Posts by McCritic

Have you heard about the online petition that's been sent to ABC and Shonda Rhimes?

Disgruntled fans are demanding "something to be done to fix the mess [the show] has become." They've apparently become disheartened by "dark and depressing" story lines - and the 400 people who have signed the document (at the time of this posting) are meticulous in describing their problems with the show.

"The most affected would have to be Derek," the petition reads. "In season 1, we were introduced to the perfect man. He was that guy that everyone wanted to find, everyone wanted to be with. Now he's a shell of that man. The fans are wondering how someone who would always show up, someone who called Meredith the love of his life, who understood her and wanted a lifetime with her became the man he was on our screens January 10, 2008."

(Many on the staff of Grey's Anatomy Insider would point out how difficult it's become to date the self-involved, wishy washy Meredith and wonder what, exactly, Derek did wrong on the aforementioned date, considering his previous warnings and Meredith's reaction to his house plans).

The petition writers, profoundly, ask: "WHO is McDreamy? A question none of us should be asking four seasons into a show."

In short, petitioners explain the reason for their protest as follows:

"We want to know that we're valued, that our feelings and opinions do matter to the people who run the show. We would like to stop feeling alienated and start to feel like they are actually writing for us."

Do you agree with these complaints? Do you think Derek has become lost as a character, or has he simply been forced to adapt to the ever-wavering Meredith? As always, discuss it all now in our FORUM.

Greetings, Grey's Anatomy fans!

Thank you for your commitment to this site. We greatly appreciate your feedback, readership and enthusiasm. Therefore, we wanted to extend an apology for the design problems our site is currently undergoing.

Fear not, however, as these issues will in no way affect our content. Look, you can still comment on our forums! And check our our photos and quotes!
As we work on the problem, we'll continue to deliver the Grey's Anatomy spoilers, news, gossip and more. Just scroll around the site to see what we mean.

Thank you for sticking with us.

UPDATE: Design problems appear to have been resolved as of Monday morning. Refresh your browser if you are still experiencing difficulty, or Contact Us.

This should come as pleasant news to Isaiah Washington supporters: the actor will be getting a second shot on the small screen, courtesy of NBC.

USA Today has the story: Isaiah Washington, the embattled star fired from ABC's Grey's Anatomy last month, is officially back to work.

Washington is reportedly set to guest-star on the network's high-profile remake of 1970s drama Bionic Woman this fall, and has signed a development deal to star in a potential action drama he pitched to the network for the 2008-09 TV season.

Washington, of course, was fired last month from the hit medical drama after on-set conflicts including use of an anti-gay slur, which later was connected to co-star T.R. Knight. Washington initially denied missteps, then apologized and underwent counseling at ABC's insistence.

But in subsequent interviews after his firing, he said racism might have been a factor and accused Knight of manipulating the controversy.

Katherine Pope, president of NBC's Universal Media Studios, says that despite the public baggage, Washington is "a brilliant actor," and she believes viewers will re-embrace him. "I think people watch characters on TV, not personalities" in the news, she says.

Washington won critical praise for his role as Dr. Preston Burke, who was written out of Grey's at the end of its third season in May, when he walked out on Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) moments before their planned wedding.

On Bionic Woman, he'll play an outsider with a mysterious agenda who is introduced early in the series and may either help the superpowered Jamie (Michelle Ryan, in the role first played by Lindsay Wagner) or take her down.

Washington signed on for at least five episodes of the drama, considered NBC's strongest shot this fall, in a crop developed by former entertainment president Kevin Reilly, who has since moved to the same post at Fox.

The Washington deal marks the first stamp of new NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman, who also is an executive producer of The Office and Ugly Betty.

"He's a totally awesome actor," Silverman says. "He did a great job for Grey's Anatomy and he's got a fan base." As for Washington's offscreen drama, "He's put that behind him. Let's give him a chance to do what he does."

Isaiah Washington wasn't joking when - in response to being axed from Grey's Anatomy yesterday - he issued the Network-inspired statement: "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore."

In an exclusive interview, the actor's spokesperson, Howard Bragman, told TV Guide that "Isaiah really is angry."

Particularly mystifying to the star is the timing of his ouster: months after he revived the F-word controversy by repeating the slur backstage at the Golden Globes.

"If they wanted to fire him," Bragman asks, "why didn't they fire him when [the incident] happened? Why did they say, 'Here's what you need to do if you want to come back… ' and then, when he did everything that was asked of him, he still gets fired. Why do you treat somebody like that?

"If you made a mistake, you acknowledged the mistake, you went into counseling, you met with the groups, you did the PSA, you did everything that was asked of you, and then they still kick you in the gut? How would you feel?"

While Bragman says there was no formal agreement with ABC that if Washington did X, Y and Z he could keep his job, "there was a discussion and it was agreed upon that this is what needs to be done to come back, and he did everything...And, in fact, we were the ones that pushed for the PSA."

Although Bragman won't rule out Washington taking possible legal action against ABC, he adds, "It would be premature to speculate. We have time to discuss that."

(A rep for ABC studios declined to comment on a potential lawsuit, but a studio executive with knowledge of the TV biz says producers have the legal right to not pick up an actor's option â€" with or without cause.)

Might Washington, who is currently shooting the independent movie The Least of These in Los Angeles, make a brief return to Grey's to tie up Burke's loose ends? "That would be a question for ABC," Bragman says. "I certainly can't imagine they would tell him they're not renewing his contract and then ask him to come back and clean things up."

What do you think? Should ABC have Washington come back for a cameo in order to actually send him off properly? Sound off on our forums today.

Though Ellen Pompeo was on Ryan Seacrest's morning radio show on Friday to discuss her charity work, there was no escaping talk of her Isaiah Washington's shocking dismissal from Grey's Anatomy.

