Grey's Anatomy - Doctor's Report/GA News #14 ~ We may be in hiatus but we still have GA news! - Page 18

mariem201 · 05-24-2007, 08:29 PM

Yeah, the show has been depressing as a whole and if George and Burke leave, that will kill the show for me even more. I miss the fun of season 1 so much.

Robotica · 05-24-2007, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariem201 (View Post)

Yeah, the show has been depressing as a whole and if George and Burke leave, that will kill the show for me even more. I miss the fun of season 1 so much.

Well said...though to be fair, season one was only nine episodes, so they really didn't have much time to get people invested in the characters enough to want to return the following season, and start an overly dramatic storyline. Twould have been real overkill...no question about it...

Quote:

I am sure the season premiere will address Addison leaving.
Like they werent sure whether the show will get picked up or not when the finale was filmed.

Makes sense to me, Sarah...

This is pretty much how I'm thinking it's going to go down as well.

Quote:

Patterns, measurements define 2006-07 season

NEW YORK -- It has been a wild and in some cases wacky season for network TV, culminating in a hunt for millions of missing viewers that is so complicated that it's worthy of its own episode of "CSI."

On the surface, it is status quo -- CBS extended its winning streak in total viewers to five years, while "American Idol"-powered Fox bagged a third consecutive season victory among adults 18-49.

But underneath, a sea change has been brewing.

"I think we'll look back and see 2007 as the watershed when all the things we talked about -- viewing behavior and audience measurement of that behavior -- all came together to start the new era," NBC research chief Alan Wurtzel said. "We've talked a lot about change and everything, but this is the first year we've seen it in a profound way."

At the beginning of the season, Nielsen Media Research introduced "most current" ratings, cuming the audiences that watch a show live as well as those that record it on a DVR and watch it up to seven days later.

But even with those additional viewers counted this season, primetime television viewing dropped significantly compared with last season.

The steepest decline was in live viewership, which fell 10% year-over-year among the four major broadcast networks. Adding in DVR viewership, which can boost shows' ratings by as much as 25% or more, the Big Four were still down 5%.

Things turned for the worse in the spring when many of TV's best and brightest fell to season or even series lows. That list includes "Desperate Housewives," "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy," "CSI: Miami" and "ER," among others. Even "Idol" wasn't immune though it hasn't seen a year-over-year decline.

The reasons seem myriad. Explanations include poor comparisons with the Winter Olympics, which boosted viewership levels last year, the lack of stunt counter-programming, a three weeks' earlier start to daylight-saving time, an abnormally high amount of repeats in February and March and a shift in viewing behavior brought on by the DVR, streaming video and the growing number of ways network TV is consumed these days.

"It's never one thing," said Fox scheduling czar Preston Beckman, who acknowledged that the early start to daylight-saving time and the increase in DVR penetration has changed the game.

He thinks that the networks also have learned the hard way that viewers are annoyed by their favorite shows going on hiatus or repeating. It's something Fox took into consideration three years ago when it scheduled "24" straight through. Nielsen said that only 66% of program minutes in March were original compared with 80% a year ago.

Daylight-saving time generally shaves 3% or 4% off viewing, something the networks saw three weeks earlier this year. It particularly hit the 8-9 p.m. hour and such shows as NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office." But even when things started evening out, the ratings remained down.

"Probably the two had a compound effect and moved people away from their normal March viewing patterns into a lower general pattern of television viewing," CBS research chief David Poltrack said. "We haven't really recovered from that."

Mindshare research director Debbie Solomon thinks that the long hiatus periods and schedule shifts are coming back to haunt the networks and turn off viewers.

"They're not leaving the set, they're leaving the shows," Solomon said. "It's important to make that distinction. The networks have been playing so many games with scheduling and a lot of programs have gone on long hiatus periods and a lot of changed nights. ... I think viewers have given up trying to find their shows."

And unlike the past two years, when several shows debuted in the winter and spring -- "Office," "The Unit," "The New Adventures of Old Christine," "Deal or No Deal" and, of course, "Grey's Anatomy" -- this year fewer programs were introduced and only three, ABC's "October Road," Fox's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" and CBS' "Rules of Engagement" stuck.

"And certainly you wouldn't put them in the same class as 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Deal or No Deal' in terms of strength," Poltrack said. "This was a spring where the networks were not reinvigorated with new programming as in years past. Hence, more repeats. This led to some lowering of overall viewing levels."

