Grey’s Shocker!
Huge news today for Grey’s Anatomy fans. Actress Brooke Smith, who plays Dr. Erica Hahn has been fired from the series. Dr. Hahn’s last show will air this Thursday. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Smith says she feels as though it was not Grey’s creator Shonda Rhimes’ decision to let her go, but rather the ABC brass that demanded it.
“She (Rhimes) did seem upset. I wasn’t having a very good week that week. I was like, ‘Oh, God, what is it with this business?!’ And she said, ‘No, no, no. You are such a great actress. We love you.’ It seemed like some decision came down from above. It didn’t feel like it was her.”
Rhimes issued the following statement to address the firing:
“Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian. Clearly it’s not an issue as we have a lesbian character on the show – Calliope Torres. Sara Ramirez is an incredible comedic and dramatic actress and we wanted to be able to play up her magic. Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke’s character would sustain in the long run. The impact of the Callie/Erica relationship will be felt and played out in a story for Callie. I believe it belittles the relationship to simply replace Erica with ‘another lesbian.’ If you’ll remember, Cristina mourned the loss of Burke for a full season.”
So what do you guys think? I think it had to do with the explicit way they were handling the storyline. All of those euphemisms and conversations with Sloan, etc. may have made many fans uncomfortable. I know around my office we have all discussed that we felt they were pushing the envelope too far and for no reason. Smith herself called some of the story “icky.”
Happy or sad to see Hahn go?
Read the full interview with Brooke Smith
November 4th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I’m bummed. I liked Dr. Hahn and the different attitude she brought to Seattle Grace and especially her interactions with Christina. I do agree that they might have taken things too far with the Callie/Erica storyline - most things don’t need to be spelled out. If it was a Mark/George thiing, you can bet that they wouldn’t be. We’re still in primetime tv…
The thing I don’t understand is why this Thursday is Hahn’s last show - don’t they generally film a month out if not more?
November 5th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I have been a fan of “Grey’s ” since the beginning.Last season and this season have let me down with their silly non-medical story-lines. I like relationship type shows, but this had become a high school , rather than a hospital. IMO… I think the ratings are sinking, and the bosses are not telling the real reason for the firing of Brooke Smith.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Jessica - They do film the show several weeks out, they just managed to keep this secret until this week. Brooke Smith was let go in early September. It’s rare a secret of this size stays a secret. I guess it shows Brooke is very classy - she could have said something and stirred it up weeks ago.
Marilyn - I agree - the show has gotten off track this season - love it, but some of the stuff is just way too over the top. And I guess we’ll never know the real reason they fired Brooke, but my guess is they weren’t happy with the season and needed a scapegoat. It’s unfortunate for her.
November 5th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Actually, after I read another article, I realized that she had been fired two months ago. I’m shocked they were able to keep it a secret that long! But also, reading how they (don’t) really end that story arc means that they should have kept her for another episode or two and wrapped it up properly.