Grey's Anatomy 1660277 225401387 2008-07-13T14:14:44Z Pete Wall 2081367 /* Cast and characters */ Link to the correct mark sloan {{pp-semi|small=yes}} {{two other uses|the television series|the anatomy textbook|Gray's Anatomy|the 1996 film|Gray's Anatomy (film)}} {{Infobox Television | show_name = Grey’s Anatomy | image = [[Image:Greysanatomy-title.jpg|250px]] | caption = ''Grey’s Anatomy'' intertitle | genre = [[Medical drama]], [[Comedy-drama]] | creator = [[Shonda Rhimes]] | starring =[[Ellen Pompeo]] <br> [[Sandra Oh]] <br> [[Katherine Heigl]]<br> [[Justin Chambers]] <br> [[T. R. Knight]] <br> [[Chandra Wilson]] <br> [[James Pickens, Jr.]] <br> [[Kate Walsh (actress)|Kate Walsh]] <br /><small>(2005-2007)</small> <br> [[Sara Ramírez]] <br> [[Eric Dane]] <br> [[Chyler Leigh]] <br> [[Brooke Smith (actress)|Brooke Smith]] <br> [[Isaiah Washington]] <br /><small>(2005-2007)</small> <br> [[Patrick Dempsey]] | narrated = [[Ellen Pompeo]]<br /><small>(as Meredith)</small>, <small>occasionally narrated by other main cast characters</small> | theme_music_composer = [[Psapp]] | opentheme = "[[Grey's Anatomy#Music|Cosy in the Rocket]]" | country = {{USA}} | language = [[English language|English]] | num_seasons = 4 | num_episodes = 78 <!--(as of May 22, 2008)--> | list_episodes = List of Grey's Anatomy episodes | executive_producer = [[Shonda Rhimes]] <br> [[Betsy Beers]] <br> [[Mark Gordon]] <br> [[Krista Vernoff]] <br> [[Rob Corn]] <br> [[Mark Wilding]] | location = [[Los Angeles]] | runtime = approx. 43 minutes | network = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] | picture_format = [[480i]] ([[SDTV]])<br>[[720p]] ([[HDTV]]) | audio_format = [[Stereo]], [[Dolby Digital|Dolby Digital 5.1]] | first_aired = [[March 27]], [[2005]] | last_aired = present | related = ''[[Private Practice]]'' | website= http://abc.go.com/primetime/greysanatomy | tv_com_id = 24440 | imdb_id = 0413573 }} '''''Grey’s Anatomy''''' is an [[Emmy]] and [[Golden Globe]] award-winning [[United States of America|American]] [[primetime]] [[television]] [[medical drama]]. It debuted on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] as a [[midseason replacement]] for ''[[Boston Legal]]'' on [[March 27]], [[2005]], immediately following ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''. The series revolves around [[Meredith Grey|Dr. Meredith Grey]] ([[Ellen Pompeo]]), who began the show as a surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital in Seattle. The title of the show is a reference to the famous medical handbook [[Gray's Anatomy]]. On [[February 11]], [[2008]], [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] picked up ''Grey’s Anatomy'' for the [[2008-09 United States network television schedule|2008-09]] television season.<ref>[http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003709560 ABC Announces Scripted Show Renewals<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, there is a possibility that the production of Season 5 of ''Grey’s Anatomy'' will be affected by the upcoming [[2008 Screen Actors Guild strike|Screen Actors Guild strike]].<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080619/tv_nm/actors_television_dc_3 TV Networks Brace for Potential Actors Strike], ''Yahoo!'', [[June 19]] [[2008]]</ref> ==Cast and characters== {{main|List of characters from Grey's Anatomy}} The characters of the series include a group of surgical interns and the various physicians who serve as mentors to the interns in their professional and personal lives. The show's producers used a "[[blind-casting]]" technique, resulting in a racially diverse cast. All roles for Grey’s Anatomy are cast without the characters' race being pre-specified, in keeping with creator [[Shonda Rhimes]]' vision of diversity.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/08/arts/television/08foge.html?pagewanted=print 'Grey’s Anatomy' Goes Colorblind], ''The New York Times'', [[May 8]], [[2005]]</ref> Towards the end of the third season, candidacy for the position of Chief Resident among the residents became a prominent subject, for [[Callie Torres|Dr. Callie Torres]] and especially for [[Miranda Bailey|Dr. Miranda Bailey]]. The race for Chief of Surgery between [[Addison Forbes Montgomery|Dr. Addison Montgomery]], [[Derek Shepherd|Dr. Derek Shepherd]], [[Mark Sloan (Grey's Anatomy)|Dr. Mark Sloan]] and especially [[Preston Burke|Dr. Preston Burke]] highlighted the final few episodes of the third season. As of the third season finale, [[Meredith Grey|Dr. Meredith Grey]], [[Cristina Yang|Dr. Cristina Yang]], [[Izzie Stevens|Dr. Izzie Stevens]] and [[Alex Karev|Dr. Alex Karev]] have become second-year residents, except [[George O'Malley|Dr. George O'Malley]] who failed his intern exam by a single point. The fourth season introduced [[Lexie Grey|Dr. Lexie Grey]], a first-year intern; as well as [[Erica Hahn|Dr. Erica Hahn]], as the new Head of Cardiothoracic surgery. {|class="wikitable" |-bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !Level !Character !Actor !Specialty <small>(where selected) !Starring |- |rowspan="2"|[[Internship (medicine)|Intern]] |[[George