CBS averaged an 8.3 rating/13 share for the night to finish comfortably ahead of second-place ABC, 6.7/11. FOX came in third with a 5.2/8. NBC, 4.6/7, was fourth, while The CW came in at 2.0/3.
The big four nets were tightly bunched in the adults 18-49 demographic, but CBS came out on top with a 3.7 rating. ABC took second at 3.5, and NBC and FOX tied for third at 3.1. The CW earned a 1.3.
"Survivor: Tocantins" put CBS on top at 8 o'clock with a 7.4/12. "Bones," 5.9/10, finished second for FOX. "Ugly Betty" drew a 4.9/8 for ABC. A "My Name Is Earl" rerun and "Kath & Kim" came in fourth for NBC, while "Smallville" pulled down a 2.2/4 for The CW.
CBS held the overall lead at 9 p.m. with "CSI," 10.3/16. "Grey's Anatomy" (9.0/14), however, led the hour among adults 18-49. "Hell's Kitchen" delivered a 4.5/7 for FOX, edging "The Office," 4.5/7, and "30 Rock," 3.9/6, on NBC. The CW's "Supernatural" trailed.
At 10 p.m., CBS' "Eleventh Hour" grabbed the most viewers with a 7.4/12, but "ER," 6.9/12, led the 18-49 demo and snagged its biggest audience of the season. "Private Practice" averaged 6.3/11 for ABC.
The Emmy-nominated actress, who portrays Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey's, will take on the role of Matron "Mama" Morton, the bawdy boss of a women's cell block portrayed by Queen Latifah in the film version of the popular musical. The show's producers have announced that Wilson will debut on June 5.
Not that it's her first time on the New York stage. Wilson, 39, has appeared in The Good Times Are Killing Me and Broadway productions of Avenue Q and On the Town.
Last summer, after tabloid reports surfaced that Izzie Stevens would have a brain tumor this season on Grey's Anatomy, we asked Shonda about the stories and she told us, point-blank "no," there was no truth the stories.
Nine months later, after viewers rejected the season's major Dead Denny plotline as patent nonsense—a situation that might have redeemed if those viewers had confirmation that he was a tumor-induced hallucination—Justin Chambers has confirmed that, duh, Izzie has a cancer.
What exactly did he say and when will we see the news onscreen?
According to TV Guide Canada, Justin Chambers (who plays Izzie's boyfriend and fellow doctor Alex Karev) said, "Izzie has cancer, so I'm there to support her...I would expect Alex to shut down a little bit if something awful happens to Izzie, but these are opportunities to see his chivalrous side and his true love for her, so there should be some interesting stuff coming up." (Whoo Izzie-Alex romance!)
And yes, in next Thursday's all-new episodes of the ABC drama Izzie's flock of interns will finally nail down her illness, although as far as they know, they're only diagnosing "patient X."
The "Grey's Anatomy" actress has stirred up all kinds of rumors on the set of her latest movie, "Five Killers," sparked by a series of alleged demands.
Supposedly, the 30-year-old star of films like "Knocked Up," has been "extremely unprofessional," "flaking on meetings and making ridiculous demands," insiders told Fox News.
Heigl reportedly has insisted that she be flown by private plane to the film's international locations and wants "crazy amounts of security."
But the requests don't end there.
According to one extra who was on the set of "27 Dresses," the blond bombshell "reportedly refused to film any scenes until her pregnant assistant ran around and got her a Coke Zero. She refused to eat lunch next to anyone or have anyone speak to her once the cameras stopped rolling."
According to another insider, "No one on the crew likes her."
And though recent films have made her a household name, another source added that "many directors that she's worked with in the past do not want to work with her again."
Rumors began earlier this year that Heigl was desperate to leave the cast of "Grey's Anatomy."
She then made headlines when she publicly bad-mouthed Judd Apatow's "Knocked Up," a film that brought her significant box office success.
Heigl further irritated Hollywood when was nominated for an Emmy on "Grey's" and then withdrew her name and insulted the writers of the show, saying she didn't feel her character had any "material that was worthy to submit."
George, says the Reporter, will play a Los Angeles Assistant District Attorney who moves cross-country to join her ex-husband's (Jason Clarke) team. (Er, that would seem to be a questionable call.) In addition to Brotherhood's Clarke, Lennie James (Jericho) was previously cast on this pilot.
Elsewhere on the Eye, Cole Hauser (K-Ville) is bound for Washington Field, Criminal Minds boss Ed Bernero's drama pilot about an elite team of FBI agents that tackles crises around the world. Hauser will play the squad's supervisor.
E! News has confirmed that Jessica Capshaw, who showed up at Seattle Grace last month as hottie-blond pediatrician Arizona Robbins, has inked a contract to remain on Grey's Anatomy for the near future.
Sounds like a plan—we need all the corporeal, flesh-and-blood couplings mastermind Shonda Rimes can come up with right now. Lucky for us all then that Sara Ramirez's Callie seems pretty interested in Arizona, who is quite a babe as far as baby doctors go.
A rep for Capshaw had no further details to divulge about the future trials and tribulations of Arizona (with a name like that, if the whole doctor thing doesn't work out, she could always get work as a TV weather girl), but our pals over at EW.com report that she'll be sticking around for the rest of this season, with an option to return as a regular come fall.
That's the word on the street this morning after the release of the logline for the next all-new ep of Grey's, airing March 12, which suggests that Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd might not be long for the show: "After learning at a deposition that more of his patients have died than survived, Derek decides to quit."
What the what?
Could Seattle Grace's chief of neurosurgery be heading out the door, following in the footsteps of Burke, Hahn, Sadie and quite possibly Izzie and George?
Here's what I'm hearing... Everything is gonna be OK.
For one thing, the complete description for the Mer-Der storyline in the next new ep implies that Mer pulls Der out of his funk: "After learning at a deposition that more of his patients have died than survived, Derek decides to quit, even as Meredith refuses to give up on him." Awww...Grey finally gets to be a support system for Shepherd, instead of the other way around!
As for the big picture, an inside source tells me, "[Derek] may be 'quitting' but [he is] definitely not leaving the show. [Dempsey] doesn't want to leave, and they wouldn't let him go anyway.
Hallelujah! Someone at Grey's who actually likes their job! It's a TV miracle, people!
Now, would you even watch Grey's if it didn't have your McDreamy?
Private Practice star Kate Walsh, whose multi-episode Grey's Anatomy-Practice crossover stint concluded Thursday night, says you may not have seen the last of her on her former show.
"I might [come back]," she tells Us Weekly. "I'm not gonna say. Who knows what's in the mind of [show creator] Shonda Rhimes."
The actress says she was "really thrilled" to get the call to stop by Grey's again as "it's always fun to go back." But for now, she's content heading Oceanside Wellness on Practice. "I'm about to wrap Private Practice and I'm having a great time," she says. "I'm thrilled with the numbers, and I'm in a great place."
CBS led the night overall with an 8.6 rating/14 share and just under 14 million viewers. ABC, 7.5/12 and 11.5 million viewers, took second. FOX, 5.0/8, finished third, a point ahead of NBC's 4.0/6. The CW trailed at 1.3/2.
ABC won the adults 18-49 race with a 4.2 rating, edging CBS' 3.9. FOX grabbed third in the key ad demographic with a 3.0. NBC, 2.5, was fourth, and The CW drew a 0.8.
"Survivor: Tocantins" put CBS on top at 8 p.m. with a 7.9/13. "Bones" scored a 6.0/10 for FOX. ABC's "Ugly Betty," 5.1/8, came in third. "My Name Is Earl," 4.1/7, and "Kath & Kim," 3.3/5, gave NBC the No. 4 spot, while The CW brought up the rear with a "Smallville" rerun.
CBS stayed on top at 9 p.m. with "CSI," 10.5/16. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" posted a 10.0/15 and was also the night's top show among adults 18-49. "Hell's Kitchen" drew a 4.1/6 for FOX, topping the 3.4/5 average for reruns of "The Office" and "30 Rock" on NBC.
At 10 p.m., ABC's "Private Practice" earned a 7.5/13 -- down from its "Grey's" crossover-fueled heights of the past couple weeks but still better than its prior season average. CBS' "Eleventh Hour" was right behind at 7.4/11. The return of Noah Wyle to "ER" didn't move the needle much, as the show came in at 4.9/8.
The "Watchmen" star is in negotiations to work on another comic-book-based movie, "The Losers," from Warner Bros. and Silver Pictures.
Sylvain White is directing the adaptation of the Vertigo book, which follows a special forces team betrayed by their handler and left for dead. The Losers regroup in the interest of revenge and the opportunity to remove their names from a secret CIA death list and to conduct covert operations against the CIA.
Morgan would play Clay, the group's leader, whose signature look favors black suits without ties.
Peter Berg and James Vanderbilt worked on the script.
Dates are still being worked out for the production as Morgan shoots the Hammer Films thriller "The Resident" with Hilary Swank.
In "Watchmen," Warners' adaptation of the DC miniseries, he portrays the Comedian, a cigar-chomping vigilante-turned-hero. Morgan also appears on "Grey's Anatomy."
Heigl has been cast as a woman who meets the man of her dreams in "Five Killers," according to Variety. Sounds sweet, right? Did we mention Ashton Kutcher plays the man in question? Or that the pair's neighbors may be assassins out to kill them both? No, we don't know why, though "The Butterfly Effect" may be high on the list.
Heigl, 30, currently stars on "Grey's Anatomy," though rumors of her impending exit persist. Kutcher, 31, is busy; as of yesterday, he was in final negotiations to star in the body-swapping football comedy "Traded."
Rhimes was referring to a recent comment in the press attributed to Grey’s castmember James Pickens Jr., in which he was said to be confirming the departure of Heigl and Knight.
“That was absolutely taken out of context,” said Rhimes. “Things happen, and … I think rumors become fact very easily. And you know I don’t like to tell you what’s going to happen on the show — but that is a rumor,” she emphasized.
For his part, Pickens says he meant to wish the pair well in general.
“We’ve been living with these rumors for a long time,” he said before the NAACP’s awards show. “When the question was posed to me, I was more trying to congratulate Katie and T.R. on whatever they were going to do. But yeah, I don’t have any special info about it either way.”
ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy took home three awards, including Chandra Wilson’s win for outstanding actress in a drama series. Wilson said she was looking forward to the show’s upcoming 100th episode — and insisted things were all good on the set.
“We’re laughing at the rumors, as we always do,” Wilson said before the ceremony. “Stories come out, and [there are] these big quotes, and we go, ‘But that’s not exactly what I said.’ So, we’re busy doing our jobs, doing our work.”
CBS led the overall race for the evening with an 8.6 rating/14 share, beating out ABC's 7.9/13 (the two networks were separated by about 2 million viewers). NBC finished third at 4.4/7. FOX, 2.6/4, came in fourth, while The CW brought in a 1.4/2.
Thanks to the crossover, ABC led among adults 18-49 with a 4.6 rating. CBS, 4.0, took second. NBC came in third at 3.1, followed by FOX, 1.4, and The CW, 0.9.
The premiere of "Survivor: Tocantins" scored an 8.1/13 for CBS at 8 p.m. "Ugly Betty," 4.9/8, put ABC in second. "My Name Is Earl," 4.0/7, and "Kath & Kim," 3.3/5, were third for NBC. FOX's telecast of the NAACP Image Awards came in fourth, topping the 1.5/2 for a "Smallville" rerun on The CW.
CBS stayed on top at 9 p.m. with "CSI," 10.8/17, although "Grey's Anatomy" (9.7/15) led the adults 18-49 demo for the hour. NBC held onto third with "The Office," 5.3/8, and "30 Rock," 4.6/7. The Image Awards drew a 2.7/4 for FOX. The CW trailed with a "Supernatural" repeat.
"Private Practice" delivered a 9.1/15 at 10 p.m., beating the season high it achieved last week. "Eleventh Hour" scored a 7.0/12 for CBS, and "ER" came in at 4.7/8 for NBC.
During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show set to air Wednesday, the actor, 36, admitted he and his wife of four years, actress Rebecca Gayheart, also 36, would like to have children.
"We’re currently working on that," he said. But he added the process hasn't been simple.
"It’s funny because you get the doctors involved and they call you and it's like, In eight days I’ll have to put in some work," he explained. Then, he said, for four days, "I will be very busy and I probably shouldn’t schedule anything else."
DeGeneres then suggested that four days of sex sounded like "tough work."
"Hard work," he agreed, "great if you can get it though."
The actor also addressed recent rumors that his costars Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight will be leaving the ABC series. (In the past, Heigl has publically expressed unhappiness with her plotlines.)
"I worked with them this morning and they were both very present," he said, noting only the show's executive producer, Shonda Rhimes, could comment on their futures.
"Until the boss says this is going down, it’s not happening."
Grey's actor James Pickens Jr. tells Us Weekly that Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight, who have been the focus of most of that speculation, will both be leaving the show at season's end.
"Yes, she is," Pickens said in response to a question about Heigl leaving at an NAACP Image Awards lunch over the weekend. "Wherever Katherine goes, I wish her nothing but the best."
Heigl's character, Dr. Izzie Stevens, recently found out -- courtesy of her dead, not-a-ghost boyfriend, Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) -- that she's sick and spent much of the last episode surreptitiously trying to diagnose herself. Reports that Heigl was on her way out (or not) of the ABC have been swirling for some time, particularly after Heigl's remarks about not being given "material ... to warrant an Emmy nomination" last summer.
Knight, meanwhile, has been pushed to the show's margins of late, only appearing in one or two scenes per episode. Pickens tells Us that the actor who plays George O'Malley "just wanted to pursue other career paths."
Pickens' statement on Knight's potential departure counters recent remarks by ABC boss Stephen McPherson. Speaking to reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour last month, McPherson said he expected Knight to be back next season.
Grey's Anatomy has already written off cast regular Brooke Smith this season. The show and ABC took some heat for writing off a gay character (Smith's Dr. Erica Hahn had recently begun a relationship with Sara Ramirez's Callie Torres), although McPherson said the move was made because of "the dynamic with the relationship was not working."
Grey's ends its season in May, which is presumably when we'll have definitive answers to the two actors' future on the show.
Meanwhile, Pompeo's Grey's Anatomy costar Katherine Heigl and husband Josh Kelley, "smiling from ear to ear" during a romantic dinner at Kabuki in Hollywood. The happy duo shared sushi during their late-night dinner and enjoyed each other's company, an onlooker says.
ABC averaged a 7.7 rating/12 share in primetime. FOX and CBS tied for second in households at 5.6/9, but FOX had more total viewers (9.2 million to 8.6 million for CBS). NBC, 4.3/7, came in fourth. The CW earned a 2.2/3.
ABC also led among adults 18-49 with a 4.5 rating. FOX took second in the advertisers' favorite demographic with a 3.3. NBC, 2.9, finished third, followed by CBS, 2.2, and The CW, 1.5.
"Bones" put FOX on top at 8 p.m. with a 6.7/11. "Ugly Betty," 5.0/8, grabbed second for ABC. CBS was third with reruns of "The Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother, which beat NBC's "My Name Is Earl," 3.9/6, and "Kath & Kim," 3.1/5. "Smallville" delivered a 2.4/4 for The CW.
"Grey's Anatomy," 9.8/15, moved ABC into the lead at 9 p.m. CBS took second with a "CSI" rerun, 7.4/11. FOX's "Hell's Kitchen" finished third. "The Office" (5.2/8) didn't enjoy any kind of post-Super Bowl bump and along with "30 Rock," 4.1/6, finished fourth for NBC. The CW got a 2.1/3 from "Supernatural."
"Private Practice," which began a crossover with "Grey's," scored an 8.4/14 -- easily its biggest audience of the season -- at 10 p.m. An "Eleventh Hour" rerun, 5.5/9, on CBS beat out "ER," 4.8/8, on NBC.
Batman's former Robin and the recording artist/sometime actor are in talks to front the CBS hit's offshoot, says the Reporter and EW. O'Donnell would play a chameleon-like investigator, while LL's potential character is a former Navy SEAL.
CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler said that just as Mark Harmon's NCIS "was [born of] an episode of JAG," this latest back-door pilot would air as an episode of NCIS later this season.
"This tiny little dog we got definitely seems like it could be a good little proving ground," Kelley says.
The dog is Oscar, an abandoned pup the couple recently took home after rescuing him in Mexico. The story is truly heart wrenching...
"Someone had taken the dog, put it in a bag, threw it in a trashcan, and it was just yelping," Kelley said. "We took the dog back to our place, and I took my golf toothbrush and scrubbed all of the fleas out of it, and we got all the ticks out of its ears, took him to the vet, got him all cleaned up, gave him shots, and then they let us take him home."
We caught up with Kelly earlier today at the Callaway Golf Foundation's tournament benefiting the Entertainment Industry Foundation's cancer research programs, where he played alongside Mark Wahlberg, Tim Allen, Andy Richter and Gabriel Aubry.
If Kelley and Heigl have decided when they want to have children, they're not saying.
"We're just keeping that personal," Kelley said.
For now, it sounds like the lovebirds, who married a little over a year ago, are still enjoying the honeymoon. "We're closer now even than we were when we got married—it's so awesome," Kelley said. "I think if you're supposed to be together, your love grows. And I can say if your love doesn't grow, maybe it's time to move on."
The story centers on a young doctor (Swank) who moves into a loft in Brooklyn where mysterious occurrences lead her to suspect that she is not alone in her home. She discovers that her seemingly charming landlord (Morgan) has developed a dangerous obsession with her, resulting in a terrifying game of cat and mouse.
Antti J. Jokinen is directing the feature for U.K.-based Hammer Films.
Jokinen and Robert Orr wrote the initial script, which was rewritten by Erin Cressida Wilson. The film is the feature debut for the Finland-born Jokinen, a music video director who has worked with Beyonce, Shania Twain and Will Smith.
Morgan and Swank appeared together in "P.S. I Love You." Morgan next appears as the Comedian in "Watchmen."
ABC has greenlit Inside the Box, a new pilot from the Grey's Anatomy creator, a rep for the network confirmed for TVGuide.com. The potential series centers on an ambitious female news producer and her colleagues whose extracurriculars, the net promises, will be more exciting than the stories they cover.
While Box will be Rhimes' first foray out of the TV-medicine motif in recent years, it isn't her first attempt at creating a show set in the world of journalism, The Hollywood Reporter says. She first developed the concept in 2006, but put it aside to focus on Grey's and its spin-off, Private Practice.
Rhimes' pilot is among three that ABC has greenlit. It joins fellow female-centric drama I, Claudia, about a female prosecuting attorney who doesn't know that she'll one day be considered for president of the U.S. Writer John Scott Shepherd (The Days) developed the idea, and will executive-produce the pilot with Matt Gross.
The Alphabet's third pilot is an adaptation of Argentine series Brothers & Detectives from Dexter honcho Daniel Cerone. The untitled project features a low-level detective who learns that he has an exceptional, 11-year-old brother who can help him solve crimes.
How soon we might see the pilots make it to air is unclear. So far, ABC is staying mum on when Rhimes' next gaggle of good-looking, young professionals might hit the airwaves — and who might be filling their investigative shoes.
Could Clooney's return to County General for the medical drama's final season make for a scrub match between to the two TV docs?
"No, no, no," says Patrick Dempsey, 43, who has nothing but praise for his fellow actor. "There’s no competition. He’s always handled himself in such a great way."
"I’ve heard a lot about how he behaved on the set and after the show," adds Dempsey of Clooney, 47, "and I think there are a lot of things to learn from him."
The big draw this week is Patrick Dempsey, Dr. McDreamy in TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and a serious, if part-time, sports car racer.
Dempsey, competing in the slower GT class, is co-driving a Mazda RX-8 in the 24-hour endurance event with four other drivers, none of them anywhere near as well known.
Newman, who was part of the winning team at Daytona at age 70, liked to stay away from the crowds and kept a low profile when out of the car. Dempsey, on the other hand, spent long periods Thursday and Friday signing autographs and chatting with fans, smiling the entire time.
“This is a lot of fun for me,” he said Saturday, shortly before the start of the twice-around-the-clock race. “I love the atmosphere at this race.”
But it isn’t all about fun for the actor, who drives for his own Dempsey Racing.
“We’ve been doing this a number of years now,” he said. “The goal is to really be taken seriously and to go out there and really prove myself. Every time I come to the track, I want to be respected and be taken seriously by the other drivers.
“I want to win a race, I want to win a championship, and we’ll get there.”
Dempsey is combining his racing with another of his favorite activities, raising money for fighting breast cancer.
He and his team have created the Dempsey Racing Challenge, a contest to raise money for the Avon Foundation’s Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The actor’s mother is a breast cancer survivor.
The challenge offers the top fundraiser in each of nine walking events this year the opportunity to meet Dempsey and be his team’s guest at the 2010 Rolex 24.
CBS and ABC took their usual spots atop Thursday's ratings, while FOX's "Bones" improved FOX's lot on its new night.
CBS led the night's overall race with an 8.0 rating/13 share. ABC finished second at 7.0/11. FOX, 5.4/8, came in third, a point ahead of NBC, 4.4/7. The CW trailed with a 2.0/3.
ABC grabbed the top spot among adults 18-49 with a 3.9 rating. CBS took second at 3.3, just ahead of NBC, 3.1. FOX scored a 2.7 for fourth, and The CW pulled down a 1.4.
The first of two "Bones" episodes won the 8 p.m. hour for FOX with a 6.1/10. An "NCIS" rerun drew a 5.6/9 for CBS, beating the 5.1/8 for "Ugly Betty" on ABC. "My Name Is Earl" and "Kath & Kim" put NBC in fourth. "Smallville" delivered a 2.3/4 for The CW.
CBS moved in front at 9 p.m. thanks to "CSI," 10.5/16. "Grey's Anatomy" posted a 9.4/14 for ABC. A second "Bones" (4.7/7) was third in households for FOX, but NBC had a few more viewers with "The Office," 5.0/8, and "30 Rock," 3.9/6. "Supernatural" finished out the night for The CW.
"Eleventh Hour," 7.9/13, kept CBS on top at 10 p.m. "Private Practice" scored a 6.5/11 for ABC (and won the hour among adults 18-49), beating the 5.1/9 for "ER" on NBC.
The team of Patrick Dempsey, Joe Foster and Charles Espenlaub will compete in the GT class.
"Real men can wear pink," said Dempsey, a co-owner of Vision Racing in the IndyCar Series. "All of us at Dempsey Racing are proud to partner with the Avon Foundation in its fight against breast cancer. By wearing pink on our suits and on our cars, we hope to raise awareness for this important cause and for an extraordinary series of events: the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer."
The Avon Walk series is a project of the Avon Foundation and encompasses nine weekend-long walk events. For more information, visit www.avonwalk.org.
Yes, according to ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson.
"In terms of the ghost stuff, it's not a ghost, which you will learn," McPherson told a meeting on Friday of the Television Critics Association.
"You will be surprised at how insightful and smart the story line" is for the characters and for the show's direction, McPherson said. But, he added, viewers will be the judge.
At the end of the 2005-06 season, Dr. Izzie Stevens' (Katherine Heigl) short-lived engagement to Denny Duquette (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) ended with his death after heart transplant surgery. But he's been reappearing to her in encounters that have turned passionate.
CBS averaged a 10.7 rating/17 share for the night, easily beating ABC's 6.0/9. NBC, 4.4/7, came in third, followed by FOX at 2.6/4. Numbers for all of the big four nets will likely change some, as they all carried a presidential address live at 8 p.m. ET. The CW drew a 2.2/3.
In the adults 18-49 demographic, CBS scored a 4.5 rating to grab the top spot. ABC took second at 3.5, topping NBC's 3.0. FOX averaged 1.8 and The CW 1.5.
President Bush's address and a "CSI" rerun averaged 8.6/13 for CBS at 8 p.m. NBC got a 4.1/6 from the speech and "My Name Is Earl." The president and "Scrubs" scored a 3.7/6 for ABC, while FOX took fourth with the speech and "Kitchen Nightmares." The CW drew a 2.6/4 (and led FOX by a little in total viewers) with "Smallville."
The conclusion of the "CSI" repeat, and the new episode featuring Petersen's departure, delivered a 13.9/21 at 9 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy," 8.5/13, moved ABC into second. "The Office," 4.9/7, and "30 Rock," 4.0/6, were third for NBC. "Kitchen Nightmares" earned a 2.7/4, keeping FOX ahead of The CW and "Supernatural."
At 10 p.m., the end of "CSI" and "Eleventh Hour" combined for a 9.7/16 on CBS. "Private Practice" drew a 5.9/9 for ABC, beating out the 4.6/8 for "ER" on NBC.
Playing Owen's ex-lover will be Laura Allen, whom you either know from A) Dirt, B) The 4400 or C) All My Children. Allen will guest-star in this season's 15th episode, which is shooting this week (and also marks Melissa George's final appearance as Sadie).
Kevin McKidd himself gave me the heads up on this storyline development when I ran into him at Sunday's Golden Globes after-parties. McKidd also hinted that to further explore his character, Hunt's mother or father might be cast later this season.
Melissa George, who plays intern Sadie Harris on the ABC prime-time medical soap, is leaving the show, sources confirm.
George was guaranteed a minimum of four episodes when she started her gig in the fall, but things went so well she was given another four.
But now, one of the sources reveals, a new contract has not been picked up.
George quickly became a fan favorite and a critics' darling for her work on Grey's. She was also a hit on HBO's In Treatment—she was up for a Golden Globe yesterday for her stint on the psychotherapy drama series. (P.S.: I saw her on the Globes red carpet and at the HBO party. She looked smashing and was all smiles.)
So what happened over at Grey's?
My source says there were talks of George staying on, but her rep insists that she never intended to stay beyond the initial eight. "She was pretty vocal about that," the rep says. An ABC rep did not comment.
Sadie was introduced in November and spiced things up with her bisexuality. She recently started some flirty relations with Callie Torres, played by Sara Ramirez.
But soon thereafter, it was reported that Sadie and Callie's potential hookup would fizzle and that Callie would be getting it on with a new character played by Jessica Capshaw.
To gay or not to gay appears to be an ongoing question over at Grey's. Callie had some same-sex hotness bubbling up with Dr. Erica Hahn, played by Brooke Smith. But that ended abruptly in November when Smith was axed from the series.
Questions still remain about the future of the series' openly gay star, T.R. Knight. He reportedly has asked the network to let him out of his contract.
FOX averaged a 14.1 rating/21 share and a little over 24 million viewers in primetime, up a bit from last year's title game (the numbers will likely change some because of the live telecast). ABC was the best of the rest at 6.7/10. CBS, 6.0/9, came in third. NBC's 3.7/6 was good for fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.4/2.
FOX also dominated the adults 18-49 demographic with an 8.4 rating. ABC, 3.6, took second. CBS and NBC tied for third at 2.2, and The CW came in at 0.8.
The BCS title game between Florida and Oklahoma drew a 13.9/22 at 8 p.m. A "CSI: NY" rerun, 5.7/9, put CBS in second, ahead of "Ugly Betty," 5.0/8, on ABC. "My Name Is Earl," 3.5/6, and "Kath & Kim," 2.7/4, finished fourth for NBC. The CW went with a "Smallville" rerun.
FOX peaked in the 9 p.m. hour with a 14.4/21 for the Gators-Sooners matchup. ABC moved up to second with "Grey's Anatomy," 8.9/13. A "CSI" repeat took third for CBS, while an "Office" rerun, 3.0/4, and "30 Rock," 3.4/5, kept NBC in fourth. "Supernatural" scored a 1.3/2 for The CW.
The Florida-Oklahoma game dipped a little to 14.3/23 at 10 p.m. but still had a healthy lead. "Private Practice" earned a 6.0/10 for ABC in its new timeslot. "Eleventh Hour" posted a 5.2/8 for CBS, edging the 4.9/8 for "ER" on NBC.
TVGuide.com: There's a bit of a disconnect between "Eric Stoltz" and "serial killer." One, are you glad there's that disconnect? And two, do you think it helps you bring something different to the role?
Eric Stoltz: [Laughs] Yes, I am happy that I really don't have much in common with killers. Absolutely. But, that being said, it's always bracing to explore what I might actually have in common with them underneath at all. Throughout the course of the day, I do have impulses to lash out at someone or to ram the car that took my parking space or yell at the cab that splashed water on me. But because I'm living in society and want to be a good person, I don't let those impulses out.
TVGuide.com: Is your character, William, remorseful at all?
Stoltz: You think he might have some remorse, but he could also be playing at having remorse, in order to get what he wants. Sociopaths tend to be pretty good actors. Nobody had any idea what Ted Bundy was up to for a long time.
TVGuide.com: To be clear, this story arc isn't about whether William could get loose and go on a rampage in the hospital, but to what lengths the doctors should go to save his life, right?
Stoltz: Either of those [stories] could come to be. You never know, it's [Grey's creator] Shonda Rhimes!
TVGuide.com: Does William's case present divisive moral and ethical dilemmas for the doctors?
Stoltz: Absolutely. When someone on death row is brought to a hospital, doctors are confronted with their own ethical code. "Is it right to save the life of someone who has done so much bad in the world?" "What is a doctor's job and how should one respond to this situation?" It presents a lot of interesting, rich things for all these talented actors to play with.
TVGuide.com: Particularly toward the end of your arc, you have a lot of scenes with Ellen Pompeo. Does William create any sort of drama for Meredith and/or her relationship with Derek?
Stoltz: Yes, I certainly insinuate myself into their relationship and am the source of not a little strife.
TVGuide.com: Is he a charmer despite his "shortcomings"?
Stoltz: I would like to think so!
TVGuide.com: Of course you would. What was it like becoming a part of the very Grey's cast you raved about the last time we spoke?
Stoltz: It was a joy. They didn't hesitate to knock me down a few pegs and remind me that I am no longer directing them.
TVGuide.com: Will there be any sort of body count during your three-episode run?
Stoltz: Uh, possibly!
TVGuide.com: OK, give us one last super-vague tease that won't make Shonda angry.
Stoltz: [Laughs] I've probably already said too much.
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
• CCH Pounder – “The Shield” (FX)
• Chandra Wilson – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
• Loretta Divine – “Eli Stone” (ABC)
• Nicki Micheaux – “Lincoln Heights” (ABC Family)
• Wendy Davis – “Army Wives” (Lifetime)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
• Blair Underwood – “Dirty Sexy Money” (ABC)
• James Pickens, Jr. – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
• Laurence Fishburne – “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (CBS)
• Michael Kenneth Williams – “The Wire” (HBO)
• Taye Diggs – “Private Practice” (ABC)
"They are absolutely thrilled and looking forward to the new addition to their young family," her rep tells PEOPLE.
The actress, 26, and her actor/musician husband, Nathan West, are already parents to two children.
Leigh's pregnancy will not be written into the Grey's storyline, according to her rep Marcel Pariseau.
Leigh plays "Lexie," the half sister of Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) on ABC's hit medical program. She joined the show in July 2007.
Before Grey's, Leigh previously starred in the short-lived series Reunion and That 80s Show. She also starred in 2001's Not Another Teen Movie.
Nearly 30 guests, including Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo and husband Chris Ivery, co-star Sara Ramirez and reality TV's Lisa Gastineau, gathered at Murano Restaurant & Lounge to celebrate Porter's 38th birthday.
Porter – the mother of Diddy's nearly 2-year-old twin girls and 10-year-old son – arrived fashionably late to the restaurant, which was filled festive with red balloons and streamers. The night's soundtrack was a mix of old school 70s R&B prepared by Murano owner Sandy Sachs.
At one point in the evening, a guest tells PEOPLE, "The group serenaded Kim to Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday," and then they presented her with a cake."
While Diddy stuck to ginger ale at the party, the other guests sipped on a specialty lemon drop martini made with Ciroc vodka designed for the occasion. A four course tasting menu created by Executive Chef Luciano Sautto was served.
And the group had the whole place to themselves: Although the restaurant is usually closed on Monday, it was open just for the private party, which started at 8:30 p.m. and ended after midnight.
“He was at work yesterday in the best mood I’ve ever seen him,” she tells PEOPLE. “We were in a scene all day together.”
Still, George gets why Knight, who’s character Dr. George O’Malley has had little screen time this season, would ask to leave Grey’s Anatomy’s ensemble cast. “He’s a great actor,” she says. “But maybe, when you have talent, you want more.”
Speaking of talent, George picked up a Golden Globe nomination for her work on HBO’s In Treatment on Thursday. “I’m having the time of my life,” the Australian actress says. “It’s my first big nomination in this country. I just can’t believe it.”
As for Sadie, who’s had some shocking scenes (cutting herself so the other interns can practice sewing her up, hitting on Sara Ramirez’s Callie over slides of broken bones), George says her days at Seattle Grace are numbered. “I think I’m going to do 8 [episodes] and that’s it,” she says. “We’ll see.”
Nowhere is the distinction more evident than on CBS' CSI and ABC's Grey's Anatomy (both tonight, 9 ET/PT). Both of these vastly popular shows have gone through cast and story shifts this season, and both have more ahead. But where CSI's usual approach to change is measured, methodical and scrupulously planned, Grey's is fast, haphazard and sometimes wildly reactive. CSI prepares you for change; Grey's changes and then justifies the switch post hoc.
One approach is not always better than the other: Compared with Grey's, CSI can be stodgy and slow to react to altering audience demands. But this season, at least, you have to think CSI is getting the better of the argument.
Look at tonight's excellent episode, another step in the show's September-to-January story march: the departure of William Petersen's Gil Grissom. We hear his official announcement — a simple "I'm going to leave CSI" that counts for both the character and the actor — as we're introduced to his replacement, a professor played by Laurence Fishburne.
CSI is not known for its character development and has not always told such stories well. But it has handled this departure beautifully, allowing us to see Gil's increasingly disenchanted belief that he has given up too much of himself for his work.
It helps that CSI has had the luxury of advance notice — unlike Grey's this season, which seems to be buffeted by actor, network and writer whims. Earlier this year, the show subjected Brooke Smith's Erica to a sudden dump. And now it seems we may be losing T.R. Knight's George, a once-beloved character who has been so degraded and marginalized, viewers may not notice if the actor decides to exit.
Still, when it comes to a change fans have weighed and rejected, it's hard to top the death-be-not-proud romance of Izzie and Dead Denny, a story so inexplicable, self-operating interns pale in comparison. Even if you share the writers' fondness for Denny or Katherine Heigl's desire for something better to do, surely seeing Izzie driven into a pleasure frenzy by a corpse is not the solution you were seeking.
To be fair, Grey's stories often stumble only to right themselves, and it's possible this one may still be salvaged. (An answer based in medicine rather than in oversexed ectoplasms will help.) For the moment, though, the plot has magnified every Grey's fault and called every other character into question, including Mary McDonnell's Asperger's-afflicted physician, a bizarre addition in a show momentarily on bizarre overload.
Grey's fans don't expect strict fidelity to social realism, but even a romantic fantasy demands some level of credibility. Certainly, if you write for a hit show, it doesn't pay to make fans doubt your sanity or to make them think you're so desperate for stories and couplings, you'll resort to rousing the dead. Moves like that eventually inspire viewers to change channels — and that's the one change TV cannot tolerate.
"I like to imagine that Dr. Hahn is at a hospital that appreciates her," the actress told TVGuide.com at the Trevor Project's annual Cracked Xmas Gala. "That maybe [Seattle Grace] wasn't the right place for her."
Smith found herself in an unfamiliar place because of her headline-making release from Grey's — that is, at the heart of a pop culture maelstrom. "I've never [lost a job] before this, and I hadn't gotten media attention like this before," she marvels. "But when you're on a popular TV show and you're in people's houses every week [it's understandable]."
Rather than look back too much, Smith is looking forward, namely to a brand-new partnership with the creator of Deadwood. "I'm working on something right now and I love it — I'm writing and collaborating with David Milch on a project," she shares. "It's been very fulfilling."
Multiple sources confirm that T.R. Knight has asked to be released from his contract, a request that both ABC and Grey's show-runner Shonda Rhimes appear poised to grant. "They're working out the details now," whispers an ABC insider. (A network rep was unavailable for comment.)
There's no word on when Knight would make his final appearance, but, contrary to a report on the gossip blog crazydaysandnights.com, he has not walked off the show. "He's still working," maintains my Grey's mole.
Rumors of Knight's unhappiness at Grey's date back to the early days of Isaiahgate. Per an insider, the actor was disappointed that it took Rhimes so long to publicly condemn Washington's use of the F-word, even as his co-stars (Katherine Heigl, Patrick Dempsey, etc.) rallied to his defense. (The incident led Knight to come out as a gay man.) The boss lady eventually released a statement denouncing Washington's behavior, but word is, it was too little, too late. Nonetheless, my Grey's source insists Knight does not want out of his contract for that reason, adding, "He just feels it's time to move on."
A spokesperson for Knight declined to comment for this story.
Knight's probable exit comes at a time when his character, George, has been given little to do, save for express concern over Izzie's mental state. There's no word if he'll be given a big on-screen send-off or be banished to Seattle Grace's parking garage with fellow gay Dr. Hahn. (I smell a spin-off!)
Oh, and I saved the biggest surprise for last: Knight was not -- I repeat not -- the subject of my "fired actor" blind item last week.
Just weeks after the show suffered a black eye for cutting short Brooke Smith's run and the lesbian Erica Hahn storyline — and more than two years after Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington got the ball rolling with their infamous backstage row — a rumor made rounds on Monday evening claiming that original cast member T.R. Knight (aka George) hasn't attended table reads since this season's Episode 2, "is pissed and miserable," and "has quit."
These rumblings about Knight come on the heels of at least one recent blind item suggesting that a Grey's player has been rubbing cast and producers the wrong way, and as such has been unofficially excised from the show (as evidenced by scarce screen time).
Asked to address the new and specific rumor about Knight packing his dressing room and bidding his hair and make-up people farewell, a show rep tells TVGuide.com, "T.R. has never walked off set in the middle of filming. He attended the table read [on Monday] and will be shooting this week, like any other week of production."
Knight, of course, played a role in the aforementioned October 2006 altercation between Dempsey and Washington, who went toe-to-toe when the latter referred to a then-closeted Knight using a gay epithet. Knight proceeded to come out, and by some accounts then used ABC's public embarrassment to finagle a stronger storyline for George, who in short order was fought over by Izzie and Callie.
The Grey's Anatomy star and newly minted screen queen has made a tremendous leap onto the A-List, counting herself among the top five of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, according to the Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment: Power 100 list.
The 30-year-old movie newbie, who made her major box office debut in 2007's Knocked Up (which has grossed more than $148 million) and followed the comedic hit up with 27 Dresses, took the fifth spot on the prestigious list behind such powerhouses as Angelina Jolie (No. 1), Julia Roberts (No. 2), Reese Witherspoon (No. 3) and Cameron Diaz (No. 4).
In July, Forbes listed Heigl at No. 73 on the Celebrity 100 list, making her the highest-paid TV actress, with earnings at $13 million for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey's – which earned her an Emmy in 2007.
"This is my dream come true," she said of her Emmy win. "I've been doing this for 17 years and people don't count [the years] 'cause I started as a kid, but I counted because I've worked my a-- off."
Heigl can next be seen on the big screen in the 2009 romantic comedy The Ugly Truth, opposite Gerard Butler.
CBS averaged an 8.4 rating/13 share for the night, beating out ABC's 8.1/13 (the two networks were separated by about 1.4 million viewers). NBC finished a distant third at 4.5/7. Reruns on FOX, 2.5/4, and The CW, 1.3/2, rounded out the field.
ABC led among adults 18-49 with a 4.1 rating. CBS took second with a 3.8, followed by NBC at 3.1. FOX drew a 1.7 and The CW a 0.8.
"Survivor: Gabon," 7.6/12, scored an easy win for CBS at 8 p.m. ABC's "Ugly Betty" came in second with a 5.8/9. "My Name Is Earl," 3.9/6, and "Kath & Kim," 3.2/5, put NBC in third, ahead of a "Kitchen Nightmares" repeat on FOX. The CW's "Smallville" encore earned a 1.4/2.
CBS held the lead at 9 p.m. with "CSI," 10.7/16. "Grey's Anatomy" snagged a 9.9/15 (and also drew the night's best 18-49 rating). NBC stayed in third with "The Office," 4.9/7, and "30 Rock," 4.3/7. A second "Kitchen Nightmares" posted a 2.6/4 for FOX. A "Supernatural" repeat on The CW dipped slightly from its lead-in.
At 10 p.m., ABC's annual "Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People" special scored an 8.7/15. "Eleventh Hour" delivered a 7.1/12 for CBS, topping the 5.4/9 for "ER" on NBC.
It's a question many readers have been emailing about, and now, inside sources are spilling what's going on behind the scenes.
Before you read any further, however, be forewarned: Naming names is impossible--the truth is a little ugly--so read on only if you want to join the guessing game...
A source close to the show tells me, "The reason [the actor] has not been on is because [he or she] has been a pain in the ass lately, trying to change scenes and dialogue, being hard to work with and putting up an attitude. The higher-ups were getting tired of it, so they tweaked [him or her] out of some episodes. That's why you haven't really seen [him or her] lately."
A second source seconds that emotion: "[He or she] is not really getting along too well with producers right now."
Eek! Like I said, it's not a pretty tale, is it? Not all characters can have equal screen time all year round, so I was thinking perhaps they were holding this character back for something later in the season...but it sounds like he or she might be gettin' spanked.
So who is it? Got a theory? (Our money is on T.R. Knight / George)
The Grey's Anatomy actress was joined by hubby Josh Kelley and a few friends for an intimate dinner at Desert Rose restaurant, and despite the presence of her pals there was plenty of PDA going on.
The couple kissed multiple times before Katie blew out her candles and cuddled afterward. And candles were the only thing lit up during the meal...has she finally quit smoking?
Only one little problem: The birthday girl's fur coat looks to be the real thing. She's lucky PETA didn't hear about her party or they would have been there to give her a flourbomb present à la Lindsay Lohan.
CBS averaged an 8.6 rating/14 share overall for the night, far ahead of ABC's 6.9/11 and the 4.8/8 for NBC. FOX had a 2.8/4 to narrowly beat the 2.7/4 for The CW in fifth.
Among adults 18-49, CBS did a 3.9 rating to nip ABC's 3.7 rating in the key demographic. NBC's 3.3 was good for third, followed by FOX's 1.9 rating and the 1.8 rating for The CW.
"Survivor: Gabon" started CBS off in first, doing a 7.6/12. ABC's "Ugly Betty" was second with a 5.4/9. NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "Kath & Kim" held third, barely beating the 2.9/5 posted by both The CW's "Smallville" and FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares."
At 9 p.m. CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" won the hour with an 11.3/17, holding off the 10.0/15 for ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." NBC's "The Office" (4.9/7) and "30 Rock" (4.4/7) were third, beating FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares." On The CW, "Supernatural" had a 2.4/4.
"Eleventh Hour" completed the CBS sweep at 10 p.m. with a 7.0/12. NBC's "ER" had a 5.9/10, leaving ABC's "Life on Mars" in last with a 5.3/9.
TVGuide.com: Congratulations on being quickly promoted to a series regular on Grey's.
Kevin McKidd: Oh, thank you very much. I'm very pleased and excited.
TVGuide.com: Was it originally presented to you that Owen would be introduced in the season premiere, disappear for a bit, and then return a rather different man?
McKidd: Yes, that was always intended, to let some time pass and reintroduce him with a new slant on things.
TVGuide.com: It showed us who he can be — and then ripped that away from us.
McKidd: Yes, that was who he really is in the premiere, but now we're seeing what can happen to a good man, a good soldier and good surgeon [because of war].
TVGuide.com: Is it post-traumatic stress disorder per se that he is suffering from?
McKidd: Throughout this season, that's one of the questions he will be asking. To answer it, he'll seek some help from the people around him.
TVGuide.com: He's wondering what might it take for him to return to his former self.
McKidd: Exactly. What's exciting about telling this story with this character is that it's quite brave of ABC and [Grey's creator] Shonda [Rhimes], on a prime-time network TV show, to address a tough subject, and one that people don't necessarily want to hear about. But so far the writing room is handling it beautifully. They're not banging people over the head with it but exploring it in a sensitive and interesting way.
TVGuide.com: Do you feel like you hit the leading lady lottery with Sandra Oh? She's one of the good ones, you know.
McKidd: I can't talk kindly enough about her. From the first time I met her, I thought she was great. Everybody on the cast is fantastic, but I feel very blessed that I get to work with such a good actress. She's in her fifth year, and she's still very committed to the work. There's no real "recipe" — you can't say, "If we put this person with that person in this movie or TV series it will work" — but so far with Sandra and I, something is gelling.
TVGuide.com: Might Owen and Cristina's spontaneous, intermittent kisses evolve into something more, physical or emotional?
McKidd: Well, at the end of the day this is Grey's Anatomy. [Laughs] I think you can bet good money on it.
TVGuide.com: Do you see Owen forming any specific relationships with other characters? Things started off prickly with Derek and Mark, but they seem headed toward a place of professional respect.
McKidd: He and Cristina have a very long journey, and he realizes that whatever this thing between them is, it's affecting his work, his sleep, everything. So he reaches out for help, and that will connect him with people like Derek and Mark. It's not just the typical formula of guys butting heads. There is that story to tell, but also the more interesting story of professional men connecting at an adult level.
TVGuide.com: The Grey's set had that recent brouhaha when Brooke Smith (Dr. Erica Hahn) was released from the show. Had any cast mate proactively pulled you aside and said, "Things can get a little crazy here"?
McKidd: [Laughs] No, nobody took me aside. I know it all seems all very dramatic, but it doesn't feel dramatic there at work.
TVGuide.com: But the show does tend to be a lightning rod for controversy.
McKidd: Right, right. I guess that's a blessing and a curse, depending on how you see it.
TVGuide.com: Was it pure coincidence that you found yourself again working with Patrick Dempsey, with whom you had just done the film Made of Honor? Or had he put a bug in Shonda's ear to check you out?
McKidd: It's funny — my first day on set, I said to Patrick, "Listen, did you have anything to do with this?" He was like, "Absolutely not."
TVGuide.com: After a slow start last year, Journeyman was just hitting its stride when the writers strike came. Were it not for that interruption, might the show have been saved?
McKidd: I don't know. On the one hand, what could have happened to us is what just happened to My Own Worst Enemy — because of the impeding strike, there wasn't anything in the works to replace us, so maybe we would have gone earlier? But with absolutely zero promotional monies spent, we actually started to kick up toward Episode 6 or 7 of the [first] 13.
TVGuide.com: Yeah, that's when the critics and fans really started warming to the show.
McKidd: But we might not have gotten that chance, had there not been a strike. It's so random — like in Journeyman, one small event can knock everything else out of whack.
TVGuide.com: Do you know any small secret from the show's mythology that never had a chance to be revealed?
McKidd: You think that each episode was just a procedural story with somebody that Dan helped. But all of these people had been specifically chosen by whatever power was at play to be knocked into their correct paths so they can all be at a certain place in their life when Dan's son, Zach, is revealed to have his own certain power. Each one of these people needed to be in a certain place, in government or research or whatever, to come back and help the boy achieve something of global significance. I thought that was very interesting.
Overall, CBS averaged a 9.0 rating/14 share for the night, easily beating the 7.5/12 for ABC and NBC's 5.0/8. FOX's 3.1/5 and The CW's 2.6/4 trailed.
Among adults 18-49, the race was far closer, though CBS won with a 4.1 rating. ABC was close behind in the key demographic with a 3.9 rating, followed by the 3.3 rating for NBC. FOX's 2.2 rating was enough for fourth over the 1.6 rating for The CW.
CBS kicked the night off with a 7.7/12 for "Survivor: Gabon," topping the 6.3/10 for "Ugly Betty" on ABC. NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "Kath & Kim" held off FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares" for third, leaving The CW in fifth with a 2.7/4 for "Smallville."
At 9 p.m. CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" won the hour with an 11.5/17. That was better than the 10.3/15 for "Grey's Anatomy," but the ABC medical soap won the hour in the 18-49 demographic. NBC was third with "The Office" (4.9/7) and "30 Rock"(4.5/7). FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares" beat the 2.5/4 for The CW's "Supernatural."
Anthony Edwards' return to "E.R." gave NBC a 10 p.m. demographic win, but the show's 6.5/11 was only good for second overall behind the 7.6/13 for CBS' "Eleventh Hour." "Life on Mars" was third with a 6.0/10.
Australian actress Melissa George guest stars starting with Thursday’s episode as Sadie, Meredith’s friend from the past. “I show up at her doorstep,” George tells PEOPLE. “[Sadie] gets a job at Seattle Grace due to her father, which is yet to be explored. She’s taking a leadership role at the intern society, which is hysterically funny. I haven’t stopped laughing for six weeks.”
Apart from inciting jealousy in Meredith’s current best friend Cristina Yang, Sadie’s character, who is bisexual, will be full of surprises–including possible romances, says George, 32. “I don’t know whether it’s male or female. It could be either; it could be both. We’re all dying to find out.”
George, whose other TV credits include Alias and HBO’s In Treatment, adds that her appearance on the show is not related to Brooke Smith’s departure. “I wasn’t brought on to replace anybody. What happened with Brooke was done weeks before I started.”
What’s more, the recent Internet chatter about the casting upheaval hasn’t fazed the actors on the show, says George, “It’s such a family.”
So, if she were asked to stay on as a series regular, would she consider it? “Of course,” she says. “I’m having a great time.”
The Scottish actor, 35, who starred in Made of Honor with Patrick Dempsey earlier this year, is thrilled to have the new gig after his starring role on NBC’s Journeyman came to an end after 13 episodes this year. “It’s a great show, and I’m lucky to be on it,” he tells PEOPLE. His character, Dr. Owen Hunt, is a veteran from the war in Iraq and a love interest for Dr. Cristina Yang.
McKidd, who lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jane, and children Joseph, 8, and Iona, 6, says he is happy to be working with Dempsey again, though their previous screen pairing was mere coincidence. “I got a knock on my door [from Patrick],” he says of his first day on set. “I said, ‘did you have anything to do with this?’ He said, ‘no, they don’t tell us anything.”
Former Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington, who was publicly derided and ultimately fired from the series after making a homophobic slur at gay costar T.R. Knight, is now chiming in on the show's treatment of the recently axed Brooke Smith and her lesbian character.
"I looked at a brilliant actress, whom I have adored since I first saw her in Silence of the Lambs," Washington says in the Nov. 17 issue of TV Guide. "For her to be treated this way, I find very interesting."
Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes quickly released a statement last week, denying that Smith's departure had anything to do with her playing a lesbian. "We did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run," she said.
While Washington has harsh words for the choices made behind the scenes, he also sympathizes with Rhimes.
"You look at the way another consummate professional [is] being treated because her character, her story line [has] potentially made producers uncomfortable," he says. "Now that I see what they're doing to a show that I love and I care about, I think it's disgusting. The fact that Shonda has been put in this position is extremely unfair."
And what's Washington's idea of damage control? "Bring Burke back!" he says.
FAVORITE MOVIE COMEDY
"27 Dresses"
"Get Smart"
"Mamma Mia!"
FAVORITE TV DRAMA
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"
"Grey's Anatomy"
"House"
FAVORITE MALE TV STAR
Patrick Dempsey
Hugh Laurie
Charlie Sheen
Disney reported Thursday that the group had a US$150 million operating loss in the fourth quarter, which ended Sept. 27, compared with a $33 million loss a year earlier.
ABC studios' President Mark Pedowitz requested the cuts over the last few weeks, said studios spokeswoman Charissa Gilmore.
"We have approached our shows about making a two per cent cut," Gilmore said. "It's up to each show to identify where they are going to try to find those savings."
Gilmore said the focus would be on areas that would not be visible on screen: "This is something that the audience will never notice."
She did not put a dollar figure on the cut.
Disney also reported a worse-than-expected third quarter overall on Thursday. The company's net income fell 13 per cent from a year ago to $760 million, even though its revenue grew 5.8 per cent to $9.45 billion.
The loss at the broadcasting group was blamed largely on lower advertising revenue and in part on higher pilot expenses.
ABC News president David Westin asked his staff in a memo last week to fly in cheaper seats, stay at cheaper hotels and cancel newspaper and magazine subscriptions. Holiday parties were cancelled.
CBS averaged an 8.5 rating/14 share for the night, beating out ABC's 7.3/12. NBC took third with a 4.7/7. FOX, 2.9/5, narrowly beat The CW, 2.6/4, for fourth.
CBS also led among adults 18-49, its 4.0 rating just edging ABC's 3.9 for the top spot. NBC finished third in the key ad demographic with a 3.3. FOX averaged 2.1 and The CW 1.8.
"Survivor: Gabon" gave CBS the lead at 8 p.m. with a 7.3/11. "Ugly Betty" drew a 5.8/9 for ABC. "My Name Is Earl," 4.0/6, and "Kath & Kim," 3.4/5, put NBC in third. "Smallville" earned a 2.9/5 for The CW, beating FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares" by a small margin.
"CSI," 11.2/17, had the night's biggest overall audience at 9 p.m., but "Grey's Anatomy," 10.1/15, drew better adults 18-49 numbers. "The Office," 4.7/7, and "30 Rock," 4.6/7, held onto third for NBC. A second hour of "Kitchen Nightmares," 3.0/5, moved FOX ahead of The CW and "Supernatural."
At 10 p.m., "Eleventh Hour" scored a 7.1/12 to complete the CBS sweep. ABC's "Life on Mars," 6.0/10, topped NBC's "ER," 5.7/10, for second.
Sources tell TVGuide.com exclusively that ABC powerhouse Grey's Anatomy and its spin-off, Private Practice, will be embarking on a multi-episode crossover story come February sweeps.
Though at this very early stage the number of episodes and the sum total of actors involved has yet to be nailed down, it can at least be confirmed that Kate Walsh's Dr. Addison Montgomery will again be walking the halls of Seattle Grace, as she did for one episode last spring (several months after Private Practice made its debut).
Grey's Anatomy is currently in its fifth season on ABC. The concept for Private Practice first emerged in the form of a back-door pilot/May 2007 episode of Grey's in which Addison ventured to Los Angeles to catch up with gal pal Naomi (originally played by Alias' Merrin Dungey, but quickly recast with Audra McDonald).
With a trip to Las Vegas, baby!
The couple, whose anniversary is on Monday, Nov. 10, have plans to stay in a "plush suite" at the Palazzo this weekend, a source tells me.
They'll get their party on Saturday night at Tao restaurant and nightclub, which will be celebrating its third anniversary. Pompeo and Ivery will be joined for some of their celebrating by Pompeo's former Grey's costar star Kate Walsh and her Hollywood executive hubby, Alex Young, the source says.
Pompeo has another big day to toast—she turns 39 on Saturday.
"They wanted to do something special," the source said, "but didn't want to go too far because of Ellen's filming schedule."
Scottish actor Kevin McKidd, 35, plays Owen Hunt, the love interest of Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, and things start to heat up between the two tonight.
"His character is an old-fashioned tortured hero," says series creator Shonda Rhimes. "I call him Heathcliff when we're talking about him in the writers' room.
"This season, all the way around, is our no-holds-barred season. We're not holding anything back. Owen Hunt is definitely apart of that."
We caught up with the actor on a break from taping an upcoming episode.
Q: How did the Grey's offer come together?
A: I was doing a movie off and on for three months (overseas), and it was my son's birthday, and I'm hardly ever in the same country on my son's birthday, so I managed to land back (in L.A.) around 2 p.m. on his birthday. I promised him, "I'm going to be there on your eighth birthday." Then I got a call from my agent, saying, "You have to turn back around because Shonda wants to meet you for this role on Grey's." I was like, "I'd love to meet her, but I can't. Can we do tomorrow?" And they're family-friendly, so they were really understanding.
As soon as I heard the pitch for the character, I was sold on it. It's a different energy and a different viewpoint. I thought it was an important story to tell, especially on a prime-time TV show. To get in there and get your hands dirty and explore what trauma surgery is like in war zones and what it's like to rehabilitate yourself to civilian life … it's not just a new doctor showing up. It's exploring how hard it is to reintegrate yourself back into the real world after being in the war zone for three tours.
Q: One thing that stands out about your character is that he's not just a pretty boy. He's hard-core and the antithesis of the other males on the show.
A: It's not just about the look. I think what becomes attractive about these guys is that there's something about people in the medical profession that there's this strange attraction to them. Every single day they're dealing with life and death. And I think that's the thing that is attractive to people.
I think the thing about Owen that is different is that he kind of doesn't care what anybody thinks of him. He has seen really terrible trauma over and over again.
Q: How's it been on set so far?
A: I was nervous because I've only ever joined a project right at the beginning. I've always been there in the pre-production, helping set the tone. But this machine is rolling. I was slightly nervous, thinking, "Are they going to like me?" But everyone has been super, super cool.
Q: Sandra Oh's character is tough as nails, yet your character seems as if he's going to be the guy to come in and settle her down.
A: That seems to be the dynamic, yes. Between him and her, it's going to get really complex and kind of tense and explosive. He has a cloud hanging over him, and he has something going on that's dark. But I think you're right. He helps to teach her that it's not all about getting one up on everyone else.
Q: Women are rabid about the male doctors on this show. Is your wife prepared to deal with what's going to come?
A: My wife lives in blissful ignorance. She doesn't watch network TV. She's like, "What job are you doing now? Grey's Anatomy? All right, then. Fair enough." I'm probably not prepared, either. Ask me in six months.
“ABC actually sends me over what I should [say] …,” he tells Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show Wednesday.
So what’s the official spin?
“ABC’s response … is that [I] should say: ‘We’ve had a great time working with her and that the conclusion of her [character] has been orgasmic’ — I’m sorry, I’m dyslexic! — ‘organic’ ending to the story line.’ “
Some have argued that Smith was axed because of her character’s developing relationship with Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez).
Grey’s Anatomy’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, previously released a statement insisting that “Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian.”
“Thursday night is her last show, which is too bad she has been great character,” McDreamy continues. “I don’t know what happened with that story line. They decided not to continue it for some reason.”
AUSIELLO: What the hell happened?!
BROOKE SMITH: I was very excited when they told me that Erica and Callie were going to have this relationship. And I really hoped we were going to show what happens when two women fall in love and that they were going to treat it like any heterosexual couple on TV. And so I was surprised and disappointed when they just suddenly told me that they couldn't write for my character anymore.
That's all they said?
Yes. Frankly, it was you that warned me this might happen on the red carpet back in July. You said [sometimes networks get cold feet] with gay relationships. And I was so naive. I'm like, "It's 2008." But I'm starting to realize that not everyone feels the way I do.
Did you get the feeling that the story was making people nervous?
No. At work I had no sense of it. And more fans seemed to like it than not. I don't think I'm ever going to know [why this really happened].
When did you find out?
I found out in mid-September soon after shooting the monologue that aired last week where Erica has the revelation that she's gay. They even came down and told me it was a great scene -- one of the best they ever shot on the show. So I was really, really shocked. I was floored when they told me [I was being let go]. It was the last thing I expected. In fact, when they told me I asked, "When is this happening?" And they said, "The [next episode] is your last," which is the one that airs this Thursday. So it was very sudden.
Wait a second – your last episode is this Thursday?
Yes.
How are you written out?
I'm not written out. My final scene is just me heading to my car. I honestly don't know what happens in the next episode. I heard not much.
Who broke the news to you?
Shonda.
I'm hearing that this wasn't her decision, but rather ABC's.
You know, I have to tell you, I got that feeling. I don't know for sure, but it definitely seemed like [Shonda's] hands were tied. That was just my gut.
Did she seem upset?
She did seem upset. I wasn't having a very good week that week. I was like, "Oh, God, what is it with this business?!" And she said, "No, no, no. You are such a great actress. We love you." It seemed like some decision came down from above. It didn't feel like it was her.
What was Sara Ramirez's [Callie] reaction?
She was shocked. I'm the one who told her. It took her a few days to get back to me because she was surprised. It was surprising to everybody.
Were you happy with the direction the story line was taking?
You know, I was starting to get there, yeah. I was personally a little impatient with the gay panic, but it was more Callie's thing anyway. I think Dr. Hahn was sort of figuring it out.
What did you think about Callie going to Mark to get pointers on exploring the "undiscovered country"?
It was a little icky. If you're a women, don't you know how to please yourself? But they seemed to be okay with that one.
How are you doing with all this?
It's actually never happened to me before. I never had a moment where I thought I did something wrong. I was just really surprised. I just moved my entire family to L.A., so it was kind of like, "What?" But for some reason I feel like I'm fine. I feel like I'm going to be okay.
CBS led the night with a 9.0 rating/14 share, beating out ABC's 7.1/11. NBC came in third with a 4.9/8. FOX took fourth with a 2.5/4, edging The CW's 2.4/4 (the two finished virtually tied in total viewers.
The adults 18-49 race was closer, but CBS' 3.9 rating still won the night, topping ABC's 3.6 and NBC's 3.4. FOX and The CW tied for fourth at 1.6.
" Survivor: Gabon," 7.9/13, put CBS on top at 8 p.m. ABC's "Ugly Betty" drew a 5.6/9 to finish second. "My Name Is Earl," 3.9/6, and " Kath & Kim," 3.4/5, were third for NBC. "Smallville" earned a 2.6/4 for The CW, edging a " Kitchen Nightmares" rerun on FOX.
CBS stayed on top at 9 p.m. with " CSI," the night's most-watched show at 11.5/17. " Grey's Anatomy," 9.9/15, however, grabbed the evening's best adults 18-49 rating. " The Office," 5.3/8, and "30 Rock," 5.0/7, which hit series highs in viewers and adults 18-49, kept NBC in third. A new "Kitchen Nightmares," 2.5/4, moved FOX slightly ahead of " Supernatural" on The CW.
" Eleventh Hour," 7.7/13, completed the CBS sweep at 10 p.m. NBC's " ER," 5.9/10, which led the hour in the 18-49 demo, beat out ABC's " Life on Mars," 5.7/10.
CBS won the night with a 9.1 rating/14 share. FOX came in second with a 7.2/11 (its numbers will change some after adjusting for live viewing coast-to-coast), beating out ABC's 6.9/11. NBC took fourth at 4.7/7, while The CW earned a 2.3/4.
The Eye also topped the adults 18-49 demographic with a 4.3 rating. ABC and FOX tied for second at 3.5, with NBC not far behind at 3.2. The CW trailed with a 1.5.
"Survivor: Gabon," 7.8/12, gave CBS the lead at 8 p.m. Game 2 of the World Series (along with the pre-game show) scored a 6.5/10 for FOX. "Ugly Betty," 5.7/9, put ABC in third, ahead of "My Name Is Earl" and "Kath & Kim" on NBC. "Smallville" drew a 2.6/4 for The CW.
CBS increased its lead at 9 p.m. thanks to "CSI," the night's top-rated show at 11.4/17. "Grey's Anatomy," 9.5/14, was second for ABC, dropping FOX's World Series coverage to third. "The Office," 4.5/7, and "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday," 5.1/8, kept NBC in front of The CW and "Supernatural," 2.0/3.
At 10 p.m., the World Series rose to 7.7/13, tying for the lead with CBS' "Eleventh Hour." NBC's "ER," 5.7/9, beat out ABC's "Life on Mars," 5.4/9, for third.
TVGuide.com: Let's start off talking about this week's episode, where "Lexie goes to great lengths to have George notice her romantically," says the ABC logline. What's involved?
Chyler Leigh: Lexie's just kind of throwing herself out there – obviously, in her mind, but he's just not getting it.
TVGuide.com: No, he's not.
Leigh: He's completely oblivious. [Laughs] Even little comments that she is making repeatedly....
TVGuide.com: Like, "Let's go out and celebrate you passing the exam!"
Leigh: "Let's go out and celebrate," and then she's left in the dust. Even so, she didn't really take that too close to heart. She just keeps throwing herself under the bus.
TVGuide.com: Do any of her tactics involve whipping out the Stuff Magazine cover you did a few years back with Mia Kirshner?
Leigh: Oh, lord....
TVGuide.com: Because that would raise George's eyebrows.
Leigh: Yes, but that wouldn't have been Lexie. [Laughs] And unfortunately it was me, many, many moons ago.
TVGuide.com: George and Izzie certainly had their fans as a couple. Were you nervous to be his potential "rebound" girl?
Leigh: Nah! On paper, they're a really good match, in the way that they get along and support one another. When I first learned about it, I was like, "Oh, that's really cool!" And I love T.R. [Knight].
TVGuide.com: Plus, it's better than coming in to bust up Meredith and Derek, which is where I thought they were going when Lexie first flirted with Derek at the bar.
Leigh: Oh, gosh, yeah. I got enough flack for that when I first came on! I'm really, really, really glad that didn't happen, because I probably would have gotten slashed tires.
TVGuide.com: The Lexie we saw in that scene with Derek seemed more sure of herself. Was the character purposely tweaked between then and when we first really got to know her?
Leigh: What was special and different and about that scene was that fact that 1), her mother had just died, so she wasn't necessarily thinking the way she normally would, and 2), she was drunk. A lot of times, that brings out a lot more courage than we actually have. Even when she slipped and hooked up with Alex, it wasn't out of her being a bad girl. In the midst of her having so much thrown at her at one time — all these negative feelings from work and from Meredith — that was her one ploy to get some sort of positive affirmation.
TVGuide.com: Was it a tease to be cast as Ellen Pompeo's sister and then get so few scenes with her — let alone any civil ones?
Leigh: No kidding! We kind of laugh about that. It's something that, before the writers strike, they were going to bring up more. But because we lost time, [Grey's creator] Shonda [Rhimes] didn't want to just cram it all into the last couple of episodes. It will be explored further this season.
TVGuide.com: I find myself screaming at the TV, "C'mon, can't we just get along?!"
Leigh: [Laughs] We do that, too. When we do have scenes together, we have to ask, "We haven't seen each other in two episodes. Are we cool yet?"
TVGuide.com: I like your scenes with Eric Dane, where Sloan calls Lexie on her feelings for George, yet she resists being goaded.
Leigh: There's something cool about their "friendship." She finds in him somebody that she can be more of herself with, and that emboldens her.
TVGuide.com: He's a great talk-to for Lexie, if only because no one else wants to listen to her... or they're George.
Leigh: Exactly.
TVGuide.com: During a long day of shooting, who's most likely to lighten the mood on the set?
Leigh: I would say Sandra Oh. No offense to anybody else – Katie Heigl is very funny, too – but Sandra really is one of the coolest people I have ever me
TVGuide.com: Back when Fox's Reunion was abruptly cancelled, we were flooded with emails demanding resolution. Where were we going with Carla?
Leigh: Alexa Davalos' Sam was the one who ended up dying, so everybody was trying to cover their tracks. [The shooter] was supposed to be her daughter, who later down the road would have come to work for me. I tried to get them reconciled, but someone breaks into the apartment of Sean Faris' character, while Sam was there with her daughter. In a struggle with this intruder, Amy accidentally shot Sam.
TVGuide.com: OK, one last tease about what's coming up for Lexie....
Leigh: All I can say is this: There are really, really big, good and juicy things coming up for Lexie. One of them involves the other interns who Lexie starts to bond with. She becomes more assertive as they all try to get more hands-on training. It's pretty cool.
When asked if there would be wedding bells for his Dr. Derek Shepherd and Ellen Pompeo's Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey's Anatomy, Dempsey, who is featured in Versace's advertising campaign, replied, "There may be. I think so. I don't think it will be a typical marriage. Rumor has it something might be happening. I think they have to. It's time for them to get together."
30 Rock's Jane Krakowski beamed when talking about how co-star Tina Fey's impersonations of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live might help their ratings-challenged NBC show. She didn't see Alec Baldwin or Fey at work on Monday but did catch the most recent SNL skit.
"It was really hilarious," said Krakowski, wearing a strapless blue Versace dress. "It's so wild how 30 Rock and how everyone is so involved because of Tina and Alec. It's exciting times. I hope all of the people that enjoy Tina doing Sarah Palin will tune into 30 Rock, as well."
Another reason to tune in when the new season premieres Oct. 30 is the guest stars. Oprah Winfrey appears in the second episode, airing Nov. 6.
"It's the magic of Oprah. She plays herself," Krakowski revealed. "We just mention Gayle (King) but she's not on the show. It's really a great episode. Oprah was really funny and so great. We were lucky to have her on the show."
Jerry Seinfeld, Megan Mullally, Jennifer Aniston and Will Arnett also will have their turn on 30 Rock this season.
"I think it's going to be the year of the amazing guest star on our show," Krakowski said.
Becki Newton, in a purple Versace frock, made a mad dash to the event after finishing on the Ugly Betty set. But she was tight-lipped on plot developments in the show.
"In the next few episodes we can see Betty's new apartment life gets invaded by an unwelcomed visitor," Newton said, choosing her words carefully. "It's not a new person. That's all I can give you. No more. Done!"
Lindsay Lohan returns and reprises her role as Kimmie. "She comes back into Betty's life and may or may not come into Mode and make some friends and make some enemies," Newton said. "We had a really good time working with her."
Mariah Carey, in a floor-length Versace gown with a slit up to her thigh, and husband Nick Cannon, had little time for the press.
Cannon said marriage (is) "amazing. It's the best thing ever." He guest deejayed at the chic party held after the black-tie gala ended.
The event, which raised more than $3 million to support emerging artists, also attracted director Julian Schnabel, Sting, who performed, and wife Trudie Styler, Juliette Lewis, Helena Christensen, Christina Ricci, Emma Roberts and Katie Lee Joel.
"Versace has always been connected with art," host Donatella Versace said. "My brother Gianni started the connection with great, great artists. I want the legacy to continue. It's very important."
CBS easily won the night with a 9.1 rating/15 share. ABC finished second at 6.9/11. NBC took third at 5.0/8. FOX managed only a 2.6/4, but that was just good enough to beat the 2.2/3 for The CW.
In the adults 18-49 demographic things were a little closer, but CBS still prevailed with a 4.2 rating. ABC, 3.7, came in second, and NBC was third at 3.4. FOX and The CW tied for fourth at 1.4.
"Survivor: Gabon" kicked things off for CBS with a 7.9/13 at 8 p.m. "Ugly Betty" delivered a 5.6/9 for ABC. NBC grabbed third with "My Name Is Earl," 4.2/7, and "Kath & Kim," 3.9/6, which fell off from its premiere last week. The CW's "Smallville," 2.5/4, beat out FOX's "Hole in the Wall" for fourth.
CBS stayed on top of the overall ratings at 9 p.m. with "CSI," 11.6/18. "Grey's Anatomy" scored a 9.6/14 for ABC and had the night's best rating among adults 18-49. "The Office," 4.8/7, and "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday," 5.3/8, kept NBC in third. FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares," 2.3/3, moved ahead of "Supernatural" on The CW.
At 10 p.m., "Eleventh Hour" drew a 7.8/13, an improvement on last week's series premiere. NBC got a 5.9/10 from "ER," while "Life on Mars" fell off from its debut and finished with a 5.6/9 for ABC.
It was a busy night across the dial, as a pair of new series battled to a virtual tie at 10 p.m., a "Saturday Night Live" special scored solid numbers for NBC and postseason baseball whiffed on FOX.
CBS averaged a 9.6 rating/15 share in primetime, beating ABC, 7.7/12, by better than 4 million viewers. NBC took third with a 5.5/9. FOX, 4.4/7, came in fourth, though its numbers will change some because of its live sports coverage. The CW drew a 2.3/4.
In the adults 18-49 demographic, CBS' 4.9 rating led the field. ABC finished second at 4.0, followed closely by NBC at 3.9. FOX averaged 2.1 and The CW 1.5.
"Survivor: Gabon" put CBS on top at 8 p.m. with a 7.8/13. "Ugly Betty," 5.8/9, snagged second for ABC. "My Name Is Earl," 4.4/7, and the premiere of "Kath & Kim," 4.7/7, were third for NBC. Game 1 of the National League Championship series snagged fourth for FOX, ahead of "Smallville," 2.6/4, on The CW.
The "CSI" premiere, with the team tracking down Warrick's killer, scored a 13.7/21 at 9 p.m. -- far and away the night's biggest audience. "Grey's Anatomy," 9.7/15, kept ABC in second. NBC stayed in third with "The Office," 5.4/8, and a "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday" special, 6.3/9. FOX's baseball coverage earned a 4.3/6, while The CW dropped off a little with "Supernatural."
At 10 p.m., the debut of "Life on Mars" won the hour for ABC with a 7.7/13. CBS' "Eleventh Hour" premiere was right behind at 7.3/12, but it lost a lot more of its lead-in than "Mars." NBC's "ER" drew a 6.0/10, and led the hour in the 18-49 demo.
"I'm always trying to impress my girl," the musician tells PEOPLE at a performance at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles Monday to benefit Green Dot Public Schools. "It doesn't make me nervous, it usually makes me better. It kinda makes me tighten up a little bit, to tell you the truth."
Even though Heigl missed the most recent performance, she still catches her husband's shows when she can. "She used to tour more with me then she does now, [but] she's working some pretty heavy hours."
Despite their hectic schedules – Kelley is promoting his new album To Remember and Heigl is busy shooting Grey's Anatomy – the newlyweds still put each other first.
"Our relationship is very important to both of us," says Kelley.
Still, Kelley would like one more woman in his life. "I'd love to do a duet with Norah Jones," he says.
"I think it would sound amazing. We'll have to see, maybe if you stick that out there it could happen quicker."
The movie continues the story of the battle between cats and dogs for control of Earth. Ron Friedman and Steve Bencich -- who have made family movies and talking animals their specialty with "Brother Bear," "Chicken Little" and "Open Season" -- wrote the script.
The Warner Bros./Village Roadshow film is being directed by Brad Peyton in his feature debut. His short "Evelyn: The Cutest Dead Girl" drew acclaim at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival.
O'Donnell next appears opposite Mark Wahlberg in the videogame-based crime drama "Max Payne."
Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello reports that the Thursday night drama is in serious negotiations to add ex-"Alias" star Melissa George to the cast. Melissa would play an intern who might just throw a wrinkle in the fledgling Erica/Callie romance...
In other casting news, "Grey's" has added "The L Word" beauty Janina Gavankar as well as hottie Brandon Scott as interns -- and "Battlestar Galactica" alum Mary McDonnell will join the cast for a multi-episode arc as a doctor.
The Alphabet earned a 10.1 rating/16 share for the night, topping second-place CBS, 7.1/11, by a pretty wide margin. NBC finished third at 4.8/8. FOX, 2.8/4, took fourth, while The CW came in at 2.4/4.
ABC also dominated the adults 18-49 demographic with a 6.0 rating. CBS, 3.8, was second in the advertisers' coveted demo, edging NBC's 3.6. FOX averaged 2.0 and The CW 1.5.
CBS took the lead at 8 p.m. with the premiere of "Survivor: Gabon," 7.8/13. ABC's "Ugly Betty" began its third season with a 6.6/11. Back-to-back episodes of "My Name Is Earl" earned a 3.9/6 for NBC. FOX's "Kitchen Nightmares" was fourth, finishing just ahead of "Smallville," 2.6/4, on The CW.
The season premiere of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" surged to the front at 9 p.m. with an 11.8/18. "Survivor: Gabon" slipped a little in its second hour, finishing with a 7.5/11. The hour-long premiere of "The Office" scored a 5.3/8 for NBC (and beat CBS in the 18-49 demo for the hour). A second hour of "Kitchen Nightmares," 2.9/4, kept FOX ahead of The CW and "Supernatural."
"Grey's Anatomy" snagged an 11.9/19 for ABC at 10 p.m., beating a "CSI" repeat, 6.1/10, on CBS and the season premiere of "ER," 5.1/8, on NBC.
It's hard to imagine two shows that could be more polar opposites.
They're both set in professional buildings, but one show plays for laughs, the other for tears.
Still, in their own ways, The Office (the funny one) and Grey's Anatomy (the sad one) represent the best TV has to offer. And they're both kicking off their fifth seasons this evening.
With the return of The Office (Global, NBC) and Grey's Anatomy (CTV, ABC), one could argue that the fall TV campaign finally has begun in earnest.
And both shows are doubling their usual running time with special episodes tonight, The Office expanding from a half-hour to an hour, and Grey's Anatomy expanding from an hour to two hours.
The Office focuses on a fictional paper company in Scranton, Pa., and its cringe-inducing manager Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell. But the reason The Office has maintained its high level of hilarity is that virtually all the secondary characters can carry story-lines of their own.
Case in point, we still laugh every time we think of the season-finale from last spring, when the new human-resources person Holly (played by Amy Ryan) quickly comes to the conclusion that slow-talking accountant Kevin (played by Brian Baumgartner) is mentally challenged.
"It was a joke that was being set up for four years," Baumgartner said. "But (Ryan) was just so fantastic and played it so well. I'm really happy she's coming back to start the (new season)."
Baumgartner said The Office is "100% written," meaning not much happens by accident. However, sometimes when little unscripted things occur, they make their way into the final edit.
"Actually, in the finale episode (from last season), I laughed and they did not edit it out," Baumgartner said. "It was a very simple thing where Amy Ryan was looking through my change to count it. And it made me so angry when I saw the (final edit) because you couldn't see her face. Her face was so perfect at the vending machine, and she said, 'This is a button.' She just had this look on her face that was so f---ing funny and I completely laughed.
"But again, it was the editors saying, 'It makes sense that (Kevin) giggles', because in the very next moment it's when I say I'm going to bang her."
The new episode of The Office tonight is titled Weight Loss. We get to see what has happened over eight weeks of summer, as a Dunder Mifflin dieting initiative has caused everyone to become obsessed with their weight.
Meanwhile, over at Seattle Grace Hospital, the cast of Grey's Anatomy will continue to deal with their own obsessions and crises tonight.
In an episode titled Dream a Little Dream of Me, a freak ice storm brings trauma patients to Seattle Grace; a mysterious military doctor catches the eye of Cristina (Canada's Sandra Oh); and, most importantly, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) discover that their "happily ever after" life together isn't going to be as easy as they had hoped.
Of course, Grey's Anatomy has its lighter moments, too.
"I feel like the humour that comes out of Grey's Anatomy comes because we're dealing with such serious situations, and people have a gallows humour a lot of the time," series creator Shonda Rhimes said. "It's such a talented cast of actors, and creating that funny underbelly is what makes the show feel more like real life."
Actually, that's something Grey's Anatomy and The Office have in common.
Sure, both shows take things to extremes. But in a bizarre way, Grey's Anatomy and The Office can hit pretty close to home.
That's both sad and funny -- just like the shows themselves.
If you're a fan of Grey's Anatomy, that promise is nothing but good news.
Tonight's smartly constructed two-hour season premiere completes the task begun last spring, clearing away dead plots and setting this massively entertaining series back on track.
Which means, by the way, you can ignore most of the promos. Almost all of the major characters do go through some life changes tonight, but they're incremental rather than drastic.
The show's best carryover idea from May is to drop Derek and Meredith's will they/won't they dance and unite them once and (we assume) for all. Granted, even a brighter Grey's is still Grey's, so their path is likely to be bumpy. But it appears that they're now traveling together for good, and that's a very good idea.
The show knows it, too, and is more than willing to share that knowledge with you. It's the "meta" side of this medical drama: The cases comment on the characters, and the characters often slyly comment on the show — the producer's way of letting the audience know it has been heard.
So when the chief says, "We've been resting on our laurels. … It stops, and it stops now," you can probably take that as an internal acknowledgement that the show has, also. And when Cristina interrupts Meredith's latest relationship dithering with, "As you weigh the options here, just consider the possibility of shutting the hell up, because I can't listen anymore" — well, that's pretty self-explanatory, isn't it?
The principal medical story focuses on three women played by three terrific actresses: Bernadette Peters, Kathy Baker and Mariette Hartley. Their story links to another great guest who will become a more frequent visitor: Rome's Kevin McKidd.
They arrive as Seattle Grace is in the midst of one of its periodic crises. A survey has lowered its ranking as both a teaching hospital and a surgical care unit.
Keep that teaching part in mind, because in many ways, the episode is about how we teach and how we learn. Rifts are exposed and mistakes are made, but there's also the possibility that people change and sins can be forgiven.
The optimism of that message is one reason some dismiss the show as fluff, but edge and grit are not universal dramatic imperatives. All we need ask of Grey's is that it tell its stories well in its own way, and tonight it does.
If you're a fan — go.
Grey's Anatomy
* * * 1/2 (out of four)
ABC, Thursday, 9 ET/PT
The star - who plays Dr. Derek Shepherd in the popular medical drama - has been dogged by rumours he will quit the show to concentrate on his budding movie career.
But Dempsey insists he will only walk if his character gets left out of the juicy plotlines.
He says, "Well, I have a contract for two more years. That's a long time, we'll see what happens with the show. The show has been very good to me.
"I hope the storylines continue. I need good story lines and that's what will keep me or not keep me."
"Made of Honor," a Sony comedy that earned $46 million in theaters, bowed at No. 1 on the Nielsen VideoScan sales chart for the week ended September 21, while Warner's "Speed Racer," which made $43.9 million at the box office, landed at No. 2 on its debut. "Speed Racer" cost an estimated $120 million to make, three times as much as "Made of Honor."
"Made of Honor" also topped Home Media Magazine's national video rental chart for the week. "Speed Racer" coasted into second place, generating about 85 percent of the rental activity clocked by "Made of Honor."
The vivid "Speed Racer" did top the First Alert Blu-ray Disc sales chart for the week, with Paramount's "Transformers" holding fast at No. 2 and the previous week's top seller, Lionsgate's "The Forbidden Kingdom," slipping to No. 4.
Turning in a surprisingly strong first-week performance was Sony's "88 Minutes," an Al Pacino crime drama that grossed just $16.9 million domestically. The film debuted at No. 3 on the sales chart and No. 4 on the rental chart. "88 Minutes" also debuted at No. 3 on the Blu-ray sales chart, selling nearly 80 percent as many copies as second-ranked "Transformers" during the week.
That leads to a new question as the ABC medical drama opens Season 5 (Thursday, 9 ET/PT): What happens after happily ever after? For Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey), being a committed couple is hardly the end of the story, creator Shonda Rhimes says.
"They've never had the chance to get past the 'Will they, or won't they?' and be in the 'What happens now?' part of it," she says. "There's a lot of humor and pathos and pain to be played in what it's going to mean for the two of them to really be together."
Dempsey says the two are "always going to have conflict. They're always going to be working on issues."
In addition, "for good" doesn't necessarily go past this season, Rhimes says. "But they're definitely together for good for now. I'm with them. They believe they are together for good. I believe they are together for good."
Other stories include:
•Romantic possibility for Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh). In Thursday's two-hour premiere, which features victims of an ice storm, she's attracted to a military doctor (Kevin McKidd), but he must return to Iraq. "We will see him again," Rhimes says.
•A "lovely story" for Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl). Details are hush-hush, but part of it involves things heating up between Izzie and Alex Karev (Justin Chambers). She won't get a brain tumor as has been rumored.
•"Devirginized" doctors. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) and Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith) will each explore first-time feelings for another woman. Rhimes consulted GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) to try to make the story authentic. There are humorous possibilities as Callie sorts out a new direction: "What would she be thinking? What would she be doing?" Rhimes says.
•Lexie Grey's (Chyler Leigh) attraction to roommate George O'Malley (T.R. Knight). "It doesn't go where you'd expect," Rhimes says.
And Mary McDonnell (Battlestar Galactica) is in final talks for a multi-episode arc.
Viewership fell 20% last season (15.6 million) but rebounded with a big finale (18.1 million). The writers' strike hurt ratings, although Grey's felt a sharper decline than many other hits.
The strike also shortened the season, which delayed the Seattle Grace residents from finishing their second year. They will face pressure trying to reverse a drop in national hospital ratings.
Still, the mood of the characters is "pretty happy," Rhimes says. "Everybody is starting fresh. There are some good leaping-off points from the end of last season."
"We ended last season with the end of the fairy tale," said series creator Shonda Rhimes. "I always thought this season was about what happens after the 'happily ever after,' for all our characters."
"For some, it's about jumping off into something new. It feels like a very fresh start for everybody," Rhimes said. The ABC show's two-hour season debut is 9 p.m. EDT Thursday.
An on-air promotion has provided a clue about one potential challenge facing Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (McDreamy) Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). It includes a brief scene in which Derek is confronted by nurse Rose (Lauren Stamile).
"I wish there were a good way to say this: I'm carrying your child," Rose tells Derek, whose stunned look might match that worn by "Grey's" fans.
When last seen, McDreamy was embracing Meredith amid a sea of candles after therapy allowed her to see the light about their relationship. Rose's revelation - if it's to be taken at face value - strikes an ominous note for the couple known in shorthand as Mer-Der.
Adding to the mystery: In an ABC podcast in May, Rhimes said Rose isn't pregnant, and was later quoted as saying she wouldn't deceive "Grey's" loyalists. If that's the case, Rose - or the network's promotional department - is quite the manipulator.
Rhimes, who's highly protective of plot twists, won't tip her hand about how the story plays out. But she's openly upbeat about season five.
"We've settled in from all the attention paid and all the hoopla. We feel like we're back to where we were in seasons one and two, in the sense that the writers feel a little bit fearless," Rhimes said. "We know our characters so well at this point that now is the time to take chances."
The Hollywood writers strike that shut down most TV production for months had an unexpected benefit, Rhimes said.
"It was the first time in four-and-a-half years I wasn't working nonstop. It was a chance to sleep and clear my brain. ... I know what happens next for these characters in a way I hadn't known before."
For Drs. Grey and Shepherd, that means a bold step toward commitment. But as Rhimes signals, it's unlikely their path together will be smooth.
The new season brings guest stars Bernadette Peters and Kathy Baker and a new medical man at Seattle Grace: Kevin McKidd, playing a military doctor who Rhimes said "makes an impression" on Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh).
There's also a familiar face, Katherine Heigl, despite speculation that the series star might want to shrug off her scrubs.
The talk began this summer, after Heigl said she wasn't submitting her name for Emmy consideration this year because the show didn't deliver the material to warrant a nod. She won a 2007 Emmy for the role of Dr. Izzie Stevens.
"Talk? Who?" Rhimes responds tartly when asked about the issue, adding, "We have every intention of seeing Katherine for the entire season."
Asked if the actress has expressed any desire to leave, Rhimes said, "No, she has not."
"Grey's Anatomy" has provided off-screen drama before, most notably stemming from an ugly clash between cast members Isaiah Washington and T.R. Knight. Washington, who used an anti-gay slur, was fired.
"I have to say we've been through a lot," Rhimes said. She attributes it to "the 'Dawson's Creek' phenomenon," in which a "bunch of lovely and young actors" must learn to cope with the sudden fame a TV hit brings.
"These are people who went from living their lives to not being able to walk down the street without paparazzi being able to follow them wherever they go," she said.
Rhimes, a newcomer herself as a series TV producer (she now has a second show, the "Grey's" spinoff "Private Practice"), said she feels as if "everybody has grown up together."
"I drive my little golf cart over to the set and everybody is just really happy. ... So it's nice to see that we're growing into it," Rhimes said.
Does that mean no more surprises?
"I would be shocked if there were no more surprises," she said. "It's the nature of the beast. I don't necessarily feel the same about 'Private Practice.' I just feel like this particular show is its own animal. ... If it's a calm day, we're suspicious."
Mary McDonnell is in advanced talks to join the drama for a multi-episode guest arc, confirms ABC.
But whom will she play?
The nature of Mary's role, first reported by our good friends at Galactica Sitrep and Mo Ryan of the Chicago Tribune, remains a mystery. All we fans know for now is that it's a guest gig. The character's identity—patient, doctor or recently arrived relative—remains shrouded in Grey's famous anti-spoiler force field...
Indeed, the hit hospital drama, best known for showing sizzling romances rather than medical prowess, proved it could deliver a health message to viewers, according to a new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The organization worked with the writers of the ABC drama to embed a health message into a storyline and then queried viewers about the topic before and after the show aired.
Guess what?
They remembered.
The storyline revolved around an HIV positive pregnant woman, who, during the show, learned that with the proper treatment she has a 98% chance of having a healthy baby.
One week after the show aired, 61% of the people who watched the program knew the woman's chances. By six weeks out, the number of people who correctly answered 98% had fallen to 45%.
The Kaiser Family Foundation estimated that given "Grey's" audience, about 8 million people understood the correct information about mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Researchers also found 29% of regular viewers of the drama say they believe the medical information is "very" accurate, while 58% said it's "somewhat" accurate.
About 45% said they learned something new about health from "Grey's Anatomy."
"To me, it just really hammers home the incredible power television has to communicate," said Victoria Rideout, vice president and director of The Program for the Study of Media and Health at Kaiser. "It just reinforces the fact that ... the messages on TV matter."
Elsewhere, in a separate study conducted by the Foundation and the USC Annenberg Norman Lear, researchers found in an analysis of three seasons - 2004-2006 - of top-ten shows, six out of ten episodes had at least one health storyline.
No surprise, the most common storyline involved an unusual illness.
Not only will the actor's hit series return for a fifth season on Sept. 25, but he's also proud papa to a new Chihuahua.
"We just adopted a little dog," Dane told PEOPLE at Friday's Sixth Annual Tom Arnold Roast, to benefit the Exceptional Children's Foundation. His wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, was his date at the event.
The dog's name is Nellie, "like 'Whoa, Nellie,'" Dane, 35, explained. "We adopted it on the street from this adoption agency. She was thrown out of a car, so we took her."
"She's a rescue," Gayheart added.
Dane and Gayheart, 37, will celebrate their four-year wedding anniversary on Oct. 29, but don't have anything elaborate planned and will just go with the flow.
"As long as we're together, it's fine," Gayheart said. "The two of us, dinner."
One thing is for certain: the dog doesn't count as Dane's anniversary gift to his wife.
"It's not the anniversary present," Dane laughed. "What if the dog were the anniversary gift, I think it would be the last anniversary we have together! 'I brought you a Chihuahua...'"
The duo said they had a "great summer," traveling and visiting family. As for plot spoilers for Grey's fifth season, Dr. McSteamy is mum, only saying that viewers should expect more of what made the Emmy-winning series so popular.
"More of the same, and I think that's done well for us in the past," Dane says. "I think we're going to stick to that formula."
"At Jermaine Dupri parties, (people) don't stand around taking pictures," he said, in more colorful language, as some at his MTV Video Music Awards kickoff party focused their cameras on stars in the crowd Friday night. "It's star-studded all around this (place)."
The superproducer and sometime rapper threw the party, along with his Tag Records, to kick off the weekend of parties being held for Sunday's MTV VMAs and to promote the label's new artist, rapper Q, who performed.
Dupri might have been generous by describing the crowd as "star-studded": The biggest celebrity sighting was that of actor Taye Diggs and rapper Fabolous. Angela and Vanessa Simmons of MTV's reality show "Run's House" also attended.
Still, the celebrity quotient didn't seem to influence how much fun the crowd had. The dance floor was packed into the early morning as old-school rapper D-Nice worked the turntables, providing a steady stream of hip-hop hits to keep the party jumping.
Dupri's party was just one of the pre-VMA events being held on Friday that lured celebrities. Earlier, the Gibson guitar company hosted a gifting suite that drew stars including reality TV villain Omorosa and "Grey's Anatomy's" Justin Chambers, his wife and their children.
Chambers wasn't sure if he would attend Sunday's VMAs, but said there was one celebrity he was looking forward to seeing on the broadcast.
"I hear Britney Spears is opening up. I don't know if I'm excited but I would like to see her make a comeback from last year," referring to the pop queen's disastrous kickoff performance at the 2007 VMAs.
Want to know exactly what happens in the premiere when Rose drops the bomb from the promo into Derek's lap? Could Nurse Rose truly be having McDreamy's baby? (Aaah!)
I've got the exclusive dish, so click in to find out about the future of Meredith and McDreamy...
Liar, liar, pants on fire!
My sources tell me that the promo posted above is just plain old pointless torture, because Rose is lying through her pretty white teeth when she tells Derek that she's having his baby.
Now, why is she lying, and could she get away with it? That remains to be seen, but I can tell you that "Thorn" is just about done causing trouble for Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek, because the two-hour season premiere (airing Sept. 25 on ABC at 9 p.m.) is apparently Lauren Stamile's final appearance with the show.
Rumors surfaced last week the couple were headed for divorce after four years of marriage, but Dane is keen to end them.
He says, "Our marriage is great. I don't know how I got lucky. (We are) working on kids."
Jamie Foxx, Fran Drescher, Lucy Liu and Isaiah Washington were among the stars who proclaimed their love for Barack Obama Thursday night at a swanky soiree.
VIP donors paid $2,300 each to attend the Black and White Gala for Barack Obama at a private home in Beverly Hills.
Mario Van Peebles and other guests munched on croissants, crudités, olives and eggplant while a seven-member gospel choir performed.
They set the evening's tone with a rousing song: "Time for a change. We are the people, we can do it."
The party raised more than $200,000 for the Obama campaign, said Theresa DeBell, who hosted the event with her husband, Robert Siegel.
Foxx, who is set to appear at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, greeted congressmen and other guests at a table in the corner, his teenage daughter by his side. "Dancing With the Stars" runner-up Melanie Brown, in a bejeweled black gown, chatted with actress Nia Long, who has been following Obama's campaign for the past year.
"This is the first election where I've actually paid attention to every single thing, and I think it's because I'm a mom now," Long said. "I just think Barack is amazing... I admire him. I admire Michelle."
Drescher, a women's-health advocate who worked with Obama on the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act, was mistress of ceremonies. Drescher said she originally supported Hillary Clinton but now is fully behind Obama.
"He stands for everything that I believe in," she said. "I think he's inspirational, and that's what this country needs right now."
Drescher, who is set to speak at the women's caucus at the DNC, said she still hopes Obama might pick Clinton as his running mate.
Comedian Kathy Griffin also was rooting for Clinton as vice president.
"If not, I'm going to go with one of the Lohans," she said. "I think Ali has a bright, new future. But maybe Cody could really get the job done."
Annalisa Silvestro, president of the National Federation of Medical Colleges, said that offending programs include imported fare such as "ER," "House," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scrubs," along with a host of Italian-made productions, several of which are scheduled to premiere with state broadcaster RAI or Silvio Berlusconi's Mediaset when new schedules start in September.
The Order of Medical Professionals of Rome echoed that view.
"These programs are teaching viewers inaccurate views on medicine," Silvestro said. "They are spreading misinformation."
There has been no word on whether RAI and Mediaset plan to adjust their programming in response to the protests.
"I'm happy for them," Knight said at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation's Hot in Hollywood Awards Saturday at L.A. nightclub Avalon, adding, "I'm very happy that we can talk about this subject—very, very happy."
While the Grey's Anatomy star was quick to say he and boyfriend Mark Cornelsen aren't planning a wedding "right now," he did beam, "We just celebrated a little over eight months though!"
But when it came time to talk about the new season of Grey's, Knight was tight-lipped...
"They'll kill me," he said. "You don't understand. There's a room they take us into."
Ugly Betty's Ana Ortiz said she wishes she knew more about what is going on with her show—particularly a certain male hottie. "There's somebody new coming to Mode," Oritz said. "He's gonna be hot, but they won't tell me who he is!"
Also at the awards were host America Ferrera, honoree Jaime Pressly, Katherine Heigl, Mark Indelicato, Jane Lynch, Antonio Sabato Jr., Emily Deschanel, Josh Radnor and Tila Tequila.
I'm told that the set for Seattle Grace Hospital has moved to another soundstage (previously occupied by The Shield) at Prospect Studios in Los Angeles. And back at the original soundstage, they have built...drumroll, please...The McMansion!
OK, so it's not really a "mansion," per se, and I'm pretty sure Daddy Warbucks won't be handing out Christmas treats. (And it probably looks nothing like the photo above.) But according to sources, the original Grey's soundstage has been turned into a lovely home that will be occupied by one Dr. Derek Shepherd, aka Patrick Dempsey, and....hmmm, I wonder who his roommate will be?
You may remember that as of last May's season finale, Derek had a beautiful plot of land that he offered up to Meredith for their dream house, and Meredith finally came 'round and offered up a beautiful floor plan (made out of candles). So something tells me Mer and Der will most definitely be shacking up in their dream house this season, and we're gonna see plenty of their domestic...ummm...bliss? Tribulations? Fascinating home-improvement tips?
What ever it is, remember Grey's boss Shonda Rhimes is jazzed about it, as she told us: "I'm really actually excited about [Meredith and Derek] being together because I feel like what I wanted you to leave with last season is Meredith standing in that field, having done this incredible thing, and the look on her face is a little bit like, 'Oh my God, now I actually have to do this.'"
Awww...poor girl! She has to shack up in an amazing house on a hill with her McDream Man! (BTW, Ellen Pompeo also outbid me on a house in real life a couple of months ago, but for the record, I am not bitter at all that some girls have all the house luck—imaginary or otherwise. Not. At. All. Now pardon me while I wipe these tears off my keyboard.)