Fox's Beckman doesn't think that the decline is as severe as it seems when just looking at live-plus-same day. It's a function of the fact that the average Nielsen home is three or four times more likely to be recording programming and playing it back later than it was a year ago.

"When you incorporate the live-plus-seven (ratings), you see that viewing isn't down as much as it appears to be," Beckman said. By that yardstick, such series as "24," "Lost" and "Idol" are flat or slightly up compared with a year ago.

NBC's Wurtzel doesn't think that there's a mass departure of network TV viewers. It's just that there are more choices and people are consuming media differently.

"It may well be that for a lot of people they don't feel the need to be there day-and-date for conventional television anymore," he said. "I do not believe that people aren't interested in television. That doesn't make any sense."

But Beckman believes that with the networks putting so many shows on so many platforms, it is leading to a growing perception that viewers don't have to watch it on network TV. The trick, he said, is whether the loss in potential advertising revenue is offset by the gains in the other ways the shows are being sold.

NBC is asking Nielsen to look into its measurement to make sure that there's nothing hinky there, like a few years ago when young male viewership dropped precipitously. Nielsen said it's looking into NBC's concerns and plans to report to its clients before the Memorial Day holiday.

"What we've found is that people aren't watching less TV this season, they're watching slightly less live television," a Nielsen spokesman said.

Wurtzel is more concerned about the changes in the HUT (households using television) and PUT (persons using television) levels, upon which the viewership and ratings are based.

"I would be surprised if there was a proverbial smoking gun. I think it's going to be a lot of different things," he said. "But I think we really have to understand what the Nielsen situation is, either to say we've got to deal with it or to say it's been taken off the list."

Gio Gio · 05-25-2007, 07:20 AM

Quote:

An Interview With Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Driver Patrick Dempsey

By Dave Lewandowski
indianapolismotorspeedway.com

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Patrick Dempsey – sports car driver, IndyCar Series team co-owner and your favorite TV doctor – will drive the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Pace Car for the 91st Indianapolis 500 on May 27.

The "Grey's Anatomy" star also headlines a long list of celebs who will attend the race, including his hit ABC show co-stars Eric Dane and Ellen Pompeo. He'll ride on the back of one of the ceremonial convertible Pace Cars in the 500 Festival Parade on May 26 and (hint) get a feel for the real Pace Car on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before and after the parade.

Indycar.com caught up with the Golden Globe award winner recently on the Los Angeles set of "Made of Honor," which is scheduled for release next year.

Have you driven a car around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

"I've done it a couple of times. Last year, I actually drove the 'Vette around with (Johnny) Rutherford in the car, which was an amazing experience. Mr. Rutherford, I should say. You know, that's the way to do it."

Relay the story about the year you took a celebrity parade lap and what you noticed.

"You have the opportunity to go around the track during the parade laps and you hear all the different comments from the women screaming in one corner and then the men berating you in the next turn. So it's really funny to hear all the different comments from the people going around the track."

Is there more pressure to drive the Pace Car in front of the largest single-day sporting event audience in the world and a worldwide audience or act in a show that is watched worldwide by millions?

"I got a little nervous today on the set, but that was just anticipating everything. No, it's a great honor to be part of the history of the '500,' and that's the thing that keeps coming back to me. You look at who has started it with (Carl) Fisher the first Pace Car driver. Jackie Stewart has done it, which is pretty amazing. Then you look at the list of who has done this, and to then see your name there is a great thing to be part of history."

Looking forward to having some time with Rutherford in the pace car this week, learning the ropes on the track?

"We'll definitely go to the next level, run around the track some and get a sense and appreciation of what the men and women are doing in the race. It's good to see all the drivers and catch up with some of them. I'd like to stay out when the green flag flies, but that would be a dangerous thing to do."

***

Indy 500 tickets on sale: Tickets are on sale for the 2007 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27, the 91st running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Fans can order tickets online at Indianapolis Motor Speedway�, by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area, or at the ticket office at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.

Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (ET) Monday-Sunday during May, with special hours of 6 a.m.-1 p.m. on Race Day, Sunday, May 27. Online orders can be made at any time.

Race Day ticket prices start at just $20.

Source: Indianapolis 500

----------

Quote:

Chandra Wilson Speaks Out!

