[The following is an editorial column by contributor Alison Coffey and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Austinist staff. --The Editors]
I realize that I should be blogging about the new season of 24, but four hours of Jack Bauer and company is a lot to commit to, and so it's waiting on my DVR for a few long evenings of reruns. Or at least next weekend.
Instead, let's talk about Grey's Anatomy. Because just like the machinations of your best friends, enemies, aquaintances, and coworkers, it is just so much fun to talk about. If you tune in regularly to Grey's Anatomy, you know how absorbing it is--how easy it is to find oneself affected by the tumultuous lives of Meredith, McDreamy, Christina, Izzie, George, Dr. Burke, Dr. Bailey and the rest.
I have to admit I was a latecomer to the phenomenon that is Grey's Anatomy. During its first season I had other commitments, and although it was receiving great press I figured that if I'd missed the first season, why bother with the second?
Then, this past summer, I kept happening upon it during channel surfing and I couldn't turn away. Sometimes I'd only catch the last 10 minutes and I'd still be hooked. When the third season started I felt I had no choice but to watch. I was now an offical Grey's fan. I couldn't wait for each new episode every Thursday night, moreover I've been playing catchup on DVD with seasons one and two. If allowed, I could spend a whole day on the couch wishing McDreamy would look at me the way he does Ms. Grey. Sick.
"Yes," you might be saying, "What else is new? Lots of people love this show, so tell us something we don't know, lady." I have to wonder what makes this show take off in a way other dramas don't. What is the magic formula? I mean, we all have lists of favorite shows that never made it past one or two seasons (Hello "My So Called Life," "Relativity," "Once and Again"). What secrets does writer (genius?) Shonda Rhimes know?
I think it starts with truly likeable characters.
Meredith Grey may be a little bit too, uh, easy, a little bit too whiny, and way way too skinny, but dammit if she's not interesting, and, well, sort of fun to hang around. Cristina Yang has intimacy issues for sure, and she's not the biggest softie on the planet, but she knows how to make a good wisecrack. Plus she's talented, balsy, and, yes, fun. Izzie knows how to listen and she makes great muffins. George is every girl's dream best guy buddy. McDreamy (fine, Derek Shepherd) is the emotional steady we wish all our boyfriends and husbands could be. And he's cute. And he's a doctor. And he loves dogs.
The show seems to have achieved the absolute perfect stew of drama, melodrama, comedy, and romance. While bombs in ORs, gunshots, conjoined twins, sex on operating tables, fiances in need of heart transplants, and the everybody-has-a-tumor (what, you don't?) plotlines may not be the most realistic portrayal of life at a private hospital in Seattle, we certainly can relate to the range of emotions and intricacies of relationships that these characters experience. Of course a good bomb scare never hurt our interest either.
Happily, it looks like we are headed into some smooth, romantic sailing for at least a little while with Dr. Grey and Dr. Shepherd. George and Callie have been bonding and--kind-of--kissing, so perhaps with the possible loss of George's dad (the previews don't look good), Callie and George will reunite over grief. I don't know how I feel about the almost-kiss between Alex and Addison. Certainly they are both beautiful, but as their characters are set up, it doesn't seem like it could be much more than a fling. Don't forget, McSteamy is still in the picture and apparently somewhere in that hot body of his there is a heart that pines for Addison. And he seems rather persistent too. And of course we've all figured out by now where Izzie's money will be going. Her first patient in need of a new life and without the bucks for it has presented herself--a sassy seventeen year old with a severely deformed spine. Now Izzie's got a bank account to match the size of her heart. Help is on the way.
Grey's Anatomy
Thursdays, 8pm
ABC
photo by Alison Coffey
Grey's Anatomy photo from abc.com
add to digg
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
Oh, Alison, I wish I could agree with you. I have tried to watch no less than three episodes of this show, and I hate it. Haaaaaate it. None of my Grey's-lovin' friends can understand why.
I guess I'll just go ahead and turn in my ovaries now.
I'm still baffled by the Grey's Anatomy phenom. I'm a calendar buyer for stores across the country and this calendar totally exceeded sales expectations. I don't get it. Meredith is sooo irritating! Patrick Dempsey will always be McDorky to me. But Dr. Bailey and Derek's ex-wife are tolerable.
I liked this show when it was called General Hospital.
I'll tell you what their secret formula is: the writers studied the initial seasons of Scrubs, and they copied it.
scrubs is theater of the absurd. but i dig it. bre, you can keep your ovaries. any woman who can appreciate Peter Sarsgaard has my full support. laura, dr. bailey is my favorite! Stew, Luke and Laura rule! actually, I never watched general hospital, but I'm sure it was good in its own soapy way. Is it still on? love, me.
Here's how to be an extra in LA on Gray's if anyone is interested, And visit Austin Filmmakers on Google groups if you are interested in going in a group.
Nick
--
Paid Extra Work
Reply to: job-260122849@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-01-09, 2:06PM PST
READ THE ENTIRE POSTING BEFORE SENDING US YOUR INFORMATION.
JEFF OLAN CASTING, INC. is seeking extras for the popular TV series
"Grey's Anatomy". This is for Non-Union Extra work and payment is $60.00 for 8 hours of work and OT thereafter. The call times will be as early as 5:00am so we want only those who can make it that early and have transportation to get to the set and professional people. There is no experience needed, but you must have the entire days available to be placed on the set as we could work 10 to 12 hours. They will feed you lunch as well. This is what we are looking for and if you fit the bill email us a current photo of yourself that we can see, a phone number where to reach you today, and your measurements and height. Make sure to include all we are asking for. This is a one time opportunity to get on this hot tv show.
Last weeks call info:
SEEKING MALES, ALL ETHNICITIES, WITH SHORTER HAIR, CLEAN CUT, NO TATOOS ON ARMS, 18 TO 53 YEARS OLD, and YOU MUST FIT INTO A 26 TO 38 WAIST SIZE AND BE 5'8 OR TALLER TO PLAY COPS, PARAMEDICS, FIREMEN, AND OTHER EMERGENCY AGENTS. We have a few spots available for females with a 2-12 dress size, but mostly men are sought. DO NOT SEND US YOUR PHOTO AND INFO UNLESS YOU HAVE WED, THURSDAY, AND FRIDAY AVAILABLE. YOU MUST ALSO HAVE TWO FORMS OF ID TO GET PAID. MAKE SURE TO SEND US YOUR SIZES, TELEPHONE NUMBER, AND UPDATED PHOTO TO BE CONSIDERED. YOU CANNOT DO THIS IF YOU CAN ONLY WORK ONE OF THE THREE DAYS - THIS IS UNPRO AND WE NEED TO ASK YOU TO BE HONEST WITH US.
IF YOU DO NOT FIT THIS CALL, BUT WOULD LIKE TO "GET ROLL 'N WITH JEFF OLAN" FOR ALL OF THEIR PROJECTS INCLUDING "GREY'S ANATOMY", CALL 818-377-4475.
WE WILL CALL OUT TO YOU IF WE FEEL WE CAN USE YOU FOR THIS TV SHOW.>>>>>>SEND YOUR EMAIL TO THIS ADDRESS