Also, if you want a reminder for the Grey's premiere (Sept. 28 at 9 p.m.) magically inserted into your own calendar, click on the Fall Premiere Reminders at right.
GA executive producer Shonda Rhimes says that rumors of a medical crisis for Izzie are not true–but viewers can expect some “interesting sparks” between Alex and Izzie following their season finale hookup, reports E! online.
The other characters will also have plenty of drama to deal with outside of the OR. Though GA resident couple MerDer finally reunited last season, don’t expect the tumultuous Seattle Grace doctors to settle down. Says Rhimes, “It’s really exciting to see what’s going to come next and how [Meredith's] going to deal with living with a boy, and all the things a man like Derek, who has been married and is a grown-up, might expect.”
Another romance to keep an eye on: Callie and Erica, who will continue to explore their relationship. “They are definitely on a journey, and it’s going to be a really interesting one…also both actresses are so game; they’re so willing to do something,” says Rhimes.
Fans can also expect to see some new faces at Seattle Grace. Scottish actor Kevin McKidd (of Journeyman) will join the cast as a military doctor who comes to the hospital on leave, and will possibly be a love interest for Sandra Oh’s Cristina, who spent most of last season in a funk following fiancé Preston Burke’s departure. Says Rhimes, “I think Cristina might find him fairly interesting.”
"It's nothing that we're talking about right now," her husband, musician Josh Kelley, told PEOPLE Tuesday. "We're pretty busy."
Kelley, 28, spent the summer vacationing with Heigl, 29, and touring. He returns to performing August 8 with Rod Stewart.
"I have time for my family, which is good. I have time for me and my wife," he said at the Ryan Sheckler X Games Celebrity Skins Classic in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. "I've been trying to tour a little less. Basically by touring less, I've been making more music."
Heigl said in March that she would like to have children sooner than Kelley – but she agreed that wasting their current career opportunities would be "foolish."
And despite Heigl's controversial comments about the Grey's Anatomy writers, Kelley said his wife is thrilled to be back at work on the show.
"She's stoked, man," said Kelley, adding that Heigl's statements had been "overblown." "It's a great show, and I think it's going to be a great season."
If the media loves a celebrity lightning rod, then Heigl certainly delivers the goods. The Emmy-winning actress has taken heat for her blunt public comments and doesn't seem to give two winks.
According to her detractors, the "Grey's Anatomy" star's outre behavior includes: demanding a higher salary in contract negotiations with ABC; slamming the megahit comedy "Knocked Up," in which she starred with Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd, as "a little sexist" in painting women as "humorless and uptight" and men as "lovable, goofy"; and, recently, refusing to seek an Emmy nomination because "Grey's" writers failed to deliver the goods for an awards-worthy performance.
At times, Heigl comes off like a reality show contestant who says, "I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to win." That attitude, as any avid viewer of shows from "Survivor" to "The Bachelor" would agree, wins few allies on the island (or in the mansion), but it sure makes for good TV.
But in a world of bland, media-trained celebs, is it such a bad thing to speak your mind?
After all, celebrities have spouted off for years, bashing everything and everyone from presidents to fellow actors to directors. But Hollywood is like high school — only meaner — and hammering the popular kids might have consequences that take years to undo.
"There's a long tradition of actors who have disdained the Hollywood establishment and then had some retribution for it within the Hollywood establishment," said Neal Gabler, an author and cultural critic whose books include "Life the Movie: How Entertainment Conquered Reality."
Gabler named screen legend Paul Newman as an example. Newman, now 83, shunned the movie-industry hoopla and never showed up in 1986 to accept his best-actor Academy Award for "The Color of Money," after having been nominated seven times before.
"He didn't live the way a star was supposed to live. There was an expectation ... placed on him, and he didn't satisfy that expectation and Hollywood took retribution," Gabler said, citing Newman's awards snubs.
And yet, that tough-guy persona enhanced his public image as a man of integrity who lived on his own terms, Gabler said. Newman's awards-hating colleagues included Marlon Brando and George C. Scott, who refused an Oscar for his grandiose performance in 1970's "Patton." Brando sent a Native American surrogate to turn down his statuette when he won best actor in 1972 for "The Godfather."
Heigl, on the other hand, simply declined to put her name in consideration for an Emmy bid.
But it was her reasons for doing so that ignited a media firestorm, fueled by this statement: "I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization, I withdrew my name from contention. In addition, I did not want to potentially take away an opportunity from an actress who was given such materials."
Heigl's announcement spread swiftly online, where it was variously heralded, ridiculed and hashed out by a vocal mob eager to weigh in.
"First of all, she did something crazy — and that is she told the truth," said veteran publicist Howard Bragman. "At the very least, she told her truth. ... And in this town, it's not always a great idea, because what you have to understand is television is a very collaborative industry, and what she's essentially done is trash her writers. These are people you have to go to work with every day."
ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson denied speculation earlier this month that Heigl wanted to leave the hit medical drama. He then defended the series, saying that all involved in it deserve "an enormous amount of credit."
Melissa Kates, Heigl's representative, said the actress was unavailable for comment on this story.
Bragman represented Isaiah Washington during the actor's 2007 departure from "Grey's" following his alleged use of a homophobic slur. Heigl had publicly criticized Washington, telling the media: "I'm going to be really honest right now, he needs to just not speak in public. Period."
If Heigl's remarks created bad blood on the set, Bragman said burning bridges isn't necessarily a career breaker.
"It supports what we know about Katie Heigl, is that she's kind of an edgy, mouthy girl who's a bit of a rabble rouser, and as long as she's able to open movies and put butts in seats, she's still going to have a career," he said.
But outspoken female stars such as Heigl could run into problems keeping an audience just by dint of gender.
"I think women have a much more difficult time, because when a woman makes demands as Barbra Streisand always did, I think they're more likely to say, `What the hell does she want?' You don't see it in the same terms of integrity and honesty. It's a harder sell," Gabler said.
Kim Basinger's career, for example, pretty much went downhill after she refused to appear in 1993's "Boxing Helena," in which a woman is forced to live in a box after her limbs are amputated by a surgeon in a desperate act of courtship. Basinger, who said she was put off by the film's gratuitous sex scenes, was sued for breach of contract and ordered to pay $7.4 million in damages. She filed for bankruptcy but had a come back in 1997 with "L.A. Confidential," for which she won an Oscar for supporting actress.
Indeed, actresses — especially those with conventionally attractive looks such as Heigl and Basinger — are largely expected to play the game, shut up and smile, while demanding actors such as Sean Penn are handed creative control and respect, among eye rolls.
"In this town, women who don't just snap and say, `OK, yes sir, yes ma'am,' start to get a reputation for being difficult," she said last year in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "But within the last five years, I've decided it's not worth it to me to be pushed around so much."
Jessica Grose, an editor at Jezebel.com, a Web site for women, said men and women face different criticism: While Tom Cruise's sofa antics on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" would be endlessly mocked, Heigl's comments might invite verbal lashings and insults about her looks.
"With the 24-hour news cycle, ... anything you say that's remotely off the cuff or interesting is going to get repeated and reported on," Grose said. "I think any celebrity now who really speaks his or her mind is going to be raked over the coals for it."
Gloria Allred, the Los Angeles-based feminist lawyer, said Heigl has now branded herself as "more independent," and compared her to a young version of Katharine Hepburn, who successfully promoted an image of candor and Yankee pluck.
"In terms of being a role model for other women, I think it's important that people learn how to speak their mind after they assess the risks and rewards," noted Allred, who said she thinks Heigl will reap benefits by being seen as someone "who is not willing to submit to the Hollywood spin machine."
So far, Heigl's career seems bright. She had success with "Knocked Up" and "27 Dresses," and is set to co-star with Gerard Butler in "The Ugly Truth" next year.
But will fans continue to buy the Heigl brand of honesty, or write it off as shameless narcissism?
"There's a very tenuous kind of connection between stars and the public, and it's very delicate ... in terms of how that contract ... is played out," Gabler said. "Stars have to be more than we are obviously, but if they disconnect from us, ... if we feel that our job is to laugh at them or to enjoy them, rather than it's their job to make us laugh at them, to make us enjoy them, they break the contract.
"So that contract that she has — it's still pending."
Cameron Diaz is no victim of the current economic pinch, either. Making $50 million last year, the Shrek and What Happens in Vegas star was Tinsel Town's top-earning female, reports the business publication.
Among others in the financial stratosphere: No. 2-ranked Johnny Depp, with a $72 million paycheck, and, tied for third place, Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers, with $55 million each – even though Myers's recent The Love Guru tanked.
Leonardo DiCaprio, with $55 million, rounded out the top five.
And while Atonement leading lady Keira Knightley earned $32 million, and Jennifer Aniston pulled in $27 million, Forbes notes that, once the gold dust settles, men make twice as much as women in Hollywood.
In terms of media personalities, Oprah Winfrey still owns the bank. Her earnings last year were a staggering $275 million.
As for other TV stars, Charlie Sheen was the top-earning male ($20 million), while Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl – who's also been stepping into big-screen roles – deposited $13 million, making her the top-ranking female.
Denny -- and consequently the actor who plays him, Jeffrey Dean Morgan -- will make a return appearance on "Grey's Anatomy" this season. The network confirmed Morgan's guest appearance to The Hollywood Reporter, but the circumstances of his return are being kept under wraps.
We do know, however, that Denny was most connected to Izzie (Katherine Heigl), who fell in love with him while he was a patient at Seattle Grace and committed some major misconduct in an effort to save him. We also know, per ABC chief Stephen McPherson's comments this week at the TCA press tour, that "Grey's" creator Shonda Rhimes is planning an "unbelievable storyline" for Izzie in the coming season.
Just how, or whether, the two things are related remains to be seen.
Morgan has appeared on about a dozen episodes of the show, the last two of which occurred after Denny's death as he appeared to a not-quite-dead Meredith (Ellen Pompeo). He stars in the highly anticipated "Watchmen" movie that's due out next year and will next be seen in "The Accidental Husband," which hits theaters in September.
“I didn’t feel insulted,” Rhimes told reporters Thursday during an ABC TCA panel in Los Angeles. Still, she told reporters, “When I was told [what Heigl said] I found it surprising. I love and respect Katie as an actress. But she is outspoken.”
While Rhimes took it all in stride, others on the panel said they wouldn’t have reacted so benignly.
“I would have put her in a coma,” Ugly Betty creator Silvio Horta joked with reporters. (After Heigl’s comments hit the Internet, there were rumblings that her character Izzie would be killed off the show.)
But Rhimes backed up ABC entertainment president Stephen McPherson’s earlier comment that Heigl will be returning to the show next season –-and have a juicy story line to boot. “We have a great story,” she told reporters. “We’re all excited.”
So why did Heigl say what she said? Rhimes had no comment, but Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry offered up his theory: “She was drunk.”
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Ellen Burstyn, Big Love
Dihann Carroll, Grey’s Anatomy
Cynthia Nixon, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Anjelica Huston, Medium
Sharon Gless, Nip/Tuck
Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Grey’s Anatomy
Mad Men
Pushing Daisies
Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special
Grey’s Anatomy
John Adams
Mad Men
Pushing Daisies
Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union
The 60th annual Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on ABC Sunday, Sept. 21 from Los Angeles's Nokia Theatre.
“She’s absolutely staying with the show,” ABC entertainment president Stephen McPherson said Wednesday at the Television Critics Association’s annual fall preview, putting to rest growing rumors of a fallout between the actress and the show.
In June, Heigl stunned millions of Grey’s fans, publicly snubbing the show’s writers by withdrawing her name from Emmy consideration, saying, “I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination.”
More recently, Internet buzz began to build that GA creator Shonda Rhimes was going to kill off her character Izzie with a life-threatening brain tumor.
But McPherson says contrary to the rumors, Heigl is returning–and getting a juicy storyline: “There’s an unbelievable storyline for her which is really central to everything that’s going to go on this season. We’re really excited about that.”
My Name Is Earl star Jaime Pressly, who was named Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy in 2007, has been left off the shortlist of female laugh-inducers who stand a chance of hearing their names announced July 17, when the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences reveals all the nominees for the 59th Prime-Time Emmy Awards.
Meanwhile, the competition Pressly beat out last year has made the cut, according to another top-secret list obtained by the L.A. Times' Gold Derby blog.
But Pressly's in good company. Also in no danger of repeating last year's glory is Lost's Terry O'Quinn, Grey's Anatomy's Katherine Heigl and Extras' Ricky Gervais, who apparently can't stand to do more than two seasons of a critically acclaimed series.
Whether the writers' strike left Pressly without a golden moment this season is a valid question, but Emmy voters obviously found enough to like in scenes belonging to 10 other actresses—all of whom (minus Weeds' Elizabeth Perkins), it should be noted, honed their craft on broadcast networks, while all of the other major acting categories have ventured almost equally into the nether regions of cable.
Returning to the list are Perkins, Two and a Half Men's Conchata Ferrell and Holland Taylor, Ugly Betty's Vanessa Williams and The Office's Jenna Fischer.
Other familiar faces being considered include 30 Rock's Jane Krakowski (who seemingly had a lot less to do in season two, but whatever), Ugly Betty's Judith Light and Saturday Night Live's Amy Poehler (sketch show performers have finally been added to the mix).
Pushing Daisies' Kristin Chenoweth and Samantha Who?'s Jean Smart round out the list.
Meaning, no Emmy love (again) for Desperate Housewives' Nicollette Sheridan or (surprisingly) her new neighbor, Dana Delany; no change of fortune for Ugly Betty's Ashley Jensen (who at least should have been nominated for Extras last year); no extra recognition for Pushing Daisies' eccentric, aquatic aunts, Swoosie Kurtz and Ellen Greene; and another thankless season for Monk's girl Friday Traylor Howard.
Britney Spears' hyped two-episode appearance on How I Met Your Mother didn't catch the eye of Emmy voters, who left her off their list of semifinalists for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, per the latest round of Emmy scoopage from the L.A. Times' Gold Derby blog.
Spears shouldn't feel too snubbed, though—fellow twentysomething Mary-Kate Olsen, who played a pot-dealing proselytizer on Weeds, didn't make the cut, either. And she's been acting all her life!
But this year, only two under-40 thesps made the first cut, the relative young'uns being Sarah Silverman, who could be a two-time Emmy nominee thanks to her turn as a psycho fan on Monk, and Oscar nominee Amy Ryan, who made quite the impression as the Michael-liking "new Toby" on The Office.
In addition to needing way more experience, it also probably would have helped if Spears and Olsen had guest-starred on 30 Rock or Desperate Housewives. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences singled out three seasoned stars apiece from each—Edie Falco, Elaine Stritch and Carrie Fisher for shaking things up at NBC and elder Housewives Polly Bergen, Shirley Knight and Kathryn Joosten, the last of whom also won the Emmy in 2005 for her role as Lynette's neighbor, Mrs. McClusky.
Also well-served by their sharp comedic chops were Christopher Guest regular Jane Lynch, who appeared in Two and a Half Men, Curb Your Enthusiasm's Vivica A. Fox and Ugly Betty's Annie Potts.
On the masculine side of things, there's a lot to like about the short list for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy, despite the pitiful absence of Ugly Betty's Michael Urie, any of the dudes from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Entourage's Jeremy Piven...
Kidding! Of course Piven has the chance to win his third Emmy in a row for playing Ari Gold. The Office's Rainn Wilson, Two and a Half Men's Jon Cryer, How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris and Piven's Entourage costar Kevin Dillon have their second shot in a row for a trophy, as well, but they'll face some stiff competition from, among others, everyone's favorite NBC page.
Jack McBrayer, who plays the infectiously funny Kenneth on 30 Rock is facing off against costar Tracy Morgan, as well as The Office's John Krasinski, Weed's Justin Kirk and Back to You's Fred Willard, whose performance looks to be the only one the Academy singled out from the already canceled Fox sitcom.
On a more serious note, House's Hugh Laurie, Rescue Me's Denis Leary and defending champ James Spader of Boston Legal are back in the hunt for Lead Actor in a Drama, where they join Golden Globe winner Don Hamm of Mad Men, Patrick "McDreamy" Dempsey of Grey's Anatomy and a host of captivatingly conflicted characters—Dexter's Michael C. Hall, Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston, The Riches' Eddie Izzard and In Treatment's Gabriel Byrne.
Holding down the fort for the woefully underwatched Friday Night Lights is best actor possibility Kyle Chandler, who proves that nice guys don't have to finish last.
Speaking of overlooked, the fate of Battlestar Galactica (its Emmy fate, anyway) might really rest on President Roslin's shoulders.
It's not confirmed at the moment, but a tipster has indicated to Gold Derby that Mary McDonnell is a semifinalist for best actress in a drama...finally.
In all likelihood, her fellow competitors will be past winners Sally Field of Brothers & Sisters, Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: SVU and Patricia Arquette of Medium; The Riches' Minnie Driver and The Closer's Kyra Sedgwick, both nominees last year; Damages' Glenn Close, Big Love's Jeanne Tripplehorn (seeing as she's Wife No. 1 and all), Saving Grace's Holly Hunter and, possibly, Elisabeth Moss from Mad Men.
The blog has also confirmed seven of the semifinalists for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy (again nothing shocking here): 30 Rock's Alec Baldwin, The Office's Steve Carell, Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David, Golden Globe winner David Duchovny of Californication, Pushing Daisy's Lee Pace, Monk's Tony Shalhoub and Two and a Half Men's Charlie Sheen.
None of the eligible female players from ABC's mind-boggling island mystery—in addition to the XX crew of Battlestar Galactica, women married to Bill Paxton and hardly anyone who solves crime—made it onto the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences' list of semifinalists for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Not that some pretty fine thesps didn't make the cut, per the list obtained by the L.A. Times' Gold Derby blog. But this year it was lawyers, moms, people giving or receiving therapy, people who just plain need therapy and some familiar hot doctors who tickled Emmy voters' fancy.
Standard 2007, etc. nominees Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson from Grey's Anatomy scrubbed in as usual, along with Brothers & Sisters sister Rachel Griffiths.
But thanks to the Emmy-eschewing Katherine Heigl and the demise of The Sopranos and its large cast, the path to glory was also cleared for a host of first-timers, including Tell Me You Love Me's Jane Alexander, Mad Men's Christina Hendricks and Damage's Rose Byrne—who despite her central role has apparently been relegated to the sidelines to make way for scene-chewing Lead Actress Glenn Close.
Speaking of which, Connie Britton, who as Friday Night Lights' Tami Taylor was a semifinalist for Best Actress last year, was bumped into the supporting category this year and then didn't make the Top 11. (Well, at least the beloved yet painfully underwatched show is still being considered for Best Drama and maybe, just maybe, will squeeze another couple of viewers out of the publicity.)
Veterans Candice Bergen and S. Epatha Merkerson are also in consideration for their respective boss-lady roles on Boston Legal and Law & Order.
Fellow grande dames in the fold are two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest, who plays the therapist's therapist on HBO's In Treatment, Dirty Sexy Money matriarch Jill Clayburgh and Burn Notice's chain-smoking mommy dearest Sharon Gless.
Final nominees for the 60th Annual Emmy Awards will be announced July 17.
Along with Ferrera, last year's winner, Silverman and Applegate have landed on the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' shortlist of thesps in the running for the 2008 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
While the writers' strike threw a wrench in the second-season schedule for Silverman's eponymous Comedy Central sitcom and shortened the first season of Applegate's return to TV in ABC's Samantha Who?, both arrived to winning reviews and will be returning to their respective networks next season.
Joining the trio on the list of semifinalists are everyone who was nominated for the Emmy last year—Felicity Huffman, Tina Fey, Mary Louise-Parker and Julia Louis-Dreyfus—as well as Marcia Cross, first-timer Anna Friel, from Pushing Daisies, and Eva Longoria Parker, who's become well-acquainted with snubbery from watching her fellow Desperate Housewives collect nod after nod.
Instead, it was onetime Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner Teri Hatcher who didn't make the cut this year.
Also getting the short end of the stick, not to mention only two mourners at his small-screen wake, was the 2007 winner for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama, Lost's Terry O'Quinn.
Picking up the dramatic slack when Locke lost the ball, according to the TV Academy, were future partners in crime Sayid and Ben, meaning Naveen Andrews and Michael Emerson are in fact in the Top 11. (Yes, 11, meaning there's some neck-and-neck action going on.)
Not remembered this year, either, was '07 nominee Masi Oka, who likely suffered from the utterly joy-killing storyline he was given last season on Heroes. Michael Imperioli is missing, too, if only because neither Christopher Moltisanti nor The Sopranos exists anymore.
Otherwise, kudos are out again for William Shatner and T.R. Knight, who apparently was fine with what the Grey's Anatomy writers provided for his character in season four.
Joining the pack are Damages' Ted Danson (that Arthur Frobisher was baa-aad) and Zeljko Ivanek (who literally provided one of the series' biggest bangs), Big Love's Bruce Dern, Boston Legal's Christian Clemenson, In Treatment's Blair Underwood, Mad Men's John Slattery and Medium's Jake Weber (so you can score a dramatic Emmy nod for playing a purely nice, wanna-have-a-beer-with-him guy).
The Academy announced its shortlists for Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series last week. The final nominees in each Emmy category will be announced July 17.
Ten drama series and 10 comedies emerged as the top vote-getters in balloting by members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the academy said Thursday.
The final five nominees in each category will be determined after blue-ribbon panels screen submitted episodes this weekend, with the results to be announced July 17. The awards will be held in September.
"The Wire," the critically acclaimed HBO drama that traces urban decay through the stories of police and drug dealers in Baltimore, has a last shot at ending years of Emmy snubs: it recently wrapped its fifth and final season.
Basic cable also has the chance for a breakthrough this year, with AMC's "Mad Men" and FX's "Damages" among the semifinalists. Although premium channels like HBO routinely field nominees, a basic cable series has yet to nab a best drama or comedy series bid, the academy said.
Premium cable and network shows are both well-represented on the comedy front with such shows as HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and NBC's "30 Rock," which was last year's winner in the category.
As posted by the TV academy on its Web site, the best drama semifinalists are: "Boston Legal"; "Damages"; "Dexter"; "Friday Night Lights"; "Grey's Anatomy"; "House"; "Lost"; "Mad Men"; "The Tudors" and "The Wire."
Semifinalists for best comedy are "Curb Your Enthusiasm"; "Entourage"; "Family Guy"; "Flight of the Conchords"; "The Office"; "Pushing Daisies"; "30 Rock"; "Two and a Half Men"; "Ugly Betty" and "Weeds."
The results of the blue-ribbon panels represent 50 percent of the vote to determine the finalists, averaged with the total academy balloting, TV academy COO Alan Perris said in a statement.
Last year's group of nominees was dominated by network series, although "The Sopranos" went out with a blaze of glory and claimed the best drama trophy. Its competition was "Boston Legal," ABC; "Grey's Anatomy," ABC; "Heroes," NBC, and "House," Fox.
The comedy series nominees last year were "Ugly Betty"; "Entourage"; "The Office"; "Two and a Half Men" and "30 Rock."
The nominees for the 60th annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced by Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris and TV academy Chairman John Shaffner in July's predawn ceremony.
Choice Movie: Chick Flick
27 Dresses
Enchanted
Fool’s Gold
P.S. I Love You
Sex and the City
Choice Movie: Bromantic Comedy
Dan in Real Life
Definitely, Maybe
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Made of Honor
What Happens in Vegas
Choice TV Show: Drama
Friday Night Lights
Gossip Girl
Grey's Anatomy
House
One Tree Hill
Choice TV Actor: Drama
Chace Crawford, Gossip Girl
Chad Michael Murray, One Tree Hill
Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy
Penn Badgley, Gossip Girl
Taylor Kitsch, Friday Night Lights
Choice TV Actress: Drama
Blake Lively, Gossip Girl
Hilarie Burton, One Tree Hill
Katherine Heigl, Grey's Anatomy
Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl
Sophia Bush, One Tree Hill
Just as her former costar did last spring, albeit for a different reason, the Grey's Anatomy actress has taken herself out of the running for the upcoming 60th Annual Emmy Awards.
No, last year's winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama isn't still ticked off that the announcer mispronounced her name as she took the stage to present. ("By the way, it's Heigl," she corrected later during her acceptance speech, emphasizing the hard g.)
Instead, Heigl feels that Izzie, who ultimately shared a kiss with Justin Chambers' Alex when all was said and done, wasn't given much Emmy-worthy emoting to do this season.
"I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organization, I withdrew my name from contention," Heigl told the Los Angeles Times Gold Derby blog. "In addition, I did not want to potentially take away an opportunity from an actress who was given such materials."
ABC had no comment on Heigl's decision, which theoretically could be seen as either a gracious move in honor of her fellow thespians or a thumbed nose at the people who put Izzie in all those non-Emmy-warranting situations—the Grey's writing team.
While it isn't an entirely wild notion to excuse oneself from consideration (Candice Bergen did it after hogging the spotlight multiple times for Murphy Brown; Tim Allen actually forgot to submit the paperwork once), it makes us wonder whether the star of such fare as Knocked Up, 27 Dresses and the upcoming The Ugly Truth—who was one of the last Grey's regulars to ink a contract for a fourth season last year—has simply outgrown her small-screen launching pad.
The nominations for the 60th Annual Emmy Awards will be announced July 17. The ceremony will be broadcast live Sept. 21 from L.A.'s Staples Center.
According to Variety, Relevant Entertainment and Como Court Prods. acquired the book, while Michael Menchel and Cat Williams will produce along with Heigl and her Abishag shingle partner Nancy Heigl.
Born into a family of long-standing in the polygamist sect, Jessop was married at 18 to a 50-year-old man with three wives. In 2003, at the age of 35, Jessop fled the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints and sued for custody of her children. "Escape" was published in 2007, before Jessop offered key testimony in the trial of sect leader Warren Jeffs.
An Emmy-winning co-star on "Grey's Anatomy," Heigl had blockbuster success with last summer's "Knocked Up" and a solid winter hit with "27 Dresses." She's currently appearing in the comedy "The Ugly Truth," while developing two or three additional projects for Abishag.
"It was a big secret, and I wasn't allowed to tell anyone, but I knew Michelle was pregnant, and I am thrilled for her," Dempsey, 42, told PEOPLE on Friday – as he prepared to race this weekend in the Six Hours of the Glen Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York.
"She will be a great mom because she has a good head on her shoulders, a fine husband, and overall, she is a lovely woman," he said.
Dempsey, who with wife Jillian has 18-month-old twin sons (Darby and Sullivan), and a 6-year-old daughter (Talula), gave Monaghan, 32, some advice on being a first- time parent.
"I told Michelle she may not see it now, but her life will change profoundly after she delivers the baby," he recounts. "I told her being a parent is a feeling that she will not understand until she actually has the child."
Dempsey, who races as often as his acting schedule allows – he's due to report back to the set of Grey's Anatomy June 25 – is looking forward to one day bringing his entire family to the racetrack with him.
"Jillian always tells me to be careful when I leave the house for a race," says Dempsey, who is competing for the first time at Watkins Glen International. "It is hard to leave the family on weekends because I love spending time with the kids, but I also love to race. I count the days until they can come with me, and we can all be here together."
The California Supreme Court on Wednesday gave a final approval for gay marriages in the state, clearing the way for talk show host DeGeneres and her girlfriend of four years, actress Portia de Rossi, to marry as planned.
Last week actress Lindsay Lohan, 21, was the subject of widespread talk in celebrity magazines that she was having a lesbian affair with friend Samantha Ronson, prompting some in Hollywood to encourage her to go public with the relationship.
If she did, it might not hurt her career, as it most definitely would have only a few years ago. In fact, say many gay Hollywood players, it has not hurt theirs.
"After publicly coming out, I haven't noticed a difference," "Grey's Anatomy" star T.R. Knight told Reuters at an event to celebrate gay marriage in West Hollywood.
But Knight, who was forced by a colleague to disclose publicly he was gay, noted he had a steady job, which cannot be said for others.
Actor Rock Hudson kept his homosexuality a secret for decades for fear it would hurt his ability to win leading-man roles. His death to AIDS-related illness in 1985 shocked Americans, and when DeGeneres publicly came out in the late 1990s it caused a media sensation.
But by early this decade, TV show "Will & Grace," about the lives of a gay man and straight woman, had become a critical and audience hit, a sign of increasing public acceptance.
CRACKS IN "GLASS CLOSET"
Still, experts say a "glass closet" exists for some actors, but because many openly gay celebrities such as Knight, DeGeneres, De Rossi and Rosie O'Donnell are breaking barriers that have stood for years, that closet is cracking.
Ilene Chaiken, creator and executive producer of "The L Word," the popular lesbian-themed show on the cable channel Showtime, said Hollywood's attitude toward gay content has improved and that soon any gay "stigma" will be irrelevant.
"Our kids think it's absurd gay people can't get married, and by the time they are the dominant consumer culture, most of these issues are going to be non-issues," she said.
But some actors, especially men, still fear coming out.
Film and TV fans are more likely to warm to a lesbian actress than a gay actor, the experts said. Women are less likely to feel threatened by a lesbian woman. Some men see them as sexy, and gay men as challenging their own sexuality.
Howard Bragman, a veteran Hollywood publicist who is openly gay, noted that Hollywood still has no shining example of a megastar leading man who came out of the closet and thrived in his career.
Still, in recent years, a few gay actors such as Knight and Neil Patrick Harris, who plays a womanizing man about town on TV's "How I Met Your Mother," have remained high-profile stars since breaking out of the glass closet.
Compare that to actor Leslie Jordan, 53, of the former NBC program "Will & Grace" and author of the recently released book "My Trip Down the Pink Carpet," who faced steep adversity when he stepped off the bus in Hollywood more than 25 years ago.
Jordan has always been openly gay, but early in his career the word "gay" was not even part of the casting vocabulary, he said. Gay parts were called "mama's boy" or "Truman Capote" roles, but it was obvious who they were for, he said.
"It's bound to raise some eyebrows," the 35-year-old Grey's Anatomy star tells Extra for an interview due to air Thursday, "but we love each other."
Cornelson, 19, is a student and "an amazing guy. I love being around him," says Knight. "I love what we have."
With a laugh, the actor also says, "I was surprised he was interested!"
Despite the legalization of same-sex marriage in California – which has prompted Ellen DeGeneres and Star Trek vet George Takei to announce (separately) that they intend to wed their respective partners – Knight has no similar plan for the immediate future.
"We've only known each other for six months, so I think it's a little soon to consider marriage." Still, he says, "I don't think you date anyone that you don't see a future with."
Asked if he's interested in having children? "The idea of it, yes," he responds. "Adopting."
"We love it, and we really believe in it," Moore said before the event.
Sheen and Mueller created a stir among photographers and reporters when they arrived on the ball's purple carpet. It was the first public appearance by the recently married couple, who wed Friday night. The "Two and a Half Men" star and real estate developer were engaged last summer after meeting at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in 2006. The newlyweds didn't stay for this year's ceremony.
Inside, the evening almost served as a "That '70s Show" reunion. Before dinner, Topher Grace stopped by Kutcher's table, just a few seats away from fellow former "'70s Show" co-star Mila Kunis. Kutcher and Grace were interrupted by 15-year-old singer Spensha Baker, who performed after Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair was honoured. Baker was eager to meet the "What Happens in Vegas" star.
The casts of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" were also out en masse to laud executive producer Mark Gordon during the ceremony, which was attended by over 800 people. Among them: Katherine Heigl, Kate Walsh, Tim Daly, Eric Dane, T.R. Knight and Justin Chambers, who has no idea what will ensue following his character Alex's steamy season finale kiss with Heigl's Izzie.
"We go back in three weeks," Chambers told The Associated Press before the festivities. "I have no idea what's going to happen. It's always so last minute that we really have no clue what's going to happen. I just want the writers to keep making an entertaining show. They always have a way or surprising us actors."
Other famous faces in attendance at the Butterfly Ball included emcee Chris Kattan, co-chair Rebecca Gayheart, Eva Mendes, Jason Lewis, Seth MacFarlane, Brett Ratner, Keyshia Cole, Patrick Muldoon, Amaury Nolasco, Eliza Dushku and Jason Segel, who honoured Universal Pictures production president Donna Langley. The event was said to have raised over $1 million for Chrysalis.
They’re just as comfortable strolling through Gasoline Alley.
While Newman, David Letterman and Joe Gibbs have long had ties to racing, more and more American celebrities are getting involved in the sport. Everyone from actors to Hall-of-Fame athletes to world champion boxers is joining the ranks.
“I like it because there are no critics, no lawyers, no agents,” said Priestley, a heartthrob on “Beverly Hills 90210” and now a co-owner of Rubicon Race Team. “You go out and compete, it’s black and white.”
In a sport where names mean everything, the addition of outside “stars” has created a different look for racing.
Gibbs, the former Washington Redskins coach, and former Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman each won three Super Bowls and are now listed among NASCAR team owners. Letterman, Dempsey, Newman, Priestley and former heavyweight champion George Foreman are all listed as co-owners of IndyCar teams, and the allure is as varied as their day jobs.
Newman competed for years in the Can Am Series, while Priestley started driving in 1991 and made it to the Indy Racing League’s developmental series before a serious accident in August 2002 ended his aspirations of running the more powerful cars.
Others grew up around the sport. Aikman’s father, a welder by trade, moonlighted as a part-time driver. So after earning millions in the NFL, Aikman, now a broadcaster on Fox’s NFL telecasts, found it more economical to own a race team than spend hundreds of millions to buy a franchise in one America’s other professional leagues.
“I always thought it was a pretty exciting sport that was growing,” he said. “It was strictly a business thing because the last thing I needed was something that required more of my time. Others probably got involved for the same reason.”
For years, the sport’s popularity revolved around famous drivers like Andretti, Earnhardt, Foyt and Petty, whose children and grandchildren kept the family legacies alive.
Now the big names are coming from a wider spectrum.
Foreman and Stanford football coach Jim Harbaugh are co-owners with Panther Racing. Dempsey, better known as Dr. McDreamy on ABC’s hit series “Grey’s Anatomy,” owns part of Tony George’s Vision Racing team.
Letterman, the award-winning late-night talk show host, has been working with former Indy winner Bobby Rahal for years, while Newman and Carl Haas formed their first IndyCar team in 1982 and began competing in 1983.
Those who have been around racing for decades, such as Roger Penske, believe it’s a good thing for the sport.
“If they’re really hard-core fans, I think it’s great,” said Penske, whose 14 Indy 500 wins are a record. “It’s good to get them in, and they certainly can be an asset when looking for sponsors. I think it’s a huge benefit. It’s almost like having Tiger Woods as a partner if you’re building a golf course.”
But fame away from the track hasn’t always translated to success on it.
Priestley’s team, which is co-owned by Jim Freudenberg and former IRL driver Sam Schmidt, failed to qualify for last weekend’s Indy 500 and is now re-evaluating its future. Aikman’s team, Hall of Fame Racing, which he co-owns with two Arizona Diamondbacks executives, has yet to post a top-20 finish this season with driver J.J. Yeley.
There are exceptions.
Rahal, the 1986 Indy winner, and Letterman owned Buddy Rice’s Indy-winning car in 2004. Panther Racing catapulted Sam Hornish Jr.’s career with back-to-back series titles in 2001 and 2002, and now employs Vitor Meira, who was runner-up to Scott Dixon in Sunday’s race.
Gibbs has won three Cup titles—Bobby Labonte in 2000, and Tony Stewart in 2002 and 2005—and has this year’s points leader, Kyle Busch, in his three-car lineup.
And over the past 25 years, Newman’s team has won 105 IndyCar races, 106 poles and eight points titles, including the last three in Champ Car. The team has also had some of the world’s best-known drivers—Mario and Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Paul Tracy and Sebastien Bourdais—under its banner.
After the split between the IRL and CART, Newman stayed away from Indy until this month. Fans embraced his return.
“We’ve won eight championships and come in second twice at Indianapolis but never won the 500,” Newman said on the first day of qualifying. “It’s wonderful to be running against Roger, Rahal, Michael and all those guys. It’s comfortable.”
The celebs have also added their cast of friends to race week festivities.
Two-time Indy winner and “Dancing With the Stars” champion Helio Castroneves spent race week hosting a group of former competitors from the television show including Wayne Newton and Castroneves’ partner, Julianne Hough. Priestley invited former co-star, Luke Perry, and had Colts tight end Dallas Clark lined up to work on the team’s pit crew.
Indiana men’s basketball coach Tom Crean, whose wife, Joani, is the brother of Jim and John Harbaugh, the Baltimore Ravens coach, watched the race from the Panther Racing suite. NBA star Baron Davis, NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen and Olympic skier Bode Miller were all race-day guests of Jay Penske’s Luczo Dragon team. Penske is the son of Roger Penske.
“I know a couple of players who have gotten involved, like Carmelo Anthony,” Davis said. “I think there’s just an appreciation among athletes for the speed, precision and great teamwork it takes in auto racing.”
But the one common theme that keeps celebrities involved in racing is their zeal for the sport—not the red carpet introductions.
“I think celebrities like racing for different things. George (Foreman) has a huge car collection, the biggest I’ve ever seen, so I think that he was bitten by the motorsports bug,” Panther co-owner John Barnes said. “That’s what drives them and brings them into sports of all forms.
“I think the sport has tremendous openness, too, especially IndyCar racing. Jim (Harbaugh) used to say that if he made it to the Super Bowl, his dad couldn’t come in the locker room before the game. In IndyCars, you have breakfast with the drivers on race day, and I think that’s part of the attraction, too.”
ABC averaged a 9.9 rating/16 share in primetime, finishing way ahead of the competition. NBC took second in households with a 5.3/9, but FOX (5.2/9) drew more total viewers (8.6 million to NBC's 8.08 million). CBS, 4.2/7, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.3/2.
The adults 18-49 title also went to ABC, which drew a 5.5 rating in the key ad demographic. FOX's 3.4 was good for second. NBC, 2.4, was third, followed by CBS, 1.5, and The CW, 0.7.
NBC led at 8 p.m. with "Deal or No Deal," 6.4/11. The season finale of "Ugly Betty" earned a 6.2/11 for ABC. A new season of "So You Think You Can Dance" premiered to a 5.2/9 on FOX (and led the hour in adults 18-49). Reruns of "The Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother" finished fourth for CBS, topping the 1.4/3 for a "Smallville" rerun on The CW.
The "Grey's Anatomy" season finale scored an 11.0/18 for ABC at 9 p.m. "Deal or No Deal," 7.7/12, and the premiere of "Last Comic Standing," 4.1/6, put NBC in second. "So You Think You Can Dance" held steady for FOX, while a "CSI" rerun on CBS pulled in a 4.5/7. "Supernatural" delivered a 1.2/2 for The CW.
"Grey's Anatomy" improved to 12.4/21 at 10 p.m. CBS' "Without a Trace" posted a 5.3/9 to take second, while "Last Comic Standing" earned a 3.6/6 for NBC.
Just back from New York, Eric Dane was seen making his way out of an L.A. gym Tuesday sporting a new, much shorter, haircut.
The scrubs stud probably thought it would be safe to shear off his lovely locks, given that the season finale of Grey's Anatomy airs Thursday night.
Either that or he finally realized that when it comes to trying to outdo Patrick Dempsey's 'do, you just can't win.
This is the second daughter for the actress, who plays Dr. Erica Hahn on the hit ABC series. Brooke and husband STEVEN LUBENSKY, a cinematographer, are the parents of 5-year-old FANNY.
CBS averaged an 8.7 rating/14 share for the night, topping ABC's 7.8/13. NBC finished third at 5.1/8. FOX, 4.7/8, took fourth, and The CW was fifth at 2.1/3.
In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC's 4.5 rating led the way. NBC snuck into second with a 3.5, edging CBS' 3.4. FOX averaged 2.3 and The CW 1.4.
ABC led a fairly quiet 8 p.m. hour with "Ugly Betty," 5.9/10. "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" drew a 5.3/9 for FOX, narrowly beating a "CSI" rerun on CBS. The season finale of "My Name Is Earl," 4.6/8, put NBC in fourth. "Smallville" delivered a 2.4/4 for The CW.
The "CSI" finale (11.1/17) brought CBS the night's biggest audience at 9 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy" earned a 10.3/16 for ABC (and was the night's top show in the 18-49 demo). NBC moved up to third with "The Office," 5.0/8. "Don't Forget the Lyrics" took fourth for FOX. "Supernatural" ended its season on The CW with a 1.9/3.
At 10 p.m., "Without a Trace" posted a 9.6/16 for CBS, beating the 7.2/12 for "Lost" on ABC. The season finale of "ER" on NBC came in at 5.5/9.
“She came to the wrong hospital if she thought she wasn’t going to have a personal life!” cracks Smith, who confesses to eavesdropping on a recent writers’ meeting in an attempt to find out where the relationship will go. “They won’t tell us anything, so I literally had my ear to the wall. I keep hearing this rumor about this big surprising kiss [in the finale]. Everybody’s thinking that it’s Meredith and Derek. But how surprising would that be?” Grey’s Anatomy fans are speculating that the big buss will be between Hahn and Torres and will lead to a love affair next season.
Perhaps viewers, who have watched her mentally abuse Cristina (Sandra Oh) and mock admirer McSteamy (Eric Dane), are ready for a softer side of Hahn. Not that Smith, 41, minds playing a hardass. When she joined the series, the writers let her know Hahn wouldn’t be winning any popularity contests. “They said they didn’t want to rush to make me likable, and hoped I didn’t mind,” she says. “A lot of actors don’t want to be unlikable, even if they’re the bad guy. But I’m okay with that — I’m good with being unlikable.”
Learn a few tidbits about Smith’s ’80s-era rebel New York City adolescence, and it’s no wonder Hahn’s hard edge seems natural. While her mother, legendary celebrity publicist Lois Smith, was helping burnish the reputations of A-listers like Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, her teen daughter took the anti-glam route, working as a coat-check girl at the Ritz rock club and playing bass in a punk band at CBGB. Still, Smith, whose first professional job was at the age of 7 in Marlo Thomas’ classic 1974 kiddie special Free to Be…You and Me, never let anything interrupt her acting ambitions.
Trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she did more than her share of off-off-Broadway plays before landing a career-changing part in 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs. As the mouthy captive of a serial killer, Smith stole scenes by managing to seem undismayed while standing in a dirt pit, gripping a poodle and telling her skin-peeling kidnapper, “Don’t you make me hurt your dog!” Roles in prestige pictures like Louis Malle’s Vanya on 42nd Street and Woody Allen’s Melinda and Melinda followed, but mostly Smith portrayed advice-giving sidekicks on seemingly every procedural on TV.
“All right, I’m done with this,” was Smith’s grim realization a few years ago when she decided to get her real estate license and stop waiting for Hollywood to wise up. Immediately, she landed arcs on Six Feet Under, Crossing Jordan and Weeds. Does she believe the stars finally aligned? “I hate to get all The Secret about it,” Smith says, “but I literally started saying out loud, ‘OK, I’m ready for a regular job.’ I like to work. Who doesn’t?” Although she still heads back to Manhattan frequently, Smith, her Russian cinematographer husband Steve Lubensky and their two daughters (Fanny, 5, and an infant adopted from Ethiopia just weeks ago) have been living in the Hollywood Hills. On a recent afternoon, Smith could be found drinking a glass of pinot noir in a café near the beach. A few feet away, Entourage’s Kevin Connolly sat, repeatedly craning his neck to stare at the curly blond with the distinctively gravelly voice.
Smith says she’s been wondering if being on a hit series means she won’t just be another face in the crowd anymore. “I was just talking to the cast about losing their anonymity,” says Smith. “I thought, ‘That’s not going to happen to me.’ I don’t lead an exciting life that the paparazzi would want to capture.” She pauses. “You know, whenever I go home to New York, I still get on the subway. So far, so good!”
Fans inundated ABC.com with hundreds of burning questions for the executive producers, on topics ranging from favorite behind-the-scene moments to what's next for your favorite "Grey's" characters, including Meredith, McDreamy, Izzie and George, and whether there's a wedding in store for anyone at Seattle Grace. Additional responses will be posted to ABC.com on the same day as the "Grey's Anatomy" Season Finale, Thursday, May 22.
"Ask Grey's Anatomy" joins a growing number of original online productions in the "Ask" series, including a recent "Ask Women's Murder Club."
Oh and Lavigne were among the top picks in AG Hair Cosmetics' 8th annual Best Canadian Celebrity Hair Awards. More than 600 Canadian hairstylists cast votes online for the notable homegrown celebrities with the best 'dos.
"This year's winners exemplify all the styles that are hot for hair this year," Jami Symons, AG's artistic director and celebrity hairstylist, said in a release Wednesday.
Oh's long layered curls earned her the honour of sexiest hair on a Canadian actress, while Lavigne's pink streaks earned her kudos for best hair on a musician.
Scott Speedman was awarded sexiest hair on a Canadian actor, while former World Wrestling Entertainment star Trish Stratus took home the award for best hair on a Canadian athlete.
"Knocked Up" star Seth Rogen was honoured for "most interesting and unique hairstyle" for his 'do described as a "tousled mop top."
In total, ABC's upfront presentation showcased only five new shows, three of which won't premiere until midseason and one of which is the long-running "Scrubs," making its endlessly rumored journey across the dial from NBC.
ABC's only new drama and the network's only new scripted fall series is "Life on Mars," which sees the "October Road" team of Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg taking the reins on the adaptation of the BBC format focusing on a modern day police detective (Jason O'Mara) mysteriously transported back to 1973. ABC has given "Life on Mars" its finest available time slot, putting it at 10 p.m. on Thursday nights after "Ugly Betty" and "Grey's Anatomy."
The remaining new show on ABC's fall docket is the Ashton Kutcher produced traveling game show "Opportunity Knocks," which will kick off Tuesday nights, leading into "Dancing with the Stars" results and the transplanted legal drama "Eli Stone."
From there, viewers will notice an awful lot of stability on ABC's schedule.
Monday nights will still see "Dancing with the Stars" boost ratings for "Samantha Who?" and "Boston Legal," which will be in its final season.
Wednesdays will see the season season returns of "Pushing Daisies," "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money," which will all have been on a rather extended hiatus since the writers strike.
Fridays will be "Wife Swap," "Supernanny" and "20/20," college football will air and Saturdays and Sunday's "America's Funniest Home Videos," "Desperate Housewives" and "Brothers & Sisters" remaining untouched.
"We're returning our dominant core group of shows from last fall," says ABC President Stephen McPherson in the morning's programming statement. "The few openings we had we've filled with the kind of quality programming viewers have come to expect from ABC, and we have a very strong bench. As always, our focus is on delivering the best stories and most memorable characters on TV every day of the week, every week of the year."
Returning at various yet-to-be-determined midseason points are "According to Jim," "The Bachelor," "Lost" and ABC News' "Primetime: What Would You Do?"
Also for midseason, ABC will find a place for the new animated comedy "The Goode Family," from Mike Judge, a beauty pageant from Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks, plus "Scrubs," as the ABC Studios comedy swaps networks.
Of course, in order that new life might bloom, there must be casualties. ABC's cancelled shows include "October Road," "Men in Trees" and "Miss Guided," as well as the less bubble-worthy comedies "Carpoolers" and "Cavemen."
For the night, CBS averaged a 9.5 rating/16 share. ABC came in second with a 7.7/13. FOX and NBC tied for third in households at 4.4/7, with FOX bringing in more total viewers (6.98 million to 6.58 million for NBC). The CW earned a 2.1/3.
In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC's 4.4 rating just beat CBS' 4.3 for the top spot. NBC, 2.8, took third. FOX averaged 2.0 and The CW 1.3.
CBS grabbed the lead at 8 p.m. with "Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites," 7.7/13. ABC's "Ugly Betty" drew a 5.6/9 to take second, beating "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" on FOX. "My Name Is Earl," 4.1/7, and the finale of "Scrubs," 3.7/6, put NBC in fourth, while "Smallville" delivered a 2.5/4 for The CW.
The back half of a "CSI"-"Two and a Half Men" writer crossover scored an 11.2/17 for CBS at 9 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy," 10.4/16, improved a touch over last week and kept ABC in second. There was a big drop to third-place NBC, which featured "The Office," 4.7/7, and the season finale of "30 Rock," 3.6/6. "Don't Forget the Lyrics," 3.9/6, was fourth for FOX. "Supernatural" finished the night for The CW.
"Without a Trace" posted a 9.7/16 -- up substantially from last week -- for CBS at 10 p.m. "Lost," 7.0/12, held onto second for ABC. "ER" drew a 5.3/9 for NBC.
"Superbad" is the leading nominee, picking up five nods for the ceremony, which will air live on MTV on Sunday, June 1. "Juno" was close behind with four nominations, meaning that 2008 may actually be The Year of Michael Cera.
"Superbad" and "Juno" are both nominated for best movie along with "Transformers," "I Am Legend" and the sequels "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."
In addition to the bed movie nod, "Superbad" earned nominations for Jonah Hill for both best comedic performance and breakthrough performance, where he'll have to go against co-stars Christopher "McLovin'" Mintz-Plasse and Cera.
Cera is also nominated for best male performance for "Juno," where his competition includes industry heavyweights Will Smith ("I Am Legend"), Matt Damon ("The Bourne Ultimatum"), Denzel Washington ("American Gangster") and Shia LaBeouf ("Transformers").
"Juno" star Ellen Page is up for best female performance, going against Keira Knightley ("Pirate of the Caribbean: At World's End"), Katherine Heigl ("Knocked Up"), Amy Adams ("Enchanted") and, for some strange reason, Jessica Biel for "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry".
Page and Cera are up for best kiss as well, going against liplocks from "Disturbia," "Enchanted," "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and "Step Up 2 The Streets."
You can check out all of the nominees and cast your own votes over at the MTV Movie Awards official site.
CBS averaged a 9.1 rating/15 share for the night, beating out ABC's 7.6/12. FOX, 5.0/8, came in third. NBC took fourth with a 4.4/7, and The CW earned a 2.0/3.
Among adults 18-49, ABC's 4.4 rating, though down from last week, was good enough for the top spot. CBS finished second in the demographic with a 4.1, followed by NBC at 3.0. FOX averaged 2.3 and The CW 1.3.
"Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites" (7.7/13) put CBS on top at 8 p.m. ABC's "Ugly Betty," 5.6/9, finished second in households, but "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?," 5.4/9, brought more viewers to FOX. "My Name Is Earl," 4.4/8, and "Scrubs," 3.8/6, came in fourth for NBC. The CW's "Smallville" trailed.
At 9 p.m., "CSI" grabbed the night's biggest audience with an 11.0/17. "Grey's Anatomy" posted a 10.2/16 for ABC (and led the hour among adults 18-49). "Don't Forget the Lyrics" kept FOX in front of "The Office," 4.7/7, and "30 Rock," 3.4/5, on NBC. "Supernatural" delivered a 1.6/3 for The CW.
"Without a Trace" completed CBS' sweep of the night with an 8.7/15 at 10 p.m. "Lost" scored a 7.0/12 for ABC, and "ER" came in at 5.1/9 for NBC.
Anyone who despairs of ever again seeing a decent romantic comedy will want to know that the new Patrick Dempsey vehicle, Made Of Honor, is worth the price of admission.
The story isn't all that fresh but the characters are, and the screen pairing of Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan is a bit of inspired business. Dempsey is a player in this movie, a ladies' man who can't make a commitment, and Monaghan has just the spirit to keep up with him in her role as his very best friend. She's unimpressed with his conquests. She's fun to be around. She chooses good desserts. She tolerates none of his crap. By the time Dempsey realizes he's in love with her, everybody in the movie audience is in love with her too.
It's brilliant.
Made Of Honor is a chick-flick turned upside down, because much of the story is told from a male perspective. Tom (Dempsey) and Hannah (Monaghan) meet at university and are still good friends a decade later, living and working in New York. He tells her the idiotic dating rules he's made up for himself; she reluctantly accompanies him to yet another of his father's (Sydney Pollack) marriages to the bimbo du jour. Oddly, Tom sees nothing of himself in his father's pathetic wedding record.
Hannah goes to Scotland, falls in love with Colin (Kevin McKidd) and decides to marry him, right around the time Tom realizes it's Hannah he really loves. Devastated by her news, Tom agrees to be Hannah's Maid Of Honor, but only so he has the inside track to sabotage the wedding and steal the bride.
You can see he thinks it will be easy to wrest Hannah away from Colin, but he's very wrong.
Made Of Honor has standard humour and pratfalls -- you've seen Dempsey crash into that waiter in the trailer -- but it's also full of quick and dirty details that are hilarious.
There's a surreal moment from an Elisabeth Hasselbeck wedding guide video, for example; there's a curious bit of furniture in a lingerie shop, an exaggerated hairspray incident, and numerous other sly details that will make you laugh out loud. (Just don't be surprised if Scots boycott the movie.)
Made Of Honor is not without its sentimental moments, and the romance part of this romantic comedy is all on Monaghan's shoulders. As the good sport who'll never reveal her true feelings, her character gives the story far more emotional depth than the usual genre entry; Monaghan's performance is delightful. She and Dempsey are a good screen match, with Dempsey doing a sort of contemporary Cary Grant turn here that we hope to see him do again.
Made Of Honor is a pleasant surprise, funnier and smarter than one would expect.
Dempsey has said that the filmmakers were going for a somewhat old-fashioned feel to the film, but he didn't elaborate. Maybe they just hoped to replicate ye olde good writing and ye olde character development of yore. Good idea.
Made of Honor, starring Patrick Dempsey as a serial womanizer who realizes the error of his ways when his best friend and true love is about to get married, is predictable, generic and only occasionally mildly funny.
Though Dempsey has some of the funnier moments and Michelle Monaghan (The Heartbreak Kid) is likable as the object of his affections, the story feels so much like a retread, you could swear you'd seen it before. It might as well be called "My Best Friend's Scottish Wedding."
It opens in 1998 when Tom (Dempsey) is at a college party disguised as Bill Clinton. Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect is his dead-on imitation of Clinton's voice (if in fact it's him, which is hard to tell since he's wearing a mask). He meets Hannah (Monaghan) when he mistakes her for her wilder roommate Monica. After meeting cute, the two become friends.
Flash-forward a decade, and both are successful careerists in New York. She works in an art museum. He's the inventor behind the cup sleeve, which nets him 10 cents each time a cup of coffee is purchased. Needless to say, he's a rich man.
He has a list of rules such as "no back-to-backs," meaning he can't see a woman he has slept with two days in a row. Hannah rolls her eyes but remains his staunch friend. They spend Sundays together, as companionable as an old married couple. When she refers to a restaurant as "that new trendy place that's next to that Greek place that we hate that used to be that Thai place that we loved," he knows exactly what she means. They eat off each other's plates. This is movie shorthand telling us they're meant for each other.
When Hannah goes to Scotland on a business trip, Tom realizes how much she means to him and resolves to tell her. But she returns with a strapping Scotsman (Kevin McKidd) on her arm and a huge diamond on her finger. She asks Tom to be her maid of honor; his buddies convince him he can disrupt the wedding from the inside and win Hannah over. High jinks ensue.
Once the action switches to the Scottish Highlands, there are a few funny moments. There also are some ridiculously silly slapstick sequences that can be seen coming way in advance. It turns out that the Scotsman is an impressive fellow with no major character flaws to expose. Instead, Tom must overcome his commitment phobia and express his emotions to Hannah. As for when he chooses to do it, imagine the most predictable scenario.
Made of Honor has some funny moments, and it keeps your attention, but it's certainly not worth rushing out to the multiplex and paying top dollar for. Catch it on TV on a lazy afternoon with little else to do.
Made of Honor
* *
Stars: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd, Sydney Pollack, Kathleen Quinlan
Director: Paul Weiland
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and language
Running time: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Opens Friday nationwide
What a drama queen! Not only did the unstoppable Walsh use her hiatus to campaign for Barack Obama (“I’m passionately convinced he’s the best person to be the next president,” she says, adding with a laugh, “and that’s not because his wife is a huge Grey’s fan!”). But she did so with the assurance that Private Practice will return with more medical and sexual shenanigans come fall.
And this week, just in time for sweeps, Addison and her dangerously high stilettos are once again clicking down the corridors of Seattle Grace on Grey's Anatomy (Thursdays at 9 pm/ET, ABC). So is she there for a bedside redux with McDreamy, McSteamy or McAlex? “It’s for a very top-secret, important surgery that only she can do,” Walsh says. “Not that I can tell you what that is, because at Grey’s they practically take our fingerprints to guarantee we don’t spill the beans!” (She does admit to “some great, funny scenes between Meredith, Derek and me.”)
Uncharacteristically nervous for a firebrand who had no trouble recently lobbying on Capitol Hill (on behalf of Planned Parenthood, she pushed for sex-education programs beyond abstinence-only), the actress admits to jitters about returning to the show that made her famous. “Because even when I go back to visit, like my hometown, I worry about that old ‘you can’t ever really go home again’ thing,” she says. “But it was oddly comfortable. It felt like going home in the best way — like, we’re reunited and it feels so good!”
In addition to having “So. Much.Fun!” on set, the actress says that she particularly had a gas hanging with Sara Ramirez (Dr. Callie Torres) and Brooke Smith (Dr. Erica Hahn). “In fact, Sara, Brooke and I started joking that we’d just do another spin-off and call it The Three Bad Bitches in New York.”
Oh, we’d so watch that.
The Grey's Anatomy hunk tells us his arm candy for the forthcoming Italian premiere of his new flick Made of Honor is the pouting, dud-designing queen herself.
"She's wonderful, really quiet for the most part. And funny," the actor said today at a press conference held with Made costar Michelle Monaghan, "she's coming with me to the premiere in Rome."
It also doesn't hurt that he's the face for the House of Versace in an international print campaign.
While McDreamy multitasks on modeling and television and film acting, there's a different kind of juggling that grabs attention in the rom-com.
Dempsey plays a guy who's oblivious to his love for doe-eyed platonic BFF Monaghan until she bags a prize fiance, forcing Dempsey to stand behind her as Man of Honor (but subsequently attempting to destroy the nuptials from the inside). In a nifty bridal registry scene, Patrick deftly juggles three pricey plates.
"I was the second runner up in the World Juggling Championship in 1983," Dempsey confessed.
Does Versace do clown suits?
Well, you could say it -- but he wouldn't.
"I'm very nervous about the movie coming out," says the modest Dempsey.
"It's the first time I've had a movie coming out with my name above the title in a very long time. I hope people go see it and are satisfied with it, and will continue to come and see my stuff."
Is he joking? After the box-office success of Enchanted? With Grey's Anatomy still going gangbusters?
"I don't feel I've achieved what I want to achieve yet," he says, earnestly.
"I'm certainly very happy and very thankful for what's going on, but I'm not where I want to be. I think there's more for me as an actor that I haven't been able to do yet. Just to do something dramatically different from what I've been doing. You want to stretch. But I do love romantic comedies and I think people like to see them."
Certainly, people will like to see Made Of Honor. Dempsey stars in the film as a playboy of sorts who realizes, too late, that his best friend -- played by Michelle Monaghan -- is the woman he wants to marry. She's going to marry someone else. In desperation, he agrees to be her Maid of Honor, but only because he hopes to sabotage the wedding before it happens. Made Of Honor is unusually well-written for the genre, and the comedic pairing of Dempsey and Monaghan is truly inspired.
And the film is helmed by British director Paul Weiland, whose name has been on Blackadder and Mr. Bean in the past. According to Dempsey, Weiland allowed lots of re-writing and improv on the set and also incorporated aspects of the actor's real life into the story.
(Dempsey fans who know the actor started out in showbiz as a professional juggler will be happy to see him tossing china plates around in the film.)
If Dempsey is reluctant to celebrate his current success, it's probably because he's already experienced both the heady highs and the very big lows of the business. The Maine native worked first in theatre, then made his film debut at age 19. After a couple of small roles, Dempsey hit big with Can't Buy Me Love and In The Mood in 1987, and became an "overnight sensation." The fame then vanished almost as quickly, with about a decade of small TV roles, failed pilots and plenty of forgettable roles in forgettable movies. As recently as 2002 he had to work hard to land a role in the Reese Witherspoon vehicle, Sweet Home Alabama, but things had finally begun to turn around. He did a few episodes on The Practice and had a role in the TV movie Iron Jawed Angels, and then, in 2005, he signed onto Grey's Anatomy.
And he was back.
Not that Dempsey didn't have anything else in his life when the work thing was slender. He and his wife, Jill Fink, were married in 1999 and now have a daughter of 6 and twin boys, aged 15 months. Of fatherhood, he says, "I'm loving it. I get home in a bad mood and I'm like, I just want to be with the kids, and they immediately put everything in perspective, and make everything else in life manageable." He talks about watching his boys try out a new trampoline, and says, "I just can't wait to get them out of L.A. I want the kids to grow up in the country, and have the opportunity to just run out the front door and do what they want to do. I grew up like that in Maine. It's great. You can take off, play in the woods, go fishing, ride your bike. That's a dream. Los Angeles is a business town. It's not a place for children to grow up, in my opinion."
Dempsey never actually stopped fishing or bike riding, both of which he takes very seriously. As an adult, he added auto racing to the mix. He's also become the "face" of Versace and he's working on a signature scent with Avon.
"Versace is a blast," he says, noting that he wore plenty of the clothing line in Made Of Honor, before he even got the Versace gig. "They have some beautiful, classic suits and I'm having the best time playing a supermodel," he says, laughing. "It's absolutely hysterical that I'm being a model."
The Avon association he likes for several reasons, one of which is the company's cancer foundation. They've helped Dempsey with the cancer centre he opened in Maine. In the past, Dempsey's mom had cancer, and had his sister not worked at the local hospital, he's not sure how the family would have got through it. "It was very frustrating for me because sometimes there's just nowhere to turn." One main goal, he says, "Was to make the very best website in the world for anybody who has cancer or has a family member with cancer. And the feedback we've had -- it's the most important thing I've ever done in my life. It's great. I hope we continue to grow and help people. I'm so thankful this has happened."
Dempsey really does seem to count his blessings. He says, "I'm really enjoying life at the moment. It's a lot of work, and there are good days and bad days, but yes -- I'm very thankful for everything. I just try to treat people the way I want to be treated, and live by that."
As it is, Georgia Rule walked away with one of the top nods at the 12th annual Prism Awards Thursday night, getting named Best Feature Film at the gala event which honors the accurate depiction of drugs, alcohol and tobacco across various mediums.
Michael Clayton was honored with the special Bipolar Disorder Depiction Award, while The Sopranos took home the special Mental Health Depiction Award.
On the TV side, Grey's Anatomy and Brothers and Sisters were the big winners of the night, with each series taking home a leading two nods from the ceremony, with Seattle Grace's booze-fueled romantic entanglements earning the show the Best Drama Episode nod.
The Simpsons, meanwhile, earned the comedy equivalent, while Gone Baby Gone's Casey Affleck, Desperate Housewives' James Denton and Brothers and Sisters' Sally Field and Dave Annable each scoring individual wins.
Small screen doc Dr. Drew Pinksy was also honored for his particularly realistic entry into reality shows, receiving the Larry Stewart Award for leadership and inspiration for his previously maligned VH1 series Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and the special it spawned, Celebrity Rehab Reunion.
CBS took the overall crown with a 9.2 rating/15 share, beating ABC, 8.1/13. FOX took third with a 5.3/8. NBC's 4.3/7 was good for fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.8/3. Across the board, though, those numbers are down from their pre-strike levels for original episodes.
In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC led the way with a 4.8 rating. CBS finished second at 4.0. NBC came in third with a 2.9, topping FOX's 2.3. The CW drew a 1.2.
"Survivor: Micronesia - Fans vs. Favorites" (7.9/13) gave CBS the lead at 8 p.m. ABC's "Ugly Betty" returned with a 6.0/10, beating FOX's "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" for second. "My Name Is Earl," 4.0/7, and "Scrubs," 3.5/6, were fourth for NBC. "Smallville" scored a 2.1/4 for The CW.
At 9 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" led in households for ABC with a 10.7/16, but "CSI," 10.5/16, brought more total viewers to CBS (16.74 million to 16.02 million for ABC). "Don't Forget the Lyrics," 5.4/8, kept FOX in third. NBC improved a little with "The Office," 4.6/7, and "30 Rock," 3.5/5. "Supernatural" closed the evening for The CW.
CBS' "Without a Trace," 9.2/15, drew the biggest overall audience at 10 p.m. ABC, however, had a sizable adults 18-49 lead with "Lost," 7.6/13. "ER" delivered a 5.1/8 for NBC.
DVD- 27 Dresses / Blu-ray- 27 Dresses
I like to call these five upcoming episodes Grey's Anatomy, Season 4, Part 2. Because for us, for the stories, it really does feel like a whole separate season. I came back to work after the strike with a whole new purpose, a new dedication. And a sense of hope.
My best friend, Oprah…OK, in my head she’s my best friend, but in reality she barely knows me. But, secretly, I like to pretend I’m Gayle King because Gayle is the person who makes Oprah laugh, and who doesn’t want to be the one to do that? Also, I secretly wanna be Angelina Jolie. Because of the babies and the Brad and the fabulousness, but I don’t have the legs…. I lost my point. My point is that Oprah would say I have renewed my spirit or something very sage like that. For me, that means I’m starting to enjoy this again. Really enjoy this. Feel the rich possibilities.
So this season — Grey’s Anatomy, Season 4, Part 2 — is the season of hope. For Meredith and Derek. For Izzie. For George. For Bailey. For Callie. Hopeful things are happening. Meredith and Derek are going to get together for good. That’s right. For good. Now, if you think I’m going to tell you how it will happen, you’re crazy. ’Cause it is yummy stuff. It is special. I spent a lot of nights lying in bed awake thinking about this.
These characters are my friends. They are people I know well who happen to live inside my head. I worry about their shortcomings and I celebrate their victories and I so, so want them to be happy. But more than happy, I want them to be brave. These episodes are about bravery. No ferry boats crash, no bombs explode. No one we love dies. But still, Meredith and Derek getting together — how they get together — is about bravery.
Alex is going to have to be brave, too. Because things are coming to a head with the woman we know as Ava/Jane Doe/Rebecca. And when it is over, he’s never going to be the same. Cristina’s struggling with the loss of Burke and what that means for her surgical career. She’s going to do some things we have never seen Cristina Yang do. Izzie’s already been through hell, and she’s coming out the other side. George is growing up, becoming the man worthy of having Bailey’s son named after him. Callie, Erica and Mark are going to go through some changes that might surprise you. Bailey struggles to fix her marriage. The Chief makes a play for the woman he loves.
A lot happens in these five episodes. And it all ends with a kiss. A good kiss. A great kiss. A kiss so good it makes us lean into our televisions. A kiss we never saw coming. Oh, it’s a major kiss. As Derek would tell us, “I’m all about the kissing. More kissing, I say.” It’s that kind of a kiss.
I can’t tell you who’s going to be doing the kissing. That’s not how I roll. You’ll just have to watch and see.
1) The doctor shortage in this country is far worse than we thought.
2) Grey's Anatomy is back with a new episode tonight on CTV and ABC.
The new episode is titled Where the Wild Things Are.
Six weeks after Derek and Meredith ended their relationship and Derek began dating Rose, Meredith and her fellow residents -- Alex, Izzie and Cristina -- compete in a surgical contest with Bailey serving as judge.
Meanwhile, George and Lexie adjust to their squalid apartment and Callie finds a friend in her roommate, who just happens to be Cristina's nemesis, Erica Hahn.
Erica Hahn? Oh wait, we were thinking of Jessica Hahn.
Phew.
Also returning tonight is Ugly Betty (ABC and Citytv affiliates in Canada). In an episode titled Twenty-Four Candles, Betty's plans for a romantic birthday trip with Henry fall apart when Charlie shows up unannounced, and Wilhelmina endeavours to scuttle Renee's relationship with Daniel by hinting at dark secrets in her sister's past.
When ABC hit Grey's Anatomy returns tonight (9 ET/PT) with the first of five post-writers'-strike episodes, the first image we see is dark and twisty Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) seeking psychiatric help.
The surgical resident is trying to work out the romantic and trust issues blocking her on-again, off-again relationship with McDreamy surgeon Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). This week, the relationship is off again. Sort of.
"I don't think Meredith knows what her issues are," says Grey's creator, producer and writer Shonda Rhimes. "But therapy is a pivotal part of the journey for her in the back half of the season."
She's not the only one with issues. Further unhinging the Mer/Der relationship is Derek's budding romantic interest in nurse Rose (Lauren Stamile).
Rhimes and her writing staff compressed plotlines and story arcs to fit the strike-shortened season. But first, they watched Grey's previous 72 episodes, "holed up in my office, watching 10 episodes a day," she says. The viewing marathon refreshed writers on character development and story lines.
"It put things in perspective and made it easier to pick up steam" for the season's remaining shows, Rhimes says. "We had to adjust, but we also had an opportunity to start anew and do things in a way that's interesting."
Tonight's show, in TV time, begins six weeks after the Jan. 10 episode ended, with medical and personal angst rampant at Seattle Grace. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is coping with an unraveling marriage. There's a high-stakes contest among surgical residents to determine the hospital's best doctor. Amy Madigan guests as Meredith's psychiatrist; Cheech Marin appears as a patient.
Meredith and Derek will reunite by season's end, Rhimes assures fans, although Rose is part of "an interesting love triangle." Kate Walsh, who starred as Derek's estranged wife, Addison, before spinning off into Private Practice (on hiatus till fall), will return for at least one episode. But Rhimes is coy about revealing how the rest of the season unfolds.
"Alex's (Justin Chambers) relationship with Ava (Elizabeth Reaser) comes to a head, Yang (Sandra Oh) will do stuff you haven't seen before, Izzie (Katherine Heigl) has some stuff — the reality is, there's some really good stuff" with all of the central characters, she says.
Taping of the May 22 finale, expanded to two hours, begins Friday. Rhimes promises a cliffhanger, a hallmark of season-enders past. "There'll be some surprises in the last two or three minutes. There'll be things people will be talking about all summer long."
The openly gay Grey’s Anatomy star has just signed on to participate in the National Day of Silence ceremony at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex in Los Angeles.
Sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to help combat bullying and harassment of gays in schools, the day is marked by students across the country taking vows of silence during the day.
This year’s 12th annual programming—most of which takes place on Friday—is dedicated to Lawrence "Larry" King, a 15-year-old California boy who was shot to death in February by a fellow student, allegedly because King was gay.
I can also exclusively tell you that talk-show host Larry King is getting involved, too.
Just last night, he took a break from his live coverage of the Pennsylvania primary to film a public service announcement for GLSEN and the Day of Silence.
“Larry King and I share more in common than just our names,” King says in the spot, which debuts on YouTube today. “We both believe that all students should be free to be themselves without the fear of name calling, bullying or harassment.”
GLSEN president Kevin Jennings tells me that King immediately agreed to participate when they contacted him. “Larry King helps us reach the kind of mainstream audience he speaks to every night,” Jennings said. “I don’t necessarily see this as a YouTube phenomenon, but I see this reaching a much more traditional audience.”
King’s PSA shoot comes just days after Lance Bass filmed one. “Whoever they are, whatever their backgrounds or beliefs, these students will take action because they believe that the bullying and harassment must end,” Bass says in his spot. “What are you going to do to end the silence?”
In this Sunday's issue of Parade, a self-deprecating Patrick Dempsey playfully offers up some thoughts about his costar's physical attributes.
"I'm not Eric Dane. McSteamy is in perfect shape. I definitely have pec envy. There's a lot of pressure being a man in this town."
The Grey's Anatomy hunk also addresses that very term—hunk—saying, "People are seeing a fantasy. It's not necessarily me."
If you're gonna tell us you're really Gary Coleman, Patrick, we don't want to hear it.
The couple, married since 1999, took in a fashion show in Milan; then, in Lake Como, they were among many marveling at the waterfront estate of that city's most famous resident: George Clooney.
"He's larger than life," says Dempsey. "I've met him a few times now, and he has always been very funny and charming. I like him."
Though he'd perhaps prefer comparisons with his idol, Cary Grant, it is Clooney with whom Dempsey has been compared ever since he rejuvenated a stalled teeny-bopper career by hitting it big on a prime-time medical series. Clooney, of course, did the same when he segued from early Facts of Life fodder to ER superstardom.
With his comedy Made of Honor hitting theaters May 2 and potentially solidifying his movie stardom for the first time since his late '80s hits —Can't Buy Me Love (as a dorky kid who hires a cheerleader to be his girlfriend) and Loverboy (as a pizza delivery boy who delivered a little something extra to desperate housewives) — the Clooney comparisons are back.
Dempsey, 42, got an early jump on his leading-man status last year by wooing princess Amy Adams away from the charming James Marsden in Enchanted. Its almost $128 million domestic take has producers dreaming up a sequel. But Enchanted was an ensemble.
"This is the first time I've carried a movie in a long time," Dempsey says over drinks at a corner table in the Four Seasons Hotel bar. As a result, he has been asking himself, "Can I pull this off? Will people come see it?"
"This is a very big film for him," says Made of Honor director Paul Weiland. "Patrick grew up in the (Hollywood) system, but I'm not sure he wants to stay in it forever."
Dempsey concedes that he "wasn't sure if Enchanted was going to work." So he sought another project that would be "light and different from Grey's. And with a broad-based appeal. Something that would do well commercially to allow me to cross over."
In the movie, Dempsey plays Tom, who realizes he's fallen for his best friend since college, Hannah (Michelle Monaghan). But just as he's ready to tell her, she announces her engagement to a European man she only just met. Tom decides to pursue the girl of his dreams before he loses her forever. The problem: She has asked him to be her maid of honor. Uh-oh.
His life is a circus
Seasoned to addressing those old Clooney analogies, Dempsey is now having to face his new film's similarities to 1997's My Best Friend's Wedding, which found Julia Roberts in a similar scenario — sabotaging the wedding of her own best friend, with whom she had unexpectedly fallen in love. To distance his character from Roberts' unlikable schemer, Dempsey committed himself to making Tom redeemable. Scenes were tweaked to make the character more comical.
No problem for Dempsey, who once applied to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown college. He remembers filling out the questionnaire, which he says posed such quirky queries as, "How do you feel about small spaces?"
"But I was 17 and you had to be 18, and I didn't get in," he says, still seeming a bit stung.
Diploma or not, "clown" is the first word Weiland uses to describe his leading man.
"He has incredible rhythm," says Weiland, who surprised Dempsey by asking him just moments before shooting a scene in a Bloomingdale's to juggle plates. "It was hilarious … and amazing. He has this smoldering, sexy thing going, but is also a comic. He doesn't mind sending himself up, and that's great."
He also can ride a unicycle — and mime, reports Monaghan, adding, "Patrick really is like a big kid."
'The perfect package'
At home, Dempsey's twin boys, Darby and Sullivan, almost 15 months, attempt to mimic Daddy's whimsical nature. And when the family visited him on set during the film's month-long location shoot in Europe, the actor found time to take his 6-year-old daughter, Tallula, horseback riding while rehearsing riding scenes that figure in to the film's comedic climax.
Monaghan says, "People perceive him as a ladies' man for obvious reasons. But his family is the apple of his eye. In my eyes, he's the perfect package."
She was particularly impressed when she encountered Dempsey earlier in the day and received a compliment on her new haircut. "The only man I expect to notice that is my husband," says the actress. "When another man does, that's a plus. He's very sensitive."
As for Dempsey's next film role, that's yet to be determined, but probably not another comedy right away. "I have to be very careful what I do next," he concedes. "I need to find something different to keep surprising people."
Weiland suggests a small, art-house film. Monaghan would like to see him take on an edgy, dark role. But all that will have to wait. Because of the writers' strike, production will continue on Grey's without the traditional summer hiatus that allows actors time for film roles. Dempsey says there were opportunities he could not accept.
"And that's too bad," he says with a shrug. "But I can't leave my day job."
Or can he?
Most TV stars are signed to six-year contracts when they begin a series. Next year, Dempsey will begin Season 5. Clooney checked out of ER after six years, having proved his big-screen appeal in films such as From Dusk Till Dawn, Out of Sight, Three Kings and, yes, even Batman & Robin. Might Dempsey's Derek abandon his Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) in 2010?
"We'll see how long the show runs," he says. "And we'll see what happens at the end of my contract and if the crossover to films is strong enough."
Grey's co-star Katherine Heigl, he notes, has done "phenomenally well" balancing the show with her big-screen hits (Knocked Up, 27 Dresses). "She's off doing something else right now," he says of her 2009 romantic comedy, The Ugly Truth.
Dempsey has made it clear that he hopes to get his family out of Hollywood as soon as possible, in favor of a simpler life in Maine (where he was born), with perhaps a second country home in Europe.
That would be possible as a film actor (like Clooney), but not as a doctor on rotation at Seattle Grace. "Especially with the boys, I think about it more and more to have some space for them to run around and not worry about it. I grew up like that, and I want that for them."
Could Grey's continue without its Dr. Shepherd, just as ER has continued for nearly a decade without Clooney's Dr. Doug Ross?
"That's an interesting question," Dempsey says. "I don't think Grey's is the same type of show (as ER). I don't think you can keep capturing the magic."
Couple's therapy or wedding bells?
It could be a heartbreaking departure, now that Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes has promised fans — and her frustrated actors — that she is working Derek and Meredith into a stable relationship. "God, I hope so," Dempsey says with a sigh, "because it has been tiresome to play that same beat over and over again. I think (fans) got fed up with it."
To be sure, any other couple would have decided by now to split or tie the knot. "Or jumped into some therapy together," he adds. "There is a new character coming on the show to play Meredith's therapist, and I think Derek should go with her. That would be fun."
And what of a McDreamy wedding?
"I don't think they're going to get married right away as far as I know," says Dempsey. "But I don't see any harm in it."
Dempsey's own wedding was a small, intimate affair in his family's Maine farmhouse — an approach he favors for Derek and Meredith.
Noting last season's elaborate wedding for Cristina (Sandra Oh) and Burke (Isaiah Washington), Dempsey says, "I don't think it will be a traditional wedding."
More likely, muses Dempsey, there'd be a traditional bachelor party engineered by best man Mark "McSteamy" Sloan (Eric Dane).
But, grumbles Dempsey, "He'd probably mess up the whole thing by having a bunch of strippers."
Through computer wizardry, Dempsey's facial lines were removed to make him appear college age. He shaved off the scruff he's fond of sporting and was fitted with a mop-top hairpiece. And in post-production, his voice was altered to sound higher. "I can't watch that part," Dempsey concedes. "I was like, 'Oh, my God, this is too much.' "
Wife Jill, a makeup artist, had a similar response. He explains: "She looks at everything from a makeup point of view. She said, 'Why does your face look so different?' "
The process, using software called Lola, is quite costly, says director Paul Weiland. "They take out all the wrinkles, adjust the head, reduce the chin, and it's just unbelievable. What it means is that actors can now go on forever without spending a fortune on Botox and restructuring their faces."
Dempsey fans may be disappointed to know that his wrinkles weren't all that was cut from the film. Though Dempsey shows off his legs in a super-short kilt once the story moves to Scotland for the big wedding, two revealing images didn't make it into the final product.
Though paparazzi photos showing Dempsey in a dress on a Manhattan street during production were widely circulated, don't look for that in the film. (A quick shot of him reflected in a dress-shop window accomplishes the gag just fine.)
Also cut: full-monty images of Dempsey in a locker-room scene alongside his character's basketball chums. "There was a big negotiation about it," recalls Weiland. "A few of the other actors refused to take their towels off, but Patrick was the first to get his stuff off. He didn't care at all. He was actually a little upset because he'd been working out for that scene."
He will star opposite Forest Whitaker in "Patriots," a fact-based sports drama that starts shooting this week in New Orleans.
The Weinstein Co. project is set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when a high school basketball coach assembled a team of players who had previously attended five different schools and led them to the state championships. Washington will play an assistant coach. Tim Story directs.
Washington's contract with ABC for "Grey's" was not renewed after the actor became involved in a backstage controversy involving a homophobic slur. He quickly moved to a prominent guest-starring role on NBC's "Bionic Woman."
HBO's The Sopranos depicts the life of a New Jersey Mafia boss and his family and will be broadcast by state-run television Tuesday evenings, while ABC's Grey's Anatomy, which follows the lives of doctors working in a hospital, will be broadcast on Thursdays.
Juventud Rebelde said the new offer demonstrated the state television's "proven rigor in the selection of dramas of high ethical quality and powerful presentation."
Despite Communist Cuba's 50 year ideological confrontation with the United States, its nemeses's movies, music and television programs remain wildly popular and U.S. movies dominate the television and theater offer.
The Sopranos, which concluded in 2007, and Grey's Anatomy are not the first U.S. television series to be picked up on DVDS, brought to Cuba and broadcast.
House, Friends, and Everybody Loves Raymond have entered Cubans' living rooms, and the forensic series CSI is a huge hit on the Caribbean island where programming is weighted heavily toward educational, variety and children's programming, propaganda, Latin American and Cuban soap operas and sports.
Cuba has four national television channels and various provincial stations, all government operated. Satellite television is prohibited and a cable system provides some international channels, such as CNN, to the tourism industry and foreigners.
ABC announced Monday (April 14) that it's adding another episode to each show's season, allowing both to have two-hour season finales. That will make for 17 total episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" for the season and 14 of "Lost" (two short of the initially planned 16).
However, because ABC had scheduled its post-writers' strike episodes so tightly, the finale of "Grey's Anatomy" will force "Lost" off the air for a week in May.
Both shows had been scheduled to end their seasons on Thursday, May 22. Now, though, "Lost" will cede its place on the schedule that night to make room for the two-hour "Grey's Anatomy" finale. It will return on Thursday, May 29 for its own two-hour finale. (Both finales, incidentally, will fall outside Nielsen's May sweeps period, which ends Wednesday, May 21.)
ABC's other Thursday show, "Ugly Betty," will also have its season finale on May 22, as planned.
The network initially ordered five episodes of both series when the strike ended. Once the shows were up and running again, a combination of the ABC wanting the extra hours and the producers of the two shows believing they had more stories to tell resulted in the additional episodes.
Her character's life looks to be hopeless until she unexpectedly crosses paths with a female police officer who puts her back on track. Production is set to begin early next month, with an airdate sometime in late November or December.
Wilson has received two Emmy nominations for her role as Dr. Bailey on ABC's medical drama, which returns April 24.
Patrick Dempsey has signed a multiyear deal to be the face of a new men's fragrance for Avon Products, the cosmetics company said Monday.
Avon's hoping to have the signature scent bottled in time for a November debut, with a global launch to follow next year.
Word of the 42-year-old racecar enthusiast's first foray into the fragrance department comes not too long after news that fellow studmuffin Justin Timberlake will be frontin' his own scent for Givenchy. Women's Wear Daily is reporting that Dempsey's deal could be worth at least $5 million for three years.
His makeup-artist wife, Jillian Dempsey, has also served as Avon's global creative color director since 2006.
"We are thrilled to partner with Patrick Dempsey—an incredibly accomplished actor who has achieved such broad appeal because of his genuine authenticity, charisma and style," said Avon Products Chairman and CEO Andrea Jung.
"We're extremely impressed with both his on and off screen accomplishments, and have a shared commitment to giving back to communities in ways both big and small."
And it could be Avon's respective commitment to do the same that attracted Dempsey's involvement.
Earlier this month, the Grey's Anatomy star was in Maine to announce the opening of the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing, created in honor of the actor's mother, Amanda, who is an ovarian-cancer survivor.
"This is an extremely exciting opportunity for me to work with Avon—a brand I have long respected as a global powerhouse with a lot of heart and soul," Dempsey said.
"The brand reaches every corner of the globe with more than just high quality products—it creates economic empowerment for women through its earning opportunity, and has an excellent reputation for corporate philanthropy through their Avon Foundation."
Tapped last year to be the company's first-ever global ambassador, Reese Witherspoon serves as honorary chair of the Avon Foundation, which raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research, emergency relief and domestic violence causes.
"He was everything I was looking for, or needed or wanted in my life," the 27 Dresses star told Britain's Sunday Times. "He's just so easy to be around. He lightens up the room and lightens my load."
In fact, the 29-year-old Grey's Anatomy star already has babies on the brain. "I think he'd prefer to wait a little more time, but I kind of wouldn't," she told the paper, adding that it would be "foolish" to waste their current career opportunities. "I think we'll meet somewhere in the middle."
When it comes to maintaining her famous figure, Heigl relies on that same spirit of compromise. "I've just discovered if I don't eat bread or pasta, my stomach doesn't feel so bloated all the time," she said. "I try to eat healthy, but I think if you cut out every wonderful thing you love, what's the point? I'd rather feel sick."
Overcoming Family Tragedy
Heigl may seem to have it all these days – a rock-star hubby, a hit TV series and comparisons to America's Sweetheart Julia Roberts. ("I can’t help but feel that's a little insulting to Julia Roberts," she joked to the Times.) But her life wasn't always so picture perfect.
When she was only 7, her older brother Jason died from injuries he sustained when he was thrown from the back of a pickup truck.
"For a long time, [Jason's death] made me afraid of being too happy because things happen so unexpectedly," she said. "Your world can change and every aspect of your life is different."
In fact, Heigl said, she's still learning to let down her defenses. "[His death] made me afraid when good things happen. It made me brace against it that little bit," she explained. "I'm trying hard not to do that any more. It doesn't make something terrible easier – and I don't want to waste my happiness."
"It's an issue that I've had for a while," the Grey's Anatomy star tells PEOPLE exclusively in his first interview since the incident. "It's a biological sleep disorder. Your mind keeps racing, and your body is tired. It wants to go to sleep, but it can't."
Chambers, 37, who has five children with his wife, Keisha, 38, says in the two months prior to checking in to UCLA, he was sleeping no more than an hour a week. "I got to my wit's end," he says.
For more on Chambers's family life, his return to Grey's, and his recovery, pick up the latest PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
They'll soon have one, in the form of Amy Madigan.
The "Carnivale" and "Field of Dreams" actress has taken a recurring part on ABC's medical drama, which returns to the air on Thursday, April 24. She'll play a psychiatrist on the staff at Seattle Grace, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
As with many things "Grey's"-related, other details about Madigan's role are hard to come by. We can only hope, though, that her character will help straighten out the very tangled psyches of Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Derek (Patrick Dempsey), George (T.R. Knight) and the rest of the surgeons on the show.
Madigan is a past Oscar (for 1985's "Twice in a Lifetime") and Emmy (for 1989's "Roe vs. Wade") nominee. She recently co-starred in "Gone Baby Gone" and did a two-part guest arc on CBS' "Criminal Minds" at the end of last season.
Her other credits include "The Laramie Project," "Pollock" and the HBO film "A Bright Shining Lie."
Patrick Dempsey was in his home state of Maine Monday to announce the opening of a new center to benefit cancer patients at Central Maine Medical Center.
The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing is slated to open Mar. 31 and will provide education and support programs for cancer patients and their families.
Dempsey, 42, put up a seed grant for the center, which he created in honor of his mother, Amanda, who was successfully treated for ovarian cancer at the hospital and is now in remission.
The Grey's Anatomy star said he remembered not knowing where to turn when his mother was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago.
"For a family to get a cancer diagnosis is devastating, and all the information out there can be overwhelming," Dempsey said at a press conference Monday. "A lot of the websites I went to just didn't have enough information.
"So, I talked to my sister about a place where people could go for all this type of information and help. Knowledge is power."
Dempsey's sister, Mary, works at the hospital and will serve as coordinator of the new center, while Dempsey also plans to take part in the center's public education campaign about cancer prevention and detection.
The actor said he worked out plans for his involvement with the center during the recent writers' strike, which shut down production on his hit ABC medical drama. Now that the strike has over, however, he said he's pleased to be back on the set.
"I'm just happy to be working, and I think after having some success early in my career and then having to really work at it, I appreciate it more now," he said.
The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing will open March 31, offering education and support programs for cancer patients and their families.
The 42-year-old Dempsey, whose mother was successfully treated at the hospital for ovarian cancer, provided a seed grant for the new centre. He also plans to take part in its public education campaign about cancer prevention and detection.
Dempsey was born in Lewiston and grew up in the Turner-Buckfield area.
The former star of Grey’s Anatomy, who’s been plying her medical profession on this season’s new Private Practice (which, due to the writers’ strike, is on a break until fall), is set to return to her original series in her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery.
The one-episode guest spot will be seen this spring, ABC confirms to EW.com.
No firm date has been set for when it will air, but the network has five original episodes of Grey’s ready for broadcast starting April 24.
The singer, who married the Grey's Anatomy star in December, furiously worked to solve the toy's puzzle – and chatted about married life with the TV hosts.
Asked by Philbin how he likes being married. Kelley responded, "Oh man, it feels good, dude. It feels really, really good. I finally, I've got roots now. It's like I am finally becoming an adult."
"Yeah. I can see that," joked Ripa as the singer continued to try to solve the Rubik's cube puzzle.
"I just learned how to do it last year when I did a Wal-Mart tour" he said of the cube. "I figured out how to do it because I was really bored, and I was in the toy section trying to hide from all the people."
Ultimately, Kelley solved the cube in 2 minutes 55 seconds and said, "It's all about how you see it. You gotta think of it like a stack of three pancakes. You solve for the top pancake first, then use all the space [below] to solve for the next pancake and then the last one's the hardest." Watch the video here!
The city health department issued a statement, warning anyone who visited Socialista in Manhattan's West Village on February 7, 8 or 11 to get a vaccination.
Local media reports said Moore hosted a 30th birthday bash for her husband Kutcher at the venue on February 7 after a star-studded dinner at Gemma restaurant.
Entertainment photo agency WireImage showed guests at the Socialista event, including Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ivanka Trump, Liv Tyler, Catherine Keener, Lucy Liu and Salma Hayek.
Other celebrities reported at Socialista were Javier Bardem, nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar, Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart and fashion designer Roberto Cavalli.
Socialista was not immediately available for comment, nor were representatives of Moore, Kutcher or Madonna.
"Any patron who visited the establishment after 8 p.m. on February 7th or 8th, or after 10 p.m. on February 11th (the times the infected person worked after becoming infectious), is considered to be at risk and needs a preventive shot," the health department said.
It said the bar owners were cooperating fully and estimated between 700 and 800 people had visited the bar on those nights, but added that no cases of illness had yet been identified.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus and is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with traces of fecal matter from an infected person, the department said.
Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
The network announced its post-strike plans Wednesday afternoon, becoming the last of the big broadcasters to slot the return of its scripted series. Seven shows are going back into production and will air between four and seven new episodes each starting in April. (The network also has new seasons of "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Bachelor" debuting Monday, March 17.)
First up is the comedy "Samantha Who?," which will return for six episodes on Monday, April 7, in the post-"Dancing" spot that served it well in the fall. "Boston Legal" airs the first of six new shows the following night.
Also returning are "Brothers & Sisters" on Sunday, April 20 and "Ugly Betty" on Thursday, April 24. "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost," which will move from 9 to 10 p.m., also come back on the 24th; all three Thursday shows will have five new episodes. "Lost" fans will have to wait about a month between the final pre-strike episode and the debut of the new installments.
"Desperate Housewives," meanwhile, will squeeze in seven new hours of shooting, including a two-hour season finale. Its first episode back is scheduled for Sunday, April 13.
The pre-strike Wednesday lineup of "Pushing Daisies," "Private Practice" and "Dirty Sexy Money" won't be back this spring, but ABC has picked up all three series for the 2008-09 season.
According to Variety, Catherine Hardwicke ("Lords of Dogtown") will direct the film, which will also star Robert Pattison and Kristen Stewart. Other additions to the Melissa Rosenberg ("Dexter") scripted film include Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz.
Summit Entertainment is producing the film, which focuses on a 17-year-old girl (Stewart) who moves to Washington and befriends an outcast young man (Pattison), who happens to be part of the bloodsucking Cullen clan.
Reed previously wrote and starred in the Hardwicke-directed "Thirteen." The veteran of an arc as Sadie on FOX's "The O.C.," Reed has also been seen in "Mini's First Time" and the original pilot for The CW's "Reaper."
Facinelli was last spotted in FX's "Damages" and in the audience of "Dancing with the Stars." He was one of the stars of FOX's "Fastlane."
Featured on "Grey's Anatomy" these past two seasons as Jane Doe/ Ava, Reaser has also appeared on the small screen in "Saved" and "Standoff" and on the big screen in "Stay" and "Sweet Land."
"It's feels unbelievable to be married. I thought that [being married] wasn't that different [from dating], but actually it is so different," the singer-songwriter, 28, told PEOPLE during his album party last Thursday at Chicago's Rockit Bar and Grill. As a husband, "my mentality changed from being a boyish man to a man's man."
In fact, his courtship with the Grey's Anatomy star, 29, has been a crash course in emotional maturity.
"When we first met, I could tell that my A.D.D. would definitely frustrate her a little bit," Kelley confessed. "It's like, I would be drawing on paper tablecloths when I should have been engaging in conversation – little things like that. No one ever told me that before. Nobody ever cared. But she does. And I like that."
The two – who didn't live together until after the ceremony – have settled easily into a domestic routine. (Heigl has had plenty of time to nest, thanks to the writers' strike.)
"We cook together," he said. "She is a great cook. I am a good helper-chef. I'm good with the grill and good with taking chances with certain spices."
What about hitting the L.A. club scene? "We are not a typical Hollywood couple at all," Kelley explained. "We stay in. We cook, we watch Dexter, and I make music and paint. It's fun."
"The strength of our schedule this fall was unprecedented and speaks for itself," said Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment. "We're looking forward to building on that success."
On average during Fall 2007 (10 complete weeks: 9/24-12/2/07), ABC was the No. 1 network among Adults 18-49 (3.9/10), delivering the top position in the key young adult sales demo on 7 of the first 10 weeks of the season and ranking No. 1 during the November Sweep for the third consecutive year. In addition, ABC claimed eight of the Top 20 highest-rated TV shows among young adults during the fall, including five of the Top 10 freshman series.
"[Justin] just needed a break," says James T. Pickens, who recently spoke with Chambers. "He said, 'Man I'm fine.'"
At the NAACP Image Awards Nominee luncheon Saturday in Beverly Hills, Pickens told PEOPLE that Chambers, who recently left town, was headed to Arizona with his family because he just wanted to chill. "[He] thanked everybody for their concern but everybody's good," says Pickens.
Also at the luncheon, Chandra Wilson said, "Everybody goes through stuff. It's no different than anybody else in the world. We just happen to be in the public eye . . . Justin's doing just fine."
A rep for Chambers said the actor, who plays Dr. Alex Karev on Grey's Anatomy, chose to voluntarily check himself into the psych ward because he was exhausted and suffers from a sleeping disorder.
The UCLA Medical Center is the same facility where Britney Spears was recently under a 72-hour psychiatric hold.
Chambers, 37, voluntarily checked himself into UCLA Medical Center "to get help with a pre-existing sleeping disorder," his publicist, Danica Smith, said.
He entered the center Monday and checked out Wednesday. Other details weren't provided.
Chambers "asks that the press respect his privacy and that of his family," according to a statement issued Friday.
The site, which boasts seven million readers a month, said it polls users annually for a list of 99 women who best embody the qualities of an ideal girlfriend or wife, as judged by intelligence, humor, charisma and ambition among attributes.
"This year's list really goes to show who (our users) relate with and find beautiful, charming and personable," said AskMen.com's editor-in-chief, James Bassil.
Heigl, 29, starred in last year's hit comedy movie "Knocked Up" and currently is in theaters with romance "27 Dresses," playing a woman who is always a bridesmaid but never a bride until she finally finds love.
She won a supporting actress Emmy, U.S. television's highest honor, for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on hospital drama "Grey's Anatomy," and has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards for the same show.
Following Heigl on the AskMen.com list was model Alessandra Ambrosio in the No. 2 position and just behind her was British actress Kate Beckinsale, who has starred in films from action adventure "Pearl Harbor" to comedy "Click."
Rounding out the top 10, in the following order were:
4. Eva Mendes
5. Jessica Alba
6. Scarlett Johansson
7. Jessica Biel
8. Rihanna
9. Marisa Miller
10. Adriana Lima
Chambers, who plays a bad boy with a sentimental side on the ABC medical drama, checked into the psych ward Monday, Jan. 28, and checked out yesterday (Jan. 30), reports TMZ.com. He did not encounter Spears, who was escorted by police to the same ward before dawn today.
The actor's rep claims that Chambers was "exhausted and suffers from a sleeping disorder and went in voluntarily to get some help."
Chambers is married and a father of five.
Chambers, 37, plays Dr. Alex Karev on "Grey's Anatomy." His other credits include "Cold Case," the TV movie "Hysterical Blindness" and on the big screen, "Liberty Heights" and "The Wedding Planner."
The 27 Dresses star tells Oprah Winfrey that husband Josh Kelley is "charming beyond belief. He is sexy and talented, ... so kind, and he's so compassionate."
And how does she rate herself as a wife?
"I'm not always so nice," she says. "I have my moments."