May 25, 2007

"Grey's Anatomy" fave Chandra Wilson gets candid with ET about her love for soap operas and what lies ahead for her hit ABC show.

CHANDRA WILSON, who stars as Dr. Miranda Bailey on ABC's hit drama, "Grey's Anatomy," will be hanging up her white coat and stethoscope this summer to host SOAPnet's live, two-hour special from the red carpet of the "34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards." Wilson, a long time soap fan who admits to watching four hours of soaps a day, is looking forward to chatting with the folks from her favorite shows.

ET caught up with the TV doc at a shoot for her upcoming gig, and got a little bit of scoop on "Grey's Anatomy" from the woman who wasn't named Chief of Staff in the series' finale.

"It is alright," she tells ET. "[Dr. Bailey] already has her clinic. Maybe if she didn't have the clinic, she probably would have been in a better position [to land the job], but she is already running that thing. She had those conversations this year with the Chief about doing too much. [He told her]: 'You need to slow down. You need to delegate.' She doesn't want to delegate. She wasn't willing to delegate. She wants to do it all. This was a good lesson about you can't do it all, or you don't have to do it all. This is a nice little wake-up call for her."

"Grey's Anatomy" goes back into production in July, and Chandra has been online scoping out fan blogs to get viewers' take on what they want to happen in the fourth season.

"The fans wish she had made chief resident, but everything in due time," Chandra tells ET. "She is not an attending yet. She still has that to do. We keep forgetting she has the whole responsibility of the clinic, but [the fans] are hoping there is going to be a showdown between Callie (SARA RAMIREZ) [who was named Chief of Staff after Dr. Shepherd (PATRICK DEMPSEY) turned it down] and Dr. Bailey."

What Chandra won't do is speculate on rumors as to T.R. KNIGHT and ISAIAH WASHINGTON's future on the show.

"I really don't know what is in store," she says. "All SHONDA [RHIMES] said is there is some great stuff in store for us. We are getting back to some fun things."

Source: ETonline.com: Chandra Wilson Speaks Out!

mariem201 · 05-25-2007, 09:17 AM

I am pretty sure the actors know what is going on with Isaah and TR but have been instructed not to speak as not to ruin the punchline, yet those journalists are going to keep asking anyway, LOL.

**Bella Cullen** · 05-27-2007, 04:35 AM

Quote:

HERE ARE 20 REASONS YOU SHOULD TUNE IN TO TODAY'S BIG RACE
By Mark Story
HERALD-LEADER SPORTS COLUMNIST

It took four days for my heart to start beating normally again after last year's Indianapolis 500.

Sam Hornish Jr.'s last-lap pass of 19-year-old Marco Andretti to win the Indy 500 was the most electrifying finish to any sporting event I've ever seen in person.

When I got back to Lexington, it was all I wanted to talk about.

Except I couldn't find anyone who'd watched the race.

I took that as anecdotal proof of what the TV ratings had long been telling us: The Indy 500 has lost its grip on the American imagination.

So I took that as a challenge. This year, I set out to come up with compelling reasons for you to watch the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500.

I came up with 20.

20. McDreamy. Patrick Dempsey, the Grey's Anatomy star, will drive the pace car before the race. If you tune in to the telecast, good chance you'll get to see him.

19. Girl power. Two years after Danica Mania was born on The Brickyard, three female drivers will start the 500 -- Danica Patrick (starts eighth); Sarah Fisher (21st) and Venezuelan rookie Milka Duno (29th).

18. NASCAR scouting. Rumors abound that IndyCar Series stars Dan Wheldon and Sam Hornish Jr. are contemplating jumping to the more popular, more lucrative Nextel Cup circuit. If your taste in racing runs more toward stock cars, here's a chance to evaluate possible future drivers.

17. Davey Hamilton. After a disastrous wreck in 2001 at Texas Speedway left him with both his feet crushed, Hamilton spent a year in a wheelchair and underwent 21 surgeries to restore them. In what is either a feel-good story for the ages or an exercise in folly, the 44-year-old Idaho native will race for the first time since that horrid crash today when he rolls off 20th at Indianapolis.

16. Jodi Ann Patterson. Mrs. Michael Andretti was Playboy's 2000 Playmate of the Year. If you tune in to the telecast, good chance you'll get to see her.

