Popularity / Ratings News (Page 4)

Nothing gets the ladies talking like a hot, single guy on a popular TV show. But what are the actors who play them actually like in real life?

In an effort to answer that, iVillage.com profiled 10 of TV's most eligible bachelors to find out how their characters stack up in the dating world... especially compared to themselves. One of the characters profiled was none other than Dr. Alex Karev of Grey's Anatomy.

It may surprise you to learn that the macho intern played by Justin Chambers bears little resemblance to the actor. Chambers, 35, has been married to wife Keisha for more than 12 years and has five children.

Even in his single days, Chambers says he was "a little more secure with himself. [Alex] is a little more insecure, and hides it with bravado."

Very interesting stuff, and proof that Chambers is a talented actor. He sure makes a convincing insecure jackass on TV! Other TV bachelors profiled on the site were James Denton, who plays plumber/vigilante Mike Delfino on the popular Grey's Anatomy lead-in, Desperate Housewives, and Barry Watson of What About Brian. Both are also married. Sorry, ladies.

While it should come as no surprise that celebrities -- as well as complete unknowns -- love Grey's Anatomy, it's always interesting to hear specific cases. In the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, New Jersey Nets Coach, Lawrence Frank (right), dubbed this ABC hit as the show he "can't miss."

We certainly hear you, Lawrence. What we'll do without Meredith and company is the topic of this week's poll. One thing is certain for all of us, however, rich or pennyless:

We can't wait for the next new episode. Is it April 30 yet?

According to MSNBC, it's the tried-and-true medical drama setup (good-looking doctors, talented guest stars, compelling medical scenarios) combined with a top-notch cast of characters with real depth and no shortage of sexual tension. In other words, Grey's Anatomy.

Assembling a group of talented actors and actresses without a bona fide star that distracts from the other cast members is a challenge, but Grey's Anatomy succeeded. Whether it's The Girl from Old School (Ellen Pompeo), That '80s Teen Idol Guy (Patrick Dempsey), or the Girl from Sideways (Sandra Oh), the cast members are recognizable, but not big enough to detract from the show as a whole.Throw in terrific but unappreciated performers such as Isaiah Washington, T.R. Knight and Katherine Heigl, and you have a group where any plot or combination can carry the show.

The characters geared towards establishing a rapport with the audience, and giving every viewer someone they relate to. While Meredith (Pompeo) is the central figure, George O’Malley (Knight) is the conscience, an "everyman" and lovable loser destined to be an audience favorite. Drs. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Webber (James Pickens, Jr.) are endearing, but no-nonsense bosses.
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Who knew knitting was such draw?

The newest episode of Grey's Anatomy, "Name of the Game," helped ABC to a dominating Sunday ratings victory last weekend. Once again, the show lconvincingly won its time slot in both total viewers and the coveted 18-49 age demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research.

With an estimated 22.4 million viewers and a 9.9 rating/23 share, Grey's Anatomy edged out its own lead-in, Desperate Housewives (22.1 million, 9.0/21), as the top show of the entire evening. Unfortunately for ABC, along with the show's legions of fans, there won't be a new episode until... hope you're sitting down... April 30.

Until then, we will have to make do with re-runs. The network will air "Something to Talk About" this Sunday. The episode is most memorable for the male patient who insists he is pregnant, and for a sheltered young girl who helps Alex realize, and express, his true feelings for Isobel. While we hate repeats on principle, we can make an exception for G.A. It's just too good!

Some viewers feel sorry for her, others want to throttle her. But there's one thing upon which all Grey's Anatomy fans can agree, observes TV critic Chuck Barney of the Contra Costa Times:

It isn't always easy to warm up to Meredith Grey.

The first-year surgical intern is a loving, compassionate soul. She's also an emotional train wreck. Not to mention self-absorbed, whiny and rude at times. She knows what's right, yet makes bad decisions and sleeps around. The show's growing number of fans face off on Meredith's merits (or lack thereof) constantly. Who better to assign credit (or blame) for Meredith's complexity than Shonda Rhimes, the writer/executive producer who created the Seattle Grace world.

"She's a little screwed-up. She's not always nice. She doesn't always do or say the perfect thing," Rhimes said. "She is somebody without a home, without a family, without ties. She's a woman who, on many a bad day, goes to a bar, gets drunk, picks up a boy and brings him home. I remember thinking (while creating her), 'She's every woman I know -- maybe a little heightened -- but that makes her more interesting.'"
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ABC is considering shifting Grey's Anatomy from Sunday nights to Mondays or Thursdays after its recent surge in popularity, according to the Chicago Tribune. The big discussion at the network's annual development meeting in Los Angeles last week, the big discussion was whether Grey's Anatomy will be moved, prime time entertainment chief Steve McPherson said.