Pompeo also touched on Katherine Heigl's summer movie success and Grey's storylines for next year, but the good stuff came when Seacrest asked her about Washington and T.R. Knight's fates. Here are those highlights:

On Isaiah Washington's departure:
"I got a call late last night from my lawyer...and I woke up this morning and saw it...that's really all I know. I really can't comment on my reaction."

On whether she knew anything in advance:
"No. They're very secretive about things, for obvious reasons. I guess actors have big mouths. So I didn't really know what would happen, if anything. It's not really my business...You just have to roll with the punches."

On word that T.R. Knight has signed a contract to return:
"I certainly hope so. It's such an ensemble. The show works, I think, because all of us have such great chemistry together."

Well, except the cast and Washington, of course. Fans of the show are already in heated discussions about the decision on our message board.

The speculation is over: After a controversial season, Isaiah Washington will not be returning to Grey's Anatomy, his rep and ABC Television Studio have confirmed.

Howard Bragman, Washington's publicist, says Washington's option was not renewed, and released this statement from the actor: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more."

The quote is a reference to the 1976 film Network, but we doubt the actor was joking around. We also can't imagine what he means, however.

The cast was notified Thursday night of the final decision, which, says a source close to the situation, was a long time coming. In the end, the source says, Washington's behavior made him a liability.

As Grey's Anatomy followers know, rumors ran rampant following the season finale â€" during which Washington's character, Dr. Preston Burke, broke up with his fiancée, Christina Yang (Sandra Oh), and moved out of their apartment â€" that Washington would not be returning.

The actor first came under fire last fall after getting into an altercation with Patrick Dempsey, during which he allegedly referred to castmate T.R. Knight with a homophobic slur.

Washington later apologized, checked into rehab, met with gay leaders and recently released a PSA decrying the use of hate speech.

What do you think of the decision to let Washington walk? Visit our forums now and let us know.

We're used to seeing her in scrubs. But Ellen Pompeo cleans up nicely.

Seen here, the actress that portrays our favorite title character is wearing the same satin dress as Celine Dion. Oops!

You tell us: Who wears it better?

Ellen Pompeo - the Golden Globe-nominated Ellen Pompeo! - recently sat down with TheEnvelope.com.

To read the entire interview, click here. We've provided a few excerpts below:

Q: This is a big year for you. You get engaged on your birthday [to Chris Ivery] and then you receive the Golden Globe nomination the following month.

Ellen Pompeo: Yes, I have a few things to be happy about!

Q: Speaking of the Globes, have you started working on an acceptance speech?

Ellen Pompeo: No way! You know, I don't have a chance. Edie Falco and Kyra Sedgwick [are nominated]. Come on!

Q: Are you surprised that the series attracts such a diverse age group of fans?

Ellen Pompeo: I think that is the most pleasantly surprising thing about the show. It's surprising that the show is so popular, but I am just so happy that people are finding solace in the show.

Mothers are telling me it is something they can do with their teenage daughters because they are having a hard time getting through to them. This is something they can do together because the teenagers love the show and the mothers love the show. The fact that the show is a vehicle that is bringing people together is the most important thing to come out of this.

I feel hopefully we breakdown all sorts of stereotypes -- racial and medical. I love the fact that also -- not to digress -- that we do have so many elderly storylines in the show. I feel like a lot of shows are into what's young and hip and cool. The fact that we have 14-year-old patients in the hospital and 90-year-old patients in the hospital -- we represent all people.

Q: Were you surprised about the headlines the series made over the October on-set argument between regulars Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey when Washington used a homophobic slur about one of the show's stars? (T.R. Knight, who plays George, came out of the closet soon after the fight).

Ellen Pompeo: I wasn't surprised by it. I knew immediately when that happened, I said 'Oh, oh. They don't know how big this will be.' I knew because I already had my little experiences with the press coming after me and from me doing absolutely nothing.

There were rumors I was anorexic and a diva. The fact that none of this was instigated and they made such a big deal about it. I wasn't in the room when the fight happened. I was in the next room and heard the fight and I thought this is going to be huge.

Her character may be working out her relationship, but Sandra Oh is officially single.

The Grey's Anatomy actress' marriage to Sideways writer-director Alexander Payne was terminated on Decesmber. However, the couple's divorce is not finalized, they still have to settle financial issues, according to legal documents obtained by People magazine.

In March 2005, a spokeswoman confirmed that Oh and Payne had "mutually decided to separate." Added the rep: "They have been together for five years and were married in (January) 2003. The couple will remain friends."

Oh filed for divorce the following April in Los Angeles Superior Court. According to her filing, she was seeking spousal support.

In opposing news, Ellen Pompeo recently got engaged to long-time boyfriend, Chris Ivery.

It's a back and forth battle.

Just like Meredith and Addison were vying for the affection of a certain doctor for the first part of Season Two, Grey's Anatomy and CSI have been neck in neck in ratings as the new fall season gets underway.

Of course, we all know who came out on top in the battle for McDreamy's heart; and, based on this week's rankings, we all know who will continue to dominate the airwaves.

Grey's Anatomy beat CSI head-to-head in Thursday night's primetime race, leading ABC to a nightly victory in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic while CBS prevailed in viewers.

"Sometimes a Fantasy" was the night's top show in both total viewership (22.5 million) and adults 18-49 (9.2 rating/13 share), according to estimates by Nielsen Media Research. It was a little more than one million viewers ahead of CSI and well ahead of the CBS stalwart in the key demographic.

What did you think of the episode? Did it deserve such a high number of viewers? Talk it about it with other fans on our Grey's Anatomy Forums!