15. Jim Nabors. Because of an undisclosed illness, Gomer Pyle won't be at Indy to lead the traditional singing of (Back Home Again in) Indiana -- but he is expected to appear on the track's giant video screens to ask the Indy 500 crowd to sing the song themselves.

14. Racing for the Green(s). Cars in the Indy Racing Series are running this year on 100 percent fuel-grade Ethanol, making the Indy 500 a race even the Sierra Club can love.

13. Peyton Manning. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback is slated to be the race starter. If you tune in to the telecast, good chance you'll get to see him -- and heaven knows, this is a rare chance to see Peyton Manning on TV (sarcasm intended).

12. Helio vs. Tony. Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan were childhood buddies in Brazil who stopped speaking after a dispute over how hard Kanaan raced Castroneves (who was bidding for a season championship) in last year's final IndyCar race.

So how delicious is this? Today, the duo start first (Castroneves) and second in the biggest event in their sport.

11. I love the '80s. With 44-year-old Michael Andretti (starts 11th) and 45-year-old Al Unser Jr. (25th) both in the 500 field, you can pop a Foreigner disc into the CD player and transport yourself back to the 1980s.

10. Dumb decisions. No matter what self-destructive action you've taken to sabotage your career, it can't be as bad a decision as the boneheaded dispute that saw open-wheel racing split into two warring series back in 1996.

9. The Andretti Curse. The racing gods aren't cruel enough to allow NASCAR regular John Andretti -- dropping in to race Indy for the first time in 13 years -- to win the Indianapolis 500 over his long-tormented cousin Michael (winless in 15 starts at The Brickyard) are they?

Are they? Are they?

8. Ashley Judd. We didn't see her around much during the past UK basketball season. But with her hubby, Dario Franchitti, starting on row one, there's a good chance you'll get to see her, if you tune in to the telecast.

7. Inside tip. If you know that Dan Wheldon has led 484 of the 700 laps run on oval tracks in the IndyCar Series this year, you might be able to set your buddies up for a sucker bet.

6. More inside tips. If you know that the top six starters in today's race -- in order, Castroneves, Kanaan, Franchitti, Scott Dixon, Hornish Jr. and Wheldon -- have combined to win all of the IndyCar Series races but one since Scott Sharp's victory at Kentucky Speedway in 2005, you might be able to induce your buddies into another sucker bet.

5. Danica could win. Actually, probably not. Ms. Patrick has only four top-five finishes in 34 IndyCar races. But she's run exceedingly well at Indianapolis twice (fourth in 2005, eighth in '06) and is in her first year driving for the stout Andretti Green Racing.

4. George Foreman. The former boxing heavyweight champion of the world became a minority owner in Panther Racing (think Tomas Scheckter) last week. If you watch the telecast, good chance you'll get to see him.

3. The Queen of England. Won't be at the Indianapolis 500 -- but was at the Kentucky Derby. So, as a Kentuckian, won't that give you a feeling of superiority?

2. McDreamy's other half (on TV).Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo is also expected to attend the 500. If you tune in to the telecast, good chance you'll get to see her.

1. The finish. If this year's 500 yields an ending even one-tenth as dramatic as last year's, you'll have a vicarious experience you'll want to talk about.

Kentucky.com | 05/27/2007 | HERE ARE 20 REASONS YOU SHOULD TUNE IN TO TODAY'S BIG RACE

Robotica · 05-27-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Health experts help TV docs get facts straight
Fri May 25, 9:26 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - That young mother with breast cancer on "Grey's Anatomy" may do more than just drive the storyline: She may also be teaching you something.

Recognizing the reach of popular television shows, real-life doctors and public health experts are at work behind the scenes to add a dose of education to entertainment.

"Viewers get a lot of health information from TV shows. That's why we want to work with the writers to make sure it's accurate," said Vicki Beck, who directs a government-funded project that connects TV scriptwriters with medical experts.

More than half of regular viewers reported learning something about a disease from a daytime or prime-time drama, according to an analysis of data from a 2001 survey by public relations company Porter Novelli.

Findings like that caught the eye of government health officials, advocacy groups and academic physicians, who saw a compelling way to get medical information to millions.

Now, doctors regularly consult for hospital dramas "Grey's Anatomy" and "ER" plus "Desperate Housewives" and other non-medical hits that weave in health storylines. They also help fictional doctors on "General Hospital" and other daytime soap operas sound like the real thing.