The interview airs Friday on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
The newlyweds started by gathering 10 close friends, including Heigl's pal T.R. Knight, for dinner in a private room at hotspot Katsuya Hollywood. There they noshed on Heigl's hand-picked menu of Kobe beef, rock shrimp, miso cod and spicy tuna on crispy rice.
"It was really important to me to celebrate Josh in a fun and intimate way," Heigl, 29, told PEOPLE. "I just wanted tonight to be in an environment we both really love and we really love this place. This was the perfect combination of an intimate dinner with friends and a bigger thing at the bar where everyone can kick back and enjoy each other but it's mellow."
After dinner, the party headed next door to SBE's S Bar to toast Kelley's new album Special Company.
Guests – including Kelley's band mates, Zach Braff, Haylie Duff, Brooke Burns, David Charvet, Kristin Cavallari, Shane West, Jonathan Schaech and Jamie-Lynn Sigler – mingled by the bar or danced, to a mix heavy on the '80s tunes. Heigl drank champagne (Kelley sipped on vodka cranberry cocktails) while she roamed the tables and welcomed all their friends.
When she wasn't playing hostess, Heigl and Kelley were playful with each other. "It's been a great year... it's been a really great year! I'm still getting used to that word husband," says Heigl, who tied the knot with Kelley in December.
Just before midnight, the couple danced in the middle of the lounge to The Cars' "Just What I Needed," and Heigl wrapped her arms around her husband's neck as they kissed. Capping off the evening: Servers brought out a chocolate cake lit with candles and the entire place sang "Happy Birthday" to Kelley – followed by another kiss from Heigl.
The "American Idol" host is on the lingerie company's 2008 What Is Sexy? list — along with Eva Mendes and Josh Holloway.
"What's sexy about (Seacrest) is he doesn't act like he is," Victoria's Secret spokeswoman Monica Mitro told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "We felt that his smile was quite sexy — in a very subtle and innocent and humble way."
The team of executives and designers who compiled the list looked for attributes such as "passion and humor and style and charisma," Mitro said.
Mendes is the sexiest actress; Holloway, who plays Sawyer on ABC's "Lost," is the sexiest beach body; Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham, who has three sons with husband David Beckham, is the sexiest mom; and Katherine Heigl and her husband, musician Josh Kelley are the sexiest newlyweds.
Other sexy celebs: Eric Bana (actor), Chris Brown (male musician), Dane Cook (funnyman), Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (male athlete), Rihanna (female musician), Justin Chambers (dad), "Gossip Girl" Blake Lively (newcomer), and Fergie and Josh Duhamel (couple).
Scarlett Johansson was honored for her sexy style, Jessica Biel for her lips, Kate Bosworth for her eyes and Ali Larter for her legs.
ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money," which co-stars Peter Krause and William Baldwin, has the sexiest cast, according to the list.
Victoria's Secret supermodel-spokeswomen, including Selita Ebanks, Adriana Lima and Karolina Kurkova, were to host a party in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Saturday — the eve of the Super Bowl — to honor the list-makers.
Lima hosts a one-hour special "Victoria's Secret: What Is Sexy? 2008," which is scheduled to air Feb. 9 on E! Entertainment Television. It was produced by E! and Ryan Seacrest Productions. Seacrest is host of the channel's "E! News" entertainment news program.
Mitro said Victoria's Secret put the list together before E! committed to producing the special.
"Ryan came to our fashion show in November and he had the best smile on our red carpet," Mitro said. "He was an easy choice for us."
Debra Messing literally sparkled in a beaded bronze Oscar de la Renta gown with a jeweled halter neck, and Teri Hatcher wore an oyster-colored Badgley Mischka gown with antique crystal embroidery.
Christina Applegate wore a glittering, V-neck dress covered in silver sequins by Elie Saab. "We don't know if we get to wear our dresses anywhere else," she said, referring to the writers strike that has shut down most award shows.
The Golden Globes red carpet was a victim of the strike earlier this month, so the SAGs, which normally are a less publicized event, received lots of attention and actresses pulled out dresses by top-tier designers.
"In times of doldrums, bring on the glitz," said Tom Julian, the fashion analyst for Oscar.com.
Cate Blanchett embraced her pregnant figure in a navy strapless gown by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga, and Ellen Pompeo said she picked her sculpted silver gown by Nina Ricci from an issue of Vogue magazine.
But there also were some new fashion names making an impression on the carpet, including Juliana Cairone, who dressed Angelina Jolie. The loose shape of Jolie's mahogany-colored gown with an abstract version of the Hermes horse print from Cairone's one-of-a-kind Rare Vintage collection was sure to fuel talk that the star is pregnant again.
Angel Sanchez put Sara Ramirez in a purple strapless gown with a train. "I like the way the light bounces off the material. I've never really worn purple before except for the Emmys last year," Ramirez said.
Vanessa Williams told E! that her oldest daughter picked her bright yellow Escada gown with a black waistband, and Kate Beckinsale said she wore a tiered strapless gown in buttercup yellow to bring a little sunshine to a particularly dreary day in Los Angeles.
Rebecca Gayheart wore a bold red strapless gown by Marchesa that was made more delicate with tulle around the bustline. Sandra Oh wore a couture version of a traditional Korean dress that featured a hot pink bow as the bodice and a black ballskirt.
In the blue camp were Nikki Blonsky and Marcia Cross, who wore a turquoise gown with a floral jewel at the bustline. She took no credit for her striking look: "I just wear what my stylist tells me and walk out the door."
Jamie Lynn Sigler gave a preview of a hot spring style: colorblocking. She paired a cream-colored body suit with a bright blue skirt by Calvin Klein.
Jane Krakowski took a risk in a green Catherine Malandrino gown with a halter neckline decorated in chunky green and yellow beads. The jury is still out on the look.
Classic black dresses had their fans, too, with Nicolette Sheridan in Marchesa representing the trend particularly well. Ellen Page, 20, looked lovely and age-appropriate in a black cocktail-length dress by Zac Posen with a cowl neck. Tina Fey also went with a shorter length in a one-shoulder dress by Alberta Ferretti.
Leading the simple and stunning category were Kyra Sedgwick, in a strapless electric blue dress by L'Wren Scott, and Michelle Pfeiffer in form-fitting bronze dress.
Marion Cotillard was among the many in shades of gray. Her Nina Ricci gown had a corset-style bodice, while America Ferrera chose a darker gray Monique Lhuillier dress with delicate lace covering one shoulder.
Most of the actresses took the weather into consideration in planning their hairstyles, with many favoring loose looks that wouldn't be as affected by a little drizzle.
Harry Josh, the creative consultant for John Frieda and Pompeo's hairstylist, said she wanted to be more hip than old Hollywood. "She wanted it to be cool and runway," Josh said of her messy side bun, "but the weather was an issue."
Eva Longoria went the opposite route, conjuring up a sexy retro look in beaded Naeem Khan dress with a cowl front and deeper cowl back that she complemented with a curly updo.
A trend that carried through the night were statement earrings, including Hatcher's darkened diamond flower earrings by Neil Lane and Blanchett's natural jade and diamond drop earrings.
Ryan Gosling might have worn the accessory that most will remember, though: a black ribbon on his lapel that he said was to honor the memory of fellow actor Heath Ledger, who was found dead last week in New York.
"It's weird not working," said Andrea Bowen of "Desperate Housewives." "It makes you feel unstable."
Sara Rodriguez of "Grey's Anatomy" has moved back to New York during the writers strike. "I don't feel like there is a reason to be in L.A.," she said. "I've been going to see tons of theater."
The Vision Racing co-owner will co-drive the No. 40 Hyper Sport Mazda RX-8 with Charles Espenlaub and Joe Foster in the twice-around-the clock race at Daytona International Speedway. He's competed in the weekend's support series race before, but this will be his first Rolex 24 At Daytona in the GT class.
Filming of his ABC series "Grey's Anatomy" and the feature movie "Enchanted" in 2007 limited his racing to five events.
"It's tough when I step out of the car and go off and do a movie and then when I come back everybody's caught up and they're past me," Dempsey said. "That's a little frustrating. If we can get a nice program together where we're testing properly and I'm not spending so much time out of the car, I think we'll get better results.
"Our goal is certainly to be up there, to be competitive."
Before Dempsey let's the horse out of the speedway garage, his schedule could get considerably busier in Hollywood. On Jan. 23, representatives from the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers resumed informal conversations for the first time since the studios abruptly walked away from the table in early December.
Says Heigl, "I think it's important for women to make a statement. With this collection, women of all ages and personalities can find their voice - and have a choice about what their work apparel says about them. Most importantly, the line is built around never-before addressed functionality issues, allowing women to feel as terrific as they look."
"This summer is about color, color, color," says Lilly Berelovich, president and chief creative officer for Fashion Snoops, a fashion forecasting and trend information service. "Bold patterns, playful florals, and expressive prints play out in bright colors and black and white prints. But for the healthcare industry, fit and comfort are a priority. It is the collaboration of the two that makes the Katherine Heigl Collection such a huge success."
In fact, several stores have placed their third orders for the line since its release just three months ago, quickly selling out the most popular pieces, such as the V-Neck top with faux-sleeves. But the most compelling feedback comes directly from the nurses themselves who post on blogs, write emails and call in with gratitude and relief at finding a fashionable yet functional line.
Dana Meyer is the Clinical Coordinator of Village Dental, managing a team of 35 healthcare professionals. She wrote, "Over the past 8 years that I have been working here it has been a constant struggle to find uniforms with this criteria. This is the closest I've come to finding "The Perfect Scrubs" for my team! Thank you so much for making a much needed change in this area!"
Capturing Heigl's prominent personality both on and off-screen, the collection is divided into four design groups: New York embodies stunning sophistication with bold black and white contrast; Miami incorporates eyelet insets and flounce into practical design; Monterey brings delicate, youthful styling with florals and butterfly prints; and Nantucket features graceful and classic silhouettes.
The designs are appropriate for women of all ages who work in hospitals, private practices, clinics, dental offices, labs, spas and other healthcare environments. Peaches Uniforms uses high quality, soil-release fabrics to ensure long-lasting wear, comfort and durability. Most items in the collection are priced between $20 to $35. The summer collection will be available in medical uniform retail stores and online medical outlets on February 8th, 2008.
About Peaches Uniforms: Peaches Uniforms is the leader in fashion-driven uniforms and scrubs for women in the healthcare industry. Founded in 1987, the Dallas-based company is a pioneer in the market. Peaches Uniforms has an active tradition of innovation as the first company to introduce fashion colors and 100% cotton fabrics in the 1990s and now the celebrity-inspired Katherine Heigl Collection. Peaches Uniforms' medical apparel is sold nationwide and online at leading medical retail outlets. For more information on Peaches Uniforms or the Katherine Heigl Collection, please visit: www.peachesuniforms.com.
Peaches Uniforms is proud to be an exclusive licensee of the Katherine Heigl Trademarks. Peaches Uniforms is a registered trademark of their respective owners.
"We're blessed," the 38-year-old Grey's Anatomy star told PEOPLE of her two-month union (sealed in November with a quiet ceremony at New York's City Hall).
So does she think her TV alter ego, Dr. Meredith Grey, will ever find similar happiness with Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd? "Who can say?" she sighed at Italian designer Giorgio Armani's Monday show. "We're not working because of the writers' strike."
Her music-producer husband piped in on cue: "I'm the real McDreamy!"
Also on hand for Armani's show: Hilary Swank, Dita von Teese and the legendary Sophia Loren.
It's an uninspired romantic comedy that adheres slavishly to the conventions of the genre. But the movie is made pleasant by the likeability of its star, Katherine Heigl, and her chemistry with the affable James Marsden.
Certainly Heigl fares better in less formulaic fare, such as Judd Apatow's irreverent Knocked Up, but she does raise the level of this chick flick from bland to mildly entertaining.
Heigl plays Jane, a woman focused on taking care of everyone but herself. With her blond hair dyed brown, she's meant to be sort of a plain Jane here, but it's a tough one for the Grey's Anatomy heartbreaker to pull off. In any event, Jane has been a bridesmaid 27 times and saved all the puffy dresses to prove it. When not at weddings and attending to the needs of her various bridally oriented friends, Jane spends her time nursing an unrequited crush on her boss George (Edward Burns).
When her blond and bubbly sister Tess (Malin Akerman) comes to visit, she instantly catches George's attention. Jane must do more than sit by and watch as Tess and George's romance blossoms quickly and they make plans to marry. Not only is she expected to cheerlead their union, but Tess expects her accommodating older sister to plan her wedding.
Meanwhile, Kevin, a reporter (Marsden), sees Jane shuttling between a wedding in Manhattan and another in Brooklyn and decides to write a feature about this die-hard serial bridesmaid. He writes short items on nuptials for The New York Times, and Jane, perhaps the biggest fan of the wedding ceremony ever seen on film, is an admirer of his sentimental turns of phrase.
27 Dresses is noteworthy for its retro theme, which focuses on Jane's perennial also-ran status, as in "always a bridesmaid, never a bride." It's an oddly antiquated concept for a contemporary movie. But at least she doesn't obsess about not being married.
Rather, Jane is all about helping others and admires the emotional idealism, as well as the pomp and circumstance, of weddings. She can't quite understand why others don't share her enthusiasm. Kevin plays the cynic who doesn't get what all the fuss over matrimony is about. So, doing the romantic comedy math, this means they must get together. Opposites attract and all that. Perhaps the only surprise is the role that their inebriated singalong of Elton John's Bennie and the Jets plays in their romance.
ABOUT THIS MOVIE: 27 Dresses - * * 1/2
Stars:Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Judy Greer, Edward Burns
Director:Anne Fletcher
Distributor:Fox 2000 Pictures
Rating:PG for language, innuendo and sexuality
Running time:1 hour, 47 minutes
Opens Friday nationwide
(It might be fun, though, if they handed out lists at the multiplex door to allow you to check them off as you go along — could be an interactive thing. You know, to help pass the time.)
Katherine Heigl's Jane is always a bridesmaid and never a bride, a role she's performed 27 times already because she's so adept at anticipating and meeting her friends' every prenuptial need.
She's secretly in love with her boss (Edward Burns) but, naturally, there's another guy out there (James Marsden) whom she initially clashes with, and who obviously will end up being the one to keep her from having to wear bridesmaid dress No. 28.
Director Anne Fletcher ("Step Up") and writer Aline Brosh McKenna ("The Devil Wears Prada") also cram in a wisecracking best friend, the obligatory trying-on-clothes montage featuring all the hideous taffeta concoctions in Jane's closet, and a cringe-inducing sing-along to Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets."
And of course, the whole thing wraps up with a mad dash to blurt out some very painful, public I-love-yous. On stage. At a microphone. Outside of movies like this, does anyone really do that sort of thing?
Heigl has such an intriguingly different presence for a rom-com heroine, though — there's nothing cutesy about her, nothing self-conscious — she makes you long desperately to see her work with more inspired material. The star of TV's "Grey's Anatomy" proved a reliable straight woman in last summer's "Knocked Up" opposite a gaggle of goofy guys who stole all the laughs. Here, with her first chance to carry a movie, she maintains a down-to-earth likability, despite the fluffiness of the dialogue and situations.
One woman can only do so much. Two women, however — Fletcher and McKenna — could have done much more, and they should have. In an industry dominated by men, where female filmmakers are still only making the slightest headway, they owe it to female moviegoers to provide entertainment that isn't just mindless and mired in stereotypes. (This is especially a letdown coming from the person who adapted "Prada," a script that was breezy and stylish.)
Several of those 27 future wives are bridezillas, whom Jane assuages with her warm demeanor and her mantra in every tricky situation, "No problem." But it's clear from her obsession with weddings — which includes cutting out and keeping her favorite articles from the commitments section of the fictional New York Journal — that her primary, life-defining dream is to be the one walking down the aisle one day to Pachelbel's Canon.
Her best friend, Casey (Judy Greer), is singularly sarcastic and promiscuous. Her younger sister, Tess (Malin Akerman), has skated her whole life on her looks and her party-girl personality — and she manages to sweep Burns' character off his feet the night she meets him in a slinky little yellow number at a bar, much to Jane's dismay. Then they end up getting engaged within just weeks, since Tess has lied to make him think she's the perfect woman for him: an outdoorsy, animal-loving vegan.
Guess who the maid of honor will be?
Anyway, the chief source of tension comes from Marsden's character, Kevin, lying about the fact that he's the guy who's been writing all those wedding columns Jane adores under a pseudonym. She just thinks he's a reporter — and a cynical one, at that. (Kevin doesn't believe in love and marriage, Jane's bread and butter.) Then he lies again when he says he's writing a puff piece on Tess' wedding.
Marsden, who's been on a roll lately with the musicals "Hairspray" and "Enchanted," shows another comic side here and gets a couple of good lines. He and Heigl would seem to have some chemistry, only the banter isn't snappy enough to allow it to shine through.
Costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas deserves a mention, though, for creating all those wild gowns, which range from goth and cowgirl-themed to a Scarlet O'Hara-inspired monstrosity and a hot pink micro-mini for an L.A. wedding.
The theory offered here is that bridesmaid dresses are ugly to make the women getting married look better by comparison. "27 Dresses" has the same effect on its romantic comedy predecessors.
"27 Dresses," a Fox 2000 release, is rated PG-13 for language, some innuendo and sexuality. Running time: 107 minutes. One and a half stars out of four.
The 29-year-old actress, who plays Dr. Izzie Stevens on the hit ABC medical show, says her real strength is in quirky, lighthearted roles like the one in upcoming film "27 Dresses."
"The best time I have is doing comedy," Heigl said. "It's the thing I love the most, the thing I'm the most passionate about. Not to say I don't ever want to do drama but as long as I can sort of ride this horse, I'm going to."
Luckily for Heigl, the comedy horse has taken her far in the past year. Her role as an up-and-coming entertainment reporter who gets drunk and pregnant after a one-night stand in the 2007 comedy "Knocked Up" catapulted her to stardom.
Romantic comedy "27 Dresses" debuts in theaters on Friday with Heigl in the lead role and, according to the actress, it's the type of part for which she has always longed.
"I tend to usually be the foil or the girlfriend or the sister or daughter, and this was a great opportunity to be quirky and funny myself," Heigl said, adding her best work on "Grey's Anatomy" is when the writers "throw me some comedy."
"27 Dresses," about a woman who has been a bridesmaid in 27 weddings but who struggles to find love herself, came as Heigl was planning her own wedding to musician Josh Kelley, which took place in late December.
"What was so great about the movie is that somebody else was planning each one of those 27 weddings," Heigl said. "I thought it was going to be so much easier."
A STAR AND A FAN
Heigl is unapologetically giddy about her success as Hollywood's newest rising star.
Beyond winning an Emmy, she has been twice-nominated for Golden Globe awards for "Grey's Anatomy" and Heigl said missing this past Sunday's telecast of the typically glamorous Hollywood affair was disappointing because she wanted to see her own screen idols.
"All these cool celebrities like Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett, you know? That would be pretty cool," Heigl said.
The Golden Globes, which are given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, had to forego the ceremony this year due to the screenwriters strike. Instead, winners were announced at a news conference attended mostly by journalists.
With the awards acclaim and box-office success of "Knocked Up" ($218 million worldwide), Heigl has become a regular feature in celebrity magazines. But she feels like she disappoints paparazzi who have begun to follow her because "I'm not very interesting."
"I always apologize," she said. "I'm like, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You've been waiting all day and here I come just to go grocery shopping."'
Heigl has developed a reputation for being outspoken -- a rare thing among image-conscious Hollywood celebrities. But her comments in a recent interview with Vanity Fair magazine got her into trouble when she referred to "Knocked Up" as "a little sexist" and marriage as "a crapshoot."
"They are just opinions," Heigl said of her comments. "They really shouldn't be taken all that seriously. I can't apologize too much."
But what about finding the new Hugh Grant? Especially since ol' flutter eyes was looking a mite frayed around the edges in last year's Music and Lyrics.
Matthew McConaughey, next seen in Fool's Gold on Feb. 8, seems to be stuck in lover-boy overdrive.
And the promotion of Jack Black and Seth Rogen as objects of desire was just a joke. (Right?)
The Enchanted boys just might come to the rescue.
No kiss was necessary to awaken female moviegoers to the romantic potential of James Marsden (best known as Cyclops in the X-Men movies) and Patrick Dempsey (the '80s relic reborn as Dr. McDreamy on TV's Grey's Anatomy) in Disney's fairy-tale spoof. Amy Adams might have been the star attraction, but her suitors — Marsden's royal loony 'toon and Dempsey's cynical divorce lawyer — both proved to be princely charmers.
Now the actors are saying "I do" to one of Hollywood's most formulaic genres: the wedding farce. First up is Marsden as Kevin, a reporter who pursues Katherine Heigl's perennial bridesmaid in 27 Dresses, opening Friday. Dempsey takes the lead as a dedicated womanizer who falls for his soon-to-wed best friend (Michelle Monaghan) in Made of Honor, due May 2.
"The girls are already on Marsden," says Variety.com deputy editor Anne Thompson, whose 18-year-old daughter "loves" the actor. "This guy is going to be a star. He's young and will only get better."
Audiences of both sexes are drawn to his boyish appeal. As Thompson notes: "His role in Superman Returns was thankless. But instead of rooting for Brandon Routh's superhero, you felt sympathy for James."
As for Dempsey, who has been around the romantic-comedy block before, in his early 20s, "a little aging suits him," Thompson says. "Sometimes, men come into their own with a little maturity and gravitas. Like George Clooney."
Anne Fletcher, the director of 27 Dresses, saw Marsden in a new light when she was the second unit director on Hairspray.
"He was there when I got the call that I won the job on 27 Dresses. He jokingly said, 'If you have any small roles for a guy like me, keep me in mind.' A light bulb went off. I thought, 'You are Kevin to the nines.' "
As for why he hasn't done romantic leads before, Fletcher' s theory is he might be too cute. "That's why I messed up his hair and put him in rumpled clothes. With those chiseled teeth, people couldn't see his potential. Now they can. His range is gigantic."
Dempsey, on the other hand, proves he can take a pratfall like a pro in Made of Honor as he attempts to undermine Monaghan's nuptials.
"Patrick is quite a little comic," says director Paul Weiland (City Slickers II). "As well as looking like that, he is quite funny."
Dempsey already was attached to the film when the British filmmaker, a Mr. Bean veteran eager to work with someone fresh and different, signed on.
"When he was younger, he was kind of geeky," Weiland says. "Now he has turned into a swan. He is a kind of a Cary Grant. He would make a good James Bond. And he looks great in a tux."
If Marsden and Dempsey are embraced as box-office Romeos, perhaps other untested candidates will be willing to step into Hugh Grant's well-worn shoes.
Right now, there seems to be a dearth of recruits.
As Thompson observes, too many actors are quick to love 'em and leave 'em for a higher-paying male-oriented genre once they've scored a chick-flick hit.
Speaking for all who appreciate a good onscreen courtship, she says, "we need all the romantic leads we can get."
'ANATOMY' VS. THE 'X' FACTOR
There's little denying that both James Marsden, on the rise, and Patrick Dempsey, on the comeback trail, are easy on the eyes. But they don't necessarily attract the same audiences.
"I would much prefer to see Patrick Dempsey in more movies," says Tracey Hardesty of Neoga, Ill. "I love him in Grey's Anatomy. And to think this is the same guy who was in Can't Buy Me Love, which was one of my favorite movies in high school. Makes you think twice about turning down the skinny, nerdy guy for a date."
Maybe it's the X-Men factor, but men tend to enjoy Marsden more.
"Personally, I don't get the McDreamy thing," says Dave Melges of Battle Creek, Mich. "But I can clearly see which has more talent. That would be Marsden. His over-the-top performances in Hairspray and Enchanted show he'll stretch a role, where just about anybody could have played Dempsey's parts."
A tad harsh, perhaps. But variety is the spice of life and a little spice never hurts when it comes to comedy.
ABOUT THE GUYS
-Patrick Dempsey
Age: 42
Family life: Married to makeup artist Jill Fink. Father to Talula, who turns 6 this month, and twin sons Darby and Sullivan, 1 year old next month.
Previously cast as: A youthful lothario who pursues older women in In the Mood (1987) and Loverboy (1989).
Secret weapon: Can be sexy even when performing neurosurgery on Grey's Anatomy.
Best feature: Those McDreamy eyes
Quote: "One day my 3-year-old daughter said, 'You're very handsome, Poppy.' That was the best compliment ever."-
-James Marsden
Age: 34
Family life: Married to actress Lisa Linde. Father to Jack, nearly 6, and Mary, 2.
Previously cast as: The guy who doesn't quite get the girl in the X-Men movies (2000-06), The Notebook (2004) and Superman Returns (2006).
Secret weapon: Can sing and act at the same time, as revealed on TV's Ally McBeal and in last year's Hairspray and Enchanted.
Best feature: That dazzling smile
Quote: "If you're an attractive guy, everyone thinks you're successful just because of the way you look. I hate that."
In addition to tying the knot with rocker Josh Kelley last month and scoring box office gold in the summer hit 'Knocked Up, the Grey's Anatomy star, 29, has just been named Cosmopolitan magazine's Fun Fearless Female of the Year – even though the year's only two weeks old.
Whether that's how the new bride sees herself, however, she tells Cosmo for its February issue, "I pride myself on being kind, but that's not to say there aren't moments when I'm a diva. Everybody has bad moments."
Fortunately, she says, "There are people in my life who keep me grounded, so I couldn't behave that badly, even if I wanted to."
As for who some of those people might be, she says of Kelley, "Josh came into my life and I realized, Oh my God, you're someone I can really trust and go to when things are hard. To have that in a partner is huge"
CBS won the overall title with an 8.8 rating/14 share in primetime. ABC finished second at 7.7/12. FOX and NBC tied for third at 5.2/8, with FOX holding a slight edge in total viewers (8.39 million to NBC's 8.01 million). The CW was well off the pace at 1.3/2.
ABC snagged the top spot among adults 18-49 with a 4.2 rating. CBS, 3.5, took second in the key demographic, followed by NBC at 3.3. FOX averaged 2.6 and The CW 0.8.
"Ugly Betty," 6.7/11, put ABC on top among households at 8 p.m., although FOX's "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" (6.2/10) brought in more viewers. A "CSI: NY" repeat CBS on CBS was third. "My Name Is Earl," 4.8/8, and "30 Rock," 3.8/6, came in fourth for NBC, while a "Smallville" rerun on The CW drew a 1.6/2.
At 9 p.m., a new "CSI," 11.2/17, drew the most viewers even though ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," 11.6/17, had a slightly better household rating. "The Celebrity Apprentice" scored a 5.2/8 for NBC, down significantly from its premiere last week. FOX dropped to fourth with "Don't Forget the Lyrics," 4.2/6. A "Supernatural" rerun wrapped up The CW's night.
CBS stayed on top at 10 p.m. as "Without a Trace" earned a 9.2/15. NBC's "ER" posted a 6.1/10 to beat out "Big Shots," 4.7/8, on ABC.
TV Guide: Tonight, Derek deals with the aftermath of kissing Rose. What more can you tell us?
Lauren Stamile: All I can really say is that things go a little bit differently than people would expect. [Derek and Rose] are not going off into the sunset.
TV Guide: How does it feel to be McDreamy's latest paramour?
Stamile: [Laughs] Great! Every once in a while it'll hit me and I'll think, "That's me? Just a girl from Oklahoma!" But those are wonderful shoes to try to fill.
TV Guide: Do you fear that you'll be labeled a home-wrecker for keeping Derek and Meredith apart?
Stamile: Absolutely. As a fan of the show and as a romantic, I'm always rooting for Derek and Meredith. So I think that if I am, then other people have to be! But I try to stay off the blogs.... If I start to read [fan comments], it's going to inform my work.
TV Guide: You did a spot-on job of playing Kate Jackson in the 2004 TV-movie Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Charlie's Angels.
Stamile: I worked hard on that! I had about a month to prepare and I rented everything that Kate Jackson was in. I'd sit there and start and stop and say words and try to get the movements. As a young actor, you don't really get the opportunity to play someone far from yourself.
TV Guide: You've also guest-starred on some big shows, including Heroes, CSI: Miami and Without a Trace. How do those experiences compare to Grey's?
Stamile: The biggest difference is that in most of those jobs, I was just there for a week, a quick arc and then gone. This is more challenging because I have to try to learn about who this person is. And as a fan of [Grey's], that makes it even more exciting. I still can't quite believe it. I'm doing exactly what I want to do.
MUSIC:
Male Singer: Justin Timberlake
Female Singer: Gwen Stefani
Group: Rascal Flatts
Pop Song: "What Goes Around Comes Around," Justin Timberlake
Hip-Hop Song: "Give It to Me," Timbaland, featuring Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado
R&B Song: "Shut Up and Drive," Rihanna
Rock Song: "Home," Daughtry
Country Song: "Stand," Rascal Flatts
Soundtrack Song: "You Can't Stop the Beat," Cast of Hairspray
Reunion Tour: The Police
TELEVISION:
TV Drama: House
TV Comedy: Two and a Half Men
Male TV Star: Patrick Dempsey
Female TV Star: Katherine Heigl
Scene-Stealing Star: Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Talk Show Host: Ellen DeGeneres
Animated Comedy: The Simpsons
Sci-Fi Show: Stargate Atlantis
New TV Drama: Moonlight
New TV Comedy: Samantha Who?
Game Show: Deal or No Deal
Competition/Reality Show: Dancing with the Stars
MISCELLANEOUS
Funny Female Star: Ellen DeGeneres
Funny Male Star: Robin Williams
User-Generated Video: Shoes, Liam Kyle Sullivan
Pulling rank alongside such seemingly more NAACP-friendly Oustanding Movie Actress nominees as Halle Berry, for her dramatic turn in Things We Lost in the Fire, and Jill Scott, for her work in the multinominated Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?, is a somewhat unexpected name: A Mighty Heart's Angelina Jolie.
The Image Awards strives to honor projects and individuals that promote diversity in arts across several industries, including television, music, literature and film. This year's eco-friendly event, the theme of which is "Stand Up and Be Counted," is no different.
One film that exemplifies that philosophy, The Great Debaters, is also the leading nominee, with eight nods, including individual nominations for Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Denzel Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett and Nate Parker, as well as a nod for Outstanding Motion Picture.
Alongside Washington in his bid for the Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture win are Talk to Me's Don Cheadle, Pride's Terrence Howard, I Am Legend's Will Smith and Stomp the Yard's Columbus Short. Washington is also up for his direction.
Meanwhile, Tyler Perry's assorted film and TV projects scored seven nods total, including an acting nomination for the man himself.
Debaters costars Whitaker, Whitaker (no relation, despite their playing father-son in the film) and Parker willl vie for Outstanding Supporting Actor against Talk to Me's Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?'s title-hogging Perry.
Perry 's film also racked up acting nods for Outstanding Actress (Jill Scott), Supporting Actress (Janet Jackson) and Motion Picture, where it will compete with The Great Debaters, American Gangster, I Am Legend and Talk to Me.
Perry also notched an Outstanding Comedy Series nod for his TBS series, Tyler Perry's House of Payne. The show also earned a pair of acting nods.
House of Payne goes head-to-head with 30 Rock, Everybody Hates Chris, Girlfriends and Ugly Betty for the top TV trophy.
All told, CW had the best showing on the television side, scoring more than a dozen nominations thanks to hits Everybody Hates Chris and Girlfriends.
Ugly Betty herself, America Ferrera, earned a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, as did Everybody Hates Chris' Tichina Arnold. Scrubs' Donald Faison and Psych's Dulé Hill were the big name nominees for Outstanding Comedy Actor.
As for the Outstanding Supporting thesp nominations, The New Adventures of Old Christine's Blair Underwood, 30 Rock's Tracy Morgan, Ugly Betty's Vanessa L. Williams and Curb Your Enthusiasm's Vivica A. Fox were among the nominees for both sides.
In the Outstanding Drama Series showdown, Grey's Anatomy, House, K-Ville, Lincoln Heights and The Unit will vie for the prize.
K-Ville's Anthony Anderson, The Unit's Dennis Haysbert, CSI: NY's Hill Harper, Law & Order staple Jesse L. Martin and Cane's Jimmy Smits will tough it out for Outstanding Actor honors, while The Shield's CCH Pounder and The L Word's Jennifer Beals are among the nominees for Outstanding Drama Actress.
Underwood, meanwhile, scored a second acting nod, this time as Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Dirty Sexy Money. He'll compete with Grey's Anatomy's James Pickens Jr., ER's Mekhi Phifer, House's Omar Epps and Private Practice's Taye Diggs.
In the Supporting Actress in a Drama category, Private Practice's Audra McDonald and Grey's Anatomy's Chandra Wilson, last year's winner, are up against Law & Order's S. Epatha Merkerson, Without a Trace's Marianne Jean-Baptiste and The L Word's Pam Grier.
Like Underwood and Perry, Merkerson doubled her nomination pleasure, taking home another nod for Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie or Miniseries, vying against The Starter Wife's Anika Noni Rose, Matters of Life & Dating's Holly Robinson Peete, Life Support's Queen Latifah and The List's Sydney Tamiia Poitier.
Other notable TV nominations include High School Musical 2's nod for Outstanding Children's Program.
Meanwhile, American Idol scored a nod for Outstanding Reality Series, a field that also includes America's Next Top Model, Dancing with the Stars, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Run's House 4.
Idol's reigning champ, Jordin Sparks, got in on the nominated action, scoring in the musical category for Outstanding New Artist. She vies against Sean Kingston and HSM alum Corbin Bleu for the honor.
Kanye West, meanwhile, will be pleased to know he's in the Outstanding Male Artist field, alongside Common, Chris Brown, Prince and Seal. Outstanding Female Artist nominees include Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige.
Keys, Brown, West, Blige and Seal all have horses in the Outstanding Album of the Year race, for As I Am, Exclusive, Graduation, Growing Pains and System, respectively.
The NAACP also announced that Stevie Wonder will be inducted into this year's Hall of Fame, owing not only to his pioneering role in the recording world, but in knocking down barriers to achieve international success and impact.
The 39th Annual NAACP Image Awards will air live on Fox Feb. 14.
So what does the actress – who wed musician Josh Kelley Dec. 23 during a Christmas-themed ceremony in Park City, Utah – remember most from her whirlwind Mexican getaway?
"Ahhh, the Piña Coladas!" she told PEOPLE. "Oh my God, Cabo! The Esperanza [resort] and Piña Coladas – it doesn't get a lot better."
The Grey's Anatomy star, 29, turned serious, though, when asked by a reporter about Britney Spears's recent meltdown.
"I can't possibly imagine what that young girl is going through," she said. "I just hope ... that even with all this attention, people can find it in their hearts to be compassionate and not be so judgmental. She is obviously in a great deal of drama and pain, and that's a horrible thing for someone to go through in front of the entire world – and I'm sorry for her."
Just before her silver pumps hit the red carpet Monday evening in Los Angeles the Globe-nominated actress heard the news: no Golden Globes telecast on Sunday. No couture. No Jack Nicholson.
"I'm really disappointed," said Heigl, who is up for TV supporting actress for her work on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. "It's an amazing night to celebrate and meet people you respect and admire. When's the next time I'm going to be in a room with Jack Nicholson? Probably not till next year's Golden Globes, if I'm that lucky. But I understand it, and I'm behind it."
Golden Globe recipients will be announced at a celebrity-free news conference at the Beverly Hilton, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced. News on after-parties remains uncertain, but several were reported to be canceled.
Heigl, 29, was cheery and radiant nonetheless. She conceded that despite the disappointment, she had much to celebrate, including her recent Utah nuptials to musician Josh Kelley. "I've called him 'husband' about four or five times now," she said, adding that the term remains accompanied by a blush or roll of her eyes. "There's something about being married that feels safe," said the actress, who leads 27 Dresses in a contemporary twist on the idiom, "always a bridesmaid, never a bride," playing a young woman so desperate for marriage she dons even the most ridiculous bridesmaids gowns in solidarity with the sentiment.
Several of Heigl's Grey's Anatomy cast members attended the premiere, many of whom were just as disappointed by the Golden Globes cancellation. "It's unfortunate, but I think all of the actors will be OK. It's the below-the-line people I think that we should all be worried about, because they can't afford to be out of work," said Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Meredith), who dressed for the night in a gray trench coat and heels. "The actors, we're all very fortunate, we get paid very well and we're not suffering as much as most of the other people who work in the industry are."
T.R. Knight (George), wrapped in a scarf and donning boots to combat the chill, also expressed solidarity — along with surprise. "I just found out. I thought it was still going on," said Knight, who hitched a ride with Heigl to the premiere. "It's difficult because it's a wonderful thing when you're nominated and recognized by your community. But without being disrespectful to the Golden Globes, there are bigger things at stake. A lot of families are really hurting right now. The corporations that are running these studios need to find a heart — to me, that's the most important thing. I want the strike to be over — for all of us, the strike needs to end."
27 Dresses co-star Ed Burns walked the carpet alongside wife Christy Turlington and learned of the decision mere seconds earlier. "I think it's a good thing," he said. Although he and his wife had not planned to attend, Burns stood by the decision, as a member of the Writer's Guild. "Hopefully they'll get it together for the next awards show," Turlington noted.
"It's all fascinating to me because it's history, and in 20 years we're going to look back at this and say, 'Remember when we had to go through that,' " said 27 Dresses director Anne Fletcher. "I'm all about digging your feet in and getting the work done and see where it lands. I can't do my job without a writer."
And so, on Sunday, Heigl will shelve her Golden Globes gown in the name of solidarity. "I think the message is for the studios and the networks — and just saying, 'Hey look, all these things (including awards shows) are on the table. You're not going to get anything out of us until you start to play fair.' "
Moving the opening weekend from January 11 allows the studio to maximize holiday sales, get in another round of nationwide sneak previews January 13, and offer the film as a clear alternative to sci-fi thriller "Cloverfield," the only other new release that weekend.
The "27 Dresses" sneak previews played December 27 to 539 theaters nationwide, with 27 of those previews featuring models wearing bridesmaid dresses adorned with the film's title and credits, a Fox representative said.
"Grey's Anatomy" star Heigl plays a woman who has been a bridesmaid 27 times and who re-examines her "always a bridesmaid" lifestyle when her boss (Edward Burns) gets engaged to her younger sister (Malin Akerman). Burns would have been competing with himself on January 11, as he also stars in the teen horror "One Missed Call," which opens that day.
First, the Grey's Anatomy star forgot her passport, so "the happy couple could not fly directly to Cabo," says the source. Instead, the two had to stop over in California first.
But things brightened considerably when the couple made it to Mexico. Kelley, 27, enjoyed some tee time, the source reports, while Heigl, 29, soaked up the sun.
And by Friday, the happy twosome was spotted poolside as Kelley serenaded her new bride – and friends – with songs from his upcoming album.
Yet she has done musicals on Broadway, too, the 1995 Roundabout Theatre
Company revival of "Company," for example. Now, the actress has joined the cast of "Spring Awakening," the 2007 best-musical Tony winner.
Burton has replaced Christine Estabrook in the role of the "Adult Woman," playing all the older women roles in this Duncan Sheik-Steven Sater rock musical about adolescent sexual turmoil in late 19th-century Germany.
Also new to the cast is Blake Bashoff, featured on the TV series "Lost." He is playing Moritz, one of the musical's more intense young men.
"Spring Awakening" is on view at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.
But while Heigl is terrific, this uninspired romantic comedy is considerably less so.
A tired pastiche of the 27-odd wedding-themed vehicles that preceded it, the film essentially slaps together all the stuff that worked so well the first or second time around, minus any of the original charm or verve.
That it manages to function at all is mainly Heigl's doing, but judging from the half-empty theater reserved for the picture's post-Christmas sneak preview, even her fans might get the sense that they've walked down this aisle many times before.
Heigl's not-so-plain Jane is the owner of those 27 dresses -- a perennial bridesmaid who has kept all of them, no matter how hideous -- squished into the closet of her already-cramped New York apartment with the hope of one day being the main attraction.
She has always been there for her friends and longtime boss (Edward Burns), for whom she has harbored an unrequited crush, but her charitable instincts are about to be put to the supreme test when her bratty, globetrotting kid sister (Malin Akerman) comes to town and proceeds to strike up an instant love connection with said employer.
Meanwhile, Jane also has been fending off the perpetual advances of a cynical writer (James Marsden), who, unbeknown to her, pens those Commitment columns in the New York Journal, which she has been secretly clipping out for years.
Will Jane finally find happiness with the right guy or is she destined for Bridesmaid's Dress No. 28? Does the devil wear Prada?
It so happens that the person responsible for the "27 Dresses" script is none other than "The Devil Wears Prada" screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, but in fashion world parlance, this one's a shameless knockoff.
Jerky boss? Check. Sardonic best friend? Check (played by Judy Greer). Scene in which everybody takes part in an impromptu golden oldie sing-along? Check. (Here it's Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets.")
Just as McKenna's script brings absolutely nothing new to the wedding movie table, matters aren't helped any by Anne Fletcher's flat, pedestrian direction. The former choreographer who made her directorial debut with the inner-city dance drama "Step Up," fails to lend this New York story (filmed extensively in Rhode Island) a much-needed visual shot of vitality.
While Peter James' camera clearly loves Heigl and the actress looks to have a promising motion picture career ahead of her, "27 Dresses," with its recycled sentiments and empty gestures, won't be the one to build on that "Knocked Up" momentum.
Here, she and Marsden do what they can to work with a chemistry that feels dictated rather than organic, but at the end of the day, they're hopelessly stuck with hand-me-down material that is really beginning to look and feel its age.
Cast:
Jane: Katherine Heigl
Kevin: James Marsden
Tess: Malin Akerman
Casey: Judy Greer
George: Edward Burns
Hal: Brian Kerwin
Director: Anne Fletcher; Screenwriter: Aline Brosh McKenna; Producers: Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman; Executive producers: Bobby Newmyer, Becki Cross Trujillo, Michael Mayer, Erin Stam; Director of photography: Peter James; Production designer: Shepherd Frankel; Music: Randy Edelman; Costume designer: Catherine Marie Thomas; Editor: Priscilla Nedd Friendly.
The Emmy winner swapped vows with musician Josh Kelley on Sunday in private nuptials in picturesque Park City, Utah.
Heigl told reporters ahead of time that there would be no celebrities on the guest list, but fellow Grey's castmembers Sandra Oh, T.R. Knight, as well as Private Practice's Kate Walsh, joined a small gathering of friends and family who arrived at the Stein Eriksen Lodge on Thursday to watch the couple tie the knot.
The 30-minute ceremony was officiated by Unitarian minister Tom Goldsmith and was followed by a reception nearby. Knight told People magazine afterward that the occasion was both "incredible and beautiful."
Kelley popped the question last summer, a little more than a year after Heigl was cast in his music video for "Only You," and she turned out to be the only one for him. The crooner's 2005 tune "Katie's Song" was a direct reference to his lady love.
While Heigl had been feeling the pressure that comes with handling all those last-minute wedding details, even imploring an E! News reporter at one point to help "fix my seating chart," the ceremony seemingly went off without a hitch.
"You have a fantasy of this big day, this big moment and the sentimental aspect of it," the bride-to-be told Entertainment Tonight last week, "but I think at the end of the day, I find there is a different level for both of us to the relationship.
"It is important to honor our families and honor the tradition, to stand up in front of all of these people and say, 'It's you and me, and that's it for life.' I hope I can just chill out—somebody might need to slap me!"
That wasn't necessary on this day, as far as we know, but it proves that big-day jitters are an equal-opportunity affliction.
Heigl also told Extra that she and Kelley didn't leave much to chance before saying their I-do's.
"We've talked a lot about it," she said. "Like, 'Are you having second thoughts here?' And he's like, 'No, I'm so ready for this,' because it's already been 18 months of planning, and we're both just ready for this to happen already."
And that's not the only thing the Knocked Up star is ready for.
"I'm super excited to have a family," she said. "I've always wanted a family, a large family. [We'll wait] like, a year."
As for the here and now, Heigl would only hint at the honeymoon destination, telling ET that they're "going to a beach, somewhere beautiful and romantic."
The timing appears to be right for a lengthy getaway, at least. Production on Grey's Anatomy shut down weeks ago due to the ongoing writers' strike, a conflict that in all likelihood will prevent the 29-year-old thesp from finding out in person whether she'll be pairing her new Supporting Actress Emmy with a Golden Globe.
"I can't cross the picket line," she has said of the Jan. 14 ceremony. "I've been asked by my guild not to, and I feel like I have to honor that. I really hope they get a waiver, 'cause I really wanna be there."
The Writers Guild denied the waiver request to allow striking scribes to contribute to the show, but there's always the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where Heigl is nominated as part of the Grey's ensemble. That ceremony has been granted union support, making it likelier that it will have Heigl's in-person support as well.
Heigl, 29, and Josh Kelley, 27, tied the knot under a marquee at a resort in Park City, Utah. Among the guests at the black-tie ceremony were Heigl's co-stars Sandra Oh, Kate Walsh and T.R. Knight, the magazine said.
Heigl won an Emmy in September for her role as an adulterous medic in the ABC network's "Grey's Anatomy," which follows the lives and loves of physicians at a Seattle hospital. She met Kelley in 2005, when she was cast in a music video, and they were engaged the following year after Heigl forced the issue.
Kelley, a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, is due to release a new album in February.
Outstanding Ensemble, Drama Series
Boston Legal
The Closer
Grey's Anatomy
Mad Men
The Sopranos
Heigl, 29, tells Extra that she's more than ready for her big day. "We've talked a lot about it, like, 'Are you having any second thoughts here?' " she says. "And he's like, 'No, I'm so ready for this to happen.' It's already been 18 months of planning, and we're both just ready for this to happen already."
The last-minute arrangements are proving to be hair-raising, however. "I'm mostly panicking about all the details, and getting there, traveling, transportation, talking to the pastor, getting the license," she says.
Her worst wedding-day fear? "Not being present in the moment, you know?" she tells Modern Bride magazine. "Like, building it up so much you can't really enjoy the moment you're in."
Once the wedding is over, the Grey's Anatomy Golden Globe nominee and her musician groom may very well embark on a different kind of planning – for having kids.
"I'm super excited to start a family," Heigl tells Extra. "I've always wanted a family, a large family. But I say that now!"
In a separate interview with Entertainment Tonight, Heigl says she wants to be a mom in a year's time. Kelly, though, is pushing for two years. Says the prospective mother-to-be: "We'll meet somewhere in the middle."
The 44-year-old actor is the most gracious celebrity — for the third year in a row — on Autograph magazine's annual list of the "10 Best and 10 Worst Hollywood Signers."
Depp is "`Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' on film, and Johnny and the Signing Factory in person," the magazine said.
"Though soft-spoken and laid-back, he likes to talk to fans and get to know them while signing," New York autograph dealer Anthony Risi explains in the December issue, now on newsstands. "He'll sign more than one item when he has time, too."
The magazine said editors compiled input from autograph-collecting judges based in Europe, New York and California in ranking the celebs.
Matt Damon is second on the list, followed by George Clooney, Jack Nicholson, Rosario Dawson, John Travolta, Katherine Heigl, Jay Leno, Dakota Fanning and Russell Crowe — wait, Russell Crowe?
Crowe, who has a history of throwing temper tantrums, ranked among the worst signers on last year's list. But in a turnaround, the magazine said, the 43-year-old actor "started treating fans great, signing, taking pictures and chatting them up."
Will Ferrell is deemed the worst celebrity signer, followed by Tobey Maguire, Joaquin Phoenix, William Shatner, Renee Zellweger, John Malkovich, Julie Andrews, Bruce Willis, Teri Hatcher and Scarlett Johansson.
However, "keep in mind that even the best signers don't sign sometimes, the worst sometimes do, and that just because they're on the worst list doesn't mean they're bad people," the magazine said.
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Movie
Rose Byrne, Damages
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Katherine Heigl, Grey's Anatomy
Samantha Morton, Longford
Anna Paquin, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Jamie Pressly, My Name Is Earl
CBS averaged a 9.4 rating/15 share in primetime, beating ABC's 8.6/14 (the Eye had a lead of about 2.2 million viewers). FOX took third with a 5.0/8. NBC drew a 4.3/7 for fourth, and a night of reruns on The CW came in at 1.6/2.
In the adults 18-49 demo, ABC won the night with a 4.8 rating. CBS was not far behind at 4.4, and NBC finished third at 2.8. FOX averaged 2.2 and The CW 0.9.
"Survivor: China" put CBS on top at 8 p.m. with an 8.3/13. "Ugly Betty," 6.4/10, snagged second for ABC. FOX came in third with "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?," beating "My Name Is Earl," 4.8/8, and "30 Rock," 3.8/6, on NBC. The CW went with a "Smallville" rerun.
ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and CBS' "CSI" each scored an 11.6/18 at 9 p.m., with CBS drawing more total viewers and ABC topping the 18-49 heap. FOX stayed in third with "Don't Forget the Lyrics," 4.5/7. An "Office" repeat and "Scrubs" averaged 3.1/5 for NBC. "Supernatural" trailed for The CW.
At 10 p.m., "Without a Trace" posted an 8.4/14 for CBS, holding off "Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People" special, 7.9/13, on ABC. The 300th episode of "ER" earned a 5.5/9 for NBC.
"There's nothing worse than hearing your child is going to go through something like that," Dempsey, 41, tells Entertainment Tonight in an interview set to air Dec. 10. "The person that administered that shot has got to feel horrible. Medical science is not perfect and that's a real tragedy. Hopefully they will recover, but only time will tell."
Dempsey, his wife Jill, daughter Tallulah, 5, and twin sons Darby and Sullivan are winging east for the holidays. "We're going back home to Maine and hopefully have a white Christmas," he said. "It's the first Christmas with the boys, they'll be walking by then, so we're excited."
He will, however, have to miss costar Katherine Heigl's Dec. 23 wedding. "I'm going to be in Maine, but am so happy for her. I've never seen her so happy. He's a great guy too and they are a great couple."
"It's important to me to take a minute and clarify the quote about Knocked Up in Vanity Fair," Heigl, 29, says in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. "I was responding to previous reviews about the movie the interviewer brought to my attention. My motive was to encourage other women like myself to not take that element of the movie too seriously and to remember that it's a broad comedy.
"Although I stand behind my opinion, I'm disheartened that it has become the focus of my experience with the movie. The truth is, it was the best filming experience of my career. Every person that was a part of making Knocked Up helped to encourage, support and inspire me. I never intended for anyone to think otherwise."
In her earlier remarks, the Grey's Anatomy star said the film "paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys. It was hard for me to love the movie."
As "Grey's" watchers know, Izzie has been having an open affair with her married best friend, Dr. George O'Malley, causing a world of pain for his surgeon-wife, Callie.
"That was a kind of a big change for Izzie, wasn't it, after she was so up on her moral high ground," the 29-year-old actress says in Vanity Fair's upcoming January issue. "They really hurt somebody, and they didn't seem to be taking a lot of responsibility for it. I have a really hard time with that kind of thing. I'm maybe a little too black-and-white about it."
Heigl, who won an Emmy for her role in September, says she doesn't "really know Izzie very well right now. ... I'm trying to figure her out and keep her real."
Heigl also offers some critical remarks about last summer's smash comedy "Knocked Up," co-starring Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd.
"It was a little sexist," she says. "It paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys. ... Ninety-eight percent of the time it was an amazing experience, but it was hard for me to love the movie."
The Emmy-winning Grey's Anatomy actress, 29, who is engaged to musician Josh Kelley, tells Vanity Fair in its January issue that she has no "grand illusions about marriage" – and yet she has approached it quite traditionally.
"I think it's a crapshoot. The odds are really bad, especially in this town," Heigl says. "But I have a lot of faith in Josh, and I wanted to have that one day when I stand in front of my friends and my family and honor him and how important he is in my life."
Despite her modern-day skepticism, Heigl upheld one old-fashioned ideal: She didn't want to move in with Kelley, 27, before tying the knot. "I still have enough Mormon in me – not a lot, but enough – that I wanted to keep that a little bit sacred," she says.
Breaking the Rules: In another way, though, Heigl upended tradition while they were dating – aggressively pursuing Kelley, demanding to know his plans for the relationship, even picking out the diamond for her ring.
"I'm one of those women who always thinks it's better to play it cool and keep them wanting more," she says, "but I really threw myself at him. I broke all the rules."
But only after changing the way she approached relationships.
"I decided I was sick of trying to figure out what everybody else wanted, and I should just decide what I want," she says. "Josh is the first serious relationship I've ever had where I was like, This is me. From the moment I met him, I said, This is what I want and what I need."
"Enchanted," which stars Amy Adams as a fairy-tale princess in modern-day New York City, collected $50.1 million for what Disney executives said was the second-highest, five-day Thanksgiving weekend box-office tally.
The film's producer, Barry Josephson, credited the movie's better-than expected showing to its broad appeal to families and fresh approach, as well as Adams' performance as the wide-eyed princess coping on the mean streets of New York.
"Amy Adams really brought such a great spirit to the character. She truly has just this incredible exuberance you don't often see on screen," Josephson said. "She is a big surprise for people who don't know her. It's a breakout role."
Josephson said "Enchanted" brought in the highest five-day Thanksgiving weekend box office for a non-sequel, trailing only 1999's "Toy Story 2."
"We are ecstatic about it," said Mark Zoradi, president of Disney's motion picture group, who also praised performances by Adams and her co-star, Patrick Dempsey.
"It struck a chord in family movie-going where it's not only great romantic comedy but it had all those little special things tying back to Disney history and music, and it just played across the board," he said.
The second spot on this weekend's box-office chart went to the family reunion film "This Christmas," a Screen Gems production distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment. It also outperformed expectations by drawing $27.1 million.
Third was last week's box-office winner, the medieval battlefield epic "Beowulf," a 3-D hybrid of animation and live action that garnered $23.3 million.
It was followed in fourth place by "Hitman" at $21 million and Jerry Seinfeld's animated "Bee Movie," which finished fifth with $15.9 million. The take for "Bee Movie" pushed its four-week total to $112.1 million.
Analyst Paul Dergarabedian said that when the box office numbers become final they could represent one of Hollywood's strongest Thanksgiving weekends, giving studios a major boost at the end of the year.
"This could end up being the second- or third-biggest Thanksgiving weekend ever," said Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers. "This is good news for Hollywood. It was a key holiday weekend and it performed solidly."
"Beowulf" and "Bee Movie" were distributed by Paramount Pictures, which is owned by Viacom Inc.. Beowulf is being handled internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures, a unit of Time Warner Inc.
"Hitman" was released by 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp.. Sony Pictures is a unit of Japanese electronics maker Sony Corp.
Overall, CBS averaged a 7.4 rating/14 share for the night, comfortably ahead of the 5.7/11 for ABC and the 3.7/7 for NBC. FOX's 2.4/5 and the 0.8/1 for The CW were far back.
CBS also won among adults 18-49 (the demo most heavily impacted by the Thanksgiving drop), doing a 3.6 rating. ABC was second in the key demo with a 3.1 rating, followed by the 2.5 rating for NBC. FOX's 1.5 rating and the 0.4 rating for The CW trailed again.
A "Survivor: China" clip show did a 6.2/12 at 8 p.m. to begin CBS' primetime sweep. ABC's "Ugly Betty" was second for the hour with 4.6/9. The first hour of NBC's telecast of "The Incredibles" had a 3.6/7, thumping the 2.4/5 for the first hour of FOX's "Dodgeball." The CW aired "Raise Your Voice," but nobody noticed.
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" had an 8.5/16 to give CBS the 9 p.m. hour over the 8.2/15 for ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC won the hour among adults 18-49). NBC's "The Incredibles" was up to a 3.8/7, while FOX's movie remained stable and The CW's movie did a 0.7/1.
CBS closed strong with a 7.5/14 for "Without a Trace." A special sneak of "October Road" on ABC lost more than 7 million viewers from its lead-in and did a 4.1/8. NBC's movie was steady in third.
"Obviously, he’s scared to death of getting in the dating pool," Pickens tells TV Guide of his character, Dr. Richard Webber on Grey's Anatomy. "With McDreamy and McSteamy trying to egg him on, it doesn’t bode well for him."
Pickens doesn’t see reconciliation on the horizon between the chief and his wife, Adele, played by Loretta Devine. "At this moment, he’s pretty much in limbo as far as his marital status is concerned." Instead, Pickens says Webber is going through a grieving process that encompasses both Adele and deceased lover Ellis Grey. Those emotions have spilled over into decisions he’s made involving hospital staff, particularly Dr. Miranda Bailey. "He’s so utterly human and he fights letting his humanness get in the way of decisions that he makes, sometimes to his detriment," says Pickens. "At the end of the day, he always feels that the decision he makes is the right one."
This Thursday kicks off the first of two-part episodes that hold changes in store for the chief. Is love in the cards for Seattle Grace’s patriarch? Pickens’ lips are sealed. While the show is on hiatus due to the writers' strike, though, his attentions are focused on his real-life wife. Laughs Pickens, "I’ve got a long honey-do list."
Dempsey's 4-year-old, Tallulah, was both intrigued and confused by her dad's involvement in the film. "She likes the animation. She loved the chipmunk. And she likes the fact that I know the princess."
Still, it was hard for her to understand why her dad had an on-screen daughter. "She'd ask questions like, 'You're not really her father?' and I'm like, 'No, I'm not, you're my daughter.' 'Well, who's her father?' 'Well, her father is...' 'Oh, OK.... So she's just pretend.' 'Yes, exactly.' But she was younger when we were doing it, so now it's different, you know, she's into other things like, 'Where's the chipmunk during the press junket?' 'There's no chipmunk.' 'Why?' 'Because it's a fake chipmunk. It's computer generated.' 'What do you mean by that?'" Dempsey laughs, adding, "Every question is followed by another question."
Enchanted was shot in New York, and Dempsey found it exciting to "shoot a musical in Manhattan," right in Central Park, with fans on the sidelines, calling out for McDreamy to glance their way. He also got a kick out of playing the "straight man" to Amy Adams' cartoon princess who's "come to life."
With the WGA strike, TV fans may not see as much of Dempsey as they'd like, but they can always take a trip to the Cineplex for Enchanted, which opens today. "It's such an unusual movie and so epic, and [will be a] big crowd pleaser."
The film, anchored by an entrancing performance by Amy Adams (Junebug) and a strong ensemble cast, is cleverly written. The situations are funny, and the story feels effortlessly entertaining.
While not seamless in its blend of cartoon and live action, it melds traditional hand-drawn animation with real-life actors in a modern-day setting and affectionately satirizes such Disney icons as Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, the Little Mermaid and Cinderella.
The first 15 minutes re-imagines the classic Disney formula, after which the movie segues from an idyllic make-believe world to the tough and bustling streets of New York. Picture-book characters are transformed, without warning, into real-life versions. That's when the fun begins.
Though it's a fairly predictable fish-out-of-water tale (actually a princess-out-of-storybook saga), the casting is so perfect that it takes what could have been a ho-hum idea and renders it magical.
With her delicate features and piles of golden curls, Adams is the very embodiment of a Disney princess. She plays Giselle, a fairy-tale character from the distant land of Andalasia who is hexed and sent to modern-day New York.
James Marsden winningly plays her intended, Prince Edward. Meanwhile, a divorce lawyer (an appealing Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter (Rachel Covey) rescue and befriend Giselle. His cynicism clashes with Giselle's simple romantic notions. You can see where this is going early on, but that doesn't detract from the endearing spell it casts. Adams is spot-on in portraying the pure-hearted Giselle without resorting to caricature.
One running gag involves Giselle's earnest singing, whether frolicking in Central Park or summoning woodland creatures. The score features original songs from Stephen Schwartz and Alan Mencken (Pocahontas).
Things look promising for Giselle and her handsome prince until the Big Apple is poisoned by the arrival of Queen Narissa, Prince Edward's evil stepmother (a hilarious Susan Sarandon).
The travails of this maiden in Manhattan will prove irresistible to audiences hungry for fanciful holiday entertainment. (Running time 1 hour, 47 minutes. Rated PG for some scary images and mild innuendo. Opens Wednesday nationwide.)
"I can be perfectly happy living in the country, having a little farm and working occasionally," the 41-year-old actor tells the December issue of Best Life magazine, on newsstands Tuesday.
"If someone calls, I'll go to work, but I am tired of going and putting myself through hell just to get into the room to be prepared, to be professional and to let go of any kind of anger or frustration and then not getting the part."
Last May, Dempsey bought a farm in Maine, where he grew up. The purchase, he says, was a turning point: "It was like, you know what? I'm done. I now know what I want."
Dempsey, who portrays Dr. Derek Shepherd on "Grey's Anatomy," says coming to terms with fame — and 14-hour shooting days — has been challenging.
"The show is like running a marathon. It feels like it never stops. The obligations you have for the show — it's relentless," he says. "The amount of exposure and the visibility ... it was a big change for me."
Dempsey co-stars with Amy Adams in Disney's "Enchanted," which opens Wednesday. He'll next be seen in the romantic comedy "Made of Honor," slated for release in May.
"There's a core audience who's watching `Grey's Anatomy' who expects something from you when they go to the box office, so you want to deliver that," he says. "I'm going to wait to see what happens with these movies, and we'll make choices after that. You can't get too far ahead of yourself."
Dempsey, who has three children with his wife, Jillian, says "family — and all of its joys and heartaches — is the grounding force."
"It's why you do everything," he says. "It's why you go to work, and why you put up with what you have to put up with, why you do what you have to do. Because you want a better life for them."
The "Grey's Anatomy" star, appearing in "Enchanted," appeared Saturday night on the red carpet at the movie's world premiere at El Capitan Theatre with his co-stars, including Helen Mirren, Teri Hatcher and constumed characters including Cinderella and Mickey Mouse.
A contemporary twist on Disney's fairy-tale classics, "Enchanted" begins in the animated world with an evil queen banishing a princess (Amy Adams) to live-action modern-day New York City. There, the princess meets a divorce attorney (Dempsey) and becomes disenchanted with her old life.
"The movie is, in essence, about true love's kiss and true love," Dempsey told The Associated Press. "And it's everything Disney in a way, in that it's very funny and honors (the studio's animated classics), and it's an old-fashioned musical."
Adams and Dempsey, working their way down the red carpet, voiced opinions on everything from the Hollywood writers strike to Dempsey's recent No. 2 ranking (behind Matt Damon) on People magazine's list of sexiest men.
"He was robbed!" said Adams, wearing a white J. Mendel gown. "He was robbed! That's what I think about that."
"That's funny," injected Dempsey with a laugh. "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride."
Dempsey — aka "McDreamy" from ABC's "Grey's" — and his fellow cast members from the top-rated TV medical drama finished filming Friday and won't return to the set until the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers settle their contract dispute.
"I know they're going into talks on the 26th," Dempsey said. "So, hopefully, rational minds will sit down and work something out."
Among Disney film vets on Saturday's red carpet were Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid," and Paige O'Hara, Belle from "Beauty and the Beast." Both make tip-of-the-hat appearances in "Enchanted."
"'Beauty and the Beast' ... was a life-changing experience," O'Hara said. "I'm still recording Belle all the time. I'm in the studio every few weeks, recording toys, interactive toys, games, CDs, CD-ROMs, direct-to-DVD princess videos, so it's still very much a part of my life."
Broadway belter Idina Menzel ("Wicked") did interviews with actor-husband Taye Diggs ("Private Practice") at her side. She plays Dempsey's girlfriend — a rare, non-singing role.
"Don't feel sorry for me," Menzel said. "l had just finished doing 'Wicked' and 'Rent,' the movie, and I was singing every day. ... And I actually was really honored that ("Enchanted" director) Kevin Lima hired me on the merits on my acting alone."
Chart-topping Grammy winner Carrie Underwood, who was on hand in a pink Elsie Katz Couture, provides the film's end-title track, "Ever, Ever After."
Of Disney princesses, she said she related most to Cinderella.
"I've never been scrubbing floors or cleaning toilets growing up. And my family was great," Underwood said. "But just to go from small-town girl to red carpets and cameras, it's definitely a Cinderella story."
The Lakeshore Entertainment production and future Columbia release will begin shooting in mid-April, with "Blonde" helmer Robert Luketic directing from a script rewritten by "Blonde" scribes Karen McCullah Lutz and Kristen Smith.
According to the industry trades, Heigl will play a news producer who hires a crackpot relationship expert as on-air talent for her show, only to discover that his theories really work.
Luketic most recently directed the hit comedy "Monster-in-Law."
Heigl starred in the summer comedy smash "Knocked Up." The "Grey's Anatomy" co-star has the Fox Atomic romantic comedy "27 Dresses" in the can. Her feature credits include "My Father the Hero" and the notoriously low-grossing "Zyzzyx Rd."
After years of watching the monstrously successful "Shrek" franchise parody everything beloved about those classic animated Disney movies, Disney is showing a sense of humor and making fun of itself.
"Enchanted" has a song in its heart and a tongue in its cheek — both in animated and live-action forms — with an infectious energy that helps overcome the script's contrivances.
Wide-eyed, would-be princess Giselle (the irresistible Amy Adams) is banished by the wicked Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) from her idyllic cartoon playland to the harsh reality of Times Square before she can marry her one true love, Prince Edward (James Marsden). (Though truly, Times Square was Disneyfied a long time ago, so in theory it shouldn't have been that much of a shock.)
Back in the magical land of Andalasia, Giselle could just call out the window of her cozy home, sing a lilting song and all the friendly forest creatures would come scurrying to her side to help with whatever chore she needed — clean the house, sew a dress — or just hang out and look furry and cute. Her best friend of all is a chipmunk named Pip (who completely steals the show once "Enchanted" goes live-action).
Giselle is an amalgamation of every Disney princess you've ever known: Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, with a little bit of Ariel and Belle thrown in for good measure. And Adams is absolutely adorable in the role — she gets the innate humor within the character's innocence, yet remains respectfully faithful to it. She may have gained minor attention for her Oscar-nominated supporting role in "Junebug," but "Enchanted" ought to make her a star. (And that's really her singing, too.)
But because Giselle is so beautiful and perfect, Prince Edward's stepmother, the queen, views her as a major threat (and Sarandon is deliciously evil in the part). So it doesn't take long after Edward gallops up on his white horse and promptly asks Giselle to marry him for Narissa to send her down a well which leads to — where else? — New York City.
Cold, wet and confused, Giselle nonetheless finds a home through the sheer power of her sweetness and optimism with sensible divorce lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his adoring 6-year-old daughter, Morgan (Rachel Covey). Turns out, her charms work on hardened Manhattanites, too; a lavish production number in Central Park, featuring mariachis, balloons, rollerbladers and construction workers, is over-the-top but knowingly so, and fun.
But then the city charms Giselle right back, and she finds herself torn between both worlds — and both men — even after Edward arrives to search for her with the queen's lackey (Timothy Spall) in tow. Marsden also seems to be having a blast playing with his pretty-boy looks, and as he showed this summer as Corny Collins in "Hairspray," he's solid in the musical-theater department, too.
Little girls and tweens will love this movie — especially those who are into the whole princess thing — and adults will laugh heartily and often at the way director Kevin Lima ("102 Dalmatians") and writer Bill Kelly tweak familiar fairy-tale details. Certainly this is not a new phenomenon — look at the send-ups like "Hoodwinked" and "Happily N'Ever After" that came along and tried to cash in on "Shrek's" success. But "Enchanted" does it with obvious affection, impeccable craftsmanship and zero snark.
Songs from multiple Oscar winners Alan Menken ("The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin") and Stephen Schwartz ("Pocahontas," "The Prince of Egypt") and splashy, polished dance numbers complete the package.
So maybe it's not a whole new world, but it's one you already know and love quite well.
"Enchanted," a Walt Disney Pictures release, is rated PG for some scary images and mild innuendo. Running time: 107 minutes. Three stars out of four.
CBS averaged a 10.6 rating/17 share in primetime, topping ABC, 8.7/14, by a comfortable margin. NBC finished third at 5.0/8. FOX was close behind in fourth at 4.8/7, and The CW trailed with a 2.4/4.
In the adults 18-49 demographic, CBS' 5.1 rating narrowly beat ABC's 5.0. NBC took third in the key ad-sales demographic with a 3.7. FOX averaged 2.5 and The CW 1.5.
"Survivor: China" put CBS on top at 8 p.m. with an 8.9/14. ABC's "Ugly Betty" came in second at 7.4/11. "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" took third for FOX, beating out "My Name Is Earl," 4.9/8, and "30 Rock," 4.0/6, on NBC. "Smallville" earned a 2.8/4 for The CW.
The departure of Fox's character, Sara Sidle, on "CSI" scored a 13.2/20 at 9 p.m. ABC was a strong second with "Grey's Anatomy" (12.5/18), which was also the night's top show in the 18-49 demo. NBC finished a distant third with "The Office," 5.1/8, and "Scrubs," 3.6/5. FOX got a 3.8/6 from "Don't Forget the Lyrics," while The CW's "Supernatural" fell about a point from its lead-in.
"Without a Trace" finished the CBS sweep of the night at 10 p.m. "ER" posted a 6.3/11 for NBC, edging the 6.1/10 for a special showing of "Women's Murder Club" on ABC.
NBC attracted three nominations, and CBS, Fox, Bravo and Discovery Channel received two apiece. Showtime and Comedy Central each drew one nomination.
In the category of episodic TV comedy, the nominees are "Entourage" (HBO), "Extras" (HBO), "The Office" (NBC), "30 Rock" (NBC) and "Ugly Betty" (ABC).
In episodic TV drama: "Dexter" (Showtime), "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC), "Heroes" (NBC), "House" (Fox), "Lost" (ABC) and "The Sopranos" (HBO).
In nonfiction TV: "Deadliest Catch" (Discovery), "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (ABC), "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" (Bravo), "Planet Earth" (Discovery) and "60 Minutes" (CBS).
In live entertainment/competition: "The Amazing Race" (CBS), "American Idol" (Fox), "The Colbert Report" (Comedy Central), "Project Runway" (Bravo) and "Real Time With Bill Maher" (HBO).
The 19th annual awards ceremony will be held February 2 at the Beverly Hilton. Feature nominees will be announced January 14.
Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo tied the knot with music producer Chris Ivery in a brief civil ceremony held at New York's City Hall Friday.
"They are over the moon," Pompeo's publicist, Jennifer Allen, said of the newlyweds.
According to Allen, the low-key ceremony lasted just a few minutes and was conducted by a city clerk. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a fellow Boston-area native, and First Deputy Mayor Patti Harris served as the couple's witnesses and were the only people present for the civil vow swap.
It's the first wedding for both.
"I'm very happy for her," Ellen's father, Joseph Pompeo, told People, adding his famous offspring informed him after the ceremony of his father-in-law status. "She just didn't want a big thing."
In keeping with the under-the-radar vibe of the nuptials, the newlweds have opted out of a honeymoon trip, though last month Pompeo told People magazine she and Ivery were planning a trip to Bologna, Italy, "very soon." In the meantime, they were spotted Sunday night celebrating courtside at a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
The couple have since returned to the West Coast, however, with Pompeo back on the set of Grey's Anatomy Monday. The show has continued production in the wake of the Writers Guild strike, though with series creator-writer-exec producer Shonda Rhimes refusing to cross the picket line, it will likely be forced to close up shop soon.
While Pompeo and Ivery, both 38, grew up minutes away from each other in Boston, they only met cute in 2003, at a Los Angeles grocery store. They played the "just friends" card for a full six months before veering into nonplatonic territory.
Their Friday wedding date was almost a year to the day since Ivery popped the question. The duo became engaged on Nov. 10 of last year, Pompeo's 37th birthday. The record producer proposed with a 3.5-carat emerald-cut diamond in a platinum setting from jewelry designer Tacori.
Since then, Pompeo has made no pretense about her desire for a hush-hush ceremony, frequently professing that she and Ivery would likely eschew Hollywood tradition and make do with an elopement.
The nominees are:
1. Favorite Movie: The Bourne Ultimatum; Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End; Transformers
2. Favorite Family Movie: Evan Almighty, Ratatouille, Shrek the Third
3. Favorite Action Movie: 300; The Bourne Ultimatum; Transformers
4. Favorite Movie Comedy: Knocked Up; The Simpsons Movie; Wild Hogs
5. Favorite Movie Drama: Disturbia; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Premonition
6. Favorite Threequel: The Bourne Ultimatum; Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End; Spider-Man 3
7. Favorite Independent Movie: Becoming Jane; A Mighty Heart; Sicko
8. Favorite Female Movie Star: Halle Berry; Sandra Bullock; Reese Witherspoon
9. Favorite Leading Lady: Jessica Alba; Drew Barrymore; Queen Latifah
10. Favorite Female Action Star: Jessica Alba; Jodie Foster; Keira Knightley
11. Favorite Male Movie Star: Johnny Depp; Denzel Washington; Bruce Willis
12. Favorite Leading Man: Jamie Foxx; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson; Joaquin Phoenix
13. Favorite Male Action Star: Matt Damon; Johnny Depp; Bruce Willis
14. Favorite On Screen Match Up: Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in Rush Hour 3; George Clooney and Brad Pitt in Ocean's Thirteen; Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 3
15. Favorite TV Drama: "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation;" "House;" "Law and Order: SVU"
16. Favorite TV Comedy: "The King of Queens;" "My Name is Earl;" "Two and a Half Men"
17. Favorite Animated TV Comedy: "Family Guy;" "King of the Hill;" "The Simpsons"
18. Favorite Sci-Fi Show: "Battlestar Galactica;" "Doctor Who;" "Stargate Atlantis"
19. Favorite Competition/Reality Show: "American Idol;" "Dancing with the Stars;" "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
20. Favorite Game Show: "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?;" "Deal or No Deal;" "Jeopardy"
21. Favorite Female TV Star: Sally Field; Katherine Heigl; Jennifer Love Hewitt
22. Favorite Male TV Star: Patrick Dempsey; Charlie Sheen; Kiefer Sutherland
23. Favorite Scene Stealing Star: Richard Belzer from "Law & Order: SVU;" Neil Patrick Harris from "How I Met Your Mother;" Chandra Wilson from "Grey's Anatomy"
24. Favorite Funny Female Star: Ellen DeGeneres; Whoopi Goldberg; Wanda Sykes
25. Favorite Funny Male Star: Will Ferrell; Adam Sandler; Robin Williams
26. Favorite Talk Show Host: Ellen DeGeneres; Jay Leno; Oprah Winfrey
27. Favorite Female Singer: Beyonce; Fergie; Gwen Stefani
28. Favorite Male Singer: John Mayer; Tim McGraw; Justin Timberlake
29. Favorite Group: Daughtry; Maroon 5; Rascal Flatts
30. Favorite Rock Song: "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's; "Home" by Daughtry; "Makes Me Wonder" by Maroon 5
31. Favorite R&B Song: "Beautiful Liar" by Beyonce with Shakira; "Because of You" by Ne-Yo; "Shut up and Drive" by Rihanna
32. Favorite Country Song: "I Need You" by Tim McGraw with Faith Hill; "Never Wanted Nothing More" by Kenny Chesney; "Stand" by Rascal Flatts
33. Favorite Hip-Hop Song: "Give It to Me" by Timbaland feat. Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado; "Party Like a Rock Star" by Shop Boyz; "Stronger" by Kanye West
34. Favorite Pop Song: "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie; "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce; "What Goes Around...Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake
35. Favorite Song from a Soundtrack: "Read My Mind" by The Killers from "Friday Night Lights;" "What I've Done" by Linkin Park from Transformers; "You Can't Stop the Beat" by the Cast of Hairspray from Hairspray
36. Favorite Reunion Tour: Genesis; The Police; Van Halen
37. Favorite New TV Comedy: Aliens in America; Back to You; The Big Bang Theory; Carpoolers; Cavemen; Chuck; Reaper; Samantha Who?
38. Favorite New TV Drama: Big Shots; Bionic Woman; Cane; Dirty Sexy Money; Gossip Girl; Journeyman; K-Ville; Life; Life Is Wild; Moonlight; Private Practice; Pushing Daisies; Women's Murder Club
CBS averaged a 12.2 rating/19 share for the evening, easily beating second-place ABC's 8.6/13. NBC finished third at 4.8/8, edging FOX, 4.6/7. The CW delivered a 2.4/4.
The adults 18-49 lead also went to CBS, which drew a 5.8 rating in the demographic advertisers chase. ABC took second with a 5.0, followed by NBC with a 3.5. FOX averaged 2.4 and The CW 1.5.
CBS led off the night with "Survivor: China" scoring an 8.8/14 at 8 p.m. "Ugly Betty," 7.4/12, put ABC in second. FOX was third with "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?," which beat NBC's "My Name Is Earl," 4.7/8, and "30 Rock," 4.1/6. "Smallville" earned a 2.9/5 for The CW.
The "CSI" half of a CBS crossover scored a 13.8/20 at 9 p.m. ABC stayed in second with "Grey's Anatomy," 12.4/18, which was the night's top show in the 18-49 demo. NBC moved up to third with "The Office," 4.9/7, and "Scrubs," 3.9/6. "Don't Forget the Lyrics" registered a 3.9/6 for FOX, two points better than "Supernatural" on The CW.
At 10 p.m., the conclusion of the crossover on "Without a Trace" posted a 13.7/23. The final few minutes of "Grey's" and "Big Shots" averaged 5.9/10 for ABC, just beating "ER," 5.8/10, on NBC.
• ABC's "Ugly Betty," "Pushing Daisies" and "Grey's Anatomy" each have four new episodes to go.
• "Desperate Housewives" airs the last of its current stock of new episodes Dec. 2.
• The final new episode of NBC's "Heroes" airs Dec. 3.
Stars Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh and T.R. Knight, who plays Dr. George O'Malley, spent their lunch breaks outside the Prospect Studios, where "Grey's" is filmed.
"We're supposed to be going until the end of May and right now our last shooting day will be Tuesday or Wednesday," Knight said. "As actors, we're paid a different way than the writers, but there's also the crew to keep in mind. They are out of work as of next Wednesday."
Said Oh, who plays Dr. Christina Yang: "This matter is way too important not only for our writers, but ultimately everyone who makes movies, everyone who makes entertainment here in this town and again for the rest of the world."
Other cast members included Justin Chambers, James Pickens Jr., Sara Ramirez, Eric Dane and Katherine Heigl, who portrays Dr. "Izzie" Stevens.
"You've got to have a story," Heigl said. "You've got to have a story in order to perform anything, to have any ideas on where to go and what to do, and where the character, story lines, arcs, everything. They're everything. We can't do it without them."
The strike began Monday after negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to produce a deal on how much writers are paid when shows are offered on the Internet.
"It's really a big tragedy to be out here striking at all," said Dempsey, who plays Dr. Derek Shepherd. "I think there are going to be a lot of people affected by this, that have families, that live paycheck to paycheck, that upsets me profoundly. But at the same time, I do feel that the writers deserve a better break on the deals they have been getting."
CBS scored a 10.0 rating/16 share in primetime to beat out ABC's 8.4/13. FOX, 5.2/8, came in third. NBC was not far behind at 5.0/8, while The CW pulled down a 2.3/4.
Among adults 18-49, ABC's 5.0 rating narrowly beat CBS' 4.8 for the top spot. NBC took third with a 3.7, followed by FOX, 2.5, and The CW, 1.5.
CBS started the night on top as "Survivor: China" delivered an 8.5/14. "Ugly Betty" earned a 6.8/11 for ABC. A celebrity version of "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" put FOX in third, beating an hour-long "My Name Is Earl," 4.7/7, on NBC. "Smallville" drew a 2.6/4 for The CW.
"Grey's Anatomy," 12.3/18, moved ABC to the lead at 9 p.m. CBS was right behind with "CSI," 11.8/17. A second hour of "Fifth Grader," 5.3/8, kept FOX in third, ahead of "The Office," 5.0/7, and "Scrubs," 4.1/6, on NBC. The CW went with "Supernatural."
"Without a Trace" dominated the 10 p.m. hour for CBS with a 9.8/16. The final minutes of an extended "Grey's" and "Big Shots" averaged 6.2/10 for ABC. NBC's "ER," 5.9/10, was third in households but had a few more total viewers than ABC.
Smith has joined the ABC series full-time as Dr. Erica Hahn, who's becoming the new head of cardiothoracic surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital. She's a de facto replacement for the departed Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), her one-time rival.
She's the second new regular to join the show this season, after Chyler Leigh, and her name was included with the regular cast in Thursday's credits.
Smith has been quite busy in recent months, doing a recurring role on Showtime's "Weeds" and guest-starring in the pilot of another ABC show, "Dirty Sexy Money."
Her credits also include a stint on "Crossing Jordan" and guest roles on "Six Feet Under," "Law & Order" and "Heist." On the big screen, Smith has appeared in "Silence of the Lambs," "The Namesake" and "Series 7."
FOX averaged a 10.1 rating/16 share in primetime (those numbers may change some due to the live broadcast). CBS finished second in households at 8.7/14, but ABC, 8.2/13, had a few more total viewers. NBC's 5.1/8 was good enough for fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.7/3.
In the adults 18-49 demographic, FOX's 4.8 rating led the way, narrowly beating ABC's 4.6. CBS, 3.9, edged NBC, 3.8, for third, and The CW was well off the pace at 1.1.
The World Series pregame and the start of Game 2 scored an 8.9/14 for FOX at 8 p.m. CBS, however, had the most total viewers for the hour with "Survivor: China," 8.6/13. "Ugly Betty" drew a 6.8/11 for ABC. NBC was fourth with "My Name Is Earl" and "30 Rock." The CW got a 2.8/4 from "Smallville."
ABC moved to the lead at 9 p.m. with "Grey's Anatomy," the night's top show at 12.1/18. The World Series improved to 10.8/17 on FOX. CBS aired a "CSI" repeat but still pulled down a solid 9.4/14. "The Office," 5.2/8, and the season premiere of "Scrubs," 4.2/6, kept NBC in fourth, ahead of "Supernatural" on The CW.
At 10 p.m., the World Series game reclaimed the top spot with a 10.7/17. "Without a Trace," 8.3/14, took second for CBS. "ER" posted a 6.0/10 for NBC, beating out ABC's "Big Shots" for third.
In a country enamored of the new, it's no surprise that most of our TV attention come fall goes to the premiering shows as we hunt and hope for a new hit. But it's worth remembering that one of the joys of series TV is the stability provided by prospering old favorites.
Returning shows having solid seasons abound, from CSI, Bones and Two and a Half Men to Without a Trace, Ugly Betty and Brothers & Sisters. But the best news may be the "prodigal son" pleasure of seeing three formerly astray, top-rated favorites rebound to prime form: Fox's House and ABC's Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.
Yes, it's early in the season, and in TV, what goes right can just as quickly go wrong. But there's no denying that after some rough patches, all three show once again rank among TV's best and most entertaining.
Before you start screaming "George and Izzie," "Susan and that dog," or "House and his gravediggers," let me add that lapses are inevitable. No series has ever produced 22 flawless episodes a year, and these three will be no exceptions. If you watch a series like some Web-enabled vulture, hoping to be the first to post an Internet death notice, that wish will inevitably self-fulfill. We're talking improvement here, not perfection.
That said, let's celebrate.
'House': A risk pays off
When we say we want shows to take risks, we mean we want them to take risks we like.
Last season, House (Tuesdays, 9 ET/PT, Fox) took a huge gamble, detouring for weeks on end into a vengeful cop's quest to punish the drug-addicted Dr. House. This year's risk was even more sizable — throwing out his team and bringing in a new set of contenders he's whittling down through a variety of reality-show-inspired devices.
Yet where the first failed, this one works, not only because it's better acted and less absurd, but also because it hooks us into the show's medical mysteries instead of operating outside of them. By removing House's helpers, the show has deepened our understanding of why he needs them and how he uses them.
It will be nice to have the old stars back in place, but in the meantime, we can enjoy watching House torture a new set of targets. And as a bonus, the shift seems to have provided more screen time and better scenes for Lisa Edelstein's Dr. Cuddy, which is all to the good.
'Grey's Anatomy': Back to basics
If ever a show needed to turn things around, it's Grey's (Thursdays, 9 ET/PT, ABC), which spent the last part of last season wallowing in multiple, deadly dull tragedies. Happily, both the tone and the characters' lives have brightened as the show returns to its split roots: a romantic comedy wrapped around a medical drama.
Amid a host of improvements, the smartest change was to restore Miranda Bailey (the fabulous Chandra Wilson) to her rightful place as the show's hilariously forceful voice of moral and medical authority. She's allowed to have her faults, but the show was far less fun when she spent every hour doubting herself.
Yes, I wish the dissolution of "Gizzie" were happening more quickly, and that the show made fuller use of Patrick Dempsey, a terrific actor who would better be able to synthesize his character's contradictions if the writers stopped inventing new ones each week. Still, Grey's once more seems to be pleasing more fans than it annoys, and that's a far better place to be.
'Housewives': The joy of a great addition
Desperate Housewives (Sundays, 9 ET/PT, ABC) was in less need of fixing, having bounced back last year from an awful sophomore slump. This season, however, is shaping up to be the best since the first, thanks in large part to the arrival of Dana Delany as the mysterious Katherine Mayfair.
The stories are stronger all around, led by Lynette's increasingly complex battle with cancer, which showcases Felicity Huffman's dramatic dexterity, and Gaby's marital woes, which shows off Eva Longoria's growth as a comic actress. Bree's (Marcia Cross) relative domestic peace is a relief, and if Susan's silliness sometimes spirals out of control, Teri Hatcher usually manages to keep her likable.
OK, there was that painful bit last week with the dog — but for old friends, you overlook a few mistakes.
The unfortunate recipient of the lad mag's Unsexiest title is "Sex & the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker, whose character Carrie Bradshaw is not only in high demand with the opposite sex, but is also a fashion diva among the fair sex.
Maxim, however, points out her more, um, equine features: "How the hell did this Barbaro-faced broad manage to be the least sexy woman in a group of very unsexy women and still star on a show with 'sex' in the title? Pull your skirt down, Secretariat, we´d rather ride Chris Noth."
In the runner-up position is the Beehived One herself, "Rehab" singer Amy Winehouse, whose "openly hemorrhaging translucent skin, rat's nest mane and lashes that look more like surgically attached bats.".
On the small screen, "Grey's Anatomy" star Sandra Oh took third place for playing "Dr. McSkinny, with her cold bedside manner and boyish figure."
Rounding out the Unsexy 5 is Madonna in the penultimate position "with a mug that looks Euro-sealed to her skull." The heir to her pop princess throne, Britney Spears, took last place because, "Less than five years ago, Britney had a python wrapped around her well-toned torso onstage at the VMAs. Since then, she´s lost the ability to perform, but gained two kids, two useless ex-husbands, and about 23 pounds of Funyun pudge."
Jackson will play a doctor on the ABC series. His first appearance is scheduled for the show's 11th episode, which barring a writers strike will likely air in December or January.
Jackson's stint on "Grey's Anatomy" will be his first TV role since "Dawson's Creek" ended its run in 2003. His recent movie credits include "Bobby" and the forthcoming "Shutter" and "Battle in Seattle," both of which are scheduled for release early next year.
CBS earned a 9.0 rating/14 share in primetime, beating out ABC, 8.2/13, for the lead. FOX grabbed third with a 7.5/12 (its numbers are likely to change some, as it had live sports). NBC, 5.3/8, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 2.5/4.
ABC scored a narrow win among adults 18-49, drawing a 4.5 rating to beat out CBS' 4.4. NBC finished third in the demographic at 3.7, followed by FOX, 3.3, and The CW, 1.6.
"Survivor: China" scored an 8.5/14 to win the 8 p.m. hour for CBS. FOX's coverage of the American League Championship Series drew a 7.0/11, edging ABC's "Ugly Betty" for second. "My Name Is Earl," 4.6/8, and "30 Rock," 3.9/6, put NBC in fourth. "Smallville" delivered a 3.1/5 for The CW.
CBS stayed on top at 9 p.m. with "CSI," 12.7/19. "Grey's Anatomy," 11.8/18, moved ABC into second and was also the night's top show among adults 18-49. Baseball on FOX was third, while "The Office" scored a 4.9/7 for NBC. "Supernatural," 1.9/3, closed the night for The CW.
FOX's numbers for baseball at 10 p.m. were unavailable. Among the other networks, NBC's "ER" led the way with a 6.6./11. "Big Shots" was second in households for ABC at 6.0/10. CBS' "Viva Laughlin" (5.8/10) had a few more viewers than ABC, but the murder mystery-with-music lost more than half of its lead-in audience and also fell at the half-hour mark.
Although their marital status officially ended on Dec. 22, the former couple took more than two years to settle their finances, which is the last step in any divorce.
In March 2005, a spokeswoman confirmed to PEOPLE that Oh, 36, and Payne, 46, 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 month in Los Angeles Superior Court. According to her filing, she was seeking spousal support. In his divorce response, Payne sought to deny those payments.
It was the first marriage for both; they had no children together.
Yes, premiere week ended 15 days ago. But Nielsen has just gotten around to releasing its updated, "live + 7" ratings, which takes in both live viewing of a show and DVR viewing up to a week later.
And while there was some shuffling in the rankings, for the most part the top shows the night after they aired remained the top shows a week later. They just picked up a couple million viewers along the way.
CBS' "CSI," for instance, was the No. 1 show of premiere week (Sept. 24-30) in the "live + same day" ratings -- which is what Zap2it reports each morning -- and remained that way in the live + 7 standings. It picked up 1.92 million viewers from the same-day figures, ending up with a total of 27.27 million.
ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" picked up the most delayed viewers that week, going from 20.95 viewers in the same-day ratings to 22.97 million in the plus-sevens, in the process passing the Monday "Dancing with the Stars" to become the second most-watched show of the week.
"The Office," which airs opposite "CSI" and "Grey's," added the highest percentage of viewers. The NBC comedy saw its viewership rise 10.9 percent from the same-day figures to the weekly numbers, finishing at 10.84 million viewers.
The seven-day numbers didn't change the top of the ratings too much, but there was some movement farther down the list. The new NBC drama "Journeyman" saw its premiere rise from 42nd to 36th in the rankings. The CW's "Smallville" also jumped six spots, from 76th to 70th.
And then there's "CW Now," the barely seen pop-culture magazine show that airs Sunday nights on its namesake network. It gained not a single viewer in the seven-day numbers, staying at the scant 777,000 viewers it attracted with its initial airing.
Network-suit types are still waiting for yet another set of numbers from Nielsen, this time measuring commercial viewing for up to three days after a show airs. Those "C3" ratings are likely to become the number advertisers watch most closely.
"I go several times a year. Christopher [Ivery], my fiancé, has family there and we go spend time with them whenever we get a chance," she tells PEOPLE, adding they're planning another visit "very soon."
So what's her favorite thing about Italy? "The food. I love the area of Bologna for food. I think it's really special," she said.
Her top-rated ABC series Grey's Anatomy is also a big hit and Italian fans are taken aback when they see Pompeo in real life.
"They're quite surprised to see me there," Pompeo, who turns 38 next month, said at the National Italian American Foundation's 32nd Annual Gala in Washington, D.C. "They just can't believe I'm in Italy. It's sort of out of context for them. They say 'Meredith! Meredith! It's you, Meredith! Oh my God, could it be Meredith?' "
Less surprising is that she's no slouch when it comes to cooking Italian. Her fiancé loves her Bolognese sauce, she says of the dish that pays tribute to her favorite region.
Pompeo doesn't seem to be in a rush to get married despite having been engaged nearly a year. She still hasn't started on the plans, but has thought about the kind of wedding she wants – "a quiet, simple, private one."
Other honorees at Saturday's NIAF gala, where Pompeo received group's Special Award in Entertainment, were director Martin Scorsese, actress Connie Stevens, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Rudy Giuliani, and AARP chief William Novelli.
CBS averaged a 9.9 rating/16 share in primetime, topping ABC's 8.5/14. NBC took third at 5.2/8. FOX, 4.6/7, came in fourth, and The CW posted a 2.4/4 for fifth.
In the 18-49 demographic, ABC's 5.0 rating led the way. CBS, 4.7, finished second, followed by NBC at 3.7. FOX averaged 2.1 and The CW 1.5.
"Survivor: China" put CBS on top at 8 p.m. with an 8.6/14. "Ugly Betty" drew a 7.1/11 for ABC, beating out "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?," 5.4/9, on FOX. NBC came in fourth with "My Name Is Earl," 5.0/8, and "30 Rock," 4.2/7. "Smallville" trailed on The CW.
At 9 p.m., CBS' "CSI" (12.3/19) held onto its overall title, but ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," 12.1/18, narrowed the gap from last week. NBC moved up to third with "The Office," 5.2/8. "Don't Forget the Lyrics" kept FOX ahead of The CW's "Supernatural," 2.0/3.
CBS completed its sweep as "Without a Trace" scored an 8.9/15 at 10 p.m. "Big Shots," 6.3/11, was second for ABC, beating out NBC's "ER," 5.7/10.
Yet Seth Green, co-creator of "Robot Chicken" and "Family Guy" co-star, is indeed a fan of the ABC medical drama. He'll also be, at some point later this season, a guest star on the show.
Elsewhere on the casting front, TNT has signed former "Boston Legal" star Monica Potter for its pilot "Truth in Advertising."
Green will play a patient in two episodes of "Grey's Anatomy." "If you are going to get sick, Seattle Grace is the place to do it," he tells The Hollywood Reporter. "Maybe they'll call me McSicky?"
The "Grey's" guest spot will be Green's first live-action TV work since his short-lived NBC sitcom "Four Kings" two seasons ago. He voices Chris Griffin on "Family Guy" and writes, directs and does voice work on "Robot Chicken." He also recently finished work on the feature "Old Dogs," which is due for release next year.
On "Truth in Advertising," Potter will play an award-winning copywriter who joins an ad agency in Chicago. She joins Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh in the cast.
In addition to "Boston Legal," Potter's credits include the first "Saw" movie and "Along Came a Spider."
For the night, CBS averaged a 10.2 rating/16 share, beating ABC's 8.3/13. NBC finished third at 5.3/9. FOX, 4.5/7, took fourth, and The CW trailed with a 2.4/4.
A tight adults 18-49 race also went to CBS, which drew a 4.9 rating in the advertisers' favorite demographic. ABC was right behind at 4.8. NBC, 3.8, came in third, followed by FOX, 2.1, and The CW, 1.5.
"Survivor: China," 8.5/14, put CBS on top at 8 p.m. "Ugly Betty," 6.6/11, was second for ABC. FOX grabbed third overall with "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?," although NBC did better in the 18-49 demo with "My Name Is Earl," 5.1/9, and the "30 Rock" premiere, 4.8/7. The introduction of Supergirl on "Smallville" earned a 2.9/5 for The CW.
CBS got a 12.8/19 from "CSI" at 9 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy," 12.3/19, kept ABC in second (and was the night's top show among adults 18-49). "The Office" posted a 5.0/8 for NBC, topping "Kitchen Nightmares" on FOX. The season premiere of "Supernatural" earned a 2.0/3 for The CW.
"Without a Trace" finished off the CBS sweep with a 9.4/16 at 10 p.m. "ER" scored a 6.1/10 for NBC, tying for second with ABC's "Big Shots," which bled more than half of its lead-in audience.
Stamile, who has done numerous guest-starring appearances in addition to co-starring on WB Network's "Off Centre," will play opposite Patrick Dempsey, a.k.a. Dr. McDreamy, but the producers are keeping mum on a potential onscreen romance.
"I feel I've learned so much this past year, so I'm grateful for that — so, yeah, that changes you," the 34-year-old actor said Thursday on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
Knight, who plays Dr. George O'Malley on ABC's hit medical drama, "Grey's Anatomy," announced that he's gay after it surfaced that Isaiah Washington had used an anti-gay slur against him during an on-set clash with a co-star.
Washington, 44, was booted from his role as a surgeon on the show after he used an anti-gay epithet backstage at the Golden Globe Awards in January while denying he'd used it previously on the set against Knight.
He publicly apologized and tried to make amends by meeting with gay-rights organizations and filming a public-service announcement calling for tolerance.
Knight said telling the world you're gay isn't an easy thing to do.
"Everyone has their own path," he said. "You just have to respect that. I know a lot of people who make statements but you have to do it when it's right for you."
Knight joked that he's dating someone very close to "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Katherine Heigl.
"Recently Kate and her fiance, Josh Kelley, and me and her mom went out to dinner ... and it was reported that it was with me and my new boyfriend. But that was really her mom," he told DeGeneres.
"So I guess I'm dating Katherine's mom right now," he quipped.
For the night, CBS averaged an 11.3 rating/18 share to top ABC's 9.4/15 (the two were separate by about 4 million viewers). NBC came in third with a 5.7/9. FOX, 4.2/7, finished fourth, while The CW drew a 2.4/4.
CBS also won the adults 18-49 demographic -- narrowly -- scoring a 5.8 rating to edge ABC's 5.7. NBC was a healthy third at 4.3, while FOX, 1.9, and The CW, 1.4, were well off the pace.