Ratings for the show have jumped since the cliffhanger episode on February 5, which aired right after the Super Bowl and drew 37 million viewers. The series is one of the top scripted shows among young adults and has been ABC's breakout hit for the season.

"The show has a broad appeal and advertisers would feel safe to be affiliated with that type of program. It's not violent or offensive," said Karen McCallum, an ad buyer at Esparza Advertising in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Moving Grey's to the biggest TV weeknight would give ABC the chance to better promote movies or events. It would be a bold move to break up the Grey's Anatomy-Desperate Housewives 1-2 punch, but ABC has historically fared so poorly on Thursdays, it might just try. Needless to say, we'll follow Meredith and friends wherever they go.

Meanwhile, TV Guide reports that during ABC's May sweeps push, Grey's Anatomy will end its sophomore season with a two-part, three-hour event. The finale will begin Sunday, May 14 and conclude the next night, Monday, May 15. If it's half as riveting as the post-Super Bowl "Code Black" drama, there's no telling how high the ratings might go!

As of this morning, our favorite show ranks first on the top five Entertainment Weekly site searches. Better yet, the SGH gang is featured in this week's edition of the magazine as well.

For those of you just getting enraptured by the steamy Seattle Grace world, there's an official "hook-up guide" that details who has gotten it on with who, who's living where, etc.

With bigger ratings than ever and more media coverage than we can even track, Grey's Anatomy is becoming a phenomenon. We couldn't be happier.

There are TV fans, says staff writer Maria Elena Fernandez in Friday's L.A. Times, and then there are Grey's Anatomy fans.

"Patrick Dempsey, when he nearly kisses Meredith, it's like nearly kissing me." said Jacki Moore, 37, a mother of two in Burbank, Calif. "I've gone to a few of the fan sites and I look for pictures, and I Google his name to see if anything comes up. I'm ready to put a poster up on my wall."

Karyn McQueen, a 23-year old business student, feels the same way about Patrick Dempsey's handsome character, Derek Shepherd.

"I just feel like I can relate a lot to Meredith and I'm rooting for the underdog, but, oh, I'm a McDreamy fan," she said. "I want him and Meredith to be together. You see the way he looks at her. He really does love her."

Grey's Anatomy has progressed from hit show to pop-culture sensation. It's beating the CSI juggernaut in the coveted 18-49 demographic for the entire season, and twice has garnered a larger audience than its Wisteria Lane lead-in (Desperate Housewives) when both shows aired original episodes.

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It's official. Thanks to the bitterness of George, the infant-related antics of Cristina and the burgeoning, confusing friendship between Meredith and McDreamy, Grey's Anatomy is the king of Sunday night.

This week's new episode averaged 22.5 million viewers, good for a 9.9 rating/23 share in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic, according to preliminary estimates from Nielsen Media Research.

Our favorite show has been on a ratings roll since it captured an audience of 38 million people with its post-Super Bowl bonanza last month. This Sunday, it outshone its strong lead-in, Desperate Housewives. The pair helped ABC dominate the evening in total viewers over other networks that can only dream of such a wonderful cast and team of writers.

It looks like Seattle Grace Hospital is becoming quite the popular Sunday night destination these days... even more so than Wisteria Lane.

Grey's Anatomy has benefitted greatly in ratings from the over-the-top ladies of Desperate Housewives who precede it. But with 24.3 million viewers checking out Sunday night's episode, Meredith, Derek and company trumped their lead-in for the second consecutive week. "Housewives," which became a Sunday night staple with its breakout first season, did draw a solid 23.4 million viewers Sunday.

Through the end of January, Grey's Anatomy averaged about 17.9 million viewers per week, but the show's audience has jumped more than 35 percent since due to the exposure it received in the coveted post-Super Bowl slot. The two-part cliffhanger episode revolving around an unexploded bomb in the operating room -- somewhat uncharacteristic of the show -- may have helped the show expand its audience as well.

On the season, Grey's Anatomy ranks ninth in ratings among all Prime Time programs. No doubt that it some "Desperate" exposure has helped it rise, but the SGH gang is starting to hold up its end of the bargain!