Episode 11 Written Without Shonda Rhimes' Input
Shonda Rhimes created and has been writing for ABC's Grey's Anatomy since it began in 2005, but due to the WGA strike, she, along with the rest of the writing staff, has found herself out of the office and out marching in the streets.
However, this doesn't necessarily mean that her absence immediately put a stop to production, which is why one upcoming Grey's Anatomy episode - Episode 11 - was completed after the strike and without the acclaimed creator's input.
Shonda Rhimes, seen here with Sara Ramirez and Kate Walsh, said that she has "never not been in the editing room," and that "it's been a very weird transition."
Since the strike began on November 5, Rhimes has not written anything for Grey's Anatomy, although she is constantly thinking of its great characters.
Rhimes hasn't been the only one on the picket lines in recent weeks, as much of the Grey's Anatomy cast has also shown support for the writers.
They too have started to feel the effects of being out of work.
Katherine Heigl, who plays Izzie Stevens, is in the middle of wedding planning, but with no guarantee of a paycheck, has grown more conscious of her finances.
"It's starting to get stressful. I'm just try to be as smart [financially] as I can," she said. "I'm just trying to save as much as I can."
Sara Ramirez, who portrays Callie on Grey's Anatomy, told the New York Post about how she relocated to Los Angeles after living in New York for 14 years in order to appear on the smash hit show. Now it's a struggle for her.
"I moved out here to play this role and now I'm not playing her," Ramirez said. "[The strike] kind of forces you to take matters into your own hands."
December 17th, 2007 1:59 PM
They need to resolve this writer's strike soon...
December 17th, 2007 2:01 PM
I certainley hope they editted the episode the way Shonda would have wanted it.
Hopefully the strike ends soon, and maybe the writers will come back with great ideas for Mer/Der to be together but still keep it interesting because they've had so much time off to think.
December 17th, 2007 2:12 PM
Write to abc's sponsors (garnier nutrisse, herbal essense, Hewlett Packard, Comfort Inn among others) and tell them your support the writers.
We want our Grey's!
December 17th, 2007 3:39 PM
Well this episode was written by (according to ABC) Allan Heinberg who has written for GA before, but is fairly new with only three episodes written for this series (including this season's Heart of the Matter) and he is also an executive producer for the show, so it's not unusual that Rhimes did not write it really, but she does have a HUGE input in the overall script which may have lacked this time due to the strike and editing a show can be crucial. What I find interesting is the question if ABC (who is in charge of the editing of episode 11) will do the overused standard of ending this episode with unhappiness for the characters (including the lead couple Mer/Der) and the all too played out dramatic cliffhanger of some major event or will they try to edit this in some fashion of hope (given the dark ending of last season) Both Heigl and Dempsey in recent interviews have warned fans they may be "unhappy" with this "potential" final for the season (strike pending) and they have basically said, "it's not our faults" Well maybe not, but their warnings does not bode well for this episode and one has to wonder with some falling ratings this season, unneeded and poorly written plot device characters added to a overly bloated cast and the key couple of Meredith and Derek YET again being put through ANOTHER poorly written love triangle instead of writing well for a relationship for them (as a great majority of GA fans asked for) just how loyal viewers will be to come back to "more of the same" 9 months later. Will Shonda pleading with us to "take a leap of faith" and "this new season is gonna rock" have the same impact that they did last year, because these promises were given at the beginning of season four and yet here we are mid way through the season STILL all saying this season lacks the depth and writing, STILL saying we want Mer/Der fixed, STILL saying NO MORE PLOT DEVICE characters/triangles as if Rhimes & Crew just gave out some empty words to pacify fans and went right back to writing for a teenage soap. Only time will tell if fans are loyal enough to stick with and hope for what they had once from this show. Back when it was the brightest, most cleaver and well written show on television.
December 17th, 2007 6:04 PM
i heard the writers strike isnt good and its gonna be a while.. i dont know what im gonna do =[[[
December 17th, 2007 7:55 PM
Well, I did read that the writers have come up with some proposals and have gone straight to the producers today instead of going thru the middle man. They are hoping to get better results that way. Lets keep our fingers crossed that this could be the beginning of something positive and this strike will end very soon. I can't imagine NO GA until Sept. 2008!!!!! I pray that doesn't happen!
December 17th, 2007 9:05 PM
Please! They're worried about their finances?? They make more for one episode than most people make in a year!! I know they work hard for their money, but being worried about your finances and spending more carefully????????????
December 18th, 2007 7:50 AM
I disagree with the article header. I'm sure the ep was "wriiten" with Shonda's input. It was just the production and post production, which, I agree, can affect the tone of an episode (and possibly even the meaning). I just find the header somewhat misleading.
And if Katie is finding her financial position "stressful".... I'd probably have to hear that in context first. (like with a source. oddly, all the quotes at mywebsite are sourced. and it's not easy - some of my sources are bitchy fans who gripe when you don't thank them and gripe when you do)
has Shonda been seen on the picket lines - aside from diversity day? I love Shonda and it would be nice to think she's sacrificing as much as, say, Krista, who blogged that her feet were hurting, on her myspace page, 4 days into the strike.
December 18th, 2007 9:27 AM
Yeah well then she will have to change her (extraordinary) lifestyle and save more money? She probably has more money now then a two people can earn in their whole life.
Crap, they know that all the fans are frustrated about merder and gizzie, right? Then why the hell is it going to end bad this season? (again!!!)
Arrghhh it's so frustrating!!
December 18th, 2007 6:11 PM
i so want the strike to be over already!!!!!!!! i started watching grey's anatomy this year in september and i love it. i've even went to buy the 1st 3 seasons on dvd and now i want more new episodes!!!!!!! hopefully the strike is over very soon!!!!!!! :(
December 19th, 2007 1:03 PM
I support the networks! They should fire some writers, especially Shonda Rhimes. I'm tired of her bad writing.s
December 19th, 2007 3:55 PM
^what's your problem? I mean If you don't like Shonda Rhimes why would you watch Grey's. You can't claim to love Grey's and not love Shonda too, their a package...and if you don't whatch Grey's why are you commenting on a Grey's Loving Website? YOU'RE REALLY THAT BORED??
GO WRITERS!
December 19th, 2007 8:30 PM
^ We don't like Shonda because she ruined Mer/Der and created stupid love triangles. I don't claim to love Greys. I love Greys when it's good, and lately it hasn't been any good. We comment on a Grey's website because it's visited by people who actually work on the show -- writers, staff, etc. I support the strike because I believe in fair pay. But I don't support crappy Greys. And sometimes no greys is better than really crappy Greys.
December 26th, 2007 1:11 AM
How much time do people invest in this whole Derek and Mer relationship? For me, it's just a show and yeah Grey's hasn't really been that good since the whole fairy boat epsiode last season but I think the writers and shonda are trying by going in a different direction and seeing how these characters would look together or how these characters would look like if they were with someone else. All Grey's fans know that Mer and Derek are going to get married and all of that other good stuff but for now, there just taking somekind of breather.
But I doubt that epsiode 11 didn't have any Shonda input. She is, after all the show's creator.