O'Malley]] |[[T. R. Knight]] | |Season 1 - |- |[[Lexie Grey]] |[[Chyler Leigh]] | |Season 4 - <small>(Season 3; guest) |- |rowspan="6"|[[Residency (medicine)|Resident]] |[[Meredith Grey]] |[[Ellen Pompeo]] | |Season 1 - |- |[[Christina Yang]] |[[Sandra Oh]] | |Season 1 - |- |[[Izzie Stevens]] |[[Katherine Heigl]] | |Season 1 - |- |[[Alex Karev]] |[[Justin Chambers]] | |Season 1 - |- |[[Miranda Bailey]] |[[Chandra Wilson]] |Chief Resident, [[General Surgery]] |Season 1 - |- |[[Callie Torres]] |[[Sara Ramírez]] |[[Orthopedics]] |Season 3 - <small>(season 2; recurring<ref>http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0708381/filmoseries#tt0413573</ref>) |- |rowspan="6"|[[Attending physician|Attending]] |[[Richard Webber]] |[[James Pickens, Jr.]] |Chief of Surgery, General Surgery |Season 1 - |- |[[Derek Shepherd]] |[[Patrick Dempsey]] |Head of [[Neurosurgery]] |Season 1 - |- |[[Mark Sloan (Grey's Anatomy)|Mark Sloan]] |[[Eric Dane]] |Head of [[Plastic Surgery]] |Season 3 - <small>(season 2; guest) |- |[[Erica Hahn]] |[[Brooke Smith (actress)|Brooke Smith]] |Head of [[Cardiothoracic surgery|Cardiothoracic Surgery]] |Season 4 - <small>(Season 2, 3; guest) |- |[[Addison Forbes Montgomery|Addison Montgomery]] |[[Kate Walsh (actor)|Kate Walsh]] |Former Head of [[Obstetrics|Neo-Natal]] Surgery; [[Obstetrics and Gynecology|OB-GYN]] |Season 2 - 3 <small>(Season 1, 4; guest) |- |[[Preston Burke]] |[[Isaiah Washington]] |Former Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery |Season 1 - 3 |} ==Seasons== {{seealso|List of Grey's Anatomy episodes}} ===Season One: 2005=== {{main|Grey's Anatomy episodes (Season 1)}} :''[[Nielsen Media|Nielsen]] Ranking (2004-05 U.S. TV season; based on average total viewers per episode):'' '''#9 (18.5 million viewers)'''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471|publisher=[[Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 27, 2005|title=2004-05 Final audience and ratings figures}}</ref> [[Image:Greys-anatomy-1-cast.jpg|thumb|250px|The season 1 cast of ''Grey’s Anatomy'']]Season one began airing Sunday, [[March 27]], [[2005]] and ended on [[May 22]], [[2005]]. The first season was shortened by the network to nine episodes instead of 14. (The original season finale was "Bring the Pain."). Meredith Grey, the daughter of the once-renowned surgeon Ellis Grey, becomes an intern at the Seattle Grace Hospital. She meets fellow interns Cristina Yang, Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, and George O'Malley who would be her closest friends during the intern program. Other characters include Dr. Miranda Bailey, nicknamed "Nazi" due to her "[[tough love]]" capability; Alex Karev, an intern who is not very popular with the others (especially Izzie); and renowned surgeons Dr. Derek Shepherd and Dr. Preston Burke. The chief of surgery is Richard Webber, who was once more than close friends with Meredith's mother. The season chronicles the first few months of the internship program and the day-to-day life of a surgical intern. Recurring plots include Meredith's battle to keep her mother's [[Alzheimer's disease]] a secret and her relationship with Dr. Shepherd. Others include George's infatuation with Meredith and a power struggle between Dr. Burke and Dr. Shepherd in the hospital. The season's end introduces Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd, Derek's estranged wife. Although for other areas where the season was aired, the season end is Meredith waiting (Season 2, Episode 5). ===Season Two: 2005-2006=== {{main|Grey's Anatomy episodes (Season 2)}} ''[[Nielsen]] Ranking (2005-06 U.S. TV season; based on average total viewers per episode):'' '''#5 (21.3 million viewers)'''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393|publisher=[[Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 26, 2006|title=2005-06 primetime wrap}}</ref> [[Image:Fullcast-s2a.jpg|thumb|250px|The season 2 cast of ''Grey’s Anatomy'']]The second season aired Sunday, [[September 25]], [[2005]], and ended on [[May 14]] and [[May 15]], [[2006]] with a three-hour finale spanning both nights. The first season had originally contained 14 episodes, representing ABC's original midseason order for the show. However, it was decided to end the season early because ABC executives wished for the show's first season to end with ABC's ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' (which had the timeslot before ''Grey’s Anatomy'' for the first two seasons). Rather than condensing or throwing out plotlines, ''Grey’s Anatomy'' producers chose to end the first season with the ninth episode and save the following episodes for the second season. Episodes 10-14 were then held and broadcast as the first five episodes of Season 2. ABC ordered 22 episodes in addition to the five being carried over, bringing the total number of episodes for the second season to 27. ''Bring the Pain'', which aired as the series' 14th episode, has been cited in series creator Shonda Rhimes' blog as having been originally intended as the first season finale.