Medical experts answer questions about everything from what drugs a patient would take to how a person could survive a gunshot to the head.

Advocates also brief shows on hot topics that may spark ideas for future plotlines.

"We've had some very nice outcomes," said Mike Miller, senior science writer at the National Cancer Institute, between a meeting with staff from "ER" and a meeting with staff from another medical hit, "House."

CANCER SCREENING

Real-world experts provided information to "ER" and "Grey's Anatomy" before each aired storylines about women with a gene that raises breast-cancer risk, he said.

Viewers who saw both episodes knew more about the gene afterward and were more likely to take steps to get screened for breast cancer, University of Southern California researchers found.

The cancer institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and two other federal agencies fund Beck's program, called Hollywood, Health & Society and based at the university's Annenberg Norman Lear Center. The group has fielded more than 400 requests from TV shows in the past two years.

Transplant officials joined on after growing frustrated by portrayals of kidneys being sold on a black market or a well-connected patient moving up on a waiting list.

There is no evidence of either happening in the United States, say experts, who worry such unrealistic depictions may discourage organ donation.

"That's the kind of thing we're trying to counter," said Joyce Somsak, an associate administrator who oversees organ transplantation at the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Organ transplant specialists consulted with the crime show "Numb3rs" and rejoiced when characters in one episode discussed the organ shortage and passed around donor cards, Somsak said. "That was a really good show," Somsak said.

In a later survey, 10 percent of viewers who said they had not signed up as organ donors before the show did so after watching.

ROBIN SCORPIO

Television writers and researchers say they try to present medical conditions accurately and even promote healthy behavior. Some popular shows employ doctors as writers or have consultants on the set.

Actress Kimberly McCullough, who plays HIV-positive doctor Robin Scorpio on "General Hospital," said despite "many outlandish storylines" the show's writers "have decided to stick to ... a more realistic portrayal" of life with the AIDS virus. Her character often mentions that she takes a drug cocktail to keep the virus in check.

When the fictional Dr. Scorpio started dating another doctor, played by actor Jason Thompson, "I don't know how many times we had to mention spermicidal jelly and condoms. It was mandatory," Thompson told a meeting of the Association of Health Care Journalists in Los Angeles.

The creative minds in Hollywood admit, however, that their quest for drama may stretch reality.

"We collapse time. People recover much more quickly than they actually would in real life. We don't spend a lot of time with patients in waiting rooms," said Elizabeth Klaviter, director of medical research for "Grey's Anatomy."

But "in terms of disease processes -- the cause and effect of things -- on our show those are pretty accurate," she said.

Her show has a medical doctor on the writing staff, and Klaviter said she often seeks help from outside experts.

The real-life health advocates say they cannot control what appears in scripts. "We certainly understand that these are entertainment programs. They have to find a dramatic way in to tell a story," NCI's Miller said.

But any success pays dividends. With 30-second ads on hot shows costing $300,000 or more, Beck's government-funded group estimates it has influenced TV time worth tens of millions of dollars with an annual budget that now stands around $560,000.

"It's extremely cost-effective," Beck said.

Quote:

Vega 4 | You and Others (Columbia)
Written by Bradley Terebelo
Distorted vocals and guitar? Check. Repetitive bass notes? Check. Mood-moving lyrics? Check.

It used to be that band members knew they'd made it when they got a chance to play at CBGB's. Now? Any mid-tempo rock group isn't worth the distortion they put their vocals through unless they have a song on Grey's Anatomy. I should point out that Vega4's recent release You and Others was specifically sent to me to review, even though I have only reviewed one album for PLAYBACK:stl: Snow Patrol's Eyes Open, from which came the song "Chasing Cars," featured on Grey's Anatomy. So either they think I am Playback's resident Grey's Anatomy expert (guilty pleasure) or the resident mid-tempo Brit-rock expert (I'm sure I'm not).

The comparisons between Snow Patrol and Vega4 are numerous and, apparently, invited. Lead singer from across the pond? Check. Distorted vocals and guitar? Check. Repetitive bass notes? Check. Mood-moving lyrics? Check. Lead vocalist with mellow voice oozing emotion and gravitas? Check. Produced by Jacknife Lee? Check. Had a song on Grey's Anatomy? Check.

Look, if you like Snow Patrol and having feelings, you're probably going to like this album. This is music that your 16-year-old sister and 55-year-old mother can listen to and enjoy (or at least be able to listen to in the car without complaining about the "damn kids' music").