"Survivor: China" gave CBS the lead at 8 p.m. with an 8.4/14. The season premiere of "Ugly Betty" delivered a 7.4/12 for ABC. An hour-long season opener for "My Name Is Earl," 5.3/9, put NBC in third. FOX took fourth with "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" The CW got a 3.1/5 from the season premiere of "Smallville."
"CSI" scored a 14.8/22 at 9 p.m. as the fate of Sara Sidle was revealed. "Grey's Anatomy" began its season with a 13.0/20 on ABC (it did, however, snag the night's best 18-49 rating). NBC's hour-long "Office" earned a 5.4/8. FOX stayed in fourth with "Don't Forget the Lyrics," 3.6/5, and The CW repeated the "Reaper" premiere.
CBS closed its sweep of the night with "Without a Trace," 10.9/18. ABC's "Big Shots" premiered to a 7.8/13, beating the 6.4/11 for the season premiere of "ER" on NBC.
1) Lexie's going to have — and cause — issues. "They're saying Lexie is kind of like a shiny, happy Meredith — the one from the healthy family dynamic," says Leigh, whose character is still reeling from the death of her mother. "It hits pretty hard, especially working in the same hospital where her mother died. Lexie is trying to be very stoic and professional, but by the second or third episode, it all comes crashing down." She'll be working for the recently dumped Cristina Yang and become friends with George.
2) Chyler's a small-screen queen. She played an attorney on David E. Kelley's Girls Club and The Practice, a photographer on Reunion, an advertising exec on North Shore and a troubled teen several times, on shows such as 7th Heaven. One short-lived role she recalls fondly was on an Aaron Spelling show called Safe Harbor, which also starred her older brother Christopher. "It was about a widowed father and his three sons who owned a motel," she recalls. "I played a runaway teen that they found hiding in the motel, so my brother ended up playing my older brother on the show."
3) Chyler was a punk rocker. Leigh's parents split up when she was 12 and she and her brother moved from Virginia to Miami with their mom. "I was one of those angry teenagers," she says with a sweet smile. "I couldn't do sports or cut my hair because I was modeling, so the only thing I could do was wear makeup and listen to alternative and grunge — anything angry. I partied with my friends a lot."
4) She never graduated from high school. "I really hated school — I never did an ounce of homework," she reluctantly admits. "Any assignments I turned in were poetry. Apparently I was just really bored. I didn't actually graduate." Instead, she took the California High School Proficiency Exam. "It's the equivalent of a GED except there's less hard work on the test," she says. "And thank god it didn't include social studies or government, 'cause I would not have passed."
5) She had a supersweet 16. At the tender age of 16, Leigh came to L.A. looking for work but found herself on a losing streak. "Literally the last audition I went on before I said, 'OK, I'm done' was the first role I got." It was for a pilot called Saving Graces, and she had to test with four actors vying to be her on-screen boyfriend. "I came in and saw four good-looking guys," she recalls. "Three of them were in chairs and one guy was sitting on the floor, and when I saw him I just knew. I honestly knew that was the guy I was going to marry. It was very bizarre." Nathan West got the part and the girl — they married in 2002.
6) Her favorite role is playing mom. After pretending to be a doctor all day on a hit TV show, the actress heads home to son Noah, 3, and daughter Taelyn, 1. "It's a very kid-friendly set," Leigh says of Grey's Anatomy. "My daughter doesn't really know what's going on yet, but my son instantly fell in love with the 'crafty truck' because there's candy in there — at eye level!"
7) You can also call her "Betty Crocker." "My husband grew up in Anchorage, and we just spent nine months there," Leigh says. "When it gets that cold, you take on hobbies like cooking." She's become a major birthday-cake baker. "I made Noah a carrot cake and frosted it green and put ears on it so it looked like Shrek. And for my daughter, I just made a ladybug cake. I don't even know if she really knows what one is, but she's my little ladybug."
8) She's seen a hot young movie star nearly naked. In an especially memorable scene from her 2001 flick Not Another Teen Movie, her costar, Fantastic Four hunk Chris Evans, surprised her by wearing strategically placed whipped cream and toppings that made him look like an ice-cream sundae. "It really sucked to have to do that scene," she says, lying through her teeth. "He had such a terrible body! And he was extremely self-conscious, because when he turned around there was a banana wedged in his heinie."
9) Her husband is a very understanding man. Not to mention a very secure one. "I've been asked if I'll be having a romance with McDreamy or McSteamy," Leigh says. "And my husband told me to answer, 'What's wrong with a little bit of both? Maybe all at once, like McTeamy?'" She giggles. "Why not? They haven't done that yet on the show!"
"I feel I've learned so much this past year, so, yeah, that changes you," he said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Thursday. "Everyone has their own path. You just have to respect that ... It's impossible to know."
Knight, 34, previously told DeGeneres that hearing costar Isaiah Washington call him a homophobic slur on the set of Grey's gave him the courage tell the world.
"There's a lot of soul searching you have to do," he said Thursday.
Knight, who plays Dr. George O'Malley on the hit ABC drama, was nominated for a best supporting actor Emmy and received a special birthday gift this year.
Costar Katherine Heigl – who is also a close friend off-camera – surprised the actor with a puppy, which he named Arrow.
"I had been talking about [getting a dog] for a while. I guess there's a point – too much talk and not enough action," Knight said. "So she made the decision. It was great, yeah, she showed up at my house with it."
Although he may be happier, Knight insists that coming out hasn't much affected his love life.
"Recently Kate [Heigl] and her fiancé Josh Kelley and me and her mom went out to dinner, and it was reported that it was with me and my new boyfriend," he told DeGeneres.
"So I guess I'm dating Katherine's mom right now."
Disney-ABC International said the deal with Nelonen, part of SanomaWSOY group, marks the first time the company has introduced multiple network series to non-U.S. markets so soon after release.
Shows being offered include series such as "Ugly Betty," "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost."
Each episode will cost 3 euros ($4.2), and viewers can watch it up to 10 times within the next 24 hours of purchase.
Finland was particularly attractive to Disney, given the country's relatively high broadband penetration and viewers' appetite for legally downloading and paying to watch shows.
"We and Disney have a learning perspective here. Finnish people easily take up new technologies. As a relatively small, homogeneous market, Finland is a good test bed for consumer behavior," Finnish Nelonen's channel head, Pirjo Airaksinen, said.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but other Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services that provide television programming via broadband cables often involve a fee being paid by the broadcaster and revenue sharing.
Disney has made much over the past year of its desire to pursue new business models in growing markets outside the United States.
However, the Finnish agreement also reflects efforts by major studios and networks to get movies and television shows released faster to help combat piracy.
Arash Amel, a senior analyst at media research company Screen Digest in London, said the speed with which viewers in the U.S. could load television shows onto their computers and then circulate them on file-sharing or user-generated sites meant the broadcasting industry was moving faster towards simultaneous release for big shows.
"(Uploading such shows) is happening on a mass scale, and it means the windowing problems studios have for movies is now visiting the television sector," Amel said.
Amel said the growing threat of piracy meant companies were having to work faster and experiment more with getting shows to as many markets internationally as quickly as possible.
Nelonen said it had approached Disney-ABC to launch the service and the shows would now become available up to a year ahead of their screening on Nelonen's terrestrial channel.
Traditionally, it has taken anywhere between three and six months for U.S. shows to appear on European television screens, but that gap has been narrowing sharply.
"It is an old-fashioned model of doing business, which is all about content owners, networks and broadcasters controlling what viewers watch and when and in the era of Internet that model has crumbled," he added.
The move to reduce the gap was underscored in January when British-based satellite operator BSkyB began showing "Lost," one of the world's most popular TV shows, to UK viewers four days after it had aired in the U.S.
Nelonen said the service may include commercials as it evolves further.
"It remains to be seen if it will eventually be the consumer or advertiser who pays (for the shows)," Nelonen's Airaksinen said.
Nelonen reaches 2.1 million viewers a day with its TV-channel.
But the biggest staffing change is new actress Chyler Leigh, 25, who plays a character with a familiar last name: Grey. Meredith's half-sis, Dr. Lexie Grey.
While having another Grey around naturally complicates life for Ellen Pompeo's character, cast members rave about the addition.
"She's the sweetest, coolest, funniest chick," says Katherine Heigl (Izzie). "I think she is one of those girls who is quiet, because it's her first season on the show. I imagine it's awkward and difficult to come in to a cast that has been here for four years. But you spend a little one-on-one time with her, and she's just hysterical."
Leigh has much to celebrate beyond landing a role on one of the hottest dramas on TV. It comes after some rocky times.
She was born in Charlotte and raised in Virginia Beach. Her parents divorced when she was 12. She moved with her mother to Miami, where her mother remarried her first husband. Like her character, she, too, has distant half-siblings.
She met her actor husband, Nathan West, on a TV pilot audition when she was 16 and he was 20. Once settled in Los Angeles, they began a two-year battle with drug addiction that nearly cost them their lives. Her drug of choice from age 17 to 19? "Everything," she confesses. "There are a lot of times we really shouldn't have survived. He and I have literally been through hell and back,"
Leigh places some blame on their "broken families."
"We went through about two years of complete obliteration. It came down to, 'Do you want to choose to live, or do you want to choose to die? And we chose life."
She credits faith and a "really awesome church" with giving them "a reason to live."
She no longer communicates with her mother and has seen her father only rarely over the past eight years.
Now, she and Nathan, who works at their non-denominational Christian church in between acting roles, "have so much to share with our kids."
They married when she was 20 and are now the parents of daughter Taelyn, 1, and son Noah Wild West, almost 4, whose potato-like drawing of his mother is pinned up on the wall of her on-set trailer. T.R. Knight (George) remembers seeing Leigh on the short-lived 2005 series Reunion, where her character had to age from her teens to late 30s. "What a class act," Knight says. "She seems incredibly well adjusted for an actor and makes me laugh a lot."
After Reunion's cancellation, Leigh and her family moved to Anchorage to stay with Nathan's mother. When a call came about a possible role on Grey's, Leigh rented the show's second-season DVD from a store in the Alaskan city.
"We literally watched the whole season back to back over two days," she recalls. "Then we watched Season 3 online to catch up."
Soon after a meeting with series creator Shonda Rhimes, Leigh was offered the role of "Girl in Bar." When she filmed her scene with Patrick Dempsey, not even he knew this mystery character would turn out to be Meredith's sister. Leigh didn't find out herself until just three days before filming her first episode.
So how will Lexie get along with her big sis?
"Meredith thinks it's a bit strange that Lexie would even come to work at this hospital knowing she works here," says Pompeo. "It's awkward."
Pompeo, who has three older sisters and two brothers, says that Lexie's arrival will have a deep impact on Meredith. "She definitely has some issues and resentments she has to get over."
Cute little cuss: Oh has a habit of playfully cussing in scenes when her face is not on camera, at one point asking Ellen Pompeo, "What the (expletive) was that?" and calling Pompeo's Meredith "a whore." Says T.R. Knight (George), who shares his on-set trailer with Oh: "She has done that always."
Trailer mates: Justin Chambers (Alex) shares his trailer, or "tin box," as he calls it, with Katherine Heigl (Izzie). "I hear her loud mouth all the time — girl's got a loud mouth," he kids. Heigl slams right back: She says she has to listen to "trailer buddy" Chambers' daily doses of Judge Judy or Montel Williams. "I think he falls asleep with the TV on," she playfully groans. Chambers has more expansive digs off-set. Over the summer he purchased a California home, where his five kids have their own rooms.
Busy, busy: Pompeo, dressed in a gray sweater, starts her day by drinking coffee, writing checks and handing receipts to an assistant, whom she promises to reimburse $20 for gas. She chows down on food all day. Before lunch, she's dipping doughnuts in another cup of joe. After lunch, she runs off to find a stick of gum to get rid of her burrito breath.
Hair today: Jokes about Patrick Dempsey (Derek, aka Dr. McDreamy) keeping his hair perfect. When there's a delay between takes, Dempsey displays some of his cellphone photos to Pompeo and Oh. Then Pompeo warns the crew, "We've really got to get going. Patrick's hair is falling." Later in the day, after Dempsey has spent time relaxing, Pompeo asks, "What's wrong with your hair?" (It does look a little lopsided.)
The doctors are in: The assignment board lists Knight's George as one of the current interns — a good sign for the character, who was last seen failing his intern exam and packing up his locker. The other names of physicians, specialists and interns written on the board aren't random: They're Grey's crewmembers.
Working overtime?
During one scene, the ambulance is driven by a man who identifies himself as "Mike," with a shaved head, goatee and heavily tattooed left leg. He also was Sara Ramirez's (Callie) date at the previous evening's Emmy parties, and the two are spotted talking in between takes.
Back stories
It's golden: Still beaming from her Emmy win, Heigl says her new statuette is on an end table but tomorrow will be transferred to the mantel. "It's visiting new locations every day to see where I like it best," she says with a laugh. Her fiancé of more than a year, singer Josh Kelley, whom she plans to wed over the holidays, is on tour. But he was the first person she called from backstage.
Private ceremony: Kate Walsh, now of Private Practice, keeps in touch with many of her former cast members; she invited nearly all of them to her wedding Sept. 1 in Ojai, Calif. Absent: Dempsey and Pompeo. "I wasn't invited," Pompeo says with a shrug. "But I'm sure there's a lot of family, and she can't invite everybody."
"Good morning, my friends. How lucky we are to be here together."
TV's McDreamy practically sings this greeting to his Grey's Anatomy crew as he merrily arrives on set at ABC's Prospect Studios, dressed in a black leather jacket, the morning after the Emmy Awards to shoot the new season's sixth episode. (The season premieres Thursday, 9 p.m. ET/PT.)
Sure, there's a little sarcasm. Many in the room partied past midnight to celebrate the show's drama nomination and co-star Katherine Heigl's win as supporting actress.
This morning scene is a simple one, requiring Dempsey to pass Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Cristina (Sandra Oh) in a corridor without saying much. So instead, he playfully sticks out his tongue during a rehearsal.
"It's hard being pretty and talking," Dempsey cracks as he munches away on a breakfast burrito. "I had to starve myself for three days before the Emmys to fit into my tuxedo."
Dempsey jokes that series creator Shonda Rhimes, who is now devoting half of her time to spinoff Private Practice, is no longer around — "over on that other show, Boston Public."
And he teases that he has had sex with the whole crew. "It's all about the love in Season 4," he chirps. "Sex with everybody. I had the entire writing staff in Season 3." This inspires crewmembers to pipe in with their own mock confessions of liaisons with Dempsey.
During a break, the star acknowledges that the levity is intentional. "I think it's really important to keep a light energy, more now than ever," he says. "It's my responsibility to come in, have my work done, do it quickly, and get in and get out and make it a pleasurable experience. I decided after all that happened last year to just have fun."
He is, of course, referring to the controversy surrounding actor Isaiah Washington, whose contract playing Dr. Preston Burke was not renewed following months of discord after he uttered a homophobic slur on set.
The hard evidence of Washington's dismissal: On the trailer he used to share with actor James Pickens, the name "Burke" has been visibly scraped off.
(Yes, unlike the sprawling, deluxe, individual Desperate Housewives trailers, the Grey's cast all share half their trailers with a co-star because of the limited space on the lot. Justin Chambers, who plays Alex, believes this keeps them all humble. "It probably keeps things from getting out of hand," he says. "Me personally, I couldn't give a crap. I'm from New York. I'm used to small apartments. But some …" He stops himself before daring to stir up any controversy.)
The cast and producers are excited to get back to telling stories, instead of having stories told about them.
"That whole publicity craziness took on a life of its own and definitely had an effect on us," says Chambers, who has not talked to Washington since his dismissal. Dressed in his surgical scrubs since early morning, Chambers is leaning on a prop newspaper rack outside the hospital, yawning. "Now I think the morale's much better. We're all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to come back to work."
The episode is being directed by actor Tom Verica, who also directed one of last season's final episodes, when Burke and Cristina were selecting their wedding cake. "The situation I walked into last year was the knowledge of what had trans-pired," he says. "There certainly is an ease this year amongst the cast members — a feeling of playfulness, where one could say there was a little more going on last season."
T.R. Knight (George) and Heigl (Izzie), who both became mired in the controversy, seem more playful as well.
Knight believes the fun they are all having together on set will be noticed on-screen. "We've been around each other four years now, so we know what to expect. It's been really great."
Adds Heigl: "We know each other pretty well at this point and how best to work with each other. After a couple days off, I actually miss being there."
Clearly, Heigl is happier these days than her character, who will soon be performing heart surgery on a birdwatcher who must stay awake during a procedure. At least her immediate challenges are medical; previous seasons found her facing the death of her beloved Denny and then her ensuing crush, George, choosing to stay with wife Callie (Sara Ramirez).
Heigl hints that George might not be out of the picture, though many fans have objected to the union.
"Izzie is a mess," Heigl says while lighting a cigarette. "She has professed her love for George, and that makes perfect sense to me. It's so much more interesting to me to go with a story line that shocks people and makes them love it or hate it instead of going with what everyone expects.
"My goal this season, if George and Izzie continue, is to make all the people who hate it love it!"
Heigl and Knight say their real-life friendship makes shooting their love scenes easier, though Knight clearly jokes there is nothing going on between them in real life.
"We joke about making out in front of the paparazzi," Heigl says with a laugh. "The rumors we would start …"
As for the rest of the new season, Rhimes teases that there will be a divorce ("and not the one people are thinking of") and that the chief of surgery (Pickens) will make a decision about his living arrangement. (Last season's finale saw him reunite with his estranged wife.)
Other things have changed, too — in all cases, cast members say, for the better.
Though Burke left Cristina and she broke down in Meredith's arms in the finale, she appears to be back to her old cold self. She calls her four newly appointed interns, including Meredith's kid sis, Lexie (played by new series regular Chyler Leigh), by numbers, not names. Lexie is "3."
Kate Walsh, who played the adulterous ex-Mrs. McDreamy, Addison Montgomery, is gone, having been spun off into her own series, Private Practice.
Having the character move on rings true to both Dempsey and Pompeo.
"I never really bought why he stayed with her," Dempsey says. "If a woman is going to betray him like that, why would he stay?"
"Addison and Derek were pretty much done," Pompeo echoes. "What was Addison still doing in the hospital? They didn't work it out, so it makes sense that she would leave."
McDreamy Derek has buddied up with McSteamy Mark Sloane (Eric Dane), who were both abandoned by Addison. "There's an interesting camaraderie, which is kind of fun," Dempsey says.
Chambers' Alex gets reunited with his Jane Doe patient, Ava/Rebecca (Elizabeth Reaser), which Chambers says offers "new openings" more than closure.
As for the romance between Derek and Meredith, things seem pretty much the same as always.
Quizzed by Cristina in a hospital corridor scene, Meredith confesses that she and McDreamy (referred to by Cristina in this episode as "Mr. Incredible") have an upcoming "on-call-room date."
But Dempsey says, "It's much lighter this season. There's stuff going on, but it seems to be very simple. Meredith and Derek are sort of treading water."
"I don't know that Meredith Grey is capable of fun," Pompeo says with a giggle that turns into a slow groan. "All of our scenes are the same — we're either breaking up or having sex."
Pompeo herself, however, is clearly capable of having a good time. She returned home on Emmy night after midnight, puzzled by the number of children at the post-ceremony parties who approached her for photos and autographs. She obliged. "They're kids — you can't say no."
And she has big dreams: homes in several places, including the East Coast, Europe and Los Angeles, where she realizes all the work is.
"The great thing about when the show ends is that I'll have more freedom to travel," she says.
Her show connections already opened up some overseas opportunities. Over the summer, Pompeo and her fiancé, Christopher Ivery, visited Dempsey and wife Jill in London while he was shooting a film in Scotland.
Pompeo helped baby-sit the couple's twin sons, now 8 months, and says she can easily tell them apart: Sullivan "is a little more serious and a little bigger, maybe an athlete, and Darby looks more like a thinker and a poet. He may be the artist."
Which one does Dempsey think might be the actor? "Hopefully neither of them," says the actor, who doesn't bring his children to the set. "It's not an environment I want to have them in. My daughter (Tallulah, 5) doesn't particularly enjoy the energy."
He has a very different vision for his future than his on-screen love interest has for hers. The native of Maine looks forward to when he can re-evaluate where his children should grow up.
"I don't think this is the place at all where I want them to be," he says. "In the world that we're in, I just want to get back to some kind of innocence."
"I always thought I'd be scared, but I'm ready," Kelley tells PEOPLE. "I'm 27, and I feel I've done more than most people will do in a lifetime. I'm ready to settle down, start a family and build my Kelley empire."
The couple, who met when Heigl appeared in a video for Kelley's song "Only You," got engaged in June 2006. They have not revealed a wedding date, but Kelly is sure the 28-year-old Grey's Anatomy actress is the one.
"She's so great," he says. "We're both kind of carbon copies of each other in some ways, and we have our differences, which makes things fun and exciting."
The prospect of tying the knot has even inspired Kelley's latest material. "I just finished a new album called Special Company, which sort of takes you through the emotional roller coaster of getting married," he says. "I'm about to become a real man."
Are kids on the horizon? "We haven't talked about it," Kelley says. "We throw around names, but it's just for fun."
Kelley was performing in Las Vegas on Sunday night, as part of the Hennessey Artistry Concert Tour, and couldn't be in L.A. to see his girlfriend snag the Emmy for best supporting actress in a drama. But he got the news immediately, with a little help from his friends.
"My manager put her phone up to her TV so I could hear the acceptance speech," he said. "It's beautiful. She works so hard, and she's so deserving of it."
The couple soon spoke by phone, and it was clear the actress was over the moon. "I couldn't even understand what she was saying because she was so excited," Kelley says. "It was awesome."
According to Variety, Heigl plans to produce an adaptation of the Jacqueline Sheehan book along with her mother Nancy Heigl. You remember Heigl's mother, right? The nice lady at the Emmys who didn't think the "Grey's Anatomy" star was going to win.
"Lost & Found" is about a psychologist who moves to an island off the coast of Maine after the death of her husband.
The trade paper isn't quite sure if Heigl intends to star in the film as well as produce.
Heigl set up her production banner in the aftermath of the blockbuster success of "Knocked Up" this summer. Tentatively dubbed Abishag, the shingle is attached to an action comedy set up at Fox 2000.
Best know for his role as Izzie on "Grey's Anatomy" (and for her eagerness to have her last name pronounced correctly), Heigl's next film role is in the Fox 2000 romantic comedy "27 Dresses."
"When I was in Rhode Island filming this summer, I went to Sephora for the first time," she tells InStyle for its October issue. "It was like my holy mecca."
The obsession has led to a transformation in her bathroom, which she says she's reorganized to accommodate her products – some of which she gets for free. "I love getting those boxes," she says.
And while the Grey's Anatomy Emmy winner, 28, admits that her arms are wide open to freebies, she does have her limits. "There comes a point of gluttony that I can't accept," she says. "When that happens, I feel like I have to clean out and give stuff to my sister, mom and friends."
Heigl says the obsession stems from being conscious of her looks to the point that she always wears full makeup in public: "I do not want to be the 'Look What This Celebrity Looks Like Without Makeup' picture." And then she has what she considers her less-than-perfect attributes: her complexion and teeth.
"My skin is sensitive, so everything bothers it," she says. "And I'm the jerk who keeps switching products and making it worse."
Heigl wears an Invisalign retainer, which she removes in the interview before eating. "I got them because of this wonky tooth," she says. "It's awesome because every two weeks you switch to a new retainer. Pretty much the perfect way to describe Invisalign is Netflix for your teeth."
For her InStyle Hollywood Hair Makeover shoot, the self-professed product fanatic got to try on three different looks for three different covers. Posing with a glamorous updo, a short, brunette wig and her hair in loose ringlets, Heigl raved about the experience.
"To have these professionals turning you into someone else is pretty neat," she says of the transformation – especially when it came to her hair. "I've always wanted to be a brunette because in a town of blondes, it makes me look a little more exotic," she says.
Still, she has a favorite look of the three: "The Ingenue," which she describes as "sexy but not overtly so." The image – with her hair down and loose – seems to sum up Heigl's style perspective. Says the actress: "I like simple hair and makeup."
In between, former champ "Blades of Glory" remained at No. 2 on the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert sales chart for the week ending September 16,
Meanwhile, on Home Media Magazine's rental chart for the same week, a trickle of weak new theatrical releases kept a contingent of veterans at the top.
"Blades" held down the No. 1 position in its third week in stores, adding $5.5 million in rental earnings to bring its rental gross to $22 million. "Georgia Rule" and "Delta Farce," were at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, in their second weeks, each earning slightly less than $3 million for the week.
The highest-ranking newcomer on the rental chart was "Away From Her," at No. 10 with $1.7 million. The acclaimed Alzheimer's Disease drama, which earned $4.6 million in theaters, marked the directing debut of actress Sarah Polley.
On the high-def disc charts, "300" remained at No. 1 on both the Blu-ray Disc and the HD DVD sales chart.
Heigl, 29, phoned into the Ellen DeGeneres show on Tuesday to say her mother told her: "This year, you know, with The Sopranos women being nominated and it being their last year of the show, I really think they're going to win – so I don't want you to be disappointed if you don't."
The Sopranos stars Lorraine Bracco and Aida Turturro were up for the honor this year, as were Grey's costars Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson, and Brothers and Sisters actress Rachel Griffiths.
Heigl, who originally announced while accepting the award Sunday that her mother didn't think she'd win, told DeGeneres that her mom did say: "I love you and you're always a winner."
As for her father: "He had a big party in Georgia, and the party was for 'Its just great to be nominated,' which turned into, 'It's a hell of a lot better to actually win,' " Heigl said. "Even my dad was like in shock and said, 'I really didn't think you'd win.' Nobody thought I was going to win."
Of not expecting to hear her name announced, she said, "It's more fun that way because you can't get let down and you can only be excited about it."
In fact, Heigl is still in shock over her good fortune. Asked by DeGeneres if the news had sunk in, she said, "Like, it's not sinking in."
There was one person, however, who believed in her: Heigl's costar and good friend, T.R. Knight, who was sitting next to her during the award show.
"What did T.R. Knight whisper in your ear right before you went on stage?" asked DeGeneres.
"I think he said, 'You deserve it.' I can't quite remember. He's a tremendous supporter and such an awesome friend," said Heigl. "It was so great that he was sitting right there so I could just grab him for a couple more seconds before I had to get up there."
Of mom Nancy, whom she thanked from the stage: "She's the most phenomenal woman I've ever met. She's who I hope to be. This (Emmy) is for her because of all her strength, courage and fight. She never doubted me."
Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes and castmates Sara Ramirez and Kate Walsh skipped the Tony Bennett/Christina Aguilera number so they could toast Heigl backstage. "We're so proud and happy for our Katie," Ramirez said.
Drama Series: "The Sopranos," HBO.
Comedy Series: "30 Rock," NBC.
Miniseries: "Broken Trail," AMC.
Variety, Music or Comedy Series: "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Comedy Central.
Variety, Music or Comedy Special: "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC.
Made-for-TV Movie: "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," HBO.
Reality-Competition Program: "The Amazing Race," CBS.
Creative Achievement in Interactive TV: Current.
Actor, Drama Series: James Spader, "Boston Legal," ABC.
Actor, Comedy Series: Ricky Gervais, "Extras," HBO.
Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Robert Duvall, "Broken Trail," AMC.
Actress, Drama Series: Sally Field, "Brothers & Sisters," ABC.
Actress, Comedy Series: America Ferrera, "Ugly Betty," ABC.
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Helen Mirren, "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre)," PBS.
Supporting Actor, Drama Series: Terry O'Quinn, "Lost," ABC.
Supporting Actor, Comedy Series: Jeremy Piven, "Entourage," HBO.
Supporting Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Thomas Haden Church, "Broken Trail," AMC.
Supporting Actress, Drama Series: Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy," ABC.
Supporting Actress, Comedy Series: Jaime Pressly, "My Name Is Earl," NBC.
Supporting Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Judy Davis, "The Starter Wife," USA.
Individual Performance, Variety or Music Program: Tony Bennett, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC.
Directing, Drama Series: "The Sopranos: Kennedy and Heidi," HBO.
Directing, Comedy Series: "Ugly Betty: Pilot," ABC.
Directing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre)," PBS.
Directing, Variety, Music or Comedy Program: "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC.
Writing, Drama Series: "The Sopranos: Made in America," HBO.
Writing, Comedy Series: "The Office: Gay Witch Hunt," NBC.
Writing, Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special: "Prime Suspect: The Final Act," PBS.
Writing, Variety, Music or Comedy Program: Late Night With Conan O'Brien," NBC.
________________________________________
Winners in Creative Arts categories presented Sept. 8.
Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour): "South Park: Make Love, Not Warcraft," Comedy Central.
Animated Program (Programming One Hour or More): "Camp Lazlo: Where's Lazlo?," Cartoon Network.
Art Direction, Multi-Camera Series: "How I Met Your Mother," CBS.
Art Direction, Single-Camera Series: "Rome," HBO.
Art Direction, Miniseries or Movie: "Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre)," PBS.
Art Direction, Variety, Music or Nonfiction Programming (possibility of more than one award): "79th Annual Academy Awards," ABC; "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC.
Casting, Comedy Series: "Ugly Betty," ABC.
Casting, Drama Series: "Friday Night Lights," NBC.
Casting, Miniseries, Movie or Special: "Broken Trail," AMC.
Choreography (possibility of more than one award): "So You Think You Can Dance: Ramalama (Bang Bang)," Fox; "So You Think You Can Dance: Calling You," Fox; "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC.
Cinematography, Multi-Camera Series: "Two and a Half Men: Release the Dogs," CBS.
Cinematography, Single-Camera Series: "Rome: Passover," HBO.
Cinematography, Miniseries or Movie: "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," HBO.
Cinematography, Nonfiction Programming: "Planet Earth: Pole to Pole," Discovery Channel.
Cinematography, Reality Programming: "The Amazing Race: I Know Phil, Little Ol' Gorgeous Thing," CBS.
Commercial: "Animals," American Express.
Costumes, Series: "The Tudors: Episode 103," Showtime.
Costumes, Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre): Part 1," PBS.
Creative Achievement in Interactive Television: "The Fallen Alternative Reality Game," ABCFamily.com.
Directing, Nonfiction Programming: "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts," HBO.
Single-Camera Picture Editing, Drama Series: "Dexter," Showtime.
Single-Camera Picture Editing, Comedy Series: "The Office: The Job," NBC.
Single-Camera Picture Editing, Miniseries or a Movie (possibility of more than one award): "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," HBO; "The Path to 9/11: Night 2," ABC.
Multi-Camera Picture Editing, Series: "Two and a Half Men: Release the Dogs," CBS.
Picture Editing, Special (Single or Multi-Camera): "Cirque du Soleil: Corteo," Bravo.
Picture Editing, Nonfiction Programming: "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts," HBO.
Picture Editing, Reality Programming: "The Amazing Race: I Know Phil, Little Ol' Gorgeous Thing," CBS.
Hairstyling, Series: "Rome: De Patre Vostro (About Your Father)," HBO.
Hairstyling, Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "Jane Eyre," PBS.
Lighting Direction (Electronic, Multi-Camera) for VMC Programming: "49th Annual Grammy Awards," CBS.
Main Title Design: "Dexter," Showtime.
Makeup, Series (Non-Prosthetic): "Deadwood: I Am Not the Fine Man You Take Me For," HBO.
Makeup, Miniseries, Movie or Special (Non-Prosthetic): "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," HBO.
Prosthetic Makeup, Series, Miniseries, Movie or Special: "House: Que Sera Sera," Fox.
Music Composition, Series (Original Dramatic Score): "Planet Earth: Pole to Pole," Discovery Channel.
Music Composition, Miniseries, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score): "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King Battleground," TNT.
Music Direction: "79th Annual Academy Awards," ABC.
Original Music and Lyrics: "Saturday Night Live Host: Justin Timberlake," Song Title: "Dick in a Box," NBC.
Original Main Title Theme Music: "The Tudors: Episode 5," Showtime.
Guest Actor, Comedy Series: Stanley Tucci, "Monk," USA.
Guest Actor, Drama Series: John Goodman, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," NBC.
Guest Actress, Comedy Series: Elaine Stritch, "30 Rock," NBC.
Guest Actress, Drama Series: Leslie Caron, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," NBC.
Special Class Program: "The 60th Annual Tony Awards (2006)," CBS.
Children's Program: "Nick News With Linda Ellerbee: Private Worlds: Kids and Autism," Nickelodeon.
Nonfiction Special: "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib," HBO.
Nonfiction Series: "Planet Earth," Discovery Channel.
Reality Program: "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List," Bravo.
Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking (possibility of more than one winner): "A Lion in the House (Independent Lens)," PBS; "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts," HBO.
Writing, Nonfiction Programming: "American Masters Andy Warhol: A Documentary Film," PBS.
Sound Editing, Series: "24: 10:00 PM — 11:00 PM," Fox.
Sound Editing, Miniseries, Movie or Special: "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," HBO.
Sound Editing, Nonfiction Programming (single or multi-Camera): "Planet Earth: Pole to Pole," Discovery Channel.
Sound Mixing, Comedy or Drama Series (one-hour): "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Living Doll," CBS.
Sound Mixing, Miniseries or Movie:"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," HBO.
Sound Mixing, Comedy or Drama Series (half-hour) and Animation (possibility of more than one award): "Entourage: One Day in the Valley," HBO; "Scrubs: My Musical," NBC.
Sound Mixing, Variety or Music Series or Special: "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC.
Sound Mixing, Nonfiction Programming (single or multi-camera): "American Masters Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built," PBS.
Visual Effects, Series: "Battlestar Galactica: Exodus, Part 2," Sci-Fi Channel.
Special Visual Effects, Miniseries, Movie or Special: "Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King: Battleground," TNT.
Stunt Coordination: "CSI: Miami: Rush," CBS.
Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video for a Series: "Saturday Night Live: Host Alec Baldwin and Musical Guest Christina Aguilera," NBC.
Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video for a Miniseries, Movie or Special: "American Idol: Idol Gives Back," Fox.
Individual Achievement in Animation (possibility of more than one award): "Avatar: The Last Airbender: Lake Logai," Nickelodeon; "Moral Orel: The Lord's Prayer," Cartoon Network; "Robot Chicken: Lust for Puppets," Cartoon Network; "Camp Lazlo: Squirrel Secrets," Cartoon Network; "Good Wilt Hunting (Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends)," Cartoon Network; "My Gym Partner's a Monkey: The Big Field Trip," Cartoon Network; "Class of 3000: Eddie's Money," Cartoon Network; "Billy & Mandy's Big Boogey Adventure (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy)," Cartoon Network; "Eloise: Me, Eloise," Starz Kids and Family; "Family Guy: No Chris Left Behind," Fox.
Governors Award: "The Addiction Project," HBO; "American Idol's `Idol Gives Back,'" Fox.
Kate Walsh, Jennifer Morrison, Rebecca Romijn and Katherine Heigl channeled screen sirens of yesteryear with their retro looks.
Heigl was in a white, off-the-shoulder Zac Posen gown that was punched up with red lips — also seen on Klum and Christina Aguilera.
"Red is a really hot color for fall," said Monika Blunder, the Chanel makeup artist who worked with Heigl. "She had an old Hollywood feel with a modern twist."
Walsh's red satin dress was by Pamela Dennis, who also designed Michelle Pfieffer's fitted knee-length black dress with sequins on the front.
Morrison wore a beaded gown by Elie Saab. "We had to take it apart to fit me, but look at it now. It has a total classical feel to it," she said. Romijn's vintage Guy Laroche gown was decorated with flapper fringe. She wore her hair in a soft, wavy updo that showed off her diamond, ruby and white-enamel earrings by Neil Lane.
Eva Longoria literally sparkled in a gold cocktail dress with an open back by Kaufman Franco. "He designed my wedding dress and I just thought this was perfect," she said, particularly thankful for the low-cut back because of the heat.
Teri Hatcher wore a blush-colored silk chiffon gown with a crystal beaded bodice by Badgley Mischka Couture. She stars in the label's current ad campaign.
Felicity Huffman's asymmetrical draped gown by David Meister in a bright magenta color balanced sexy and elegant. She joked on E!'s preshow that she had to sew it to her skin. Marcia Cross wore a silver diamante pleated gown by Georges Chakra that was accessorized with a Lorraine Schwartz snake bracelet and triple-teardrop earrings.
Dangling earrings were a major trend of the night, with Patricia Heaton pairing oversized gold earrings with her sparkling gold gown.
Sally Field's strapless Valentino gown was simple except for its bright magenta color. She wore dangling diamond earrings by Cathy Waterman, but unlike most of the stars she won't be returning them — she owns them.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus wore one of the top colors for this fall — purple. Her dress was a deep jewel color by Narciso Rodriguez with a scoop neck and pintucks on the bust. Minnie Driver's draped chartreuse gown was by Donna Karan, and Vanessa Williams' seafoam green gown with feather embellishment was by Kevan Hall.
Ferrera's strapless gown with a jeweled waist was electric blue.
Joely Fisher wore a lemon yellow, plunging V-neck gown with beaded mesh insets by Pamella Roland, and Hayden Panettiere's empire-waist, blush-colored gown was by Marc Bouwer.
There always are actresses who go with classic black — a safe choice that can also prove stunning: Mariska Hargitay wore a Zac Posen with architectural lines, Rachel Griffiths was in a strapless Chanel and Kyra Sedgwick wore a two-piece outfit by Oscar de la Renta with a subtle touch of feathers at the peplum and on the tiers of the skirt.
Jaime Pressly's beaded scoop-neck gown by St. John Couture had a '40s feel. She chose it, she said, because it was a bit unusual. "I knew nobody would be wearing this," she said.
Oh's black dress by Bottega Veneta had a touch of white tulle on top.
Pompeo added a gold tassel necklace and lots of bracelets by Fred Leighton to her navy dress by Michael Kors, whom she joked was her boyfriend because she so often wears his designs to big events. Her hair was big in a 1950s style.
Wanda Sykes was in a black Gucci pantsuit. She said she looked good in Gucci suits. "I just love the way it feels," she said of her outfit. "Except for right now, it's hot."
Glenn Close selected a Giorgio Armani midnight navy silk halter gown with satin lapel detailing, front slit and delicate train, and Tina Fey wore a Carolina Herrera navy chiffon gown with a polka-dot underlay.
Elizabeth Perkins' Carolina Herrera sleeveless white dress with bits of black and yellow was from the designer's resort collection. Perkins, who also wore champagne-colored cushion-cut diamond earrings on a French wire set by Chopard, said the dress was right for the night because it was light. "It's not necessarily couture but it's comfortable."
There also was a red-dress camp that included Mary Louise Parker, who wore a Marquesa diamond bracelet totaling almost 30 carats from Harry Winston, and Ali Larter, who called her strapless goddess gown by Reem Acra "a little sliver of nothing."
Klum wore a wine-colored gown with an up-to-there slit by Christian Dior Couture. She wore diamond jewelry from her own collection.
And veteran star Leslie Caron wore a gown she designed herself with fabric she bought in India.
"I had an amazing time," the Private Practice star tells Extra.
Walsh, 39, married movie executive Alex Young, 36, over Labor Day weekend, with the couple saying their "I dos" before 100 guests – including Walsh's former Grey's Anatomy costars Katherine Heigl, Chandra Wilson, Sara Ramirez, Justin Chambers and the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes.
"First when you walk down the aisle, that was pretty powerful," she says. "To have a church full of everybody that is near and dear to me and that I love and that loves us and seeing his face!"
Having now experienced her her big day, "I see why people have week-long weddings," she says. "Let's just keep it going."
As for rumors that she is expecting, Walsh replies, "A baby, no. We might get a new puppy."
For now, she says, "We are just excited to spend time with each other."
"It does feel different," Pompeo told PEOPLE at L.A. Confidential magazine's annual Emmy party, celebrating her cover shoot. "I love change. I think when one door opens or closes, another one opens. The seasons change and everything changes and I think change is good."
"It's good to turn over the dirt," she continued of the show's fourth season. "It feels nice and there's new beginnings for everybody and it feels great."
Walsh now has her own spin-off, Private Practice, and Washington will appear on the new show Bionic Woman after his firing from Grey's in the controversy over his use of a homophobic slur.
"They're missed, of course," says Pompeo. "But I'm also very happy and very hopeful for their new beginnings. You know, they're both taking on whole new chapters in their careers, which I think is really exciting for them. So, to sort of think about how it affects us is rather selfish. We just have to hope that their new endeavors are as successful, and I just wish them the best."
Pompeo's feelings were seconded by her Emmy-nominated co-star T.R. Knight. "It's been going really well," he told PEOPLE Sunday at a party celebrating the Emmy-nominated television producers, including Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes.
Though Knight said he's excited to be working new cast member Chyler Leigh, he is missing his pal, Walsh.
"I just went to her wedding this weekend and so luckily we'll still see her, but what she brought to the show and on set and her humor we'll miss her a lot," Knight said.
Pompeo was joined at the L.A. Confidential party by her finacé, music executive Chris Ivery. The actress said she and Ivery aren't in the midst of any wedding plans, and don't expect to have a traditional ceremony.
"To me a wedding is a piece of paper," she said. "I don't think it's going to change how we feel about each other. Every day is like a wedding when I wake up with him. We just have something so special. I don't need a big dress or four hundred people there to declare my love. I think we declare it every day to each other. So that's just our way. Different for different people."
"We love providing viewers with unexpected and unique marketing campaigns that are organic to our programming," said Michael Benson, executive vice president, Marketing, ABC Entertainment. "This is a great opportunity and a fun way to get viewers excited about the return of 'Grey's Anatomy,' and TV Guide is the perfect place for it," added Marla Provencio, executive vice president, Marketing, ABC Entertainment.
"As 'Grey's Anatomy' is one of the most popular shows on television, we are delighted that ABC chose to partner with us for this unique promotion in celebration of the new season," said Pete Haeffner, publisher, TV Guide.
“The team is pumped up for our first run in the Mazda and we couldn’t be happier to bring SoBe to our party,” Dempsey said. “I was honored to run in the Baja 1000 off-road race last year with SoBe Life Water and this event represents a logical step forward for Hyper Sport as a team and myself as a racing driver. We are taking things one step at a time and are focusing on this race to test the waters for the Rolex Series. Our goal is to start and finish the race as professionals and get as much experience as we can.”
Co-driving in the RX-8 with Dempsey will be teammates Joe Foster and Charles Espenlaub, while he will drive solo in the 45-minute Mazda MX-5 Cup “sprint” race. Dempsey is a very busy man these days, balancing life as an actor, husband, dad, racer and Mazda voice-over talent for TV commercials.
The Sunchaser 1000K is the final race in the 13-round Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve. The competition for high-performance, production-based sports car racing has been a battleground for seven different automakers in the GT class this year.
The actor tells Extra that his 6-month-old twin sons "are developing beautifully ... It's a lot of fun."
It's a sentiment he echoes when asked about filming the latest installment of his hit TV show: "It's a lot lighter, people are having more fun."
"The energy and the adjustments make a big difference," he says, referring to the departure of Isaiah Washington after an on-set altercation between the stars last season.
Definitely pumped to be back at Seattle Grace, he declares, "I'm going to go save some lives again!"
Dempsey, 41, who races cars on the Hyper Sport racing team, plans to have twins Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick driving "soon enough."
"You can get those little go carts," he says, but there'll be "no pressure" for them to race like dad.
The Grey's Anatomy cum Private Practice star has tied the knot with her fiancé of just four months, movie executive Alex Young, in a sunset ceremony at California's Ojai Presbyterian Church in the resort town just north of Los Angeles, People reports.
The 39-year-old bride donned a custom-made gown from go-to celeb wedding dresser Monique Lhuillier, the 36-year-old 20th Century Fox exec wore the requisite penguin suit.
The duo swapped vows in front of slightly more than 100 guests, among them Walsh's former Grey's Anatomy costars Sara Ramirez, Katherine Heigl and Chandra Wilson. Show creator Shonda Rhimes was present for the ceremony, which kicked off with a gospel choir rendition of Rascal Flatts' hit "Bless the Broken Road," as was Kate Beckinsale and her hubby, director Len Wiseman.
According to the magazine, Walsh's big day is already turning into a big night as well, at the nearby Ojai Valley Inn & Spa resort. The nuptial madness is set to continue with a reception and sit-down dinner at the inn's Spanish-style estate, Casa Elar. The newlyweds are also expected to host a postnuptial brunch for their guests on Sunday morning.
It's the first marriage for both, and while the fairy-tale ending was smoothly executed, the run-up to the union wasn't totally bump free.
"I had a fitting a few days ago, and who knew someone could get that hysterical about a bra!" Walsh told Entertainment Tonight last week about her brief flirtation with being a bridezilla. "The sad part was there was a mirror there, so I had to see my face turn to stone, snakes coming out of my hair. It was bad. I can't believe I had a meltdown over a bra!"
Still, the bride said, "I'm living a very good dream."
Walsh and Young announced their betrothal last May—he popped the question during a trip for two to San Francisco—just one day after ABC announced it had picked up her spinoff for the fall season. Walsh confirmed the engagement after being unable to hide the massive sparkler on her finger, a Neil Lane Jubilee-cut diamond.
The duo were first spotted together this spring and went public at an Apr. 26 Los Angeles fundraiser for Barack Obama. It's unclear how the two first met, though Young is a close friend of Walsh's boss, ABC president Steve McPherson.
It's also unclear whether the happy couple is planning on honeymooning in the immediate future, though both will need to hightail it back to the daily grind sooner or later. Private Practice, serving with high hopes as ABC's new Wednesday night anchor, premieres Sept. 26.
New cast/significant changes: Isaiah Washington was terminated and his Dr. Burke has departed. Kate Walsh (Addison) is also gone, departing for her spinoff, Private Practice. Chyler Leigh returns as a new surgical intern and Meredith's half-sister, Lexie. Ben Vereen guest-stars as a burn victim, while Diahann Carroll reappears as Burke's mom.
Where we left things: Burke left Cristina (Sandra Oh) at the altar. George (T.R. Knight) failed his intern exam. Izzie (Katherine Heigl) professed love for George. Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) implied her relationship with Derek (Patrick Dempsey) was over.
Where things are headed: The George/Izzie/Callie (Sara Ramirez) dynamic continues to fuel tension. Callie is named chief resident over Bailey (Chandra Wilson), who thought she was a lock for the job. With Addison out of the picture, "McSteamy" Derek will try to resurrect his friendship with "McDreamy" Mark (Eric Dane). A jilted Cristina comes back from her honeymoon, which she took with Meredith. Former amnesia patient Eva (Elizabeth Reaser) makes a return.
Overall, the tone of Grey's will be lighter than in Season 3. "We had a pretty heavy season last year. We feel like we've earned the right to get back to light and fun," says executive producer/writer Krista Vernoff, who promises the plotlines will include the sexual antics and humor that helped make the show a phenomenon.
Less than four months after accepting a proposal from her real-life McDreamy, movie executive Alex Young, the Grey's Anatomy actress, 39, is planning to get married over Labor Day weekend.
Young, 36, and Walsh, who stars in the new Grey's spinoff, Private Practice, will wed at California's Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. In fact, with the help of wedding planner Jo Gartin and her company Love Luck and Angels, the celebration will be a three-day-event.
The festivities will kick off with a rehearsal dinner on Friday, include a pre-wedding meal on Saturday and a sunset ceremony, then wrap up with a post-wedding brunch on Sunday, according to a source.
During the ceremony, the bride will wear a custom made Monique Lhuillier wedding dress, the source says. The Saturday reception will be held outdoors at the inn's Casa Elar, a Spanish-style estate, where the pool will be covered to accommodate the approximately 110 guests.
Among those invited are Grey's costars Katherine Heigl and Sara Ramirez.
Says Ramirez about the soon-to-be-newlyweds: "They balance each other out. She laughs all the time when she's texting him. It's really cute."
In June, Walsh told PEOPLE about her whirlwind romance: "I'm literally living the dream. But you know when you know. I was not expecting it, so it's kind of amazing."
The actors behind these TV roles — Katherine Heigl, Kate Walsh, Jeremy Piven, Jimmy Smits, Kelsey Grammer and Hayden Panettiere — are among the presenters set to appear at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 16, executive producer Ken Ehrlich announced Wednesday.
Other small-screen stars presenting prizes on TV's biggest night include Steve Carell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jon Stewart, Patricia Heaton, Kyle Chandler and the cast of "Entourage": Piven, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara.
The Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, will be broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium on Fox.
Look for Ron to pop up in the fourth episode of the season. His character, Will, is the fiancé of a Seattle Grace patient.
Turning a lap of 1:16.382 (71.687 mph) at the 11-turn, 1.521-mile temporary street course, Saini reset the MX-5 Cup lap record at Trois-Rivieres by nearly 0.02-second and believes the No.28 Autobarn Mazda/SafeRacer.com MX-5 still has more in it for the race.
“The car felt fantastic,” Saini said. “We made some changes to the car and the track felt much better this morning. With the cool air it was working great. I actually passed a car during that lap, so there’s some more in there.”
Saini earns an additional two points for his pole position, which means a third-place finish or better is all it will take to clinch the 2007 MX-5 Cup Championship this weekend. Saini thanked his team for easing the pressure of capturing a win on the tight street circuit.
“I feel like I’m in a position now where I can defend the lead rather than scrap my way up there,” Saini continued. “Being on pole at a street course is always a good advantage, so I have to thank the team and everyone that worked so hard.”
Earning the highest grid position of his MX-5 Cup career, Cole climbed his way up to the second row on the final lap of the 20-minute session. Driving the No. 88 DEX/Western Companies/RPM MX-5, Cole entered a time of 1:17.073 (71.044 mph).
Saini’s teammate and closest Championship rival Andrew Caddell, of Graham Wash., will start third. As qualifying came to a close, it appeared the driver of the No. 30 Team MER/AimSport/Pinnacle Mazda MX-5 would complete the front row with his teammate, entering a time of 1:17.107 (71. 013 mph). Alas, the young driver’s spot was snatched by the veteran Cole on the final lap. Currently 43 points behind Saini, a win is essential for Caddell to stop his teammate from clinching the title in the penultimate round.
Jesse Combs, of Woodlands, Texas , will start fourth in his No. 7 Coolgas Ltd./Alara Racing MX-5 with a time of 1:17.164 (70.690 mph). In only his third MX-5 Cup race, Mark Jenkins, of McKinney , Texas , will take up the fifth spot on the grid.
Third at Trois-Rivières last year, Todd Buras will start sixth, alongside the only other driver with a mathematical chance of catching Saini in the final two races, Ara Malkhassian. Matt Cross, Tim Probert and Brad McAllister complete the top ten.
In his second MX-5 Cup appearance, actor and star of Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey qualified 16th on the grid in the No. 29 AutismSpeaks.org/Team MER MX-5.
A hectic filming schedule has kept Dempsey’s race-seat time to a minimum so far this season, but after wrapping up work on his latest movie, the actor is ready to return to his favorite hobby in a series that will quickly bring his skills back up to par.
“I think the competition is unbelievable in MX-5 Cup,” Dempsey said. “If you can be competitive in this series, you can be competitive in any series. It really teaches you momentum and working on your line, plus the cars are a lot of fun to drive.”
Dempsey’s love of racing is a life-long one. Growing up attending races like the Indy 500 with his father, it wasn’t long before being a spectator wasn’t enough and racing school beckoned. As his acting career blossomed with the success of Grey’s Anatomy, so did his racing career. Now an Indy Racing League team owner as well as driver in SCCA and Grand-American races, Dempsey has found that racing and acting give his life a calming yet productive balance.
“It’s in my contract when I renegotiated that I had to be able to race,” smiled Dempsey. “It’s important for my well being and their well being, because I come back to the set humbled and grateful that I got the opportunity to slip away. I appreciate my day job more and vice versa when I get to come to the track.
“A lot of the pros I’ve met through the racing schools, so they’ve known me before [Grey’s Anatomy]. They’re pretty good natured in tearing me down and keeping me in line with practical jokes and things like that. I’m glad I got into racing prior to the success of the show, but certainly the success of the show helps me with sponsorship. Supercuts has been really great and I have a great relationship with Mazda and got to do the voiceovers for all their commercials.”
For Sunday’s 45-minute MX-5 Cup race, Dempsey will step behind the wheel of the No. 29 AutismSpeaks.org/Team MER MX-5. As a parent of three children, the mission of Autism awareness is easy for Dempsey to identify with.
“We’re seeing more cases of Autism being diagnosed and we don’t know where it’s coming from or why it’s happening, especially more in boys. I have two young sons and it’s certainly a concern of mine. I think for anyone who’s a parent and anyone who has to go through this, it’s a difficult thing, but there’s a lot of help out there now that wasn’t there before. The big thing is to be aware and watch your newborn, talk to your doctor and educate yourself about it. That’s why it’s great to be a part of Autism Speaks.”
“We’re really happy that Patrick has agreed to drive the Autism Speaks car,” Team MER representative Marc Miller said. “Ever since my son was diagnosed it’s been a passion of mine. Thankfully with the support of the team we can provide some exposure to the organization and what they’re doing and having Patrick driving the car is an added boost to the whole program.”
Dempsey will return to MX-5 Cup competition, September 20 – 22, at Miller Motorsports Park for the series finale. The Salt Lake City, Utah road course was the site of Dempsey’s MX-5 Cup debut last year.
The videos -- 11 are expected by the end of the season -- will air on ABC.com and in some cases on such other platforms as iTunes, ABC Mobile and the network itself.
After a successful run last season with music videos for "Grey's," "Betty" and "Lost," ABC is relying much more heavily on the marketing tactic -- which also helps promote the artists' songs -- to launch its new season.
For the upcoming season of "Ugly Betty," ABC produced a music video with British pop singer Mika, who re-recorded his hit single "Big Girl" with new lyrics. The music video -- which features Mika recording the new version of the song "Betty Girl," footage from his "Big Girl" video and scenes from Season 1 of "Betty" -- will premiere Thursday on ABC.com. The song also will be featured on-air in ABC's promo spots for "Betty."
In the case of "Housewives," ABC produced a music video to reggae youngster Sean Kingston's chart-topping "Beautiful Girls." It wove clips from all the past seasons of the suburban soap with footage from the upcoming season and shots from Kingston's own music video. It premiered July 27 and is available on ABC.com.
ABC is believed to be the only network using music videos to promote its shows. Since the music videos are mutually beneficial to ABC and the record labels/artists, the network does not pay licensing fees to use footage from already existing music videos, nor does it pay the artists when they appear in footage shot especially for the ABC videos.
Last season, ABC produced three music videos for "Grey's" -- for Brandi Carlile's "The Story," the Fray's "How to Save a Life" and Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars." The "Chasing Cars" video made it onto iTunes' top 10 list after it aired during the closing moments of the "Grey's" season finale.
ABC also produced a music video for "Lost" combining footage from the show with Brian McFadden's music video "Demons," and a music video for "Ugly Betty" featuring an original song by Jason Mraz.
"I just think the media should take this country in a different direction," the 37-year-old actress tells the new issue of Los Angeles Confidential Magazine, on newsstands Aug. 15.
"We're so focused on the wrong things. We're teaching young girls that this is what they should be focusing on: rich and famous girls who are rich and famous for nothing."
In an apparent reference to coverage of Paris Hilton and her ilk, Pompeo says: "What are we doing to this younger generation? It's not very responsible."
Pompeo, who plays Dr. Meredith Grey on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," also calls the media "irresponsible" for ongoing speculation that she has an eating disorder.
"I just worry about the girls who look up to me — I don't want them to think I starve myself or don't eat, and that to be like me that's what they have to do," explains the actress, who says she is naturally slender.
Pompeo, who is engaged to record producer Chris Ivery, says they haven't yet set a wedding date. They became engaged in November, after dating for three years.
"I swear we're going to get married at sometime," she says. "We're just trying to fit it all in. It won't be a big ceremony — we want one thing to ourselves."
Does she see children in her future?
"I do," she says. "With the show, I just don't know if it's entirely fair to myself and to everybody else right now. We'll see what happens."
Before she takes her foray into marriage, the Private Practice star grabbed a group of girls, including former Grey's Anatomy castmate Sara Ramirez, and headed to Sin City for the pre-nuptial rite of passage.
And the girls lived it up with sunning, workouts and even some "male entertainment," all of which was arranged by Las Vegas party planner Mike Doty, PEOPLE has learned. (Doty declined to comment for this story.)
Kicking off the festivities Friday night, the party laid low, gambling a bit at The Venetian – then resting up for Saturday.
Walsh and company began their wild day by sunning at a private cabana at Tao Beach. "They were really relaxed and having fun, but a few of the girls, including Kate, left when it got busy there."
After a quick workout, the actress then got a surprise in her hotel room: a visit from two male strippers.
Later, continuing their Vegas blitz, the ladies were spotted dining on sushi rolls, lobster wontons and Kobe beef at Tao Restaurant. "You could tell they were all really content. Kate looked really happy and couldn't stop smiling," an onlooker said.
"Sara (Ramirez) even got on the table and started dancing," the source said. "Everyone was laughing and clapping."
Following dinner, the party of 17 headed up to Tao Nightclub, where Walsh drank lightly and eventually joined Ramirez on the club's catwalk, dancing until 1:30 a.m.
Walsh, who has not announced her wedding date, got engaged to Alex Young, a production co-president at 20th Century Fox, in May.
"I know – I'm literally living the dream," she said of meeting her fiancé just three months earlier. "But you know when you know. I was not expecting it, so it's kind of amazing."
The actress and her manager-mother Nancy Heigl have joined the ranks of Will Smith, Madonna and Drew Barrymore by forming their own production shingle, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The first project at the newly formed company is an untitled action-comedy with Fox. Heigl will star in the project, for which the plot is currently under wraps. A search for writers is under way.
Heigl, 28, has appeared in a number of forgettable films including "Valentine," "Bride of Chucky" and "The Ringer." She finally hit the jackpot with the Judd Apatow project "Knocked Up" opposite Seth Rogen.
She next stars in "27 Dresses," scheduled for release in January 2008, playing Jane, a woman who has been a bridesmaid 27 times and wonders if she'll have to stand by in an ugly dress again while her sister marries the man that Jane secretly loves.
"I had a fantastic time doing it, and I think I got a good 'pop' off it," O'Donnell says, fondly recalling his run as Meredith's onetime paramour, Finn. "I've known [executive producer] Ridley [Scott], and we've talked in the past about working together. When they were putting this together, those Grey's episodes were on and they thought, 'Let's get Chris.' The timing really worked out for me." O'Donnell, though, is at a loss to detail what exactly it was about Finn that Scott took a shine to: "I delivered a horse...?"
Now, as The Company's Jack McAuliffe, O'Donnell delivers a gripping tale of Cold War CIA agents fighting a ruthless Soviet enemy. Posing as a Yale alum with "a soft job in the State Department" and stationed in Berlin, McAuliffe reports to Alfred Molina's Harvey Torriti (aka the Sorcerer) and puts life and love at risk to ferret out a mole (or two) within their own ranks, at times bumping up against counterintelligence agent James Jesus Angleton (aka Mother, played by Michael Keaton). There are codes to be cracked, informants to be vetted and shadows to be dodged on dank German streets: It's a grown-up version of the spy-vs.-spy game we all played in our youth. "When I was a kid, I was totally into that," O'Donnell shares. "You get that first set of walkie-talkies and you tape it so [the channel is] open and you plant it in a room and listen in.... That was always exciting."
But in TNT's sprawling saga, the stakes are high, and more real. "Much like Jack goes from being really eager to serve his country and not realizing the realities of it, this project opened my eyes a bit," says his portrayer. "It seems like a glamorous job when you go see a James Bond film, but if you really start to think about these guys living in these countries, not really able to talk to anybody about what they're really doing, and the danger they put themselves in... it's not like you're in a war with other troops and you're fighting together. These guys were out there so naked and exposed."
Based on Robert Littell's historical novel of the same name, TNT's The Company had to take some liberties with its source material, a compromise O'Donnell is familiar with. "When we did Circle of Friends and I read Maeve Binchy's original book, I thought, 'There's so much good stuff we're leaving out!'" the actor recalls. "It's hard, the choice you make about what to keep and not keep. [Littell's The Company] has so many great stories, but you can't keep everything, and I thought they did a really good job. You get a real sense of what it must be like for these guys. There's action, emotion, deception.... The technology has really changed today, but the lengths they went to, using dollar bills and [encrypted] radio messages [to relay information], was amazing."
And a far cry from tending to Meredith Grey's pooch, a responsibility O'Donnell may have held onto longer had TNT not come calling. "I forget how many [Grey's Anatomy] episodes I originally signed on for, and then they asked me to stay longer, which I did. But then [The Company] came up, and I said to [Grey's creator] Shonda [Rhimes], 'I really want to do this [miniseries], but I don't want to screw you guys up. Let's try to do both for a while here.' But I kind of knew.... " After all, as O'Donnell adds with a laugh, "Finn's a vet! It's not like they're opening a wing of Seattle Grace serving animals."
In any case, would O'Donnell return to complicate Mer's love life yet again? "I had a good time and I don't know how the story would be, but it would be fun, I suppose," he says. "But I have no plans to."
"This is the thing that kept me sane,” Washington told USA Today. “While all the negative was happening [on Grey's Anatomy], I had all this support over there."
To soothe any bad feelings he had from the on-set altercation with Patrick Dempsey during which it was alleged that Washington used a homophobic slur, he says immersed himself in his children's charity, the Gondobay Manga Foundation.
The actor also tells the newspaper that he and his wife are considering adoption since the trip.
"There is one boy, about 8 years old, who I fell in love with [in Sierra Leone]," he says. "But I'm not interested in stripping him of his culture. My wife and I have three kids already, but we have talked about [adoption], and we're not ruling it out."
The actor's foundation is building a school in the Njala Kendema village in Sierra Leone, with 350 students due to start there this September.
Says Washington , who is currently shooting five episodes of NBC's new drama The Bionic Woman: "I feel safer in Sierra Leone than I do in L.A., because they're my people and they're not trying to hurt you. If anything, they're maybe going to try to get money out of you to survive."
He adds that, once he found that he had a genetic connection to people of that African nation, it has helped keep him going on a regular basis.
"When I get to the point when I'm very frustrated, I go to my Web site to check e-mails from [people] all over the world who want to help out."
On the Today show on Wednesday, the actor was asked about his four children. "Another on the way," he replied, before high-fiving Today cohost Ann Curry.
He added, jokingly, "Yeah, we're just starting to figure out how it works. I think I know why this is happening, but we're really excited about it."
The 37-year-old actor married Fentress, a schoolteacher, in 1997. Their four other children are Lily, 7, Chip, 6, Charlie, 4, and Finley, 16 months.
O'Donnell also mentioned on Today that he has just finished filming Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery, a drama based on the American Girl line of dolls – a project which gave his daughter Lily a true movie-making experience.
"She came to the set and hung out for four days," he said. O'Donnell is currently starring in the CIA miniseries The Company on TNT.
Details on his role are being kept under wraps, but it is understood that he will play a doctor in at least three episodes.
Herrmann, who most recently co-starred on "The Gilmore Girls" as Lorelai's (Lauren Graham) father, won an Emmy in 1999 for his guest role on "The Practice."
Oprah Winfrey, host and supervising producer of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," earns an estimated $260 million a year, according to a list in TV Guide magazine's July 23 issue.
Music producer Simon Cowell, the blunt and often contentious British judge of "American Idol," placed a distant second to Winfrey, with $45 million for his role on the Fox network's smash hit talent show and other projects.
Courtroom chief Judge Judy (Judith Sheindlin), CBS News anchor Katie Couric and "Scrubs" actor Zach Braff round out the top five.
The list breaks down star salaries by category -- prime-time TV, daytime, cable and news with a partial listing below:
TOP FIVE (all salaries are per year)
Oprah Winfrey ("The Oprah Winfrey Show"): $260 million
Simon Cowell ("American Idol"): $45 million
Judge Sheindlin ("Judge Judy"): $30 million
Katie Couric ("CBS Evening News Anchor"): $15 million
Zach Braff ("Scrubs"): $6.3 million
NETWORK PRIME TIME (all salaries are per episode)
William Petersen ("CSI"): $500,000
Charlie Sheen ("Two and a Half Men"): $350,000
Mariska Hargitay ("Law & Order: SVU"): $350,000
Chris Meloni ("Law & Order: SVU"): $350,000
Hugh Laurie ("House"): $300,000
Julia Louis-Dreyfus ("New Adventures of Old Christine"): $225,000
Ellen Pompeo ("Grey's Anatomy"): $200,000
Eva Longoria ("Desperate Housewives"): $200,000
DAYTIME (all salaries are per year)
Judge Judy: $30 million
Bob Barker: $10 million
Maury Povich (per year plus profits): $7 million
Ellen DeGeneres: $5 million
Jerry Springer: $3 million - 4 million
Tyra Banks: $3.5 million
NEWS ANCHORS (all salaries are per year)
Katie Couric ("CBS Evening News" anchor): $15 million
Matt Lauer (NBC "Today" co-anchor): $12 million
Meredith Vieira (NBC "Today" co-anchor): $10 million
Brothers & Sisters • ABC • ABC Studios
Jeanie Bacharach, Casting Director
Gillian O'Neill, Casting Director
Friday Night Lights • NBC • Imagine Television, Film 44 in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
John Brace, Casting By
Linda Lowy, Casting By
Beth Sepko, Location Casting By
Grey's Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
John Brace, Casting By
Linda Lowy, Casting By
Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip • NBC • Shoe Money Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television
Elizabeth Barnes, Casting By
Francine Maisler, Casting By
Liberman Patton, Casting By
The Tudors • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Peace Arch Entertainment, Working Title, Reveille Productions Limited, An Ireland-Canada Co-Production
Steve Brooksbank, US Casting Consultant
Mary Jo, C.S.A., US Casting Consultant
Nuala Moiselle, Casting By
Frank Moiselle, Casting By
Outstanding Drama Series
Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Grey's Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Heroes • NBC • Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
House • Fox • Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
24 • Fox • Imagine Television & 20th Century Fox Television in association with Realtime Productions
Jean Smart, Jean Smart as Martha Logan
Grey's Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Kate Burton, Kate Burton as Ellis Grey
Grey's Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Elizabeth Reaser, Elizabeth Reaser as Jane Doe
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Leslie Caron, Leslie Caron as Lorraine Chalmers
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit • NBC • A Wolf Films Production in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Marcia Gay, Marcia Gay Harden as Star Morrison
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Miniseries, Movie Or A Special
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation • Living Legend • CBS • An Alliance Atlantis Production in association with Paramount Television
Tom Hoerber, Key Makeup Artist
Melanie Levitt, Department Head Makeup Artist
Matthew Mungle, Department Head Special Makeup Effects Artist
Clinton Wayne, Special Makeup Effects Artist
Grey's Anatomy • My Favorite Mistake • ABC • ABC Studios
Brigitte Bugayong, Key Makeup Artist
Tom Burman, Prosthetic Makeup Designer
Bari Burman, Prosthetic Makeup Designer
Norman Leavitt, Department Head Prosthetic Makeup Artist
House • Que Sera Sera • Fox • Heel and Toe Productions, Shore Z Productions, Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Dalia Dokter, Department Head Prosthetic Makeup Artist
Ed French, Prosthetic Makeup Artist
Jamie Kelman, Prosthetic Makeup Artist
MADtv • 1203 • Fox • Girl Group Co.
Jennifer Aspinall, Department Head Makeup Artist & Special Makeup Effects
Heather Mages, Makeup Artist
James Rohland, Makeup Artist
Randy Westgate, Makeup Artist
Scott Wheeler, Prosthetic Designer
Nip/Tuck • Conor McNamara 2026 • FX • The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television
Bill Corso, Additional Makeup Artist
Stephanie Fowler, Key Makeup Artist
Eryn Krueger, Department Head Makeup Artist and Designer
Christien Tinsley, Prosthetic Makeup Designer
Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series
Battlestar Galactica • Exodus, Part 2 • Sci Fi Channel • R+D TV in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Tom Archer, Lead Compositor
Brenda Campbell, Lead Compositor
Doug Drexler, CG Supervisor
Michael Gibson, Senior VFX Coordinator
Jeremy Hoey, Lead Matte Painter
Gary Hutzel, VFX Supervisor
Andrew Karr, CGI Supervisor
Alec McClymont, Lead CGI Artist/ Animator
Adam Mojo, CGI Sequence Designer
Eureka • Pilot • Sci Fi Channel • NBC Universal Television Studio
Elizabeth Alvarez, Visual Effects Coordinator
Jamie Clark, Lead CGI Artist / Animator
Jarrod Davis, CGI Supervisor
Ben Funk, Lead Matte Artist
Robert Habros, Visual Effects Supervisor
Lane Jolly, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
Darren Marcox, Special Effects Supervisor
Matthew S, Visual Effects Producer
Tom Tennisco, Lead Model Maker
Grey's Anatomy • Walk On Water • ABC • ABC Studios
Mike Cook, Lead Visual Effects Animator
Diego Galvieri, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
Eric Grenaudier, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
Al Lopez, CGI Supervisor
Sam Nicholson, Visual Effects Supervisor
Anthony Ocampo, Lead Model Maker
Val Pfahning, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
Scott Ramsey, Visual Effects Supervisor/ Producer
Heroes • Five Years Gone • NBC • Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Gary D'Amico, Special Effects Supervisor
Diego Galtieri, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
Ragui Hanna, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
Mark Kolpack, Visual Effects Supervisor
Daniel Kumiega, Lead CGI Animator
Chris Martin, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
Jon Rosenthal, Lead CGI Artist
Mark Spatny, Visual Effects Producer
Cedric Tomacruz, Lead Matte Artist
Rome • Philippi • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with the BBC
Daniel Acon, Special Effects Supervisor
Gary Brozenich, CGI Supervisor
Barrie Hemsley, Visual Effects Producer
Merrin Jensen, Visual Effects Producer
Duncan Kinnaird, CGI Supervisor
Doug Larmour, Lead Visual Effects Compositor
James Madigan, VFX Supervisor
Anna Panton, Visual Effects Producer
Paula Pope, Visual Effects Coordinator
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
William Shatner, William Shatner as Denny Crane
Grey's Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
T.R Knight, T.R. Knight as George
Heroes • NBC • Tailwind Productions in association with NBC Universal Television Studio
Masi Oka, Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura
Lost • ABC • ABC Studios
Terry O'Quinn, Terry O'Quinn as John Locke
Lost • ABC • ABC Studios
Michael Emerson, Michael Emerson as Ben
The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Michael Imperioli, Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Brothers & Sisters • ABC • ABC Studios
Rachel Griffiths, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Whedon
Grey's Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Sandra Oh, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang
Grey's Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Chandra Wilson, Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey
Grey's Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Katherine Heigl, Katherine Heigl as Isobel "Izzie" Stevens
The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Aida Turturro, Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano
The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment
Lorraine Bracco, Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi
Last year's big Emmy winners were Thursday's nominees—and not, as the field was revealed for the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
Defending Comedy Series champ The Office was in the game again, alongside HBO's hipster Entourage, CBS' traditional Two and a Half Men and the freshmen series 30 Rock and Ugly Betty of NBC and ABC, respectively.
Fox's 24, meanwhile, will have to content itself with the admiration of Vice President Cheney, because the torture-touting adventure, which claimed the 2006 Drama Series Emmy, didn't make the finals for the 2007 race. The show was edged aside in part by the rise of Heroes.
In its first year of eligibility, the capeless NBC superhero series snagged eight nominations overall, including Outstanding Drama Series and Supporting Drama Series Actor (for Heroes' own Hiro, Masi Oka).
Heroes will need to draw on all of its powers, and maybe borrow some from Superman, to prevail in the drama-series race. Its competition: veteran nominees Boston Legal (ABC), Grey's Anatomy (ABC) and House (Fox), as well as a certain former champ in its final season, The Sopranos.
The HBO crime-family drama, which ended its six-season run in June, notched a total of 15 nominations, tops for any series.
Overall, westerns ruled, with the HBO movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and the AMC miniseries Broken Trail roping in 17 and 16 nominations, respectively.
Ugly Betty was the top comedy series nominee, with 11 nods, including acting ones for guest stars Salma Hayek (she's also the show's executive producer) and Judith Light, supporting diva Vanessa Williams and star America Ferrera.
Other top multiple nominees include Grey's Anatomy, 30 Rock and USA's glitzy Hollywood miniseries The Starter Wife, all with 10.
For those who keep track of such Grey's Anatomy things, T.R. Knight was among the show's nominees—he's up for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series; Bionic Woman-bound former castmate Isaiah Washington wasn't.
Elsewhere on the snub front, ABC's Desperate Housewives and Lost got nominated, but didn't get as many glamour nominations as in the past; NBC's Friday Night Lights got renewed, but it didn't get included in the top categories (it scored nods for casting and direction); Gilmore Girls got zip, which is to say it got just one fewer nomination than all of the CW.
Among those who were nominated, Ferrera, last January's Golden Globe champ, will face off in the Comedy Series Actress category against: Wisteria Lane representative Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives); reigning Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine); Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), also nominated for her work in the Oxygen TV movie The Robber Bride; and fellow first-time acting nominee Tina Fey (30 Rock), a past winner as a writer for Saturday Night Live.
Star of 24 Kiefer Sutherland had better luck than his series, earning a berth in the Drama Series Actor category against The Sopranos' James Gandolfini, House's Hugh Laurie, Rescue Me's Denis Leary and Boston Legal's James Spader. Sutherland is the defending champ.
Law & Order: SVU's Mariska Hargitay has a shot to become a repeat Emmy winner in the Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. Her competition: The Closer's Kyra Sedgwick; Medium's Patricia Arquette; The Riches' Minnie Driver, scoring her first ever Emmy nod; The Sopranos' Edie Falco; and Brothers & Sisters' Sally Field, a two-time Oscar winner who's vying for her first Emmy win since 2001.
Back on the comedy series front, reluctant 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin will square off in the Lead Actor category against Steve Carell (The Office), 2006 winner Tony Shalhoub (Monk), Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men) and Ricky Gervais (Extras).
In the Reality Competition field, Fox's top-rated American Idol will try, try, try again to defeat CBS' The Amazing Race, currently on a four-year winning streak, ABC's popular Dancing with the Stars and Bravo's potboilers Project Runway and Top Chef. In a not terribly surprising development, though one that likely will be met with glee at the home of one former View cohost, Donald Trump's The Apprentice did not make the cut.
In the non-game-playing Reality Program category, Kathy Griffin's Bravo vehicle, My Life on the D-List, will give it another go against the ABC weepie Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Rounding out the field: PBS' Antiques Roadshow; National Geographic's Dog Whisperer and the Penn and Teller Showtime series that dare not speak its name in a family forum (aka Bulls--t!).
For the first time this decade, Will & Grace didn't score any nominations, not even in the guest-actor categories. (The deep-sixed sitcom's Emmy swan song was sung last year.) Former star Debra Messing earned her annual nod anyway—up for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for USA's The Starter Wife.
Messing's competition: The Robber Bride's Parker; a first-time Emmy nominee known as Queen Latifah, up for HBO's Life Support; the formidable Gena Rowlands, up for Lifetime's What If God Were the Sun; and, extending her tour of the awards-show circuit, newly minted Oscar winner Helen Mirren, back in the Emmy game for PBS' Prime Suspect: The Final Act.
The one-and-done Studio 60 earned a respectable five nominations, including one each for guest actors John Goodman and Eli Wallach, but none for star Matthew Perry. The former Friends player still got in the Emmy game, though, thanks to his Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie nomination for the TNT true-life teacher tale, The Ron Clark Story.
Perry's competition: Huffman spouse William H. Macy, up for TNT's Nightmares & Dreamscapes; Jim Broadbent, up for HBO's Longford; Robert Duvall, up for AMC's Broken Trail; and Tom Selleck, up for CBS' Jesse Stone: Sea Change.
Elsewhere, Knight and Oka will square off in the Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category against Boston Legal's William Shatner, The Sopranos' Michael Imperioli and Lost's Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn.
The Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category is basically a showdown between Grey's Anatomy (Katherine Heigl, Chandra Wilson, Sandra Oh) and The Sopranos (Aida Turturro and Lorraine Bracco). If the stars from those two shows split the votes, then the nonaligned Rachel Griffiths, of Brothers & Sisters, might find a clear path to the podium.
Entourage hogged two spots (for Kevin Dillon and defending-champ Jeremy Piven) in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series race. The Office got one for Rainn Wilson, and none for John Krasinski's multiple facial expressions. Jon Cryer and Neil Patrick Harris of the CBS sitcoms Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother, respectively, round out the category. The nod for Harris is the first for the prime-time fixture formerly known as Doogie Howser.
Two and a Half Men was the surprise dominator in the Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category. The sitcom's Holland Taylor and Conchata Ferrell will face off against My Name Is Earl's Jaime Pressly, The Office's Jenna Fischer, Weeds' Elizabeth Perkins and Ugly Betty's Williams.
The Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie lineup likely could get past security at the Oscars: Anna Paquin (Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee); Samantha Morton (Longford); Toni Collette (HBO's Tsunami, the Aftermath); Judy Davis (The Starter Wife); and Greta Scacchi (Broken Trail). All but Scacchi are former Academy Award winners or nominees.
Ed Asner notched his 16th career nomination with an Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie nod for the Hallmark Channel's The Christmas Card. The other contenders: Broken Trail's Thomas Haden Church; Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee's August Schellenberg and Aidan Quinn; and The Starter Wife's Joe Mantegna.
And in the highly competitive Original Music and Lyrics category, Family Guy's touching "My Drunken Irish Dad" and Mad TV's holiday send-up "Merry Ex-Mas" will do battle with the Saturday Night Live-produced YouTube smash love song "Dick in a Box," cowritten by Justin Timberlake and SNL's Andy Samberg, and two ditties from Scrubs' musical episode, "Everything Comes Down to Poo" and "Guy Love."
The 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to be presented Sept. 16 in a Fox telecast from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium.
Washington will 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.
The network is expected to announce the deal today at a TV critics meeting here.
Washington, 43, 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, 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 has signed on for at least five episodes of the new 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 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."
The actor, who was let go from the ABC hit in June, unexpectedly showed up at Kiki Shepard's 5th Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge to "Bowl a Strike for Sickle Cell Disease" at the PINZ Entertainment Center in Studio City, Calif.
Washington, who seemed in good spirits, first casually greeted Pickens with a pat on the back before the two got to chatting, then gave Wilson a hearty hug and kiss hello.
Carrying an unlit cigar, Washington opted not to bowl and instead watched as Pickens, who plays Dr. Richard Webber on Grey's, showed off some of his skills with a few strikes and a couple spares.
As it is, Washington, 43, has already made a strike of his own. The actor has landed some new TV gigs, including a guest-starring role on this fall's NBC remake of Bionic Woman with Michelle Ryan. He's also landed a development deal as the lead star in a potential action drama he pitched to NBC for the 2008-09 season, according to USA Today, which was first to report his latest career moves.
As for his former home base, with the Grey's team having reported back to work last Monday, Wilson told PEOPLE it just isn't the same. (Besides Washington's departure, Kate Walsh is also gone – preparing to start her own show, Private Practice.)
"There's something's missing," said Wilson, who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey. "There are definitely big voids there, so you're trying to figure out how do you work now with the voids … not only personally but for the characters … and what does that mean?'"
Pickens declined to discuss Washington but did offer some kind words for Walsh. "She was such integral part of the cast and so beautiful and funny," he said. "But I'm so happy for her with the new show. I wish her nothing but success with it."
At Monday's gathering of the cast – the first since Grey's broke in May – "We started with a vengeance," said Wilson. "It's like full 14-hour days already, so it didn't feel like we took a break." Added Pickens: "You hit the ground running."
Added to the cast is Chyler Leigh, who plays Lexi Grey, Meredith Grey's half-sister and a new Seattle Grace intern.
"She's really talented." Pickens said of Leigh. "We're looking forward to seeing how she integrates into the cast. I haven't had any scenes with her, but from what I've seen I think she's going to be a great addition."
Leigh first joined the show in her role as Lexi Grey, Meredith Grey's half-sister and a Seattle Grace intern, for the third season's final two episodes, and found out two weeks ago that she was a new series regular.
"Everyone is super gung-ho about the season," she said Thursday. "(Show creator) Shonda (Rhimes) said in her blog this is going to be a different season. Last season was so dramatic, and everything came crashing down. This season will be the redemption from all that mayhem."
The show was rocked by the controversy over Isaiah Washington's use of a gay slur, ending with the actor's dismissal and parting comments.
But Leigh, 25, says the experience of joining the hit show has been a series of pinch-me moments. "I'm still in every moment looking behind myself going: Who me?'" Leigh says. "I still walk on and before every scene my heart starts pounding, but that's always been the case for me. I use it as a motivator."
Leigh, who is married to actor Nathan Woods and has two children with him, Noah, 3, and Taelyn, 10 months, has had several television roles to prepare her for the experience, including gigs on Reunion and The Practic.
"At first I had that kind of new kid in school feeling," she jokes. "But everyone has been warm and welcoming with lots of hugs and pats on the back. This whole experience has been wonderfully overwhelming. My biggest thing right now is just: Buckle up! I don't know what to expect."
ABC announced Thursday that its top-rated medical melodrama resumed shooting this week following a tumultuous two-month hiatus. And while Washington's Dr. Preston Burke won't be roaming the halls of Seattle Grace this fall, there's a newbie in town ready to wreak some havoc.
Chyler Leigh has joined the cast as a series regular, scrubbing in as Lexie Grey, Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) younger half-sister and the latest intern at Seattle Grace.
Leigh, 25, made a brief appearance at the close of last season, as the young woman who got a bit flirty with Derek Shepard (Patrick Dempsey), aka Dr. McDreamy, aka her sister's boyfriend, at a bar.
The spark between the two resulted in tension between Meredith and Derek, a theme that will likely continue in the coming season.
Prior to landing her gig as a Grey's regular, Leigh's résumé included starring roles on Fox's short-lived series Reunion and Girls Club, and recurring roles on ABC's The Practice and the WB's 7th Heaven. She also appeared in 2001's Not Another Teen Movie.
The North Carolina native is married to actor Nathan West, with whom she has a son and a daughter.
Leigh is the first new addition to Grey's since ABC announced last month that Washington's contract would not be renewed after a behind-the-scenes spat blew up into tabloid-friendly scandal.
So far the controversy hasn't hurt ratings. Last season, the series was the fourth-most popular show on television, averaging 18.7 million viewers.
Entering their first year as residents, Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens and Alex Karev now have interns of their own to mentor. Among the new interns are George, forced to repeat his internship after failing his exams, and Lexie Grey, Meredith's half-sister.
Actress Chyler Leigh joins the cast as Lexie Grey. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Leigh has worked with some of the biggest talents in the business, from Aaron Spelling ("Safe Harbor," "7th Heaven") to David E. Kelley ("Girls Club," "The Practice"). Her television and film credits also include "The 80s Show," "Reunion" and "Not Another Teen Movie."
"Grey's Anatomy" stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Katherine Heigl as Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, T.R. Knight as George O'Malley, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan and Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey.
"Grey's Anatomy" was created and is executive produced by Shonda Rhimes ("Introducing Dorothy Dandridge"). Betsy Beers ("Casanova"), Mark Gordon ("Saving Private Ryan"), Krista Vernoff ("Law & Order") and Rob Corn ("Chicago Hope") are executive producers. "Grey's Anatomy" is an ABC Studios Production.
Meanwhile, following her brief appearance at the end of "Grey's" Season 3 finale, Chyler Leigh is joining the cast of the ABC medical drama as a regular.
On "Practice," set at a posh Los Angeles private medical practice, Strickland will play Charlotte, a doctor and hospital administrator.
On "Grey's," Leigh plays Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) half-sister, Lexie Grey, who comes to Seattle Grace as a new intern.
Both Strickland and Leigh starred on David E. Kelley series. Leigh was a lead on "Girls Club" and played a recurring character on "The Practice," while Strickland toplined "The Wedding Bells."
Strickland will next appear in the feature "American Gangster."
Leigh most recently co-starred on Fox's "Reunion."
Leigh, 25, will be a series regular, playing Meredith's half sister, Lexie Grey – a new intern at Seattle Grace, a rep for ABC Television Studios confirms to PEOPLE.
Leigh first appeared in the last two episodes of the previous season, where her character's chemistry with Derek Shepard (Patrick Dempsey) caused tension between him and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo).
She previously starred in the short-lived series Reunion and That 80s Show and has appeared on The Practice and 7th Heaven. She also starred in 2001's Not Another Teen Movie.
Leigh joins the cast on the heels of Isaiah Washington's dismissal from the show on June 9, when he was informed that ABC was not picking up his option to return to the hit series.
The Grey's Anatomy cast began filming the show's fourth season on Wednesday after a two-month hiatus.
News of Leigh's possible hiring was first reported by USA Today.
The list of 19 famous faces, which appears in the magazine's latest issue, on newsstands Friday, was separated by editors into six categories: beauty queens, style setters, entertainers, newsmakers, survivors and body shapers.
OK! named Holmes, the 28-year-old wife of Tom Cruise and mother of their 1-year-old daughter, Suri, a beauty queen because of her "refreshing girl-next-door look" and sporty cropped haircut. Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez also made the cut.
O'Donnell, who brought ratings and controversy during her tumultuous tenure on ABC's "The View," made the list of newsmakers, as did Hollywood supercouple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and "Grey's Anatomy" star T.R. Knight. Knight announced he was gay after it surfaced that Isaiah Washington had used an anti-gay slur against him during an on-set clash with a co-star.
The youngest celebrity on the list: 10-month-old Dannielynn Hope, who was recognized as a survivor because she has been "at the center of Hollywood's most controversial tragedies," the magazine said. Her mother, Anna Nicole Smith, died in Florida in February. A bitter paternity dispute between Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead was put to rest months later when Birkhead showed he was Dannielynn's father.
The top three entertainers — the "people who decide what we watch and listen to," according to OK! — were "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, Carrie Underwood and model-TV host Heidi Klum.
Tyra Banks was among the "body shapers" who influence notions of body image. Banks, who was dubbed fat after she was photographed on the beach, later appeared on her syndicated TV talk show in a bathing suit.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Justin Timberlake and Kate Moss were named the most prominent trendsetters in fashion.
Judges screening potential Emmy Award nominees for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences last weekend in Beverly Hills made their picks from a list of the 10 top contenders for the best drama and best comedy series categories, TheEnvelope.com reported Monday.
The Web site quoted unidentified judges.
The top 10 lists given to the judges were based on polling of the general academy membership. Five nominees ultimately will be chosen, based on a combination of the panelists' votes and the general polling.
The drama finalists, according to the Web site, are "Heroes," "Friday Night Lights," "Boston Legal," "Dexter," "Grey's Anatomy," "House," "Lost," "Rome," "The Sopranos" and "24."
The comedy contenders as reported by TheEnvelope are "Ugly Betty," "Desperate Housewives," "Entourage," "Extras," "My Name Is Earl," "The Office," "Scrubs," "30 Rock," "Two and a Half Men" and "Weeds."
The TV academy declined to confirm the accuracy of the information but noted that all academy members taking part in the judging process are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.
"The Primetime Emmy nomination process should not be compromised by premature disclosure of nominations information prior to the announcement of the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards nominees on July 19," the academy said in its statement Monday.
It had no comment on "any violations of that agreement or on any speculative reporting of nomination data," the academy said.
Interviewed on Larry King Live, Washington said he regretted not confronting Dempsey the first time he was late, so he challenged him the second time. But Dempsey wanted to delay the scene more to wait for Grey's star Ellen Pompeo, who plays Dempsey’s love interest, before shooting began.
"I said I don't need Ellen, I can act," Washington told King. "And that was the moment that sent it into a different zone."
According to Washington, Dempsey erupted. "He became unhinged, sprayed spittle in my face," said Washington, in his first television interview about the controversy. "I'm asking him why is he screaming at me. ... He just becomes irate."
That's when Washington said "a lot of things I'm not really proud of."
"I said several bad words," he recalled, quoting himself as telling Dempsey: "There's no way you're going to treat me like the B-word, the P-word or the F-word."
He said that the "F-word" was not meant as an anti-gay slur, but implied "somebody who is being weak." Washington also strongly denied he ever directed the word at gay costar T.R. Knight.
"I am not homophobic – in no way, shape or form," said Washington.
As for Knight claiming the slur was directed at him, Washington said, "That's a lie. He misrepresented himself." Washington suggested Knight did that to advance his career and get more money. "He has been very disappointed in playing the character he has been playing. He told me that," said Washington.
But Washington said he felt badly about repeating the slur backstage at the Golden Globe Awards. "I wish I could take that back," Washington said.
He became emotional at one point in the interview. When King asked if any cast members had written to him, Washington paused and appeared close to tears when he recalled that Sandra Oh had sent him an email.
Washington ultimately attended counseling, but was fired from the hit ABC series.
(King said on the air that Grey's producers, Dempsey and Knight all declined to comment).
"[We've been together] since February," Walsh, 39, told PEOPLE at a poolside party for facialist Kate Somerville at the Beverly Wilshire hotel.
"I know – I'm literally living the dream. But you know when you know. I was not expecting it, so it's kind of amazing."
While Walsh says she loves "everything" about her fiancé, a production co-president at 20th Century Fox, she admits she's partial to his looks. "He's pretty handsome," she said, adding with a giggle, "He's ridiculously handsome!"
And it doesn't hurt that he's helping with the wedding plans – well, in his own way: "He's really great. He's there, but he's not in the way! He wants to contribute."
So, she's taken charge. "You start getting into this and you don't want to be a cliché, but then suddenly you're like, 'I'm doing all this stuff!' "
Considering she's also preparing for her new series, Private Practice, which starts shooting in mid-July, her schedule must be packed. "It's insane, yeah," she said. But she has a mantra that keeps her centered when it comes to wedding planning: "Delegate, delegate, delegate!"
To help her manage things, she and Young are taking a quick vacation. "We're going to a balmy island," she said. "This is my getaway, and as soon as I come back we just hit the ground running."
Washington, of course, used a homophobic slur on the Grey's set, the spat became public, and he never recovered — despite getting counseling, issuing public apologies and filming a public service announcement for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
One star who knows what Washington may be facing is Lauren Tewes, who was fired by ABC from her role on The Love Boat in 1984 after producers learned of her drug use.
"There is a punitive quality in television sometimes that is determined by the producers," says Tewes, 53, who adds that she was off drugs at the time of her dismissal. "It seemed to me that Isaiah had jumped through a lot of hoops to try to rectify his error, and that was not acknowledged."
Washington has continued to try to tell his side of the story. He told Newsweek, in a story posted Thursday, that he believes race had something to do with his firing.
"It didn't help me on the set that I was a black man who wasn't a mush-mouth Negro walking around with his head in his hands all the time. I didn't speak like I'd just left the plantation, and that can be a problem for people sometimes. I had a person in human resources tell me after this thing played out that 'some people' were afraid of me around the studio. I asked her why, because I'm a 6-foot-1 black man with dark skin and who doesn't go around saying 'Yessah, massa sir' and 'No sir, massa' to everyone?"
Last week, in the Houston Chronicle, he suggested that co-star T.R. Knight, the supposed target of the slur, took advantage of the controversy to get a raise and more screen time. And he said his mistakes were "believing the cast of Grey's Anatomy were like family; believing I had the freedom to express myself with family and that we could resolve our issues; and trusting ABC was going to take care of me."
He's expected to speak out again Monday on CNN's Larry King Live.
Though Washington has said his livelihood has been challenged, it's not likely this type of transgression will mean he won't return to the small screen.
Washington, now filming the art-house film The Least of These, told Entertainment Weekly this month: "(My agent and I) are sorting through a ton of offers in both film and TV." (Reports that he has been in talks with NBC could not be confirmed.)
Tim Brooks, TV historian and author of The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, says he won't be surprised if Washington recovers.
"Assuming he clears up his act — you don't want a serial offender — he definitely has a future in TV," Brooks says. "It has been rare that someone who did something less than a straight-out felony — and even then — has been run out of the business entirely. The less serious and egregious their sins appear, the more they'll be allowed back in."
"There is no rehab for homophobia – that was just some crap being put out by the network," Washington, 43, tells Newsweek of the treatment he received after using a homophobic slur during an argument with Grey's costar Patrick Dempsey.
"I went into an executive counseling program which many people in this industry know about and go to. They knew what the program was but chose to call it what they wanted to fit their agenda. And more importantly, I volunteered for it because I wanted to understand my fight with Patrick and how it got out of hand like that."
Washington says he even paid half the fee for his treatment, and adds: "I thought [ABC] sending me meant they actually wanted me to succeed and come out on the other end." The network declined to comment for the story.
The actor also describes race as a factor in his downfall. During his fight with Dempsey, he says, "Someone heard the booming voice of a black man and got really scared and that was the beginning of the end for me."
On his subsequent firing: "I apologized and showed my remorse for what I said and for the pain I caused anyone. If a black man can't get forgiveness in this country, when so many other people like Robert Downey Jr. and the governor of California get second and third chances ... I think that says a lot about race and this country where we stand."
Later in the article, he says: "It didn't help me on the set that I was a black man who wasn't a mush-mouth Negro walking around with his head in his hands all the time. … I had a person in human resources tell me after this thing played out that 'some people' were afraid of me around the studio. I asked her why, because I'm a 6'1" black man with dark skin and who doesn't go around saying 'Yessah, massa sir' and 'No sir, massa' to everyone?''
But the Newsweek article says Washington has a reputation in the film industry for lashing out at others, and points out that, several years ago, he had an angry confrontation with his Soul Food producer Tracey Edmonds (who is currently dating Eddie Murphy).
"I have a mind of my own and I do speak it when I feel it's right," he says. "In this business that's considered being difficult and hard to deal with."
It was not clear whether NBC was interested in bringing the outspoken actor onto an existing series or casting him in a new project.
Washington alluded to conversations with NBC in his first interview after he was fired from ABC's hit medical show on June 7 in the wake of reported anti-gay slurs directed at fellow castmate T.R. Knight.
The actor told Entertainment Weekly that he and his agent "are sorting through a ton of offers in both film and TV ... There is one network in particular that's very interested, but I don't want to say anything specific until it's a done deal," the magazine quoted him as saying.
Washington made news during the past week with a couple of charged interviews, including one suggesting that Knight should have been fired instead of him and accusing Knight of milking the homophobic remark incident to get more screen time and better pay.
NBC declined comment Monday. A representative for Washington could not be reached for comment.
"They fired the wrong guy," the actor, 43, tells his hometown paper, the Houston Chronicle. "I have to clear my name. I'll start from the beginning. I'm telling everything."
Washington came under fire last fall after getting into an altercation with co-star Patrick Dempsey, during which he allegedly referred to castmate T.R. Knight using a homophobic slur.
He later apologized, checked into rehab, met with gay leaders and released a public-service announcement decrying the use of hate speech.
Now the actor, speaking over the phone from the set of his new movie, The Least of These, tells the Chronicle that the incident with Dempsey and Knight has been misconstrued, and that Knight is to blame for promoting the notion that the derogatory term was used against him.
"That's a lie," Washington says. "I used the word during a disagreement with Patrick. I apologized for that. We shook hands and went back to work."
In January, Knight told Ellen DeGeneres on her show that hearing the slur made him decide to reveal publicly that he's gay. "I've never been called that to my face. So I think when that happened, something shifted, and it became bigger than myself."
Washington tells the Chronicle that he was wronged and may file a lawsuit. "My livelihood, my honor and dignity and my name have been so challenged," he says (The paper has no comment from Knight, and says network executives declined to comment.)
Adds Washington: "I was not fired for making homophobic slurs. I did everything I said I would do. I offered to go to counseling, to do a public service announcement. I wanted everyone to know I was remorseful."
Still, he says of his firing: "I'm not angry. I'm disappointed."
Jasmyne Cannick, who worked with Washington on the Pan African Arts Festival, said she's infuriated ABC booted Washington from the show's upcoming fourth season for calling Knight a "faggot" during a scuffle on the set and believes it smacks of racism. So she's launched a petition - which had 1,233 signatures as of last night - to get the actor his job back.
The petition says Washington's firing "further adds to a disturbing new trend at ABC wherein minority actors have been dismissed at an alarming rate over the past two years. Blacks, including . . . Star Jones ('The View'), Harold Perrineau ('Lost'), Alfre Woodard, Mehcad Brooks and Page Kennedy ('Desperate Housewives') have been let go . . . One must ask themselves, what is going on? . . . While we don't approve of [Washington's] use of the F-word at the Golden Globes, Washington has since apologized and gone on to perform community service by way of a public service announcement for the very organizations that have been orchestrating his dismissal. But it seems it wasn't enough."
The actor came under fire last fall after getting into an altercation with Patrick Dempsey, during which he slurred Knight. He later repeated the word at the Golden Globes. Washington later apologized, checked into rehab and met with gay leaders.