<ref>[http://www.greyswriters.com/2005/11/from_shonda_rhi.html Grey Matter<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The second season focuses on Meredith and Derek's relationship, which came to an abrupt halt when it was revealed that Derek is married to surgeon Addison Montgomery. Izzie and Alex embark on a relationship of their own (although cut short when Izzie falls for heart patient Denny Duquette), as do Cristina Yang and Preston Burke. Doctor Baily becomes pregnant, and more is revealed about her personal life. On some of the weeks airing after its highly-watched [[February 5]], [[2006]] post-Super Bowl episode, the program attracted more viewers than its lead-in, ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''. Once the second season ended on May 15, 2006, the show had two previously recurring actors, Sarah Ramirez (Callie Torres) and Eric Dane (Mark Sloan), join the regular cast. The series' opening credit sequence was also dropped by the last half of the second season, replaced by a title card displayed at the end of the first act and credits displayed over the opening of the second act of each episode. ===Season Three: 2006-2007=== {{main|Grey's Anatomy episodes (Season 3)}} ''[[Nielsen Ratings|Nielsen]] Ranking (2006-07 U.S. TV season; based on average total viewers per episode):'' '''#4 (22.3 million viewers)<ref name="HRwrap2006-07">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfdd1bcb53266ad8d9a71cad261604f|source=Hollywood Reporter|date=[[May 25]] [[2007]]|title=Hollywood Reporter: 2006-07 primetime wrap}}</ref>''' [[Image:Greys-anatomy-3-cast.JPG|thumb|250px|The season 3 cast of ''Grey’s Anatomy'']]On [[May 16]] [[2006]], the morning following the close of the second season, ABC announced plans for a third season of ''Grey’s Anatomy'' to anchor the network's Thursday evening programming,<ref name="zap2it06">[http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-abc-upfront-grid,0,7505738.story ABC Fall 2006 Schedule, Zap2It.com], July 11, 2006</ref> set to air at 9 p.m. [[North American Eastern Time Zone|ET]]. ABC first tested the series' potential for Thursday audiences on [[February 9]], [[2006]], as it aired an encore of the [[Super Bowl XL]]-leadout episode titled "It's the End of the World." The following Thursday, [[February 16]], [[2006]], the network repeated the second part of the story arc, "(As We Know It)." Both airings began at 9:30 p.m. ET, and thus positioned ''Grey’s Anatomy'' against CBS' ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' and ''[[Without a Trace]]'', Fox Network's ''[[The OC]]'', and NBC's long-running medical drama ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]''. Solid performance on these nights, with the repeat airings maintaining a strong second-place finish, may have been influential in the fall scheduling decision. The move to Thursdays was viewed as a vote of confidence in the series from ABC, as well as a bid to attract more advertising dollars, since movie studios heavily advertise movies on Thursday evenings for that weekend's box office. The move was cited as one factor for competing network [[NBC]]'s decision to move its own ''[[Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip]]'', originally intended to air Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. ABC announced on [[July 18]], [[2006]], that the third season would premiere on [[September 21]], [[2006]]. The series assumed its new Thursday slot on [[July 6]], [[2006]], as part of a two-hour event featuring a repeat of the pilot episode, "A Hard Day's Night." Throughout July and August, the series aired twice weekly — once in the new Thursday time period, and once in its previous Sunday time period. ''Grey’s Anatomy'' performed strongly in the show's new timeslot in its season premiere. It was able to snatch away the #1 position from ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' during the 9 p.m. hour, bringing in an impressive 25.14 million viewers throughout the hour and a strong 10.9 rating in the vital 18-49 demographic. In comparison, ''CSI'''s season premiere earned a competitive 22.04 million total viewership and a 7.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic.<ref name="medialife">[http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman/publish/article_7475.asp Media Life Magazine]</ref> The third season ended on May 17, 2007. As the season came to a close, Burke called off his wedding to Cristina at the church, Chief Webber stayed on as the Chief of Surgery, Callie was appointed Chief Resident, and George learned he failed the final intern exam. The relationship between Derek and Meredith, as well as the triangle between Callie, George, and Izzie were left unresolved. Addison decides to start a new life in Los Angeles in the spin-off ''[[Private Practice]]''. ===Season Four: 2007-2008=== {{main|Grey's Anatomy episodes (Season 4)}} [[Image:Normal 1001.jpg|thumb|250px|The season 4 cast of ''Grey’s Anatomy'']] The show was renewed for a fourth season, with the first episode airing on [[September 27]], [[2007]]. In the official blog, creator Shonda Rhimes gave a few clues as to plotlines for season four, indicating that [[Mark Sloan]] will be given a bigger role and in the aftermath of the finale, events for [[Derek Shepherd]] and [[Cristina Yang]] will be "interesting to watch."