'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Private Practice' prepare for a joint operation

There's nothing like a nasty case of worms in the brain to bring a gang back together.

On the set of "Grey's Anatomy," a gaggle of doctors have congregated around the hospital bed of one of their own, a neurologist who's suffering from the life-threatening illness. Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) wants to perform risky surgery on the patient (Grant Show), who just happens to be the brother of his ex-wife, Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh), who exited "Grey's" in 2007 for a fresh start on its spinoff, "Private Practice."

Now, just in time for sweeps, Addison is back at Seattle Grace for the first crossover between the ABC series.

"This is like our 'Big Chill,' " said Shonda Rhimes, who created both soapy medical dramas. "It's that idea of who you used to be and who you are now."

The timing of the on-screen mashup, which airs Thursday, is notable as well: "Grey's" is in the midst of a rocky fifth season, while "Private" is still regarded as its less popular kid sibling. The idea for a crossover was first floated by the network last season but, with "Private" still in its infancy, Rhimes was resistant. "I wanted to solidify the identity of what 'Private Practice' is," Rhimes explained, "both for audiences and in our minds.

Read the whole story here.

-- By Shawna Malcom

(Photo courtesy Karen Neal / ABC)

Comments

[Deanne]

Perhaps the problem is that there is 29 of them?????

Hello if the writers think theres too much people why are there too much people?

[Brenda]

I want more Mer-Der. Why can't they listen to Patrick Dempsey? Less ghosts, more Mer-Der and George.

[Seriously?]

"I can listen to everyone's shouts of 'Izzie's having ghost sex!' and laugh a little bit," she continued, "because I know where it's going."

I hate that she acts like the people who watch are idiots not getting her brilliant writing. SHE IS NOT BRILLIANT. Here's a thought, drop the ghost, listen to Sandra and Patrick, reduce the 29.

MAY BE your show could be worth watching again.

[Claire]

Fans are well aware of what is wrong with the show and what is right. The difference between Rhimes and say DH show runner Mark Cherry, is that Cherry was able to bring his show back from a bad season by both listening to fans and his own vision for the show, while Rhimes seems triumphant in ignoring Grey's Anatomy's fan base and then pulling cheap stunts like this crossover which serves her spin off Private Practice only. She seems to care little that fans have voiced loudly they didn't want this arc for the show and saw the stunt coming miles away. Thought ratings for Grey's post strike are not all that bad, fans trust in what Rhimes& Company will deliver for the press, buzz, cheap talk and fast ratings rather than quality have been evident since mid season 3 of this once acclaimed show. They feel it deserves so much better than what it is getting now.. Dempsey's final quote says a lot. The actor is, has always aware and supported fans feelings towards the core couple of the show-Meredith and Derek, but then to see one of the writers jokingly and a bit sarcastically respond to one of the show's biggest stars in that dismissive way is exactly how fans figured the creator/writers on this show would sadly. Rather than emphasizing on what works, they keep adding cast members. This show started with 12 and is now at close to 30 which is extreme no matter how you look at it. Dempsey should not be taken lightly as a star and a major pull for this show. He should be listened to and so should the fans to some extent. Pity that will never happen.

[DJ]

Shonda rhimes is an egomaniac, she doesn't think she made any writing errors?

[Katie]

why is there 29 people then? WHY DON'T THEY DO SOMETHING TO FIX THE CAST BLOAT?

[Laura]

The Izzie storyline with Denny is beyond ridiculous. I had hoped that they wouldmake a good Alex/Izzie storyline without the need for a ghost.

[Kelly]

God, what an ego Rhimes has! Then Rhimes, why are you begging people on your very own blog to watch the show? Losing 4.5 million people this season alone must be keeping you up at nights. Why don't you get over yourself and admit the Dead Denny storyline was a BIG mistake before you lose even more viewers.

[Josie]

Well, I'm just amused because the very first comment was exactly my reaction. One of the problems is that there are 29 cast members to write for. I'm not sure what is meant by the "rocky season", the declining numbers - I'm one of those who gave up on the show and watch (download) sporadically or the not very good press.

I do admit to finding Ms. Rhimes lack of the charm of humility off putting. I always thought TV shows were a particular blend of creativity and business. Ms. Rhimes may know where a particular plot is heading but one aspect of the show that bores me is how long it can be dragged out (& acknowledging that one can always think it is too long or too short) but this show makes an art of dragging a story way, way, way out until I'm either bored (e.g., eternal love triangles) or the outcome is obvious (I think I get that Izzie is sick). And, what can this cross-over w/ Private Practice be, but business. An attempt to increase ratings no matter the justification Ms. Rhimes lays over it. After this arc, the season is 2/3's over?

The show has had some really bad moments - snark coming - "Teach Me" was an ugly 1952 bodice ripper line; although I will give it points for gender reversal.

I admit to wanting more MerDer, actually more, in general, of the original core cast. My complaint is that the show now reads as a series of too short scenes stuffing in a very large cast with significant story arcs in which I'm not too interested that simply leave me wishing for the soapy but very intriguing show that has passed away.

I don't think anybody expects that fans/critics will dictate every minute of a show or its direction, but I do think that when there is a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction and this level of critical comment, that it should be cause for concern by the creators and network.