Grey’s Anatomy

Tonight we get the clip show hosted by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. We’ll also see the newest Grey’s Anatomy music video. The new song is “The Story” by Brandi Carlile. If she follows the precedent of Snow Patrol and The Fray, Brandi is about to have a smash hit on her hands. We’ll finally be back to new episodes next week! I’ll have some dish on what’s in store for you tomorrow.

Grey’s Anatomy, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Brandi Carlile

This week in Parade Magazine, a reader asked if Grey’s Anatomy purposefully named Eric Dane’s character Dr. Mark Sloan after Dick Van Dyke’s Dr. Mark Sloan on Diagnosis Murder. HA! I laughed out loud. Of course, producer/writer Krista Vernoff said it was just a coincidence, but that’s just too cute. McSteamy named for Dick Van Dyke. Love it.

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Eric Dane, Dick Van Dyke, Dr. Mark Sloan, Krista Vernoff, McSteamy, Grey’s Anatomy

I hate to tell you guys, but this week’s Grey’s Anatomy will be ANOTHER rerun. The show will be back next week with a clip show hosted by Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Denny). Sigh. Oh well. We’ll have to find something else to hold us over, I guess.

Grey’s Anatomy, Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Katherine Heigl has signed on to a new movie called “27 Dresses.” In the movie she plays the perpetual bridesmaid, never the bride. Sounds cute!

Katherine Heigl, 27 Dresses

By now I’m sure you’ve heard that the “working title” for the Grey’s Anatomy spin off is “Private Practice.” Sigh. What a crappy title. Sorry to fuss, but seriously? That’s the best they can do? How about something like Addison’s Hollywood Hotness or Addison’s Men or Hot Guys and a Redhead? What do you guys think? Give me your best name ideas. Serious ones or not, let’s discuss!

Oh, more about the spin off here.

A little spoilerish, but not very much at all.

Grey’s Anatomy is keeping Jeffrey Dean Morgan almost as busy in death as it did in life. The actor — who braved shark-infested waters in February when he gave Meredith a purgatorial pep talk — is returning on April 12 to headline the show’s latest recap special. During a telephone chat last week, Morgan explained how this won’t be your standard clip show, disagreed that Grey’s jumped the shark when Meredith went to heaven, set the record straight about the status of his rumored-to-be-dead war-correspondents drama with Shonda Rhimes, and offered a few choice words about his big Supernatural comeback (the operative word being “few”).

Ausiello: How will this clip show be different?
Jeffrey Dean Morgan: They’re going to use me as an on-camera host. They’ve never done anything like that before. Usually it’s all voice-over. That’ll be interesting. I haven’t seen a script yet, so I’m kind of on pins and needles myself.

Ausiello: Rumor has it the Grey’s spin-off killed your war-correspondents drama. True?
JDM: I got a phone call from Shonda the day before the Grey’s spin-off was announced telling me that it does not affect my show whatsoever. As far as I know, we’re going into production this summer for a mid-season replacement next year. The idea would be to do six or 13 episodes. I know everybody’s saying it’s on the back burner or dying a slow, painful death, but I don’t think that’s the case. Until I hear differently, we’re moving forward with it. I haven’t heard differently, and believe me, I’ve checked. I make sure that no one’s forgetting about me over here.

Ausiello: Looking back, how do you think Denny’s February-sweeps return turned out?
JDM: Shonda called me and said, “Would you be willing to come back?” And I, of course, said, “Yeah,” hung up the phone and “How?” became an immediate question. And I don’t think even she knew exactly how that was going to play itself out. I got the script about a week before I went out there to shoot it, and even then I was like, “Is this going to work?” It’s kind of a big jump from what they normally do, but I thought it was pulled off beautifully. I was really excited to do Denny again. I thought we put him to bed last year, so any chance I get to play him I’m a happy guy.