Cannick told us: "Isaiah has done more for the gay and lesbian community than T.R. Knight did in or out of the closet. He did what they asked him to do, and now they want to make sure he will never work again. At what point is enough enough?"
A rep for Washington denied the actor was behind the petition but added, "We appreciate [Cannick's] support."
Last week, Washington, 43, said he was "mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" regarding his dismissal. "I did everything that the producers and the network asked me to do," he told Entertainment Weekly.
"In the coming months, all I'm working on right now is trying to focus on day-to-day life and what I'm doing with the foundation, what I'm doing with the family," Washington, 43, told PEOPLE Friday. "It starts at the home."
The actor is chairman of the Gondobay Manga Foundation, which works to improve life in Sierra Leone (the foundation was inspired by Washington's discovery that he is genetically linked to that country's Mende people).
And next month he'll go to Ghana for the African Union Summit, where he and 50 other influential African-Americans will meet with 53 African presidents to discuss the continent's future.
On Friday, Washington and Jamie Foxx, Chris Tucker, Mos Def and Herbie Hancock spoke to reporters at L.A.'s Four Seasons Hotel in support of men's fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, who is organizing the event.
Washington, who has traveled to various parts of Africa multiple times for charity work, explained his passion for the continent. "Once you get awareness of who you are and how you're here, then I believe there's a responsibility that you have," he said. "And seeing that I can afford to take part in that, I have to be responsible."
Asked if there were any misconceptions about him, he said: "I don't know. Maybe for 50 years and the history of media and television I represent something that's supposed to not exist. ... This happened to Malcolm X, this happened to Paul Robeson – this misconception can happen to any man of power that loves himself and wants to spread that love and that humanity throughout the world."
Just for one night, as co-honorees at Thursday's 2007 Crystal/Lucy Awards, honoring women in film and television.
Turns out Zellwegger is a fan of Grey's, which she called "smart, well written with great acting. That'll do it."
The Grey's ladies returned the favor.
"She's an amazing actress," raved Sara Ramirez, who has a musical theater background. "She did a great job in Chicago. And I just watched her in Miss Potter."
With the Grey's cast scattered for the summer until they resume production the second week of July, the only actresses on hand to represent the show were Ramirez, Kate Walsh and Chandra Wilson. The three were seated front and center at the Max Mara table, with Ramirez and Wilson wearing the designer's stylish frocks. At one point, Walsh helped Ramirez fasten her necklace. "Women helping women," noted Walsh, who starts shooting her spinoff, Private Practice, in early July.
Wilson was looking forward to her Friday gig as red-carpet reporter for SOAPnet's pre-Daytime Emmy Awards telecast. A loyal watcher of four daily soaps, Wilson said, "I'm going to call all them by their characters' names. I don't care at all about their personal lives. I just want to know what's going to be happening on their shows."
During dinner, show creator Shonda Rhimes approached the table and greeted her cast. "Hello, my divas," she said.
It has been a week since Rhimes phoned Isaiah Washington to inform him he was being dumped from her show. After the news broke, Walsh put in her own call to Washington. "It was very shocking," she said. "I was out of the country, but I did leave word for him."
Walsh didn't want to say whether she disagreed with the decision. "It's not up for me to say," she said. "It's just sad. I think he's an amazing actor."
Would she welcome him to her spinoff?
Laughing at the thought, Walsh said, "That would be great! Yeah!"
Walsh's Private Practice co-star Amy Brenneman took to the idea as well. "He's an amazing actor," she said. "I was just an observer of this very difficult situation. It's a little bit how I felt about that Don Imus thing. It's an interesting time. We know what we're supposed to say; we know what being politically correct is, and then there's the honesty when people are exhausted from working 10-hour days. I'm not justifying what he said, but it opened up a conversation about how we really are."
Grey's award was presented by TV ground-breaker Diahann Carroll, who played Washington's mother on Grey's. "I'd love to work with him again," she said. "He's handsome, a lovely young man and I pray that his life will be happy."
Judge Glenda Hatchett attended and pointed out that Washington put in an appearance on her courtroom show in 2006 helping a troubled kid who shared his African tribal ancestry. "Isaiah had been shot as a kid," Hatchett related. "He didn't have to admit that, but he said he was running with the wrong crowd. So he has a wonderful place in my heart."
The night's host, Kristin Chenowith, steered clear of Grey's jokes. "I'm going to be talking more about color than sexual orientation," she said, referencing Washington's homophobic slur that cost him his job. "I like to wear pink and clearly the reason I didn't get on Grey's Anatomy is because I didn't wear the right color."
Formerly blonde Lost actress Maggie Grace showed up as a brunette. Turns out she has been back to her natural color for a while and had to don a blonde wig for her last guest appearance on Lost, which she said she hasn't watched in two years.
Max Mara dressed and gave an award to Devil Wears Prada star Emily Blunt. On the red carpet, the aptly-named Blunt took note of the high quotient of women in attendance: "There's so many breasts around."
Zellwegger just wrapped her role opposite George Clooney in the football-themed Leatherheads. She said she tried to pick up a football one day, but thought, " 'What am I going to do if that thing hits me in the face like Marcia Brady?' I was scolded and had to put the ball down."
TV Guide: When you grill the arriving stars, will you be nicey-nice or channeling Joan Rivers?
Chandra Wilson: Hopefully somewhere in between. I may not be very warm if that Nash [played by Forbes March] from OLTL shows up. I just don't like what he's doing to Jessica. She needs to be with Antonio!
TV Guide: Geez, you are a fan. You even judged one of this year's categories.
Wilson: Yep, supporting actress. And because I'm a fan, I was going, "Why on earth did you submit those episodes?"
TV Guide: Why are you so crazy for soaps?
Wilson: It's pure voyeurism. You get a chance to go into somebody else's house and snoop. I love escaping into Pine Valley or Genoa City. I get mad when I hate something but I keep watching. Of course, my shows fall short sometimes. How else do you keep going 52 weeks a year, no reruns?
TV Guide: You shoot Grey's Anatomy right next door to General Hospital. Ever tempted to drop by for a cameo?
Wilson: No! In my early days I had a recurring role on OLTL — I was a classmate of Carlo Hesser's niece — and I did a little background work at All My Children and, I think, Another World. But that just messes me up. It's hard for me to have a "Hey, how ya doin'?" relationship with soap actors because then they're not their characters anymore. I need them to stay in their world, not come into mine. When I see the GH stars on the lot, I can't even talk to them. They must think I'm insane.
TV Guide: Well, you'll sure be breaking down that wall for SOAPnet!
Wilson: I know! People who know me well are saying, "Why on earth did you agree to this? What were you thinking?" But I'm honored to do it. Soaps are such a big part of so many lives. That's what real people do — we watch soaps. Everybody has done it at some point, whether or not they want to deny it. There are men who don't want to admit they watch Grey's Anatomy. They always blame it on the girlfriend.
TV Guide: Grey's' Bailey could use a sudsier life — everyone around her is annoyingly self-obsessed and she's all business. The viewers adored it when she had a baby.
Wilson: People did! One day Oprah corrected Dr. Oz. He made a reference to the "vagina" and she said, ‘No, no, no. It's va-jay-jay!" I loved it!
TV Guide: Bailey didn't make chief resident in the season finale. Were you shocked when you got that script?
Wilson: No, because Bailey just doesn't delegate. The chief had been warning her for weeks — you need to slow down, you need to spend time with your family, but, no, she was running the clinic, doing her surgeries and looking at the chief like he was crazy.
TV Guide: But we didn't even get to see her reaction when she lost out to Dr. Torres. Seems like you got robbed of some damn good drama there.
Wilson: That was Bailey's choice. What was she gonna do, act the fool and get all crazy about it? That's not her. She got right back to work. She had to go deal with her interns. She had Meredith and Cristina and their issues. That's true to form for Bailey. It's important for her to be competent.
TV Guide: So what's ahead for her next season?
Wilson: It'll be interesting to see what [series creator] Shonda Rhimes reveals. There's another POV to explore. It won't be what it was this season with all the doubt and self-consciousness and that kinda crap. She's moving on. There's another journey ahead for Bailey.
But after twice using an anti-gay slur, Washington was doomed to lose the biggest role of his career because of timing, a track record of volatile behavior and pressure within the industry.
While series creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes wept when she got on the phone last Thursday to tell Washington he was out, the decision was a coolly calculated move by Rhimes' bosses at the network and ABC Television Studios.
His "pattern of behavior" represented a potential liability that was too much risk for the Walt Disney Co.-owned companies, a source close to the production said. The source was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
The operation to remove Washington, 43, was quick and neat. The studio declined to exercise his contract option for another season — Washington would have earned about $2.7 million in salary — and he was dumped shortly after the May finale.
With Dr. Burke conveniently written out of the show in the last episode, the move had to have been planned for some time.
The decision was made by executives including ABC Studios President Mark Pedowitz, ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson and Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. ABC and the studio declined comment this week, but Washington said he was "saddened" by the outcome.
"I can only apologize so many times. I can only accept so much responsibility," he told EW.com in an interview published Wednesday. "... Isaiah will go on and do what I love to do. And I have to go about the business of letting people know what's written about me is not the truth."
Gay rights leader Neil G. Giuliano said Washington was caught up in changing attitudes toward anti-gay vitriol — the same backlash felt by Ann Coulter after she derided John Edwards with the same f-word Washington employed.
"All of this is crescendoing, with people saying, `Enough is enough,'" said Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
Hollywood's image as an unbiased haven for gays is overstated, Giuliano said. But he did field outraged calls from producers, writers and actors — both gay and straight — after Washington's remarks. Giuliano said he told the callers to make waves at the networks, and "I have good reason to believe most of those folks, who are not shy, made their feelings known."
One black gay activist sees the lobbying far differently. Jasmyne Cannick, a friend of Washington's, said the case reflected a division between Hollywood's powerful white gays and lesbians and those who are minorities.
"The ones calling for (Washington's) head are what I refer to as the gay Mafia," Cannick said.
There may have been more behind the decision than intolerant language. Bryan Birge, who was working as a costumer in 1997 on the police drama "High Incident," said Washington erupted in anger on the set and then grabbed him after Birge asked him to remove a magazine from his pocket for an upcoming scene.
"It was bizarre," Birge told The Associated Press. "The guy is less than easy to be around." Washington, a Houston native who served in the Air Force, had campaigned vigorously to redeem his image. He apologized publicly, to his colleagues and to GLAAD. He filmed a public service announcement for GLAAD and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. He made a publicly announced donation to a favorite cause, help for the African nation of Sierra Leone.
"We did everything that was asked of us" by ABC, said his publicist, Howard Bragman.
Washington was undone by a spat last October with co-star Patrick Dempsey in which he used the epithet to refer to fellow cast member T.R. Knight. Washington issued a public apology for his behavior and "unfortunate" use of words, and media attention waned.
But in January, Washington reignited the furor during a backstage interview at the Golden Globes in which he denied having used the slur, then uttered it again.
Gay rights groups that had demanded Washington apologize say they didn't seek his firing and gained nothing by it. Those who might have jumped to his defense, whether co-stars or those taking interest in the plight of a black actor, were silent or measured in their remarks.
"If he's being let go because of that incident, I'm not sure the punishment fits the crime," said Vic Bullock, executive director of the Hollywood bureau of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The NAACP has asked ABC for "further clarity," Bullock said.
Tavis Smiley, the national TV and radio talk-show host and author, said Washington's words cut too deep.
"As a society we are still grappling with the notion of forgiveness and redemption," Smiley said in an e-mailed comment. "What this incident shows us, not unlike the Don Imus matter, is there is some pain so deep, that an apology, no matter how sincere, just doesn't suffice."
Just five days after ABC made the surprise announcement—for no one more so than Washington himself—that it would not be renewing the Grey's Anatomy star's contract, and five days after Washington responded in kind with his mysterious Network-inspired statement, the erstwhile Dr. Preston Burke is speaking out again, but this time in a way slightly more befitting someone who has been through anger management.
"I'm saddened by the outcome," Washington told Entertainment Weekly of his ousting. "I did everything that the producers and the network asked me to do. I came back under great duress and stress, and thought I was doing the job I was hired to do.
"I thought that was going to speak for my future at Grey's, but apparently that wasn't the same vision that the network and studio had for me."
Among those things Washington was either asked or opted to do in the wake of directing a homophobic slur at costar T.R. Knight: apologize to Knight and cast mates, go to counseling, meet with GLAAD leaders, attend rehab and film a public service announcement on the power of words.
"I can only apologize so many times," he said. "I can only accept so much responsibility. All the players involved have taken care of what we needed to take care of in-house—and the media took it in a different direction. I hope that everyone is happy for the outcome for Isaiah, but Isaiah will go on and do what I love to do."
Washington, along with most of the viewing public, was no doubt operating under the assumption that his actions would help secure his standing with the series, particularly after the network chose not to fire him back in January, when the outrage over the incident had reached a fever pitch. Still, he told EW that, despite publicist Howard Bragman having floated the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the network, no litigation was in the works.
"I don't know anything about that," Washington said.
Washington also relate how Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes informed him of the network's decision.
"She called me Thursday of last week and told me that I would not be returning to the show. Just like she personally called me and invited me to the show," he told the magazine. "It was full circle.
"I knew she was aware of the decision," he continued. "But you have to understand that she's at the helm of one of the top-rated scripted shows on television."
Washington added that he has also spoken to Rhimes since receiving that initial call, but he has yet to hear from most of his former costars.
"Everyone is still on vacation. I don't expect to hear from my cast mates. I did talk to Chandra Wilson and I got a text message from Kate Walsh. Everyone's doing their own thing."
In other words, he's not waiting by the phone for a conciliatory call from Knight. Asked if he and his former small-screen buddy are still on good terms, Washington said, "I don't know. You have to ask T.R. that."
As for the possibility of returning to the show for a cameo in order to tie up some of Burke's loose ends—his character jilted Cristina on their wedding day and took off, destination unknown, without so much as a goodbye—Washington said that while he wouldn't turn the opportunity down, he hardly expects it to present itself.
"If Shonda calls me and says, 'Look, we want you to do something for Grey's Anatomy,' I probably would not hesitate. But I don't really see that happening."
And not because of any lingering animosity on Washington's part.
"I'll miss working with the team," he told the magazine. "Season four is going to be stronger, better and wiser and smarter, and I had hoped to be a contributor to that. That's not the reality."
As for his newfound reputation as a difficult actor, and old allegations getting washed up in the media, Washington said, "Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to address a lot of that down the road. It'd be very cleansing for my soul to let the fans and the general public see a side of me that I feel was horribly represented in the press."
In the meantime, the actor is already busy with a role in the independent drama The Least of These, a part he took on the advice of Sandra Oh, and says he is fielding "a ton of offers in both film and TV," including with "one network in particular that's very interested."
It's probably safe to say that network is not ABC. Or Logo.
"This isn't a time for me to be looking back; it's only a time for me to be looking forward," he said. "I just hope people can understand in the industry and otherwise that it's a horrible misunderstanding what transpired with our show and it was blown out of proportion."
"If the naysayers out there feel that some justice has been served and that they're happy with the outcome, so be it. It's incumbent on me to take what I do, do it well, grow from the experience, and move on."
Isaiah Washington, 43, who played brilliant surgeon Preston Burke, was told Thursday night by show creator Shonda Rhimes that he was not being invited back, says Washington's publicist, Howard Bragman.
And producers announced this spring that Kate Walsh, who plays OB/GYN Addison Montgomery, will star in Private Practice, a spinoff due on Wednesdays this fall.
But executives tied to the show say the fourth-season plan is to add several cast members, including at least one fresh-faced new intern: Meredith Grey's half-sister Lexi (Chyler Leigh) will become a frequent presence with a multi-episode story arc. They are also seeking a new recurring male character to compete with Patrick Dempsey's Dr. McDreamy.
Ensemble shows have lost stars before: ER's entire cast has turned over, Law & Order has been a revolving door, and M*A*S*H lost several key actors during its run. Yet for the most part, they have survived and sometimes thrived, notes Jonathan Taplin, a University of Southern California communications professor.
"Obviously, an ensemble cast is a tricky balancing act — if someone doesn't get along with other cast members, it's hard to keep it working," says Taplin, a veteran TV and movie producer whose credits include the 1973 Martin Scorsese film Mean Streets. "But the series will go on just fine without (Washington)."
Grey's principal cast centers on the lives of nearly a dozen characters, so Washington isn't a crucial loss, says Shari Anne Brill of media buyer Carat USA. The departure of Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo, whose roles as star-crossed lovers provide much of the show's appeal, would be much more damaging.
"For the most part, the (characters) are interchangeable parts," Brill says. "Changing the cast can be healthy because new characters add life and new opportunities for storytelling. It'll be interesting to see what Shonda Rhimes winds up doing."
Washington's firing comes eight months after he ignited a firestorm for using a homophobic slur about fellow cast member T.R. Knight, causing an altercation on the set of the hospital drama with Dempsey and ultimately leading Knight to reveal his homosexuality.
In an appearance at January's Golden Globe Awards, Washington denied he used the slur but then repeated it during a televised interview, infuriating other co-stars, including Knight's pal Katherine Heigl. Since then he apologized, entered a counseling program, met with gay-rights groups and filmed a public-service announcement, which ABC began airing last month.
Grey's telegraphed Washington's possible departure on the third-season finale, when Burke canceled his wedding and cleared out of the apartment he shared with Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh).
Executives involved with the show, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, say that beyond the anti-gay slur, Washington had "anger management" problems, which led to sometimes tense conditions on the set.
Grey's, which averaged 18.7 million viewers last season, is TV's fourth-most-popular series.
"I woke up this morning and saw it just, I'm sure, along with everybody else," Pompeo told E!'s Ryan Seacrest in an interview Friday. "It doesn't really have a tremendous lot to do with me. So, you know, whatever is meant to be is meant to be and whatever is going to happen is going to happen – so you just have to roll with the punches."
Added Pompeo with a laugh: "They [the producers] are very secretive about things for obvious reasons: I guess actors have big mouths."
Earlier, Washington weighed in on the decision in a cryptic statement released by his publicist Howard Bragman, saying: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more."
A source close to the show said Washington's behavior – specifically his use of a homophobic slur against castmate T.R. Knight in the fall – made him a liability.
Despite the news, though, Pompeo told Seacrest that she's anticipating the show's upcoming season – though she's not sure about many of the plot points.
"I hope the quality of the writing is good and I hope the fans stay with us," she said in the interview. "We have such an amazing support group of fans and I hope we can, you know, maintain the quality for the fans and just continue to put out quality television."
Jumping on the bandwagon that already includes T.R. Knight, Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey—everyone except Isaiah Washington, really—Katherine Heigl has been invited back for a fourth season of Grey's Anatomy.
A day after ABC Television Studio opted to not renew Washington's contract, thereby ending Dr. Preston Burke's tenure at Seattle Grace, Heigl received word that Dr. Isobel Stevens was still wanted, the actress' rep confirmed to E! News.
"Katherine has received a formal pick-up notice and is still hopeful that ABC will show her the same respect that they have shown for her co-stars," her publicist said in a statement.
Heigl is the last of the Golden Globe-winning drama's major stars to be reupped, having put the kibosh on contract talks back in February after not getting the raise she had been pulling for that would have put her on the same level with costars Pompeo and Sandra Oh, who are getting about $200,000 per episode and a percentage of the show's profits.
Although ABC maintained throughout that the 28-year-old actress, a Golden Globe nominee for supporting actress in January, was "an integral part of Grey's Anatomy and its success," Heigl admitted that she was very "embarrassed" that the monetary disagreement went public and "disappointed that Touchstone felt it necessary to divulge private employment information."
"I just want to be treated with the same respect they're showing the other actors, and so far they've refused to do that," she told Entertainment Weekly late last month.
So while Heigl waited it out, telling CBS' Early Show just a few weeks ago that she hadn't received her pickup letter yet, she focused on her future.
The Knocked Up star inked a deal with Coty Inc. to be the face of Nautica's first fragrance for women, and signed on to star in the perennial bridesmaid comedy 27 Dresses, which is currently filming in New York.
Meanwhile, the Judd Apatow-directed Knocked Up is getting awesome critical feedback, banking major money at the box office—$46.2 million after less than a week in theaters—and earning Heigl comparisons to Meg Ryan and other queens of romantic comedy.
But, good news for George-and-Izzie fans: Now that Knight is coming back and Heigl is on board, viewers will get to see the fallout from Izzie's season finale confession to George—Callie be darned, I've got "feelings" for you.
Production on the fourth season of Grey's Anatomy is expected to kick off in August.
Washington's contract option was not renewed for next season, series producer ABC Television Studios said Thursday.
"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore," Washington said in a statement released through his publicist, Howard Bragman, without elaboration.
He drew fire after using the anti-gay epithet backstage at the Golden Globe Awards in January while denying he'd used it previously on the set against cast mate T.R. Knight.
Gay rights groups and cast member Katherine Heigl, who publicly denounced Washington, were among his most vocal critics.
"This is something that will have changed the scope of his life," Heigl told Entertainment Weekly last month. Washington was "sorry and embarrassed" for the mistake, she said.
Washington tried to make amends and said he was seeking therapy.
He also met with officials from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and filmed a public service announcement in which he said "words have power" to hurt or heal.
The May finale of "Grey's Anatomy" opened the door for the departure of his character. Burke was on the verge of marrying Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), but her doubts at first delayed and then derailed their splashy wedding.
Later, Yang found that Burke cleared out his favorite possessions from their apartment.
In May, Bragman said the actor intended to spend the summer working and not worrying about the show. Washington intended to continue his charity work in Sierra Leone, which a DNA test showed to be his ancestral home, and work on an independent movie.
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."
Bragman did not elaborate on the statement, a reference to the 1976 film Network.
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.
Rumors ran rampant following the season finale – during which Washington's character, Dr. Preston Burke, broke up with his fiancée, Christina Yang (Sandra Oh), and moved out of their apartment – 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.
E! Online has confirmed that T.R. Knight will be back for a fourth season of Grey's Anatomy, signing a new contract after an iffy wait-and-see period further perpetuated by his character's cliffhanger season finale.
But while George may have to repeat a year at Seattle Grace as an intern, Knight will be earning approximately $125,000 per episode, plus a sliver of the show's total profits, a deal also added to new contracts negotiated earlier this year for the likes of Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey and Sandra Oh.
Knight's salary roughly equals that of costars Chandra Wilson and Justin Chambers, who, along with Pompeo and her $200,000 per episode, inked new deals in March.
Still up in the air is the fate of Isaiah Washington, whose publicist said that the actor is returning—as far as he knows—to the Emmy-winning drama, but no new contract has been signed yet. Dr. Preston Burke's exit in May—breaking off his engagement to Oh's Dr. Cristina Yang—provided just as many clues to whether he'll return as George's empty locker did for Knight's fans.
It was Washington, of course, who engaged in the famous on-set dustup with Dempsey, reportedly over punctuality, last October, after which Washington was accused of referring to Knight as a "faggot."
Fallout from the alleged incident appeared to be minimal, although it did prompt a somewhat involuntary coming out party for Knight, who told People at the time that he was speaking out "to quiet any unnecessary rumors" that may have accompanied the report from the Grey's set.
In January, however, a number of people (including journalists) heard Washington say the word while simultaneously denying that he had ever said it in the first place.
Knight, who maintained that Washington did indeed say the word in October, later told Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show that it wasn't usually his style to take his private life public, but that the most recent hullabaloo propelled him to do so.
"I've never been called it, and you know you go through things in life, and you lose friends when you go through the process—whatever your journey is," he said. "But I've never been called that to my face."
The outraged response from gay rights groups, Grey's fans and ABC seemingly spelled curtains for Washington's future on the show, but he has since publicly apologized, received treatment for whatever issue he attributed his verbal slip-up to, and appeared in a public service announcement for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.
Washington also received an NAACP Image Award for his role on Grey's and excused himself from this summer's Emmy race, with his rep saying that the acting was what was important for him. The 43-year-old will be shooting a film this summer, a production that's expected to wrap before the Grey's cast reconvenes in August to start shooting season four.
Back in April, E! Online TV columnist Kristin Veitch debunked farewell rumors surrounding both Knight and Washington. So far she's 1-for-1. But only time will tell.
Soloway and Abrams already are discussing ideas for a one-hour comedy project, which Soloway will write under a script pact she has inked with Abrams' Bad Robot and Warner Bros. TV.
Soloway also has signed a deal with ABC Studios to join the studio's "Grey's" as a consulting producer for the first 13 episodes of the hit medical drama's upcoming fourth season.
If Soloway's project with Abrams is picked up for a pilot, she will focus on it full time. If not, she will continue on "Grey's" as a co-executive producer for the rest of next season and the following season. She also will develop projects for ABC Studios.
Soloway has focused on features since "Six Feet Under" ended production in 2005. She has two big-screen projects in the hopper: the indie "Tricycle," which she wrote and is attached to direct, and "Pledged" at Paramount Pictures, which she adapted for the screen from Alexandra Robbins' book.
During her three-year stint on Alan Ball's "Six Feet Under," Soloway earned three best drama series Emmy nominations as part of the show's producing team.
"There will be no 'big' anything," the Grey's Anatomy star, 37, told PEOPLE Saturday at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball, a benefit for the homeless in Brentwood, Calif. "It's going to be very small."
Beyond that, she and record producer Chris Ivery, who got engaged in November, are keeping mum on the details, but Pompeo hinted that the ceremony won't take place in Los Angeles: "We were thinking about going away and getting married."
The actress was reunited Saturday night with some of her co-stars for the first time since production on Grey's wrapped several weeks ago. Also at the gala, hosted by Eric "Dr. McSteamy" Dane's wife Rebecca Gayheart: Patrick Dempsey, Kate Walsh, T.R. Knight, Justin Chambers, Sara Ramirez and James Pickens, Jr.
Pompeo said that when Ivery proposed on her 37th birthday, she was only slightly caught off guard. "Chris and I have been together for four and a half years, so I was completely surprised, but not that surprised. We've been together a while."
Ivery – like her, a Boston-area native – has changed her life because "I just have somebody to share everything with," she said, "all of these moments. The bad ones and the good ones. We have a very strong bond, and we just understand each other. He's just a real companion."
She added that she knew Ivery was "the one" early on: "I guess you fall in love and you think he's the guy right away. Right when you fall in love, you think he's the guy. You don't sort of fall into a relationship thinking it's only going to be temporary."
The couple met in a Los Angeles grocery store in 2003 and began dating about six months later after "one night she just looked different to me," Ivery, 38, told PEOPLE late last year. They quickly discovered that they had grown up about 10 miles away from each other in Massachusetts and that Ivery had met Pompeo's father there.
"We have a lot in common," Pompeo said Saturday. "We're from the same hometown, almost."
According to studio estimates issued on Sunday, the third installment in Walt Disney Co.'s buccaneering franchise sold $43.2 million worth of tickets in the three days beginning June 1. Its 10-day total stands at $216.5 million. But the second Pirates film, "Dead Man's Chest" had earned $258 million after the same time last year.
Worldwide, the Johnny Depp adventure has earned $625.3 million, and will soon pass the $653 million total of the first Pirates film -- 2003's "The Curse of the Black Pearl." "Dead Man's Chest" topped out at $1.1 billion.
"Knocked Up" squeezed out $29.3 million, equivalent to its production budget. The film's distributor, Universal Pictures, had hoped the acclaimed comedy would open in the same $21 million range as director Judd Apatow's previous film, 2005's "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." The Steve Carell comedy went on to make $109 million domestically.
The new film stars Katherine Heigl ("Grey's Anatomy") as an entertainment journalist impregnated during a drunken one-night-stand with a slacker, played by Seth Rogen.
Exit surveys provided by Universal indicated that 57 percent of the audience was female, and 44 percent were under 30. It is also the best-reviewed wide release so far this year with raves from 92 percent of critics, according to Rotten Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com), a Web site that tabulates reviews.
Amid a proliferation of family-friendly sequels, the film was "absolutely a breath of fresh air for the target audience," said Nikki Rocco, Universal's president of domestic distribution.
Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal Inc., has largely been missing in box office action this year. The studio and Carell will return on June 22 with "Evan Almighty," whose reported $175 million budget makes it the costliest comedy of all time.
DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.'s "Shrek the Third" slipped one to No. 3 with $26.7 million, taking its three-week haul to $254.6 million -- about $100 million off the pace of 2004's "Shrek 2."
Also new was the Kevin Costner thriller "Mr. Brooks," which opened at No. 4 with $10 million, in line with the modest expectations of its closely held distributor, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Costner plays a man held in high esteem by the community, who is a serial killer and is in turn pursued by a stalker. Critics were scathing, and exit surveys were not good.
"Spider-Man 3" fell two places to No. 5 with $7.5 million. The superhero franchise has earned $318.3 million after five weeks. The worldwide total stands at $844 million, surpassing the $821 million haul of 2002's "Spider-Man," the previous record-holder in the franchise. "Spider-Man 2," released in 2004, finished with $784 million worldwide. The series was released by Columbia Pictures, a unit of Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE).
Many of the top shows -- from ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" to Fox's "American Idol" to CBS' "CSI" -- saw their ratings drop in the spring.
Prompted this month by questions from NBC, Nielsen began an investigation into the factors that could have led to the slide. Nielsen's probe is almost complete, but in the meantime the company has discovered several things.
"DVRs appear to be the largest factor in that," said Pat McDonough, Nielsen senior vp planning policy and analysis.
But there are other factors in Nielsen's early findings, among them the difference between an Olympic year (2006) and a non-Olympic year (2007) as well as a higher number of repeat programs this spring than in previous years.
What makes the movie so winning are its endearing and relatable characters who spout believable dialogue and amusing banter, steeped in clever pop-culture references and sharp observations of human nature.
Grey's Anatomy's Katherine Heigl reveals a natural talent for comedy. Her character is charming and likable in a way that is reminiscent of Cameron Diaz in There's Something About Mary. The interplay between her and Leslie Mann, as her sister, is very funny and will likely make this a more appealing movie to women than The 40 Year-Old Virgin was.
Heigl plays Alison, an entertainment journalist who, at 24, has an impressive career trajectory. While celebrating a promotion, she drinks too much and has a one-night stand with Ben, a schlumpy but friendly guy (Seth Rogen). That would doubtless have been the end of their association, until Alison discovers she is pregnant.
Resolutely upbeat, she decides to make the best of the situation and get to know Ben and involve him in her pregnancy. Though a decent fellow, Ben is a consummate slacker. He and his even lazier (and hilariously raunchy) buddies share a house and a slovenly existence.
Meanwhile, Alison must contend with her sister's disapproval of Ben as a partner, as well as her own misgivings. On the surface, the two couldn't be more dissimilar: She's beautiful, accomplished and successful. He's chubby, unemployed and an overgrown adolescent. In what universe would a girl like her spend an evening — let alone a lifetime — with a guy like that?
The movie thankfully is not a male fantasy about the inherent appeal of the lovable ne'er-do-well. It's about looking beyond the external and seeing the kind, funny, appealing person who lies within. It's almost subversive in the way it deals with this subject without ever dancing on the edges of corniness. Rogen is wholly appealing and funny. Paul Rudd has a great turn as Alison's yuppie brother-in-law, who winds up bonding with Ben.
Knocked Up cleverly mines laughs from recognizable places. Though the subjects are familiar, the comedy is original and never predictable. Amid the one-liners is a revelatory look at serious issues like commitment and responsibility and the desire to shirk both.
Even when its focus is much lower, Knocked Up has plenty of heart.
The studio is taking the unusual step of announcing all its upcoming marquee TV-DVD releases at once and packing into them a wealth of novel extras, from Spanish-language audio tracks to a virtual fashion show, extended and bonus episodes and unaired story lines.
The highlight: Season 3 sets of top-rated shows "Lost," "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy." Breaking tradition, each set gets a special name, similar to special editions of movies.
"Desperate Housewives: The Complete Third Season -- The Dirty Laundry Edition" will arrive in stores September 4. The six-disc set includes all 23 episodes along with such extras as a behind-the-scenes look at the season finale, a Spanish audio track, a conversation with series star Eva Longoria in which she shares stories from some of her favorite bloopers, a collection of creator Marc Cherry's favorite scenes and several unaired story lines, deleted scenes and outtakes.
A week later, on September 11, comes "Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Third Season -- Seriously Extended Edition," a seven-disc set with all 25 episodes, four of them extended exclusively for the DVD release. Other bonus features include a one-on-one with series star Ellen Pompeo, a visit to the race track with star (and race-car enthusiast) Patrick Dempsey, cast and crew members' favorite scenes and audio commentaries.
"Lost: The Complete Third Season -- The Unexplored Experience" follows December 11 on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. The 23-episode, seven-disc set comes with a one-on-one with star Matthew Fox, a featurette on "The Others," a documentary chronicling 24 hours in production and a selection of never-before-seen flashbacks. Also included are behind-the-scenes looks at 10 episodes, audio commentaries, deleted scenes and bloopers.
Also in the pipeline are three new series that never before have been available on DVD.
"Ugly Betty: The Complete First Season -- Bettyfied Edition" will be out August 21. The six-disc set contains all 23 episodes as well as an exhibit of some of the first season's best and worst fashions, a Spanish audio track, a discussion with the cast on the show's origins and a behind-the-scenes documentary with the show's production, costume and set designers.
"Brothers & Sisters: The Complete First Season," also a six-disc set, is scheduled for a September 18 release. On September 25 comes "What About Brian? -- Seasons 1 & 2," a five-disc set.
The Disney announcement comes at a time when the pace of TV-DVD releases is slowing. Just 158 multi-disc TV-DVD season sets came to market in the first four months of this year, according to the DVD Release Report, down 12.2% from the same period last year.
"Isaiah thanked me, which I didn't understand," the 28-year-old actress tells Entertainment Weekly. "He was almost grateful. I don't know Isaiah well, but he takes his work seriously and he loves his character."
Washington came under fire for using the epithet at the Golden Globe Awards in January while denying he'd used it previously against fellow "Grey's" star T.R. Knight. Heigl, who plays outspoken Dr. Izzie Stevens on the hit ABC medical drama, says she was "furious and frustrated" at the time, so she leapt to Knight's defense.
"He made a big mistake, and it was thoughtless and boneheaded, and I think he's very sorry and embarrassed," she says in the magazine's Friday issue. "This is something that will have changed the scope of his life."
Heigl, who stars in the new Judd Apatow-directed comedy "Knocked Up," speaks out in the interview, too, about her protracted contract negotiations with ABC. The bottom line, she says, is that she wants "the same respect they're showing the other actors."
And she says she doesn't like the label that seems to go along with a woman who stands up for what she wants.
"In this town, women who don't just snap and say, `Okay, yessir, yes ma'am,' start to get a reputation for being difficult," she says. "But within the last five years, I've decided it's not worth it to me to be pushed around so much."
Heigl, who calls "The Notebook" one of her "all-time favorite movies," says she'd rather laugh than get too serious when it comes to movie roles.
"I just want to play happy people," she says. "I'm a commercial kind of gal, and yeah, I would love to do a `Monster,' but I don't have any grand aspirations to do my Academy Award-winning movie. I love Kate Winslet, but I know I couldn't have her career."
As writer and director, Apatow has the rare ability to find just the right tone all the time — a bold yet delicate balance of humor that's raunchy without being mean, sweet without being saccharine. "Knocked Up" also features a cavalcade of pop culture references that never feel gratuitous, as well as some in-jokes that never seem smug.
Here's how good Apatow is: He even manages to make Ryan Seacrest funny, in one spectacular scene in which the "American Idol" host takes a sledgehammer to his self-important image.
Seth Rogen, who we already knew was funny from his scene-stealing performance in "Virgin," emerges as an unlikely but likable leading man as Ben Stone, a goofball of a slacker-stoner who enjoys a drunken romp with Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl from "Grey's Anatomy" showing an unexpected knack for comedy), an up-and-coming entertainment reporter who's way out of his league.
Eight weeks later, she realizes she's pregnant — and, to borrow from Madonna, she's made up her mind, she's keeping her baby — forcing both of them to make major changes in their lives.
(The fact that Apatow approaches the idea of abortion and lets his characters ponder it before Alison chooses to have the child, without entering into any sort of heavy-handed moral or political debate, is just one more example of his assured touch.)
Clearly these people are totally wrong for each other. Ben is round and hairy; Alison is leggy and blonde. He sits around all day with his equally unmotivated buddies, working on a Web site that lists the exact moment when actresses get naked in movies; she wakes up early, spends time with her family and takes her job seriously at E! Entertainment Television.
But they must get to know each other, first as friends and then possibly as something deeper, if they're going to make this work. It doesn't exactly help that their primary example is Alison's older sister Debbie (Apatow's radiant wife Leslie Mann) and her husband, Pete (Paul Rudd, always a subtle comic talent), who don't have much in common anymore besides their two kids.
On Ben's side, there's even less help. The friends with whom he shares a tract house in the San Fernando Valley (Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, Martin Starr and Jay Baruchel, all old pals from "Virgin" and Apatow's short-lived TV shows "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared") say they support him but they'd have no idea what to do with a baby, and they're too high all the time to figure it out.
This description, of course, makes these guys sounds useless and paints them into a corner as overly familiar types. But one of the best aspects of Apatow's script is that he makes his characters feel incredibly real. These are people who love movies and television and pop culture, and their analytical discussions of these topics always sound completely genuine. You may not get all the jokes — references to "Murderball" and Matisyahu play differently in different cities — but you'll laugh hard enough and often enough to want to go back a second time and catch the lines you missed.
When they tool on each other — which they do constantly — you know it's with affection, and Apatow obviously has great affection for them, too. Much of their banter was improvised, and Heigl, in a rare leading film role, steps confidently and easily into this male-dork-dominated society. It would be easy to write her off as eye candy, playing the straight woman amid a bevy of actors who get far showier roles, but she very much holds her own.
"Knocked Up" starts out with a one-night stand, but in the end it turns out to be a movie about loyalty. And except for being a bit on the long side — which you won't mind because you'll be having too much fun — it's pretty close to perfect.
"Knocked Up," a Universal Pictures release, is rated R for sexual content, drug use and language. Running time: 129 minutes. Four stars out of four.
Dempsey has a passion for auto racing, competing in the American Le Mans Series and is part owner of Vision Racing in the IndyCar Series.
On Sunday afternoon, he gets to fulfill another dream by leading the field of 33 drivers to the green flag to start the 91st Indianapolis 500.
"The opportunity to drive the pace car is a tremendous honor," Dempsey said. "I can't get over it. I've been begging for years, and they finally relented."
Dempsey felt deeply honored to join such men as Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder Carl Fisher, who drove the pace car from 1911 to 1916.
Since that time, such men as Barney Oldfield, Eddie Rickenbacker, Louis Chevrolet, Edsel Ford, Wilbur Shaw, Sam Hanks, Mauri Rose, Jim Rathmann, Rodger Ward, James Garner, Marty Robbins, Jackie Stewart, Johnnie Parsons, General Chuck Yeager, Carroll Shelby, Bobby Unser, Parnelli Jones, Johnny Rutherford, Jay Leno, Morgan Freeman, General Colin Powell and Lance Armstrong to name a few.
Because Dempsey is also a professional sports car racer, he shouldn't make the same mistake that Indianapolis Dodge dealer Eldon Palmer made in 1971.
As Palmer headed down pit lane with the field taking the green flag he missed his braking points, lost control of the car and slammed into a stand filled with professional photographers.
Astronaut John Glenn, Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman and ABC sportscaster Chris Schenckel were in the pace car. Over 20 photographers were injured, including Dr. Vincente Alvarez of Argentina, who suffered serious head injuries but survived.
Dempsey has been at the Speedway the past few days getting pace-car driving tips from Rutherford, a three-time Indy winner.
"It was nice to get out on track today and run around with Johnny Rutherford, who is a legend," Dempsey said. "I'm sitting there and I'm looking at his 500 winner's ring as he's driving around. And it's raining, and here I can't figure out how to lock the top of the convertible, and we're stuck right down here in the short chute.
"But I'm sitting there with someone I watched while I was growing up. And here you are sitting next to him, and he's telling you how to go around the track. It's a phenomenal experience. That's when I started getting nervous."
The Indianapolis 500 has always had star power when it comes to attracting entertainers from around the world to watch a race that is billed as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." It's an atmosphere that no other race has been able to touch.
Consider this while NASCAR is the most popular form of racing in the United States, its marquee race is the Daytona 500 which was first held in 1959.
The first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911 and in two years, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will celebrate its 100th year since it opened.
That is why stars such as Dempsey get choked up thinking about the Indy 500.
"Since I was a little boy," he said. "It's hard to talk about it because I get very emotional, about my dad, certainly. I always remember him when I come here, and that's why I think I get so emotional. And you look at all the racers who have come here. Just look at this year - A.J. Foyt, 50 years. It's just phenomenal.
"It shows the depth of loyalty with the fans and with the drivers, and what this race means. The spirits and the souls that are inhabiting this track, you can feel them."
Dempsey remembers when he was growing up; the race would be taped-delayed by ABC and shown later that night. ABC began live telecasts of the 500 beginning in 1986.
"We would hide in the car and listen to it on the car radio, and then we'd watch the race at night," Dempsey recalled. "So to be here the last four years, it's just a magical thing for me."
Dempsey is a sports car racer whose goal is to drive in Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. In fact, he is putting together a package that will allow him to do that next year.
"Fortunately, I came through the Panoz Racing School, so a lot of the drivers that you see that are racing in the American Le Mans Series or Grand Am are instructors who have been there," Dempsey said. "So when I go to the track, I know a lot of those people, and they have been very supportive from day one."
He is following a similar path to that of actor Paul Newman, who was a champion race driver himself.
"You have to look at his (Newman) results as a driver, as an owner, as a humanitarian and as a man," Dempsey. "He's a perfect role model. It's a shame he's not here."
Dempsey's IndyCar heroes are Al Unser Jr. but as a part owner of Vision Racing, he has tremendous respect for drivers Tomas Scheckter, Ed Carpenter, A.J. Foyt IV and Davey Hamilton, who will all be racing in Sunday's 500.
"You can't help but love Tomas," Dempsey said. "He's a great driver. He's always full-out, he never lifts. Some days that's good, and some days that's not good. There are things we need to work on.
"The growth of the team has been phenomenal, and we're getting there. And with a little luck, we can get results. And I think in time, we will."
On any given Race Day at Indy, Dempsey's presence would be a big deal. But he admits he'll probably be overshadowed by the man who is waving the green flag as the honorary starter Peyton Manning of the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts.
"Not only is he a champion football player, but he's a phenomenal comedian," Dempsey said. "And I'm doing this movie now, and I'd love to have him in it because I think he's an amazing talent and a great champion, too. It's great to be in the same presence that he is.
"And he's very tall, which makes me feel small and insignificant."
A star of the TV medical drama ``Grey's Anatomy,'' Dempsey will drive the Chevrolet Corvette pace car Sunday. He got a brief orientation tour of the 2 1/2 -mile track Saturday from Rutherford, a three-time winner and the pace car driver at most IndyCar races.
``You know, I'm sitting there looking at his ring as he's driving around ... and he's telling me what to do. It's someone you watched growing up, and here you are next to him. And he's telling you how to go around the track. It's a phenomenal experience,'' Dempsey said. ``So that's when I really started getting nervous.''
Dempsey, who will lead the 33-car field at about 110-115 mph before the start, has driven in sports car races and off-road events and is a co-owner of Vision Racing with IRL and Speedway chief executive Tony George.
He said he expects another bout of nerves when he meets quarterback Peyton Manning of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, who will wave the green starting flag.
``Here's a guy who I'm really nervous about because not only is he a champion football player, but he's a phenomenal comedian,'' Dempsey said, referring to Manning's recent appearance as host of ``Saturday Night Live.'' ``I'm doing this movie now, and I'd love to have him in it. ... And he's very tall. He makes me feel a little small and insignificant.''
Recognizing the reach of popular television shows, real-life doctors and public health experts are at work behind the scenes to add a dose of education to entertainment.
"Viewers get a lot of health information from TV shows. That's why we want to work with the writers to make sure it's accurate," said Vicki Beck, who directs a government-funded project that connects TV scriptwriters with medical experts.
More than half of regular viewers reported learning something about a disease from a daytime or prime-time drama, according to an analysis of data from a 2001 survey by public relations company Porter Novelli.
Findings like that caught the eye of government health officials, advocacy groups and academic physicians, who saw a compelling way to get medical information to millions.
Now, doctors regularly consult for hospital dramas "Grey's Anatomy" and "ER" plus "Desperate Housewives" and other non-medical hits that weave in health storylines. They also help fictional doctors on "General Hospital" and other daytime soap operas sound like the real thing.
Medical experts answer questions about everything from what drugs a patient would take to how a person could survive a gunshot to the head.
Advocates also brief shows on hot topics that may spark ideas for future plotlines.
"We've had some very nice outcomes," said Mike Miller, senior science writer at the National Cancer Institute, between a meeting with staff from "ER" and a meeting with staff from another medical hit, "House."
CANCER SCREENING
Real-world experts provided information to "ER" and "Grey's Anatomy" before each aired storylines about women with a gene that raises breast-cancer risk, he said.
Viewers who saw both episodes knew more about the gene afterward and were more likely to take steps to get screened for breast cancer, University of Southern California researchers found.
The cancer institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and two other federal agencies fund Beck's program, called Hollywood, Health & Society and based at the university's Annenberg Norman Lear Center. The group has fielded more than 400 requests from TV shows in the past two years.
Transplant officials joined on after growing frustrated by portrayals of kidneys being sold on a black market or a well-connected patient moving up on a waiting list.
There is no evidence of either happening in the United States, say experts, who worry such unrealistic depictions may discourage organ donation.
"That's the kind of thing we're trying to counter," said Joyce Somsak, an associate administrator who oversees organ transplantation at the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Organ transplant specialists consulted with the crime show "Numb3rs" and rejoiced when characters in one episode discussed the organ shortage and passed around donor cards, Somsak said. "That was a really good show," Somsak said.
In a later survey, 10 percent of viewers who said they had not signed up as organ donors before the show did so after watching.
ROBIN SCORPIO
Television writers and researchers say they try to present medical conditions accurately and even promote healthy behavior. Some popular shows employ doctors as writers or have consultants on the set.
Actress Kimberly McCullough, who plays HIV-positive doctor Robin Scorpio on "General Hospital," said despite "many outlandish storylines" the show's writers "have decided to stick to ... a more realistic portrayal" of life with the AIDS virus. Her character often mentions that she takes a drug cocktail to keep the virus in check.
When the fictional Dr. Scorpio started dating another doctor, played by actor Jason Thompson, "I don't know how many times we had to mention spermicidal jelly and condoms. It was mandatory," Thompson told a meeting of the Association of Health Care Journalists in Los Angeles.
The creative minds in Hollywood admit, however, that their quest for drama may stretch reality.
"We collapse time. People recover much more quickly than they actually would in real life. We don't spend a lot of time with patients in waiting rooms," said Elizabeth Klaviter, director of medical research for "Grey's Anatomy."
But "in terms of disease processes -- the cause and effect of things -- on our show those are pretty accurate," she said.
Her show has a medical doctor on the writing staff, and Klaviter said she often seeks help from outside experts.
The real-life health advocates say they cannot control what appears in scripts. "We certainly understand that these are entertainment programs. They have to find a dramatic way in to tell a story," NCI's Miller said.
But any success pays dividends. With 30-second ads on hot shows costing $300,000 or more, Beck's government-funded group estimates it has influenced TV time worth tens of millions of dollars with an annual budget that now stands around $560,000.
"It's extremely cost-effective," Beck said.
TV Guide: How did you land this gig?
Patrick Dempsey: I've been to the Indy 500 three times. The invitation came through [Indianapolis Motor Speedway co-owners] Tony and Laura George. I've been begging them for years to let me drive the pace car, and they finally relented.
TV Guide: How are you preparing?
Dempsey: I'm told that since I am already an accomplished race-car driver, I have less prep than most. I will be driving some practice laps [the day before the race].
TV Guide: Who will you be rooting for?
Dempsey: I'm sort of partial to the drivers on our team, A.J. Foyt IV, Ed Carpenter and Thomas Scheckter, but I think it's going to be very hard to beat the Penske team [which includes two-time Indy champ Helio Castroneves].
TV Guide: Any chance we'll ever see you racing at Indy?
Dempsey: It's every racer's dream to be able to drive the Indy 500, but to be honest I think my time has come and gone. That's why I'm so thrilled to be driving the pace car. It's the closest I'll ever come to driving the Indy 500 at the Brickyard.
ABC's coverage of the Indianapolis 500 airs Sunday, May 27, starting at noon /ET.
Washington's filmed message, which was to begin airing Thursday night during reruns of his ABC show, stemmed from a January meeting with officials from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, GLSEN, and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD.
The actor provoked a furor by using the epithet backstage at the Golden Globe Awards in January while denying he'd used it previously against cast mate T.R. Knight.
Washington's "willingness to do something to address the hurt and harm he may have caused has to be respected," said Eliza Byard, GLSEN deputy executive director. "Millions of people who might not have thought about the impact of this language may take a moment to reflect upon it.
"I hope viewers will take a moment to reflect on the power of words, particularly when it comes to the lives of young people and their experience at school."
In his meeting with the civil rights group, Washington apologized and agreed to help fight bias against those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, the groups said.
His public service announcement, produced by ABC, urges tolerance for all.
"Words have power. The power to express love, happiness and joy. They also have the power to heal," Washington says in the message. "When you use words that demean a person because of their sexual orientation, race or gender, you send a message of hate. ... We have the power to heal and change the world by the words we use."
The actor's future with "Grey's Anatomy" is uncertain. In the season finale, his character, Dr. Preston Burke, was seen calling off his wedding and moving out of his fiancee's apartment.
A spokesman for Washington has expressed confidence that the actor will return to the show, but ABC said contract negotiations are as yet unresolved.
"Words have power. The power to express love, happiness and joy. They also have the power to heal," Washington, 43, says in the PSA, which will air during two back-to-back episodes of Grey's Anatomy.
"When you use words to demean a person because of their sexual orientation, race or gender, you send a message of hate – a very powerful message. But we all have the power to demand better of one another, and ourselves. We have the power to heal and change the world with the words we use."
The PSA was the result of Washington's January meeting with leaders of gay advocacy groups after he used a homophobic slur in reference to his Grey's Anatomy costar T.R. Knight.
During the meeting with Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and Kevin Jennings, head of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, Washington apologized and agreed to record the PSA, which was produced by ABC.
"When Isaiah Washington ... acknowledges the personal responsibility that he and each of us have to create a culture that rejects prejudice, it advances the kind of dialogue that's absolutely essential to changing hearts and minds," Giuliano said in a statement.
Grey's star Katherine Heigl, who has been outspoken about her differences with Washington, said earlier this week that she has forgiven him.
"I know that he was very ashamed and that was a necessary emotion to move forward and not backward," she told USA Today. "His attitude and behavior and thought process needed to change, and the only way to do that is to be self-aware and honest. And I think he was."
The "Grey's Anatomy" star also headlines a long list of celebs who will attend the race, including his hit ABC show co-stars Eric Dane and Ellen Pompeo. He'll ride ont he back of one of the ceremonial convertible pace cars in the 500 Festival Parade on May 26 and (hint) get a feel for the real pace car on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before and after the parade.
Indycar.com caught up with the Golden Globe award winner recently on the Los Angeles set of "Made of Honor," which is scheduled for release next year.
Have you driven a car around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
"I've done it a couple of times. Last year, I actually drove the 'Vette around with (Johnny) Rutherford in the car, which was an amazing experience. Mr. Rutherford, I should say. You know, that's the way to do it."
Relay the story about the year you took a celebrity parade lap and what you noticed.
"You have the opportunity to go around the track during the parade laps and you hear all the different comments from the women screaming in one corner and then the men berating you in the next turn. So it's really funny to hear all the different comments from the people going around the track."
Is there more pressure to drive the pace car in front of the largest single-day sporting event audience in the world and a worldwide audience or act in a show that is watched worldwide by millions?
"I got a little nervous today on the set, but that was just anticipating everything. No, it's a great honor to be part of the history of the 500, and that's the thing that keeps coming back to me. You look at who has started it with (Carl) Fisher the first pace car driver. Jackie Stewart has done it, which is pretty amazing. Then you look at the list of who has done this, and to then see your name there is a great thing to be part of history."
Looking forward to having some time with Rutherford in the pace car this week, learning the ropes on the track?
"We'll definitely go to the next level, run around the track some and get a sense and appreciation of what the men and women are doing in the race. It's good to see all the drivers and catch up with some of them. I'd like to stay out when the green flag flies, but that would be a dangerous thing to do."
"I literally don't know," he tells Access Hollywood of his future on the show. "It would be nice to know if I'm supposed to report back soon."
Knight says he's received many phone calls from friends and fans who were concerned about his character's fate after the hit ABC show's finale, in which his unassuming Dr. George O'Malley failed his intern test. He says the producers have not told the actors what will happen next season.
Knight spent much of last season in the middle of a firestorm after costar Isaiah Washington used an anti-gay slur during an on-set argument with Patrick Dempsey. Shortly afterwards, Knight confirmed to PEOPLE that he is gay.
Speculation has also swirled around whether Washington will return next season.
Washington's rep, Howard Bragman, tells PEOPLE: "A contract has not yet been signed, but we have no reason not to expect it to be signed before the season begins."
In June, while the show is on hiatus, Washington will film the independent movie, The Least of These.
ABC has declined to comment.
"I know that he was very ashamed and that was a necessary emotion to move forward and not backward," the actress, 28, tells USA Today of Washington. "His attitude and behavior and thought process needed to change, and the only way to do that is to be self-aware and honest. And I think he was. I have forgiven."
Of the entire incident, she says, "I was ultimately grateful that it opened up a dialogue. To me, I wasn't making a political stand. I was making a stand about hurting people's feelings. It's very simple in my mind. You do not actively seek to hurt other people's feelings. I don't care what their sexual orientation, race or gender. You don't do that."
In the larger scheme of things, she says, "Enough with the Michael Richards. Enough with the Mel Gibson. Enough with this. It's disgusting. The world is still very bigoted. Go see Borat. I didn't laugh during that movie. I cried. I was horrified."
Such a perspective was formed during a maturation process, she says, explaining, "I grew up a lot in the last five years."
After a year of dating musician Josh Kelly, the two became engaged last June. "My engagement was a very altering moment, going from feeling footloose and fancy-free to 'This is huge. This isn't just dating. This is my future husband.' I'm ready for something like this now.
Despite that, when asked if her wedding is all planned (no date has been announced), she replies, "Not yet. Isn't that depressing? I think we're trying to get our acts together and try to do this sooner rather than later. But it requires so much planning and thought if you want to have the kind of wedding I want to have."
One thing that is on the calendar, however, are kids. "I've always planned to adopt anyway, but [becoming engaged] definitely reinforced my want to. I'm done with the whole idea of having my own children. [It] doesn't seem like any fun. I don't think it's necessary to go through all of that."
"We fully expect to be back in the fall," spokesman Howard Bragman said. "The deal's not done but we have no reason to believe he won't be putting on the scrubs."
A furor over Washington's use of an anti-gay slur had provoked speculation that his job might be in jeopardy. He said the word backstage at the Golden Globe Awards in January while denying he'd used it previously against castmate T.R. Knight.
Thursday's finale seemed to open the door for the departure of Washington's character. Burke was on the verge of marrying Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), but her doubts at first delayed and then derailed their splashy wedding.
"I'm up there waiting for you to come down the aisle and I know you don't want to come," Burke told a shocked Cristina. "If I loved you, I wouldn't be up there waiting for you. I would be letting you go."
Then he did just that. Later, Cristina found that Burke had cleared his favorite possessions out of their apartment.
ABC declined comment Friday on Washington's status.
But a source close to the production, speaking on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to comment publicly, said the finale doesn't indicate that Washington is a goner from "Grey's."
"A lot of character story lines were left in question. It's a cliffhanger finale," the source said. "T.R's character looks like he could be going. ... It doesn't necessarily mean anything."
Knight's character, George O'Malley, was the only intern to fail the end-of-year exam and he was seen in the finale cleaning out his locker after deciding against repeating his intern stint.
Washington will spend the summer working, his publicist said, not worrying about the show. The actor leaves next week to continue his charity work in Sierra Leone, which a DNA test showed to be his ancestral home.
Washington, who started a nonprofit foundation last year to improve the lives of people in the West African nation, plans to deliver mosquito netting and check on a school he helped found.
He'll also spend part of his summer break working on an independent film, "The Least of These," Bragman said. Washington expects to be back at work on "Grey's Anatomy" when production resumes in August, he said.
Washington filmed a public service announcement on behalf of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network after the flap. The spot is in post-production, a GLAAD spokesman said Friday.
"I think she is amazing, and I am going to miss her to death," Ramirez said Wednesday at a party in New York for People En Espanol's "50 Most Beautiful" issue.
"[Kate] is an enormously talented woman, and I think she is so much fun to watch," added Ramirez. "I wish her continued success."
Walsh's character, Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd, is leaving Seattle Grace for a new life in California as the basis for her new show, Private Practice.
Asked about Walsh's real-life plans to marry Alex Young, a production co-president at 20th Century Fox, Ramirez says: "They're lovely people. I hope it'll be a beautiful wedding."
Walsh, 39, announced their engagement earlier this week.
As for her own career, the Spamalot Tony-winning Ramirez, who plays Dr. Callie Torres on Grey's, says she relishes the idea of being a role model for women.
"I'm very proud to be in this business at this particular time, and I just hope the opportunity will continue to come where I can show the world that there are other sizes, other personalities," she said. "Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes."
Overall, CBS averaged a 10.3 rating/17 share, nipping the 9.9/16 for ABC. Both networks doubled the 4.8/8 for third place NBC, which was far ahead of FOX's 2.6/4 and the 2.1/3 for The CW.
ABC won big among adults 18-49, though, doing a 5.8 rating in the all-important demo. CBS was second with a 4.4 rating and NBC's 3.4 rating was also respectable. The CW took fourth with a 1.5 rating and FOX's 1.4 rating trailed.
CBS started off in first with the 9.4/16 for a primetime tribute to the retiring Bob Barker. ABC's "Ugly Betty" was second with a 7.0/12. NBC's "The Office" had a 4.8/8, though the NBC comedy won the demo for the hour. FOX was fourth with the start of the film "The Day After Tomorrow," just in front of the 2.3/4 for "Smallville" on The CW.
ABC moved into first at 9 p.m. with the 14.0/22 for "Grey's Anatomy," which had no problems topping the 12.5/20 for CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." NBC's "Scrubs" finale had a 3.3/5 for the hour, better than the 2.6/4 for FOX's movie and The CW's "Supernatural."
CBS Won the 10 p.m. hour with another episode of "CSI," which did a 9.0/15, better than the 8.7/15 for the last 15 minutes of "Greys" and a "Lost" clip show. NBC's "E.R." trailed.
Wilson, who received SAG and Image Awards this year for her role on "Grey's Anatomy" as Dr. Miranda Bailey, has numerous television credits including guest starring roles on "The Sopranos," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Sex and the City," "100 Centre Street," "Third Watch," and "The Cosby Show." No stranger to daytime, Wilson also had a recurring role on ABC's "One Life to Live" and is an accomplished theater actress. The New York Times named her one of "Eight to Watch, Onstage and Behind-the-Scenes" in 2004 for her performance in the George C. Wolfe directed Broadway play "Caroline, or Change."
SOAPnet will celebrate the Daytime Emmy Awards throughout the month of June with special programming and events including the following:
Saturday, June 9 – SOAPnet will air a special marathon that will highlight all four Outstanding Drama Series nominees including "The Young and the Restless" and "One Life to Live" as well as off-network shows "Guiding Light" and "The Bold and The Beautiful" from 12PM – 4PM ET/PT. The marathon gives fans the chance to see the episodes of their favorite shows submitted for voting. June 9, 2007 - Outstanding Drama Series
12PM –"Guiding Light"
1PM – "The Bold and the Beautiful" x 2
2PM – "The Young and the Restless"
3PM – "One Life to Live"
Thursday, June 14 - In celebration of the Daytime Emmy Awards being held in Los Angeles, SOAPnet heats up Sunset Boulevard by hosting the "Night Before" Nominee Party at BOULEVARD3 with all the nominated daytime shows, actors and actresses in attendance.
Monday, June 18 - SOAPnet's Daytime Emmy Post-Show, "SOAPnet: Daytime Emmys…Unzipped," hosted by daytime legend Linda Dano, Julie Pinson ("Days of our Lives") and Michael Bruno ("I Wanna Be A Soap Star" judge and talent manager) will premiere at 11PM ET/PT. The post-show is sure to delight with fabulous critiques of who wore what, who won what, who said what and who should have stayed home. Kari Sagin will produce.
SOAPnet received its own Daytime Emmy nominations for: Outstanding Talk Show Host for "Soap Talk's" Lisa Rinna and Ty Treadway; Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for "Soap Talk" for Felicia Linsky and Adam Christopher.
SOAPnet, the new way to watch soaps, offers same-day episodes of popular daytime dramas including "All My Children," "Days of our Lives," "One Life to Live," "General Hospital" and "The Young and the Restless" at night for convenient viewing. In addition, the network provides inside access to stars and storylines with original programs, including the biography show "Soapography," "1 Day With..." and the reality series "I Wanna Be A Soap Star." Wrapped in a 24-hour environment, SOAPnet also offers primetime classics including "Beverly Hills 90210," "Melrose Place," "Falcon Beach," "The O.C," "One Tree Hill" and "Dallas," as well as former daytime series "Port Charles" and "Ryan's Hope."
The actress, 39, confirmed Tuesday that she's engaged to her boyfriend, Alex Young, a production co-president at 20th Century Fox. The Grey's star flashed her Neil Lane Jubilee-cut diamond to PEOPLE and said that Young proposed last week in San Francisco.
So what makes her fiancé so special? "Oh, everything," she gushed at the Entertainment Weekly upfront party at The Box in NYC. "He's the most amazing man I ever met."
Walsh recently stepped out with Young at an April 28 fund-raiser for Barack Obama in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, ABC this week formally announced that Walsh will star in her own Grey's Anatomy spinoff, playing Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd in Private Practice. The show will air Wednesdays this fall and costar Taye Diggs and Tim Daly.
Despite big ratings earlier this month for the two-hour "Grey's" that set up the new show, ABC Entertainment chief Stephen McPherson acknowledged that there is "some work to do" on the show before it hits the air at the start of the 2007-08 season.
"What you suffer from in a pilot, especially this, which was not really a pilot but a hybrid kind of introduction, is you're introducing all the characters," McPherson said Tuesday at a press conference about ABC's lineup for next season. "I think it spent a lot of time introducing the characters and not as much time on stories.
"[Creator Shonda Rhimes] had a lot of stories she wanted to tell, but unfortunately that would have taken three to four hours."
McPherson is confident, though, that Rhimes will be able to move past that hurdle once "Private Practice" starts production. "What Shonda does brilliantly, I think, is the conflict between people and the reality of that," he says. "I think you'll see a lot more of that as it goes along."
"Private Practice," which will air on Wednesdays, centers on "Grey's" star Kate Walsh and also stars Tim Daly, Merrin Dungey and Taye Diggs. Walsh's character, neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery, is leaving Seattle to work with an old friend (Dungey) in Los Angeles. McPherson promises the show won't simply be "Grey's Anatomy," take two.
"We're not doing an imitation of 'Grey's' -- it's really a show about these young interns who know nothing ... and have grown into this world. ['Private Practice'] is a world where people actually know each other really well in some cases, and what is that adult relationship that exists when you know people really well, all the complications of that."
Cast:
Kate Walsh ("Grey's Anatomy"): Addison Forbes Montgomery
Tim Daly ("The Nine"): Dr. Peter Finch
Taye Diggs ("Day Break"): Dr. Sam Bennett
Paul Adelstein ("Prison Break"): Dr. Cooper Freedman
Merrin Dungey ("The King of Queens"): Dr. Naomi Bennett
Chris Lowell ("Veronica Mars"): William "Dell" Cooper
Amy Brenneman ("Judging Amy"): Dr. Violet Turner
Credits:
EP/Writer: Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy")
EP: Betsy Beers ("Grey's Anatomy")
EP: Marti Noxon ("Grey's Anatomy")
EP: Mark Gordon ("Grey's Anatomy")
Director: Michael Grossman ("Grey's Anatomy")
Production Company: ABC Studios
To mark his appearance on the front of the May issue, Grey's Anatomy doc Eric Dane and wife Rebecca Gayheart hit downtown hotspot Tenjune on Monday night. And his ABC show colleagues, in town this week for the fall 2007 upfront network presentations to advertisers, turned up to party with him.
Music by Lily Allen, Corinne Bailey Rae and the Red Hot Chili Peppers set the tone for the night. And for hungry guests, cookies featuring the Men's Health cover of Dane lay all around.
"It's a little bit surreal," said Dane about seeing his face on newsstands. He added that he is a Men's Health kind of guy because "I spend enough time in the gym to qualify."
And his wife appreciates that. "When he's getting dressed and he's half dressed, with jeans but no shirt, that's when he's the hottest to me," Gayheart said of the Grey's hunk.
Co-star Ellen Pompeo credited more than Dane's physique and said that he was hot because "he's such a nice guy." Pompeo's fiancé, Chris Ivery, spent some time in deep discussion with the Men's Health man of the hour.
But Dane's colleagues continued to gush about him. Sara Ramirez, who plays Callie Torres on Grey's, said, "He's got this devilish quality, and he's hilarious on set. He's a sweetheart."
The party was a change for Ramirez, who is used to wearing hospital gear on the set. She slipped on the carpet in her Stuart Weitzman heels. "My God, I do not wear heels often!" she said with a laugh.
Both Ramirez and Dane had praise for co-star Kate Walsh, whose spinoff show Private Practice, which will focus on her Grey's character Addison Montgomery, is expected to be announced today as an addition to next season's ABC lineup.
Walsh is "a fun woman to watch," said Ramirez, who took her own funny Tony-winning turn on Broadway as The Lady of the Lake in Monty Python's Spamalot.
Dane added, "I think Kate's wildly talented."
The 20-year-old starlet tops the magazine's eight annual "Hot 100" list, which features the 29th-ranking Sarah Silverman on the cover.
"There is no other star in the world [who] causes more of a stir in the public eye than Lindsay," says Maxim Editor in Chief Jimmy Jellinek in a statement. "Her every move is watched and reported on."
Online, the magazine says that Lindsay, an "unbelievably beautiful, untamable Golden Age throwback with a nonstop social calendar and acclaimed acting chops is Ann-Margret, Meryl Streep, and Sophia Loren rolled into one."
Lohan has moved past her Disney remake ("Parent Trap," "Freaky Friday") roots and has moved on to adult fare such as "A Prairie Home Companion," "Bobby," "Georgia Rule" and the upcoming "Chapter 27."
The other ladies that made the cut, from No. 2 to No. 15 include: Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Biel, Ali Larter, Eva Mendes, Rihanna, Eva Longoria, Fergie, Sienna Miller, Angelina Jolie, Beyonce Knowles, Katherine Heigl and Avril Lavigne.
Other highlights include celebrity sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff (23, 89) and Ashlee and Jessica Simpson (16, 41), tennis hottie Maria Sharapova (17), Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger (22), Ashley Olsen (37), "Veronica Mars" star Kristen Bell (46), "Heroes" reality bender Missy Peregrym (53), "Battlestar Galactica" cylon Tricia Helfer (57), "Lost's" Evangeline Lilly (68) and the 3-D animated Second Life Girl (95).
The full list can be found at Maximonline.com or on newstands, beginning Saturday, May 18.
In a major expansion of mobile media, ABC today will make available episodes of Grey's, Lost, Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty on video-equipped Sprint phones, along with Disney Channel series such as Hannah Montana, ABC News' Nightline and other programming.
The four most-recent episodes of each series can be viewed on demand at no extra charge by subscribers to a $20-a-month data package. Eventually, the shows will include commercials.
ABC was the first to offer full-length TV shows on Apple's iTunes and was an early proponent of its own ad-supported Web-based players.
But cellphones mark relatively untapped territory: Aside from low-rated Jericho on CBS, no other network TV episodes are available on demand. Instead, carriers such as Verizon offer short clips or broadcast live "channels" that offer series only at specified time periods.
"The phone gives another opportunity for people on the go who aren't interested in buying a show to get them as video on demand," says Anne Sweeney, president of Disney ABC Television Group. Sweeney says viewers who try shows on other platforms often begin watching them on TV as well.
Sprint's push marks an effort to upstage Apple's heavily touted iPhone, due in June through rival AT&T. But users of that new phone must purchase TV shows they want onto iTunes and then connect the device to a computer.
"You won't need to buy episodes individually or sync up to your PC to access this kind of content," says John Burris, Sprint's vice president for wireless data services.
Says Albert Cheng, executive VP for digital media at Disney ABC: "With the proliferation of technology that allows for time-shifting," such as DVRs and online streaming, "that's sort of how people view things now. On-demand is what people expect. Why should mobile be any different?"
Still, mobile TV faces significant challenges: Handsets are saddled with small screens and relatively wimpy batteries. Video quality isn't always fluid. Sprint's phones deliver up to 15 frames per second, about half the rate of broadcast-quality television.
Sprint says nine of 10 TV-ready phones in its lineup cost less than $100 with a two-year contract. More than 1 million customers now have the capability.
Sprint and ABC say they're in discussions with other networks and cellphone carriers, respectively, to broaden such deals.
But TV networks' agreements with their affiliated stations limit the number of shows that can be offered on other platforms; ABC's lineup is the same as offered on iTunes and abc.com.
"People are fanatical about these shows, and here they can satisfy their craving," says Roger Entner, senior vice president at IAG Research, which measures the effectiveness of ads. "It's a win for the TV network, a win for the wireless network and a win for the user."
Beginning as a beta test in July, ABC will show episodes of "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ugly Betty" on an HD broadband channel on its site. When the new season launches in September, an expanded HD programming lineup will be presented.
Also in the fall, ABC.com will begin to showcase national news and local content on its full-episode player. This content will be monetized with local ads and other individualized marketing.
Last month, ABC.com upgraded its full-episode broadband player offering full-screen viewing and a "mini" option to go along with the original standard-viewing options. The portal currently offers more than a dozen series free to consumers the day after their network premieres.
TUESDAY:
8:00 p.m. "Cavemen" (new comedy series)
8:30 p.m. "Carpoolers" (new comedy series)
9:00 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars the Results Show"
10:00 p.m. "Boston Legal"
WEDNESDAY:
8:00 p.m. "Pushing Daisies" (new drama series)
9:00 p.m. "Private Practice" (new drama series)
10:00 p.m. "Dirty Sexy Money" (new drama series)
THURSDAY:
8:00 p.m. "Ugly Betty"
9:00 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy"
10:00 p.m. "Big Shots" (new drama series)
FRIDAY:
8:00 p.m. "MEN IN TREES"
9:00 p.m. "Women's Murder Club" (new drama series)
10:00 p.m. "20/20"
SATURDAY:
8:00 p.m. "Saturday Night College Football"
SUNDAY:
7:00 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos"
8:00 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
9:00 p.m. "Desperate Housewives"
10:00 p.m. "Brothers & Sisters"
While friends were "beautifully supportive," Knight, 34, tells The Advocate in its June 19 issue, others cautiously advised him, "Don't do it – don't do it now."
Looking back, he says, "I remember saying to someone when I got one of those 'don't do it' [comments] – I just remember hearing my voice being calm and saying, 'No, it's going happen. It's going to happen. I'm just letting you know.' "
Ultimately, he's glad he decided to come out after castmate Isaiah Washington referred to him on-set by a homophobic slur. "I made the decision to make a statement," he says. "I could have not [spoken up]. I could have retreated. But I'm definitely happy I made the decision." (Washington has since apologized.)
Knight told PEOPLE in a statement in October: "I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there. While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."
Since coming out, Knight, who plays the unassuming Dr. George O'Malley on the hit ABC drama, has seen his character marry Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) and bed fellow M.D.'s Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl).
Off camera, Heigl is a close friend, but she says he came out to her gradually. "There came a point where we were close enough friends that he would just talk about dates or about other guys," she tells The Advocate.
"I wasn't shocked or surprised. ... It was more just like, 'Oh, okay, now I know why you don't want to go out with me.' "
But Knight, who is single ("Not that I've had the most successful dating experiences," he says) insists coming out hasn't much affected his love life. He says with a laugh that he still assumes people aren't interested in him, but notes: "Too much aggression isn't a good thing either."
Steven W. Bailey, who plays the portly drink-slinger on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," lives near Los Angeles' Griffith Park, which went up in flames earlier this week. To escape the smoke and heat from the fire that blackened more than 800 acres, he and his wife headed for the peace and solitude of idyllic Santa Catalina Island.
"We thought, get away for a little while, get away from all this fire nonsense, go to Catalina, get some fresh air," Bailey told KABC-TV.
"We were approaching the island and we see this smoke from pretty far away," he added. "I jokingly said to my wife, I was like, `That cloud formation over there looks like there is a fire in Catalina.'"
It was a 4,000-acre blaze that erupted Thursday. It dwarfed the size of the one in Griffith Park and forced hundreds of people to evacuate the city of Avalon, where Bailey was headed.
"It just descended into more and more fire, more and more smoke, more and more ash," Bailey said.
The actor couldn't immediately be located for comment Friday. KABC-TV reported that the fire prevented Bailey and his wife from checking into their hotel so they were considering returning home by ferry.
CBS earned a 10.1 rating/17 share for the night to beat out ABC's 8.5/14. FOX, 5.5/9, finished third, while NBC grabbed fourth with a 4.8/8. The CW trailed at 2.0/3.
ABC led among adults 18-49 with a 4.7 rating. CBS was a close second in the key ad demographic at 4.5. NBC, 3.4, came in third, followed by FOX, 3.0, and The CW, 1.3.
"Survivor: Fiji," 8.5/15, put CBS on top at 8 p.m. ABC's "Ugly Betty" drew a 6.6/11 to take second, ahead of "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" on FOX. "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office" averaged 4.6/8 for NBC, while "Smallville" came in at 2.2/4 for The CW.
ABC took the lead at 9 p.m. as "Grey's Anatomy" scored a 12.8/20. CBS was right behind with "CSI," 12.0/19. A second hour of "Are You Smarter," 5.4/9, kept FOX in third. "The Office" and "Scrubs" pulled down a 3.7/6 for NBC. The CW's "Supernatural" brought up the rear.
At 10 p.m., the season finale of "Without a Trace" posted a 9.9/17 for CBS. NBC finished second with "ER," 6.2/11, and a preview showing of "Traveler" on ABC scored a 6.1/11.
"I hope I still make her swoon!" the actor, 41, tells Redbook in its June issue. "Sometimes I think, God, would Derek Shepard do this? because I am certainly not a perfect male at this moment. Just trying to provide and communicate and let her know how beautiful and important she is to me – I think those things make her swoon."
And what about her makes him swoon? "I think thoughtfulness always gets someone," says Dempsey, who stars in the new romantic comedy Made of Honor.
"Like, 'Oh, wow, that's pretty special that you remembered that.' She's unbelievably patient and supportive and smart. I listen to her. I listen to her instincts. She makes me a much better person just by association. To have her love me gives me strength and hope and has allowed me to grow into this whole thing."
He and Jillian, a former cosmetics entrepreneur who now works as the global colorist for Avon, have three kids: daughter Talula, 5, and twin sons Darby and Sullivan, whom they welcomed in February.
The boys, he tells Redbook, are different – quieter than Talula was as an infant. But he says there was one thing he learned with his daughter that's been helpful with his new sons: "I've learned that bonding comes in waves; it's incremental.
"I think most men are freaked out by that because they're expecting it to be immediate. With a mother, it's almost immediate. But it's okay to take the time bond with your child. It's going to take 12 months before you start to get into this relationship."
But now, PEOPLE reports in this week's issue, the mystery has been solved. Walsh, 39, is dating Alex Young, a production co-president at 20th Century Fox, with a string of blockbuster credits including X-Men: The Last Stand and Fantastic Four.
"He's a hotshot," says a friend. "But Alex also has substance. He's a good guy." (Walsh's rep declined to comment.)
Walsh, who stepped out with Young at an April 28 fund-raiser for Barack Obama in Los Angeles, has become pretty hot herself. On Thursday night, she starred in a two-hour special episode of Grey's, which featured her character, Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd, contemplating a move to another hospital.
The storyline is the basis for a possible spinoff starring Walsh and Taye Diggs.
And Walsh recently told Best Life magazine she's a late-bloomer in love, but is finally ready for a serious relationship. "I don't need someone with a hot body," she said. "He can be fat or overweight and have a belly. It's very much about style and substance and humor, interest, curiosity and really being smart."
The Alphabet scored an 11.2 rating/18 share for the night to beat out CBS, 9.4/15, for the top spot. NBC took third with a 4.5/7. FOX, 4.0/7, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 2.0/3.
ABC also won the adults 18-49 race by a comfortable margin, averaging a 7.2 rating in the key ad demographic. CBS, 4.4, finished second, followed by NBC at 3.1. FOX drew a 2.4 and The CW a 1.4.
CBS won the 8 p.m. hour with "Survivor: Fiji," 8.3/14. ABC's "Ugly Betty" earned a 7.1/12, an improvement over recent weeks. "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" put FOX in third, beating the 4.7/8 average for super-sized editions of "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office" on NBC. A "noir" episode of "Smallville" earned a 2.1/4 for The CW.
The first hour of "Grey's Anatomy" drew a 13.4/21 for ABC at 9 p.m. as it explored a possible spinoff for Kate Walsh's character Addison. CBS was a strong second with "CSI," 11.6/18. "The Office," "Scrubs" and the first few minutes of "ER" combined for a 3.5/6 on NBC. FOX fell one spot to fourth with "Trading Spouses," 2.9/5. The CW's "Supernatural" trailed.
"Grey's" held fairly steady at 10 p.m. with a 13.2/22. The season finale of "Shark" on CBS delivered an 8.3/13, while "ER" managed only a 5.3/9 for NBC.
"We're gonna have — I want to say at least two versions of it at this point. We may broaden our message a little," the actor's publicist, Howard Bragman, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Wednesday.
Washington ran into trouble at the Golden Globe Awards in January after he used an anti-gay slur during a backstage press conference while denying he'd used it previously against "Grey's Anatomy" castmate T.R. Knight.
People magazine reported last October that Washington had allegedly used the slur during an on-set dustup with co-star Patrick Dempsey.
Knight said soon after the incident that he was gay.
After being criticized by GLAAD, a gay and lesbian advocacy group, and the ABC network, Washington issued an apology and sought counseling.
Bragman said ABC, which is owned by The Walt Disney Co., was planning to shoot the ad in the next few weeks.
A call to ABC seeking comment wasn't immediately returned.
Bragman said Washington, 43, plans to return to "Grey's Anatomy" next year.
"We've heard nothing to the contrary, and we have no plans to the contrary," Bragman said.
The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network seeks to ensure that schools safely accommodate students of all sexual orientations.
Dempsey will bring the field of 33 starters to the green flag at the start of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," the world's largest single-day spectator sporting event. The race is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. (ET).
Dempsey, a native of Lewiston, Maine, has played Dr. Derek Shepherd on "Grey's Anatomy" since 2005. The show is one of the highest-rated programs on American television.
"We're excited to welcome Patrick Dempsey as the Pace Car driver for the 91st Indianapolis 500," said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief operating officer. "His acting performances throughout his career have captivated millions of fans, and he has become one of the biggest stars in television through his role on 'Grey's Anatomy.'
"During recent years he has developed a strong bond with racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so he truly understands and appreciates the pageantry, prestige and tradition of the Month of May and the Indianapolis 500."
Dempsey is a co-owner of IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 team Vision Racing. He also drives in selected sports car races for Hyper Sport Racing and off-road events. Dempsey finished a career-best fifth April 15 in the Koni Challenge Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and his Hyper Sport team is second in the Koni Challenge driver and team standings.
The 2007 Corvette that will serve as the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car is virtually identical to the convertible models available today through local Chevrolet dealerships. The Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Pace Car appears in "Atomic Orange" with distinctive gold ribbon graphics and Indy 500 logos; 500 production replicas will be offered for sale to the public.
What blogger buzz identified as a shot of swollen testicles, ABC identified as a shot of a guest star.
"If you look at it," a network rep said Friday, "it's Mitch Pileggi."
How the noted character actor came to be confused for a brief, backlit shot of a scrotum is a matter of story line and screen grabs.
In the episode, "Desire," Pileggi appears as Seattle Grace's chairman of the board, a man with a big problem: a pair of too-big-for-his-britches testicles.
In order to best explain the condition, Pileggi's character drops trou.
"Fix this," the hospital exec orders.
The reactions of Seattle Grace's doctors are captured in a reverse-angle, between-the-legs shot in which something—or is it somethings?—pop into the top of the frame.
"Grey's Anatomy Went 'Nuts' Last Night," declared a headline on the pop-culture blog Towerload.
"Grey's Anatomy Sneaks a Swollen Scrotum Past Network Censors," offered Defamer in picking up the Towerload item.
And sure enough, the sites' screen grabs do make it look as though man gear dropped into range.
But a careful, JFK-style review of the video (Back, and to the left... Back, and to the right...) reveals that nothing more adult than Pileggi's grown-up skull dropped into range. As Pileggi's character removes his pants, he leans over, and his head briefly comes into view in the between-the-legs shot.
Scrotumgate, we hardly knew ye.
Coincidentally, or maybe not, considering Thursday was the first night of May sweeps, Grey's time slot rival, CSI, also touched a pair of giant, swollen testicles. The testicles did not actually appear on screen, and were not believed to have been mistaken for Pileggi.
In the end, CSI got more play out of its giant testicles than Grey's got out of its so-called "penisfish," the Amazonian parasite that was found to plague Pileggi's character. The CBS crime drama scored a now-rare win in the 9 p.m. hour, edging its rival 20.2 million viewers to 20.1 million.
Next time, maybe Grey's should consider going for the full grapefruit.
Two years later, Carlile's follow-up disc, "The Story," is a completely different, well, story. Released April 3, the album opened at No. 76 on the Billboard 200 and made an impressive jump to No. 41 in its second week.
Three songs from "Brandi Carlile" were licensed to ABC's hit drama "Grey's Anatomy," creating a "great sampler" for new fans of the pop/rock/alt-country/folk artist, according to Sony BMG vice president of marketing Greg Linn.
"They came to us with this wonderful opportunity to take the video for the first single (the album's title track) and intercut it with footage from the first three seasons of the show," Linn said. "The images worked phenomenally well together."
The "Grey's" montage aired April 12 and was made available as a free download on iTunes the next day. "It was amazing to have that happen when it did," Linn said. "To have album sales jump in the second week is such a rarity in these market conditions."
Carlile also got a boost when the first single was made the Download of the Week March 13 on iTunes. The cut debuted at No. 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has found support on college, triple-A and, most recently, adult top 40 stations.
Carlile will keep up her heavy touring schedule through spring and much of summer, and a three-month fall headlining tour is in the planning stages.
"This is the best tour I've ever been on," she said. "I had heard so many major label horror stories, but so far it's been a nonissue for me. They haven't been forceful in any way. They've just let me do my thing the way I want to do it."
Overall, CBS averaged a 9.9 rating/16 share to win the night, beating ABC's 8.6/14. FOX was a distant third with a 4.7/8, followed closely by NBC's 4.6/8. The CW trailed with a 2.4/4.
Among adults 18-49, though, ABC averaged a 5.2 rating and captured the key demographic. CBS wasn't far off, though, with a 4.8 rating. NBC moved up to third with a 3.2 rating and FOX dropped to fourth with a 2.8 rating. The CW stayed fifth with a 1.4 rating.
CBS kicked the evening off in first with an 8.1/11 for "Survivor: Fiji." ABC's drooping "Ugly Betty" had a 6.7/11 (and finished fourth in the key demo." FOX was third with "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader," which had no trouble beating the 4.7/8 averaged by NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office," though the NBC comedies actually finished second among adults 18-49. The CW trailed with the 2.6/4 for "Smallville."
At 9 p.m., ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" claimed the hour with a 12.9/20, beating CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," which did a 12.1/19. FOX's "Trading Spouses" was a distant third, while NBC's "30 Rock" season finale (3.1/5) and "Scrubs" (3.0/5) were fourth. The CW finished fifth with "Supernatural."
CBS grabbed first again at 10 p.m. with the 9.3/16 for "Shark." Although it squandered most of its lead-in, ABC's "October Road" finale had a 6.3/11 and narrowly edged NBC's "E.R."
Rhimes has tapped two "Grey's" writer-producers, Krista Vernoff and Marti Noxon, as the go-to people for the medical drama and its possible spinoff come next season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Vernoff will stick with the current show, while Noxon, who joined the "Anatomy" team earlier this season, will head to the spinoff starring Kate Walsh.
The two will oversee the day-to-day work on their respective shows, while Rhimes retains showrunner status on both.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the spinoff will have a life beyond its setup as part of a two-hour "Grey's Anatomy" next week. The show, tentatively titled "Private Practice," will follow Walsh's Dr. Addison Montgomery to Southern California, where she reconnects with friends from medical school.
Vernoff, whose past credits include "Wonderfalls" and "Charmed," has been with "Grey's" since its first season and has written several key episodes, including last season's "Into You Like a Train" and the two-part story dealing with the death of George's (T.R. Knight) father earlier this year. She was made an executive producer of the show prior to the start of this season.
Noxon is best known as a writer and executive producer of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." She joined "Grey's" as a consulting producer midway through this season and became an exec producer last month. She also wrote the final leg of the series' three-part ferry crash story that aired during February sweeps.
The "Grey's Anatomy" star, who came under fire after using an anti-gay slur, didn't submit his name for nominations consideration, Washington's publicist, Howard Bragman, said Friday.
"It's all about the acting, not the awards," Bragman said.
Washington ran into trouble at another awards show in January, the Golden Globes. He used the epithet during a backstage interview while denying he'd used it previously against castmate T.R. Knight.
After being criticized by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the ABC network, Washington issued an apology and sought counseling.
The actor has not been previously nominated for the hit medical drama series, which is in its third season.
The deadline for putting names into contention was Friday. The awards are set for Sept. 16.
ABC averaged a 9.0 rating/15 share in primetime, topping the 8.2/13 for CBS. NBC, 4.6/8, finished third in households, although FOX, 4.5/7, had a few more viewers. The CW earned a 2.3/4.
ABC's lead among adults 18-49 was wider -- it scored a 5.2 rating in the key ad demographic, while second-place CBS drew a 3.6. NBC, 3.1, was third, followed by FOX, 2.5, and The CW, 1.6.
"Survivor: Fiji" won the 8 p.m. hour for CBS with an 8.1/13. ABC's "Ugly Betty" took second at 6.7/11, one of its lowest numbers of the season. "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader?" put FOX in third. "My Name Is Earl," 4.6/7, and a rerun of "The Office," 4.0/7, were fourth for NBC. The CW got a 2.5/4 from "Smallville."
At 9 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" drew the night's biggest audience with a 13.7/21. CBS fell one spot to second with a "CSI" repeat, 8.1/13. From there came a steep drop to third-place NBC, which went with "30 Rock," 3.3/5, and "Scrubs," 3.5/5. FOX's "Trading Spouses" came in fourth at 3.1/5, a point better than "Supernatural" on The CW.
CBS reclaimed the top spot at 10 p.m. as "Shark" posted an 8.5/14. "October Road" bled half its lead-in to finish at 6.7/11 for ABC, while NBC's "ER" came in at a below-average 6.1/10.
The list of sexy entertainers and athletes was announced Thursday. It was compiled by a team of Victoria's Secret executives, designers and supermodel spokeswomen, including Heidi Klum and Karolina Kurkova. Klum and Kurkova were to host a party in Las Vegas on Thursday to celebrate the list-makers.
"I still think my husband (Seal) is the sexiest dad for our children, but (that's) beside the point," Klum, 33, told The Associated Press.
Matthew McConaughey was honored for his "beach body."
"You know, he has his shirt off a lot lately," said Klum, host of Bravo's "Project Runway."
Other sexy celebs: Eric Dane (actor), Carrie Underwood (female musician), speed racer Danica Patrick (female athlete), Yankee Derek Jeter (male athlete), Kate Hudson (mom), and Jay-Z and Beyonce (couple).
Sienna Miller won props for her trendsetting style, Josh Duhamel for his smile and Adrian Grenier for his eyes. Cameron Diaz has the sexiest legs, while Jennifer Hudson was singled out in the lips category.
The ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" — surprise, surprise — has the sexiest cast.
His character replaces a missing teacher who molested several teenage boys and might have been killed by one of them.
It is the actor's first new role since derogatory comments he made about gays on the set of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and at the Golden Globes forced him into a much-publicized stint at a treatment center for psychological counseling.
"Least" marks the feature debut of writer-director Nathan Scoggins, a campus church founder, former Christian singer-songwriter and nondenominational Christian worship leader, who said that his wife suggested Washington for the role.
Scoggins approached the actor about a month and a half ago after reading an interview where the star said he wasn't being offered film or television roles after making his criticized remarks.
The director acknowledged that casting Washington might be seen as a risk but that the feature would take pains not to link pedophilia to homosexuality.
"We focus exclusively on the corruption of other priests who choose not to step in and say something," he said. "Isaiah's character stays razor focused on the situation and (on) not condemning a whole section of the population."
The director said the subject matter was one of the things that drew Washington to the film, budgeted at $1 million. "This is part of him moving forward and making restitution" for his actions, Scoggins said. Washington was unavailable for comment.
The film begins a monthlong shoot in June in Los Angeles.
For starters, there's a definite airdate for the show -- Thursday, May 3 -- and a title, "The Other Side of This Life." That presumably refers to the basis for the potential spinoff, with Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) headed from Seattle to sunny Santa Monica to visit old friends from med school.
But the show won't focus entirely on Addison's road trip. Back in Seattle, Cristina (Sandra Oh) is trying on wedding dresses and enduring the input of both her mother and Burke's mom (returning guest star Diahann Carroll) as she plans her wedding. Jane Doe (Elizabeth Reaser) also suffers a setback, forcing Derek (Patrick Dempsey) to perform emergency surgery.
The Addison portion of the episode will feature Tim Daly ("The Nine"), Merrin Dungey ("Alias"), Taye Diggs ("Day Break"), Paul Adelstein ("Prison Break"), Amy Brenneman ("Judging Amy") and Chris Lowell ("Veronica Mars"), all of whom are slated for regular roles if the spinoff, currently titled "Private Practice," gets picked up for next season.
Former "Everwood" regular Stephanie Niznik, Andrea Bendewald ("Suddenly Susan") and Gary Hershberger ("Six Feet Under") will also appear in the episode. "Grey's" creator Shonda Rhimes wrote the episode, which Michael Grossman directed.
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS - TELEVISION SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR TV MOVIE
America Ferrera - "Ugly Betty" - ABC
Constance Marie - "George Lopez" - ABC
Sara Ramirez - "Grey's Anatomy" - ABC
Alexa Vega - "Walkout" - HBO
"Sullivan is very funny – he has funny expressions in the way he's taking things in – and Darby is very reserved and quiet," Dempsey, 41, told PEOPLE on Saturday, the day before the Grand Am Koni Challenge race in Homestead, Fla., where he was driving for the Hyper Sport team.
And how is his 5-year-old daughter Talula handling the new additions, who were born on Feb. 1?
"Talula is making the transition very well," Dempsey said. "Last week we had father-daughter time – we went and saw Wicked. We'll start doing more one-on-one trips."
Dempsey, who has credited wife Jillian with encouraging him to pursue his dream of racing cars, said he is eager for his children to come to the racetrack with him.
"Talula already wants to drive," he said. "She likes my silver Mercedes with the red interior. I'm glad because it's a sedan so the whole family can ride with her when she learns to drive."
(Dempsey and co-driver Charles Espenlaub finished sixth of 39 cars in the race on Sunday – his best finish in five Koni Challenge races.)
Knight, who was at the center of an uproar last year when costar Isaiah Washington allegedly referred to him by a homophobic slur, was asked by Access Hollywood how things were on the set.
"We have about 20 days left [until the season ends], not that I'm counting," he said. "It's going to be nice to have two months away, you know. I think everyone's looking forward to it."
Knight, 34, made his comments at the GLAAD Media Awards in Hollywood on Saturday, where Grey's won an award for outstanding individual episode for "Where the Boys Are."
Asked if the summer break would give Knight time to reflect upon the tumultuous season, he said: "Yeah, to learn from it. Grow. That's the hope; that's my hope."
The trouble started in October when Washington reportedly used the slur during an on-set argument with costar Patrick Dempsey. Shortly after the incident, Knight confirmed to PEOPLE that he is gay.
He later told Ellen DeGeneres that hearing Washington use the word gave him the courage to come out. In January, Washington apologized and checked into rehab.
Knight, who opened the awards show on Saturday, told Access Hollywood he's not sure the wounds from the dustup have truly begun to heal. "I don't know," he said. "We're showing up and doing our work. ... There's a lot of work to be done, so that's my focus."
Asked if his relationship with Washington is on the mend, Knight said, "I just focus on doing the work. That's my job; that's what I'm paid for, and I think that's enough."
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation awarded "Grey's Anatomy" for the episode "Where the Boys Are."
The show got unwanted attention last year when actor Isaiah Washington used a slur to talk about a castmate in an on-set dustup. He later apologized and sought counseling.
"Little Miss Sunshine" won outstanding film in the wide release category, while "Ugly Betty" won for outstanding television comedy series and "Brothers & Sisters" took home the outstanding drama series award.
La Opinion newspaper was awarded outstanding Spanish-language newspaper for overall coverage.
The Vanguard Award went to actress Jennifer Aniston for her efforts to increase visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Tennis great Martina Navratilova was given the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, in honor of the late casting director who fought homophobia in the entertainment industry.
The 18th annual GLAAD Media Awards — consisting of 42 categories — are split into four ceremonies, held in Los Angeles, New York, Miami and San Francisco in March, April and May.
The awards "recognize and honor mainstream media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ... community and the issues that affect their lives."
"They're great. We have really great chemistry," Diggs, 36, said of his castmates Thursday at the opening of the new club Runway in New York City.
The initial episode has "just finished" filming, he said, "and we're hoping people dig it."
ABC plans to test out the show with a "back-door pilot," an expanded two-hour episode of Grey's, Reuters reported in February. No air date for the episode has been set.
Diggs, who said he plays a "general practitioner" on the show, was coy when asked if he could reveal any key plot details.
"Plot what? Secrets?" he said. "I can't tell you! It's a secret."
Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes is writing the first episode, which, according to USA Today, will feature Kate Walsh's character, Dr. Addison Shepherd, mulling an out-of-town job offer.
ABC and creator Shonda Rhimes have been so hush-hush about the "enhanced" two-hour "Grey's" May episode -- which will introduce a new life for Kate Walsh's Dr. Addison Montgomery -- that during a development presentation with advertisers last week, the cast of the new show was trotted on stage but were not allowed to divulge any details.
So we will:
Following her recent disastrous romantic misfortunes, Addison travels to Santa Monica, Calif., to seek advice from her old medical school pals, Naomi (Merrin Dungey) and Jackson (Taye Diggs) whom she believes have it all: a beautiful teenage daughter, a great marriage and a highly successful health cooperative. That is, of course, if ABC picks up the series, which is a good bet since the cast -- which also includes Chris Lowell ("Veronica Mars"), Amy Brenneman ("Judging Amy"), Tim Daly ("The Nine") and Paul Adelstein ("Prison Break") -- was already paraded before the people with the big bucks.
