Patrick Dempsey Discusses Writers' Strike
What impact will the Hollywood writers' strike have on Grey's Anatomy? In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Patrick Dempsey said the ABC hit drama - like many others - is not prepared for the pending strike.
While promoting his new film, Enchanted, Patrick told ET that the problem is "that we're not that far ahead script-wise. I think we'll have enough shows that take us through Christmas, and after that we'll see if that's the season or not."
When asked if Hollywood is looking at a virtual shutdown due to the Writers Guild of America strike, Patrick Dempsey said, "I think there's a real chance of that happening. It's going to be very bad for television, certainly. The season will be wiped out if [the strike] happens and continues for too long."
The Grey's Anatomy star, who plays Dr. Derek Shepherd, also expressed deep concern for crew members and those in the Hollywood community.
"My concern is not so much for myself really, because I'll be alright, but I think how long this strike lasts is going to affect a lot of people living paycheck to paycheck - they are going to be damaged profoundly by this, and that's a tragedy," he said.
"I think a lot of people and many families are going to be in a difficult place in their lives; hopefully we can come to some sort of understanding and resolve this soon enough that it doesn't affect those people."
Unless an agreement can be reached, the strike is expected to begin today. Here's hoping it can be resolved amicably soon and that the series we love - and the talented men and women who make it possible - won't be disrupted.
November 5th, 2007 7:16 AM
Wow... that is not good.. not good at all. Anyway we will wait and see hopefully they will try and resolve this problem b4 its too late. Thanks for the post anyway. Hey Debs where are you? i bet you are not happy with this news, i am devastated beyond comment.
November 5th, 2007 7:55 AM
Hi Hafsa
No it´s NOT good but i have faith that the writers will work their issues out. But they better work them out FAST.
November 5th, 2007 9:14 AM
OMG!!!!!!!! :( writers, i totally feel ur pain on this 1, but we need u and u have 2 come back soon. Grey's won't ever be the same without u!!! :( plus u have to get us through the rest of the season, u can't destroy a part of our lives that we love so much!!!!!! :) :( so here is 2 hoping that u get everything worked out soon and come back to write us some more of the amazing episodes that we have seen through the last 3 seasons and into this 4th one!!!!!!
Grey's rules!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!!! :)
November 5th, 2007 11:22 AM
Oh...this makes me really SAD! I can't imagine that there may be a chance our GA season may end soon! We've just got started back and we are all so involved with all the new storylines with the characters this season. This really makes me feel so depressed! From what I've read they have filmed about 4-5 episodes already and if I understood from what our precious PD stated that they are not that far ahead from all ready written scripts...so does that mean they only have 3-4 scripts left to film? And if that be the case...the actors would be finished by December.......and the televised shows through Jan....maybe??? I just hope that they can get all of this stuff worked out and everything gets back to normal before it is too late to continue with the season. I wonder how long the strike could continue before they would really end the season? Hopefully us fans will not have to worry about that...I'm looking forward to many more shows for this GA season...we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed!
November 5th, 2007 11:39 AM
Hey Debs and Kathy i was just wondering if you guys will want to join the greys forum? i am sure you will love the site. You can discuss,chat, express ur opinions with other grey fans, its really nice. Plus i heard Shonda reads every single post on that site.
Kathy &Debs, i always value your opinion and i am sure so many others will too on that site. pls just think about it. thks.
November 5th, 2007 12:26 PM
I pray this strike will be short-lived, and that all parties are treated fairly. I'm very sad to see what potentially could happen to our favorite shows. Especially GA.
November 5th, 2007 12:32 PM
What does Patrick mean by...the show may not survive a lengthy walkout? Does he mean for the remainder of the season or what? Just really concerned about all of this stuff!
Check out this link.......
http://www.hollywood.com/news/Strike_Upsets_Greys_Anatomy_Cast/4978005
November 5th, 2007 12:45 PM
Hafsa how u jo`n the forum?.
November 5th, 2007 2:24 PM
For all who may be interested, the forum link is here:
http://www.greysanatomyinsider.com/forum/
You must register first, a login will be emailed to you:
http://www.greysanatomyinsider.com/wp-login.php?action=register
Use the Contact Us form if you have problems!
November 5th, 2007 3:37 PM
i got a question...........does this mean if it isnt resolved that greys will be cancled forever or jsut for this season????