Ausiello: What do you say to fans who think the show jumped the shark?
JDM: I don’t know if the show’s jumpin’ the shark if 30 million people are still tuning in to watch it. You’re going to always have your detractors, but the point is, it’s the No. 1 show on TV. I laugh off those comments. It’s a good show, the writing is spectacular, and it’s so well acted. I don’t think it’s jumping the shark. Fonzie is not putting on the shorts and waterskiing at this point. [Laughs]

Ausiello: I loved the final scene with Denny and Izzie brushing past each other. What was it like shooting it?
JDM: It was very bittersweet. When I originally was told I was coming back, I assumed I’d be with Katherine. I didn’t see the Meredith thing coming at all. So when I finally saw Katie that day and we did that scene, it was very bittersweet, because we spent so much time together. It was sad. That scene was such a cool scene to do, and the way [the director] shot it, it turned out beautifully. It was great. I wished Denny and Izzie could have reconnected more than that, but I thought that was so powerful and such a good way to end that story line. It was well worth it.

Ausiello: So the story is over?
JDM: I can only assume. I can’t see Denny coming back again. He walked into the white light, for god’s sake. I hope he’s not in purgatory in that hospital forever. I can’t imagine. But you never know. Sweeps week, something could change. [Laughs]

Ausiello: A lot has transpired behind the scenes since the last time you were on the set. Was the mood more tense?
JDM: The week I was there, we had a great time. It was a lot of fun seeing everybody again. There was a lot of excitement happening at that time. Patrick was just about to have his kids; the show just won the SAG award and the Golden Globe. It was pretty upbeat when I was around. I didn’t see any goofiness happening.

Ausiello: What can you tell me about your return to Supernatural?
JDM: I can’t confirm nor deny.

Ausiello: C’mon, we know you’re coming back.
JDM: I’ve been instructed to dummy up on Supernatural. I can’t say anything about that. Warner Bros. gave me specific directions: “Don’t say squat!” They know you, I guess, Mike.

Ausiello: Curses, foiled again!

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes

Patrick Dempsey, Katherine Heigl and Justin Chambers all made TV Guide’s list of 40 Sexiest TV Stars. Patrick graces the cover and Ellen talks about him in the magazine. She says that Patrick is much more laid back and funny in real life than Derek Shepard is and that he realizes Hollywood is a means to an end for him.

Justin talks about Katherine and says she is every bit the lady but can “belch like a truck driver.” And he says it is true, she’s as nice in person as everyone thinks.

Kate Walsh talks about Justin and says he is sexy because he loves his family. She also says that he is known for growling or barking before each take. Kate loves it because she is known for meowing or barking before each take to vocally warm up.

Wouldn’t it be fun to hang out on set one day?

Patrick Dempsey, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, Kate Walsh, Grey’s Anatomy

Yea! Instead of airing a rerun this Thursday, we’ll get a new episode of Grey’s Anatomy. TV Guide reports that ABC was encouraged by October Road’s ratings and wants to sustain momentum for that show’s second episode. Speaking of - did any of you watch it? I personally LOVE Brian Greenberg, but found the show to be hard to watch. The dialogue was rough and the whole show was a bit pretentious for my tastes. I’m hoping they’ll get it together soon.

Grey’s Anatomy, Brian Greenberg, October Road

Sandra Oh is on the April cover of Marie Claire. She looks fabulous in the pictures and the article is very good. I have to say, she’s won me over as a Christina fan, too.

Sandra Oh, Marie Claire, Grey’s Anatomy

As if the recent cast of the special two-hour Grey’s wasn’t already big enough, another cast member has been announced. Any Judging Amy fans? It seems like we’re finally hearing about another lady joining the crew–Amy Brenneman. You might also remember her from NYPD Blue, Daylight, and Heat. There’s no word yet as to which cast members in particular will become part of the spin off. Grey’s Anatomy is keeping this one a secret!

Grey’s Anatomy, Amy Brenneman, Kate Walsh, Grey’s Anatomy spin-off, Judging Amy

Kate Walsh is just all over the news these days. She’s on the cover of the spring edition of O at Home Magazine. Inside she shows off her lovely home and quips, “I feel like I just married myself” after her purchase of good China.