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.greyswriters.com/2007/05/shonda_rhimes_o_1.html|publisher=[http://www.greyswriters.com/ Grey Matter]|date=([[May 17]], [[2007]])|title=Shonda Rhimes on Burning Down The House...}}</ref> Due to her producing responsibilities on both ''Grey’s'' and the [[Private Practice|spin-off]], Rhimes assigned the day-to-day showrunning duties to writer and executive producer [[Krista Vernoff]].<ref>'' 'Grey' shifts for Vernoff, Noxon'' [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3iaf82321e51c9ae09a55c8263388d21aa The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> For the first time in the show's history, many of the series regulars were not returning. [[Kate Walsh (actor)|Kate Walsh]]'s character was transferred to the ''Grey’s Anatomy'' spin-off, ''[[Private Practice]]''. On [[June 7]], [[2007]], it was announced that [[Isaiah Washington]]'s contract had not been renewed.<ref name="MA-2007-06-07">Ausiello, Michael. [http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Greys-Fires/800016659 "Exclusive! Grey’s Fires Isaiah Washington"] Dr. Erica Hahn replaced Burke as head of cardiothoracic surgery, dubbed "the new Burke" and it is likely a new character will replace Addison Montgomery in the field of pediatric surgery. ''Ausiello-Report''. [[TV Guide]] ([[June 7]], [[2007]])</ref> Former ''[[Reunion (TV series)|Reunion]]'' star, [[Chyler Leigh]], guest starred in the final two episodes of season three as Lexie Grey, a new intern and Meredith Grey’s younger half-sister. On [[June 11]], [[2007]], it was announced that Leigh would become a series regular, instead of a 13 episode story arc as previously planned.<ref>[http://www.glitteratigossip.com/glitterati/2007/07/doomed-chyler-l.html Glitterati Gossip: Doomed? Chyler Leigh Added to ''Grey’s Anatomy''<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The character [[Erica Hahn|Dr. Erica Hahn]] (''[[The Silence of the Lambs]]'' fame actress [[Brooke Smith (actress)|Brooke Smith]]) joined the main cast, reprising her antagonizing role in the season's fifth episode. She replaces Preston Burke as head of Cardiothoracics. Upon her return, she makes Sandra Oh's character, [[Cristina Yang]] work harder for her success in Cardiothoracics and initially served as a new love interest for [[Eric Dane]]'s [[Mark Sloan]]. <ref>[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-ca-convers28oct28,1,6457315.story?coll=la-entnews-tv&ctrack=1&cset=true 'Anatomy' of a career move], ''LATimes.com'', [[October 26]], [[2007]]</ref> It was reported that a new male character would be introduced. This character would somehow be in "competition" with Dr. Derek Shepherd.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/abc-grey-anatomy-planning-add-several-new-cast-members-1012516.php |title= ABC's 'Grey’s Anatomy' planning to add several new cast members}}</ref> Fourth season guest stars included former ''[[Gilmore Girls]]'' actor [[Edward Herrmann]] who appeared in three episodes. [[Seth Green]] of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' fame guest starred in a two-part episode.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071011/tv_nm/sethgreen_dc_1 Seth Green calls in sick for "Grey’s"], ''Yahoo!'', [[October 11]], [[2007]]</ref> [[Lauren Stamile]] plays a scrub nurse named Rose, who became a potential love interest for Derek.<ref>[http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-laurenstamilegreysanatomycasting,0,6140336.story "Grey’s Anatomy" Casts Mystery Woman], ''Zap2It.com'', [[October 5]], [[2007]]</ref> ''[[Dawson's Creek]]'' alumnus [[Joshua Jackson]] was scheduled to make his return to television in a multi-episode arc as a doctor with his first appearance in the season's eleventh episode.<ref>[http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-joshuajacksongreysanatomycasting,0,5817254.story?coll=zap-tv-headlines Casting: 'Grey’s Anatomy' Picks Up Pacey], ''Zap2It.com'', [[October 22]], [[2007]]</ref> Jackson's appearance was cancelled due to the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]].<ref>[http://www.teentelevision.com/d/164960/1002/jacksons-tv-comeback-derailed-by-strikes.html Jackson's TV Comeback Derailed By Strikes], ''TeenTelevision.com'', [[December 14]], [[2007]]</ref> [[Kate Walsh (actress)|Kate Walsh]] returned as Dr. Addison Montgomery on May 1. On [[February 20]], [[2008]], it was confirmed that ''Grey’s Anatomy'' would return on [[April 24]], [[2008]] for five new episodes.