November 5th, 2007 6:39 PM
ok everybody...NOW I'M UPSET............
What is going on???? Not only have we got to worry about the season ending early....now maybe Mer/Der will not be together after all? And this came from Patrick Dempsey! I don't know what to think now! Its hard to be excited about the remainder of the shows left with all of the stuff that is going on with the strike and now the outcome of the show this season! Check out the article about Mer/Der and tell me what you think!
http://www.televisionista.net/
November 5th, 2007 6:53 PM
Here is the interview with TV guide.......
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Tv-Guide-News/Patrick-Dempsey-Says/800026549
November 5th, 2007 10:48 PM
The strike sucks but writers contribute a lot to our favorite shows and their hard work usually goes unnotice. I think that this strike just might wake hollywood up and maybe they'll start to appreciate what the writters do and how hard they work.
November 6th, 2007 5:06 AM
U know Tv shows are suppose to make you happy and entertained, but not grey's of late. I have been hoping, longing , waiting and planning for three long painful years (that is how long it will take you to finish a degree by the way) for merder to be together. But GUESS WHAT? its never going to happen after all. I ask my self then what exactly is the essence of watching the show if it will in the end bring so much grief and sorrow? I maybe a die hard merder fan, but if they break up for good, i really dont think i will be able to watch anymore(no matter how much i love the characters).
Now i really do understandd from the bottom of my heart how Buktina's fans really felt when burke was fired. Fot what i it is worth Shonda is KIDDING her self big time, let that happen and well....... wait and see.
November 6th, 2007 5:28 AM
Really I think Patrick maybe talking out of frustratation now. He and Ellen have made it perfectly clear what they want and so have the fans. Shonda for some reason seems to refuses to listen. I know she has in her head what she wants to see happen in long term but seems to have difficulty creativly getting it across on screen. Patrick said unless Meredith get's help there is no where for their character's to go. Patrick and Ellen have a chemistry that is very special and very rare in my opinion and Shonda keeps playing with it. Derek and Meredith havn't had a healthy relationship since the end of season 1. There isn't anyone who can deny that Derek and Meredith belong together but you can grow tired of watching them go back and forth. As much as I like the other character's I am 100% MerDer and can't stand to watch if they are not in a healthy relationship. Maybe by some small miracle this strike will give them time to step back and take a good look at where the show is and needs to go. Working 16 hr. days and having very short breaks is not good for them maybe their minds just ned a break. Whatever the problem thay need to fix it.
November 6th, 2007 6:07 AM
What Patrick was saying in the interview really makes sense. We all know Mer/Der are at a point where decisons need to be made in their relationship because it has gone as far as it can go the way things are..that is evident. We know Patrick and Ellen both have been frustrated that their characters have not been growing for a while and we know they have commented they wished their characters would MARRY! So, I guess what he was saying was 1) he is ready for both characters to grow realisticly 2)the only direction for them to be together is if Mer seeks help or commits to marrying him 3)or Der will move on with his new love interest or whomever.
And however long the strike last is I guess on how we will be left with an ending season. According to Patrick alot will happen with Mer/Der within the next few epsiodes that will be aired and whatever decision is made between these two at that point will be permanent! So does that mean they are going to split or does that mean Meredith will make a commitment to marry him? What a cliffhanger if that is the way it ends! (My nerves can't take it)! (ha) With all of the things from the beginning of this season with Mer/Der have really made me feel they were going to end up together this season and from SHonda's podcast has really made you feel the same way. So I can't believe she would break them up...I just can't believe she would do that after everyting the show has been through knowing how upset the fans would be. Maybe this is just a ploy to keep the viewers hanging on to their seats and knowing she will have Meredith agree to Marry him afterall! All we can do is HOPE!
November 6th, 2007 7:23 AM
Kathy,
you really are an optimist, your comments always makes sense, how i wish i have that kind of fate in Shonda.. but i dont. The fact that the spoilers indicated Lauren will stick for a while is not very promising at all.
You still havent answered if you will join the forum or not... pls do. We really do need someone with your kind of strenght and opinion on that site. Think about it.
Regards!
November 6th, 2007 4:59 PM
If the networks would give the writers a piece of the profit that they get from the internet and itunes sales, we could have a full season of Grey's. It upsets met that Patrick Dempsey (who I have loved forever) seems to be speaking out against the writers. Here hoping to a quit resolution.