She’s also busy telling the press that Katherine Heigl is “super-talented” and “professional.” (I love that she’s always commenting on how great the cast is.)

And more spin off news — People is reporting that Wings alum Tim Daly will also be in the two hour episode of Grey’s Anatomy that will serve as the pilot for Kate’s spin off. Somewhere Crystal Bernard is shaking her head and screaming at her agent.

And if any of you are Prison Break fans, Paul Adelstein, who plays Paul Kellerman on PB will also be in the episode. And we already know that Taye Diggs will also be in the episode. And TV Guide reported late yesterday that Chris Lowell (currently “Piz” on Veronica Mars) has also been cast in the pilot for the spin off. The news was posted then removed, so who knows. I’m wondering if Addison will be getting a job offer at an all male hospital? Seriously, what’s the deal with all the guys? (And I am NOT complaining!)

Whew, that’s a lot of news.

Grey’s Anatomy, Kate Walsh, Tim Daly, Crystal Bernard, Paul Adelstein, Taye Diggs, Chris Lowell

So what exactly were the repercussions of Isaiah Washington’s recent bad behavior? Let’s see, there was a trip to rehab and what else? During his acceptance speech at the 38th Annual NAACP Awards over the weekend, he said last year when he won he felt deserving, but this year he was just grateful to be there at all. So maybe he really has changed his tune. I hope for the sake of the rest of the cast he has. And besides, I want to see what’s next for Burke.

But, it does appear that he’s getting the proverbial wrist slap from the network in the form of less cash than his castmates. Sources are claiming that, “Isaiah knows it is his fault that he may not get the fat raise he was going to get. ABC doesn’t have to give him anything - he is under contract for seven years - and this is going to cost him millions. It’s just a bitter pill he is going to have to swallow.”

Hmm…. this sounds about right. I’m sure we’ll continue to hear all kinds of rumors on contract renegotiations for the next few weeks. I’ll be glad when all that off screen drama is over with!

Isaiah Washington, Grey’s Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy once again brought home some hardware at this year’s NAACP Image Awards. Isaiah Washington won for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series.

Chandra Wilson picked up Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series went to Creator/Producer Shonda Rhimes for the episode “It’s The End of The World.”

And the show won Best Drama

James Pickens, his wife, Shonda, Eric Dane, Justin Chambers and Chandra

Anyone else think it is weird that James brought his wife on stage?

Congratulations to the cast!

Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes, Chandra Wilson, Isaiah Washington, Justin Chambers, Eric Dane, James Pickens

Rumors have been spreading since late February that Kate Walsh and Brothers and Sisters star Dave Annable are dating. The pair were spotted at an InStyle party on Feb. 23 looking all cozy. And they appear in a photo in the new issue of People Magazine (the one with Daddy Patrick Dempsey and his twins on the cover). In that picture, he has his arm around her at an Oscar Party. Too bad I had no luck finding that one online, but here’s the first picture I mentioned. For all we know they may just be pals, but I think they’re super cute together and hopefully this will put to rest the rumors that Dave is dating his on screen mother Sally Field. (Yes, you read that right).

Grey’s Anatomy, Kate Walsh, Dave Annable, Patrick Dempsey, Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters

Wow. Katherine Heigl decided to respond publicly to this week’s contract drama. Here’s what she had to say:

“I am embarrassed that this has become a public matter and disappointed that Touchstone felt it necessary to divulge private employment information. I had hoped I would be able to deal with this issue confidentially with my bosses. I dropped out of the renegotiation simply because I wanted to treat myself with the respect I was not getting from them. No matter how unhappy I am about their decision to respond to this publicly, I continue to be passionate about and committed to this character.�?

Bottom line is this - Katie should be treated as well as the other supporting players on the show. If she isn’t, then I don’t blame her for getting upset. She is still contracted for three more seasons of the show and if she were to leave, she would owe Touchstone lots of money. So go ahead and grab that Snickers, she’s not going anywhere for a while.

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Katherine Heigl, Grey’s Anatomy