<ref>[http://tv.ign.com/articles/853/853797p1.html ''Lost'' New Timeslot Confirmed/ ABC also announces return dates for ''Boston Legal'', ''Desperate Housewives'', ''Grey’s Anatomy'' and more], ''IGN.com'', [[February 20]], [[2008]]</ref> ''[[Grey's_Anatomy episodes (Season_4)#Where the Wild Things Are|Where the Wild Things Are]]'' was the first episode shown after the incubation resulted from WGA strike. The double episode finale ([[Grey's_Anatomy episodes (Season_4)#Freedom|Freedom]]) aired [[May 22]], [[2008]].It was centered around Meredith having a huge breakthrough with her personal life including Derek and her mother. Derek also realized he continually failed Meredith. Meredith and Derek preformed clinical trials on patients with brain tumors. They lost all of their patients except for one whose boyfriend died just before her life saving surgery. After finally succeeding, Meredith finally took a risk and reunited with Derek. Almost all the cast had a kiss, including Meredith and Derek, George and Lexie, Richard and Adelle, Alex and Izzie, and, Erica and Callie. To prepare for the lesbian story line, which will continue in season five, Grey’s consulted with GLAAD.<ref>http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2008/6/greysanatomy</ref> We also learned about Alex's needy mother and part of his past. After Meredith and Derek's resumption of their relationship, Derek left to break up with Rose, his girlfriend who had come between the two previously. ===Season Five: 2008-2009=== It has been confirmed that ''Grey’s Anatomy'' will have a fifth season starting sometime this Fall. There is also a possibility that the production of the fifth season could be delayed because of the possibility of a [[2008 Screen Actors Guild strike|Screen Actors Guild strike]].<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1816772,00.html Another Strike in Hollywood?], ''TIME.com'', [[June 20]] [[2008]]</ref> ==Production== ===Locations=== [[Fisher Plaza]], which houses [[Seattle]]'s [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate [[KOMO-TV]], is used for some exterior shots of Seattle Grace Hospital. This puts Seattle Grace conveniently close to the [[Space Needle]], the [[Seattle Monorail]], and other local landmarks. However, the hospital used for most other exterior and many interior shots is not in Seattle; these scenes are shot at the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center in [[North Hills, Los Angeles, California|North Hills]], [[California]].<ref> ''Grey’s Anatomy'' Season 1 DVD cast commentary</ref> While the interior of Meredith's house is a built set, the actual home used for exterior shots is in Seattle. ===Rise to prominence=== In 2005, ABC gave the hit show a vote of confidence by announcing that ''Grey’s Anatomy'' would receive the coveted post-[[Super Bowl]] time slot which aired on [[February 5]], [[2006]].<ref name="zap2it2005">[http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C98318%7C1%7C,00.html "'Anatomy' Lesson Follows on Super Bowl"] Zap2It, October 31, 2005.</ref> The special episode pulled in a record 38.1 million viewers. The network's faith in the show was proven further when it removed it from its comfortable post-''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' berth and scheduled it opposite the [[CBS]] ratings blockbuster ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' in fall 2006. The gamble paid off, with the season premiere drawing 3 million more viewers than ''CSI''. The series has twice been featured as a subject of special episodes of the [[ABC News]] program ''[[20/20]]'', including one 2006 episode on the realism of the sometimes outlandish medical stories of ''Grey’s Anatomy'', and real cases similar to them.<ref name="broken">[http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=1950767&page=1 "When a Broken Heart Feels Like a Heart Attack"], June 22, 2006, ABCNews.com</ref><ref name="thriving">[http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/story?id=1951748&page=1 "Thriving on Half a Brain"], May 12, 2006, ABCNews.com</ref> Additionally, a 2005 broadcast of ABC News ''[[Nightline]]'' more specifically covered ''Grey’s Anatomy’s'' multiracial cast and race relations depiction in entertainment. ==Isaiah Washington controversy== In October 2006 as season 3 began, the show's actors attracted media attention when [[Isaiah Washington|Washington]] was alleged to have referred to [[T.R. Knight]] as a "faggot" during an on-set altercation with Patrick Dempsey. Afterwards, cast member T.R. Knight came out about his sexual orientation following media speculation. While Washington denied using the word, he issued a public statement apologizing for his "unfortunate use of words." ===Golden Globes=== The controversy later reignited at the [[2007 Golden Globe Awards]]. After the show won for [[List of Golden Globe Awards: Television, Best Series, Drama|Best Drama Series]], the cast and crew appeared in the press room to answer reporters' questions. While creator Shonda Rhimes was being asked about the incident, Washington unexpectedly stepped in front of the microphone and stated: "No, I did not call T.R. a faggot." (The [[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] placed the footage on [http://www.hfpa.org/videogallery/video/49556/index.html their website]) Afterwards, in an interview with ''[[Access Hollywood]]'', Katherine Heigl criticized Washington for revisiting the incident publicly and using the slur in the press room, and said "he needs to just not speak in public. Period." Later that week, Knight appeared on [[Ellen DeGeneres]]' [[The Ellen DeGeneres Show|daytime talk show]] and said he and others had heard Washington use the slur during the October incident. ===Aftermath=== The [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation]] then called on Washington to apologize.