Alexandra Patsavas, the influential TV and film music supervisor who has helped put Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol and the Fray on the mainstream map, has inked a deal with Atlantic Records to form a new imprint, Chop Shop Records. The label shares the name of Patsavas' 10-year-old California-based firm, Chop Shop Music Supervision. Patsavas had been in negotiations with the Warner Music Group unit about creating a label since last year. The subject was first broached in a meeting with Atlantic president Julie Greenwald at the Coachella music festival. "It's something we came up with together," Patsavas says. "A label seems like a natural extension of what a music supervisor does . . . You can come across things very early, and there have been bands along the way I would have loved to have worked with more closely." Many basic details of the venture are still being sketched out. Patsavas says she will look to hire a label manager as well as handful of additional talent scouts and assistants to supplement the efforts of her existing Chop Shop music supervision team of three coordinators. But this much is known: It will be headquartered in South Pasadena, Calif., and is expected to handle as many as three acts at the outset. No signings have been announced yet. Patsavas is aggressively on the hunt for acts. During a recent trip to New York, she attended nine different artist showcases. She says Chop Shop's direction will bear a strong resemblance to the creative direction she has pursued in her music supervisory role. "I've always been interested in indie rock, and it's the kind of music I tend to enjoy placing in the shows that I work on," she says. "(The label) will be an extension of the kinds of artists that have been featured on 'The OC' and 'Gray' soundtracks. Many of those artists have been unsigned or signed to small labels." As for the prospect of landing acts on either of the labels in Chop Shop-supervised shows, Patsavas and Atlantic execs recognize the need to separate church and state. But the connection doesn't hurt. "She has to do what is right for the show and the job, but it is fantastic that we have her dialed into our company," Greenwald says. Patsavas says she is also keeping the door open to Chop Shop distributing TV soundtrack releases where and if appropriate. TV soundtracks enjoyed a boom year in 2006 -- increasing 19% in sales to more than 27 million units, according to Nielsen SoundScan -- led by a string of Disney hits with "High School Musical," "Hannah Montana" and "The Cheetah Girls." Soundtrack albums from Patsavas-supervised shows likewise have performed solidly. "Grey's Anatomy Volume 2" -- which was also nominated for a Grammy, rare for a TV soundtrack -- has sold almost 350,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan. And the six volumes of the "Music From The OC" soundtrack series have moved more than 1 million copies worldwide. Of late, "Grey's Anatomy" has been particularly effective at creating sales momentum for bands by translating TV exposure into downloading activity. Weekly download sales of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" jumped from less than 2,000 tracks to 21,000 the week it was featured May 15 in the final minutes of the 2006 season finale of "Grey's Anatomy." Songs from Gary Jules, the Fray, Regina Spektor and Anna Nalick have all seen similar bumps after being on the show.
"We get along like peas in a pod," Morgan, 40, told PEOPLE about the 3-year-old when he and Parker, 43, attended Thursday's Broadway opening of the new musical Curtains. (William's father is Parker's ex, Billy Crudup.) Asked how William was doing, Parker replied, "Fantastic." But on the subject of how well her two guys get along, Parker – who earlier this month told PEOPLE that her relationship with Morgan is "going great" – demurred to her date. "You'll have to ask him for yourself," she said. "He's wonderful," replied Morgan. "He's great. We spend a lot of time reading, actually. And I just got back from the park [with him] before we came here." Being around a child, Morgan admits, "It's a whole new world, a different world, but it's fantastic. It's great!"
ABC averaged a 10.0 rating/16 share for the night, easily beating CBS' 6.9/11 (the CBS numbers may change some, as it had live sports all night). FOX, 4.7/8, edged NBC, 4.6/8, for third. The CW trailed with a 2.4/4. The adults 18-49 demographic also went to ABC, which drew a 5.6 rating. CBS took second with a 3.9, followed by FOX at 2.8 and NBC at 2.5. The CW drew a 1.5. ABC's "Ugly Betty" won a tight race at 8 p.m. with a 7.4/12. CBS' NCAA tournament coverage was second in households at 6.6/11, though FOX's "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader?," 6.4/11, had a few more viewers. A pair of "My Name Is Earl" reruns were fourth for NBC. "Smallville" posted a 2.6/4 for The CW. "Grey's Anatomy" ruled the 9 p.m. hour with a 14.3/22. CBS improved to 7.8/12 with its basketball coverage. NBC moved up to third with "Scrubs," 4.1/6, and "Andy Barker, P.I.," 3.5/5. Reruns of "Family Guy" and "American Dad" averaged 3.1/5 for FOX, while The CW's "Supernatural" dipped a couple tenths from its lead-in. At 10 p.m., "October Road" scored an 8.3/14 for ABC, down from last week but well ahead of its competition. The NCAAs earned a 6.4/11 for CBS, and NBC's "Raines" drew a 5.9/10.
They include three series that debuted this season: the surprise hit "Ugly Betty," the drama "Brothers & Sisters" and Anne Heche's Alaskan sojourn "Men in Trees." Most of the other returnees are no surprises. "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and "Boston Legal" will all be back. ABC is also committed to several of its successful reality shows, including "The Bachelor," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Dancing With the Stars," "America's Funniest Home Videos," "Supernanny" and "Wife Swap." The late-night "Jimmy Kimmel Live" will also be back in the fall, said ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson. None of the network's comedies, including long-running series like "According to Jim" or " George Lopez," received an early commitment for next fall. The broadcast networks all announce their fall schedule to advertisers in May. ABC is averaging just under 10 million prime-time viewers, down from 11.4 million a year ago. The network argues that some erosion was expected with the departure of "Monday Night Football," but it has also been hurt by the unexpected decline of "Lost" in its third season. The network's biggest move, shifting "Grey's Anatomy" to Thursdays, has been a big success.
That's according to TV Guide's first list of the sexiest, which hits newsstands Thursday featuring the No. 1's on separate covers. The picks, chosen by the magazine's editors, suggest that TV's sexiest show is Grey's: Three of the hit drama's docs made the cut. Oddly enough, the actor who plays Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), dubbed Dr. McSteamy, isn't hot enough for the top 10. The steamiest network? ABC, taking half of the sexiest slots, far ahead of NBC's five. The rest of the ladies: And gentlemen: According to Variety, Heigl has signed on to play a woman who has experienced the honor of being a bridesmaid on 27 occasions. Her latest bridesmaid gig is for her sister, who happens to be marrying the man that the bridesmaid loves. The film, financed by Spyglass, will be directed by "Step Up" helmer Anne Fletcher from a script by Aline Brosh McKenna ("The Devil Wears Prada") with a polish by Dana Fox ("The Wedding Date"). Shooting will begin in May in New York and Rhode Island. Strangely, this is the second bridesmaid-themed project on tap for the stars of ABC's hit medical drama. Patrick Dempsey plans to use his hiatus to star in "Made of Honor," a romantic comedy about a man asked to be maid of honor at his female best friend's (Michelle Monaghan) wedding. Heigl is currently attracting ample buzz for her summer comedy "Knocked Up," a Universal comedy from director Judd Apatow. Her other feature credits include the notoriously low grossing "Zyzzyx Rd." and the pervy classic "My Father the Hero."
ABC averaged a 10.6 rating/17 share for the night, easily beating the 6.2/10 for CBS (whose numbers may change some, as the network aired live sports coverage all night). FOX, 5.4/9, came in third, topping NBC's 5.0/8. The CW drew a 2.5/4. Among adults 18-49, ABC's 6.0 rating led the way. CBS and FOX tied for second at 3.5, leaving NBC in fourth with a 2.7. The CW averaged 1.7. "Ugly Betty," 7.4/12, put ABC on top at 8 p.m. in households, but FOX's "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader?" (7.3/12) had more viewers, performing fairly well without help from "American Idol." CBS' coverage of the NCAA basketball tournament's opening night was third at 6.2/10. An hour of "Office" reruns, with some new footage added, earned a 4.2/7 for NBC. The CW trailed with "Smallville." ABC took sole possession of first at 9 p.m. as "Grey's Anatomy" scored a 14.6/23, the night's best rating. CBS improved to 6.9/11 with its hoops coverage. NBC moved up to third with "Scrubs," 4.1/7, and the premiere of "Andy Barker, P.I.," 3.7/6. FOX went with two repeats of "Family Guy," while "Supernatural" posted a 2.3/4 for The CW. At 10 p.m., "October Road" delivered a 9.7/16 for ABC, easily the best retention for the show following "Grey's" this season. NBC got a 6.7/12 from the premiere of "Raines," while CBS' NCAA games fell to 5.4/9.
The "Grey's Anatomy" star started a nonprofit foundation last year to improve the lives of people in the West African nation. "The stories of innumerable Sierra Leoneans that were forced into slavery have yet to be extensively told," Washington said in a statement. "I believe this project will begin to shed some much-needed light on the region, both past and present." The computer project focuses on Bunce Island, an 18th-century slave-trading castle that sent African captives to North America. Joseph Opala and Gary Chatelain, professors at James Madison University in Virginia, are directing the project, which will show the castle as it appeared in 1805. They hope to create an educational CD that will let students to look at the castle and its details to see what Africans experienced 250 years ago. "Our computer animation project will allow us to go beyond the imagination, and actually see how the Atlantic slave trade was carried out," which is crucial because events then could not be documented by photography, Opala said in a statement. Washington's donation was made through his Gondobay Manga Foundation and the Friends of Sierra Leone, a spokesman said Wednesday. The star of ABC's hit medical drama came under fire this year for using an anti-gay slur, for which he later apologized.
This preference for depth over superficiality makes the Michigan native a natural for a scene-stealing role that has nothing to do with her good looks: a nine-episode stint on ABC's Grey's Anatomy (Thursdays at 9 pm/ET) as Jane Doe, the pregnant ferry-crash victim with severe facial injuries. "Elizabeth can communicate so much with her voice and eyes — she has incredible depth and warmth," says executive producer Betsy Beers. "We needed to take to our Jane Doe, despite her appearance. With Elizabeth, you can't help but love her!" And fans do. Jane's damaged face, along with her amnesia, have made her character a source of fascination. "I get calls from my sister almost daily trying to get the scoop," says Reaser, 31. The only thing the actress thinks she's discovered is that Jane's real name is Ava. Otherwise, Grey's well-known iron curtain of secrecy keeps her in the dark like everyone else. But Reaser, who studied at Juilliard, can't stop wondering. "I have all these questions about her husband: Was he in the war? Did he leave her?" she says wistfully. "It kills me to think about Jane Doe having a baby and what this baby must mean to her." She admits feeling self-conscious walking around the set in her makeup — a heavy mask that takes three hours to apply. "As opposed to doing some other show where they make you look pretty, it's scary," she says. "You feel ugly." While it's not Reaser's first time on a set stocked with IV bags and heart monitors — she played an emergency-room doctor on TNT's short-lived Saved last season — walking onto the set of a smash hit like Grey's was intimidating. But Reaser had a secret weapon: She's known T.R. Knight for seven years, since they starred in a play called The Hologram Theory in New York. He made her feel at home at Grey's, taking her around to meet everyone. "She's one of those actors that you have to watch yourself around because your mouth starts hanging open," says an admiring Knight. "She's very inventive. I find her completely fascinating." (Knight also reveals that she has other talents: "We made out in the play — she's a most excellent kisser!") Jane Doe has been spurring the doctors at Seattle Grace to reflect on who they really are, especially the usually aloof Alex (Justin Chambers), who rescued Jane and has remained at her side. "He's all she has," says Reaser. "It's interesting to watch him be affected, and try not to be." So why does Reaser think that Jane Doe has struck such a chord with fans? "I feel like we can all relate to not knowing who you are in some way," she says. "You may know your name and address and those factual things, but sometimes I know I've felt lost and unsure of myself." Right now, though, all she's feeling is curious and optimistic about her future — and Jane's. As she says, "Hopefully, they'll be able to put her back together."
The actor has inked a deal with Coty Inc. to be the face of the first women's fragrance from Nautica, the company announced Tuesday. "We are delighted to collaborate with Nautica and spokesmodel Katherine Heigl to introduce the new women's fragrance," Coty CEO Bernd Beetz said in a statement. "Katherine is beautiful, graceful and an inspiring actress who best personifies the values of the Nautica brand." After a tough few weeks on the job, Heigl could probably use that kind of flattery about now. Earlier this month, details of her salary dispute with ABC TV Studios were leaked to the press, with sources revealing that Heigl walked out on contract talks because she felt undervalued in comparison to costars such as Ellen Pompeo and Sandra Oh, leading to speculation that she might leave the show. In response to reports on the matter, ABC issued a statement clarifying it had offered to "raise [Heigl's] compensation significantly above the terms of her current contract." "We were surprised to see this gesture negatively reported in the press," the studio said, adding that Heigl was under contract and therefore Dr. Izzie Stevens would not be checking out of Seattle Grace. Heigl fired back with a statement of her own, saying she was "embarrassed" and "disappointed" about the studio's decision to go public with the dispute. "I dropped out of the renegotiation simply because I wanted to treat myself with the respect I was not getting from them," she said. Pompeo, on the other hand, was reportedly treated with plenty of respect by the studio, which showed its appreciation by increasing her salary to an estimated $200,000-per-episode, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Also well respected were T.R. Knight, Justin Chambers, James T. Pickens Jr. and Chandra Wilson, who were each bumped up to about $125,000 per episode. However, there was still no word on the kind of cash Heigl can expect to be earning in the upcoming season, nor on the projected paychecks of Oh, Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington. While Heigl may be unhappy with the powers that be at Grey's Anatomy, on the subject of her new employer, she had only positive things to say. "I am thrilled to work with Coty and Nautica on this new fragrance campaign," she said in a statement. "Partnering with these two highly successful companies makes this a very exciting and rewarding experience for me." If only her day job were equally rewarding.
Brenneman will guest-star in the "enhanced" two-hour episode of the hit ABC medical drama. It is designed to serve as a springboard for a new show centering on Addison Shepherd, the "Grey's Anatomy" character played by Kate Walsh. Brenneman joins previously cast Taye Diggs, Tim Daly, Chris Lowell and Paul Adelstein.
Platt, who had a recurring part on "The West Wing," will return to the political realm in the Alphabet's comedy pilot "The Thick of It." Lowell is the latest addition to the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff, according to the showbiz trade papers. Also at ABC, Tim Peper has signed on to the comedy "Carpoolers." "The Thick of It" is a remake of a British series about an ineffectual government minister, with "Arrested Development" creator Mitch Hurwitz among its executive producers. The ABC version will focus on a low-level congressman; Platt is set to play a committee chairman. Platt earned Emmy nods in each of the past two years for his role on Showtime's "Huff" and another for "The West Wing" in 2001. He'll next be see in ESPN's series "The Bronx Is Burning," playing New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. He's also appeared in "The Ice Harvest," "Kinsey" and NBC's "Deadline." Lowell, meanwhile, joins Kate Walsh, Taye Diggs, Tim Daly and Paul Adelstein in the potential "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff, which focus on Walsh's character and will be introduced in a May sweeps episode of the medical drama. Details of Lowell's part are being kept quiet. The 22-year-old actor, who starred on ABC's "life as we know it" a couple seasons back, plays Stosh "Piz" Piznarski on The CW's "Veronica Mars." His casting on the ABC project probably doesn't bode well for Piz, but as he's a relative newcomer to "VM," it doesn't necessarily set off alarm bells for the future of the show. Peper, meanwhile, will play one of the four leads in "Carpoolers," about a group of suburbanites who ride to work together. Peper has appeared on "Guiding Light" and NBC's "Conviction."
Original cast members James T. Pickens Jr. and Chandra Wilson also have agreed to new contracts, with Justin Chambers and T.R. Knight close to new pacts to continue on the Golden Globe-winning series. Under the new deals, all actors will receive salary bumps. Pompeo now will be at nearly $200,000 per episode, while Pickens, Wilson, Chambers and Knight will be paid about $125,000 per episode, sources said. (A season consists of about two-dozen episodes.) It is understood that the new terms are retroactive, going back to the first episode of this season. The contract status for "Gray" co-star Isaiah Washington was not clear. It has been rumored that he might continue on the show without a raise in light of the recent controversy surrounding his use of a homophobic slur, but his communication with the show's producer, ABC TV Studio, has been kept under wraps. Representatives for the studio and for the actors declined comment Thursday. Yet to close new deals are Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh and Katherine Heigl. Details on Heigl's stalled contract renegotiations were leaked to the media late last month, which triggered a statement on the matter from ABC TV Studio. "Fortunately, we have a long-term contract to ensure she'll be with the show for several years to come," the statement said. "In recognition of her tremendous talent and value to the show, we recently approached Katherine with an offer to raise her compensation significantly above the terms of her current contract." All cast members on "Grey's Anatomy" are under long-term (reportedly seven-year) deals with the studio. It has become customary for the original casts of hit shows to renegotiate their contracts and receive raises after two seasons. Since "Grey's" debuted as a midseason replacement in March 2005, the renegotiations were held now when the show marks two full seasons on the air as opposed to the more common between-seasons period in the summer and fall. Sources said some of the supporting players headed into the renegotiation process as a group that quickly dissolved, leading to individual contract talks between each cast member and the studio. Meanwhile, Kate Walsh, who joined the cast at the end of Season 1, also has a new deal as part of her central role in the potential spin-off from the hit series, now in the works. The cast of "Grey's" recently won a SAG Award for best drama series ensemble, with Wilson winning the individual statuette for best drama series actress.
"Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo and at least four of her castmates are in line to receive healthy raises for their work on the hit ABC series. Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Justin Chambers and T.R. Knight either have signed or are on the verge of signing new contracts. Pompeo's new deal will bump her pay to about $200,000 per episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The other actors will also make six figures per episode. Some of the show's other regulars are still involved in negotiations; the HR says that while supporting cast members initially presented a united front with ABC and "Grey's" producer ABC TV Studio, but that's no longer the case, and the actors are cutting individual deals. Sandra Oh, Patrick Dempsey and Katherine Heigl are still working on their contracts. Word that Heigl had dropped out of the renegotiation process leaked to several media outlets a couple of weeks ago, prompting statements from both the studio and the actress about the process, which both stress that Heigl's not going anywhere but unsurprisingly differ on the particulars of contract talks. The status of Isaiah Washington's contract is uncertain. He's also likely to stay with the series, but in the wake of the controversy over his use of a homophobic slur, details of his talks are being kept quiet, according to the Reporter. Kate Walsh, meanwhile, has worked out a separate deal that covers her role in a possible "Grey's" spinoff. A back-door pilot for the spinoff will air as a two-hour "Grey's" episode during May sweeps.
"Her influence was profound. Jill just gets me to believe in my dreams – and act upon them," Dempsey, 41, who races cars on the Hyper Sport racing team, tells the British edition of InStyle in its April issue. "She was the one to encourage me to go and drive," he says. "For a Christmas present about nine years ago she gave me a three-day competition class. Now my goal is to race Le Mans." Last year his wife treated him to a 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE for his 40th birthday. "It's my midlife-crisis car – only there is no crisis," he says. He also owns the Porsche convertible from the movie Top Gun. Far from having a midlife crisis, Dempsey, who became dad to twins Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick on Feb. 1 (he and Jillian also have a 5-year-old daughter, Talula) is looking forward to getting older – and even the effect of age on his famous "Dr. McDreamy" mane. "My hair is a complete nightmare," he tells the magazine. "The gray is coming in and I'm looking forward to that. I'm going to try and age gracefully and not be neurotic about it."
"Sometimes I feel like, `What am I doing? Am I becoming my character, or is my character becoming me?'" she says in an interview in Best Life magazine's April issue, on newsstands Tuesday. "I'm starting to get a little superstitious here. I definitely identify with my character in that, romantically at least, this is not where I thought I'd be at 39." Walsh was a regular on "The Drew Carey Show" and appeared on other series including "Karen Sisco" and "The Fugitive" before getting her big break on "Grey's Anatomy." Last month, Walt Disney Co.-owned ABC said it was planning to air a special two-hour episode featuring Walsh and guest starring Taye Diggs, as a test run for a possible new series. "I feel torn between having the time of my life and wanting very serious things, like a surplus of love for a family and all that," Walsh says. "But what's in front of me right now is work. Often, I think it would have been so great if this success had happened when I was 27 or 28, but then again, I wouldn't have had the maturity then to deal with it and not end up in rehab." Walsh finds the boundaries between herself and her character beginning to blur, perhaps a bit more than feels entirely comfortable. "With an hour-long drama, you start playing a little closer to who you are, because the writers hear you and are around you and they start writing for you," she says, explaining how her character has become more vulnerable and complex. Asked for her reaction to the blowup over castmate Isaiah Washington's anti-gay slur about co-star T.R. Knight, Walsh says there has been "no fallout on the set, really." She adds: "It was definitely sad. It's annoying. And it eclipsed our Golden Globes win, which I was upset about."
Paul Adelstein (Fox's "Prison Break") also has been cast as a guest star in that episode with an eye to appear in the potential spinoff series headlined by Kate Walsh. The two join previously cast Taye Diggs. The story line for the two-hour episode, being written by "Grey's" creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes, is being kept under wraps, but it is understood that it will feature popular "Grey's" character Addison Montgomery-Shepherd (Walsh) on the verge of leaving Seattle Grace, a scenario that will be triggered if ABC goes with the spinoff for next season. Details on the characters in the potential spinoff also are being kept secret, but according to the breakdown, Daly's character is described as "handsome, sincere, like a McDreamy." It was not clear what character Adelstein would play. The breakdown also includes a female psychiatrist and a female fertility specialist. Daly most recently starred in ABC's critically praised drama "The Nine."
Burton will play a justice, while Camille Guaty (Fox's "Prison Break") will play her ambitious, smart and liberal clerk.
"She's a super-talented girl," Kate Walsh told PEOPLE on Sunday at the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment Dreamgirls luncheon in Beverly Hills. "Everyone's just working hard." As for contract renegotiations Walsh, whose character Addison Shepard is the subject of a possible Grey's spinoff, said, " I literally just worked with Katherine the other night. We just go to work. I don't know – I don't really get into all the stuff. Everybody is doing their own thing with negotiations." One of Heigl's other costars, Sara Ramirez, says of the actress who plays Izzie Stevens on the hit ABC show, "She's lovely....Everybody's very professional – not just Katherine – but everybody else too." Added Ramirez, "At the end of the day, we all have to be grateful for our jobs. We're working actors, and not only that, we're on a hit show." .Last week, Heigl's contract negations became public, and she eventually issued a statement criticizing ABC and Touchstone, saying she was "embarrassed" and had been treated with disrespect. "I am embarrassed that this has become a public matter and disappointed that Touchstone felt it necessary to divulge private employment information," Heigl said in the statement. "I had hoped I would be able to deal with this issue confidentially with my bosses. I dropped out of the renegotiation simply because I wanted to treat myself with the respect I was not getting from them." Heigl, according to a statement ABC released, is contractually obligated to remain on the highly rated TV show for "several years," and is "an integral part of Grey's Anatomy and its success." Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes, who was honored at Sunday's NABFEME luncheon, had no comment.
Actor in a drama series: Isaiah Washington. "Grey's Anatomy" Supporting actress in a drama series: Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy" Writing in drama series: Shonda Rhimes, "Grey's Anatomy," "It's the End of the World."
"It's going great!" Parker, 43, says of Morgan, 40, who also died on Grey's Anatomy (after romancing Katherine Heigl's character) and Supernatural (after making a deal with a demon to save his son). And don't believe any gossip-column reports of trouble in paradise: "The New York Post said we were fighting at Nobu, but I'm certainly not dumb enough to fight at a [high-profile] restaurant like Nobu." In fact, she recently spent Valentine's Day with Morgan ("We had a nice dinner") and her other favorite guy: her son William, 3, with actor Billy Crudup. "He made Valentines for everyone," she says. Parker, who stars in Oxygen's The Robber Bride (March 3, 10 and 11), starts filming the new season of Weeds in April. Is it hard being a working single mom? "No, because I spend a lot of time not working," she says. She even has time to take William to his class: At a time when most toddlers are learning to tumble, he's taking French lessons. "He speaks a little," Parker says. "He can count to seven and say, 'May I please have two cookies?' " To find out how Mary-Louise felt about playing Brad Pitt's wife in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, how she can spot a backstabbing woman and more, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands now.
"There is nothing like being recognized and honored by your own," said Hudson. Forest Whitaker, who also won an Oscar for best actor in "The Last King of Scotland," was nominated in the same category for an Image Award. Isaiah Washington, who has been sharply criticized for uttering a gay slur on the set of his hit show, won best actor for a drama series. "The first time I was up here I felt deserving of something," said Washington, who announced earlier this year he would seek help after receiving a torrent of negative publicity for his comments. "This time I feel privileged." Djimon Hounsou took best supporting actor for "Blood Diamond." "This film means a lot to me for the simple reason that I'm from Africa," said Hounsou to loud applause. Rapper LL Cool J hosted the Image Awards, which honor projects and individuals who promote diversity in the arts. "I won't ask you why the chicken crossed the road," the rapper joked, telling the crowd it was his first time as a host. "I just ask that you bear with me. I'm going to try to carry this thing with dignity." Television show "That's So Raven" took two awards for best children's program and performance Vanessa Williams got the nod for best supporting actress in a comedy for "Ugly Betty." The show is "a story about family, about feeling like an outsider, and as African-Americans in this business know, often we feel like an outsider," said Williams. Chandra Wilson won best supporting actress in a drama series for "Grey's Anatomy." She said she wished her deceased father could have been with her, as Friday would have been his birthday. "His little daughter is real happy to be standing here," she said. CNN's Soledad O'Brien was given the honorary President's Award for her work as a journalist. Honorary recognition during the show was also to include Bill Cosby's induction into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame and the Chairman's Award to Bono. "Dreamgirls" and the TV comedy "Everybody Hates Chris" were each up for a leading eight Image Awards. "Dreamgirls" had nominations for best picture and soundtrack, and "Dreamgirls" star Beyonce Knowles led individual nominees with five nods. Other movies competing for best-picture were "Akeelah and the Bee," "Blood Diamond," "Catch a Fire" and "The Pursuit of Happyness." Other big-screen acting nominees were Denzel Washington ("Inside Man"), Harry Belafonte ("Bobby") and Kerry Washington ("The Last King of Scotland"). Besides its best-comedy nomination, "Everybody Hates Chris" was up for two directing and five acting awards. Other best-comedy nominees were "All of Us," "The Bernie Mac Show," "Girlfriends" and "Ugly Betty." Best-drama nods went to "24," "Grey's Anatomy," "Heroes," "The Unit" and "The Wire."
"I am embarrassed that this has become a public matter and disappointed that Touchstone felt it necessary to divulge private employment information," Heigl, 28, said in a statement Thursday. "I had hoped I would be able to deal with this issue confidentially with my bosses. I dropped out of the renegotiation simply because I wanted to treat myself with the respect I was not getting from them." But Grey's fans will be happy to know that Heigl, who plays Izzie Stevens on the ABC hit, still loves her character. "No matter how unhappy I am about their decision to respond to this publicly, I continue to be passionate about and committed to this character," she said. The actress dropped out of contract talks on Tuesday, a well-placed source told PEOPLE at the time, explaining: "Katie is disappointed and hurt that Touchstone doesn't value her as much as her other costars, especially Sandra Oh and Isaiah Washington." In response, ABC Television said in a statement Wednesday that Heigl wasn't going anywhere: "We have a longterm contract to ensure she'll be with the show for several years to come." The statement also said that producers had offered Heigl a significantly higher pay package and were "surprised" to see negative press coverage of their gesture.
Series star Katherine Heigl has bowed out of contract negotiations after reaching a stalemate with producers over a salary dispute. Sources told E! Online TV columnist Kristin Veitch that Heigl is angling for a salary bump that would put her on par with the show's other female stars, namely Ellen Pompeo and Sandra Oh, both of whom were better known before the ABC hit launched. Heigl apparently feels that she has become an integral part of the show and her star is on the rise. According to sources, Heigl's camp believes that, come the June release of her Judd Apatow comedy, Knocked Up, Heigl will be one hot commodity. (Think Steve Carell post-The 40-Year-Old Virgin.) While neither producer Touchstone Television nor Heigl has commented on the contractual posturing, ABC confirmed to E! News that, dispute or not, rising star or not, Heigl isn't going anywhere. She's currently signed for three more years, through the show's sixth season. "Katherine is an integral part of Grey's Anatomy and its success," ABC said in a statement. "Fortunately, we have a long term contract to ensure she'll be with the show for several years to come." "In recognition of her tremendous talent and value to the show, we recently approached Katherine with an offer to raise her compensation significantly above the terms of her current contract. We were surprised to see this gesture reported negatively in the press, and want to reassure fans that she will continue as Izzie Stevens." While Heigl's Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens has become a major asset onscreen (she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and shared the ensemble award from the Screen Actors Guild)—Heigl's offscreen behavior has been a distraction. The 28-year-old was the most vocal cast member in the wake of Isaiahgate. Heigl made frequent comments in support of costar T.R. Knight and against costar Isaiah Washington, who called Knight a "faggot" during an onset fracas last fall and then denied it following the Goldeon Globes. "I'm not okay with it," she said before Washington sought treatment. "He needs to just not speak in public. Period...And I'm probably going to get in a lot of trouble for being that blunt." While ABC denies that the current contract dispute is any sort of embodiment of behind-the-scenes turmoil, People reports Heigl is distressed that Washington's continued presence on the show seems to valued over her own. Of course, the stalemate could be less about conspiracies and more about money. Last June, Touchstone rewarded each of the Grey's Anatomy principal cast members with a cool $200,000 one-time bonus for a time slot well done. At the time, it was reported that the bonuses were an attempt to head off actors' requests for bigger paydays down the line. Apparently the powers that be wanted to avoid the inevitable salary battles that occur when relatively unknown stars are catapulted to fame via a monster hit show and try to renegotiate their original deals (see: Friends, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond). Should they need it, the producers will likely have a little more pocket change at their disposal by the end of the season. Last week, Touchstone confirmed that Kate Walsh, who plays Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd on the series, could be departing for the show's first spinoff. A two-hour special episode of Grey's Anatomy, set to air during May sweeps, will act as the de facto pilot for the new, as yet untitled series, allowing ABC time to decide whether or not to pick up the show for its fall season. It's unlikely that any other regular cast members will join the new show, though Taye Diggs and Hector Elizondo have signed on to appear in the pilot.
"Katie is disappointed and hurt that (producer) Touchstone doesn't value her as much as her other costars, especially Sandra Oh and Isaiah Washington," the source says. A rep for ABC Touchstone TV had no comment.
"Well, it's overwhelming because it's like, there's too many options sometimes. It's like, well, why should I believe the doctors? Shouldn't I get a second opinion? Shouldn't I find a specialist?" he said in an interview with George Stephanopoulos broadcast Sunday on ABC's "This Week." "You feel very naive and childlike in a lot of ways," said Dempsey, whose mother needed treatment for cancer several years ago. "You have to give over a lot of power to these people who may or may not understand what your needs are, or care, just because of the volume of work that they're going through." He said his mother has been cancer-free for nine years. Since then, he has teamed up with Breakaway from Cancer, a support initiative founded in 2005, to help others. "You need a support system in to encourage you, to get you up and out of bed in the morning," he said.
ABC averaged an 11.4 rating/18 share for the night. CBS took second with a 10.0/15, while FOX came in third with a 9.1/14. NBC, 5.1/8, took fourth, and The CW was well back at 1.5/2. Among adults 18-49, ABC's 7.0 rating led the way. FOX finished second in the key ad demographic with a 5.9, beating out CBS' 5.1. NBC averaged 3.5 and The CW only 0.9. "American Idol's" results show easily won the 8 p.m. hour with a 14.0/21. "Survivor: Fiji" put CBS in second with a 7.9/12. A repeat of last week's "Grey's Anatomy," 6.7/10, was third for ABC. NBC went with "My Name Is Earl," 5.5/8, and "The Office," 5.0/7. "Smallville" came in fifth for The CW. The is-Meredith-dead episode of "Grey's Anatomy" scored a 17.0/25 at 9 p.m., making it the night's most-watched show. CBS stayed in second with "CSI," 13.0/19. "The O.C." went out quietly, dropping way off from its lead-in to average 4.3/6 for its final episode on FOX. "Scrubs," 3.7/6, and "30 Rock," 3.1/5, kept NBC in fourth, ahead of "Supernatural" on The WB. ABC stayed in front at 10 p.m. with "The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special," 10.5/18. "Shark" scored a 9.2/15 for CBS, while NBC's "ER" delivered a subpar 6.7/11.
The premise is being developed and the episode will air sometime this season, the network said. Walsh plays neonatal surgeon Addison Shepherd, part of the romantic triangle involving Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and intern Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). Extracting Walsh's character from the series could prove tricky for series creator Shonda Rhimes. Although comedy spin-offs once were common ("Cheers" begat "Frasier," "All in the Family" begat "Maude" and "The Jeffersons"), it's a rare occurrence among dramas. CBS made it work for "Knots Landing," which pulled a character from the hit "Dallas" and earned a 14-year run. "Grey's Anatomy" has been a key player for Walt Disney Co.-owned ABC and has prospered in a move from Sunday to Thursday night, drawing up to 25 million-plus viewers in its third season. In recent months, the series drew as much attention for its cast conflicts as plot twists. Isaiah Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke, publicly apologized for using an anti-gay slur about co-star T.R. Knight and sought counseling. Diggs' film credits include "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," "Rent" and "Chicago," and he's been on TV series including "Ally McBeal" and "Will & Grace." He starred in the recent and short-lived series "Day Break" and "Kevin Hill." Walsh was a regular on "The Drew Carey Show" and appeared on other series including "Karen Sisco" and "The Fugitive."
"Grey's Anatomy" also welcomes Emmy-winning actor Hector Elizondo, who is currently in production as Mr. Torres, Callie's father. Elizondo appeared in "Chicago Hope" and "Princess Diaries I & II," among many other projects. The "Grey's" episode, entitled "My Favorite Mistake," has not yet been assigned an airdate.
The show will test the waters as a back-door pilot, an expanded two-hour episode of "Grey's" slated to air in May. It will center on neonatal surgeon Addison Shepherd (Walsh), a character who has enjoyed a strong following from fans since she was introduced at the end of the hot surgical drama's first season. It is understood that the back-door pilot episode will feature Shepherd on the verge of leaving Seattle Grace, a scenario that will be triggered if ABC goes with the spinoff for next season. There were no details on the character Diggs will play. "Grey's" creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes is writing the episode and is expected to shepherd the potential series. Meanwhile, Rhimes' other ABC pilot, about female journalists, has been pushed to a summer production start. Diggs' casting in the "Gray" spinoff stems from a new talent holding deal he recently signed with ABC TV Studio, where "Grey's Anatomy" is based. He starred in two drama series for the studio, "Kevin Hill" for UPN and "Day Break" for ABC.
•"I personally think that if they're going to do a spinoff, Addison is the only character that could sustain it. Kate Walsh had developed a pretty big fan base and the character of Addison is coming into its own. I think that she's the only choice for a move like this."- —Christine Burke, 21, Washington, D.C. •"As long as her exit is clearly explained, I could imagine that fans of both Grey's Anatomy as a whole and especially Kate Walsh would want to have a look at the new show. I don't think the move will hurt the series, judging by how the fans have already stuck by the show through thick and thin. Ratings did not drop dramatically after the Golden Globes incident. … If anything, I think the new show can be considered an extra hour of Grey's Anatomy for the week. Who doesn't want that?"- —Sara Di Maulo, 18, Montreal •"What defines a character is the other characters surrounding them. By creating a spinoff, you take them out of that element and the character that you had loved changes. … She's too integral to Grey's Anatomy. She's tied to a lot of the characters and her relationships with them provide great depth for them. Such dimensions to these characters would be dropped at the expense of Addison's depature."- —Nikki Koch, 20, Melbourne, Australia •"It sort of looks like it's a money ploy. I really think the actress is great and has a lot of chemistry with her co-stars."- —Tania Rose, 28, Webster, N.Y. •"I definitely would (watch a spinoff). I would also love to see a couple of characters go with her. If the creators behind Grey's Anatomy stay on board for Addison's show, then ABC will have another hit. … I don't think this move will hurt the series at all. The cast of Grey's Anatomy has become too large."- —Shelby Woods, 23, Long Beach, Calif. •"I think it's way too soon to be thinking spinoff. Addison will only have been around two seasons. The smart move is to wait. There is nothing worse than overmarketing a series. What makes it so great is that anticipation factor. And splitting this cast up too soon will also kill it. Leave it alone for another year at least."- —Sue Hannon, 35, Olean, N.Y. •"I really don't think it's a good idea to make a spinoff of Grey's because I think it could really kill the show. But Addison is one of my favorite characters, so I will surely watch it. I'm very skeptical about all this, but Shonda Rhimes is a great writer so I'm going to trust her."- —Émilie Tremblay, 18, Grenoble, France
According to the Wall Street Journal, ABC is attempting to duplicate the juggernaut success the network has achieved with Grey's Anatomy by moving forward on a spinoff centering on Kate Walsh's character of Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd. A spokesperson for the network told the paper that a series title has not yet been determined, nor has a general plot—whether Walsh's character will remain in Seattle, move back to New York or do something else entirely is still up in the air. ABC Television Studio, the series' producer, confirmed that both Walsh and Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes were under contract for the new series. However, neither Rhimes nor Walsh would comment. Touchstone, meanwhile, merely hinted at the possibility of spinning off the show. "We are producing an enhanced episode that has a potential for an afterlife," a rep told E! News. The show will apparently give plenty of screen time to Addison, who has emerged from hated third party in Grey's Anatomy's central love triangle to become one of the most popular characters on the show. The spinoff would allow Rhimes to be able to focus on a single character, something that is hard to do on the current show, where story lines and screen time are divvied up among 12 regular characters, something Rhimes herself has said is hard to juggle. According to the Wall Street Journal, Rhimes only recently broke the news of the spinoff to the cast and it's not expected than any other characters will jump ship along with Walsh to the new series—potentially disappointing (and spoilerish) news for fans of the budding Addison-Alex love connection. The cast members will, however, be involved in the set up for Addison's sendoff. Per the Wall Street Journal, Rhimes is writing a special two-hour episode of Grey's Anatomy that will effectively serve as the Addison-centric series' pilot. The episode is expected to air during May sweeps, allowing time for the network to decide whether or not to pick up the show for placement on its fall schedule. (In other words, ABC is waiting to see if the premise is more Rhoda than Joey.) As it is, Grey's Anatomy, currently in its third season, has routinely topped the Nielsen ratings and just last week averaged 26 million viewers. Even a portion of those figures for the new show would make it a success. Rhimes has reportedly put on hold another of her anticipated projects to move quickly on the spinoff. It's unclear when she made the decision to pursue the new show, but last fall she postponed work on another drama series that was expected to debut midseason. That show was due to chronicle the lives of four female journalists and also had Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Grey's Anatomy's late Denny Duquette, on board to star. That project will now be pushed back even further.
For the night, CBS averaged an 11.1 rating/17 share, just beating ABC's 10.9/17 (CBS' lead was a little wider in total viewers, 17.98 million to 16.81 million). NBC came in third with a 5.6/9. FOX, 2.9/4, finished fourth, ahead of The CW, 2.5/4. ABC captured the top spot among adults 18-49 with a 6.4 rating. CBS took second with a 5.7, and NBC was third at 3.9. FOX averaged 1.9 and The CW 1.7. "Survivor: Fiji" won the 8 p.m. hour for CBS with a 9.7/15. ABC was a solid second with "Ugly Betty," 9.1/14. "My Name Is Earl," 5.8/9, and "The Office," 5.3/8, were third for NBC. FOX's "'Til Death" and "The War at Home" narrowly beat The CW's "Smallville," 3.1/5, for fourth. "Grey's Anatomy" pulled in the night's biggest audience with a 16.0/23 at 9 p.m. CBS dropped to second with "CSI," 13.7/20. NBC was way back in third with "Scrubs," 3.9/6, and "30 Rock," 3.3/5. The next-to-last episode of "The O.C." scored a 2.5/4 for FOX, good enough to beat "Supernatural" on The CW. CBS regained the lead at 10 p.m. as "Shark" earned a 9.8/16. NBC's "ER," 7.7/13, edged ABC's "Men in Trees," 7.6/12, for second.
The 31-year-old beauty was introduced on last week's Grey's Anatomy as Jane Doe, an unidentified victim of the ferry disaster that sent the Seattle Grace surgeons scrambling to salvage survivors. The heroic Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) pulled the pregnant woman's crushed (and presumed dead) body out from under a pylon. "Her face has been smashed — like every bone in her face — and there are issues with her chest," Reaser says during lunch at an outdoor Melrose cafe near her home. "There's a lot of work to be done to put her back together." Actor pal Justin Kirk, who stars opposite Reaser in the new romantic comedy Puccini for Beginners (now playing in New York and Los Angeles), has been calling her "Elephant Reaser," a reference to the disfigured lead character in The Elephant Man. And Michael McMillian, her co-star in last summer's short-lived TNT medical drama Saved, suggested she'd be a perfect choice for the lead role in Mask 2. "Some of the jokes are funny," she says, "and some of it's not." The three-hour makeup process includes prosthetics that have remained on her face for as long as 12 hours. "You feel claustrophobic, and the chemicals sting my sensitive skin," she says. The costume also places further restrictions on her strict vegan diet, allowing only for smoothies or small helpings of soft foods. Reaser says Kate Walsh (Dr. Addison Montgomery) "has been very sweet, coming up to me asking, 'Do you need water?' " But Reaser realizes any discomfort she is experiencing cannot possibly compare to the horror her character must be facing. She says she suspects that "it's a very heightened situation, to be all alone like that in a hospital." But this Jane Doe is hardly alone. Her character's multiple medical traumas have the potential to expose her to the hospital's full rotation of docs. We have already seen doom in the eyes of obstetrician Addison, and there no doubt will be involvement from plastic surgeon Mark Sloan (Eric Dane). And the deep hands-on concern Alex has so far demonstrated suggests the possibility of a romantic redo of last season's love story between Izzie (Katherine Heigl) and her critically ill cardiac patient, Denny. "I think she's scared to have Alex leave her," Reaser says. (Producer Betsy Beers says that in tonight's episode, "our Jane Doe inspires Alex to make a surprising declaration.") The mysterious role, which is planned to run for about 10 episodes, initially will require Reaser to communicate only with her hazel eyes. She previously received acclaim for her challenging portrayal of a German- and Norwegian-speaking immigrant in last year's Sweet Land, though she had never before spoken either language. Just three months ago, Reaser had her own near-death experience. As she was on her way to Las Vegas with a friend, traffic in Barstow, Calif., came to an abrupt halt, causing her car to fly off the freeway at 65 mph. "We flipped twice in the air and went down into a ravine," the Michigan native says. "It was the most insane, horrifying thing. We were in shock, so we couldn't move. We were lying in the desert, strapped down (by paramedics), waiting to be taken to the hospital," she says. Reaser's Jeep Cherokee was totaled. Amazingly, she and her female friend survived without injury. "We were a little sore, but not a scratch. When I got this part, it reminded me of the shock and fear that I experienced that day. You just feel so vulnerable." Vulnerable is also how she feels when questioned about her story line, which has been labeled "top secret" by series creator Shonda Rhimes. "I'm scared I could get in trouble," Reaser says. What more could they possibly do to her? "I guess you're right," she says, giggling. "I suppose I could lose a leg or an arm."
A spy said, "Puffy was supposed to sit in the same VIP area that had four tables - two were for him and two were for the 'Grey's Anatomy' cast. But he was very, very late, and there are a lot of 'Grey's' castmembers, so T.R., Kate and Sara were at a table set up for Puffy." Combs' bodyguard was a little heavy-handed. "This guy goes up to T.R., Kate and Sara and started demanding - 'Get out! Get out now! Move it!' - T.R. was furious," our spy who was in the same VIP section said. The spy added that Combs and Knight exchanged words before the "Grey's" cast were led away to another table. But a pal of Combs' said, "Listen, if they were moved, it wasn't because Puffy told [his bodyguard to move them]. He wasn't aware of what was going on - he had a great time and didn't realize anyone was upset." A rep for the party declined to comment. A rep for Combs said, "That didn't happen. He came and sat down and there was no [altercation]." But our spy insisted, "I was there, I saw it, some words were said. I don't think Puffy knew who T.R. was."
CBS averaged an 11.0 rating/17 share in primetime, beating out ABC's 10.5/16 (the two networks were separated by just over a million viewers). NBC was fairly far back in third at 5.8/9. FOX, 2.8/4, came in fourth, and The CW trailed at 2.3/3. The adults 18-49 demographic went to ABC, which scored a 6.5 rating among the people advertisers pay extra to reach. CBS took second with a 5.6, and NBC was third at 4.0. FOX averaged 1.8 and The CW 1.5. The premiere of "Survivor: Fiji," 9.9/15, won the 8 p.m. hour for CBS. "Ugly Betty" delivered a 9.1/14 for ABC. NBC finished third with "My Name Is Earl," 6.1/9, and "The Office," 5.6/8. "'Til Death" and "The War at Home" put FOX in fourth, edging "Smallville," 2.8/4, on The CW. "Grey's Anatomy," 15.2/22, moved ABC into the lead at 9 p.m. and was the night's most-watched program. The return of William Petersen to "CSI" brought a 13.7/20 to CBS. NBC was a distant third with "Scrubs," 4.2/6, and "30 Rock," 3.5/5. "The O.C.," 2.4/4, kept FOX ahead of The CW and "Supernatural." CBS reclaimed the lead at 10 p.m. with "Shark," 9.4/16. NBC's "ER," 7.7/13, beat out ABC's "Men in Trees," 7.1/12, for second place.
For the first time since Washington completed his stint in residential treatment, Heigl spoke out about her costar's return to the set and the process of getting back to "work as usual." While appearing on Good Morning America Thursday, Heigl offered tentative praise for Washington, who, sources told E! Online, was due back on the Grey's Anatomy set late last week after completing a weeklong stint in "rehab" for directing a nearly career-killing homophobic slur at costar T.R. Knight. "I, obviously, have been very verbal about all of this, but there isn't a lot going on right now," Heigl, who has publicly defended Knight and blasted Washington, told the ABC morning show. "We're all hopeful...It's a great group of people, and we work really well together. We work really hard, and it's unusual that we do get along as well as we do." Washington first entered an undisclosed facility on Jan. 23, a week after he made headlines by saying "I never called T.R. a faggot," following the show's Golden Globe win for Best Drama Series. Washington was referring to an onset incident last October, in which he and Patrick Dempsey reportedly got into an argument and Washington referred to Knight as a "faggot." Shortly after the incident, Knight made the decision to come out. The Golden Globes remark immediately drew criticism from cast members, including Knight and Heigl, both of whom disputed Washington's denial, as well as his bosses at ABC and gay-rights advocates. Within days, Washington released a statement commending his costar's "courage" and "tremendous character" throughout the saga; the embattled actor also met with GLAAD president Neil Giuliano to reach out to the gay and lesbian community before entering rehab. At the time, Washington actor said the treatment—which included anger-management sessions and psychological examination—was a "necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again." While he is no longer an overnight guest at the center, his publicist has confirmed that the actor will continue outpatient treatment, though for how long and in what capacity is unknown. Heigl applauded the move. "If it were ignored or just brushed under the rug, I would be angrier about it," she said. "But he's trying very hard. We're all trying very hard." After Washington entered treatment, series creator Shonda Rhimes issued a statement both encouraging the actor's decision to tackle his "behavioral issues" and admonishing his use of a "disturbing word...that insulted not only gays and lesbians everywhere but anyone who has ever struggled for respect in a world that is not always accepting of difference." A rep for ABC and Touchstone Television, the show's producer, said executives were working toward finding an appropriate way of addressing the situation—which, under Disney's corporate nondiscrimination policy could be considered grounds for dismissal. Still, there has been no official word on the long-term fate of Washington and his Grey's alter ego, Dr. Preston Burke. Washington's publicist has made it clear the actor wants to remain on active duty at Seattle Grace. In any event, while Washington was getting counseling, he and his cast mates were getting the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series. He got a shout-out from Best Female Actor winner Chandra Wilson, who thanked "the other one in rehab" during her acceptance speech, and Ellen Pompeo, who name-checked Washington while accepting for Best Ensemble, albeit with slight prodding from the rest of the cast.
A gay man playing a randy heterosexual on TV? The industry still has its problems but viewers are just shrugging. On the most recent episode of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," T.R. Knight's character eloped to Las Vegas with his gorgeous girlfriend. One week earlier, after repeated rounds of vigorous sex, he proposed to her in a scene that was romantic, believable — and groundbreaking. Knight is an openly gay actor — now. He outed himself to People magazine after co-star Isaiah Washington uttered an anti-gay slur on the set of their ABC series last October. Yet nearly all the attention to the controversy has focused on Washington's transgression. There's been nary a comment about Knight's own love life. Instead, fans are reveling in the sparks flying between his character and Dr. Torres (Sara Ramirez): "I hope she says yes. I really think he loves her!" said a recent posting about the characters' engagement on the show's chat room. "They're such a nice couple!" raved another. Clearly these are no longer the days when Rock Hudson had no choice but to feign interest in starlets in order to protect his career. "Things have changed," Ellen DeGeneres, whose coming out a decade ago was a major cultural moment, told Knight last month on her talk show. Knight isn't alone in having his sexuality greeted with a public yawn. Last November, actor Neil Patrick Harris described himself in a brief statement to People magazine as a "contented gay man." Past "American Idol" finalist R.J. Helton made a similar announcement weeks earlier, and former N'Sync star Lance Bass did the same last August. Each became barely a blip on the pop-culture radar. The mellow response to these celebrity self-outings is a far cry from what happened after DeGeneres' "Yep, I'm Gay" announcement on the cover of Time magazine. Back then, some predicted the end of DeGeneres' career. Ten years later, she's anything but unemployed: She's hosting next month's Oscars, currently helming her own Emmy-winning talk show and serving as one of the celeb faces of American Express. Strangely enough, some gay actors say that while America's comfort level has improved considerably, the entertainment industry hasn't caught up. It may be 2007, they say, but the vibe inside studio casting offices can feel surprisingly like 1957. These actors say being outed remains a huge threat to a performer's career, particularly for men. An announcement, even a rumor, can eliminate them from the running for straight roles — the roles that make up the vast majority of available work. "I have friends in the industry — casting directors, for an example — who are gay, who will not cast another person and the reason given is, `Oh, he's too gay,'" says veteran performer Andre de Shields, an openly gay actor who's earned two Tony award nominations. "A lot of this has to do with self-loathing." Despite its reputation for leading the world down a hedonistic path, "Hollywood is one of the most homophobic places on the planet," de Shields says. "And these are the folks who could make the biggest difference in artists' lives." Established gay male stars like Rupert Everett face this kind of bias (as Everett laments in his recent autobiography), as do those still making their mark. "I was told I was `too light' for `Judging Amy,'" says Kevin Fabian, an openly gay actor who has appeared on episodes of "The West Wing," "Will & Grace" and other prime-time shows. "I looked at the casting director and said, `Have you watched your show?'" That sort of experience leaves gay actors questioning how much progress has really been made. "From an actor's point of view, I understand why they are scared to death of saying anything for fear of being pigeonholed," says casting director Matt Messinger. "Gay people are cast as straight all the time. But if you're asking if things have improved for openly gay actors, I can't say it's any easier now." When Knight revealed his sexual orientation last fall, he offered a brief but pointed statement: "I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me." For actor and singer Kye Brackett, the decision to mention his bisexuality to casting directors comes down to exactly Knight's point: Will industry people be so distracted by the fact that he dates men that they won't see him as a performer? Brackett remembers seeing a billboard for the Tom Cruise film "Born on the Fourth of July" in 1989. "There was a whole rumor that had begun about Tom Cruise being gay. And I remember driving up the street and seeing his picture and my first thought was, `There's Tom Cruise. He's gay,'" says Brackett. "All these things he actually worked for got immediately overshadowed by a rumor. ... Who would want to deal with that as an actor?" Because of that bias, Brackett says, agents are unlikely to recommend openly gay clients for straight roles. "They don't want to be the one who says, `This person is gay and that's fine.'" Despite the risk, some actors feel there's little choice but to deal directly with their sexuality. Fabian says he temporarily hid his sexual preference during acting school. The result, he says: "My acting was terrible. You're constantly putting layer on top of layer." The current crop of tabloid magazines and nightly entertainment-news shows have brought the decades-old fascination with performers' personal lives to a new level. They love focusing on the subject of who's gay and who isn't, though there appears to be a double standard in their approach. Actresses may acquire a bit of positive buzz and be "seen as sexy" after rumors of gay romance, says Lillian Faderman, co-author of the book "Gay L.A." But men in the same situation are perceived differently. "Things have certainly improved for women in Hollywood, but far less so for men," says Faderman. "But it's interesting that the most prominent examples I can give — Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, Lily Tomlin — they don't play romantic leads." A National Enquirer cover last August trumpeted "Hollywood's Secret `Gay List'" in bold, black letters above photos of various leading men. Inside, they reported the estimated odds of these celebrities coming out. Network executives, Fabian says, fear negative coverage in the tabloids. And they prefer not to cast openly gay actors in straight roles because they want those tabloids to publicize their stars' social lives positively. "You go in for a pilot, and you're told the casting director loves you, the producer loves you," says Fabian. "Then you go to network, and you have to sign your 5-year deal first. I think that's where the real discussion is going on: `We really liked him, but ... he's really funny, but ... how can we get him out there with the girls when he's sitting home with his boyfriend every day?" Knight's case will be an interesting litmus test of whether recent celebrity outings will encourage the industry to change its approach. Before his announcement, Knight had already developed a fan base. TV viewers have also warmed to Harris' performance as a straight, womanizing character on the CBS sitcom "How I Met Your Mother," now in its second season. Comments posted on imdb.com describe Harris as the best thing about the show. Should these shows run for several more years and audience support remain strong, Hollywood may have no choice but to continue offering both men the straight romantic roles they play so well. That could open a door to broader casting options for all actors, something Fabian would welcome. "In the end, I want to work. I want to be successful as an actor," he says. "I want to have vacations and not worry about the credit cards not working."
"I think the thing about Patrick is, obviously he has a tremendous love for his wife and his daughter, but he has a tremendous sense of duty," Pompeo, 37, says. "He's really sort of old-fashioned in that way – he's got a good sense of being a gentleman and taking care of his family, and that's what makes him a good dad. It's an admirable quality." Dempsey and wife Jillian welcomed sons Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick in Los Angeles on Thursday. (Galen is Dempsey's middle name.) The couple, who have been married for seven years, also have a 4-year-old daughter, Talula. In January, the 41-year-old actor told Life magazine of fatherhood: "Now, making money is about providing for my children. And being a father makes you look at yourself. You look at your marriage and go, 'How do I improve this? How do I keep growing and create a stable environment for my children?' "
For the night, ABC averaged a 10.5 rating/16 share, narrowly beating CBS' 10.2/16 (in total viewers, the count was 16.18 million for ABC and 15.84 million for CBS). NBC, 5.9/9, came in third. FOX's 2.8/4 was good for fourth, and The CW trailed with a 2.5/4. ABC's lead among adults 18-49 was a little wider. The Alphabet drew a 6.3 rating in the key ad demographic, topping CBS' 4.7. NBC was a competitive third at 4.3. FOX's 1.8 beat The CW's 1.7 for fourth. "Ugly Betty" put ABC on top at 8 p.m. with a 9.3/14. A "CSI" rerun on CBS finished second for the hour. "My Name Is Earl," 6.3/10, and "The Office," 5.8/9, were third for NBC. "'Til Death" and "The War at Home" averaged 3.2/5 for FOX, while "Smallville" earned a 3.0/4 for The CW. At 9 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" scored the night's biggest audience with a 14.9/22. CBS stayed in second with a new "CSI," 13.4/19. There was a big drop to third, occupied by NBC's "Scrubs," 4.1/6, and "30 Rock," 3.6/5. "The O.C." posted a 2.5/4 for FOX, good enough to beat "Supernatural" on The CW. CBS took over the lead at 10 p.m. with "Shark," 9.3/15. NBC's "ER," 7.8/13, held off ABC's "Men in Trees," 7.3/12, for second.
"We had requested the meeting when we demanded that he apologize," says Guiliano, who says he felt "outrage" at Washington's homophobic slur uttered on the Grey's set in early October, and directed at cast mate T. R. Knight. The actor was "very calm, remorseful and very sincere" at the meeting, adds Guiliano. "He understood and apologized for the enormity of the hurt that he had caused." The activists bombarded the father of three with stats about the prevalence of anti-gay slurs in schools. "He was horrified and shocked," Jennings recalls. The group also discussed possible means by which Washington might make amends. Among the projects suggested is a PSA to air on ABC, "about how damning this kind of language can be." (We're told that the ABC rep at the confab was open to the idea.) Washington also reportedly asked to do more than "just use the media" to spread the word, but also attend gay events because "people need to know Isaiah." Washington also seemed interested in working with GLSEN to educate kids on the subject. "It was a very good dialogue, very honest and frank, which it needed to be," says Guiliano. However, no firm commitments were made. "It was understood to be a beginning conversation," says Jennings. "He has said he wanted to be judged by his actions, not his words. We told him those actions have to show a real commitment, not be a one-shot thing. He agreed. "I'm optimistic," Jennings concludes. "I'm also waiting to see what happens next."
Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke, has not been on the set since Jan. 23, the day before he issued a statement saying he would seek counseling "as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again." He also missed picking up a trophy at Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards that honored the Grey's cast for drama. "There's a little awkwardness here," costar Katherine Heigl said before the show. Best actress winner Chandra Wilson alluded to his absence, saying in her acceptance speech, "It's about the 10 cast members sitting over there and the other one in rehab." A source familiar with the Grey's Anatomy production schedule tells PEOPLE that Washington has confirmed he'll arrive for his next call time, now set for Thursday, though the show's production schedule changes. Washington, 43, has been at the center of controversy since using a homophobic slur to refer to costar T.R. Knight, who is gay. After a firestorm of criticism, Washington apologized, then on Jan. 23 announced: "I have begun counseling." "I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally," he said. Reps for the show and Washington declined to comment.
Ensemble in a Drama Series: GREY’S ANATOMY - ABC Justin Chambers - Alex Karev Eric Dane - Mark Sloan Patrick Dempsey - Derek Shepherd Katherine Heigl - Isobel “Izzie” Stevens T.R. Knight - George O’Malley Sandra Oh - Cristina Yang James Pickens, Jr. - Richard Webber Ellen Pompeo - Meredith Grey Sara Ramirez - Callie Torres Kate Walsh - Addison Montgomery Shepherd Isaiah Washington - Preston Burke Chandra Wilson - Miranda Bailey
The Hyper Sport team of Patrick, co-driver with Charles Espenlaub and Romeo Kapudija of the No. 54 Mustang GT, qualified fifth for the 3-hour KONI Challenge Series race. But an early mechanical issue wasn’t quickly resolved and they completed only 38 laps. The 76th-place finish didn’t necessarily ruin the weekend for the “Grey’s Anatomy” star. “It’s been great,” said Patrick, who recently picked up a People’s Choice award for his work on the ABC hit series. “It’s been fun running the Ford Mustang. This track, with its history, to be a part of this group, it’s really great. It’s a dream come true in many respects.” Expect Patrick to get behind the wheel of a sports car again – maybe even a Daytona Prototype. “We hope to maybe do a few races at the end of this season,” he said. “If we can test properly, I think that’s key. Seat time is critical. I need to do it wisely and move methodically.”
CBS averaged a 10.2 rating/16 share in primetime to top ABC's 9.5/15 (CBS had about 1.7 million more viewers as well). Airing a full night of repeats, NBC was a distant third at 3.6/6. FOX's 2.9/4 was good for fourth, edging The CW's 2.5/4. ABC, however, won the adults 18-49 demographic with a 5.3 rating. CBS took second with a 4.6. NBC, 2.7, came in third, and FOX and The CW tied for fourth at 1.7. A "CSI: Miami" rerun, 8.0/13, put CBS on top at 8 p.m. ABC got a 6.8/11 from a repeat of "Ugly Betty," while NBC was third with encores of "My Name Is Earl," 5.3/8, and "The Office," 4.8/7. "'Til Death" and "The War at Home" were fourth for FOX, edging out "Smallville," 2.9/4, on The CW. "Grey's Anatomy," 14.0/21, won the 9 p.m. hour for ABC and was the night's most-watched show. "CSI" was close behind, drawing a 13.1/19 for CBS. NBC held onto third with repeats of "Scrubs" and "30 Rock," averaging a mere 2.9/4. "The O.C.," 2.5/4, kept FOX ahead of The CW and "Supernatural." CBS regained the lead at 10 p.m. as a "Shark" repeat earned a 9.3/16. ABC's "Men in Trees" posted a 7.7/13, while an hour of "The Office" came in at 2.9/5 for NBC.
Washington, who earlier this week met gay and lesbian groups in Los Angeles, said in a statement he had begun counseling "as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again." "I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally," the actor added. Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke on the ABC show that won a Golden Globe last week for best television drama, sparked controversy after a heated on-set argument late last year in which he reportedly called actor T.R. Knight a "faggot." Knight came out as gay in a public announcement shortly afterward and last week confirmed what Washington had said -- and initially denied. Shonda Rhimes, executive producer of "Grey's Anatomy," said the network and show producers had been working to address what she called Washington's "behavioral issues." "I speak for all the executive producers here at 'Grey's Anatomy' when I say that Isaiah Washington's use of such a disturbing word was a shocking and dismaying event...," Rhimes said in a statement. ABC television on Wednesday declined comment on a report that Washington had entered a residential facility for his counseling and would not comment on whether production on the show would be affected. "Grey's Anatomy" -- a tale of surgical interns at a fictional hospital in Seattle -- averages 18.8 million viewers a week and ranks as third-most watched scripted show on U.S. television this season.
Payne, 45, is asking the court to deny the 35-year-old Grey's Anatomy star any spousal support, which Oh requested when she initially filed for divorce in April 2005. Their status as a married couple was officially terminated in Dec. 2006, but they have yet to settle their finances. The pair were married in January 2003, but announced their separation in March 2005. Both cited irreconcilable differences as the cause for the split. They have no children together.
"He seemed very sincere in his interest in working with us in an ongoing basis," Kevin Jennings, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. "We emphasized that this is not a one-shot deal, but an ongoing thing. He was very open to doing this." The star of the hit ABC medical drama met with Jennings, who spoke after the private meeting, and Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. A call to Washington's publicist for comment was not immediately returned Monday. According to Jennings, Washington said he wanted to explore ways to work with GLSEN to address issues of "namecalling and how he might use his various platforms to educate people about how painful and wrong it is." By coincidence, Jennings noted, Monday was the start of "No Name-Calling Week," coordinated by GLSEN with national educational partners to help schools find ways to eliminate bullying and slurs of all kinds. His group welcomed Washington's help in promoting the group's agenda, Jennings said. Washington, himself a father, said he understands how the issue effects young people, Jennings said. Washington, who stepped away from filming for the hour-long meeting, said he is interested in pursuing various options, such as public-service announcements, according to Jennings. No firm agreements were reached, the GLSEN director said. "I think this is a very good first step toward him showing he really wants to do something. We take him at his word," Jennings said. Last October, it was reported that Washington used the term "faggot" about castmate T.R. Knight during an on-set argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey. He used it again backstage at the Jan. 15 Golden Globes as he denied ever uttering it. Washington issued an apology after he was publicly criticized by GLAAD and chastised by ABC. "Grey's Anatomy" led nominees announced Sunday for the 18th annual GLAAD Media Awards, recognizing "mainstream media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ... community and the issues that affect their lives."
Asked by Barbara Walters on The View how things were going over at the ABC show, Chambers replied, "That's the question right now. It's an unfortunate situation. They're trying to work it out." Chambers, 36, who plays Dr. Alex Karev, said the pall that's been cast over the show is particularly unfortunate considering the creative accolades it's earned. "We won the Golden Globe, and it's kind of overshadowed that fact – and the fact that it's such a large cast, that we work a lot of hours and we get along really well," he said. Kate Walsh, who also stars on Grey's, tells Extra she is hopeful the show's cast and crew can eventually get past the situation. "I feel really sad...I'm just saying my prayers," she said at the Sundance Film Festival. "I don?t know what is going to happen...I just trust that our show will deal with it in the way that they see fit." The off-screen saga began in October, when costars Washington and Patrick Dempsey got into a fight on the set, and Washington allegedly used a gay slur to refer to another costar, T.R. Knight. Washington then fanned the flames at the Golden Globes by repeating the word, though he later apologized. On a lighter topic, Chambers, who has five children with wife Keisha, told The View's co-hosts that he'd given some advice to Dempsey, whose wife Jillian is expecting twins sons this winter. His words of wisdom? "Strap yourself in, get ready."
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced its nominees Sunday in Park City, Utah, currently hosting the Sundance Film Festival. For film in limited release, the nominees are "The History Boys," "Imagine Me & You," "Quinceanera," "Shortbus" and "Summer Storm." On the TV side, the nominees for drama series are "Brothers & Sisters," "The L Word," "Hex," "The Sopranos" and "South of Nowhere." The comedy series nominated are "Desperate Housewives," "The Office," "So Notorious" and "Ugly Betty." In the category of individual episode, awarded to a series that doesn't have a regular gay category, the nominees are "Blind Date" from "30 Rock," "Forever Blue" from "Cold Case," "Lincoln Lover" from "American Dad!," "Single Stamina" from "How I Met Your Mother" and "Where the Boys Are" from "Grey's Anatomy." In all, GLAAD announced 122 nominees in 26 English-language categories and 61 Spanish-language nominees in 16 additional categories. The awards will be announced at four separate ceremonies: in New York on March 26, in Los Angeles at the Kodak Theater on April 14, in San Francisco on April 28 and in Miami on May 10. Patti LaBelle and designer Tom Ford will be special honorees at the New York ceremonies, Martina Navratilova will be honored at the Los Angeles event and author and TV host Jaime Bayly will be recognized in Miami. The GLAAD Media Awards will be televised April 21 on the Logo cable channel, which is televising the event for the third consecutive year.
Whatever the consequences of actor Isaiah Washington's use of an anti-gay slur to describe castmate T.R. Knight, the pressure is on series creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes to restore order among the cast of the soapy medical drama. Millions of advertising dollars for ABC and corporate parent Walt Disney Co. are riding on her ability to keep the show healthy. On Thursday, ABC chastised Washington for using the term "faggot" about Knight in an on-set dustup in October with co-star Patrick Dempsey and then using the slur again at this week's Golden Globes as he denied ever uttering it. Later Thursday, Washington, who's gotten hold of the biggest role of his career on "Grey's Anatomy," conceded using the invective and issued a heartfelt apology. But it remained to be seen whether it would mollify Knight or co-star Katherine Heigl, who had leaped to his defense. A program relies on the executive producer, dubbed a "showrunner," to set the tone, especially when a crisis hits, said writer-producers Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman ("Queer as Folk," "Sisters"). "You're very much in charge, in control, and people look up to you in that way," said Lipman. "They will follow suit in how you handle it." He and Cowen once had to deal with an actor whose public remarks had infuriated fellow cast members, who snubbed him. The man chose not to return for another season and "frankly, we would have decided that as well," Cowen said, declining to identify the actor. The ABC statement, which said it was addressing Washington's actions but didn't specify how, came a day after a gay and lesbian advocacy group demanded the actor apologize. He did in his three-paragraph statement Thursday. "I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help," the statement said. "... I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity." Calls seeking comment from Rhimes and Knight were not immediately returned. ABC declined to expand on its statement. The hit show now in its third season hasn't so far suffered from his behavior, at least in the ratings: It drew 22 million viewers in the week before the verbal slur was reported last fall, while the episode last week was watched by 23 million. Morale on the set may be another matter. Washington plays respected surgeon Preston Burke and Knight is intern George O'Malley; the characters bonded when O'Malley bunked at Burke's house and again when Burke helped advise on care for O'Malley's ill father. "Only Rhimes and the cast know whether this rift can be mended, if they can go on, or if it can't be," Cowen said. "Will an apology suffice, will it make everything OK? If not, then you have to do something else." He and Cowen said they wouldn't presume to offer a course of action, but suggested that dumping a member of a popular ensemble cast could upset the show's balance. Keeping any show running efficiently is tough: Producing a season's worth of hourlong dramas, usually totaling about 22, is akin to turning out more than 10 feature films in under a year. A showrunner has to have the ability to "really manage their talent and keep them in line," said Nina Tassler, CBS entertainment president. Add strife like that on "Grey's Anatomy" to the mix and the challenge to keep the show from self-destructing can be overwhelming. "I've done two shows for 14 years and I've never had anything like that happen," said Neal Baer, a longtime executive producer on NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" who previously was with "ER." "If there's not respect amongst the cast, crew, writers, producers and directors, it would be very tough to function." Producers say serious discord is rare, although another ABC series, "Desperate Housewives," was made out in the early going to be a hotbed of sparring divas. Creator and executive producer Marc Cherry has called that inaccurate. It was last October when People magazine reported that Washington and co-star Patrick Dempsey quarreled when Knight was late to a scene and Dempsey insisted on waiting for him. Washington allegedly referred to Knight, who was not present, with the anti-gay slur. In a statement that followed the story, Washington expressed regret for "the unfortunate use of words" he called "beneath my own personal standards." Knight said soon after the incident that he was gay. Rhimes moved then to diffuse the conflict, deeming it "4 1/2 seconds of one day in three years. I feel like we've already moved on." But this week, in the awards season spotlight, it flared up again. On the red carpet before the Golden Globes ceremony, Washington was asked about the clash and responded with an apparent attempt at humor: "I love gay. I wanted to be gay," he said, with his wife next to him. "Please let me be gay." "I did not call T.R. a faggot. Never," Washington said backstage after the ceremony. Knight fired back during an appearance the next day on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show": "He referred to me as a faggot. Everyone heard it," Knight said of the October confrontation between Washington and Dempsey. Although producer Lipman said he believes those who use the anti-gay epithet deserve strong condemnation, the professional goal for Rhimes and the show now is to look ahead. "Hopefully, they all know they have something golden and they don't want it to be destroyed. That's what a producer would try to do to quell that — say, `Listen, we have something good here, we have a lot of talent, and it would be a shame for it be to blown apart by something like this,'" he said.
"I was just sort of stunned that anyone would want to rehash any of that again. But I think the people, the classier people, handled it as they always do," the How I Met Your Mother star told reporters at the Television Critics Association conference at the Ritz-Carlton in Pasadena, Calif. Things happen behind the scenes on TV shows, but they don't have to harm the finished product, said the 33-year-old actor. "Everyone's grown up, and the most important thing is that we're contracted to work and have jobs," he said. "So the personal stuff, the personality conflicts and the fist-fights on-set, although they are interesting water-cooler talk, they don't really affect the way you watch every episode of that show." Washington has been under fire for using a slur to refer to gay costar T.R. Knight on-set in October, and then repeating the word at the Globes on Monday night. On Thursday he apologized for his behavior. The earlier incident prompted Knight to come out. Meanwhile, John Mayer has also weighed in on the controversy on his blog, saying he suggests as that Washington should be forced to play a gay man on Grey's as punishment for his derogatory comments. "What better way for an actor to get to the roots of his discrimination than by portraying the very the subject of his own ire for the remainder of his contract?" writes Mayer. Also at the press conference Thursday Harris, who made his name on the 1980s show Doogie Howser, M.D. spoke about his exclusive announcement to PEOPLE in November that he is gay – the reasons for it and the reactions to it. "It's been a bit of a non-story to be honest," he said. "The one thing I didn't want was to have to make a statement in retaliation or in response to some quasi-scandalous event, because you never want to be defensive. And so I felt that there was this sort of kindling burning underneath, and a story was being searched for, and I just never wanted to live my life in a way where I was backdooring and cowering and trying to, like, avoid. And so I think the statement that I made sort of quieted the speculation." And the public's reaction? Harris says – happily – that it's been no big deal. "It was either people were like, 'Yeah, I heard that' or 'Oh, really ... interesting,' " he says. "And I think that speaks well to our society today."
The two networks tied for first in households, each drawing a 10.3 rating/16 share for the night (CBS had a small edge in viewers). NBC was well back in third at 4.6/7. FOX, 2.9/4, edged The CW, 2.6/4, for fourth. ABC grabbed the top spot among adults 18-49 with a 5.6 rating. CBS, 4.9, took second. NBC finished third with a 3.2, followed by The CW, 1.9, and FOX, 1.8. "Ugly Betty" handily won the 8 p.m. hour for ABC with a 9.5/15. CBS aired a "CSI" rerun and scored a 7.8/12. "My Name Is Earl," 5.9/9, and "The Office," 5.5/8, put NBC in third. "'Til Death" and "The War at Home" were fourth for FOX, edging The CW's "Smallville," 3.1/5, (The CW had a few more viewers). At 9 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy," 14.1/21, kept ABC in front of a new "CSI," 13.2/19, on CBS. There was a big drop to third-place NBC, which went with "Scrubs," 4.1/6, and "30 Rock," 3.4/5. "The O.C." scored a 2.6/4 for FOX, good enough to beat "Supernatural" on The CW. CBS took the lead at 10 p.m. with "Shark," 9.8/15. ABC's "Men in Trees" shed a lot of its lead-in to finish at 7.3/12. A repeat of "ER" on NBC came in at 4.4/7.
ABC is upset that the actor chose to reopen old wounds on Monday night when he denied calling his co-star T.R. Knight a "faggot" during an incident last year, which allegedly sparked a fight on set with fellow "Grey's" actor Patrick Dempsey. "We have a longstanding policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees," reads a statment released by ABC Media Relations. "We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously. His actions are unacceptable and are being addressed." It's unclear how his behavior will be addressed. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has also been demanding an apology and requesting a meeting with Washington to emphasize "the destructive impact of these kinds of anti-gay slurs." They received the first part late Thursday when the actor issued an apology via a statement released by ABC that reads thusly: "I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on 'Grey's Anatomy.' I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help. "I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I've hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I've opened. "T.R.'s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity." During the original incident, critics speculated Washington would be replaced or his character would leave the show. "Grey's" creator Shonda Rhimes deemed these rumors ridiculous at the time.
24, Written by Robert Cochran, Manny Coto, Duppy Demetrius, David Ehrman, David Fury, Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, Stephen Kronish, Michael Loceff, Matt Michnovetz, Steve Mitchell, Sam Montgomery, Nicole Ranadive, Joel Surnow, Craig W. Van Sickle; FOX Deadwood, Written by W. Earl Brown, Regina Corrado, Alix Lambert, Ted Mann, Bernadette McNamara, David Milch, Kem Nunn, Nick Towne, Zack Whedon; HBO Grey’s Anatomy, Written by Debora Cahn, Zoanne A. Clack, Allan Heinberg, Elizabeth Klaviter, Kip Koenig, Stacy McKee, Carolina Paiz, James Parriott, Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Shonda Rhimes, Blythe Robe, Mimi Schmir, Gabrielle Stanton, Krista Vernoff, Harry Werksman, Mark Wilding; ABC Lost, Written by JJ Abrams, Monica Owusu-Breen, Carlton Cuse, Leonard Dick, Drew Goddard, Javier Grillo-Marxauch, Adam Horowitz, Dawn Lambertsen Kelly, Christina Kim, Edward Kitsis, Damon Lindelof, Steven Maeda, Jeff Pinkner, Matt Ragghianti, Elizabeth Sarnoff, Alison Schapker; ABC The Sopranos, Written by Mitchell Burgess, David Chase, Diane Frolov, Robin Green, Andrew Schneider, Matthew Weiner, Terence Winter; HBO
During a backstage interview Monday, Washington denied involvement in a heated on-set incident last year during which an anti-gay slur was reportedly uttered. "No, I did not call (co-star) T.R. (Knight) a faggot," Washington told reporters. "Never happened, never happened." On Wednesday, Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said he had contacted Washington's representatives in hopes of meeting the actor to discuss "the destructive impact of these kinds of anti-gay slurs." "Washington's repeated use of it on-set and in the media is simply inexcusable," Giuliano said in a statement. Washington's publicist declined comment Wednesday. Knight, who said soon after the October fracas that he is gay, appeared in Tuesday's taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to discuss the original incident and Washington's recent comments. "He referred to me as a faggot. Everyone heard it," Knight said of the October incident.
In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres set to air Wednesday, Knight says something changed inside him when he overheard an argument in October between Washington and Grey's co-star Patrick Dempsey during which Washington used the slur. "It's an awesome word, isn't it?" the 33-year-old actor tells DeGeneres sarcastically. "I've never been called that to my face. So I think when that happened, something shifted, and it became bigger than myself." Shortly after the dustup, Knight confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE that he is gay – the kind of announcement he says isn't his style, but that he felt was necessary. "I was under no delusions," he says. "My friends on the set knew. We talked about it. Publicly it's not my thing to call up PEOPLE magazine and be like, 'Hey, you want to know something about me?' ... I could've just let it slide and not said anything, but it became important. It became important to make the statement." In the Golden Globe press room on Monday night, Washington denied using the slur. "No, I did not call T.R. a faggot," he told Access Hollywood. "Never happened, never happened." That statement drew a sharp rebuke from another Grey's co-star, Katherine Heigl, who said Washington "needs to just not speak in public." And Knight tells DeGeneres he doesn't know what to make of the denial. "I don't know what to say, really, about that," he says. Knight also thanks DeGeneres for having the courage to come out as a lesbian 10 years ago. "It just made all the difference in the world," he says.
During an interview in the press room after the show's best-drama win, Washington denied his involvement in a heated on-set incident in October during which he allegedly used a homophobic slur. "No, I did not call (co-star) T.R. (Knight) a faggot," Washington said. "Never happened, never happened. Rather than soothing the situation, his comments left Heigl seething. "I'm going to be really honest right now, he needs to just not speak in public. Period," Heigl told "Access Hollywood" at a Golden Globe after-party. "I'm sorry, that did not need to be said. I'm not OK with it." She called the comments "hurtful," characterizing the incident as one that should be handled privately among the show's cast and crew. "I don't think (Washington) means it the way he comes off," Heigl said. "But T.R. is my best friend. ... I will use every ounce of energy I have to take you down if you hurt his feelings." Knight, who said soon after the October fracas that he is gay, appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Tuesday to discuss the original incident and Washington's recent comments. "He referred to me as a faggot. Everyone heard it," Knight said of the October squabble. Comments from Heigl and Washington were set to air Tuesday on "Access Hollywood." A call placed after hours Tuesday to Washington's representative was not returned.
Actress, Drama: Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer" Actor, Drama: Hugh Laurie, "House" Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Emily Blunt, "Gideon's Daughter" Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jeremy Irons, "Elizabeth I"
The red carpet-turned-runway at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Monday night was largely a sea of white with the glitz coming more from a smattering of metallic dresses and embellishment instead of blinding diamond necklaces. Among the stars who wore white to the black-tie event were Jennifer Garner in a beaded V-neck dress, Heidi Klum in a strapless gown and Kyra Sedgwick in a chiffon gown with amethyst crystal trim by J.Mendel that she picked straight from the catwalk. Salma Hayek was in a draped short-sleeve gown with an open portrait neckline; Ellen Pompeo wore a Versace high-neck gown with an open back and silver trim; and Kate Winslet was dressed in a strapless white Azzaro gown. "It was amazing because of the beautiful white dress and Kate's incredibly white, milky skin. I asked, `What will make her look the most striking?'" said Pati Dubroff, Dior Beauty's makeup artist who worked with Winslet. Dubroff said she imagined a 1930s screen siren in a black-and-white photograph. It's what led her to choose a plum-blackberry lipstick and platinum eye shadow. Dubroff also worked with Naomi Watts, who wore a strapless turquoise gown with metal beadwork. Watts ended up with a sultry eye — taking a cue from the metal in the dress — and a pink lip gloss to pick up on the vibrancy of the blue dress. Cameron Diaz, with very dark hair and very red lips, wore a one-shoulder white fitted bodice with a skirt made of tiers of white tulle and a jeweled belt with a black bow. The tie trend also was spotted on Hilary Swank, who wore a fitted black spaghetti strap dress with a bow-tie waist, and on Jennifer Love Hewitt in a gold embroidered Georges Chakra gown with a bow waist. Cate Blanchett wore a black off-the-shoulder gown by Alexander McQueen with lace sleeves, a delicate jeweled belt and an asymmetrical hem. Also stunning in black was Penelope Cruz in a scoop-neck Chanel Couture gown with a delicate ruffle around the neck. Blanchett made W magazine Fashion Market Director Treena Lombardo's favorites list. She also liked Reese Witherspoon's canary yellow strapless cocktail dress by Nina Ricci, Drew Barrymore's blush-colored gown by John Galliano for Christian Dior and Angelina Jolie's smoky gray strapless gown by St. John, a label she models for. "Gray was a gorgeous color because her eyes are so smoky and she has that smoky persona. It didn't seem fluffy or whimsical, she looked more of a serious classic Hollywood star. She looked like woman, not a girl," Lombardo said. Since most stars played it safe, there weren't any glaring misses, Lombardo noted, although she would have liked to see Katherine Heigl in something more fun and playful than her very grown-up Escada black strapless gown with a fishtail hem and train. But, she added, the dress certainly showed off Heigl's voluptuous curves. Donna Karan custom-designed Helen Mirren's dark blue jersey gown with antique silver sequined tulle, and Meryl Streep chose a blush seersucker chiffon gown by Carolina Herrera. America Ferrara, star of the TV series "Ugly Betty," proved she could be glamorous in a draped gown by Brian Reyes in a deep indigo color. She told E! she liked it because it was "young and easy." Sheryl Crow was in purple, too — a strapless taffeta gown by Elie Saab. "I was looking for plum-colored Uggs," she joked, but opted for heels instead. Jennifer Hudson took her spin in the spotlight in a navy V-neck Vera Wang gown with short sleeves, while co-star Beyonce wore a metallic plunging V-neck gown with a keyhole opening on the belly for extra vavavoom. Jessica Biel shimmered from head to toe in a silver beaded gown with spaghetti straps and an open back. Julia Louis-Dreyfus chose a cocktail-length gold lame dress by Carolina Herrera with a corset-style bust with coinlike beading. "I'm totally freezing, but it's worth it," said Louis-Dreyfus. She wasn't the only star feeling the chill of the unusually low 60-degree temperature: Sienna Miller was shivering in her white Marchesa cowl-neck and cowl-back gown with gold embroidery in a lattice pattern. Jennifer Lopez also wore Marchesa. Hers was a scarf-style, one-shoulder black gown. "My husband loved it. That's usually the deciding factor," she said. Brightly colored dresses, including Renee Zellweger's emerald green strapless gown, Jada Pinkett Smith's pleated tangerine Armani Prive gown, Rachel Weisz's red strapless Bill Blass gown and Eva Longoria's navy gown with jeweled straps and bustline by Emanuel Ungaro, were rare — and therefore really stood out.
"I love gay. I wanted to be gay," he said. "Please let me be gay." In October, Washington apologized for an on-set incident involving co-stars Patrick Dempsey and T.R. Knight during which Washington allegedly used a homophobic slur.
ABC drew a 10.2 rating/16 share for the night. CBS was well back in second at 6.5/10, and NBC took third at 6.1/10. There was another drop to fourth-place FOX, 2.7/4. The CW trailed at 2.4/4. In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC's 5.7 rating led the way. NBC took second in the key ad demographic with a 4.4, topping CBS' 3.0. FOX's 1.8 edged The CW's 1.7 for fourth. ABC's "Ugly Betty," 9.0/14, scored its biggest audience in some time at 8 p.m. "My Name Is Earl," 6.5/10, and "The Office," 5.8/9, put NBC in second. CBS got a 5.0/8 from "Armed & Famous." FOX was fourth in households with "'Til Death" and "The War at Home," but The CW's "Smallville," 2.8/4, had a few more total viewers. "Grey's Anatomy" dominated the 9 p.m. hour with a 14.7/22, by far the night's best rating. CBS was a distant second with a "CSI" repeat, 7.9/12. NBC dipped to third with "Scrubs," 4.6/7, and "30 Rock," 3.8/6. "The O.C." scored a 2.5/4 for FOX, beating out "Supernatural" on The CW. NBC took the lead at 10 p.m. as "ER" posted an 8.0/13. ABC's "Men in Trees," 6.9/11, lost a lot of its lead-in audience but still edged a "Shark" rerun, 6.8/11, on CBS for second.
The one-hour special will highlight nine special fan-voted SPEED Performance Awards, including the RACER Magazine Rookie of the Year. More than 56,000 votes were placed over a four-week period on SPEEDtv.com. In addition, SPEED has named six finalists for the inaugural SPEED Performer of the Year, including Fernando Alonso (Formula One), Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR), Nicky Hayden (MotoGP), Sebastien Bourdais (Champ Car), Sam Hornish Jr. (IRL) and Tony Schumacher (NHRA). SPEED on-air personalities Bob Varsha, Dave Despain, Tommy Kendall, Ralph Sheheen and Dorsey Schroeder, along with SPEEDtv.com columnists Robin Miller and Tom Jensen led a panel of voters who submitted nominations, trimming the list of finalists to six with a preliminary round of voting. The winner will receive the Mario Andretti Trophy, created by bronze artist Elie Hazak. SPEED is the nation's first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 74 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Episodic television, drama: On Dec. 21, the Los Angeles Superior Court officially restored the single status of the Grey's Anatomy doc and her estranged hubby, Sideways writer-director Alexander Payne. While the duo are now free to remarry—or at the very least, hit up singles night at Joe's Bar—their divorce is still pending settlement of several financial issues. According to tmz.com, which obtained the star-powered legal paperwork, the 35-year-old Emmy nominee and the 45-year-old Oscar winner have yet to hash out details of spousal support, which Oh requested last year, or come to an agreed-upon division of individual retirement and pension plans. Per the court documents, the camera-ready twosome has yet to divide up plans from the Screen Actors, Writers and Directors Guilds, profits from their Pretty Intelligent Girl Productions, and financial packages from various other joint endeavors. Despite the money matters not yet being settled, the now ex-couple sought to have their marital status dissolved by year's end in order to appease Uncle Sam and file their taxes under separate, single headings. The critically acclaimed couple first announced plans to separate in March 2005, fresh off the award-circuit rounds for their wine-soaked independent dramedy Sideways. A month after declaring their mutual decision to remain besties despite their marital collapse, Oh officially filed for divorce, requesting unspecified spousal support from Payne and asking the court to block him from requesting anything from her. It was the first marriage for the childless stars, who tied the knot in January 2003 after dating for three years. Though if the past 12 months are any indication, singlehood is going to suit Oh just fine. Since splitting from Payne, the Canadian-born actor landed a breakout role on Grey's Anatomy as one of Seattle Grace's finest, for which she's already taken home a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy nomination. Payne, who won an Oscar and Golden Globe for his Sideways screenplay (shared with cowriter Jim Taylor), has also been keeping busy postsplit, directing the Adam Sandler and Kevin James comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, due out next July. Oh's restored single status, meanwhile, seems to put her in the minority at her TV home. Formerly solo costars Ellen Pompeo and Katherine Heigl each announced their engagements earlier this year.
Monique Coleman: Grey's Anatomy – "Even though there's huge issues, at the end of the day we're still concerned about the characters – that's good TV." Macy Gray: Nip/Tuck – "It's over-the-top- drama. It's crazy. I don't know who thinks of that stuff." John Stamos: South Park – "The show is so timely. If something happens, in like two weeks it's parodied on there." Nicky Hilton: The Girls Next Door – "I just think they're so funny."
Both networks are making episodes of several of their shows available online during the next few weeks, when college students will be home from school and a lot of grown-ups will have time off work. The available shows include a mix of buzzworthy hits ("Grey's Anatomy," "Ugly Betty") and lower-rated critical darlings ("Friday Night Lights"). ABC will make five shows available on its web site starting on Christmas Day. In addition to "Grey's" and "Ugly Betty," viewers will be able to watch all of this season's episodes of "Desperate Housewives," "Brothers & Sisters" and "What About Brian." The latter two will be making their online-streaming debuts. At NBC, viewers can see every episode of its freshman hit "Heroes" along with the full seasons of two shows, "Friday Night Lights" and "30 Rock," which have earned lots of critical loves but not breakout ratings. In every case, the shows are owned by a corporate sibling of the network that airs them: Touchstone TV for ABC and NBC Universal Television Studio for NBC. The full-season archives will be in place at both networks until each show's first new episode after the calendar turns.
Entertainment Weekly's year-end issue hits U.S. newsstands starting Friday with its widely watched lists of the year's top picks in movies, music, television, books and many other categories. A video Web site, two fake journalists and a veteran actress also rated highly on the magazine's lists. Entertainment Weekly said the cast of "Grey's" -- McDreamy, McSteamy and all the others -- led the chart of top entertainers because they had a cultural impact beyond their show's roughly 20 million weekly viewers. In addition, the episodes -- filled with sexual affairs and career problems -- sparked chatter around offices, schools and homes across the United States. "'Grey's' isn't just a show, it's a phenomenon," said Entertainment Weekly Executive Editor Lori Majewski. "Back in May when last season's final show aired, every place in New York City was empty. You could get a table at the best restaurants," she said. YouTube, the wildly popular Web site where people post videos of anything from themselves singing to comedian Michael Richards shouting racial epithets, made the list because it too had a cultural impact beyond its cyberspace borders. The Richards incident sparked discussions of when comics should and should not use the "N-word" when commenting on black Americans. Likewise, comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's character Borat Sagdiyev, a politically incorrect TV reporter from Kazakhstan, forced Americans to take a hard look at themselves -- warts and all -- in his hit film, "Borat: Cultur l Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan." "He held up a mirror to America," Majewski said. But not all the year's top entertainers had such a serious edge. Streep turned in strong performances in two very different movies -- the musical drama "The Prairie Home Companion" and the comedy "The Devil Wears Prada." Other top entertainers included the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, singers Justin Timberlake and Beyonce, British actress Helen Mirren and Stephen Colbert, host of the television news spoof "The Colbert Report." Entertainment Weekly reaches about 11.4 million readers each week.
The Grey's Anatomy star met Bush for the first time on Thursday while emceeing the White House Summit on Malaria. Washington called the President "genuine" and tells PEOPLE the First Lady was "very warm... (the summit) is her baby." The half-day event, organized by Laura Bush, brought together world leaders bent on eliminating malaria, a curable and preventable disease that still kills 1 million people a year, many of them African children. Last year, the U.S. launched a five-year, $1.2 billion plan (www.fightingmalaria.gov) aimed at cutting malaria deaths in half in hard-hit Africa. Mrs. Bush's own staff pooled the $600 they would have spent on holiday gifts for each other – using it instead to buy 50 bed nets to protect people from malaria-carrying mosquitoes. "It goes to show you that the passion and compassion (for eradicating malaria) is indeed working," said Washington. For Washington, the brief break from the Grey's Anatomy set wasn't all work and no play. Before jetting back to L.A., he went to Vice President Cheney's holiday party.
"What a great wake-up call," The Pursuit of Happyness dramatic actor nominee Smith told PEOPLE. "I couldn't be more honored." Smith has been down the Golden Globe path before, having received another dramatic actor nomination for 2001's Ali. He was also in the running for best TV actor for his sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Pitt, a supporting actor nominee in the dramatic category, said in a statement, "I am so pleased this morning to be nominated along with my fellow actors in Babel for a Golden Globe. I am very proud of this film and I congratulate Alejandro (Gonzalez Iñárritu, the film's director), Rinko (Kikuchi), Adriana (Barraza) and Cate (Blanchett) as well. As a producer with Plan B, I'd also like to congratulate Annette Bening and all the nominees from The Departed. For Baron Cohen, who was nominated for best comedic actor for his box-office smash Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (which also received a best comedic film nod), the comedy continued when he heard about being honored. "I have been trying to let Borat know this great news, but for the last four hours both of Kazakhstan's telephones have been engaged," he said in a statement. "Eventually, Premier Nazarbayev answered and said he would pass on the message as soon as Borat returned from Iran, where he is guest of honor at the Holocaust Denial Conference." Eastwood, a double best director nominee for Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima, said he was grateful for being acknowledged for "projects that I hold very dear" while The Devil Wears Prada star Meryl Streep, nominated for best comedic actress, said she "can't wait for THAT BIG FABULOUS PARTY!" Helen Mirren, tipped as the Oscar frontrunner for The Queen, noted that among her three Globe nominations, two are in the same category. "I'm up against myself, which is very annoying," she joked of her best actress in a TV miniseries nods for Elizabeth I and Prime Suspect: The Final Act. She's also in the dramatic movie actress category for The Queen. "Oh, my God, it's evening in England," she told PEOPLE by phone from overseas. "It's already dark. But the sun has been shining in my heart. It's the Golden Globe effect." She considers being nominated "gratifying," adding: "I certainly know what it means to not be nominated. If you feel you've done the best work you can possibly do, and you're not nominated for it, it's very disheartening and very upsetting. And you feel like crap, like nobody loves me and everybody hates me." Not this year. "Christmas comes early," she said. Marcia Cross, best actress nominee for Desperate Housewives, may be pregnant with twins, but she's still able to prep for her Jan. 15 appearance at the Globes. "I'm going to the show if I can waddle out of the house," she told PEOPLE. "I don't know what kind of tent they are going to put me in. I'm thinking black or navy. It's not going to be a high-fashion year for me. And I'm thinking barefoot. I deserve it." Steve Carell, who stars in the best comedy film nominee Little Miss Sunshine and who is up for best actor for The Office – a best comedy series nominee – told PEOPLE: "I'm very proud of everyone associated with an incredible film and an outstanding series. I am truly fortunate and very appreciative that the HFPA has recognized us and me in this manner." Rinko Kikuchi, who plays a deaf teen in Babel, told the Associated Press, "I'm very ecstatic. I've actually been surprised at all the reactions that I'm getting to my performance, and this one was a big surprise as well." But fear struck Grey's Anatomy nominee Katherine Heigl when her phone rang before dawn. "My mother called," Heigl told PEOPLE, "and my first reaction was something was wrong. Grandpa died. I'm terrified. My mom's crying and I really thought something was wrong." But then Mom broke the news: Heigl had been nominated for her Grey's role as Dr. Izzie Stevens. "I was really surprised. This was my first anything. I've never even won a trophy for sports or anything. This is really thrilling," said Heigl, who in June became engaged to singer Josh Kelley. "It's been a pretty big year," she said. "Now I'm getting nervous. I'm such a pessimist. When is the other shoe going to drop?" For Sleeper Cell nominee Michael Ealy, the alarm wasn't just set to hear about the Globes. Thursday was also his first day of jury duty. But right when the clock went off, so did his phone – his agent calling with the big news. By the time he spoke to PEOPLE later in the morning, he was already "at jury duty right now. I just walked into the courthouse," he said, joking that he wouldn't dare ask the judge to set him free so he could go shop for a tux. "Then they might really stick me in there," he kidded. "No preferential treatment." Meanwhile, Justin Kirk, in the running for playing the slacker brother-in-law on Weeds, noted that this was not his first recognition for his work on the marijuana-scented Showtime series: In October he got a Stony Award from High Times magazine. "The only reason I want to win the Golden Globe is so I can make it into a bong," he joked.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Nominees for outstanding writing in radio and television categories were announced Wednesday. Deadwood, 24, Grey's Anatomy, Lost and The Sopranos were nominated in the dramatic series category. Comedy series nominees were Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, The Office and 30 Rock, which was also nominated for best new series. Other shows competing in that category were Friday Night Lights,Heroes,Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and Ugly Betty. The awards will be presented simultaneously on both coasts — in Los Angeles at the Hyatt Recency Century Plaza Hotel and in New York at the Hudson Theater at the Millennium Broadway Hotel — on Feb. 11. Film nominees will be announced separately.
Brokeback Mountain, Various Artists According to Variety, the "Grey's Anatomy" and "Can't Buy Me Love" star has signed a pay-or-play deal to star in "Made of Honor," a high concept romantic comedy at Columbia. The film focuses on a man (Dempsey) who agrees to an unusual offer to be the maid of honor in a wedding because he's in love with the bride. We think you can imagine where the story goes from there, particular if you've seen "My Best Friend's Wedding." The pay-or-play aspect of the deal probably relates to how far "Made of Honor" is from going into production. No director is attached yet and the film only received a greenlight after Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont ("Can't Hardly Wait") did a rewrite on Adam Sztykiel's spec script. Dempsey, who has picked up Golden Globe and SAG nominations for his "Grey's Anatomy" work, is about to see the first big screen fruits of his recent popular explosion. He appears with Hilary Swank in this winter's "Freedom Writers" and then pops up opposite Amy Adams in the summer film "Enchanted."
Fox also drew two nominations for the dramas "House" and "24." "The Sopranos" (HBO) rounded out the drama list. Other comedy nominees were "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO), "Arrested Development" (Fox) and "Weeds" (Showtime). In non-fiction television, nominees included "The Amazing Race" and "60 Minutes" (CBS), "American Idol" (Fox), "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC), and "Project Runway" (Bravo). And in variety TV, the nominees were "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (Warner Bros. Television), "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The XX Olympic Games: Opening Ceremony" (NBC), "The Late Show with David Letterman" (CBS) and "Real Time with Bill Maher" (HBO). The Producers Guild will holds its 2007 awards gala on January 20 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Century City. Nominations in theatrical motion picture categories will be announced January 4.