There isn't much on here that you haven't heard before: it sounds like a stripped-down Snow Patrol album. That's not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, some of the best songs are the ones where they strip away all the distortion and go with a much simpler sound. Every inch of sonic landscape does not need to be filled—sometimes silence can fill out a song better and more richly than layered guitars ever could, and "If This is It" proves that quite well.

However, when the guitars and distortion come back (and they do), you cannot help but make the Snow Patrol comparisons, and, quite frankly, Snow Patrol does it better. Lyrically, they're not even in the same league. Where Snow Patrol uses clever metaphor and innuendo to convey their meaning, Vega4 is content to tell you that "Life is beautiful, but it's complicated." Word. Incidentally, I must be Playback's resident Grey's Anatomy expert; after hearing "Life Is Beautiful" I noted, "could be on Grey's Anatomy." It was. B | Bradley Terebelo

Robotica · 05-27-2007, 06:14 PM

More news...

Quote:

Isaiah Washington PSA to debut Thursday during "Grey's Anatomy"
Posted on May 24, 2007 9:12:31 AM
Discuss This: Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Linking Blogs | Add to del.icio.us | Digg it
Actor Isaiah Washington made headlines by using an anti-gay slur. Now he's going to try heighten tolerance with a public-service announcement that debuts Thursday during "Grey's Anatomy."

The ABC drama will offer back-to-back repate episodes from 9 to 11 on WFTV-Channel 9. (And isn't it a shame the spot didn't air last week, during all-important sweeps and the season finale?)

Here's a preview of what Washington will say in the spot:

"Words have power. The power to express love, happiness and joy. They also have the power to heal. When you use words that demean a person because of their sexual orientation, race or gender, you send a message of hate. A very powerful message. But we all have the power to demand better from one another and from ourselves. We have the power to heal and change the world by the words we use."

Quote:

Fantasy, comic dramas rule fall TV
May 27, 2007

BY MIKE DUFFY

FREE PRESS TV CRITIC

Back when sitcoms ruled, funny was money.

No longer. The traditional half-hour sitcom has been running on fumes most of the decade, bidding farewell to the last remaining comic juggernauts like "Friends," "Frasier" or "Everybody Loves Raymond" with no new breakout hits to replace them.

Advertisement

And try as it might to reinvent its own "Must See TV" Thursday night comedy lineup, NBC has failed to find any real success with recent, smart and imaginative series like "The Office," "My Name Is Earl" and "30 Rock." They're young-adult niche hits at best.

The upcoming fall schedules? They're no laughing matter either.

Of the 30 new series the networks are introducing this autumn, 17 are dramas, seven are nonscripted reality shows and only six are sitcoms.

And only one of those -- Fox's "Back to You," starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton as a local TV news team -- may have the familiar star power comic potential to hook a wider audience.

So if the half-hour sitcom remains the ugly chucklehead duckling of prime time, where's the humor? Hanging out in the often comic, hour-long soap operas and dramas -- yes, that silly word dramedy -- that ABC has so successfully used to give itself a popular female appeal profile with "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and such plucky recent arrivals as "Ugly Betty," "Brothers & Sisters" and "Men in Trees."

ABC will stick to the quirky plan again this fall with new comic, soap operatic series like "Dirty Sexy Money," "Private Practice" (the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff) and male bonding business executives saga "Big Shots."

And the Alphabet Network additionally has a midseason entry in the hot genre, "Cashmere Mafia," from "Sex and the City" producer Darren Star.

Other networks also plan to pump comedy into the hour-long drama format. The normally conservative CBS will take an unconventional plunge into the quirkiness pool with "Viva Laughlin," a British series adaptation that mixes mystery, dark comedy, soap opera and music with characters who lip-sync pop tunes.

Meanwhile, the CW has corralled cult comic filmmaker Kevin Smith ("Clerks") to make "Reaper," a loony tunes drama that follows the exploits of slacker bounty hunters working for Satan. Are you laughing, Lucifer?

Here's some additional fallout from the new fall schedules:

• Fall show with the most spring buzz: "Pushing Daisies," once again from hot drama headquarters ABC. The advertising community is atwitter over what ABC describes as "an unprecedented blend of romance, crime procedural and high-concept fantasy." Producer Bryan Fuller (cult comedy "Wonderfalls") created the sweetly offbeat, humor-infused odyssey about a sensitive young man who has a paranormal gift of touch that brings people back to life or returns them to dirt nap oblivion.