<ref name="fight">[http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=2335b61f-822a-4d64-b1bd-35f5a494c2e3 Grey’s Stars Still Seeing Red over Slur], January 17, 2007, eonline.com</ref> Network executives went on to reprimand Washington, who then agreed to undergo counseling and issued a statement saying: "I can neither defend nor explain my behavior...I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help." In an effort to try to come clean with the viewers, Washington surprisingly checked into a residential treatment facility to undergo a psychological assessment for the slur. ===Dismissal=== However, on [[June 7]] [[2007]] ABC announced they had decided not to renew Washington's contract, and that he would be dropped from the show. "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore," Washington said in a statement released by his publicist.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Washington Out of `Grey's Anatomy' |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/08/AR2007060800015.html |format= |work=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher= |id= |pages= |page= |date=2007-06-08 |accessdate=2007-06-08 |language= |quote= }}</ref> He has also spoken out about the controversy and said that "I have to clear my name. I'll start from the beginning. I'm telling everything. So here's the truth ... I used the word during a disagreement with Patrick Dempsey. I apologized for that. We shook hands and went back to work." He has also stated that it was Knight who spun the slur into a personal attack, alleging it may have been to increase his salary or storylines and is considering legal action. He has stated that [[Patrick Dempsey]] will support him in saying the previous statement.<ref>[http://www.edmontonsun.com/Entertainment/OtherEntertainment/2007/06/23/4284045-sun.html edmontonsun.com - Other Entertainment - Grey’s star sees red over firing<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Since then Isaiah Washington has spoken about the firing and has said that he was not mad but "saddened" by his firing. He also said that if he was asked to make a [[cameo appearance]] on the show, he would not hesitate to say "yes".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pr-inside.com/washington-i-d-consider-a-grey-s-anatomy-r155519.htm |title= WASHINGTON: 'I'D CONSIDER A GREY'S ANATOMY CAMEO'}}</ref> ==Private Practice== {{main|Private Practice}} On [[February 21]], [[2007]], ''[[:The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that ABC was pursuing a [[spin-off (media)|spin-off]] of ''Grey’s Anatomy'' featuring the character Addison Montgomery.<ref name="WSJ spinoff article">{{cite web |url=http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB117203280453414676-lMyQjAxMDE3NzIyMTAyMzEyWj.html |title=Delicate Surgery on 'Grey’s Anatomy' |accessdate=2007-02-22 |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |date=2007-02-21 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> On May 3, 2007, a two-hour episode of ''Grey’s Anatomy'' doubled as a [[Television pilot#Backdoor pilots|backdoor pilot]] for the proposed spinoff. ABC officially picked up ''[[Private Practice]]'' for its fall 2007 lineup on [[May 11]]. The series aired its first nine episodes during fall 2007 on Wednesday nights on 9:00PM Eastern/8:00PM Central, premiering on [[September 26]], [[2007]] on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. The premiere episode followed the second part of the season debut of ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' and provided a lead-in to fellow freshman series ''[[Dirty Sexy Money]]''. ''[[Pushing Daisies]]'', a third new series for the evening, rounded out the evening's lineup as a lead-in to ''Private Practice'' on October 3, 2007.<ref>[http://abcmedianet.com/specials/upfront07/docs/upfront07.pdf], ABC MediaNet, [[May 15]], [[2007]]</ref> ===Reception=== While the series garnered generally favorable ratings and a full-season episode order from ABC, production was halted on ''Private Practice'' after the ninth episode, due to the WGA strike which similarly halted the fourth season of ''Grey’s Anatomy''. Upon resolution of the strike, ABC announced ''Private Practice'' would resume broadcasts of new episodes at the start of the 2008-2009 season, retaining its timeslot alongside the other two series it had accompanied on Wednesday evenings in fall 2007, if the [[2008 Screen Actors Guild strike|Screen Actors' strike]] doesn't begin first. ==Reception== ===U.S. television ratings=== Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of ''Grey’s Anatomy''. ''Note: Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of [[Nielsen Ratings|May sweeps]].'' {| class="wikitable" |- style="background-color:#E0E0E0" valign="bottom" ! Season ! Timeslot ! Season Premiere ! Season Finale ! TV Season ! Ranking ! Viewers<BR>(in millions) |- style="background-color:#E0E0E0" |- style="background-color:#F9F9F9" | '''1''' | Sunday 10:00PM | [[March 27]], [[2005]] | [[May 22]], [[2005]] | 2005 | #9 ! 