Kelley was by Heigl's side when she was feted recently by Cosmopolitan magazine. Editor Kate White hosted an intimate dinner for Heigl to celebrate her appearance on the December issue of Cosmo. The actress' manager mom and TV co-stars T.R. Knight and Kate Walsh were also on hand to toast Heigl's success. Later, she took time out to talk with Sandy Cohen of The Associated Press about the pressures and pleasures of celebrity. What's it like to become instantly famous? It's weird. I've been doing this for so long and I always imagined what it might be like to have this success, but you can't really know what it will be like. The most pivotal point was at the "upfronts" [where broadcasters present programs to advertisers] in New York last year. People would come up to me and tell me how much they loved the show, and New Yorkers just don't do that! The excitement for the show was just unbelievable. I've been waiting 15 years for this kind of success and I'm just so grateful and really thrilled. It's definitely overwhelming at times. Is there a downside? With all the magazines, there's so much access into people's personal lives. You feel watched all the time and it feels like you can't be yourself, like you can't go to the grocery store unless you're wearing a cute outfit and look perfect. But I feel like I'm learning how to live with it and be myself regardless of judgment or criticism. All I really care about are the people I love. It is overwhelming. I think it takes experience. What's it like to see yourself on the cover of Cosmopolitan? This is huge for me. I've always read Cosmo and loved the covers, the fashion spreads and the sex advice. It feels sort of like an out-of-body experience, like it's happening to someone else. What do you think "Grey's Anatomy" says to women? I'm really grateful because the character I play is smart and ambitious. And not ambitious in a bad way, getting ahead at the expense of someone else. She's ambitious in her own self, pushing herself to be her best. The women on this show are independent, strong and career-driven. They're so supportive of one another, and that's an important message to put out into the world today. Every woman is an individual, interesting and inspired in her own right. I think they really push that theory in this show and I love that. I'm proud of that. Your character, who modeled lingerie to finance her medical training, struggles with the notion of beauty. How do you feel about it? It's an interesting line to toe. I understand the desire and the need to look and be perfect in this industry. But I'm a real woman, a real size ... well I don't even know what size I am. Between 4 and 6, depending on the day. I am not perfect. I have my moments where I feel sexy and healthy, and then I have days when I just want to put on my sweats and not talk to anyone. Beauty is such a superficial thing. People only see your exterior and there's so much room for misjudging people based on how they look. All these beautiful, perfect people do not have beautiful, perfect lives. All these beautiful celebrities have the same pain and turmoil in their lives as I do. I think it's more important to be my personal best and put that out there. What's a typical day like for you? Usually on Mondays our call time is 6 a.m. I live five minutes from work, so I'll wake up at 10 [minutes] to 6. Then I'll spend 12 to 14 hours on the set. The call times get progressively later during the week. Last night I worked until 2:30 a.m. How do you unwind when you're not working? My life is either overwhelming or totally underwhelming. I'll have really busy weeks with work, photo shoots and interviews, and then I'll have a week where I'm not working that much. I have these big couches at home, so I can have my four dogs on my lap while I read a book. I knit a lot. When Josh is around, I want to spend time with him because we don't get to spend a lot of time together. We'll have a lazy, easygoing breakfast out, go to the movies, or go to a bar and have a drink. I don't go to a lot of clubs or concerts. Of course I go to his concerts! But otherwise it's calm stuff. I just like it to be relaxed.
“We are honored to have two exceptionally talented actors join us in celebrating excellence in theatre,” states Ronald E. Hasson, President of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP, “Chandra Wilson and Rockmond Dunbar received their training from the theatre and have risen to great success on primetime television. We look forward to having them host a spectacular show.” Wilson stars as Dr. Miranda Bailey on “Grey’s Anatomy,” a role that earned her an Emmy nomination in 2006. Her greatest New York stage accomplishment thus far is her portrayal of Bonna Willis in the production of “The Good Times are Killing Me” by Lynda Barry both at the Second Stage and Minetta Lane Theatres, which won her a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance. Some of her other stage credits include the Broadway productions of “Caroline, or Change,” “Avenue Q” and the revival of “On the Town.” Dunbar, who stars as “C-Note” on the hit Fox series “Prison Break,” got his big break in the role of hardworking entrepreneur Kenny Chadway in the Showtime drama series, “Soul Food.” Dunbar performed in stage productions at the prestigious National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He studied theatre at Morehouse College and The College of Santa Fe in New Mexico, which was one of the top 10 theater schools in the nation. For ticket purchases or more information on the NAACP Theater Awards, visit www.bhwdnaacptheatreawards.com or call (323) 464-7616.
ABC averaged a 10.8 rating/17 share in primetime, easily beating second-place CBS' 8.6/13. NBC finished third with a 6.5/10. FOX, 2.7/4, came in fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.8/3. The adults 18-49 demographic also tilted ABC's way, with the network scoring a 5.9 rating. NBC took second with a 4.7, outpacing CBS' 4.4. FOX averaged 1.8 and The CW 1.1. "Survivor: Cook Islands" put CBS on top at 8 p.m. with a 9.2/14. ABC's "Ugly Betty" was close behind with a 9.0/14. "My Name Is Earl," 6.2/10, and "The Office," 5.8/9, were third for NBC. An hour of "'Til Death" averaged 3.0/5 for FOX, good enough to beat a "Smallville" rerun on The CW. At 9 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" posted a 15.4/23 for ABC, by far the night's best rating. A "CSI" repeat, 9.9/15, finished second for CBS. The season premiere of "Scrubs," 4.9/7, and "30 Rock," 4.0/6, kept NBC in third, topping "The O.C.," 2.4/4, on FOX. The CW went with a "Supernatural" repeat. NBC took the lead at 10 p.m. with "ER," 9.1/15. "Men in Trees" drew an 8.0/13 for ABC, holding onto the "Grey's" audience a little better than "Six Degrees" did earlier this fall. CBS got a 6.8/11 from a "Shark" rerun.
CBS earned an 8.2 rating/15 share for the night to beat out ABC's 7.1/13. NBC was close behind in third at 6.9/13. FOX, 4.5/8, came in fourth, and The CW drew a 0.9/2 with a lineup of reruns. ABC grabbed a win among adults 18-49, scoring a 4.7 rating in the favored demographic of advertisers. CBS, 4.2, finished second, followed by NBC at 4.0. FOX averaged 2.9 and The CW 0.7. "Survivor: Cook Islands" scored a 6.9/14 to win the 8 p.m. hour for CBS. The first half of a two-hour "Deal or No Deal," 6.0/12, put NBC in second. "Ugly Betty," 5.3/11, was third for ABC, while FOX took fourth with a showing of the movie "Spider-Man." The CW went with a "Smallville" rerun. ABC moved into the lead at 9 p.m. as "Grey's Anatomy" scored a 10.5/19. "CSI" was right behind, drawing a 9.9/18 for CBS. "Deal or No Deal" improved to 7.0/13. "Spider-Man" drew a 4.6/8 for FOX, while The CW finished its night with a "Supernatural" repeat. At 10 p.m., NBC's "ER" posted a 7.9/15 to hold off CBS' "Shark," 7.7/15, for the lead. The end of "Grey's Anatomy" (which ran until 10:10) and "Primetime" averaged 5.6/10 for ABC.
The 27-year-old blonde beauty, who plays Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, said she's still adjusting to the challenges of overnight fame. But she's digging the perks: One acting gig helped Heigl find her fiance, singer-songwriter Josh Kelley. She was hired to star in his music video, and the two ended up engaged. Kelley was by Heigl's side when she was feted recently by Cosmopolitan magazine. Editor Kate White hosted an intimate dinner for Heigl to celebrate her appearance on the December issue of Cosmopolitan. The actress' manager mom and TV co-stars T.R. Knight and Kate Walsh were also on hand to toast Heigl's success. Later, she took time out to talk with The Associated Press about the pressures and pleasures of celebrity. AP: What's it like to become instantly famous? Heigl: It's weird. I've been doing this for so long and I always imagined what it might be like to have this success, but you can't really know what it will be like. The most pivotal point was at the 'upfronts' (where broadcasters present programs to advertisers) in New York last year. People would come up to me and tell me how much they loved the show, and New Yorkers just don't do that! The excitement for the show was just unbelievable. I've been waiting 15 years for this kind of success and I'm just so grateful and really thrilled. It's definitely overwhelming at times. AP: Is there a downside? Heigl: With all the magazines, there's so much access into people's personal lives. You feel watched all the time and it feels like you can't be yourself, like you can't go to the grocery store unless you're wearing a cute outfit and look perfect. But I feel like I'm learning how to live with it and be myself regardless of judgment or criticism. All I really care about are the people I love. It is overwhelming. I think it takes experience. AP: What's it like to see yourself on the cover of Cosmopolitan? Heigl: This is huge for me. I've always read Cosmo and loved the covers, the fashion spreads and the sex advice. It feels sort of like an out-of-body experience, like it's happening to someone else. AP: What do you think "Grey's Anatomy" says to women? Heigl: I'm really grateful because the character I play is smart and ambitious. And not ambitious in a bad way, getting ahead at the expense of someone else. She's ambitious in her own self, pushing herself to be her best. The women on this show are independent, strong and career-driven. They're so supportive of one another, and that's an important message to put out into the world today. Every woman is an individual, interesting and inspired in her own right. I think they really push that theory in this show and I love that. I'm proud of that. AP: Your character, who modeled lingerie to finance her medical training, struggles with the notion of beauty. How do you feel about it? Heigl: It's an interesting line to toe. I understand the desire and the need to look and be perfect in this industry. But I'm a real woman, a real size...well I don't even know what size I am. Between 4 and 6, depending on the day. I am not perfect. I have my moments where I feel sexy and healthy, and then I have days when I just want to put on my sweats and not talk to anyone. Beauty is such a superficial thing. People only see your exterior and there's so much room for misjudging people based on how they look. All these beautiful, perfect people do not have beautiful, perfect lives. All these beautiful celebrities have the same pain and turmoil in their lives as I do. I think it's more important to be my personal best and put that out there. AP: What's a typical day like for you? Heigl: Usually on Mondays our call time is 6 a.m. I live five minutes from work, so I'll wake up at 10 (minutes) to 6. Then I'll spend five, 12 to 14 hours on the set. The call times get progressively later during the week. Last night I worked until 2:30 a.m. AP: How do you unwind when you're not working? Heigl: My life is either overwhelming or totally underwhelming. I'll have really busy weeks with work, photo shoots and interviews, and then I'll have a week where I'm not working that much. I have these big couches at home, so I can have my four dogs on my lap while I read a book. I knit a lot. When Josh is around, I want to spend time with him because we don't get to spend a lot of time together. We'll have a lazy, easygoing breakfast out, go to the movies, or go to a bar and have a drink. I don't go to a lot of clubs or concerts. Of course I go to his concerts! But otherwise it's calm stuff. I just like it to be relaxed.
At the opening night party for the Skin + Bones: Parallel Practices in Fashion and Architecture exhibit at L.A.'s Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles on Saturday, Washington was asked if things were good on the Grey's set these days. "Everything was good on the set four weeks ago," he said. He joked that he's bought stock in a tabloid-magazine company "because they make so much money off of us." The media coverage "was disappointing," he said, "but now I'm a shareholder. I'm a businessman." Washington and Dempsey discussed the fracas (for which Washington later apologized in a statement to PEOPLE) on The Oprah Winfrey Show in a segment that aired Friday. "I lost my cool, but it wasn't coming out of a place of animus for Patrick or (costar) T.R. (Knight) or anyone. It was coming out of a place of trying to stay focused about the work," Washington told Winfrey, who visited the Grey's set for the interviews. "I've been working with these beautiful men for three years now, and we had an argument as brothers. It came about at a time and a place that was overwhelming for both of us." Washington clarified: "What it was not, was a brawl." Dempsey said the ensemble is that much stronger after the episode. "I think what happens is we needed to just be open and be able to communicate and not let things build up," Dempsey told Winfrey. "I think we've come to that point where it's much freer to communicate with each other, and we're more relaxed because of it. I think the whole company's tighter." At the MOCA event, Washington added that working on Grey's is the "opportunity of a lifetime." He added that he can't wait to see the Thanksgiving episode. "Cristina and Burke have their opportunity to kind of get sweaty," he said. "It was a lot of fun."
CBS averaged an 11.3 rating/18 share in primetime to beat out ABC's 10.5/16. NBC was well back in third with a 5.9/9. FOX, 2.7/4, edged The CW, 2.5/4, for fourth. ABC tied CBS for the lead among adults 18-49, with each network drawing a 5.9 rating. NBC came in third at 4.2. FOX averaged 1.8 and The CW 1.7. "Survivor: Cook Islands" won the 8 p.m. hour for CBS with a 9.2/14. "Ugly Betty" drew an 8.9/14 for ABC. Super-sized episodes of "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office" averaged 5.6/9 for NBC. An hour of "'Til Death" on FOX was fourth in households, though The CW's "Smallville," 2.9/4, had a few more total viewers. At 9 p.m., "CSI" scored a 14.7/22 for CBS to beat ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," 13.6/20, by its widest margin this season. The conclusion of "The Office" and "30 Rock," making its Thursday debut, managed only a 4.4/7 (from 9:30 to 10, "30 Rock" was even lower, at 3.2/5). "The O.C." delivered a 2.5/4 for FOX, topping "Supernatural" on The CW. CBS finished its sweep of the night with "Shark," 10.0/17, at 10 p.m. The Barbara Walters special "30 Mistakes in 30 Years" earned a healthy 8.9/15 for ABC. Saddled with a meager lead-in, "ER" suffered its lowest-rated original episode of the fall, finishing at 8.2/14.
Vision Racing co-owner Patrick Dempsey (aka Doctor McDreamy from the hit ABC-TV show "Grey's Anatomy") joined the list in this week's issue on newsstands. The former teen idol maintains a sense of humor about the fame. "This is so funny. I'm a hunky guy now. How did that happen?" Dempsey, 40, told the magaazine. You'll be able to see Dempsey at many of the IndyCar Series events in 2007 if you purchase a ticket. Photo and autograph with McDreamy not included.
The self-outing in recent months of Knight, of ABC hit drama "Grey's Anatomy," and Harris, of up-and-coming CBS sitcom "How I Met Your Mother," seems evidence of how far Hollywood has come from the days of Hudson and Montgomery Clift, who remained closeted in fear of ruining their reputations during a less tolerant era. But it's debatable whether they would consider this progress. Television, by and large, has had a good track record with gays and lesbians in recent years. Gay-friendly programming has flourished to the point where, between "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and "The L Word," homosexuality is practically a cliche. In addition, Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres have both proven that coming out was not the end of their careers. The same will likely hold true for Harris and Knight. But don't let the cheery tone of their outing statements fool you into thinking they did this voluntarily. Both men were subjected to gossip-mongering on the Internet that has become so ubiquitous that it is virtually impossible for even a minor celebrity to ignore or keep his or her sexuality a secret anymore. An actor may not want to come out, but the truth still will. Up until relatively recently, agents and publicists could be counted on to keep clients closeted if they so chose. That just isn't feasible anymore in a culture where a celebrity's personal life is just another stage for mandatory performance. Harris and Knight might appear to be challenging Hollywood's conventional wisdom that actors disclosing their homosexuality risk having their off-screen persona cloud audience perceptions of any roles they play onscreen. But a closer inspection of their current TV roles undercuts their significance. Take Knight, for instance. As Dr. George O'Malley, Knight is practically one of the girls on "Grey's," playing a confidante not unlike Sanford, Carrie Bradshaw's gay best friend on "Sex and the City." Also, O'Malley's heterosexuality is evident only in its thwarted nature; he is bumbling his way through a budding relationship in the character's current story line. Harris might represent a more interesting test case. On "Mother," he plays the lecherous lothario Barney Stinson, who rarely goes an episode without a physical display of his womanizing ways. Still, Harris doesn't have to be believably hetero here because "Mother" is a broad comedy and his role is essentially a caricature. Neither Harris nor Knight are in the mold of the traditional leading man, and that's a huge distinction. That type of role is predicated on an actor's sex appeal to the opposite gender. Absurd as it sounds, on some level viewers have to believe the object of their affection could somehow reciprocate their attraction. Just imagine if "Grey's" resident heartthrob, Patrick Dempsey, who is not gay, had come out. Would McDreamy still be as popular, and would that affect the popularity of "Grey's?" Given the rapacious tabloid climate in which Hollywood operates, it is perhaps inevitable that a sexy lead actor will be outed. And if the disclosures of Harris and Knight seem like a big deal, just wait and see what happens when someone more like a modern-day Hudson follows in their footsteps.
Ivery proposed to Pompeo on Friday, her 37th birthday, after breakfast at home. "She was surprised and thrilled," the actress's rep tells PEOPLE. Ivery presented Pompeo with a 3.5-carat emerald-cut diamond in a platinum setting from jewelry designer Tacori. Pompeo and Ivery, 37, both Boston-area natives, grew up minutes away from each other, but didn't meet until pals introduced them in Los Angeles in 2003. They didn't start dating right away. "We were friends for six months; then one night she just looked different to me," Ivery told PEOPLE in October. Their relationship is laid-back. "We had a great day yesterday," Pompeo told PEOPLE. "We walked on the beach, then we came home, took a shower and went out for sushi. Then we laid on the couch with the dogs and watched TV." Pompeo added, "We were six degrees our whole lives, so I feel like we were sort of meant to be. We'll get married eventually, secretly." According to Pompeo's rep, no wedding date has been set.
Filming on the indie production begins Monday in New York. Isabella Rossellini, Lindsay Sloane ("The Stones") and Justina Machado ("Six Feet Under") also have been cast in the film to be directed by Griffin Dunne ("Practical Magic"). The film revolves around Emma Lloyd (Thurman), a local talk radio host with a show about relationships. Firth will play her husband, and Shepard her father. When one of her listeners, Sofia (Machado) follows her advice and breaks up with her boyfriend (Morgan), a New York fireman, the boyfriend plans his revenge and sets Emma's life into crisis. Morgan is best known for his role as Denny Duquette on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." Firth recently wrapped production on two indie films, "Then She Found Me," directed by Helen Hunt, and "When Did You Last See Your Father" opposite Jim Broadbent and directed by Anand Tucker. Shepard will next appear in "The Assassination of Jesse James" opposite Brad Pitt.
The "Waiting to Exhale" star has signed on to the network's pilot "Eli Stone," where she'll star opposite Jonny Lee Miller ("Smith"). It would be her first regular TV work since "Boston Public" ended a couple seasons back. In other casting news, Illeana Douglas ("Action") will take a recurring role on CBS' freshman drama "Shark," according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Eli Stone," which was co-created by Greg Berlanti ("Everwood," "Brothers & Sisters") and his "Jack & Bobby" colleague Marc Guggenheim, is about a lawyer (Miller) who starts to believe he's a prophet. Devine will play his no-nonsense assistant. She has appeared on "Grey's Anatomy" four times as surgical chief Richard Webber's (James Pickens Jr.) wife, Adele. She's also appeared in Lifetime's Fantasia Barrino biopic, "The PJs" and in guest roles on "Supernatural" and "Girlfriends." Her movie credits include the upcoming "Dreamgirls" (she starred in the show's original Broadway incarnation), "Woman Thou Art Loosed," "Crash" and "The Preacher's Wife." Douglas, meanwhile, will play a tough defense attorney who squares off with Sebastian Stark (James Woods) on "Shark." There's no word on how many episodes she's agreed to do. In addition to "Action," Douglas' credits include "To Die For," the upcoming "Factory Girl," "Ghost World" and guest appearances on "Six Feet Under" and "Law & Order: SVU."
CBS earned a 10.2 rating/16 share for the night to beat out ABC's 9.5/15. NBC finished third at 7.3/11. FOX was a distant fourth at 2.6/4, edging out The CW's 2.3/4. ABC claimed the top spot in the adults 18-49 demographic with a 5.5 rating, with CBS not far behind at 5.2. NBC, 4.5, was a competitive third, while FOX, 1.7, and The CW, 1.6, were well off the pace. "Survivor: Cook Islands" put CBS in first at 8 p.m. with a 9.0/14. "Ugly Betty," 8.6/13, came in second for ABC. "My Name Is Earl," 5.7/9, and "The Office," 5.0/8, were third for NBC. An hour of "'Til Death" on FOX was fourth, narrowly beating "Smallville," 2.7/4, on The CW. "Grey's Anatomy," the night's most-watched show with a 13.5/20, won the 9 p.m. hour for ABC. "CSI," 12.4/19, was a close second for CBS (the two networks were separated by about 100,000 viewers). NBC stayed in third with "Deal or No Deal," 7.3/11. "The O.C.," 2.3/3, kept FOX in front of The CW and "Supernatural." At 10 p.m., NBC's "ER" posted a 9.4/15 to beat CBS' "Shark," 9.1/15 (CBS also had a heavily hyped unveiling of a new "Spider-Man 3" trailer just after 10). ABC got a 6.4/10 from a repeat of last Sunday's "Desperate Housewives."
Television:Favorite TV Comedy: The King of Queens, My Name is Earl, Two and a Half Men Music:Favorite Female Singer: Faith Hill, Shakira, Carrie Underwood Miscellaneous: Fans can vote for their favorites in movies, TV and music online at pcavote.com. Winners will be announced when the show airs live on CBS Jan. 9.
For the night, CBS averaged a 10.2 rating/16 share to beat out ABC's 9.5/15. NBC came in third with a 7.4/12. There was a big drop to The CW at 2.5/4. FOX brought up the rear at 2.4/4. ABC led among adults 18-49 with a 5.6 rating, edging CBS' 5.3. NBC was not far behind at 4.8. The CW took fourth in the key ad-sales demographic with a 1.8, leaving FOX in fifth at 1.5. "Ugly Betty," 9.3/14, won the 8 p.m. hour for ABC in households, though CBS' "Survivor: Cook Islands," 9.0/14, had more viewers (15.56 million to 13.73 million). "My Name Is Earl," 5.8/9, and "The Office," 5.2/8, finished third for NBC. "Smallville" posted a 2.9/4 for The CW, beating the return of "'Til Death" and "Happy Hour" on FOX. ABC took sole possession of first at 9 p.m. with "Grey's Anatomy," 13.8/20. CBS was a close second with "CSI," 12.8/19. NBC's "Deal or No Deal" scored a better-than-average 7.9/12. The season premiere of "The O.C." earned a 2.2/3 for FOX, finishing in a virtual tie in total viewers with The CW's "Supernatural." At 10 p.m., NBC's "ER," 8.9/15, narrowly beat CBS' "Shark," 8.8/15, for the top spot. "Six Degrees" was a distant third for ABC, finishing with a 5.3/9.
So what's the deal on the new guy, Eric Dane (a.k.a. Dr. McSteamy)? Is this the end for Addison and Derek? Your character wasn't too popular with fans at first. Has that changed? Were you stressed about Grey's going up against CSI on Thursdays? Do anything fun on hiatus? Has your life changed in the past year? Any buyer’s remorse? Musician Josh Kelley, who is currently on tour with Five for Fighting, apparently escaped with his life after he was involved in a major tour bus wreck, reports Us Weekly. There's no word on his injuries or if his scheduled performance in St. Louis, Missouri on Friday (Oct. 27) will be canceled. The 27-year-old Heigl and the 25-year-old Kelley only met last year, on the set of the video for Kelley's song "Only You." They were engaged in June, and have yet to set a wedding date. In July, Kelley released his third album, "Just Say the Word," following in the footsteps of 2003's "For the Ride Home" and 2005's "Almost Honest." Heigl plays Dr. Izzie Stevens on ABC's smash medical drama, "Grey's Anatomy." Also known for her series run on The WB's "Roswell," Heigl has also appeared on the big screen in "Bride of Chucky," "The Ringer" and the upcoming "Knocked Up."
FOX averaged a 9.4 rating/15 share in primetime to win the night (as with all live broadcasts, those numbers may change some in the final nationals). CBS was a solid second at 8.5/13, and ABC was not far behind at 8.1/13. NBC, which also featured repeats in two-thirds of its lineup, came in fourth with a 5.5/9. The CW drew a 2.5/4. Among adults 18-49, FOX's 4.5 rating was tops, beating out ABC's 4.1 and CBS' 4.0. NBC averaged 3.0 in the key ad demographic, while The CW trailed with a 1.9. "Ugly Betty," 8.9/14, won the 8 p.m. hour for ABC. The World Series pre-game and the start of Game 4 scored an 8.1/13 for FOX. A "Survivor: Cook Islands" clip show on CBS was third in households at 7.7/12 but beat FOX by a small margin in total viewers. NBC went with reruns of "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office." "Smallville" posted a 2.9/5 for The CW. CBS took the lead at 9 p.m. with a "CSI" rerun, 10.8/16. A tight World Series game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers improved to 9.9/15 on FOX. A "Grey's Anatomy" repeat, 8.4/13, finished third for ABC, while NBC stayed in fourth with "Deal or No Deal," 7.0/10. "Supernatural" finished the night for The CW. The World Series ticked up to 10.2/17 at 10 p.m. A repeat of "Shark," 7.1/12 on CBS, edged another episode of "Grey's Anatomy," 7.0/12, for second. NBC's "ER" rerun came in at 5.1/8.
"I sincerely regret my actions and the unfortunate use of words during the recent incident on-set," Washington, 43, says in the statement. "Both are beneath my own personal standards. … I have nothing but respect for my coworkers … and have apologized personally to everyone involved." After Washington and Dempsey, 40, clashed on Oct. 9, reports surfaced that Washington had used a homophobic slur during the fracas. Then on Oct. 19, their costar T.R. Knight disclosed to PEOPLE that he is gay. "I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there," he said in a statement, adding, "I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me." Fallout from the turmoil has sparked talk of everything from hasty script rewrites of an impending onscreen fight scene (not true, says show creator Shonda Rhimes) to rumors that Washington would be fired, possibly to be replaced by former ER star Eriq La Salle. "I found (those rumors) not only ridiculous but offensive that we would consider replacing a member of our family," Rhimes tells PEOPLE. "And also the (idea) that one black man was interchangeable with another seemed disturbing to me." Rhimes also dismisses speculation that the mood on the set has been unusually tense. "The mood's what the mood's always been," she says. "We have a group of people who are more of a family than anything else. We have our fun days, and we have our days when people are tired and the work is hard." On Tuesday's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Grey's costar Katherine Heigl played down the incident, calling it "some scuffle … There was a little burst of testosterone in the room, and then within five minutes ... they were totally fine." Washington was scheduled to tape an interview with DeGeneres on Tuesday to air Wednesday, but canceled – citing a scheduling conflict – after Heigl jokingly warned DeGeneres to "step back" during Washington's appearance, USA Today reports. So what actually happened between Washington and Dempsey? A set source says that when Knight, 33, was late to film a scene, a debate ensued between Dempsey and Washington, with Dempsey insisting on waiting for Knight before starting the scene. The argument quickly intensified, and the source says that yes, the alleged slur was used, but Knight was not present at the time. "Isaiah was running his mouth off," says the source. "Isaiah verbally attacked Patrick – he tore into him. Patrick's voice escalated and he did tell Isaiah to 'f– off, (but) that was as heated as Patrick got." Today, Rhimes tells PEOPLE, Dempsey and Washington "are fine" – as are Washington and Knight. "They've had conversations," says Rhimes. "They did a really great scene together the other day." The whole affair, she says, "was four and a half seconds of one day in three years. I feel like we've already moved on." For more on this story, check out the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
Various reports about the dispute have circulated, but Anatomy's Katherine Heigl appeared on Ellen DeGeneres' show Tuesday and played down the incident: "There was some scuffle. ... I don't know what the fight was about. ... It was something silly and manly. There was a little burst of testosterone in the room, and then within five minutes ... they were totally fine and joking with each other and laughing." Washington was to have taped an interview Tuesday with DeGeneres to appear today, but canceled (citing a change in his production schedule) after Heigl playfully warned DeGeneres to "step back" during Washington's appearance. DeGeneres responded by saying Washington "better not call me a name ... I'll be swinging." ABC's Charissa Gilmore emphasizes that Washington's standing with the show is fine despite the on-set altercation, saying, "We have no intention of replacing Isaiah."
Okay, McDreamy vs. McSteamy – who wins the hotness contest? Besides the six-pack abs, how are you similar to McSteamy? How do you maintain those abs? Unlike McSteamy and Addison, you seem very grounded with your wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart. What's your ideal Sunday? CBS earned a 10.1 rating/16 share among households for the night, followed closely by ABC, 9.7/15, and FOX, 9.3/14. NBC took fourth with a 6.8/10, and The CW trailed at 2.4/4. ABC once again won the top spot among adults 18-49 with a 5.8 rating. CBS took second with a 5.4. FOX, 4.5, beat out NBC, 4.1, for third. The CW came in at 1.7. At 8 p.m., ABC's "Ugly Betty" and CBS' "Survivor: Cook Islands" tied for first in households at 8.9/14, though CBS had more total viewers. Game 7 of the National League Championship Series on FOX posted a 7.9/12 for the hour. NBC was fourth with "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office." The CW got a 2.8/4 from "Smallville." ABC took sole possession of the lead at 9 p.m. thanks to "Grey's Anatomy," 14.3/21. CBS finished second with "CSI," 12.5/18. The NLCS game between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets improved to 8.8/13 on FOX. "Deal or No Deal," 6.1/9, kept NBC in fourth, while The CW went with "Supernatural." Baseball put FOX on top at 10 p.m. with an 11.1/18, as the Cards beat the Mets, 3-1, to advance to the World Series. CBS' "Shark" and NBC's "ER" tied for second at 9.0/14, with CBS having slightly more total viewers and NBC ahead in adults 18-49. "Six Degrees" drew a 6.0/10 on ABC.
"I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there," Knight's statement read. "While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me." Knight plays Dr. George O'Malley on the popular ABC drama. A former stage actor, his television credits also include "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." Knight's "Grey's Anatomy" character, a bumbling, puppy-eyed surgeon, has long been in love with Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).
Now, SCORE Trophy-Truck, the high-tech, 800-horsepower unlimited production trucks that are finishing their 13th season as the premier SCORE racing division, will have a record field of nearly 40 of these monsters of the desert attempting to permanently etch their own names in the granite records of the legendary granddaddy of all desert races. This year’s odyssey of over 1,000 miles will be a grueling adventure down Mexico’s mysterious Baja California peninsula starting in Ensenada, Baja California and finishing in La Paz, Baja California, Sur. It will be held Nov. 15-18. An amazing race-record total of 393 vehicles have officially entered to date and over 400 are expected by the time late registration closes on race morning. This year’s memorable adventure will cover 1,047.83 miles of the rugged and tortuous Baja California peninsula, starting on the Pacific Ocean side and stretching across and down the majestic peninsula to the Sea of Cortez side, back to the Pacific before winding back again to the Sea of Cortez and the finish line. Over 400 entries from 35 U.S. States and 11 countries, competing in 26 Pro and 6 Sportsman classes for cars, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs will be part of this year’s tribute to the sport of desert racing. The race is the season-finale of the six-race 2006 SCORE Desert Series, the world’s foremost desert racing series. “The concept of the SCORE Trophy-Truck division that we launched in 1994 was extremely innovating for our sport, but I am literally awestruck to observe the development of it over these past 12-plus years,” said Sal Fish, CEO and President of Los Angeles-based SCORE International. “They come from all walks of life and their investment in their teams and their unbelievable race trucks rivals any other form of motorsports. Staging and the start line in Ensenada will be one of the most memorable times in my 34-year tenure in the sport.” The motorcycle and ATV classes will start their journey at 6:30 a.m. (Thursday, Nov. 16) with the car and truck classes starting at approximately 10:30 a.m., or three hours after the last ATV leaves the line. Vehicles will leave in 30-second intervals in the elapsed-time race and while the fastest finishers are expected to complete the course in approximately 16 hours. The all-time race-record for starters, 346, was set 29 years ago in 1977 (Ensenada to Ensenada), and the race-record for starters when the race runs the length of the peninsula to La Paz, 307, was set in 1992. In all, this year’s SCORE Trophy-Truck entry list features 7 of the 12 SCORE Baja 1000 winners in this marquee division, 17 racers who have combined for 39 various class victories in this fabled race, 17 drivers who have combined to win 61 of the 77 SCORE Trophy-Truck races ever held, and 8 of the 12 All-Time SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champions. A race-record 36 SCORE Trophy-Trucks have entered so far. With massive crowds reaching over 300,000 anticipated to again be spread out along the point-to-point race course, the race will start for the 32nd time in Ensenada and will finish for the 17th time in La Paz. Shepard, 49, of Phoenix, who is coming off his second career SCORE Trophy-Truck class win in September at the SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300, is the defending SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion and 2005 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 winner in his class. He is also currently in second place in this year’s class point standings, by just six points, in the No. 1 Shepard Racing Chevy CK1500. Brian Collins, 44, of Las Vegas with three and Larry Ragland, 62, of Phoenix with nine have a combined 12 career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins and will split driving in the No. 12 Collins Motorsports Chevy Silverado. The legendary Ragland has a record four SCORE Trophy-Truck wins in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 (1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999). Ragland also won Class 8 in this race in 1991. The inventive team of Ryan Arciero, 33, Foothill Ranch, Calif./Mark Miller, 44, Carefree, Ariz., class winners in this race both in 2003 and 2004, added a third key driver this year in Supercross legend Rick Johnson, 42, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., in their No. 81 Arciero/Miller Racing Chevy Silverado. Las Vegas brothers Ed Herbst, 45, and Tim Herbst, 43, are the all-time winningest SCORE Trophy-Truck drivers with 11 career race wins and the season point titles in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003, but are still looking for their first win in this marquee racing division in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in their Terrible Herbst Motorsports No. 19 Ford F-150. With a third and two fifths this year, the brothers are in third place in the current SCORE Trophy-Truck point standings, 28 behind B.J. Baldwin. The brothers finished third in this race last year, fourth in 2004 and second in both 2003 and 2002. B.J. Baldwin, 27, of Las Vegas, is the current SCORE Trophy-Truck point leader and won this year’s season-opening SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge in January in his No. 97 Chevy Silverado. He also has a second, two fourths and a sixth this year in the featured SCORE racing division. He also drew the coveted first starting position for this year’s race. Hawaii’s Alan Pflueger, 39, has two career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins in his Pflueger Racing No. 28 Monster Energy Chevy Silverado and in the SCORE Baja 1000 he won the Protruck class in 2002. He was second in last year’s race to Bob Shepard. This year he is fourth in class points, one behind the Herbsts. NASCAR Nextel Cup team owner/driver Robby Gordon, 37, Charlotte, N.C., whose roots are in SCORE desert racing and is a two-time overall winner in this race, drew the 31st starting position in SCORE Trophy-Truck in the Team Gordon No. 83 Red Bull Chevy CK1500. Gordon, will again pull double-duty, driving the the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 before flying to Homestead, Fla., to race in the NASCAR Nextel Cup season finale. Driver of record for the team this season is Andy McMillin, 19, Poway, Calif. With four career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins each, the team of Mark Post, 49, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. and Curt LeDuc, 51, Cherry Valley, Calif., are always in the hunt in the No. 3 Riviera Racing Ford F-150. With Post recovering from extensive knee surgery, the team did not race in September’s SCORE Las Vegas Primm 300, but the pair finished fourth in this race last year and third two years ago. Their best finish so far this season was a fifth in SCORE Trophy-Truck in March’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. Carl Renezeder, 42, Laguna Beach, Calif., who keeps in shape for racing as a successful triathelete, is seventh in class points this year, won Class 1 in this race in 1994, and has a second and a third this season in his No. 17 Chevy Silverado. He is also a champion short-course racer in the CORR series. Always a local favorite, Vildosola Racing with team owner Gus Vildosola, 53, Mexicali, Mexico and three-time AARWBA All-America Rob MacCachren, 41, Las Vegas, has struggled this year with three straight did not finishes after opening the season with a fourth place in Laughlin. MacCachren has four career SCORE Trophy-Truck race wins, including one in 2003 with Vildosola, and was the 1994 SCORE Trophy-Truck season point champion. TV sports commentator, Cameron Steele, 38, San Clemente, Calif., is a proven desert racer with a 2003 Class 1-2/1600 win in this race, but hasn’t cracked the podium yet in SCORE Trophy-Truck. With Steele’s race savvy and team owner Ed Stout’s driving patience, the No. 16 Desert Assassins Ford F-150 is always colorful as it continues to climb the podium ladder. The high-adrenaline Steele will once again attempt a triple, racing not only in SCORE Trophy-Truck, but the unlimited Class 22 on the No. 19x Honda XR650R motorcycle and on the No. 1147 charity team in Class 11 in a stock VW Sedan. Needless to say, he has a lot of good driving partners who help him in his unique quest for the desert trifecta. The SCORE Trophy-Truck surprise driver of the season has been rookie Garron Cadiente, 31, Mesa, Ariz., who won this year’s Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250, finished fifth in the No. 38 G&R Racing Ford F-150 in June’s Tecate SCORE Baja 500 and is sixth in season points. Cadiente’s father-in-law, Ron Whitton, 62, Mesa, Ariz., is the R in G&R Racing. Whitton, the oldest SCORE rookie, was fourth in San Felipe, 11th at the Tecate SCORE Baja 500 and is currently 11th in SCORE Trophy-Truck points in the No. 39 G&R Racing Ford F-150. Besides Gordon, the other cross-over racers who are entered so far include NASCAR’s Boris Said and World Rally champion Armin Schwarz, 2004 Indy 500 champion Buddy Rice, XGames legend Travis Pastrana, former IndyCar star Roberto Guerrero, CORR short-course champion Johnny Greaves and actor/racer Patrick Dempsey, star of the ABC TV hit show ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’
Rather than show the collection at the official Los Angeles Fashion Week site, Culver City's Smashbox Studios, Timberlake took over one of Hollywood's hottest nightspots on Tuesday night. A runway and scores of bleacher seats were added to a section of Social Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard. Another part of the massive club was reserved for the exclusive after-party, including a performance by Timberlake, the 25-year old Grammy-winner whose second solo CD, "FutureSex/LoveSounds," was released in September. The impressive guest list included Wilmer Valderrama, Eve and Timberlake's girlfriend, Cameron Diaz, who gave interviews and posed for pictures before taking their front-row seats. Other A-list attendees included Paris and Nicky Hilton, Maroon 5's Adam Levine and Patrick Dempsey, aka Dr. McDreamy from TV's "Grey's Anatomy." When the show got started, David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel" blared as models with their hair styled into pompadours and makeshift mohawks previewed the spring 2007 collection dubbed "Street Sexy." Timberlake started William Rast less than a year ago with his childhood friend Trace Ayala. They named the brand after their grandfathers. On the runway, there were skinny jeans for men and women, topped with tanks or muscle shirts. There were also country-inspired checkered shirts for men decorated with ruffles or leather details. Some were shown with ascots. Women's styles included cropped cardigans, shrunken sweaterdresses and puffy-sleeved blouses with bows at the neck. Later, dressier attire had a soundtrack of Nine Inch Nails and N.E.R.D. (Timberlake is said to have spent months picking the show's playlist.) Men wore plaid blazers with attached leather vests over slim-fitting slacks. Accessories were key as each outfit was adorned with oversized belt buckles or chunky pendants. One was a skull, another looked like a grenade. Party dresses for women were funky and flirty. One ice-blue shift was dangerously low cut, with strands of pearls serving as safety straps. Another featured a shredded scoop neck bedazzled with tiny rhinestones. A polka-dotted, 1950s-style dress had a full skirt, puffy sleeves and a black ribbon belt. Then, suddenly, the fashion show became a dance-off. Six women — stylishly street smart in jeans, suspenders, short skirts and torn tank tops — turned the runway into a disco, gyrating to a racy Prince tune. Then the guys took their turn, and they stole the show. To Jay-Z's "99 Problems," four men in jeans, T-shirts and plaid sweater vests demonstrated why breakdancing is making a comeback. They were pop-locking and head-spinning like it was 1984. They somersaulted, flipped and struck gravity-defying poses, proving Timberlake's new duds are disco-ready.
CBS averaged a 10.6 rating/17 share overall, pulling in 17.16 million viewers, beating ABC's 10.1/16 and 15.25 million. NBC was well back in third with a 7.1/11, followed by FOX's 5.5/9. The CW was fifth with a 2.3/4. Among adults 18-49, ABC averaged a 5.7 rating, narrowly claiming the key demographic, edging the 5.6 rating for CBS. NBC was a solid third with a 4.3 rating, while FOX's 2.4 rating and the 1.9 rating for The CW trailed. At 8 p.m., CBS' "Survivor" delivered a somewhat soft 9.4 rating, but still held off ABC's "Ugly Betty," which had a 9.3/15 (nearly two million viewers more watched the CBS reality show). NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office" averaged a 5.7/9 between them for third, well ahead of the start of the Cardinals and Mets on FOX. The CW's "Smallville" had a 2.9/5 for fifth. ABC grabbed a lead at 9 p.m. with the 14.6/22 for "Grey's Anatomy," topping the 13.3/20 for "CSI," while the viewership margin was roughly 1.25 million. "NBC's "Deal or No Deal" was third, as FOX's baseball coverage improved to a 5.6/8. The CW's "Supernatural" dipped slightly from its lead-in. NBC claimed the 10 p.m. hour with the 9.3/15 for "E.R.," which only barely beat "Shark" on CBS. ABC's "Six Degrees" again lost a sizeable portion of its lead-in, doing a 6.3/10.
A bus showcasing her image alongside 10 other Grey's Anatomy cast members on a massive promotional poster has just pulled up on the street outside a cafe. "Oh my God. That is so weird," she cringes. After the initial shock wears off, she smiles, pleased with the photo. "For one of the first times, I'm looking at myself going, 'Yeah, I'm OK with that.' " Ramirez, 31, should be pleased. After an eight-episode run last season, she's a Grey's regular. And while the other female docs of TV's hottest medical drama (tonight, 9 ET/PT) are breaking hearts, Ramirez is mending broken bones as orthopedic surgeon Callie Torres. Soon after she accepted the role, Ramirez was able to make the most of a twisted ankle and torn ligaments she received on stage playing Lady of the Lake in Broadway's Spamalot. Her orthopedic surgeon let her observe operations: "I was watching surgeries where they opened up knees and shoulders, taking pictures with my phone." The Mazatlan, Mexico-born actress is no stranger to blood and guts. She's a fan of TV shows about medical procedures and grew up with an oceanographer father who brought her with him to labs. "I was always around rows of crazy jars that smelled like weird fermenting things from beneath the sea." Ramirez's parents divorced when she was 8. Her father moved to Miami, and her mother, a former actress and singer, relocated to San Diego and enrolled Ramirez in a school for the performing arts. Like Grey's Callie, who at one point was living in the hospital basement, Ramirez has resided in less than luxurious digs. During her 12 years on and off Broadway, Ramirez had several "humbling" living experiences in New York. "I ended up renting a room (from) a really eccentric couple," she says. "Then there was a woman who kept every room piled up with clothes and dirty stuff. I found things missing. But it taught me I can live with less." For now, she has opted to rent a house in Los Angeles. "If I was to put my money down on a house, I don't know that I'd have much left. I don't know if this job's going to last. But if the show keeps me around for a little while, I'd like to settle down. I'm kind of in that nesting phase." Ramirez has a boyfriend but prefers talking about her on-screen romance with self-deprecating softie George (T.R. Knight). In tonight's episode, it's make-or-break time for the couple. But Ramirez says the characters are suited for each other. "She gives him strength, and he gives her sensitivity."
Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington -- who play Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd and Dr. Preston Burke, respectively -- got into an argument that nearly became physical on set Monday (Oct. 9), report various news sources. "We were like two baseball players . . . nose-to-nose," Washington tells People. "We had a difference of opinions while working on set but we've resolved it." They were reportedly arguing about "time and [keeping] the production going. The communication was lost in translation." Luckily, the services of plastic surgeon McSteamy weren't needed since it didn't come to blows. "Our faces are too beautiful for that," says Washington, who observed after a script read-through, "I've never been that close to [Patrick] before. He has really pretty blue eyes." This happy picture is a lot more benign than the account reported the NY Daily News' Rush & Molloy and the National Enquirer. That story has Washington grousing about having to wait around on set and then saying "something mean" to actor T.R. Knight ( who plays intern George) when Dempsey came to his co-star's defense. Washington then allegedly grabbed Dempsey by the throat and shoved him a few feet. The tabloid's unidentified source says that the scuffle was a long time in coming since Washington is supposedly jealous of Dempsey's "McDreamy" magazine cover status. "There was an argument on set. In any close-knit family, sometimes people argue," says Dempsey's rep. "But everybody made up and went back to work."
The specially created clips for the title track of the group's 2005 debut album, "How to Save a Life," intertwine footage from the hit series and the song's video. Both clips identify the band. Immediately following the September 7 episode of "Grey's Anatomy," ABC aired a four-minute video that featured sneak peeks from the first two episodes of the then-upcoming third season. Two weeks later, preceding the season-three premiere of the series, an extended version of the video with scenes from the first three episodes of the new season aired. For ABC Entertainment senior VP of marketing Michael Benson, it was important for the videos "to become great content for TV viewers" and not simply traditional marketing for a TV show. "It's about going beyond the 30-second promo and driving people back to television." Such content, Benson adds, can then be distributed to other platforms, including Web sites, electronic magazines and abc.com. "It helped us market 'Grey's Anatomy' in a new way, and it offered exposure to the Fray," he says. "Grey's Anatomy" first championed "How to Save a Life" in March, when a two-minute snippet of the song was played during a pivotal scene. And each time the track has been heard in conjunction with the show, sales of "How to Save a Life" skyrocketed. In the album's first few weeks of release, it was selling between 2,000 and 3,000 copies per week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Physical and digital sales began picking up earlier this year and have rarely looked back. For the week ending March 26, the title track's digital sales increased 283%, from 2,000 to 9,000. The album experienced a 43% jump (12,000 to 17,000 units). The album sold 54,000 copies the week ending September 24, its biggest sales week to date. The previous week, it sold 35,000. (A deluxe edition, with a bonus DVD, arrived September 19.) To date, the album has sold 897,000 copies, while the title track has sold 622,000 digital downloads. In this issue, the album remains at No. 14 on The Billboard 200. "How to Save a Life" also appears on the original soundtrack "Grey's Anatomy, Volume 2," which Hollywood Records released last month. The song has also been heard in an episode of "One Tree Hill," in HBO promo spots and in promo spots for NBC's "ER," while "Look After You," which is slated to be the next single, was featured on "Bones." Throughout, the band remains incredibly hands-on when it comes to synch licensing opportunities, co-manager Jason Ienner notes. "The guys always ask for a description of the scene," he says. "They want to make sure the piece of music fits, emotionally and creatively, with the scene. They are not into doing it just for the money." The Fray guitarist/vocalist Joe King concurs, adding, "We have turned down quite a few things, which might upset our label and management, but we don't want to be overexposed." At the same time, King and his bandmates are concerned about the loyalty of those who discover the band via shows like "Grey's Anatomy." "We've built our fan base from touring," King says. "That was always our strategy, and then, activity increased on our MySpace page and at iTunes. With no radio play, we were creating a fan base. That's what we were looking for." So, with "How to Save a Life" one of 2006's most-licensed discs, King cannot help but wonder, "Will we gain and keep these fans who are discovering us from TV shows?" While pondering that, the Fray will continue touring, with a focus on markets outside North America.
CBS' 10.7 rating/17 share among households beat ABC's 10.3/16, largely due to CBS' sizable advantage at 10 p.m. NBC came in third with a 7.2/11. FOX, 4.1/7, was fourth (since it aired live sports, those numbers may change some), and The CW trailed with a 2.4/4. Among adults 18-49, ABC's 5.8 rating led the way, with CBS close behind at 5.5. NBC, 4.4, finished a healthy third, while FOX and The CW tied for fourth at 1.8. At 8 p.m., the second episode of ABC's "Ugly Betty," 9.5/15, held on to most of the audience from its premiere. "Survivor: Cook Islands," 9.4/15, was just behind in households but won the hour in viewers. "My Name Is Earl," 6.0/10, and "The Office," 5.4/8, rebounded some from last week. FOX's coverage of the National League Division Series was fourth, beating The CW's "Smallville," 2.8/4. "Grey's Anatomy," 14.8/22, reclaimed the top spot at 9 p.m., beating out CBS' "CSI," 13.3/20. "Deal or No Deal" pulled down a 6.3/9 for NBC. The playoff game between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers scored a 4.3/6 for FOX. "Supernatural" closed the night for The CW. NBC took the lead at 10 p.m. with "ER," 9.6/16. "Shark" finished second for CBS at 9.2/15. ABC's "Six Degrees" took another slide, finishing at 6.6/11, while the Mets-Dodgers game on FOX came in at 4.4/7.
Dempsey, of Los Angeles, Calif., will be co-driving the No. 54 Hyper Sport Ford Mustang GT sponsored by New York & Company with Rick Skelton of Atlanta, Ga. It will be the fourth outing of his rookie season in Grand-Am Cup, having previously raced at Daytona International Speedway, Barber Motorsports Park and Miller Motorsports Park. A long-time racing enthusiast, Dempsey competed in the famed Toyota Pro/Celebrity race at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in 2005. He also competed in the Mazdaspeed Miata Cup and Panoz GT Racing Series, where he earned a pole position and a third-place result in 2005. In addition to his television work, which included a run on the popular series “Will and Grace,” Dempsey has starred in feature films such as Can’t Buy Me Love, Sweet Home Alabama, Loverboy, Scream 3, With Honors and Outbreak. While at VIR, Dempsey will be hosting the winners of the "New York & Company Presents A Day At The Races With Patrick Dempsey" sweepstakes. The nationwide contest will bring three winners and a guest to the six-hour season finale, and will provide the winners and their guests with a personal paddock tour from Dempsey, VIP hospitality and pace car rides. The prize also includes a $500 shopping spree plus round-trip airfare and accommodations. “The Grand-Am Cup finale at VIR will be a great place for myself and New York & Company to host our sweepstakes winners. I tested here with Hyper Sport earlier this year and it’s an awesome track to drive as well as visit. We’re looking forward to this event and hope to make an announcement shortly about Hyper Sport’s plans for next season.” VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Virginia, just north of historic Milton, North Carolina. In addition to its 3.27 mile natural-terrain road racing circuit, VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery, a sales showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; Plantation Valley Kart Track, a 5/8 mile paved karting circuit; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room trackside hotel; the new VIR Paddock Suites and Garages, with 18 dual-purpose hospitality/lodging units and garages; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse.
Dane was most recently seen in this summer's blockbuster "X-Men: The Last Stand." His extensive television work includes a recurring role on "Charmed," "Vegas," the made-for-tv movie "Helter Skelter," and as a series lead on "Gideon's Crossing." Next, on the big screen, he can be seen in the Project Greenlight Film, "Feast."
CBS averaged an 11.1 rating/17 share for the night among households, just beating ABC's 11.0/17 (the Eye's lead in viewers was larger, 18.27 million to 16.74 million for ABC). NBC finished third at 6.8/11. FOX, 3.2/5, held off The CW, 2.6/4, for fourth. ABC led the way among adults 18-49 with a 6.2 rating (down from last week's 7.2), with CBS right behind at 6.0. NBC took third with a 4.3, and FOX and The CW tied for fourth at 1.9. The premiere of the critically hailed "Ugly Betty" scored a 10.7/17 for ABC at 8 p.m. "Survivor: Cook Islands," 9.6/15, was second in households for CBS but won the hour in viewers and adults 18-49. "My Name Is Earl," 5.2/8, and "The Office," 4.8/7, were a distant third for NBC. FOX came in fourth with two episodes of "'Til Death." The sixth-season premiere of "Smallville" delivered a 2.9/5 for The CW. "Grey's Anatomy" scored a 14.9/22 for ABC at 9 p.m., although CBS' "CSI," 14.1/21, had a narrow lead among total viewers (23.49 million to 23.31 million). NBC stayed in third with "Deal or No Deal." The final performances on FOX's "Celebrity Duets," 2.8/4, topped the season premiere of "Supernatural," 2.2/3, on The CW. At 10 p.m., CBS' "Shark" and NBC's "ER" tied for the lead at 9.5/16, with CBS once again slightly ahead in viewers. ABC's "Six Degrees" came in at 7.3/11.
What was supposed to be the season's most heated confrontation turned out not to be, because on Thursday (Sept. 21) night, the season premiere of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" trounced the first episode of CBS' reigning procedural champ "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" in all key measures. According to final Nielsen figures, "Grey's Anatomy" averaged 25.4 million viewers for the 9 p.m. hour, far more than the 22.6 million for "CSI." Most industry observers had expected "CSI," television's top scripted show last season, to win in overall measurements, with the ABC medical drama closing the gap in the younger demographics. Instead, "Anatomy" won overall and just expanded the margin as viewers got younger. Among adults 18-49, "Anatomy" did an 11.0 rating, 43 percent higher than the 7.7 for "CSI." Among adults 18-34, the difference was up to 88 percent, with "Anatomy" doing a 10.7 rating to the 5.7 rating for "CSI." ABC proudly boasted that this was the first scripted non-finale series ever to draw a larger audience than "CSI" in original Thursday head-to-head competition and contributed to ABC's strongest opening Thursday of a season in viewers and young adults in at least 15 years. It helped that the 8 p.m. clip special "Grey's Anatomy: Complications of the Heart" drew 13.7 million viewers and did a 5.0 rating in the 18-49 demo. It remains to be seen how "Anatomy" will perform once the earlier slot's normal occupant, "Ugly Betty," premieres next week. Signs were a bit less rapturous for the premiere of ABC's endlessly hyped "Six Degrees." The drama took that "Anatomy" lead-in and plummeted to 12.6 million viewers and a 5.4 demographic rating, splitting the hour with the series premiere of "Shark," which averaged more viewers (14.74 million), but fewer young ones (4.1 demo rating). CBS could boast that "Shark" is now the season's most watched new show, while ABC was getting excited about its strongest Thursday night scripted series debut in total viewers and adults 18-49 since 1994. For all of the ABC hype, CBS actually remained the most watched network for the night overall with an average of 18.29 million viewers to ABC's 17.4 million. ABC's 7.2 rating in the 18-49 demo was 18 percent higher than CBS' 6.1 rating. CBS and ABC weren't the only networks programming on Thursday, though. NBC, which had a longtime stranglehold on Thursdays, got solid 8 p.m. hour performances from the second season premiere of "My Name Is Earl" (8.9 million viewers, 3.8 demo rating) and the third season launch of "The Office" (9.1 million viewers, 4.3 demo). Facing a somewhat lighter 10 p.m. foe with "Without a Trace" shipped to Sundays, the venerable "ER" premiered to 15.6 million viewers and a 6.8 demo rating, winning the hour in both measures. In its regular morning ratings release, normally boisterous FOX noted simply, "FOX was not a factor last night."
ABC loudly announced its arrival as a competitor on Thursday, as "Grey's Anatomy" unseated "CSI" as the night's top show -- at least for this week -- and helped the network claim a share of the ratings crown. For the night, ABC averaged an 11.2 rating/18 share. CBS was a close second at 11.0/17 and actually won the night among total viewers with 18.08 million to ABC's 17.31 million. NBC came in third with a 7.4/12. FOX, 2.9/5, finished fourth, and The CW trailed with a 1.6/2. ABC claimed an outright victory among adults 18-49 with a 7.2 rating. CBS, 6.0, took second in the demographic advertisers love most, while NBC came in third with a solid 4.8. There was a substantial drop to fourth-place FOX, 1.6, and The CW, which posted a 1.0. "Survivor: Cook Islands" put CBS on top at 8 p.m. with a 9.8/16. A "Grey's Anatomy" clip show on ABC was a strong second at 9.2/15. NBC was third with season premieres of "My Name Is Earl," 5.8/10, and "The Office," 5.7/9 (which actually built on its lead-in a little in total viewers and 18-49). "'Til Death," 3.9/6, and "Happy Hour," 3.0/5, were fourth for FOX. The CW went with a "Smallville" rerun. At 9 p.m., the "Grey's Anatomy" season premiere, 15.7/23, scored a rather shocking win over CBS' "CSI," 13.5/20, which has dominated the timeslot for several years. "Deal or No Deal" was a distant third for NBC at 6.5/10. "Celebrity Duets" slumped to a 2.4/4 for FOX. A "Supernatural" rerun on The CW trailed. Another medical drama, NBC's "ER," won the 10 p.m. hour with a 10.0/16. The premiere of "Shark" on CBS averaged 9.8/16. ABC's "Six Degrees" lost a big chunk of its lead-in to finish at 8.6/14.
And with good reason: Because of what broadcaster CTV, which airs the series in Canada, calls a "satellite feed error at the source," viewers north of the border saw the second episode of the season. A red-faced CTV issued an apology Friday on its website. "CTV received the incorrect episode of 'Grey's Anatomy' from ABC yesterday," the network says in a statement. "The result was that Canadians saw episode 2 on CTV and not the premiere we were all waiting for. As fans of this show ourselves, we understand fully the disappointment and frustration that this has caused." Fans were understandably confused and none too pleased with the screwup. "I can't believe they did this!! How stupid!!!" reads one comment that is typical of the reaction, though it apparently wasn't CTV's fault if ABC did, in fact, transmit the wrong episode. CTV will air the premiere episode next Thursday. ABC is re-airing the show Friday night in the United States, and the premiere will also be available on ABC.com's broadband player starting at midnight ET.
She's choosing between the vet and Dr. McDreamy. You're choosing between TV's most popular scripted series, CBS' solid CSI, and TV's most pleasurable one, ABC's transplanted Grey's Anatomy. I haven't seen tonight's CSI, but on the first two episodes of ABC's offering alone, I'm going with Grey's. As for whether Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) goes with Finn (Chris O'Donnell) or Derek (Patrick Dempsey), obviously I can't tell you the answer to that or any other question, or even if you'll be happy with the answers supplied by tonight's lovely, moving season premiere. That would be telling you too much, particularly with a show that guards its secrets as closely as Grey's. But I can say that fans of this sublimely enjoyable med-show romance will be happy with the pace with which the answers are supplied. And that includes learning whether Izzie (Katherine Heigl) destroyed her career when she tried, unsuccessfully, to save Denny. Grey's is not a show to linger over a plot point or a character once it has served its purpose. Tonight's premiere, which is more melancholy than ABC's promos would lead you to believe, finds the hospital's staff frozen in time by regret. And because they can't go forward, the story in essence moves backward around them, flashing back to explain how they got in this predicament. That desperate need to move is what links the normally optimistic Izzie to the darker, twistier Meredith. ("So all of a sudden I'm the president of people with crappy lives?" says Meredith.) And so, to get Izzie past her grief, Meredith, Cristina (Sandra Oh) and George (T.R. Knight) decide to sit "shiva" for the departed Denny. If this week's episode is a drama with comedic grace notes, next week's flips the mix, a storytelling dexterity few series can match. Burke (Isaiah Washington) gets a visit from his parents (guests Diahann Carroll and Richard Roundtree), and Mama is less than impressed by Cristina. Yet amid the humor, the show also makes room for an incredibly lovely moment from Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and a jaw-dropping, sexy surprise. That ability to so smoothly switch gears is what makes Grey's so special — that, and a fabulous cast. Grey's occupies an amusing midground between the real and the ridiculous, a world where, as Callie (new regular Sara Ramirez) explains, "We're all 17 years old. This is high school with scalpels." Most everything on Grey's is pushed past the bounds of reason — the crises, the jokes, the drama, the romance, the sex. And yet it all works, in large part because even when the situations are too bizarre and the lessons are too clearly taught, the characters stay grounded in relatable emotional truth. Grey's may take liberties elsewhere, but it always paints its main characters in a lifelike shade of gray, allowing each to be both good and bad, decisive and ambivalent. And it doesn't hurt that they can steam up your set like nobody's business. This is a show that is all pleasure and no guilt. You won't find many better choices than that.
Of the average 20 million who tuned in each Sunday last season, two out of three were women, even though overall TV viewership is more evenly split. That distaff devotion has helped make Grey's, which moves to a new night tonight for its season premiere (ABC, 9 ET/PT), television's No. 3 scripted series overall, and No. 2 (behind Desperate Housewives) among women 18-49. For actress Ellen Pompeo, there's certainly no gray area when it comes to understanding why female viewers check in for their weekly dose of these multiethnic, complex femmes. "Most of the time on television, we're used to seeing women being bimbos or tramps — anything but flawed but also smart and professional," says Pompeo, 36, who portrays the often-whiny yetprodigiously talented (and bed-hopping) Meredith. "In the past, you'd have to go to cable to see a character so raw." The creative talents behind the show resist categorizing Grey's. "We don't actually tend to think of it as a 'chick show,' " says executive producer Betsy Beers. "We like to believe that the themes and issues we deal with on Grey's are universal. For example, how does one juggle long hours at a demanding job and still try to have a successful personal life? Half the men and women I know wrestle with that on a regular basis, as do I." But, Beers adds, "having said that, I can't deny there is a strong female voice in the writing as it was created by, and is run by, a woman" — executive producer Shonda Rhimes. Fan Renee Dechert, an associate English professor at Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., was pulled in right from the start of the pilot by the voice of Meredith, which opens and closes each episode, much like Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw or Desperate Housewives' Mary Alice Young. "Obviously, a female perspective is shaping how we'll see what we're about to see," Dechert says. "And just to make sure that we've got it, she'll do a closer at the end. Such a narrative technique is entirely in the tradition of Sex and the City, a show equally based on feminine fantasy." To be sure, the Grey ladies are no wallflowers or saccharine sisters bonding and giggling over cafeteria Jell-O. They struggle. They make mistakes. They compete. They support. They commit. They cheat. And each character's choices affect the audiences' affection. Viewers have come to both love and loathe not only Meredith Grey but also tough-talker Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson); snarky, abrasive commitment-phobe Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh, who declined to be interviewed); emotional train wreck Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl); deeply ambitious and bossy Addison Shepherd (Kate Walsh); and the mysterious hospital-basement dweller Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez). 'Strong, unique voices' To Walsh, the show's appeal to women is as glaringly obvious as her character's scarlet lipstick. "Every character has such a strong voice, a unique voice," says Walsh, 38. "It's really rare, as a woman, to see women interestingly and accurately portrayed on television. You get relegated to the mom or the long-suffering wife or the whore or the cop. To actually see women with all the complexities and facets of the male characters we've seen through the years ... people didn't even know they missed it until they saw it." Wilson, 37, received an Emmy nomination for playing "The Nazi," the interns' not-so-affectionate nickname for their supervisor. A serious soap opera fan, she consumes four hours of daytime viewing every day. "I'm sitting here going through my tapes right now," she says, speaking from her home. She believes Grey's qualifies as a soap "like Knots Landing or Dallas was — where you want to come back next week and see how each situation resolved itself." But unlike the often one-dimensional divas on traditional soaps, Grey's women don't get involved in petty catfights. The cast credits Rhimes for consistently keeping their characters respectable and believable. Wilson reminds that when there was a locker room brawl (over a syphilis breakout), it was between characters Alex and George, not the ladies. "It's encouraging a different experience for women and showing that it is entirely possible we can be friends and still be competitive," says Heigl, 27, whose emotional intern Izzie quit the medical program in last season's finale after getting involved with a heart patient and committing medical misconduct in her struggle to keep him alive. Bring back Izzie! In the new season, the women unite in a campaign to get Izzie reinstated. "And that's fascinating, because that just does not happen very often," Heigl says. "We're all competing for the medical cases or to get the best surgeries, but they also all helped Izzie at a time when she was making a crazy decision and basically throwing her career away. They stood by her and didn't abandon her." Rhimes, 36, also has assembled prime time's most colorful cast. And that, too, accounts for the show's appeal, says Ramirez, a Latina whose orthopedic surgeon (and the object of George's affections) becomes a regular this year. When Ramirez, 31, met Rhimes in New York last year to discuss her role, she said she was elated to discover "that Shonda was an African-American woman. She reflects on TV what I see as my experience in the world. She's got people of different races and backgrounds, but doesn't make a big comment about it. They are characters who have flaws, and — oh, by the way, they're African-American. Or Asian. Or whatever." By all accounts, this diverse cast has bonded off-screen as well. Walsh says she's closest to Heigl and in fact had drinks with her and co-star T.R. Knight (George) the night before this interview. "It's safe to say that we totally love each other," Walsh says, laughing. "It's a very fun atmosphere on set," echoes Pompeo. "It would be too difficult if we didn't have fun with the hours we have to put in." For one episode, real-life knitters Wilson and Heigl taught Pompeo how to handle needles and yarn. Walsh and Heigl live near each other and often meet for drinks and prior to awards shows get gussied up together in one of their homes. "There's an unbelievable amount of support and encouragement among these women," says Heigl. "We're very much there for each other in a way I haven't experienced outside of my very, very close friends that I've had since childhood. And I've had past working relationships with women that haven't been that supportive ... that have been more competitive." Heigl recalls receiving a phone call at home from Pompeo after last season's finale showed the emotional scene in which Izzie broke down and climbed into bed with her beloved, dead patient, Denny. "Ellen was so incredibly supportive and complimentary," Heigl says. "That meant so much to me because I'm so critical of myself and value her opinion. It made me want to cry." Still, the actors have separate lives off-screen. "We don't have (much) time to hang out," admits Pompeo. "We spend all day together, and it's not like we're going to run home and hang out together, too. We all have things to do ... boyfriends, dogs to take care of." Pompeo lives with longtime boyfriend Chris Ivery and their two poodles. Walsh is single. Heigl became engaged in June to musician Josh Kelley. Ramirez says she has a beau. Oh split from her Sideways director, Alexander Payne, after a brief marriage. And though Wilson declines to discuss the nature of her relationship with the father of her three children, daughters Serena, 13, and Joy, 8, and son, Michael, 10 months, keep her quite busy. Wilson realizes what fans truly want to know is who their favorite characters will be hooking up with. "The setting, the medical emergencies, the individual quirks of the characters, the humor — that's all secondary," says fan Petra Otto of Neenah, Wis. "In the end, I'm tuning in every week to watch them find love ... and hope that they all get loved in return. "Heck, I even want McDreamy to make the right decision so that he, too, can be happy. But the sly writers added a twist here, didn't they? McDreamy can't be happy without breaking one of the gals' hearts." On the strict orders of tight-lipped Rhimes, the cast has been given a gag order about revealing anything plot-related. This season "you see everybody stand on their own a little bit more," says Walsh. "You get to see a different side of all of us. A little more history of where they've come from and where they're going. Every character in the show takes on a different direction. It's a lot more in-depth but still in the structure of the hospital and cases." And Otto will be happy to learn the messy, misguided love triangle of Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), his wife Addison and lover Meredith will be resolved. And a new twist will come via the arrival of Derek's sister. Fans caught up in the action Viewers feel so passionately about all these hookups, breakups and entanglements that some have even accosted Walsh in public to offer insight and encouragement. "I was doing this event in Chicago, and this woman who'd had a few drinks came up to me, grabbed my arm like she knew me and said, 'You need to let McDreamy go! Let it go. It's done,' " recalls Walsh. Not even Pompeo knows how the triangle will play out. "I don't know that I end up with anybody," she says. But Pompeo would be just fine continuing without a clear resolution, allowing Meredith to play the field, as many a man would do. Sex and the City aside, it's something rarely seen on television. "It's what a lot of women do, anyway," Pompeo says. "But guys get a pat on the back, and women get a reputation." Heigl believes female viewers are responding to such sexual liberation. "We've all been in those circumstances where there's been a double standard, where a man can act any way he wants, but if a woman behaves in a similar way, she's labeled something," Heigl says. "I think a lot of women appreciated that Meredith stands up for all women in a way." Heigl says she still hears from female fans "how much they loved Meredith's speech to Derek that 'you don't get to call me a whore!'" Heigl pauses. "Was it 'whore' or 'slut'? I can't remember. But anyway, people loved it."
The "Grey's Anatomy" star and his wife have a daughter, Talulah. Dempsey, 40, plays Dr. Derek Shepherd, better known as the hunky Dr. McDreamy to his female colleagues on the hit ABC show.
He stares at a room full of reporters and fans at the Toronto film festival and seriously deadpans his answers. "Any debate or discussion on who gets to be the lead character?" asks one reporter. Guest says "Um, we pick out of a hat." "Loved your hair" in the movie, says another. Guest grimaces. Guest, the director and co-writer of "Waiting for Guffman," "A Mighty Wind" and "Best in Show," is also known for his role as the tortured rocker, Nigel Tufnel, in the 1984 hit "This is Spinal Tap." In "For Your Consideration," he has departed from his usual faux documentary style in favor of a narrative format. The film, which he co-wrote with Canadian comedian Eugene Levy, takes jabs at the movie industry and the hysteria that surrounds the Oscars. It focuses on Marilyn Hack, an actress played by Catherine O'Hara, who is struggling for recognition. Hack gets the part of a dying mother in an indie melodrama, "Home for Purim." Her career appears to take a turn when she hears rumors that she may land an Oscar nomination. Soon Oscar fever is rampant. Her two co-stars also get pegged as Oscar hopefuls and hilarity ensues in the run-up to nomination day. This is the fourth film on which Guest and Levy have collaborated and they have cast many of the same actors used in previous films. Parker Posey, Harry Shearer, Fred Willard and Jennifer Coolidge are back, but there are some new faces, including Sandra Oh and Ricky Gervais. HARD WORK, SOME LAUGHS Though this film is more of a narrative, the lines were improvised as they have been in Levy and Guest's previous movies. They write the back stories and scenes but not the lines. "Eugene and I do this work before we shoot, it's difficult, we have some laughs, but you need to be very disciplined, you have to do the work and the set, I hope people are having fun, but it's not really a party atmosphere," Guest said. For the actors, it works. "You get to express this character you have developed with your own words, with what you believe the character would say and how they would say it, and coming from all the places you have been," O'Hara said. Harry Shearer, whose role is the actor playing Hack's husband in the indie, agreed: "Sometimes people think we are just farting around and it's sort of 1 o'clock in the morning at an improv club. But it's hard work in the sense that we are all there for the single purpose of telling the story." And for actors playing actors in "For Your Consideration," parallels abound. Several publications floated Levy's name for best supporting actor for his role in "A Mighty Wind" in 2003. "You see your name, and you are thinking 'Am I going to win? It's not important, it doesn't matter, why am I even thinking about it? I can't even believe that we were nominated.'... This is what happens, you really can't get it out of your head," Levy said.
Where we left off: You want palpitations? Izzie (Katherine Heigl) quit the surgical team after the death of her fiancé, heart recipient Denny; Cristina (Sandra Oh) committed herself to help Burke (Isaiah Washington), who was trying to regain use of his hand after being shot; the wife of surgical chief Webber (James Pickens Jr.) revealed she knew of his affair with Meredith's mother; and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) conducted a spur-of-the-moment joint "physical." What's ahead: Choose who? Meredith must resolve the second season's final image, a literal love triangle in which Derek and veterinarian Finn (Chris O'Donnell) each implored her to choose him. Izzie has big choices, too, after losing Denny and her surgical position. And viewers will have a choice: CSI or Grey's, after the latter's move creates TV's biggest ratings battle on Thursday. In acting news, Sara Ramirez, who plays orthopedic surgeon and George's lover Callie Torres, is now a regular. Diahann Carroll will play Burke's mother, and Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin will make a guest appearance. But don't expect famously tight-lipped Grey'screator Shonda Rhimes to spill secrets. Asked if the third season has a broader message, she responded via e-mail: "There is an overall theme to season three. But of course we will never reveal it."
The cast was generally tightlipped about third-season plot developments, but word did slip that the Meredith-Derek-Addy love triangle would finally be resolved, at least to some degree. "Well, I think that you do see it, there is definitely a resolution, otherwise it becomes a really strange isosceles triangle," Kate Walsh (Dr. Addison Shepherd) told AP Television. "So you see a resolution to the love triangle and you see all of the characters on their own a little more, myself included," she added. "The relationship becomes in it's proper proportion. You see them who they are as a person and who they are professionally in a whole new and different way." There was also talk of some casting news: Diahann Carroll and Richard Roundtree will appear in recurring roles as the parents of Dr. Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington)"Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Second Season — Uncut," which also includes about five hours of extras, hits stores Sept. 12. The show begins its third season on its new day, Thursday, Sept. 21 on ABC.
Video Debuts September 7, with an Extended Version Airing September 21, Prior to the "Grey's Anatomy" Season Premiere ABC and Epic Records have partnered to produce a music video combining scenes from Season Three of the hit series "Grey's Anatomy" and The Fray's title track video from their gold debut album, "How to Save a Life." The four-minute video, featuring first looks from the first two episodes, premieres THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, following "Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET). An extended version of the video with scenes from the first three episodes of the upcoming season will air as part of the special "Grey's Anatomy: Complications of the Heart," premiering THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), leading into the Season Three premiere of the series. "Music has become an integral part of the storytelling on 'Grey's Anatomy,' and using a song like 'How to Save a Life' really captures the tone and essence of the show," said Mike Benson, senior vice president, Marketing, ABC Entertainment. "It's a great opportunity to take moments from the program and present them in a new and entertaining way for existing fans and people not familiar with the series." "The partnership of The Fray's 'How to Save a Life' and 'Grey's Anatomy' is a perfect match. The use of the song in last season's episode was truly compelling and had a huge impact with fans of the band. Both 'How to Save a Life' and 'Grey's Anatomy' have a similar emotional connection with fans. It's exciting to expand the pairing and spotlight this connection," said Lee Stimmel, senior vice president, Marketing, Epic Records.
Known as "Dr. McDreamy," Dempsey took a moment to jump the ropes and sign a few autographs for fans sitting in the bleachers along the red carpet. But Dempsey wasn't all Mr. McSmoothy: At one point he stepped on the dress of a woman standing nearby. After apologizing, he told reporters, "These are the things that matter in life - not stepping on a woman's dress."
Jennifer Love Hewitt's publicist held a mini-fan for the actress to use during media interviews. "There's nothing you can do," said Hewitt, shrugging in a heavily beaded, silver gown. Steve Carell of The Office dabbed sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. "It's hotter than chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven," Carell said. For Tyra Banks, in a long Georges Chakra gown, staying cool was impossible. "Underneath this dress, I'm dripping," Banks said. "Not cute, believe me." Isaiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy said sweating was inevitable. "You just got to make it look good," he said. Grey's Anatomy co-star Chandra Wilson dressed for the weather: Her dress featured a long side slit. "I have some air vents," she joked.
"The Office" was honored as best comedy although its star, Steve Carell, lost the award for best actor in a comedy series to Tony Shalhoub of "Monk." One Emmy front-runner, sexy medical drama "Grey's Anatomy," was shut out in the awards. "Every once in a while you'll have an evening that just reminds you that you're given too much and this is that evening," Sutherland said. "This experience on `24' has been nothing but remarkable for me." Although Emmy nominations rule changes left some grumbling about snubbed shows including "Lost," the revisions may have opened the door for an offbeat series like "The Office" to be nominated and for "24" to prevail. Mariska Hargitay of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and Julia Louis-Dreyfus of the freshman comedy "The New Adventures of Old Christine" struck Emmy gold with lead actress awards for drama and comedy, respectively. "Well, I'm not somebody who really believes in curses — but curse this, baby," Louis-Dreyfus said, hoisting her trophy and making a veiled reference to the so-called "Seinfeld curse" that kept three of its stars from launching successful new series. The Emmy ceremony initially followed a predictable path Sunday as Tony Shalhoub won his third acting trophy for "Monk" and departed series "Will & Grace," "The West Wing" and "Huff" earned bittersweet toasts. Until the finale, the surprises in the ceremony were courtesy of host Conan O'Brien and his inventive comedy bits, including a running gag that had Bob Newhart's life threatened if the show ran long. Winning didn't take the sting out of cancellation for at least one star. "It's not supposed to work this way, is it, when you say goodbye to something?" said Blythe Danner, named best supporting actress in a drama for "Huff." "I guess I have to thank Showtime, even though they canceled us," Danner said, with a smile. Megan Mullally was honored for her supporting actress work in the sitcom "Will & Grace," which wrapped up its eight-year run. And Alan Alda was named best supporting actor in a drama for his role as a Republican presidential candidate on "The West Wing," canceled after seven seasons. Alda wasn't on hand to accept the award. But he might have become blase: In recent years, he also had an Oscar nomination for his role in Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator," a Tony nomination for his Broadway performance in David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross," and another Emmy bid for "West Wing" — none of which he won. His win was the 26th Emmy for the White House drama, a drama series record. The show had been tied with "Hill Street Blues" and "L.A. Law" with 25. Jeremy Piven of "Entourage" was named best supporting actor in a comedy. The ceremony opened with a filmed comedy bit in which O'Brien was seen sipping champagne aboard a jetliner. "What could possibly go wrong tonight?" he says — before the plane crashes onto an island resembling the one in ABC's drama. After being greeted by "Lost" star Jorge Garcia, O'Brien fled through a mysterious hatch and ended up crashing through other series including "The Office," "24" and "House." "Subject could be anemic, possibly albino," was the diagnosis of "House" star Hugh Laurie. O'Brien was equally self-deprecating before he started a song-and-dance number. "It's my second time hosting. And as you'll see tonight, the third time's the charm," O'Brien said. The ceremony honored producer/host Dick Clark of "American Bandstand" fame, who has been recovering from a stroke he suffered in 2004. "I have accomplished my childhood dream, to be in show business. Everybody should be so lucky, to have their dreams come true. I've been truly blessed," said Clark, his speech somewhat strained. He was seated at a podium on stage when he was introduced. Barry Manilow serenaded Clark with the show's bouncy theme song before collecting his own Emmy for the special "Barry Manilow: Music and Passion." Aaron Spelling, the prolific producer who died in June at 83, was paid a tearful tribute by his one-time stars, including Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson of "Charlie's Angels" and Joan Collins and Heather Locklear of "Dynasty." Throughout the ceremony, veteran comedian and TV star Newhart popped up occasionally for O'Brien's gag. "The show has rarely has come in on time. Why? Because there's no real consequences," O'Brien said as Newhart was wheeled onstage in what Conan warned was an airtight container — with just three hours of air, the ceremony's scheduled running time. "Yes. It's very simple. If the Emmys run one second over, Bob Newhart dies," O'Brien said," as Newhart's famous deadpan expression showed a tinge of alarm. "So keep those speeches short, ladies and gentlemen. Bob Newhart's life in your hands." "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," the satirical newscast, reaped two Emmys, for best variety, music or comedy and the writing award for that category. Stewart cracked after the first honor: "I think this year you actually made a terrible mistake. But thank you." "American Idol," the blockbuster TV talent show, lost again in the reality-competition category as "The Amazing Race" picked up its fourth award. Stephen Colbert of "The Colbert Report," presenting the reality award, took the opportunity to vent about being eclipsed by Manilow's special in the variety, music or comedy program category. "I lost to Barry Manilow ... I lost to the Copacabana," wailed Colbert. Kelly Macdonald was named best supporting actress in a movie or miniseries for "The Girl in the Cafe," closing the book on one of Emmy's odder nominations. (The drama also was named best made-for-TV movie.) Ellen Burstyn's nomination in the category, for the TV movie "Mrs. Harris," was a head scratcher — her cameo was clocked at 14 seconds. She didn't attend the ceremony. Cloris Leachman, also competing for "Mrs. Harris," failed to extend the Emmy record she set just last week as most-honored performer ever. Her total reached nine when she won a guest-actress award for "Malcolm in the Middle" at the Creative Arts Emmys. Besides Leachman, other guest actors in drama and comedy series honored at the Creative Arts awards were Leslie Jordan for "Will & Grace," Patricia Clarkson for "Six Feet Under" and Christian Clemenson for "Boston Legal."
Other fashion flashes: purple, red and white were the top colour choices; metallic beading drew eyes to all the right places; and soft, sexy, piled-high hairdos helped actresses keep their cool on an unusually hot night. The cast of Grey's Anatomy wore just about every trend and are sure to garner a lot of buzz. Katherine Heigl wore a beaded glamour gown in a nude colour with an open neck and keyhole back by Escada, and Ellen Pompeo chose a strapless bustier-style gown in purple designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior. Sandra Oh's asymmetrical light purple gown by Vera Wang had a soft cascade of ruffles around the V neck that the actress offset with chunky, funky necklaces. "I look like a czarina - the last of the Romanoffs with a little Run-DMC," Oh said on the red carpet. People magazine style director Susan Kaufman said she loved the Wang dress but thought Oh overdid the accessories. "It would've been amazing with a little less stuff," she said. There were bona fide fashion supermodels outside the Shrine Auditorium as Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks represented their reality shows. Banks' Georges Chakra gown was valued at $50,000 US, and she wore $3.5 million in Chopard jewelry to complement it. She went to Paris for the fitting of the glamorous black lace, one-shoulder gown with a deep V cutout that was entirely handmade. "A dress is a dress is a dress. It's all about how it's made," Banks said. Klum also was in a one-shoulder dress. Hers was a draped red gown by Michael Kors that clung to her pregnant belly. Klum's husband, Seal, was in the uniform of most men on the red carpet - a black suit, white shirt and regular tie. His was particularly skinny. Jeremy Piven stood out from the crowd in an ascot but it was hardly an outstanding look. Leah Rimini did the one-shoulder thing, but her Versace gown was purple and had subtle sparkles. Evangeline Lilly's Versace dress was purple with all-over, crisscross pleats. "I loved Evangeline Lilly and Ellen Pompeo," said People's Kaufman. "They were almost twins in their dresses. I loved the simplicity and colour - and they're pulling out fall trends." Jaime Pressly wore a custom-made Badgley Mischka beaded amethyst chantilly lace fishtail gown that she accessorized with 19th-century diamond jewelry by Fred Leighton. Cheryl Hines selected a purple shantung gown by Chakra with a high neck and sheer back dotted with jewelled embroidery. The opposite of Hines' gown was Virginia Madsen's. Her black lace gown by Kevan Hall showed a lot of cleavage with its plunging neckline but the rest of the dress was demure and almost sweet. Kyra Sedgwick said she was going for a Golden Age style. She wore a dove grey strapless organza gown by Giorgio Armani Prive with raw edge details. "I thought it was beautiful and I feel really comfortable in it. I can actually breathe." Mariska Hargitay showed off her post-baby figure in a formfitting Carolina Herrera black lace gown with embroidered flowers down the middle. (Hargitay's son is eight weeks old.) "She's looking really amazing and feeling really good. The dress was so spectacular that we decided to go with a classic balance for the face," said Matthew vanLeeuwen, makeup artist for Christian Dior. "She's a tough New York woman on the show, but you see the feminine side of her on the red carpet. That's who she really is," vanLeeuwen said. Megan Mullally wore an otherwise conservative blue long-sleeve gown by Badgley Mischka but it had a deep V neck that went to a waistband adorned with a jewel. Debra Messing wore a strapless gown with tiers of delicate white fabric. Allison Janney's red tiered gown by Elie Saab was reminiscent of a 1920s flapper, and she completed the look with strands of platinum and diamonds by Neil Lane. On a red carpet where stars mainly played it safe, Portia de Rossi took a slight risk - that paid off - with a slate grey gown by Zac Posen with rosettes around the open neck, cutouts on the bodice and an open back. She was pleased with the outcome. "I love the way he uses fabric," she said. De Rossi's romantic red lips and red handbag worked well with her otherwise soft look, said Kaufman. Jennifer Love Hewitt said she was trying to break out of her usual award show look with a full-length beaded metallic gown by Collette Dinnigan. "I wanted to do something different because I usually do something short and 1950s." Other risk takers? Barry Manilow in a white suit and black shirt and Simon Cowell, doing his best Tom Ford imitation, in sunglasses and an unbuttoned white shirt showing off his chest hair.
The former "thirtysomething" star is heading to New York to help the creative team on the ensemble drama series about six strangers in New York who are drawn into a mysterious web of coincidence that gradually brings them closer together. Jace Alexander, who had been co-executive producer on "Degrees," has exited the show, which was created by Stu Zicherman and Raven Metzner. "Degrees" shut down production for a week this month, industry sources said. Horton is not expected to take on a formal role on "Degrees." He will remain an executive producer on "Grey's" in the upcoming season and is working with "Grey's" creator Shonda Rhimes on her new drama pilot for ABC.
TV pundits say first-time nominee "Grey's Anatomy," coming off its breakthrough season as one of prime time's most watched shows, also faces a strong challenge from critically acclaimed Fox network spy thriller "24," a perennial Emmy contender. Two other nominees are considered long shots in this year's Emmy drama race -- the Fox hospital show "House" and HBO's celebrated gangster hit and past Emmy winner, "The Sopranos." In the contest for best comedy series, the heavy favorite is NBC's workplace satire "The Office," adapted from a British series of the same name. Its star, Steve Carell, is the consensus pick as best comedic actor for his role as clueless boss Michael Scott. The stars of two lesser-known cable series, Denis Leary of the FX firefighting drama "Rescue Me" and Kyra Sedgwick from TNT's cop show "The Closer," are seen as front-runners for the lead dramatic acting honors. Former Emmy-winning "Friends" co-star Lisa Kudrow is favored to scoop the prize as best comedy actress for HBO's short-lived sitcom "The Comeback." If those predictions prove true, it would mark at least a partial success in efforts to energize an entertainment awards show long notorious for recycling the same shows and stars year after year. Sunday's Emmys are being closely watched by the TV industry as a test of new nomination rules designed to give newcomers, low-rated series and smaller networks a better shot at the major categories. One group of TV critics taking part in an odds-making poll posted on Los Angeles Times-owned Web site The Envelope.com picked "Grey's Anatomy" to edge out "24" -- competing in 12 categories as the most nominated series overall this year -- in the race for best drama. If "West Wing" manages an upset, the White House drama starring Martin Sheen will enter the Emmy record books with an unprecedented fifth victory as best drama (surpassing four-time winners "Hill Street Blues" and "L.A. Law"). It also would be the first show named best drama after ending its network run. Moreover, with Sheen and co-stars Allison Janney and Alan Alda considered strong contenders in three acting categories, "West Wing" stands a good chance of at least tying the record now held by "Hill Street Blues" for the most prime-time Emmys overall, 26, amassed by a single drama. Adding an extra bit of drama to the show is the fact the ABC, a unit of Walt Disney Co., plans to air the blockbuster film "Pirates of Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" opposite the NBC telecast. The counterprogramming of "Pirates" was widely seen as retaliation for this year's virtual Emmy shut-out of two hit ABC shows that scored big last year, "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives." But ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson has insisted his network scheduled the film before this year's Emmy nominees were revealed. "All eyes are on 'Grey's Anatomy,' because if it wins, it will be a huge embarrassment to ABC," The Envelope.com columnist Tom O'Neil told Reuters, referring to the possibility of the ABC show copping the top Emmy while the network pirates away viewers from the awards telecast. The 58th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by NBC late-night comedian Conan O'Brien, will be broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Breslin will appear in an episode titled "Sometimes a Fantasy," the third to have been shot for the show's third season, which premieres at 9 p.m. September 21. In addition, Fred Ward has signed on for a guest-star role on the medical drama, the veteran actor's first such stint on a TV series. He will appear on one of the first five episodes of the season. No details were provided about Breslin's or Ward's characters. Other previously announced guest stars include Diahann Carroll and Chris O'Donnell, who will return in his role as veterinarian Finn Dandridge. "Grey's Anatomy" is up for multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, including best drama series, which are being handed out Sunday. Breslin's film credits also include "Signs" and "Raising Helen." Ward's numerous film credits include "Sweet Home Alabama," "Enough," "Chain Reaction," and "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult."
Out of 679 series lead or supporting characters on the six major broadcast networks in the new season, roughly 1.3 percent are gay, lesbian or bisexual, according to the group's annual study. The figure last year was 1.4 percent. GLAAD analyzed the 95 prime-time comedies and dramas announced by ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW and MyNetworkTV. While the year-to-year numbers are relatively consistent, the prominence of the roles has been diminished, GLAAD found, with the exit of shows like "Will & Grace," "Out of Practice" and "Crumbs." The nine gay or lesbian characters appear on eight different series. New series GLAAD counted as "inclusive" include comedies "Help Me Help You" (ABC) and "The Class" (CBS), and dramas "Brothers & Sisters" (ABC), weeknight telenovela "Fashion House" (MyNetworkTV), and CW midseason entry "Hidden Palms." These join returning comedies "Desperate Housewives" (ABC) and "The Office" (NBC), as well as the drama "ER" (NBC). The five series with recurring gay, lesbian or bisexual characters include the new comedies "Ugly Betty" and midseason arrival "Big Day" (both ABC). These join returning comedies "The Simpsons" and "The War at Home" (both Fox), and the drama "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC), the study found. "It's clear that the broadcast networks have a long way to go before they accurately reflect the diversity of their audience and our society," said GLAAD president Neil G. Giuliano.
The episode, entitled "Sometimes a Fantasy," has not yet been given an airdate. In its first three episodes of the news season, "Grey's Anatomy" will welcome guest stars including Breslin, the legendary Diahann Carroll and actor Chris O'Donnell (returning in his role as veterinarian Dr. Finn Dandridge). Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike and the recipient of multiple Emmy Award nominations, "Grey's Anatomy" returns to the ABC Television Network for a third season. The interns have learned a lot since their first year at Seattle Grace Hospital - not only about surgery, but about themselves and one another. The third season will premiere on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (9:00 p.m., ET). There's Izzie, who has decided there may be more in her life than medicine after falling in love with Denny, a patient whose life she fought to save... and lost. Now that she's quit the intern program, Izzie will see what a future without the hospital has in store. Best friend George has had his own ups and downs in love. Having his dreams of a relationship with Meredith crushed after a demoralizing one-night stand with her, George found love in the unlikeliest of people - the tough, unique Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Callie Torres. Callie sees and loves all of the qualities that make George who he is, and in return George likes her being the kind of woman who will stand up for him and their relationship. Alex Karev may be the surgical intern all of the other interns love to hate, but the cocky and often callous Alex has been there for his fellow students when it matters. Focused and ambitious intern Cristina Yang has wanted one thing her whole life -- to become a talented and successful surgeon. Cristina, who once lacked all bedside manner, is now allowing her allegiances to friends and her emotions to seep into her work. One of her greatest emotional challenges is yet to come, as she must become a source of support and assistance to her boyfriend, Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Preston Burke; highly respected among his fellow surgeons, Burke must deal with a potentially career-ending tremor in his hand, the result of a near-fatal shooting accident at the hospital. And then there's Meredith Grey. After Meredith and Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd's ever-present sexual tension culminated in a moment of passion, they have to face the consequences. Meredith was just beginning to fall for the attractive and available veterinarian, Finn. And there's the matter of Derek's wife, Addison. A neonatal surgeon at the hospital, Addison is a woman trying to put her own indiscretions in the past and to save her marriage. The interns, as always, will be under the guidance of "The Nazi," Dr. Miranda Bailey, who both terrorizes and nurtures them. Bailey maintains a tough exterior, but with these interns, it's hard not to display her softer side from time to time. Supervising the whole operation is The Chief, Dr. Richard Webber. His past indiscretions with Meredith's mother, Ellis, have been exposed and he must now deal with the consequences to his family and professional life. The doctors of "Grey's Anatomy" choose to live life to its fullest amidst the daily life-and-death stakes of their jobs. It's the drama and intensity of medical training mixed with the funny, sexy, painful lives of interns who are discovering that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white. Real life only comes in shades of grey.
The magazine used four criteria - estimated salary, press clippings, number hits on Google.com and TV mentions - to rank 15 Canadians who have demonstrated clout in the entertainment industry over the last year. According to the magazine, Carrey's improved web scores and a bump in the TV category put him ahead of Anderson. Carrey, who was born in Newmarket, Ont., is the highest-paid Canadian actor in Hollywood. Anderson, a native of Ladysmith, B.C., slipped to No. 2 on the list after her sitcom Stacked was cancelled. Rounding out the top five were Toronto natives Keanu Reeves and Kiefer Sutherland and Montreal-born actor William Shatner. Sutherland moved up three spots from No. 7 in 2005 while Reeves and Shatner stayed the same. There were a couple new additions. Rocker Avril Lavigne of Napanee, Ont., debuted at No. 7 while Ottawa-raised actor Brendan Fraser came in at No. 10. The complete list: THEY STARTED ON SOAPS 6 THURSDAY, AUGUST 24 AT 12AM ET/PT Featured Stars Include Halle Berry, George Clooney, Heath Ledger, Lindsay Lohan, Brad Pitt And Brandon Routh. Before they graced our film and television screens, find out where Brad Pitt, Lindsay Lohan, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, George Clooney, Parker Posey, Matthew Fox, Sienna Miller, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, Mark Harmon and the cast of The West Wing including Alan Alda, Jimmy Smits, Martin Sheen, and Mary Louise Parker got their start on soaps. SOAPnet presents the sixth installment of their original franchise, They Started on Soaps August 24 at 12AM ET/PT. Watch as experts, including casting directors and reporters discuss how daytime paved the way to Hollywood stardom for such celebrities including this year's Emmy-nominees Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) and Allison Janney (The West Wing). Cast members Justin Chambers and James Pickens Jr. of the Emmy-nominated Grey's Anatomy are also daytime alumni.
"The overwhelming response to 'Chasing Cars' incorporation into the season finale of 'Grey's Anatomy' created an opportunity for ABC to connect with fans in a creative and innovative way," said Mike Benson, senior vice president, Marketing, ABC Entertainment. "Making a video montage available for a limited time gives fans a deeper emotional experience that occurs when these two elements are combined." "This truly shows the power of a great working relationship between television and music," commented Steve Berman, president of Sales and Marketing for Interscope Geffen A&M. "The reaction we received from 'Grey's Anatomy' placing 'Chasing Cars' in the season finale was so immediate and widespread that it became a mini-phenomenon. To be able to take that and use it as a starting point for continued exposure of a great band and song has been a fantastic opportunity for us."
Lifetime, which had been in the bidding war in the beginning, is believed to be forking over $1.2 million per episode, an expensive deal considering Lifetime is contractually required to pick up the tab for as many as 200 episodes, should "Grey's" stay on the air at ABC that long. (Walt Disney Co. owns Lifetime, ABC and the show's syndicator, Buena Vista Television). Lifetime can begin airing the series daily in fall 2009 in any daypart. In addition, the network will begin airing episodes from Season 1 once a week starting in January. TNT and Oxygen declined comment about their aborted pact. Leslie Glenn-Chesloff, senior vp planning, scheduling and acquisitions at Lifetime Entertainment Services, said the show is a good fit with ABC's "Desperate Housewives," another recent acquisition from Buena Vista TV. Lifetime has been spending big money for off-network properties recently. In addition to "Housewives," which joins the schedule August 5, it acquired "Medium," the NBC drama starring Patricia Arquette, in the fall for a reported $1.3 million per episode. "Grey's Anatomy" is heading into its third year on ABC in the fall.
The network was the big winner at Sunday's 22nd annual Television Critics Awards, taking home four trophies, including outstanding comedy ("The Office") and outstanding new show ("My Name Is Earl"). "The Office" star Steve Carell won the award for individual achievement in comedy, and "The West Wing" received the Heritage Award, given to a show that has had a lasting impact on television. "Grey's Anatomy" earned the program of the year award, which recognizes a show that has a big impact on the pop-culture landscape. It wasn't named best drama, however -- that award went to another ABC show, "Lost," which won its second straight award. "House" star Hugh Laurie also won his second consecutive TCA honor for individual achievement in drama. Here's the full list of winners: Program of the Year: "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC) Outstanding New Program: "My Name Is Earl" (NBC) Outstanding Achievement in Drama: "Lost" (ABC) Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: "The Office" (NBC) Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: "Frontline" (PBS) Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming: "High School Musical" (Disney Channel) Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials: "American Masters: Bob Dylan -- No Direction Home" (PBS) Individual Acheivement in Comedy: Steve Carell, "The Office" (NBC) Individual Acheivement in Drama: Hugh Laurie, "House" (FOX) Heritage Award: "The West Wing" (NBC) Career Achievement: Carol Burnett
The casting was announced Thursday as TV reporters were shown around the show's set at Prospect Studios in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. Rhimes was on hand for a brief Q&A, but would not drop any hints about the role Carroll would play. "Grey's Anatomy" executive producer Betsy Beers confirmed that Sara Ramirez, the actress who played the love interest of series regular T.R. Knight's character George last season, will return to the show in its upcoming third season as a regular. The same field trip included a visit to the set of FX's "The Shield," where creator/executive producer Shawn Ryan had some guest-star news of his own. Famke Janssen, the former Bond girl most recently seen in "X-Men: The Last Stand," will be a guest-star in the final three episodes of the Emmy-winning police drama series.
"Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "Lost," "Dancing with the Stars," "George Lopez" and Latino television phenomenon "Ugly Betty" will be dubbed into Spanish, with the remainder of the network's regular primetime entertainment lineup available with Spanish language subtitles. In addition, select specials will also be dubbed into Spanish. "Increasing the number of shows dubbed into Spanish reflects our commitment to successfully connecting with the millions of Hispanics who watch mostly or only Spanish language television," said Mr. McPherson. "Offering relatable programming is how ABC continues to be on the forefront in reaching diverse segments of the population. No other English language network serves the Spanish speaking audience the way we do." Spanish subtitled versions of the shows will be found on Closed Caption 2 channel (CC2), and viewers will be able to access the programs dubbed in Spanish via the SAP (Second Audio Program) option on their televisions. ABC was the first English language broadcast network to make such a large portion of its programming available in Spanish. Additional programming may be dubbed in Spanish in the future.