• The hot eye-candy trend this fall: Doing what comes supernaturally. Credit NBC's hope-filled, supernatural self-actualization saga "Heroes" for the paranormal population explosion that will include noble crime-fighting vampires (CBS's "Moonlight"), robotic action babe remakes (NBC's "The Bionic Woman"), immortal detectives (Fox's "New Amsterdam") and a time-traveling newspaper reporter (NBC's "Journeyman"), among others. Others include the aforementioned "Pushing Daisies" and "Reaper."

And let's not forget "Heroes: Origins," the new spinoff taking over when the original takes a hiatus next season.

One explanation for the trend is that in uncertain, perilous real-life times, viewers want otherworldly escapist entertainment. Or maybe it's just that old TV truth that anytime a show clicks big time like "Heroes," network lemmings rush over the copycat cliff.

• Formerly hot trend, now it's not: While "Heroes" and "Ugly Betty" proved there's an audience for more lighthearted serialized dramas and thrillers, a flock of scarier, darker, crime-focused thrillers flopped badly. Grimly intense new shows like "Smith," "Kidnapped," "The Nine," "Day Break" and "Vanished" all, well, vanished after only a few episodes last season.

• Geeks are giggly chic: NBC's "Chuck" is a comic spy thriller about a computer geek who accidentally downloads top-secret government files into his brain. Meanwhile, CBS's "The Big Bang Theory" follows the cockeyed sitcom exploits of two science nerds who take a dweeb shine to their pretty new neighbor. And at midseason, NBC has "The IT Crowd," a workplace sitcom about office info techies.

• Trend that's treading water: Standard, darkly downbeat crime procedurals like "CSI" and "Law & Order." This fall, we have supernatural sleuths. The only new crime dramas that fit into the nitty-gritty, non-supernatural groove are Fox's "K-Ville," about a police detective (Anthony Anderson, "The Shield") in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, and NBC's "Life," the tale of a police detective (Damian Lewis, "Band of Brothers") who rejoins the force after serving time in prison.

• Coolest late arrival: It may well be "The Return of Jezebel James," a Fox midseason sibling sitcom starring funny, fabulous indie movie queen Parker Posey, and dreamed up by "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino. Could be a witty winner.

• Cheap reality trick: How low can CBS go? Low enough to schedule "Kid Nation," a non-scripted "Lord of the Flies" fling with children from across the country who gather in a New Mexico ghost town -- minus parents and homey comforts -- to build their own youthful civilization from scratch. Hey, who gets to be the bully?

Merlin_Bodhi · 05-28-2007, 02:20 PM

Hey all...

Our very own Chandra Wilson is gonna be on Oprah today!!!

Robotica · 05-28-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin_Bodhi (View Post)

Hey all...

Our very own Chandra Wilson is gonna be on Oprah today!!!

Hopefully it'll be up on You Tube in the next couple of days or so...

Taped Katie's appearance on Ellen this morning...looking forward to watching that later...

mariem201 · 05-28-2007, 03:55 PM

Thanks, that is cool, love her!

Robotica · 05-28-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Special Report: Idol Thoughts
May 28, 2007
By Marc Berman/Mediaweek

NEW YORK Without Fox mega-hit American Idol clogging up the fourth-quarter airwaves, the window of opportunity is considerably greater Wednesday at 9 p.m. when two of the higher-profile new dramas—Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice on ABC and a remake of 1970s classic The Bionic Woman on NBC—will face each other. But is there much room for either opposite CBS sleeper success Criminal Minds? The positive news for Private Practice is the support from Grey's Anatomy, with expected crossover episodes. On the flipside, the high expectations might backfire if the show is not exceptionally good. Plus, there's unproven lead-in support from Pushing Daisies, a procedural fantasy crime drama. A second night of Deal or No Deal gives The Bionic Woman a potentially stronger cushion. But is the remake of any classic series ever really good? And won't NBC's overemphasis on other science-fiction dramas hurt the chances for this tale of a woman with sudden superhuman abilities? In all likelihood it will. Opposite the male-oriented Criminal Minds, soapy Private Practice has a greater chance of attracting female viewers who can't get enough of Grey's Anatomy. The Bionic Woman might attract some curiosity seekers, but the novelty is likely to quickly wear thin. The 1976-78 series, in fact, was not a long-running hit. So, I'm betting on Kate Walsh and her star-studded supporting cast (Taye Diggs, Amy Brenneman, Tim Daly) in Private Practice. But once Idol returns in fourth quarter, stand back. Even a declining American Idol is a force to be reckoned with.

