On last week's press tour, ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson spoke out candidly about Grey's Anatomy's controversial ghost-love story involving Izzie and Denny.
"[Denny Duquette] is not a ghost, which you will learn," McPherson says.
"I actually think when you get to the end of the season and you see everything she had in mind, it might not be your cup of tea, but I think you'll be surprised at how insightful and smart that story line itself is in terms of the dynamics it's creating for the characters involved and where we end up with those characters at the end."
Not exactly enthusiastic praise, is it? The boss continued:
"The viewers will be the judge. That's the good and the bad about this business. I think shows ebb and flow. And when you talk about long-term serialized dramas like Grey's Anatomy, you're going to have some stuff that people don't respond to."
McPherson said he is satisfied with the creative direction of Private Practice, and has high hopes for the show's upcoming crossover arc with Grey's Anatomy.
That's not all the ABC chief discussed. Follow the jump for a controversial exchange regarding the departure of some of Grey's Anatomy characters. The exchange apparently took place in a hallway after the panel met, and was reported by AfterEllen.com ...
Steve McPherson: Melissa George was a guest for one episode.
Reporter #1: ...so many guests just leaving - no, she was in more than one episode.
Steve McPherson: I'm not going to answer the question, that's an absurd question. The only person who has left the show is Isaiah Washington.
Reporter #2: Brooke Smith.
Reporter #3: Melissa had contracted for 8 to 11 episodes, and she hasn't gotten 8-11 episodes.
Steve McPherson: She didn't contract for that many episodes, she was a guest -
Reporter #3: That's what she said.
Steve McPherson: Well, we all know what everybody says when they leave the show, they want to say what works best for them."
Reporter #3: She was in more than one episode.
Steve McPherson: Yeah, I think she was in three. She was mentioned in one and then shown in two other episodes, I think.
Reporter #4: Brooke Smith was in the opening credits at the start of the season. Was that just, you didn't like the character -
Steve McPherson: Yeah, the character was not working for us. The dynamic with the relationship was not working for us. We felt like Sara Ramirez is such a dynamic character, an amazing actress and woman, and we really just weren't seeing the excitement out of that relationship. There was some mention that we were upset by the lesbian nature of it. She's going to be in a dedicated lesbian relationship (chuckling) in the show. So again, that was an actress who was trying to talk about something in a manner that would serve her and not the reality.
So, to sum up, McPherson calls the reporter's question about why there are so many actors leaving "absurd," then throws Melissa George under the bus, then throws Brooke Smith under the bus, then laughs away the idea that anyone could accuse Grey's Anatomy of having a problem with lesbian relationships. At least it's subject to that interpretation.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let us know!
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26 Comments
January 20th, 2009 12:20 PM
I think that it's clear from this interview that people twist things a lot to make things sound better either for themselves or for whatever magazine/television show etc they work for.
People move on to other projects, they see something better for them and they move on. Some twist things completely to suit themselves, others just get on with it.
If people want to make the staff at ABC look bad, then go ahead, but surely they aren't doing anything great for themselves in the process?
Some characters just don't work on the show, others do. When the whole Callie/Erica storyline was going on, I remember reading so much criticism from fans about it. How they wanted Callie and Mark to be together, and how Erica was coming in between the two of them. Maybe ABC and Shonda paid attention to the fans and let Brooke Smith go, even if Callie and Mark aren't ending up together.
Just like any job, people leave and others are fired, it's just something people have to deal with. No matter what you do for a living, you can't be sure that you're job is going to be the one you do until you retire.
Grey's Anatomy is an amazing show, with some amazing writers, and although some of the storylines aren't particularly great at times, they do them because they hope that the fans will like them.
For example, the Izzie/Denny storyline currently going on, personally, I don't like it. But it's not as though they can suddenly change it so that in the next episode he's gone and everything is back to normal. Because even if you don't like the storyline, you'll be annoyed with the fact that they just left it hanging and didn't tell you why Denny was there. Right?
January 20th, 2009 12:31 PM
Lila--
I like your points here. I think your view is a very objective, realistic view of this interview and what was said. Especially about certain actors/characters leaving. As for the Denny/Izzie storyline, sorry to hear that you don't like it. In light of not being a fan of it, you seem to have a very good view about it playing out. I'm not sure Mr. McPherson's comments were the greatest about it. Sounds like he's not a fan of it either, or he's responding in a way that's on behalf of the fans that aren't. I really honestly think that it's going to be very significant (which is something he did say in a positive way) how it plays out and where it's going to bring Izzie and everyone she touches. I'm actually looking forward to it, though. I don't expect to find it "not my cup of tea" and I think that that type of comment to the fans can set up some bad expectations, especially since many fans are already frustrated.
So, please Mr. McPherson, give a little more love to Greys Anatomy-- Greys deserves it b/c it's been awfully good to you! :)
(don't get me wrong-- I like Private Practice OK, but Greys is definitely still more powerful and better built-- the biggest magic of PP is Addie--- and let me just ask where she was "born"??)