18.5 |- style="background-color:#F9F9F9" | '''2''' | Sunday 10:00PM | [[September 25]], [[2005]] | [[May 15]], [[2006]] | 2005–2006 | #5 ! 19.9 |- style="background-color:#F9F9F9" | '''3''' | Thursday 9:00PM | [[September 20]], [[2006]] | [[May 17]], [[2007]] | 2006–2007 | #4 ! 19.5<ref name="HRwrap2006-07">{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfdd1bcb53266ad8d9a71cad261604f|source=Hollywood Reporter|date=[[May 25]] [[2007]]|title=Hollywood Reporter: 2006-07 primetime wrap}}</ref> |- style="background-color:#F9F9F9" | '''4''' | Thursday 9:00PM | [[September 27]], [[2007]] | [[May 22]], [[2008]] | 2007–2008 | #10 ! 15.9<ref name="ABC Medianet Seasonal Rankings">{{cite news|url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/progcal/dispDNR.aspx?id=052808_06|date=[[May 28]] [[2008]]|title= ABC Medianet: Season Program Rankings}}</ref> |- style="background-color:#F9F9F9" |} ===Awards=== Among many others Grey’s Anatomy is an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning television show. {{main|List of Grey's Anatomy awards and nominations}} ==DVD releases== [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] (formerly Buena Vista Home Entertainment) has released seasons 1, 2 and 3 of ''Grey’s Anatomy'' on DVD in Region 1 & Region 2. Season 4 (Region 1) will be available for DVD and Blu-Ray on [[September 9]],[[2008]]. <ref name="thirty-two">[http://news.tvonmedia.com/tvom_news_by_show/Lost-Greys-Anatomy-4th-Season.shtml Joint Press Release for 4th Seasons of Lost & Grey’s Anatomy] TVOnMedia.com - Jeff Hodges (04/28/2008)</ref> '''Season releases''' {| class="wikitable" !DVD Name!!Release Date!!Ep #!! Discs !! Additional Information |- |Season 1 [Region 1]||[[February 14]] [[2006]]||align="center" |9 || align="center" |2|| Alternate title sequence, audio commentaries, an extended pilot episode and a making-of featurette, Easter Egg (disc 2). |- |Season 1 [Region 2]||[[July 10]] [[2006]]||align="center" |14 || align="center" |3|| Alternate title sequence, audio commentaries, an extended pilot episode and a making-of featurette. |- |Season 2 [Region 1]||[[September 12]] [[2006]]||align="center" |27 || align="center" |6|| The Doctors Are In and The Softer Side of Dr. Bailey featurette, Exclusive set tour, deleted scenes, audio commentaries, Extended episodes for ''Thanks for the Memories'', ''It's The End of the World'', ''What Have I Done To Deserve This?'' and ''Losing My Religion''. |- |Season 2 [Region 2]||[[May 28]] [[2007]]||align="center" |22 || align="center" |7|| The Doctors Are In and The Softer Side of Dr. Bailey featurette, Exclusive set tour, deleted scenes, audio commentaries for ''Into You Like a Train'', ''It's the End of the World (As We Know It)'', and ''Losing My Religion'', Extended episodes for ''Thanks for the Memories'', ''It's The End of the World'' and ''As We Know It'', ''What Have I Done To Deserve This?'' and ''Losing My Religion''. |- |Season 2 [Region 4]||[[January 8]] [[2007]]||align="center" |27 || align="center" |8|| The Doctors Are In and The Softer Side of Dr. Bailey featurette, Exclusive set tour, deleted scenes, audio commentaries for ''Into You Like a Train'', ''It's the End of the World (As We Know It)'', and ''Losing My Religion'', Extended episodes for ''Thanks for the Memories'', ''It's The End of the World'' and ''As We Know It'', ''What Have I Done To Deserve This?'' and ''Losing My Religion''. |- |Season 3 [Region 1] ||[[September 11]] [[2007]]||align="center" |25 || align="center" |7 || Seriously Extended edition: 4 extended episodes, a "one-on-one with Ellen Pompeo", a visit to the race track with star Patrick Dempsey, Cast and Crew favorite scenes featurette, and a cast commentary on selected episodes. |- |Season 3 [Region 2] ||[[September 15]] [[2008]]||align="center" |25 || align="center" |7 || Seriously Extended edition: 4 extended episodes, a "one-on-one with Ellen Pompeo", a visit to the race track with star Patrick Dempsey, Cast and Crew favorite scenes featurette, and a cast commentary on selected episodes, Introducing Jane Doe featurette, Deleted Scences, Outtakes <ref>[http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/5430463/Grey-Anatomy-Season-3/Product.html Play.com product page]</ref> |- |Season 4 [Region 1] ||[[September 9]] [[2008]]||align="center" |16 || align="center" |5 || Expanded Edition: Extended episode of "Forever Young", the cast of Grey’s tell of their favorite scenes from Season 4, audio commentaries, deleted scenes and bloopers. <ref>[http://news.tvonmedia.com/tvom_news_by_show/Lost-Greys-Anatomy-4th-Season.shtml Joint Press Release for 4th Seasons of Lost & Grey’s Anatomy] TVOnMedia.com - Jeff Hodges (04/28/2008)</ref> |} ===Other releases=== The producers of ''Grey’s Anatomy'' recently released a novel depicting the lives and minglings of two bit-part characters; Joe the Bartender and Nurse Debbie. The book is double sided written in blog and IM form, while gossiping on the actions of the Grey’s characters. The events discussed give background information