**Bella Cullen** · 05-28-2007, 09:07 PM

When was it said we'd get crossover episodes?

I really hope we do, and if we do like once a season because i hate crossovers on most shows!!

Shouldn't PP stand on its own to see if its really a success, i mean i know they want it to work so i think they should have it on its own!

mcdreamylover · 05-29-2007, 08:25 AM

From Grey's Anatomy: Who's Staying, Who's Leaving, and Who's New? - Associated Content :

Quote:

Grey's Anatomy: Who's Staying, Who's Leaving, and Who's New?
By Kristina Jones
Throughout season 3 of Grey's Anatomy, two of the primary actors have been rumored to done with the show. Following the October incident where Isaiah Washington called T.R. Knight an anti-gay slur, both actors' security with the show had been in questioned. During the season three finale, there was no clear answer to who was coming and who was going. One thing was made clear to viewers, one if not more, cast members would be off the show in season 4.
Kate Walsh was the first cast member to be ousted from the show. Her departure is one for the better. The ABC network has been working with Grey's Anatomy writer, Shonda Rhimes, on a Grey's Anatomy spinoff. Kate Walsh will be starring as her Grey's Anatomy character, Dr. Addison Montgomery, in another medical television series called Private Practice. Taye Diggs will also be starring in the series, which is to debut fall 2007. Hopefully, there will be some interesting series crossovers between the two shows.

T.R. Knight almost has to return to Grey's Anatomy for at least part of season 4. His character, George O'Malley, is married to the new chief resident. There are even more questions surrounding the character's love triangle involving his wife and his best friend Izzie Stevens. Halfway through the season, there were rumors about T.R. Knight's departure from the hit television show. According to E! Online's Kristin, T.R. Knight will return in the fall to wrap things up.

During the final moments of the season three finale of Grey's Anatomy, Christina Yang (played by Sandra Oh) is seen ripping off a choker chain belonging to the Burke family. After the chain was off her neck, Christina Yang says "I'm free". This could be just one of the dramatic moments of Grey's Anatomy, but perhaps it is just a premonition for what is really to come.

It appears the show might have done away with Dr. Burke, who was played by the controversial Isaiah Washington. E! Online is reporting that Washington has been searching for a new job in both New York City and Los Angeles. If he is able to find a new job, it would take place during the upcoming season of Grey's Anatomy.

Even though one (maybe two) of the cast members will be leaving the show, there are rumors of a few other actresses joining the cast of Grey's Anatomy. First, Chyler Leigh has signed a contract. She has already appeared on the show and will play the role of Meredith Grey's younger sister Lacey Grey. Another actress, Tiffany Amber Thiessen, has been rumored to be joining the show this fall. Thiessen is rumored to play Dr. Derek Shepherd's sister, who happens to be a psychiatrist. With these two additions to the show, there might be some more dramatic moments for Meredith Grey.

More resources
www.eonline.com

mariem201 · 05-29-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdreamylover (View Post)

From Grey's Anatomy: Who's Staying, Who's Leaving, and Who's New? - Associated Content :

Wrapping things up makes it seem like TR will be back just to finish his story, aargh. I still think he is going to be back for the whole season. Letting him go would be stupid as George is such an integral character on the show. I am so tired of those will they, won't they? I am sure, in the end, we will learn both characters and actors are staying. But this helps keeping some viewers interested probably after the bad season.

Just to add though, if George goes, I am gone too for sure. His last episode will be mine.

josebajm · 05-29-2007, 09:57 AM

(First thing, my English is horrible, so I'm sorry if I make a mistake)

Kristin doesn't say that TR is going to return in the fall to wrap things up, she says "I'm hearing he's gonna be back (gotta wrap up that love triangle, not to mention his betrothed is the new chief resident!)".

I think that means that George will have to decide between Callie and Izzie, not that he will leave the show.

And this was my first post, and yes, I'm a huge Gizzie fan.

If TR leaves Grey's Anatomy, so do I.