January 20th, 2009 12:46 PM
I am also not a fan of the Denny/Izzie storyline. My big problem is what is this going to do to Alex when he realizes that Izzie was telling him something very serious and he blew it off almost like a joke, "tell him hi for me" and "is he here?". But, like many other people, I am letting the storyline play out so I can see what happens, because, like it's been said, I would be like "wtf happened" if they just up and made Denny disappear.
Ah, Private Practice is starting to grow on me big time. Yes, the big magic is Addison. I have to say I absolutely adore Cooper and Charlotte. They are adorable together. He just comes in and busts down her walls. It's great.
January 20th, 2009 12:48 PM
I am very excited to see how the Izzie/Denny story line pans out..I feel that something big will happen to Izzie...I think thats the reason that Denny tried to talk to Alex..like he is trying to warn him something is going on with Izzie. I can't wait for Thursday!
January 20th, 2009 1:30 PM
I don't think I'm very fond of that Steve McPherson...
January 20th, 2009 2:50 PM
Although, I was sad to see Brooke Smith go, I think that towards the end of the season the whole Denny 'coverup" of how it wasnt truly reported and they all got a slap on the wrist from the chief type thing will come into play. And sometimes i wonder whether or not Erica might pop back up in an episode, and I couldnt care less if Sadie was on the show or not. I just hope they work things out with TR Knight, I think he's a good asset to the show.
January 20th, 2009 3:10 PM
It's interesting to hear his comments on the Izzy/Denny storyline . . . it's as if he's putting out a disclaimer by saying "it might not be your cup of tea." Hmm. Well, any show as popular as Grey's is going to be criticized, and I personally like the Izzy/Denny thing. (and I agree with Kristen that something big may happen soon with Izzy/Alex/Denny).
LOVE Private Practice. Addison rules and Kate Walsh is my favorite! I cannot wait for the crossover coming up, which apparently will be involving Addison and Naomi trying to get medical help for Addie's brother, Archer, by contacting Derek, though that is all I know as of now from the press releases.
I don't think it was wrong of McPherson by laughing about the fact that people think ABC/Grey's has a problem with lesbian relationships. I've been saying all along that that is ridiculous considering how liberal ABC is as a company (and also that ABC would be sued if someone could prove it fired Brooke because she was playing a lesbian character).
Don't care much about Sadie - she's kind of only in the way right now anyway, sorry Melissa George. I think she's a good actress but she's bothering me on Grey's.
Love both of Shonda's creations. Question - why is Grey's not new next week, 1/29? I think the schedule says an earlier episode is being repeated. Does anyone know why?
January 20th, 2009 3:11 PM
I also don't care about MG. I care about TR Knight, and want him to stay. Did nobody there ask about him?
January 20th, 2009 3:15 PM
greysaddiction.
It seems as though McPherson doesn't really care for it, although, it just seems as though he's not overly bothered about the show at all.
They shouldn't let a show like Grey's Anatomy slip and suddenly die out, but if they have storylines that the viewers don't like, then the ratings will drop. Which definitely disappoints me, since Grey's is one of the few TV shows I actually enjoy watching.
Over the years, they've had some amazing storylines, and some not so great ones. But I have to admit, so far, in my opinion, Season Five has been the worst. I just hope that it doesn't continue that way.
I wasn't a fan of the Callie/Erica storyline, nor am I of the Izzie/Denny one. As much as so many people hate Lexie and Mark together, I don't. I honestly can't imagine Callie and Mark actually getting together, at least not this season. So, maybe they'll let Mark and Lexie run it's course and see what happens.
I guess with shows like this, that's the only thing they can do. Let a storyline run it's course, despite the views of the fans.
Melissa George going isn't a big deal, since she hasn't been a huge character on the show, and honestly neither was Erica. Not in comparision to characters such as George. There has been so much in the press about him wanting to leave/the show wanting to get rid of him, it's hard to know what to believe. I think George is an amazing character, I really do, and if they let him have more screen time, then maybe the rumors that are floating about, wouldn't be.
I don't watch Private Practice that much, and even though not all spin-offs work, I think this one does. At least it should. I miss Addie in Grey's, but if she was still there, half of the things that have happened since she left, probably wouldn't have happened.
Grey's is definitely the better show out of the two, and it just needs people to spend a little more time on it with some things. Then maybe, people like McPherson wouldn be a little more enthusiastic about it.
January 20th, 2009 4:10 PM
Sadie-didn't add anything to the show and I wasn't interested or invested in her character. Erica also did nothing for the show. She was consistently negative, always bitter and never willing to be part of the team. Good luck to Brooke Smith, but I'm still glad the character is gone. I am interested to see how Izzie/Denny/Alex play out-it is a different but entertaining side of the show. Still # 1 in my book!