for Joe and Debbie themselves and give insight on the events and cases the doctors deal with in the show. A bi-monthly magazine has also been produced and is currently being sold in stores across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The title of the magazine is ''GREY’S ANATOMY'' and it is a published work through Titan Magazines, and ExpressMag (for subscriptions). The first issue was released in March 2007. ==Music== {{seealso|Grey's Anatomy (soundtrack)}} The show's main title theme during its first two seasons is an excerpt of "Cosy in the Rocket", by British artist [[Psapp]]. It is featured on the soundtrack album released via ABC corporate cousin [[Hollywood Records]] on [[September 27]], [[2005]]. A list of all the songs featured in each episode, which are all selected, mixed and supervised by [[Alexandra Patsavas]], can be found on the program's official website.[http://abc.go.com/primetime/greysanatomy/music?pn=mguide] Patsavas similarly gained acclaim for selecting the music used for the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] series ''[[The O.C.]]'' prior to her work with the ABC series.{{fact|date=June 2008}} A second soundtrack, featuring songs from the series' second season, was released [[September 12]], [[2006]]. In addition to use within the series, certain songs have been become key to promotion of ''Grey’s Anatomy''. Prior to the series debut, [[The Postal Service]]'s song "[[Such Great Heights]]" was used as part of series previews aired on ABC. As the series has continued, it has been instrumental to the success of songs such as [[Snow Patrol]]’s “[[Chasing Cars]]” and [[The Fray (band)|The Fray]]’s “[[How to Save a Life (song)|How to Save a Life]]”, both of which became top 5 hits after appearing in the show. “Chasing Cars” gained in popularity after its use late in the second season, and was used in a video of second season clips. “[[How to Save a Life]]” was the song used for the series' third season promotional music video, and all ''Grey’s Anatomy'' previews for the season. [[Brandi Carlile]]’s “The Story” and [[Mat Kearney]]’s “Breathe In, Breathe Out” have also been featured prominently. Music plays a key role in the creation of ''Grey’s Anatomy''. Each episode of the show is uniquely named after a song. The episode titles usually have something to do with the theme or moral of the episode's storyline and this moral is reproduced by the voice-overs heard at the beginning and end of each episode. Many artists featured on ''Grey’s Anatomy'' include [[Adele]], [[Beck]], [[Tegan and Sara]], [[Kate Havnevik]], [[Roisin Murphy]], [[Snow Patrol]], [[Maria Taylor]], [[Mat Kearney]], [[Ingrid Michaelson]], [[Joshua Radin]], [[The Hereafter]], [[Jem (singer)|Jem]], [[Brandi Carlile]], [[Anya Marina]], [[Duffy (singer)|Duffy]], [[Corinne Bailey Rae]], [[Chris Garneau]], [[Devics]], [[KT Tunstall]], [[Sia]], and [[Anna Nalick]]. ==References== <ref name="thirty-two">[http://news.tvonmedia.com/tvom_news_by_show/Lost-Greys-Anatomy-4th-Season.shtml Joint Press Release for 4th Seasons of Lost & Grey’s Anatomy] TVOnMedia.com - Jeff Hodges (04/28/2008)</ref> {{reflist}} ==See also== *[[House (TV series)‎]] *[[ER (TV series)]] ==External links== {{wikiquote}} *[http://abc.go.com/primetime/greysanatomy/ Official Website] *[http://www.greyswriters.com Grey Matter Writers' Blog] *[http://www.thegreysanatomywiki.com Grey’s Anatomy Wiki - created by and for the fans!] *{{imdb title|id=413573|title=Grey's Anatomy}} *{{tv.com show|id=24440|title=Grey's Anatomy}} *[http://www.ctv.ca/mar/fragments/pipe/redirect617.html Watch full episodes of Grey’s Anatomy online now (Canada)] *[http://www.anatomiadegreyblog.com Blog de Anatomía de Grey] {{Grey's Anatomy}}{{Private Practice}} {{sequence| prev=''[[American Dad!]]'' <br> 2005 | next= ''[[Criminal Minds]]''<br> 2007 | list=''[[Super Bowl]]''<br>lead-out program<br><small>2006</small>| }} [[Category:2005 television series debuts]] [[Category:2000s American television series]] [[Category:American Broadcasting Company network shows]] [[Category:American drama television series]] [[Category:Five television programmes]] [[Category:Grey's Anatomy]] [[Category:Medical television series]] [[Category:Serial drama television series]] [[Category:Television series by Buena Vista Television]] [[Category:Television shows set in Washington]] [[ar:غريز أناتومي]] [[ast:Anatomía de Grey]] [[bn:গ্রে'স অ্যানাটমি (টিভি সিরিজ)]] [[bg:Анатомията на Грей (сериал)]] [[ca:Grey's Anatomy]] [[cs:Chirurgové]] [[da:Greys Hvide Verden]] [[de:Grey’s Anatomy]] [[et:Grey anatoomia]] [[es:Grey's Anatomy]] [[fa:آناتومی گری (مجموعه تلویزیونی)]] [[fr:Grey's Anatomy]] [[gl:Grey's Anatomy]] [[ko:그레이 아나토미]] [[hr:Uvod u anatomiju]] [[it:Grey's Anatomy]] [[he:האנטומיה של גריי (סדרה)]] [[hu:A Grace klinika]] [[mk:Вовед во анатомија]] [[ms:Grey's Anatomy]] [[nl:Grey's Anatomy]] [[ja:グレイズ・アナトミー 恋の解剖学]] [[no:Grey's Anatomy]] [[nn:Grey’s Anatomy]] [[pl:Chirurdzy]] [[pt:Grey's Anatomy]] [[sk:Klinika Grace]] [[sh:Grey's Anatomy]] [[fi:Greyn anatomia]] [[sv:Grey's Anatomy]] [[th:แพทย์มือใหม่ หัวใจเกินร้อย]] [[tr:Grey's Anatomy (dizi)]] [[zh:實習醫生]]