CBS won a repeat-laden Thursday night ratings battle amid the ongoing writers strike, with Survivor: China rising to the top in total viewers and adults 18-49.

Both 9 p.m. heavyweights - Grey’s Anatomy (which aired the Season 4 premiere, “A Change is Gonna Come“) and CSI, were in repeats, as was NBC’s The Office.

So it was Survivor: China (13.8 million, 4.5 rating/12 share in adults 18-49) that was the most-watched program of the night, according to Nielsen Media Research.

CBS therefore won 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., thanks to a repeat CSI (12.3 million, 3.4/8) as NBC’s ER (8.6 million, 3.4/9) split 10 p.m. with Without a Trace (9.9, 2.5/7).

Meanwhile, it appears that the brief hope that the Writers Guild of America strike may be nearing its conclusion has been dashed for now, as the writers were both swift and vehement in rejecting the latest proposal from the studios.

As a result of the ongoing strike, numerous sources are reporting that Episode 11 of Season Four of Grey’s Anatomy (the next new episode, “Crash Into Me, Part II” is #10) will not air until early next year, rather than in two weeks, December 13, its originally scheduled air date. We apologize for our reporting error.

According to MSN and NBC news sources, the Hollywood studios have presented a new and much larger contract offer to striking film and TV writers as of Thursday, and the writers’ negotiators have requested a four-day recess to consider it.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said in a statement that the negotiations are set to resume next Tuesday, December 4.

The producers said the new offer included payments for work shown online, one of the major sticking point that led to the current writers strike.

Producers say the new offer includes $130 million in additional compensation but did not specify whether that proposed figure was per year, or over the three-year life of a proposed new contract. That we will have to wait and see on.

The Writers Guild of America went on strike November 5 when its last contract expired. Negotiations began anew on Monday after breaking off over a week.

Cross your fingers that a deal between the studios and writers is reached soon, as the slate of finished episodes of Grey’s Anatomy is just about wiped out.

We believe (although we’re not certain) that Episode 11 (December 13) is the last completed episode of Season Four of Grey’s Anatomy.

The cute brunette is stirring up Grey’s Anatomy fans as Lexie Grey, and not just because she’s so gorgeous - she’s been the center of attention ever since she was introduced as the sister of Meredith Grey and recent love interest of Alex Karev.

Little is known, relatively speaking, about the past works of this actress. Well, that said, some Grey’s Anatomy fans have unearthed a 1997 B-movie, called “Kickboxing Academy,” that Chyler Leigh starred in when she was just 15.

Interestingly, the actress’ love interest in the virtually unknown movie is played by her real-life brother, Christopher Khayman Lee. And yes, the New York Daily News reports, there are kissing scenes in the movie. A few of them.

Chyler Leigh, 25, has certainly come a long way.

Hey, whatever you have to do to get your career started, right? Chyler Leigh, who was in a number of failed series and smaller films before getting her big break on Grey’s Anatomy, has also overcome considerable personal adversity in her life.

We’re glad she’s a member of the Grey’s Anatomy cast and look forward to learning more about her - as well as seeing where her character is headed.

There’s no new episode tonight, but Michael Ausiello of TV Guide reports an interesting Grey’s Anatomy spoiler pertaining to Episode 11 of Season Four.

Earlier this week, we posted an article about the use of voiceover narration on Grey’s Anatomy and other shows. As we know, Meredith Grey does the honors, with a few notable exceptions. One of which is coming up in Episode 11.

The new narrator for this episode is not Callie, as some speculated earlier in the week. It is Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), and there’s a reason behind her filling in for Meredith — and as you might expect, it isn’t a pretty reason.

Does something serious happen to Dr. Bailey? Ausiello writes:

“Physically? No. Emotionally? Yes. Let’s just say that random scene last week of Bailey at home with her husband and kid will make more sense when Episode 11 airs.”

The conclusion of last week’s Thanksgiving Day episode, “Crash Into Me, Part II,” airs next week, December 6. That episode will be Episode 10 of Season 4. The week after that, December 13, “Lay Your Hands On Me” (Episode 11) will air.

Rather than the conclusion of “Crash Into Me,” ABC will be airing a rerun tonight. The episode will be the Season Four premiere, “A Change is Gonna Come.”

While we would obviously prefer a new Grey’s Anatomy, we have all the info on this episode if you engage in a repeat viewing. Follow the link above for our official episode recap, and be sure to check out our music guide (with lyrics), video clips, list of memorable quotes, gallery of photos, and episode forum thread.

“Crash Into Me, Part II” will air next Thursday, December 6, at the usual time. It will be very interesting to see how the stories introduced last week play out.

Lance Armstrong who? Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey makes like the cycling champ in Los Angeles this week and rides to glory (or at least to the store).

Patrick Dempsey, as we all know from various interviews, is a major auto racing and cycling enthusiast who has no shortage of ways to keep himself busy off set.

The ongoing writers’ strike in Hollywood has Dempsey temporarily out of work, but it looks as though it may end soon. In the meantime, he has a hit movie in Enchanted and more time to spend with the wife, children, and bike!

To celebrate her 29th birthday last Saturday, Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl opted for a low-key dinner with eight of her closest friends.

The group included Katherine’s fiance, singer-songwriter Josh Kelley, and her Grey’s Anatomy co-star, T.R. Knight, and met up at Nobu in Malibu, Calif.

Dressed down in a tweed blazer, with her hair pulled in a bun, Heigl sat between Josh Kelley — whom she will wed in a small ceremony December 23 — and T.R. Knight.

