months ahead both the site and the book provide great food for thought.

Post from: Grey\'s Anatomy News