When the cake came, the entire restaurant joined in and sang “Happy Birthday, Dear Katie,” a witness reports, adding that the cake even had sparklers on it.

Happy belated birthday to Katherine Heigl!

While fans gather in our forum to discuss each character, couple and plot twist, the Grey’s Anatomy Insider staff comes together to talk about the key moments and share their opinions regarding the latest episode of our favorite drama.

Round Table topics for “Crash Into Me, Part I” include the future of Derek and Rose, Alex’s love interests, and our favorite funny and gross moments …

1. Will Rose be a thorn in Meredith’s side?

McCritic: I hope so. If only for the opportunity to use award-winning puns such as the one above. Seriously, though, her romance with McDreamy appears to be blossoming.

iheartizzie: Every Rose has its thorn, so to speak, but rather than lodge itself painfully in Mer’s side, perhaps this one will spur her into action by making her realize what she stands to lose by not stepping up and fighting for her man.

AndYouveGotTheHair: I’ve read the spoilers and the speculation of the Rose character (Lauren Stamile). But I’m curious to see if she and McDreamy hit it off or if she merely serves as a means of bringing Meredith and Derek closer.

2. More enjoyable: Dr. Hahn’s sarcastic putdowns of Mark, or Cristina dancing her troubles away?

iheartizzie: I love watching Erica shoot down Mark. Such great lines, and ones that may result in more character depth for the brash Dr. Sloan down the line.

McCritic: Dr. Erica Hahn’s remarks. Anything that features the underused Sloan more often can only be a good thing in my eyes.

AndYouveGotTheHair: The scene with Cristina dancing was great, although it made me long for the days when Dr. Preston Burke might have joined her,

3. More disgusting: That dude’s tattoo, or Nick’s artery bursting all over Lexie?

AndYouveGotTheHair: One indirectly represents genocide and millions of deaths, while the other can be washed away in 10 seconds. Tough call!

McCritic: A Swastika is symbolic of ignorance, hatred. It conjures up pity and disdain, not pure disgust. That artery burst, however? I haven’t eaten anything red since.

iheartizzie: While the symbol of the Third Reich is obviously more abhorrent from a historical standpoint, Lexie getting splattered made me wince more at that instant. On a side note, did we need the super slow-motion incision through the Swastika? My head is hurting from being hit over the head with your symbolism, Shonda.

4. Will Miranda and Tucker save their marriage?

McCritic: Yes. But the awful nickname of “Mucker” doesn’t stand a chance.

iheartizzie: I hope so. I’d love to see more of Tucker (Cress Williams, who I’ve liked ever since his stint as D’Shawn on Beverly Hills: 90210), but it seems fair that more attention be given to the home life of the show’s best character.

AndYouveGotTheHair: Sadly, I think they’re headed down the same path as Richard and Adele, which is interesting in this case because of the juxtaposed gender roles - Miranda, a female, criticized for focusing on her career. Very 21st Century.

5. Should Alex wind up with Lexie, Ava, neither or both?

McCritic: Both would be nice, but this is Grey’s Anatomy, not Grey’s Anato-threesome. I think Ava is best for Alex. He’ll soon come to the same realization.

iheartizzie: I love Ava / Rebecca (Elizabeth Reaser) and have ever since last season. These two at least need to give a relationship a try. Lexie and Alex are cute but there isn’t that compelling spark that he and Rebecca have.

AndYouveGotTheHair: I wasn’t buying it at first, but I’ve just started to like Alex and Lexie together. No offense to Ava, but I’m pulling for Alexie, baby!

This Patrick Dempsey article appears in the new issue of Best Life Magazine. This is the beginning of the article. Follow the link to continue reading …

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Patrick Dempsey cut me off on La Cienega Boulevard.

His 3-series BMW convertible was in my rearview mirror long enough for me to recognize the actor’s face from his just-released film Coupe de Ville.

At the intersection of La Cienega and San Vicente — a tangle of competing traffic lanes well known to Los Angeles body shops — he hit the gas and nipped in ahead of my bumper, forcing me to tap the brakes and watch his taillights speed north.

Now, 17 years after the fact, Patrick Dempsey sits under the cold fluorescent lights in the cafeteria of the Petersen Automotive Museum, about half a mile from the scene of the infraction, pleading guilty with an explanation.

Patrick Dempsey always feels the need for speed.

“Oh, that’s funny,” he says sheepishly. “I did have a BMW convertible.” He then gives a slow spin to his cup of coffee and looks up.

“Well,” he says, “if I drive aggressively, I try to signal, so people know. It’s irritating when people drive aggressively and they don’t signal.”

Patrick Dempsey is no stranger to aggression.

As a teenager growing up in Maine, Patrick was a state champion downhill skier who once trained for a place on the Olympic team.

Today, his favorite method of relaxation, when he’s not watching the Speed Channel, is driving pumped-up Mustangs and Mazdas up to 160 miles an hour.

Continue Reading »

Yes, it’s true. Grey’s Anatomy’s leading man, Patrick Dempsey, has officially been immortalized as a 12-inch action figure - and not as Dr. Derek Shepherd, but as his character, Robert, from the new Disney romantic comedy Enchanted.

The doll is a toy tie-in with Dempsey’s Enchanted character and finds him dressed in a black suit and trench coat - with the trademark McDreamy hair of course.

Rachael Ray played with the Robert doll on her talk show last week, with Patrick Dempsey’s Enchanted co-star, Amy Adams, appearing on the program and confirming that the actor is a great kisser. Who here is surprised?

ABOVE: The real Patrick Dempsey and a doll of his character, Robert, from the new animated / live-action film Enchanted. One of which you can take home!