Although final negotiations still are continuing this week, all indications are that Oxygen and Turner's TNT will end up splitting "Grey's." Buena Vista Television will hand over off-net rights to Oxygen for the post-6 p.m. window, while TNT will get off-net daytime rights. In addition, Oxygen will get a second window starting earlier than the off-net rights that gives the channel a weekly repeat of an episode from earlier seasons. Buena Vista, Turner and Oxygen declined comment. Estimates on the combined price tag for "Grey's" were around $1 million, with Oxygen believed to have shelled out about $700,000 per episode, leaving Turner to pick up the rest of the medical drama's bill. The sale will bring to an end one of the most anticipated and complicated syndication deals of recent memory, shutting out futile bids from Lifetime and ABC Family -- one partially and one fully owned by the Walt Disney Co., home to both ABC and "Grey's" production company Touchstone Television. Sources say Buena Vista accepted bids more than a month ago, but negotiations were protracted by the relatively new and thorny issue of assigning rights to digital platforms. Warner Bros. Domestic TV Distribution recently cut a precedent-setting deal with Tribune Broadcasting that gave its stations the ability to stream episodes on their respective Web sites. Buena Vista has yet to sell "Grey's" to local stations. OXYGEN BOOST Details of the "Grey's" deal still are coming together, but Oxygen is expected to begin airing repeat episodes from earlier seasons as early as January. The official "Grey's" off-net window would begin in 2009; by then, the series likely will have cleared 100 episodes (36 hours have aired to date over two seasons) and be in its fifth season. For Oxygen, snaring "Grey's" is a huge but expensive coup, amounting to what might be the biggest syndication deal in the history of the channel. The network typically ends up as an also-ran to bigger channels when vying for highly coveted off-net product, as it did when TBS won rights to HBO's "Sex and the City." But the soap format and hunky cast make "Grey's" a good fit for the female-targeted network. At TNT, "Grey's" likely would join a daytime lineup stocked with such powerhouse dramas as "ER," "Charmed" and "Law & Order." Buena Vista this year sold "Desperate Housewives" rights to Lifetime for $500,000 an episode. Lifetime also picked up a second window for repeat episodes from previous seasons. "Grey's" emerged as one of the hottest shows on television in the 2005-06 season, averaging nearly 20 million viewers. It premiered on ABC in March 2005; in the fall, the series is moving from its 10 p.m. Sunday slot to 9 p.m. Thursday. Heading into its third season, "Grey's" is well poised for the upcoming Emmys, having earned 11 nominations, including top drama series.
"Disappointment," she says with a pout, before a big smile begins to spread across her face. "What happened to mine? That's what I want to know. What happened to my nomination?" And what about the old team spirit? Heigl, Dr. Izzie Stevens on "Anatomy," pauses for a second and laughs. "Screw them." Taking a pause on the Brentwood set of the Judd Apatow's "40 Year-Old Virgin" follow-up "Knocked Up," Heigl is able to move beyond her feigned disappointment to admit that she's been in touch with both of her nominated co-stars, Chandra Wilson and Sandra Oh. "I talked to Chandra and they're over in Europe right now doing publicity for the show and she's sort of kind of like dumbstruck right now," Heigl says. "I was like 'How do you feel? Are you excited?' And she was like 'I don't know. I don't know how I feel yet.' It's just so deserving. She's so unbelievably talented and has worked long and hard in this industry like the rest of us and I'm just really, really proud of her." She continues, "I have not gotten hold of Sandra yet, but I think Sandra is probably up to her eyeballs in rehearsals and performances in New York for her play that she's doing, but again, just another person who's really so talented and so deserving. But I wonder if this year she's like, 'Eh, this is old hat. I was nominated last year. Whatever.' I wonder if you ever get like that." For her part, Heigl is just enjoying the perks of being on a hit TV series, like the chance to have the female lead in a big studio comedy. "Knocked Up" isn't expected to be released until next summer, but it's already eaten up all of Heigl's hiatus this summer. "I can't even imagine going back to work in two weeks on 'Grey's,'" she sighs. "I'm exhausted. I do think it's one of those situations, my agent likes to say it's a high-class problem. I spent a lot of years out of work, so I'd rather be tired and over-worked than bored and under-worked. It's been an amazing year." Certainly she has loose ends to tie up when shooting begins again. Last season's two-part finale left many "Anatomy" fans frustrated at Izzie's ill-fated decisions regarding Jeffrey Dean Morgan's soulful heart-transplant patient Denny Duquette, a choice that makes her character's medical future uncertain as the new season begins. Heigl's heard a variety of reactions from fans. "People are angry and people are sympathetic," she says. "It kind of runs the gamut." She continues, "I'm actually more angry than sympathetic. I can't believe she threw her career away. I just can't believe it." So all of the viewers who felt incredulous and waved fists at their TVs in impotent rage have an ally in Heigl, though the actress understands why showrunner Shonda Rhimes and the rest of the creative team went in that direction. "It was a great sort of creative choice," she admits. "As far as acting goes, it was great drama. But because I know the character so well and she's worked so unbelievably hard to be taken seriously as a doctor and all the years of schooling to get there, I was so devastated. Is like, 'Noooooo... She's worked too hard to throw it all away. She doesn't even know him!' But it was good drama." But don't expect any hints from Heigl on where things are going this fall. "Not only can I not tell, but I don't know myself, so it's one of those conversations where you're just like, 'I don't know! I'd just keep watching. Keep watching! We've moved to Thursday nights, so keep watching!'"
"It's amazing to me. I still spend a lot of time being really shocked that people are watching." - Shonda Rimes, creator of Grey's Anatomy, which earned 11 nominations.
Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television Studios Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • Touchstone Television House • FOX • Heel and Toe Productions, Shorez Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with Universal Television Studios Lost • ABC • Grass Skirt Productions, LLC in association with Touchstone Television CSI: NY • Wasted • CBS • CBS Productions, Inc. and Alliance Atlantis in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television Grey’s Anatomy • Owner Of A Lonely Heart • ABC • Touchstone Television MADtv • Episode 1109 • FOX • Girl Group Company Nip/Tuck • Quentin Costa • FX Network • The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions, Inc. Rome • Caesarion • HBO • HBO Entertainment in association with the BBC Will & Grace • Finale • NBC • KoMut Entertainment in association with NBC Studios and Three Sisters Entertainment Into The West • Wheel To The Stars • TNT • Dreamworks Television MADtv • Episode 1117 • FOX • Girl Group Company Nip/Tuck • Cherry Peck • FX Network • The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions, Inc. Six Feet Under • Everyone’s Waiting • HBO • Actual Size and the Greenblatt/Janollari Studios in association with HBO Entertainment Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • Touchstone Television Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • Touchstone Television Huff • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Sony Pictures Television, A Bob Lowry Television Show Production, A 50 Cannon Entertainment Production 24 • FOX • Imagine Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television in association with Real Time Productions Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television Studios ER • NBC • Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • Touchstone Television Lost • ABC • Grass Skirt Productions, LLC in association with Touchstone Television Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • Touchstone Television Huff • Showtime • Showtime Presents in association with Sony Pictures Television, A Bob Lowry Television Show Production, A 50 Cannon Entertainment Production Six Feet Under • HBO • Actual Size and the Greenblatt/Janollari Studios in association with HBO Entertainment Six Feet Under • HBO • Actual Size and the Greenblatt/Janollari Studios in association with HBO Entertainment House • FOX • Heel and Toe Productions, Shorez Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with Universal Television Studios The Sopranos • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment 24 • FOX • Imagine Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television in association with Real Time Productions The West Wing • NBC • John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Grey’s Anatomy • Into You Like A Train • ABC • Touchstone Television Lost • The 23rd Psalm • ABC • Grass Skirt Productions, LLC in association with Touchstone Television Six Feet Under • Everyone’s Waiting • HBO • Actual Size and the Greenblatt/Janollari Studios in association with HBO Entertainment The Sopranos • Members Only • HBO • Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment During the course of Diana Son's latest look at urban malaise, the racially mixed principals learn that lesson, and much more, as they tackle prejudice of various persuasions, rootlessness, the work-vs.-mommy-track dilemma, unemployment and familial deception. That's a lot for any vehicle to tackle, never mind that the production is filled with enough symbols to leave one's head spinning. But to Son's credit, she not only makes it work but supplies thought-provoking exchanges throughout the show's 95 minutes. The action begins when Nina (Sandra Oh), a thirtysomething architect of Korean descent, and her husband, Miles (Kevin Carroll), an unemployed black entrepreneur, buy a dilapidated Brooklyn brownstone where they can raise their newborn. The trio has no sooner settled in then a rock is thrown through their living room window, leaving a literal and figurative void that a new pane of glass simply won't fill. Things only get worse as Miles' adopted brother (Clark Thorell) -- a seemingly successful WASP -- moves in, with romantic sparks soon flying between him and Nina's pretty, just-turned-40 business partner (Johanna Day). Then there's the itinerant handyman whose get-rich-quick schemes always make him a bit suspicious and a grandmotherly Korean nanny (Satya Lee) who can't ignore the baby's mixed heritage. The sextet's close encounters coalesce into a volcano of anger, tension and resentment that's just a pinprick away from explosion. Indeed, their dialogue leads to an escalating unease that director Michael Grief effectively ratchets up throughout. Of course, none of that would work if Son hadn't made all the characters as sympathetic as they are off-putting. It's a neat balancing act that forces viewers to shift loyalties on an ongoing basis. The only downside: Such complexity is at odds with a too-pat finale. But even that disparity seems acceptable thanks to the cast's work. Oh, whose breakout role in "Sideways" and Emmy-winning efforts in "Grey's Anatomy" have made her a critical darling, rises to the challenges presented by the ever-confused heroine. Using her famously pinched face as a canvas for every nuance of frustration, she makes Nina's emotional torture almost palpable. In an even tougher part, Carroll deftly navigates the insecurities, fading hopes and pain that make Miles tick. Watching his character's arc proves both awe-inspiring and unnerving. The central duo are nicely complemented by Thorell as Miles' enigmatic brother, Day's anxious architect and particularly Ron Cephas Jones' memorable moments as the self-appointed king of the block. Only Lee's turn as the overly diligent nanny seems forced. The production's biggest star may be Mark Wendland's clever set: a series of shifting floors, walls and staircases that glide seemingly at will to showcase the crumbling brownstone's stained facades and pitted interiors. Granted, it wouldn't take Einstein to recognize that the building is a giant metaphor for the characters' deteriorating relationships, as well as society's ongoing ills. The fact that "Satellites" soars despite such heavy-handedness is a testament to the truths it has to tell. Cast: Playwright: Diana Son; Director: Michael Grief; Set designer: Mark Wendland; Costume designer: Miranda Hoffman; Lighting designer: Kenneth Posner; Sound designers: Walter Trarbach and Tony Smolenski IV; Composer: Michael Friedman.
Based on Robert Littell's history of the CIA through the Cold War, "The Company" will be produced by John Calley along with Ridley and Tony Scott through Sony Pictures Television. The six-hour series is expected to premiere next summer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, O'Donnell will play Jack McCauliffe, a Yale grad recruited into the CIA in 1954. A Golden Globe nominee in 1993 for his work in "Scent of a Woman" (and a three-time Razzie nominee), the "Batman & Robin" star has focused on television in recent years, beginning with a 2003 arc on "The Practice." Last fall O'Donnell starred on FOX's instantly cancelled legal dramedy "Head Cases," but transitioned over to ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," where his character, charismatic vet Finn Dandridge, was a love interest for Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) this past season.
The Grey's Anatomy star and her fiance have not set a wedding date, representatives told the magazine. Heigl, 27, who plays Dr. Isobel (Izzie) Stevens on the hit ABC show, met Kelley, 25, last year when she appeared in a video for his song, Only You. Heigl, a former model, also appeared on the TV show Roswell. Kelley's third album, Just Say the Word, is expected to be released July 24.
TELEVISION Choice TV Show: Drama/Action Adventure Choice TV Show: Comedy/Musical Choice TV Show: Animated Choice TV Show: Reality Choice TV Actor: Drama/Action Adventure Choice TV Actress: Drama/Action Adventure Choice TV Actor: Comedy Choice TV Actress: Comedy Choice TV Sidekick Choice TV Personality MOVIES Choice Movie: Action Adventure Choice Movie: Drama Choice Movie: Chick Flick Choice Movie: Comedy Choice Movie: Thriller Choice Movie Actor: Drama/Action Adventure Choice Movie Actress: Drama/Action Adventure Choice Movie Actor: Comedy Choice Movie Actress: Comedy Choice Hottie - Male Choice Hottie - Female Choice Comedian So it's no surprise that some of Tinseltown's big names turned out Monday night for the 2006 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Awards, held at the New York Public Library and hosted by Entourage star Jeremy Piven. Janet Jackson showed off her toned arms and slimmed-down figure in a red Bill Blass gown as she joined other celebrities and a who's who of Seventh Avenue to fete fashion's favorite clothiers. Style darling Marc Jacobs — his clothes worn by everyone from Lindsay Lohan to Selma Blair — was up for women's wear designer of the year honors, vying with Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein and Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler for the coveted prize. Some of the evening's highlights: • Lohan, who stars in A Prairie Home Companion, in theaters Friday, walked the red carpet with Karl Lagerfeld in Chanel. She said preparing for the fashion awards wasn't difficult. "You just get dressed and go for it," Lohan said, adding that it didn't take long to get ready "because I got spray-tanned." The actress and designer wore fingerless gloves when they presented the award for accessory designer of the year to Tom Binns . • Heidi Klum wore a layered gown by J. Mendel. Her singer husband Seal "hasn't seen me yet, but he'll say, 'Perfect choice.' He likes when my hair is up." • Sandra Oh wore Peter Som and was accompanied by the designer. How did she pull together her look for the evening? "I roll out of bed, and I look like this," the Grey's Anatomy star joked. Her tip: "My fashion rule of thumb is to travel lightly with Peter Som." • Chloe Sevigny wore Proenza Schouler and said it took her an hour to dress for the show. "I always leave an ample amount of time to get ready. I don't want to be stressed." • Jamie-Lynn Sigler wore a strapless printed number by Monique Lhuillier. "I'm a big dress girl," the actress said. As for her fashion tip: "I've learned to know what looks good on me. I'm sort of getting over the whole leggings thing." • Designer Tommy Hilfiger wore a Guns N' Roses T-shirt. Hilfiger and the band's lead singer, Axl Rose, were involved in a bizarre altercation at a Manhattan night club last month. • Amanda Bynes, in a cream-colored gown by BCBG Max Azria, said her secret weapon of the evening was Spanx, a brand of slimming underwear. "I'm totally wearing them," Bynes admitted. The actress said Jessica Simpson is the celebrity whose closet she would most like to raid. "She always looks great on the red carpet, and she knows how to dress. And everything has color." • Simpson, in a short white dress by Michael Kors, said she would raid the closet of "Brigitte Bardot, because she is my style icon."
Shonda Rhimes had just completed the first year of a two-year deal, which also included a one-year option, that she signed with the Disney-owned studio in May 2005. The new three-year deal is said to be worth about $10 million, vaunting Rhimes into the top echelon of TV writer-producers. Touchstone TV declined comment Friday. Rhimes' rich pact reflects the importance of her red-hot medical drama to the studio as well as ABC, which is also owned by Disney. The network is banking on the show to revive its fortunes on Thursday night next season. "Grey's" was an out-of-the-box hit for the network as a midseason entry in the 2004-05 season. This past season, "Grey's" thrived in the Sunday 10 p.m. slot behind "Desperate Housewives," giving ABC the confidence to relocate the show to the competitive Thursday 9 p.m. berth in the upcoming season opposite CBS' "CSI.." Moreover, Rhimes has a new untitled drama pilot in the works for Touchstone and ABC about a group of female journalists. She has recruited former "Grey's" trouper Jeffrey Dean Morgan as a member of its ensemble cast. Before penning "Grey's," Rhimes' credits included features "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" and "Crossroads" as well as HBO's biopic "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," which earned Halle Berry an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
The "Syriana" actor and former "ER" doctor topped a nationwide poll of Lifetime viewers as the woman's dream celebrity date with 39 percent of the votes. Younger celebs didn't even come close. Soon to be divorcee Nick Lachey grabbed 14 percent of the votes, followed by Colin Farrell (10 percent), Orlando Bloom (9 percent), Derek Jeter (8) and Jake Gyllenhaal (6). Like Clooney, TV doctors are still popular with the ladies, with Dr. McDreamy ("Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey) leading the way for doctors in love, followed by "ER's" Noah Wylie, "Nip/Tuck's" Julian McMahon and "Lost's" resident cutter Matthew Fox. Apparently, the public isn't ashamed of its voyeuristic attitude, admitting to thinking about their favorite celebrities' sex lives. According to the poll, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith most likely get the sheets blazing (41 percent), followed by Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher (20 percent), "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria and Tony Parker (11) and Ben "Sorry honey, I have a headache" Affleck and Jennifer Garner (7). And just in time for "The Break Up," viewers also weighed in on the couples they would most like to see work things out. Singer Sheryl Crowe and cyclist Lance Armstrong came in first, with Hilary Swank (who recently filed for divorce) and Chad Lowe not far behind. The poll is the latest in the Lifetime Television Pulse Poll series.
Sources said Touchstone Television recently handed out $200,000 bonuses to each of the show's principal cast members, including Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, James Pickens Jr., T.R. Knight, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Chandra Wilson, Isaiah Washington, Justin Chambers and Kate Walsh. But sources close to key cast members say the bonus is not likely to head off pressure from the actors for the Disney-owned studio to renegotiate their original series deals at a higher pay rate in light of the show's meteoric ratings spike this past season. Indeed, ABC hopes the medical drama will reinvigorate the network's fortunes on Thursday with its bold move of the show to the 9 p.m. slot in the fall. Touchstone TV, which declined comment on the "Grey's" bonuses, has a history of giving cash bonuses to the ensemble casts of its hit series. In early 2005, the studio rewarded the principal cast members of "Desperate Housewives" with bonuses said to be about $250,000 each four months into the run of the show. The "Desperate Housewives" actors also received salary bumps. Meanwhile, in January, the "Lost" gang received salary increases, with Matthew Fox also getting a bonus.
PROGRAM OF THE YEAR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA The untitled Shonda Rhimes project, about a group of female journalists, has a pilot order. On "Grey's," Morgan played heart patient Denny Duquette. Duquette, who was romantically linked to Izzie (Katherine Heigl), died in the series' recent second-season finale. Additionally, Morgan has recurring roles on WB Network's series "Supernatural," on which he plays the ghostbusting father of series stars Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, and on Showtime's comedy "Weeds," on which he plays star Mary Louise Parker's deceased husband, who appears in flashbacks and fantasy sequences.
A 3.0 gave FOX the edge among 18 to 49-year-olds as well, followed by ABC's 2.0, CBS' 1.5, NBC'2 1.2 and The WB's 0.7. ABC finished the night in the top spot with a "Grey's Anatomy" repeat, 4.7/9. NBC's "Crossing Jordan," 4.5/9, was good enough for second and CBS finished its movie.
Headlining the list of celebrities is Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner who will drive the 2006 Chevrolet Z06 Corvette Pace Car on Race Day. Three entertainment personalities expected to attend are also co-owners of IndyCar Series teams: actor Patrick Dempsey, star of “Grey’s Anatomy” and a co-owner of Vision Racing; David Letterman, host of “The Late Show with David Letterman” and co-owner of Rahal Letterman Racing; and NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony, co-owner of Carmelo Hemelgarn Racing.
Back in the day, you'd have an hour to wrap everything up, leave everybody hanging, and that would be that. But now that's not good enough. Now, ABC finishes Season 2 of the buzzworthy show of the moment, "Grey's Anatomy," with a three-part, three-hour capper from four different writers (including series creator Shonda Rhimes) and three directors airing over two nights that plays more like a miniseries. But the problem with joining a serialized show like "Grey's" is that if you aren't a regular viewer, then you really don't know what's going on. The characters, not surprisingly, are mostly charismatic and intriguing. In the first of the three hours, Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) needs a new heart. In Hour 1 of the two-hour, second-night wrap, Denny really, really needs a heart, Izzie (Katherine Heigl) ponders his while-fighting-for-his-life marriage proposal, and Dr. Burke (Isaiah Washington) has to undergo surgery that could spell the end of his career. There's also the high school girl with a terminal cancer diagnosis. It all leads to some pretty heavy-duty happenings in the finale finale, with a lot of hard-core truths and broken dreams cluttering the picture. There's always something momentous going down in "Grey's Anatomy" -- whether medical, hormonal or emotional -- and the camera never lingers on a single story line for too long. It's well-acted and knows how to keep the suspense operating at peak efficiency in tandem with an invigorating selection of music. But from taking in this 180-minute climax, it's clear that if the show's fans are uncommonly loyal, there aren't likely to be a whole lot of new attendees joining this party in midstream.
In a move that had long been speculated on, but still caused quite a stir, ABC announced its schedule for next fall on Tuesday morning, a new lineup in which "Anatomy" was shifted from its cushy Sunday even home behind "Desperate Housewives" to the battleground on Thursdays at 9 p.m. in a slot already occupied by a little procedural called "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." "The biggest thing coming into this year, probably as a consideration, was whether or not to move 'Grey's' and I think the decision to move 'Grey's' was really based on two things: One, being able to execute the strategy to build 'Grey's' into the hit that we did and two the strength of our development," says ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson. "The good thing was that it would open up a number of launching pads, the challenge of that was that you had to fill those launching pads." It helped ABC's decision-making process that since landing the coveted post-Super Bowl airing, "Grey's Anatomy" has routinely topped "Desperate Housewives" in the network's coveted demographic of adults 18-49. McPherson figures that between critical acclaim and a devoted audience, "Anatomy" won't have any difficulties holding itself own in the competitive berth, which now also includes NBC's heavily hyped new Aaron Sorkin drama "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." "I think that if anybody has seen the show lately, if you saw it last night, I think there's certainly not a better show on television," says McPherson (who acknowledged the possibility that other equally fine shows might exist). "We feel that it's a show that deserves a 9:00 time period and it deserves to be on a mantle of the greatest shows on television. We feel that Thursday night is a fantastic time for it. There's been a lot of history of big shows going up against each other and there's plenty of room for both." Two new dramas will be the obvious beneficiaries. The J.J. Abrams-produced drama "Six Degrees" will air post-"Anatomy" on Thursdays ("It's a show about a new island with three million survivors and that's Manhattan," says McPherson). "I don't feel it's going to alienate anybody," McPherson predicts. "I think those are different shows -- I developed 'CSI.' It's a great show. It's a very different show than 'Grey's.' I think the two-hour block of 'Grey's' and 'Six Degrees' also for us is incredibly strong and makes for a great night and with the comedies leading into it, it really establishes another strong place for it on the schedule." And replacing "Anatomy" on Sundays will be the ensemble "Brothers & Sisters," featuring Calista Flockhart. McPherson says that the network never considered moving "Desperate Housewives" and he insists that despite some early complaints that the campy soap had lost some momentum in its second season, the show was still strong. "I applaud those guys, because I think at the beginning of the year, they stumbled a little bit after the kind of huge, phenomenal first year and really got their bearings again and readjusted and the creative has never been better," raves McPherson.
ABC averaged an impressive 11.4 rating/17 share for the night, which began with the Big Four networks covering a live speech by President Bush (as such, their ratings may change some in the final nationals). NBC finished second with an 8.4/13, and CBS was third at 7.6/11. FOX took fourth with a 6.2/9. UPN, 1.9/3, edged The WB, 1.8/3, for fifth. The "Grey's" finale also powered ABC to a 7.5 rating among adults 18-49, easily the best of the night. NBC was second in the ad-friendly demographic with a 4.3, with FOX close behind at 4.1. CBS grabbed fourth with a 3.8. UPN averaged 1.2 and The WB 1.1. ABC took over at 9 p.m. with the first half of the two-hour "Grey's Anatomy" finale, which scored a 13.2/19. Another hour of "Deal or No Deal," 10.9/15, was second for NBC. The conclusion of "Prison Break" and "24" averaged 7.7/11 for FOX, beating the 6.9/10 CBS got from the conclusion of "How I Met Your Mother," "Two and a Half Men" and the start of "Old Christine." UPN averaged 1.8/3 with "Girlfriends" and "Half & Half," beating "Everwood" on The WB. "Grey's Anatomy" improved to 15.0/23 at 10 p.m. "Old Christine" and "CSI: Miami" combined for a 10.5/16 on CBS, and "The Apprentice" posted a 5.6/8 for NBC. The end of "24" and local programming on FOX averaged 6.9/10 from 10 to 10:30.
But while the show offered a compelling window into the psyches of Seattle Grace's surgeons and interns, they also chose to wait until the finale's closing minutes to address the long-simmering love affair between Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). (Spoiler alert: Read no farther if you saved this episode for later viewing.) Shepherd and Grey shared some long-deferred, passionate kisses — and she misplaced her underwear in the process — but the outcome remains far from clear. Echoing last season's cliffhanger ending, which found Derek cornered between Meredith and his newly arrived wife Addison (Kate Walsh), this season wrapped up with Meredith caught between Derek and the much safer choice, her veterinarian boyfriend Finn (Chris O'Donnell). Fans might have preferred that she and Derek truly get together. But given the soul-searching journey that she's taken in recent episodes, Meredith's confusion felt genuine. For Izzie (Katherine Heigl), things were much more definitive. After risking her career to get Denny Duquette a heart and accepting his marriage proposal after he survived transplant surgery, she returned to the hospital to find he'd died alone. "An hour ago, he was proposing," she said, dissolving in tears. Izzie didn't wait to find out whether she's being cut from the program: She simply quit. "I thought I was a surgeon," she said, "but I'm not." She came to that realization after stopping Denny's heart to qualify him for the transplant. As her friends rallied around her, it was clear why doctors have to first work as interns: The four resembled kids trying to regurgitate a textbook full of facts, throwing all kinds of medications and treatments at Denny to keep him alive. "A sane person would run," Cristina told Izzie. "A sane person would marry me," the barely conscious Denny interjected. The episode underscored the main message of the show: No matter how dedicated they are, no matter how obsessed with professional success, surgeons can't check their feelings at the hospital door and become mere technicians of the body. "Grey's Anatomy" has always been a master of the quiet moment. Season finales are often bigger then life — using velocity to carry viewers into the next season. "Grey's" scored not only with medical drama, but with the intimate moments in between. While each character has evolved, George (T.R. Knight) has taken the longest — and, arguably, the most difficult — journey. He began the season as a jumpy, love-struck puppy with a bad haircut and ended it as the closest thing the intern program has to a true physician. Plus, he has an intensifying relationship with the intimidating Dr. Callie Torres. Burke (Isaiah Washington) spent the episode in a hospital bed after being shot and coping with the possibility that his operating hand might no longer function properly. Cristina (Sandra Oh) fought her cut-and-run instincts and finally came through for him after Richard (James Pickens Jr.) all but challenged her to retain her humanity. Richard's interrogation of the interns was a series of deftly edited series that could have come across as hackneyed, but didn't. In each miniature therapy session, with a minimum of dialogue, the characters defined themselves in stark relief and offered viewers a snapshot of who they are after two seasons of evolution. Left for next season: Will Derek leave Addison for Meredith (effectively the same question that began the season)? Will Alex (Justin Chambers), who showed a burst of sensitivity to Izzie in the waning moments, reunite with her in the aftermath of Denny's death? What will Cristina's feeling of losing her "edge" do to her professional ambitions — and to her relationship with the recovering Burke? And finally, what will happen to Izzie? Will "Grey's Anatomy" follow in the footsteps of its sister Sunday-night show, "Desperate Housewives," and shed a popular main character? It all may be beside the point. For "Grey's Anatomy," it's always the questions that matter — even more than the answers.
"Brother Bear 2" hits DVD on August 29 and features three original songs from Melissa Etheridge. "I was so honored that they thought of me," Etheridge said. "I brought my kids in, and we watched the movie while it was still just rough pencil tests. (But) the artists had already put so much life into the characters and every now and then there would be a color picture, so I knew what was coming." As often is the case with Disney sequels that are released directly to video, many of the voice stars from the original theatrical feature will return. Jeremy Suarez reprises his voice role as Koda, while Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas are back as the mixed-up moose duo of Rutt and Tuke. Disney also is bringing in some high-profile actors to voice the new characters in "Brother Bear 2," including Patrick Dempsey as Kenai, Mandy Moore as Nita, Wanda Sykes as Innoko and Andrea Martin and Catherine O'Hara as moosettes Anda and Kata. Also in the pipeline: Disney's "Mickey House Clubhouse: Mickey Saves Santa and Other Mouseketales," coming November 14. The release marks the hit Playhouse Disney preschool series' DVD debut.
In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC's 6.1 rating led the way. CBS finished second with a 4.9. FOX, 3.1, edged NBC, 2.9, for third. The WB averaged 1.0. "Grey's Anatomy," 14.0/22, scored the night's biggest audience for ABC at 10 p.m. Hour two of "Criminal Intent" averaged 8.3/13 for NBC to beat CBS' "Survivor" reunion, which came in at 7.0/11.
"20/20" explores some of the amazing medical cases that have been featured on "Grey's Anatomy," including: * Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome - When "Grey's Anatomy" featured the case of a woman with constant unwanted sexual arousal, it seemed like Hollywood at its best. But as "20/20" medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson reports, the fictional case is based on a real, though rare disorder called Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome -- a problem that torments the women who suffer from it. * Rasmussen's Syndrome - Before there was Grey's Anatomy, "20/20" first reported in 1997 the story of a little girl who suffered so terribly from seizures, the only hope was to remove half her brain when she was six years old. Bill Ritter revisits the story of little Brandi Binder - who is now 22 - nine years after we first met her, to see what life is like today after her astonishing surgery. * Broken Heart Syndrome - A woman shows up on the same day every year in the ER at "Grey's" fictional Seattle Grace Hospital with all the symptoms of a heart attack. As it turns out, it's the anniversary of a loved one's death. What isn't fictional though is Broken Heart Syndrome. Bob Brown talks to the cardiologists at Johns Hopkins who recently published a study that shows that broken hearts are real. * Mad About Medical Shows - Chris Connelly explores our decades-long fascination with doctor dramas.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" announced plans today to air two very special episodes of the late night show. On MAY 12, renowned TV and film director JJ Abrams ("Mission: Impossible III," "Alias," "Lost") will perform behind and in front of the camera for "JKL." Additionally, on MAY 15, tragedy strikes and the celebrated doctors of "Grey's Anatomy" step in to save Jimmy Kimmel's life, in tribute to the dramatic series' two-hour Season Finale episode which airs earlier that evening. Following the highly anticipated and successful box office premiere of "Mission: Impossible III," Abrams will appear as both a guest and director of the May 12 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Other guests include "Lost's" Dominic Monaghan, Ben Stiller and a musical performance from Taking Back Sunday on "Jimmy Kimmel Live's" Outdoor Pontiac Garage. On Monday, May 15, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" will devote a full hour to honor ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," with special guests Katherine Heigl, James Pickens Jr. and Chandra Wilson. Ben Lee will perform the hits "Catch My Disease" and "Gamble Everything for Love" off the "Grey's Anatomy" soundtrack. In addition to visiting Jimmy as celebrity guests, Grey's doctors will be put to the test to see if they have what it takes to keep Kimmel alive. Kimmel and Jill Leiderman serve as executive producers and Jason Schrift and Douglas DeLuca serve as co-executive producers. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" is shot live in front of a studio audience and produced by Jackhole Industries in association with Touchstone Television. The show airs at 12:05 a.m., weeknights on ABC.
The Alphabet also dominated the adults 18-49 ratings, scoring a 6.4 rating. FOX grabbed second in the ad-friendly demographic with a 3.2. CBS finished third with a 2.9, followed by NBC, 2.5, and The WB, 0.9. "Grey's Anatomy" improved a little on its lead-in, scoring the night's biggest audience with a 13.5/21 at 10 p.m. The season finale of "Crossing Jordan," 7.1/11, was second for NBC, edging CBS' "CSI: NY" repeat, 7.0/11.
ABC scored a 10.0 rating/16 share for the night to beat CBS' 9.2/15 (the gap was somewhat wider among total viewers, with ABC averaging 16 million to CBS' 13.9 million). NBC finished third with a 5.7/9. FOX, 4.1/7, came in fourth, and The WB trailed with a 1.6/3. Among adults 18-49, ABC's 6.8 rating was more than double that of second-place FOX, 3.3. NBC's 2.7 was good for third, followed by CBS, 2.6, and The WB, 1.0. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" scored a 13.3/21 for ABC. CBS' movie concluded with a 10.0/16, and NBC's "Crossing Jordan" came in at 6.1/10.
International city: St. Tropez, France U.S. city: Los Angeles Car: Ferrari 430 Spyder Food: Chocolate Video: Jessica Simpson's These Boots Are Made for Walkin' Sexiest movie ever: Unfaithful (2002), starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane Musician Actor Athlete TV personality The Alphabet had a bigger lead among adults 18-49, where it posted a 4.6 rating. FOX took second in the key demographic with a 2.8, followed by NBC, 2.6, and CBS, 2.4. The WB was back of the pack with a 0.9. At 10 p.m., the "Grey's Anatomy" special scored a 9.6/15. NBC moved into sole possession of second with "Crossing Jordan," 7.4/12. CBS' movie concluded with a 7.1/11.
"I am a busy man," he says. "I lucked out. It's just good karma." After going from toiling in the trenches to the center of attention, Morgan says, "It's a complete switch, I'll tell you that. I've been kicking around this business for a long time. Persistence pays off. You kick around long enough, and good things can happen. It's been one heck of a year. I can't complain." On "Supernatural," John is the elusive father of brothers Sam and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki), who have taken up the family business -- begun when demonic forces killed the mother in the family -- working from their dad's journal of bizarre happenings and creatures. On "Grey's," marine biologist Denny is the love interest of beautiful intern Isobel "Izzie" Stevens (Katherine Heigl). In real life, Ackles and Heigl are the same age, which either makes John a very young father or Denny a dirty old man. "OK," Morgan says, "let's look at WB casting for a second, because there's no way I could be the father of Jensen unless I was a dad at 12. That's just WB. That's how they cast stuff. "I'm 12 years older than Jensen in reality, but I'm like 25 years older than him in intelligence, so it works out. I'm not that old, dang it. I feel like [Jensen and Jared] are my brothers more than my boys. You're making me feel like an old person, all of a sudden. I'm not even 40 yet -- give me a break." Morgan did only a couple of episodes of "Weeds," so most of his time has been spent shuttling back and forth between Los Angeles, where "Grey's" films, and Vancouver, Canada, for "Supernatural." Even for the Seattle native, this past winter in Vancouver has been a little too wet. "Shooting all day in the rain is not where you want to be," Morgan says. "You're working 16-, 17-hour days, because there's no such day as a short day on 'Supernatural.' And I'm flying back and forth doing two shows at once. "There were two months there where I think the most I slept was four hours. If I had a day off, I was traveling." At least he gets to spend his "Grey's" days tucked into a hospital bed. "That's true," he says. "It's warm, and I get to look at Katie Heigl all day. As much as I love Jensen and Jared, they're not Katie Heigl." And being bedridden has turned out to be handy. "I have my water under the blanket," Morgan says. "And I'll put my sides [daily script pages] under there if I have a huge piece of dialogue, and I'll look at it between set-ups. I might have a book under there. I have my phone under there, so I can text people and figure out my flight to get up to Canada for 'Supernatural.'" In terms of under-blanket apparel, Morgan says, "Wouldn't you like to know? Nothing, just my birthday suit. I like to surprise the crew. No, I just have sweat-pant bottoms and my hospital gown. I would give my right arm to get out of that hospital gown." While having two jobs is good, the constant switch-off has caused problems. "As an actor, it's awesome being able to do these two completely different guys," Morgan says. "That part's been fun. The problems occur as you start getting so tired and start jumping on planes back and forth and trying to figure out who you're supposed to be that day. "That happened a couple of times. I couldn't get Winchester-y enough or whatever it was, because I was stuck in Denny-land, where I was being too nice. Winchester's harder to find. Denny's more me. He's an intense guy, John is. And Denny, for a guy who's having trouble living, he's just a charming dude." Morgan's next "Grey's" appearance is set for Sunday, April 23. He's also in the April 30 episode, and we'll just have to see whether Denny survives to the multipart second-season finale on Sunday and Monday, May 14 and 15. "He could get better," Morgan says. "He gets that heart transplant, and God knows what's going to happen. But this show is so top-secret. They don't tell me anything. Your guess is as good as mine." On "Supernatural," Morgan returned with the episode airing Thursday, April 20, and continues through the May 4 first-season finale. "The last three episodes are pretty cool. They're finally bringing the three of us together to go demon-hunting." As far as Winchester's future, Morgan says, "I've already been thrown for a couple of loops in the last couple of weeks, so no clue where they're going to go. They may blow me up, you never know. "But it's 'Supernatural,' so they might kill me, and I might not be dead."
Brazil, a two-time winner at both the Emmys and the Golden Globes, died Monday at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles of complications from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Lyme disease, news reports say. He was 50. A veteran of such shows as "Hill Street Blues" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Brazil has been with "The Shield" since it premiered in 2002. He directed 11 episodes of the series, including the premiere and finale for seasons two, three and four. As a producer, he shared in the show's 2003 Golden Globe win for best drama series. His other awards were for "Hill Street Blues," which won the outstanding drama series Emmy in 1983 and '84 and the Golden Globe for best drama in '83. In addition to those shows, Brazil directed episodes of "Grey's Anatomy," "JAG," "Nip/Tuck" and "CSI: Miami," among others. He was a co-executive producer of "Gideon's Crossing" and "L.A. Doctors" as well. He continued to work on "The Shield" while fighting ALS, using a motorized wheelchair to get around. "He came into the office as late as Thursday and was talking to the writers, doing casting and prepping our next episode," "Shield" creator Shawn Ryan tells The Hollywood Reporter. "We knew his body was letting him down, but his mind never deteriorated." Brazil is survived by his wife, Marie, two children, a brother and his parents.
A musical trio from the "One Life to Live" talent of Renee Goldsberry (Disney's "The Lion King," "The Color Purple"), Kathy Brier ("Hairspray") and Kerry Butler ("Hairspray," "Little Shop of Horrors") will perform a selection of show-stopping numbers from the Broadway songbook. Additional presenters include Judge Judy Sheindlin ("Judge Judy"); Susan Lucci, Thorsten Kaye, Alicia Minshew, Jacob Young, Alexa Havins, Justin Bruening and Cady McClain of "All My Children"; Erika Slezak, Kassie DePavia, Kamar de los Reyes, Bree Williamson and Forbes March of "One Life to Live"; Anthony Geary, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Emma Samms, Tristan Rogers, Kimberly McCullough, Jason Thompson, Natalia Livingston, Rebecca Herbst and Finola Hughes of "General Hospital"; co-hosts Lisa Rinna and Ty Treadway ("Soap Talk"); Galen Gering and McKenzie Westmore of "Passions"; Kim Zimmer, Beth Ehlers, Gina Tognoni, Mandy Bruno and Crystal Chappell of "Guiding Light"; Joshua Morrow, Michelle Stafford, Sharon Case, Christian LeBlanc of "The Young & The Restless"; Peter Reckell, Kristian Alfonso, Farah Fath and Jason Cook of "Days of Our Lives"; Jack Wagner and Katherine Kelly Lang of "The Bold & The Beautiful," and Michael Park and Maura West of "As The World Turns." After eight consecutive losses and nine nominations as Outstanding Talk Show Host, Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones Reynolds, Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck ("The View"), who are also scheduled to present, have been having fun with their recent on-air (and very tongue-in-cheek) "Watch the Ladies Lose Contest." Will they take home the gold? History has shown that for 32 years, the Outstanding Talk Show Host category has always been won by a single host. This year only one nominee, Ellen DeGeneres, is the solo host of a talk show series, and three of the four nominees are co-hosting teams. Will the losing streak finally be over? "The View" hosts don't think so. Video packages celebrating the 50th Anniversary of "As the World Turns" and the 40th Anniversary of "Days of Our Lives" will be introduced by stars from both shows and are among the many highlights of the evening. As previously announced, the broadcast will open with a rock-the-house performance by "General Hospital" actor and musician Rick Springfield ("Jesse's Girl"), as he sings a mix of his hits.
The Universal Pictures project revolves around the unexpected pregnancy and other consequences of a man's (Seth Rogan) one-night stand. Heigl steps into the role vacated by Anne Hathaway ("The Princess Diaries"), who left because of creative reasons. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann also have been cast. As with Rogan, they starred in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." Heigl's feature film credits include "The Ringer" and "Bride of Chucky."
ABC finished first among adults 18-49 with a 4.8 rating. CBS took second in the demographic with a 3.0. FOX's 2.9 was good for third, beating out NBC's 2.5. The WB settled for a 0.9. A "Grey's Anatomy" rerun, 9.0/15, kept ABC in first place at 10 p.m. "Crossing Jordan" averaged 7.5/12 for NBC, and CBS' movie fell to 5.1/8.
The 10-lap event ended under yellow after a heavy Turn 1 crash by Toyota dealer Tom Rudnai, who ran over the tire barriers after overshooting the corner and ended up being hit by actor Antonio Sabato Jr., then running second to Lasek. Former NFL star John Elway and tennis legend Martina Navratilova completed the podium. "I always like to drive fast on the street and always thought I could drive, and today sort of proved it," said the 18-time Grand Slam winner, who has attended two racing schools as a hobby - "but that was 20 years ago," she outlined. "It's really exciting to have girls like Katherine Legge here," she added. "Today I held my own - definitely there's space for women in this sport." NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular Todd Bodine finished fourth overall, winning the battle among the Pro driver, which are pegged with a 30-second deficit at the start. Actor and Grand-Am Cup racer Patrick Denmpsey, who competed as a pro, was second among the professional drivers and sixth overall, behind singer Bo Bice.
The Alphabet's lead among adults 18-49 was more pronounced, as its 6.6 rating more than doubled FOX's 2.7. CBS averaged a 2.5 in the demographic, followed by NBC, 1.9, and The WB, 0.8. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" snagged the night's biggest audience with a 14.0/22. CBS' "CSI: NY" repeat averaged 5.5/9 to edge a "Crossing Jordan" rerun, 5.2/8, on NBC.
Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington is being featured in a series of public service announcements aimed at raising awareness of narcolepsy, the Narcolepsy Network announced today. Washington, who stars as Dr. Preston Burke on ABC's hit series Grey's Anatomy, is working with the Narcolepsy Network to increase understanding of the sleep disorder that affects approximately 200,000 men and women and children in the U.S. "Due to my role, I have been exposed to many difficult health disorders that people must deal with everyday of their lives," Washington said. "A close friend of mine has narcolepsy, so I have seen how devastating it can be to the quality of life of those who suffer with it. While we all know what it's like to have a bad night's sleep, most of us can't imagine what life would be like if that happened every night. People living with narcolepsy need to know they are not alone and that they can get help." Washington has filmed three public service announcements that are being distributed as part of National Sleep Awareness Week, which this year takes place from March 27 - April 2. It is an annual public educational, information and awareness campaign that coincides with the return to Daylight Savings Time on April 2, when clocks "spring forward" and everyone loses an hour of sleep. This is the time of year, more than any other time, when sleep will be on the minds of most Americans. In addition to the public service announcements, the Narcolepsy Network has produced an educational brochure on the subject and will be distributing it to physician offices across the country. It will also be made available to the public via the website and toll-free number. Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. According to the National Institutes of Health, the majority of narcolepsy patients are undiagnosed. The primary symptoms of narcolepsy are excessive daytime sleepiness, disturbed nocturnal sleep, REM disturbance such as sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations, and cataplexy, the most predictive symptom of narcolepsy. Cataplexy is the sudden loss of muscle control ranging from slight weakness or a drooping of the face to the complete loss of muscle tone. It is commonly triggered by strong emotional reactions such as laughter, anger or surprise. Narcolepsy is as widespread as Parkinson's Disease or multiple sclerosis and more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, but it is less well known. It is often mistaken for depression, epilepsy, or the side effects of medications. "In most cases, patients need medication in order to lead a more normal life," said Dr. Michael Thorpy, Director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, and an expert on narcolepsy. "New medications are becoming available and offer safer, more effective results than the older medications." "We're very excited as an organization to have Isaiah Washington involved in this effort to educate the public," said Dr. Eveline Honig of the Narcolepsy Network. "For too long, narcolepsy has been a subject that has not received enough attention. It is critical for us to reach the public with signs and symptoms of narcolepsy so that those who are suffering from the condition can seek treatment. The good news is that there are newer and better treatments for narcolepsy. While there is no cure yet, symptoms can be controlled in most cases." Individuals who want more information on narcolepsy are encouraged to visit http://www.narcolepsynetwork.org or to call 1-888-SLEEP-67. The narcolepsy awareness initiative with Washington has been made possible through the support of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. About the Narcolepsy Network Narcolepsy Network is a national non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness of narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. Founded in 1986, the Network's primary focus is to improve the lives of those with the life-long neurological sleep disorder, narcolepsy. The Network provides assistance to support groups dedicated to the thousands afflicted with this disease. The work of the Network goes beyond those diagnosed with narcolepsy. The network is committed to educating the public and encouraging on-going scientific research in sleep medicine. For further information, visit http://www.narcolepsynetwork.org. About Isaiah Washington Isaiah Washington, a native of Houston, Texas spent four years in the Air Force before studying drama at Howard University in Washington D.C. His passion for theater led him to New York, where he became one of the founding members of City Kids Repertory, a theater group that performs at local high schools and community centers. Washington made his first mark in cinema in gritty crime dramas and romantic comedies. He has been featured in four acclaimed Spike Lee films: Crooklyn, Clockers, Girl 6, and Get On the Bus. Other film credits include: Exit Wounds, Romeo Must Die, True Crime, Bulworth, Out of Sight, love jones, Dead Presidents, Stonewall and Strictly Business. His performance in the acclaimed Dancing in September earned him a nomination for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor. Recent films include: Ghost Ship, Welcome to Collinwood, Dead Birds and Hollywood Homicide, and Amateurs, an upcoming film. Washington's televisions credits include guest-starring roles on NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Homicide: Life on the Street, Ally McBeal, New York Undercover, Living Single, Soul Food and Touched by an Angel. His current role as Dr. Preston Burke on Grey's Anatomy earned him the 37th NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, two sons and daughter.
When "Grey's Anatomy" happily found Isaiah Washington, the actor knew exactly what sort of TV doctor he did not want to play: The arrogant, standoffish, token Dr. African American. "That kind of person can be done without a chip on his shoulder," says Washington. "I didn't want to be on a successful show and just put in a box." Minority medical mission accomplished. Dr. Preston Burke isn't just another stereotypical incarnation of Eriq LaSalle's Dr. Peter Benton on "ER." Burke's more evolved. He's started to open up and reveal shades of emotion. He's flawed, he's funny, he's taking a chance on romance. Heck, you might even say he's the other McDreamy. When "Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes found Patrick Dempsey to portray Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka Dr. McDreamy) and then chose Washington to portray Dr. Burke, everything clicked. "It meant we could have two leading men and two leading men in very different ways," says Rhimes, whose clever mix of drama, comedy, soap opera and hot doctors in love has become the highly rated sensation of Watercooler Nation this season. Given an XL push by a post-Super Bowl episode that attracted 38 million viewers, "Grey's Anatomy" has even displaced the "Desperate Housewives" of Wisteria Lane as the most appealing part of ABC's Sunday night juggernaut. "This isn't a traditional medical drama. I've always said from the beginning, we're a relationship show with surgery," says Rhimes. "It's never about the patients. It's about how the doctors feel about the patients." Though "Grey's Anatomy" is anchored in the emotional odyssey of Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), the show's moody heroine, Washington's Dr. Burke is a prominent example of the show's impressive, almost matter-of-fact diversity. People of color just happen to be in key positions of authority at Seattle Grace Hospital. Besides Dr. Burke's no-nonsense surgeon, Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) is the avuncular chief of surgery. And Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is the gruffly humane senior resident in charge of training the interns. "I'm a post-Civil Rights baby. I'm not trying to make a point. This is just the way the world looks now," says Rhimes, 36, one of television's few female African American series creators and show runners. Rhimes, who spoke by phone from her "Grey's Anatomy" offices in Los Angeles, had grown weary of programs that feature just "one black doctor in the hospital and one black cop or one Latino detective on the force." On "Grey's Anatomy," multiculturalism is a casual fact of life. Half the regular cast are minorities, including Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), the Asian American surgical intern who has captured Dr. Burke's heart. But Rhimes avoids playing the race card in her stories. "There's never going to be `a very special episode' of `Grey's' about race. I hate that sort of thing," says Rhimes, who first earned recognition for her screenwriting on such films as HBO's "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" and the comedy "The Princess Diaries 2." Washington initially auditioned for the role of Dr. Derek Shepherd before Dempsey was cast as the dashing brain surgeon. But the actor was thrilled when Rhimes promised him that Burke wouldn't be fitted for the standard-issue, black male emotional straitjacket. "Race will fall away if you show the humanity of people," says Washington.
Persistent drizzles made the task of getting acquainted to the new Celebrity race machines - the Scion tC replaces the Toyota Celica for the first time in the event's three-decade history - even more daunting. But NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular Todd Bodine, one of the pros at hand to help the celebrities around the 1.96 miles of Long Beach's street course, thinks the rain might actually make things easier for the newcomers. "It's better to teach these guys in the rain," said Bodine, who will be one of seven professional racer in the 21-car charity event set to run on the Saturday (April 8) of the TGPLB weekend. "A slick track forces you to have discipline: hit your marks, not overdrive the car - do all the things right to go fast. Then when things get dry, you'll be that much better." After observing the newcomers on the track, the NASCAR ace tipped skateboarder Bucky Lasek as a possible frontrunner. Grand Prix Association of Long Beach CEO Jim Michaelian chose actor William Shatner - of Star Trek fame as Captain Kirk - as his celebrity bet to surprise in terms of pace, but Shatner downplayed the remarks: "The only racing experience I have is with spaceships..." The Pro/Celebrity sessions were not timed. Among the men frustrated by the weather was reigning Champ Car and Long Beach race champion Sebastien Bourdais. The Newman/Haas star was scheduled to give two-seater rides but had to sit on the sidelines all morning because of standing water still on the track surface. In all, the Pro/Celebrity race will donate $105,000 to two Southern California children hospitals, courtesy of Toyota, plus another $15,000 to the charity of choice of the polesitter in an award presented by People magazine. 30th Toyota Pro/Celebrity race lineup - Celebrities: Pro drivers: ABC enjoyed a bigger margin of victory in the adults 18-49 demographic, where it scored a 5.8 rating. CBS was second at 3.8. FOX took third with a 3.3, beating out NBC's 2.5 and The WB's 0.9. A repeat of "Grey's Anatomy" won the 10 p.m. hour for ABC with a 9.8/16. "Crossing Jordan" delivered a 7.0/12 for NBC, while "CSI" and "Without a Trace" combined for a 6.1/10 on CBS.
"Grey's Anatomy," the show about said interns, was designated a "Future Classic" at Sunday's fourth annual TV Land Awards. The show joins its Sunday-night ABC cohort, "Desperate Housewives," which won the honor last year, in receiving the award. Of course, TV Land being the often-cheeky enterprise it is, "Grey's" got a little ribbing along with its award during Sunday's ceremony. A number of actors from past shows about doctors and nurses -- including Ed Begley Jr., Chad Everett, Diahann Carroll, Loretta Swit and Jane Seymour -- took part in a parody of the show. Other honorees at Sunday's ceremony included "Cheers," which won the Legend Award, and Sid Caesar, who was presented the Pioneer Award by Billy Crystal. The awards, hosted by "Will & Grace" star Megan Mullally, will air Wednesday on TV Land, with a simulcast on Nick at Nite. TV Land's Future Classic honor predates the awards show itself. In addition to "Desperate Housewives," past honorees include "Arrested Development," "Scrubs" and "Malcolm in the Middle."
In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC's 6.0 rating was tops by a fairly wide margin. CBS and FOX tied for second at 3.3, with NBC in fourth a 2.7. The WB came in at 0.8. "Grey's Anatomy," 13.2/22, scored the night's biggest audience for ABC at 10 p.m. "Crossing Jordan" averaged 6.9/11 for NBC, and CBS movie dipped to a 5.4/8.
"Patrick Dempsey, when he nearly kisses Meredith, it's like nearly kissing me," said 37-year-old mother of two Jacki Moore of Burbank. "I've gone to a few of the fan sites and I look for pictures, and I Google his name pretty much every day to see if anything comes up. Oh, I'm telling you, I'm ready to put a poster up on my wall." "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," said 23-year-old business student Karyn McQueen, referring to Dempsey's character. "I want him and Meredith to be together. You see the way he looks at her. He really does love her." A bona fide hit in its first season, "Grey's Anatomy" this year has leapt into that rarefied air of pop-culture sensation, joining the ranks of "Lost" and, for a time, "Desperate Housewives." It is beating the "CSI" juggernaut in the coveted 18- to 49-year-old demographic for the entire season, and twice has garnered a larger audience than its Wisteria Lane lead-in when both shows aired original episodes. From obsessive water-cooler chatter to "Saturday Night Live" spoofs, the fictional surgical ward of Seattle Grace Hospital has quickly seeped into the American consciousness, particularly for women. With "Sex and the City" available only in syndication and "Desperate Housewives" losing its glow, women are finding a replacement in "Grey's," a show with several strong female roles focusing largely on the travails of its title character, Meredith Grey. And while the show's repressed love affair may have women swooning, they're also responding to the evolving friendships between the five interns and the doctors on staff. "Grey's" plays like a cross between the drama of "ER" and the camaraderie of "Friends," with some spicy female empowerment a la "Sex and the City" in the center. Fans can't get enough of interns Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Izzie (Katherine Heigl), Cristina (Sandra Oh), George (T.R. Knight), Alex (Justin Chambers), surgical resident Bailey (Chandra Wilson) or Dr. Burke (Isaiah Washington). And then there's Derek Shepherd, Meredith's love interest. Dubbed McDreamy by the female interns, Dempsey has soared in this role to stratospheric highs on the heat meter since the pilot. "What I find interesting is that there are some people out there who take the show very seriously," said creator Shonda Rhimes. "But then I think about how strongly I felt about 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and how emotional I was about what happened to those characters. So going from being a fan to somebody who has her own show, I definitely respect it. You come into people's homes in a very personal way on a weekly basis. They get involved. But the general success of the show, that sort of loyalty and rage over why did you let Meredith and George sleep together, it's fantastic but it's not something I necessarily expected." Averaging 20 million viewers, "Grey's" is the fifth-ranked show in all of prime-time television and the fourth-most upscale program (with viewers who earn $100,000 or more), according to Nielsen Median Research. Its audience is 67 percent female, 11 percent black and 6 percent Hispanic. (Nielsen does not provide other ethnic breakdowns.) Even more precious to advertisers is that 11 million of those viewers — 58 percent of the audience — is in the 18- to 49-year-old demographic, the group they like to sell to the most. "I like the emotional draw of it," said Andy Yardley, 31, who works for a biotech firm in San Francisco and, in a major break from the typical fan mold, says she is drawn to the female characters more than to Dempsey's. "I cry almost every episode, and I laugh almost every episode. So it feels very cathartic. Every Sunday, to be getting ready for the rest of the week, to have this last big moment, it's great." Even when ABC pre-empts the show for other programming, such as the Academy Awards, the fans know where to go for their fix. Nicole Scheff, 30, of Baltimore says she spends her entire workday on the message boards. Moore, who re-watches episodes on her TiVo late into the night, says her husband thinks she's crazy. "But he's fine with it, because I told him, 'Honey, you're starting to look like Dr. McDreamy.'" But neither the blogs nor her daily morning fill of "Grey's" podcasts is enough for McQueen and her sister. So how'd they get by without learning for one more week whether George would forgive Meredith for having impulsive sex with him and then weeping over her mistake? They watched that episode again. "I was just so grossed out. George and Meredith have a brother-sister relationship," McQueen said. "He knows how she feels about Derek, and he shouldn't be upset about it." If it sounds like viewers are taking the story lines personally, consider this from an ABC message board: "What was Shonda thinking?" glared the subject header, after the big sex scene aired, as if the viewer personally knew the woman who runs the show. Thing is, in a way, this audience does. The show's writers have a blog, http://www.greyswriters.com, where they communicate weekly with fans about the episode that aired. "The Web allows people to know our names and what we look like," Rhimes said. "As a writer, you don't expect to be recognizable to anybody. And it's certainly not your goal. But I spent so much time wishing to have the show, and wishing that it would be a success, that I certainly can't complain about anything that happens after that." Rhimes was looking to fill the programming void that she felt when "Sex and the City" and "Friends" went off the air. In particular, she wanted to be in charge of a show that she could watch with her sisters and gab about, but that men could also enjoy. Although two-thirds of the audience is female, men, as evidenced by the message boards and blogs, have discovered it as well. It's just a little hard to get them to admit it, which Rhimes understands, because even ABC executives saw it initially as a "chick show." Moore's 40-year-old husband, whom she describes as an "all-around jock guy," demands that she not watch it without him, "even though he pretends like he's not a fan." McQueen's 53-year-old father is a die-hard, as is her 40something attorney boss. "We're supposed to be a very professional corporate law firm, but every Monday morning he asks me, 'Did you watch?'" McQueen said. "For sure, there are a lot of grown men who are professionals watching this." Executive producer Mark Gordon believes there are a lot of closeted male fans. "You wouldn't expect the Sunday night football-watching crowd to like this show, but I can't tell you how many people have said, 'My wife was always saying you gotta watch this show and now I'm hooked."' First and foremost, Rhimes says she set out to develop a show in which the female characters were depicted in relation to how they felt about themselves and how they felt about men instead of how men felt about them. The rest of it — the bizarre medical cases (the live bazooka round in a man's chest, the woman's continuous orgasms) and the soapy, sexy drama (as when Shepherd's wife returns to give their marriage another shot) — was just meant to add flavor. Mission accomplished. "I like that these characters aren't perfect," Yardley said. "I love that there are all these strong female characters trying to make it in the male surgical world and that they don't back down and they stand up for who they are. Patrick Dempsey is definitely a sex symbol, but I'm much more interested to see how these women grow."
Chambers, 35, settles into a corner booth at a hip cafe not far from the Hollywood Hills pad he shares with his restaurateur twin brother, Jason. The actor orders a Cobb salad and a big chocolate milkshake, then opens up about his "mischievous" childhood friend Rodney. A man in the neighborhood thought Rodney and some other kids were stealing from him. "Then one day," he recalls, "the old guy just flipped out and went to my friend's home and shot my friend, his baby brother and their other siblings." Then later that summer, "there was another incident where a woman and her son were butchered by her boyfriend. That's as evil as it gets." Chambers drew upon these mysteries and horrors while playing the role of a protective father/police detective on the trail of the real-life 1960s Zodiac serial killer in the film The Zodiac, opening Friday. (Another film about the same case, called Zodiac, directed by David Fincher and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman and Robert Downey Jr., will be released later this year.) "I went through a rough spiritual awakening doing this film, asking myself, 'Why does evil happen?' " Chambers says. He confides that the film's twisted subject matter forced him to confront his faith in God. He emerged with a renewed belief in both good and evil. "Evil lurks everywhere," he concludes. "I've met people who have some serious, pathological issues with no conscience. I think God gives everyone a meter, and it's up to you to choose right or wrong." At 18, Chambers left the mostly comforting confines of Springfield for Paris, where he worked as a fashion model. But he spent little time living a life akin to what he calls his "emotionally retarded" Grey's Anatomy playboy rogue, Alex Karev (known in some circles as "evil spawn"). In fact, the line from Grey's theme song, "Nobody knows where they might wake up," has not applied to Chambers since he was 22 and met his wife, Keisha, a former booker for a modeling agency. Chambers' 12-year marriage to Keisha is far more stable than Alex's relationship with Izzie (Katherine Heigl), which the actor says will turn "explosive." During a recent break in filming, he surprised Keisha with a trip to the Turks & Caicos Islands. "It was just us, with this huge spa, on the beach, with no kids," Chambers says. That provided a rare break for Keisha, who has been raising their five children: Isabella, 11, twins Maya and Kaila, 8, Eva, 6, and Jackson, 4 — and the family beagle, D'Artagnan, who is named after the lead character Chambers played in The Musketeer— in the couple's New York home. "I've been a parent most of my adult life, so I don't know any other way," says Chambers, who has coached his twin girls' soccer team. "But five is enough." With Grey's now a solid hit, the whole brood finally will join him in Los Angeles this summer — in a rented house. "I came out here for Grey's Anatomy and didn't know it would be such a success," he says. "When it's over, I'm out! Back in New York, which will always be my home."
It’s a privilege to be here, especially this track (Sebring International Raceway) and its 54 years of history,” Dempsey said Thursday. “For me to be here and be the Grand Marshal of this race is a tremendous honor. I love the history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, and I think that’s part of the joy of it for me. The sense of history and the fact the track hasn’t changed too much – it’s still very rough. Dempsey literally got a feel for the demands associated with the rough surface of the historic road course track. He hit the ground driving upon his Thursday arrival at Sebring, as before addressing the media he first tested his skill from behind the wheel of a Panoz Esperante GT-RA in preparation for this afternoon’s Panoz Racing Series GT race in which he finished 16th. I really love road racing,” Dempsey acknowledged after his first test drive session on the Sebring circuit. “These (drivers) are really all of my idols, and I enjoy being around the track. Each one of the racers that I have been fortunate enough to spend time with have been incredibly generous with their time, energy and knowledge, and I think that says a lot about the American Le Mans Series in general. Dempsey revealed that he is patterning the balance between acting and racing after the example set forth by Paul Newman, acclaimed actor and former competitor at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Dempsey, a Panoz Racing School graduate, has been racing in the Panoz GT Series since 2004. I got into racing through this organization (Panoz Motor Sports Group),” he said. “Danny and Don (Panoz) have just been wonderfully supportive, and their school has been a wonderful place to learn. Everybody is very open and accommodating, and I really appreciate it. In April, Dempsey will finish production of the first season of Grey’s Anatomy and soon afterward begin working on the Disney musical Enchanted with actress Susan Sarandon. Another project near to his heart is a movie about sports car racing that he is slated to do in the near future. The whole thing is based around the Panoz car and winning the 12-hour race, which I hope happens this weekend,” Dempsey said. “So that’s in the premise, but we need the proper amount of time to get everything in order and get the script as dramatically stimulating as possible so that people will want to go see it. So I hope this time next year we’ll be sitting here with a crew and shooting the movie – that’s certainly the goal. We’ve been very fortunate with the amount of attention that’s happened in the last year with the success of the show (Grey’s Anatomy). I’m grateful we can parlay that into being able to produce this movie, and we’ve had great support through the American Le Mans Series and the racers.
His two-year, seven-figure pact with Disney's Touchstone Television also covers his services as principal director next season. Additionally, he will team with "Grey's" creator-executive producer Shonda Rhimes to direct and serve as an executive producer on her untitled ABC drama pilot about four female journalists. Horton has been on "Grey's" since the 2005 pilot, which he directed, and served as a co-executive producer on the show. His work has earned him nominations for an Emmy and DGA Award. Horton has been a staple on ABC on- and off-camera for almost 20 years, since his starring turn on the network's critically acclaimed ensemble drama "thirtysomething."
In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC's 7.4 rating was nearly double that of second-place FOX, 3.8. CBS, 2.7, edged NBC, 2.6, for third. The WB managed only a 0.7. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" drew the night's biggest audience with a 13.9/22. "Crossing Jordan" posted a 7.0/11 for NBC, and CBS' movie came in at 4.7/8.
On the home front, it's a different story. Clooney, a single man, has lived in the same San Fernando Valley home for years. Dempsey, a married man with a daughter, just sold his Hollywood Hills home for $2.5 million. Dempsey, who has starred as brain surgeon Derek Shepherd (``Dr. McDreamy'') on ``Grey's Anatomy'' since 2005, paid about $1.4 million for his Spanish-style house in 2001 and then did a fair amount of updating. He put a new kitchen in the 1926 house and expanded the master bedroom suite, which now has a huge closet, a fireplace, a balcony and city views. The gated estate has three bedrooms and four bathrooms in 3,000 square feet. On the grounds are a large pool, an outdoor fireplace, a lighted paddle-tennis court, terraced garden paths and a nautical-style pool house with teak finishes. This wasn't Dempsey's first home purchase. In the late '90s, he bought a house and farm in Maine for his mother, which he also had a hand in remodeling. For him, however, home refurbishing takes a back seat to car racing. In February, he became a co-owner of IndyCar's Vision Racing, a racing team. He also races sports cars. As an actor who likes to race cars, Dempsey, 40, might seem to have more in common with Paul Newman than Clooney, 44, who parlayed his role as a doctor on ``ER'' during the mid-to-late '90s into a major film career. Clooney won an Academy Award for his supporting role in ``Syriana'' and was nominated for directing and co-writing ``Good Night, and Good Luck.'' Dempsey will co-star in Jersey Film's ``Freedom Rider'' and Disney's `"Enchanted"
"Having the mix of returning stars with firsthand experience and new drivers with their enthusiasm will combine for one of the most unique races we've had to date," said Les Unger, Toyota's National Motorsports Manager. "The Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race draws some of the most competitive celebrity and professional drivers because it offers the high-speed challenge of real racing combined with a worthwhile charitable endeavour." Toyota will donate $5,000 to "Racing for Kids" in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winning racer's charity of choice. http://longbeachgp.com/
With a fun familiarity that reflects the show, the cast of ABC's hit series "Grey's Anatomy" kicked off the Museum of Television & Radio's 23rd annual William S. Paley Television Festival on Tuesday. Ten of the medical comedy-drama's cast members, plus five writers and producers, and the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, filed onstage at the Director's Guild of America to answer questions from a moderator and audience members following a screening of Rhimes' favorite episode, "Into You Like a Train." "For us, not having a time slot last year, and now all of you watching ... has been great," Rhimes told the screaming audience, mostly women, at the sold-out event. Patrick Dempsey, who plays neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd, aka "Dr. McDreamy," sat between his two love interests: Kate Walsh, who plays his wife, Dr. Addison Shepherd, and Pompeo, who is intern Dr. Meredith Grey. It turned out that Dempsey's real-life heartthrob status made an impression on Rhimes herself. Dempsey said he had been "completely terrified" of Rhimes during his original audition because she stared at him, "no expression, no warmth," but Rhimes thought otherwise. "The entire time he was in the room, I thought, `He's so dreamy,'" she said. When asked how the cast resembled its characters, Pompeo grinned and pointed at Dempsey. "I haven't publicly said this before, but I do have a crush on him," Pompeo said. "Well, I have a crush on you, too," Dempsey, who is married to Jillian Fink, shot back, to sighs and whoops from the audience. "I've got a crush on both of you. Maybe we can party," Walsh said, laughing. Prompted by two giggling young women asking about the show's complex couplings, T.R. Knight reflected on his character's recent disastrous sex scene. In that episode, Knight's baby-faced and bumbling Dr. George O' Malley finally gets to consummate his obsession with Meredith, only to see her bawl with regret and confusion. "It wasn't just a `poor George' moment," said Knight, just as fidgety as his character. "Yes, he's loved her from the start, but he wasn't listening to her from the start." The cast's diversity, which writer Krista Vernoff called "revolutionary," also triggered discussion. Chandra Wilson waited to try out for the role of feisty surgeon Dr. Miranda Bailey because the script called for a short, blond woman. But she was perfect, Rhimes said. "In the surgeon world that she's in, Miranda shouldn't necessarily be there," Wilson said, tearing up. "She's a woman and an African-American. And she doesn't worry about any of that. I hope I have some of that in me." Isaiah Washington's role as handsome black surgeon Dr. Preston Burke was originally imagined for a "short, nebbish man," he said. James Pickens Jr. described his role as chief surgeon Dr. Richard Webber as "Cliff Huxtable trapped in bizarro land," and possibly the best part he's ever played. Afterward, as fans lurched toward the stage for autographs, Pompeo mused about the show's popularity. "The chemistry between the cast is very important," she said. "We're a family and have respect for each other. And we have fun, which comes across."
"I think it's made me who I am today," said Dempsey, who plays neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit ABC series, in an interview on The Barbara Walters Special airing Wednesday night at 10 p.m. EST. "It's given me a perspective of - you have to keep working," Dempsey told Walters. "I have never given up." Dempsey, 40, said he struggles while reading scripts and memorizing his lines. "I think that's when I get the most insecure...it's very hard for me to read it off the page," he said. "I need to memorize it, in order to go on." Dempsey, now experiencing a career comeback since dropping off Hollywood's radar screen after his 1980s romantic comedy days, said he was once prone to difficult behaviour. "You can't have temper tantrums," he said. "You have to be professional and I don't think I understood that at the time." On Grey's Anatomy, Dempsey's character is nicknamed "Dr. McDreamy" by the hospital's female interns, including Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Walters also interviewed Matthew McConaughey, George Clooney, an Oscar nominee in multiple categories and Mariah Carey, for the 25th edition of her Oscar special. The show, which previously aired before the Oscars show on the East Coast and immediately following the show on the West Coast, was moved back this year to the last night of sweeps and following an original episode of Lost. The Oscars are slated to air Sunday on ABC at 8 p.m. EST.
We have actor Patrick Dempsey who recently took on an ownership stake in the team. He currently stars in ABC's drama Grey's Anatomy and also does some racing of his own in the Grand-Am Cup sports cars. The team has also expanded from a one-car effort to a two-car effort. Driver Ed Carpenter returns to the team and the team has also added IndyCar Series veteran Tomas Scheckter. All three gentlemen are joining us this afternoon. Q. Ed, you've kind of been around the team since day one. Tell us a little bit about the atmosphere around the team shop the last couple months and all of the changes that have occurred. ED CARPENTER: I think everyone's really excited. We did a lot of work just making it out to the test in Phoenix. That was right before we announced that Tomas was going to be driving with us. We went out there and had a really productive test, had really good results. Ever since we came home from that test, everyone has been really excited. We had so many new people on the team. Going out there and having a good test like that was really important to get everyone's attitude set, believing in what we're capable of doing. Q. You talked about the test. More specifically related to the addition of Tomas as a teammate, I know at the test he only really got in the car for a little bit of time. Obviously, he was very quick. I think probably he gave you some immediate help in the cockpit, as well. As a driver, how important is it to you to have Tomas as a teammate? ED CARPENTER: It's going to be nice to have a teammate again, period. But definitely having Tomas as a teammate is going to be great. I mean, we seem to like similar things in the car. Things have been going well so far. Me, Tomas and our engineer David Cripps all communicate really well together. I think that's going to be key. Q. Tomas, congratulations on landing with Vision for the season. Give us your thoughts on joining a new team. TOMAS SCHECKTER: Well, I think everything is in the right direction. Firstly, I'd like to say how happy I am to be involved with everybody at Vision, Tony and Laura (George), Ed, and obviously, Patrick, whose career has shot through the roof lately. We're very proud to have everybody on the team. We’ve all got the same goal, and that's to win races. I think if we achieve that, and hopefully we can achieve that this year, we can put a productive team and carry on for years to come. Q. For the past couple of years, there's been obviously three engine manufacturers. At times some have been stronger than the others. Now with the entire field going to Honda, your chance to get into the Honda, what does that do for you? TOMAS SCHECKTER: Well, I think what it does for the series, I think having a single-maker engine manufacturer just puts everybody on the same playing field. You know you're not coming off the races saying, "We should have had this or had that." I think it puts everybody on an even playing field. We enjoy that as a driver because at the end of the day, we want to show what our talents are, how we get on with the team. I think this just increases -- you need to work with the team, you need to get on with everybody for you to get the most out of every race weekend. Q. Patrick, congratulations to you on becoming really more of an integral part of Vision Racing. What is it about the IndyCar Series racing that excited you enough and motivated you enough to become personally involved like this? PATRICK DEMPSEY: I'm just thrilled to be a part of Vision Racing and everybody involved. It was great to be around the pits last year. With Ed, watching him doing an impressive finish at Indy, nice top-10 finish (Editor’s Note: Carpenter actually finished 11th), and Laura and Tony, the atmosphere in the IRL is a very close one. I enjoy walking up and down the paddock. Last year with Tomas, I'm really thrilled he's on the team. I think it's going to add a lot to the team and it's going to help Ed certainly with the feedback. That he gets to bring his engineer over with him is only going to make with the continuity with the team a smooth transition with everybody. I enjoyed spending time with him off the track last year and everybody. There's a sense of family in the IRL. I mean, I enjoy walking up and down, talking to all the drivers, all the team owners. There's a warmth in the league that I did not find in other series. That's one of the reasons. That, and I just really enjoy Tony and Laura's company. I just find them to be very warm, down-to-earth people. What they're doing with the team is an extension of that. I'm proud and honored to be a part of the team. Q. Obviously shooting a top-notch television series like you are with Grey's Anatomy, you have a very busy schedule, we appreciate you taking time to be on the call today. How much time do you expect to have during the season that we might see you at the racetrack? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Certainly going to be at the opener March 26th at Homestead. Of course, ABC is covering that, so that's all in the family here once again. It depends. I have to balance out my schedule with the Grand-Am racing as well as, you know, the IndyCar (Series) racing, and I'm also doing a movie at the same time. My schedule is extremely busy. I will definitely be at the first two races. I cannot miss the (Indianapolis) 500. I really enjoy being around the track. I learn a lot just by watching and being there and listening to the feedback. Q. Should we expect to see Tomas or Ed as guests on Grey's Anatomy any time soon? PATRICK DEMPSEY: I think they should come in as my patients. I can operate on them (laughter). I'll do craniotomies on both of them. Q. Patrick, could you elaborate a little on your commitment to this? Did you have to cough up some dough, promotional commitments, free pit pass? Can you give me a little bit of a sense of what your commitment is? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Yeah, a little bit of everything. Certainly, I think it helps on the press side of things and that kind of thing at certain events. I think my role will just continue to expand as the team expands. Q. Talk I guess about a little bit of the change. You went to Indy and watched last year. This is sort of a different risk/reward for an owner. Talk about it from that perspective more. PATRICK DEMPSEY: Well, it's certainly much more enjoyable to go to the track when you have a vested interest in the team. Since I started racing, it's hard to go to a track and just watch. You want to be in the car or you want to be participating with the team. I really am very confident with Ed and Tomas this year, especially with Honda, after the test, you know, we have a really good chance of getting up there and getting some wins. I mean, Tomas last year had, what, three poles, six top 10 finishes, two fastest laps. I mean, he's just a phenomenal driver. Ed did a great job at the 500 last year. Just never had the motor to really get him where he needed to be. Just listening to him on the radio and his feedback, his professionalism, his drive, I just think now with both of them working together and giving each other good feedback, we're going to be very competitive. If we can stay in the top 10, it's just a matter of time before we win some races and definitely get on the podium. That's exciting to be a part of. On a personal level, I really like Ed, and I really like Tomas. I mean, these are great guys who are very driven. I think it's important that we have a lot of fun and keep it loose and professional. Hopefully get up there to win the 500, would be a complete dream. We have a lot of work to do this year, a lot of building. I think we can get there. Q. Indy was the only place you went to last year? PATRICK DEMPSEY: No. I was at Texas. I was at Texas. That's a race I believe you won, didn't, you Tomas? TOMAS SCHECKTER: Yes. You threw the after party for me, which was pretty good. Q. Tomas likes after parties. PATRICK DEMPSEY: He likes to relax and celebrate (laughter). Rightfully so. Q. Patrick, I was wondering how a guy from Maine gets involved in racing. Were you a speedy guy from day one? PATRICK DEMPSEY: I was a ski racer in Maine, won the state of Maine championship, alpine skiing. I won the state of Maine championship in slalom. My father was always into car racing. We religiously watched the (Indianapolis) 500 and Formula One racing, any type of racing, NASCAR. I got the bug early on with him. Finally getting the opportunity, I was invited out to the Indy 500 one year to go with Tony and Laura. I just really enjoyed the environment of it. I find that race so magical. Now to be a part of the league and be a part of this team with Ed and Tomas, I'm very proud to be a part of it. I think we're going to be extremely competitive. I think they're extremely talented drivers. Them working together, once again, David (Cripps) coming over, who was Tomas' engineer last year, I think it's going to add to the continuity of the team and the family aspect of the team. It's a real pleasure to be a part of. Q. You mentioned alpine skiing. How do you compare race car driving to alpine skiing? PATRICK DEMPSEY: More concentration on the line, managing your emotions. I have a lot to learn. I won't speak on behalf of the guys. I'm definitely a beginner, have a lot of to learn and want to learn. I think what's helping me racing is the visualization, where you're going, what the apex is, what your exit is. That's all very similar in feel to when I was ski racing. There's something about coming full circle, back to that period of my life where I was racing, and I enjoy getting to the track, being around it. It's a sense of relaxation for me. I like getting away from Hollywood and being around the racers and the racing community. I find them all a lot of fun to be around and I enjoy the camaraderie. Q. What is the motor oil of 2006? What should the people put in their cars and do you have to change your oil every three thousand miles? PATRICK DEMPSEY: I don't know. Tomas, what do you think? Ed? Any comments? TOMAS SCHECKTER: I'm not completely sure. I think we'll have to speak to some people before we start throwing names out there (laughter). But certainly going by last year, it's Pennzoil. ED CARPENTER: I think now at Honda, they spec us on Mobil 1. I think we change like every 200 or 300 miles. Q. What are the benefits of fuel injections over a carburetted engines? TOMAS SCHECKTER: Two drivers and an actor, that's not good. We just know brake and accelerate. We mostly are accelerating. Q. How do you race car drivers, you sex symbols, how do you feel about that, knowing that women, they don't care about the racing, they just care about the suits you're in? Take it away, Ed, you sex god. ED CARPENTER: I think (Patrick’s) been the only guy that was the sexiest man in People Magazine. PATRICK DEMPSEY: I'm going to improve my abs for next year. Q. Do you remember Tom Cruise in The Days of Thunder? Do you ever take a whack at one of the drivers? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Certainly not in open-wheel racing. I wouldn't advise it. Q. Do you ever think of demolition derby? PATRICK DEMPSEY: We're working on that at Vision Racing, we're going to be doing bus racing. I know Tomas and Ed have been talking about the setup on the bus. Q. Tomas, I'd like to know what do you think is realistic for this year? Are you thinking of, I don't know, finishing top 10 in points? Do you think you can win a race, multiple races, contend for the championship? What do you think can realistically be done? TOMAS SCHECKTER: I think I would rather go home and go work on my dad's farm if I didn't think I had a realistic chance of winning. I think I'll only be involved with people that I know that they'll give me this opportunity. I think everybody at Vision Racing, from when they've started, have developed a lot. They've got good people around. I tell you what, you go in the shop, every single day there's more and more people. We're getting all the best equipment. I think in the beginning is to concentrate on winning races. As soon as you start winning racing, you start thinking about championships. I think the first step is let's get some race wins under our belt and I think that will lead us on to many more things. Q. Patrick, as a celebrity, I assume you're bringing extra media interest, but are you involved with this whole sponsorship search? Vision still doesn't have a title sponsor. Are you actively involved with that? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Yeah. I think it's tough for everybody right now, getting sponsorship with what's happening. I definitely help in that aspect of things. Hopefully, we'll be landing something very soon. Q. Patrick, I'd like to know, what was your first car and what is your favorite song to drive to these days? PATRICK DEMPSEY: I had a Mercedes 240-D diesel in Maine which never started in the cold. That was the first one. Q. What is your favorite song to have on while you're in the car? PATRICK DEMPSEY: I just picked up the album Arctic Monkeys. I have that in the car right now. I enjoy that. Q. What kind of car do you think your character on the show would drive? PATRICK DEMPSEY: He drives an old Rover right now. Q. Are you happy with that? PATRICK DEMPSEY: I think it's perfect for his character. Q. Can you tell me what intern is going to be killed off? PATRICK DEMPSEY: We don't know. She keeps us on the edge with that. We don't know. Not going to be killed off; going to leave the program. Q. They can come back then? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Yes. Q. We read a quote about you stayed away from movies for the past 10 years, got involved with sports. PATRICK DEMPSEY: I wasn't intentionally staying away. I wasn't getting hired. Now it's a little different. I just finished a movie with Hillary Swank called Freedom Riders, which is good. I'm starting a movie called Enchanted in the summer. It's just like anything else, you go into favor, then out of favor. Right now things are on the upswing. It's all to get away from that and the pressures of Hollywood, I really enjoy being at the track. Now with Vision Racing, you know, having Tomas and Ed as drivers, you know, it's a great way to get away and enjoy life a little bit more. Q. We have the big NASCAR race coming to Las Vegas next week. For fans that are new, what is the big difference between the two? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Well, open-wheel vs. sedans. I think that's the big difference. They're both enjoyable to watch. Oval racing is very exciting. I certainly think the IRL is extremely exciting, very competitive. More people need to come out and check it out. If they like NASCAR Nextel Cup, they should come out and watch the (IRL) race firsthand. The drivers are accessible and fun just like Nextel Cup. Q. Have you ever been to Mexico? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Yes. I ran the Baja 1000 this year this year and had a great time. Q. What is the strangest thing you've ever seen in Mexico? Have you ever seen the donkey in Tijuana and that drinks the beer? PATRICK DEMPSEY: No. I stayed away from Tijuana. Q. I take it you don't have a primary sponsor for the two cars yet. PATRICK DEMPSEY: Yes. Q. You said it's tough for everybody to get sponsorship with what's happening. I assume by that you mean the fact that we still have two series in open-wheel. Is it your hope as a part owner of this team down the road that these two series will get back together? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Sure, I would just like to see, you know, open-wheel racing to return to where it was. I think it's a matter of time before that happens. I know that people are working hard at trying to see that happen. I hope it happens for the fans and everybody involved. It's just going to take a matter of some more time for that to happen, I think. Q. Ed and Tomas, can you talk a little bit about going down to Homestead and what you are looking for on the racetrack. ED CARPENTER: Our second race is a street race at St. Pete. The first two days of our test, we're going to be on the road course at Homestead. We'll be working on some different things geared towards the St. Pete race there. Then the third day of testing is on the oval. We really have more stuff to test for the oval since we're actually racing at that course. There's going to be a lot of work with our team, Tomas and I kind of building some chemistry, make sure we get started off on the right foot. TOMAS SCHECKTER: I think that's exactly it. I think it's, again, gelling. We're doing the road course stuff. We have a sweep of things to do. Just get a lot of data back, get everybody working together, hopefully get some decent results in the test so it gets everybody pumped up, ready to go, really start winning races when the first race comes around at Homestead. Q. How important is it to get off on the right foot down in Homestead on the first race? ED CARPENTER: I mean, our season is a little shorter this year. It's only 14 races. Really you have to start strong and go strong all year if you want to have a chance to finish high up in points, obviously be contending for races. It's important to go down there and have a strong test, to go back and open the season on a high note. Q. Patrick, how are you going to be able to balance Patrick Dempsey the movie star with the team owner, race fan? Will that be difficult? PATRICK DEMPSEY: The most difficult time is getting there. I have more stress trying to get to everything on time. Once I'm wherever I'm at, I certainly start to relax and then enjoy it. It's just getting in and out. Flights are the most difficult part of it. But it's nice to have a lot going on. I don't get stressed out by it. I find it really charges me up, staying in shape, training, keeping myself mentally and physically up for it. Q. Ed, the switch in horsepower and then also bringing Tomas in, do you think that's going to help you mostly on the road courses or the ovals for 2006? ED CARPENTER: Both. I mean, I don't have near as much road course experience as Tomas does. I think I'll get a lot out of Tomas on the road courses. When it comes to oval racing, especially the speedway tracks, it's a big help to have a teammate. I think we'll be helping each other equally on the ovals just having a teammate to work with up at the front of the pack. Q. Tomas, who do you think are going to be the other guys up at the front of the pack this year? TOMAS SCHECKTER: I think there's going to be a lot of people. But, you know, it's the same. This is why IRL racing, when people give it a chance and come see it, that's why they're going to love it, because we are going three abreast. It comes down to the last 10, 15 laps, you never know who is going to win. I think it's going to be closer this year than ever. If you looked at the times at Phoenix, they were unbelievably close. I really think from race to race it can be different people. I think it's the same group. They're really the same group that was there last year. I'm looking forward that Ed is going to be up there and we can be side by side right up at the front. If we start building a good relationship, there's no reason why we can't win as many races as any other team out there. Q. Patrick, do you expect to be able to take some racing skill out of this relationship? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Certainly. Yeah, I think to be around the track and to listen in, to really just be a fly on the wall, get out of everybody's way, but when the time is right, I will pick their brains, certainly. Q. Ed, you came out of USAC open-wheel competition, then went through the Pro Series. Do you feel there is any way a driver with a similar type background could go straight to the IRL, skipping the Pro Series? ED CARPENTER: I think it's possible. You saw Tony Stewart do it a long time ago. There were some other USAC guys that had some time in IRL. I think the Indy Pro Series is a nice intermediate step to get used to racing a rear-engine car and to get used to drafting and working with the aero balance and stuff like that on the ovals. Going from a USAC car to an IndyCar is not only a big step in speed, but the car has completely different mechanics, the way they operate. It's nice to have the Indy Pro Series there as an intermediate step. Q. Are you going to enjoy the additional horsepower this year? You were in the top seven or eight at Phoenix. ED CARPENTER: Yeah, Tomas and I were seventh and eighth. I think it's going to be make the racing more competitive for everybody. It's going to allow more teams a chance at getting up and fighting for a win. I'm going to benefit from it, along with everyone else, I think. Q. Tomas, great to hear you landed a ride with Vision. They've upgraded their engineering. I think you can't see anything but growth out of that team. You have to be excited about finally having a competitive engine after the last couple years. TOMAS SCHECKTER: It's great. But I think the whole package, everybody keeps working in the right direction. Just, again, having someone like Patrick to help on the sponsorship side, I think we're very close with a couple of people now that we might have a title sponsor done. Probably one of the biggest mega stars in Hollywood, but so down-to-earth as well. He's been on the phone for half an hour now, everybody is trying to get to him. As he says, he walks town to pit lane, he speaks to everybody. That's just the way he is, extremely down-to-earth. To have a group of people from the engineers to Tony to Ed, to getting Dave (Cripps) across, if we put this all together properly, I think without a doubt we're going to be winning a lot of races. I'm just extremely happy and just looking forward to the first race. Q. You came to the IRL with a great deal of background. You didn't have any oval driving experience. Would it have been beneficial for you to spend a year or so in the (Indy) Pro before coming up? TOMAS SCHECKTER: Oh, 100 percent, especially the amount of encounters I had with concrete at high speeds. It's most probably the best idea to start off. But, you know, you get an opportunity, and that's it. It's racing. Somebody gave me an opportunity. I was very quick in a couple of tests. My first year, I led the 500 for I think 70 or 80 laps. I wouldn't swap it for anything. I think, yeah, it put a little bit more pressure, I had to learn a lot more. I think the biggest thing is understanding on how to race, how mentally to run the race, when to push, when not to push, and also how to set up a car. I think it's taken me two or three years to really say, "OK, this is how you do it," where you see a lot of these other drivers, they spent a lot of time growing up in America, racing on ovals, and they don't need that learning curve. Unfortunately, I've had to that have learning curve in front of the public's eye. But I think, as you've seen last year, it's a lot more consistent, a lot more running up front, a lot less mistakes definitely on my part. Q. Patrick, I understand Vision is a new team. They have a lot of building yet to do. Have you even broached the subject of getting in one of these cars on a test day, trying it out? PATRICK DEMPSEY: Oh, I haven't. But I have no business getting on the oval. Road racing, I would love to get in the car. Certainly in the (Indy) Pro level, I would love to do a test in that. But oval racing, I have no business getting involved in. It's so dangerous. It's such a competitive field. If I was like 20 years younger, I might try it, but not right now. Just to be there and to watch it, the competitive nature of everybody out there, it's I think one of the most competitive and exciting forms of racing to watch. Q. Stay off the ovals. PATRICK DEMPSEY: Road racing, I would love to give it a test, absolutely. MODERATOR: Gentlemen, thank you so much for taking the time out to join us this afternoon. We really appreciate that. We wish you the best of luck this coming weekend as we start with the open test, then later in the month of March as we get going with the season.
Among adults 18-49, ABC's 7.8 rating finished well ahead of everyone else. FOX took second in the ad-friendly demographic with a 4.3, while NBC managed only a 3.5. CBS averaged 3.2 and The WB 1.5. "Grey's Anatomy" closed the night for ABC with a 15.0/23 at 10 p.m. The Olympics concluded with a 9.1/14 on NBC, and a second hour of "CSI" on CBS averaged 6.5/10.
The awards show, hosted by actor Cube Gooding, Jr., honors the achievements of African Americans in film, television and music. Other winners included ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" for television drama, and the UPN comedy "Everybody Hates Chris" for outstanding comedy series. The racially charged "Crash" was given the Image Award for outstanding motion picture, beating out nominees "Hustle & Flow," "Coach Carter," "Hitch" and "Diary of a Mad Black Woman." Oscar-nominee Terence Howard also received a best supporting actor award for his performance in the film. A dramatic year punctuated by Hurricane Katrina and the deaths of civil rights pioneers Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, lent a serious tone to much of the show. Honoree Susan L. Taylor, editorial director of Essence Magazine, reminded the audience that the popular Essence Music Festival, held traditionally in New Orleans, would instead take place in Houston this year. Festival organizers hope the gathering of civil rights leaders and prominent African Americans can lay out an agenda for black America, she said. Comedian Chris Rock, co-creator of "Everybody Hates Chris," remained lighthearted in a reference to the civil rights struggles of African Americans, and the realization of Dr. Martin Luther King's dreams of racial equality. "To me, the dream is that (black entertainers) can be paid to be mediocre, just like white people," said Rock.
“It is a tremendous honor to be the Grand Marshal at Sebring,” acknowledged Dempsey, who was nominated for best actor in a drama at this year's Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards for his role on the show. “I feel like I’m a kid in the candy store, and I am going to enjoy every minute of it.” Dempsey is a car enthusiast and an avid racer. When he isn’t behind the wheel of his 1959 356 Porsche (the same make and model that James Dean drove), his auto interests take him to the track. At Sebring he will not only serve as Grand Marshal for America’s oldest sports car race, but the day before (March 17) he will take a run at the checkered flag when he competes in the Panoz GT Series race at Sebring International Raceway. “Maybe I need to win the Panoz race Friday so I’ll know my way to Winner’s Circle for the 12 Hours,” said Dempsey, a Panoz Racing School graduate who has been racing in the Panoz GT Series since 2004. “That would be sweet!” Last year was Dempsey’s most successful season to date on the racing circuit as he competed in the Baja 1000 with drivers Boris Said and Oriol Servia and had an impressive third-place finish in the Panoz GT race at Road Atlanta. “I enjoy the camaraderie among the racers and the passion of the fans,” admitted Dempsey, who last month received a 1969 Mercedes as a 40th birthday gift from wife Jillian. “I have always been a race fan and to have the opportunities I have today is very rewarding.” The American Le Mans Series begins its 2006 season with the 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The 12-hour endurance classic is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on March 18 at Sebring International Raceway. It will be televised live on SPEED Channel.
TV Guide: You've been in movies with Jake Gyllenhaal, Leonardo DiCaprio and Luke Wilson. Why did you switch to TV? TV Guide: Are there any perks to your job? TV Guide: How much like Meredith Grey are you? TV Guide: Where did you go? TV Guide: And instantly found fame and fortune? TV Guide: What was your first break on TV? TV Guide: You're becoming an awards-show vet. What have you learned about red-carpet fashion? TV Guide: If you had a very special Valentine's episode, what surprises would it have? TV Guide: Can you say who? TV Guide: I'm in shock. Is all this loves-me, loves-me-not with Derek driving you crazy? TV Guide: What does Meredith need? TV Guide: As is T.R. Knight. Isn't it about time that Meredith notices how badly George is crushing on her? [In the Feb. 19 episode, he appeared to have finally made his move.] Based on true events, THE ZODIAC is a psychological thriller detailing a string of gruesome murders in the Bay Area in the late 1960s and the impact on the victims, their families and the wider community. A small town cop (Justin Chambers) and his son (Rory Culkin) become obsessed with the Zodiac killer, endangering their family in the midst of the explosive media frenzy surrounding one of the most notorious and elusive serial killers in American history. THE ZODIAC was directed by Alexander Bulkley and written by Kelly Bulkley and Alexander Bulkley. The film stars Justin Chambers (ABC's “Grey's Anatomy”, “The Wedding Planner”), Robin Tunney (FOX's “Prison Break”, “The Secret Lives of Dentists”), Rory Culkin (“Mean Creek”, “Signs”) and Philip Baker Hall (“The Matador”, “Boogie Nights”). The film was produced by Cory Campodonico. THE ZODIAC is expected to be released on DVD August 2006. THINKFilm received its fourth Oscar nomination this year with MURDERBALL, which is up for a Best Documentary Feature award. Its 2005 comedy smash, THE ARISTOCRATS, was just released on DVD and their next theatrical release, the Beastie Boys musical extravaganza AWESOME; I F*#&%N' SHOT THAT!, recently had its world premiere at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and opens commercially on March 31st. THINKFilm is a privately held company with offices in New York and Toronto. For information, please go to www.thezodiacfilm.com.
For the second straight week, ABC's young-doctors-in-love drama "Grey's Anatomy" beat its Sunday-night lead-in, the heretofore indomitable "Desperate Housewives," in the ratings on Sunday (Feb. 19). The show's feat is all the more impressive for having taken place opposite heavier-than-usual competition from NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics. "Grey's Anatomy" gathered about 24.3 million viewers on Sunday, continuing a run of big audiences that began with its post-Super Bowl broadcast on Feb. 5. That episode brought in close to 38 million people, the most for the post-game program in five years. The Super Bowl episode ended in a cliffhanger, and 25.4 million people tuned in Feb. 12 to see its resolution. That night was also the first time "Grey's Anatomy" had improved on an original "Desperate Housewives." With the cliffhanger in the past, it wouldn't have been a shock if "Grey's" had dipped back closer to its pre-Super Bowl level, which was still pretty high -- the show averaged 17.9 million viewers per week through the end of January, ninth-best in all of primetime. But Sunday's episode maintained the momentum, beating "Housewives" again in both viewers and adults 18-49. It's not as if the Emmy-winning "Housewives" has gone into the tank the past two weeks, either: The past two airings have drawn 23.4 million and 23.3 million viewers, slightly better than its season average. Additionally, "Grey's" has sustained its big audience opposite Winter Olympics coverage that's also drawing around 20 million viewers. It's true that the Olympics aren't the ratings force this year that they've been in the past, but they're still a big step up from NBC's regular programming. Sunday, for example, NBC had 18.6 million viewers in the 10 p.m. hour; normal time-slot occupant "Crossing Jordan" is averaging 11.6 million for the season.
ABC scored a 7.4 rating in the key adults 18-49 demographic, winning handily over NBC's 5.4. FOX and CBS tied for third at 2.6, and The WB trailed with a 1.2. "Grey's Anatomy" grabbed the night's biggest audience at 10 p.m., averaging 15.0/23. The Olympics came in at 11.4/17, while CBS' movie concluded with a 4.6/7.
Boosted by a Super Bowl launch pad and a bazooka-bomb-in-the-belly plotline, Grey's Anatomy has rocketed into record ratings and much more intense attention. And it has done so without straying from its chosen path: The deft blend of comedy, drama, sex and romance has turned this show into one of the most enticing hours on TV. Grey's heightened success could not come at a better time for ABC; the network's biggest hit, the once-white-hot Desperate Housewives is showing signs of cooling. We shouldn't read too much into last week's ratings, which found Grey's on top of Housewives for the first time: Housewives is still a vastly popular show, and deservedly so. But there's no doubt that the buzz is off the rose, which is what generally happens to an instant phenomenon. It's possible, of course, that many of the folks who were hooked into Grey's Super Bowl special will now go on their way. Those who return Sunday, however, will be treated to an incredibly appealing episode that is more in tune with the show's low-key norm. Odds are, thanks to the promo, Grey's most sharp-sighted fans have figured out some of what happens. But in deference to those who haven't, and to creator Shonda Rhimes' admirable attempts to keep her secrets intact, I won't give away any plot points. At any rate, the impact of events on Grey's isn't always immediately evident. So let's just say that major secrets are revealed as some desires are fulfilled and others are frustrated. Love isn't always smart on Grey's and it isn't always enough, as much as we might wish it were. The real constant on this show is the warm embrace in which it envelops its characters: Burke (Isaiah Washington, who is pretty McDreamy himself), who is so perplexed by his love for Cristina (Sandra Oh); George (T.R. Knight), the quintessential nice guy who can't get the nice girl to notice him; Izzie (Katherine Heigl), who is drawn to Alex (Justin Chambers); and our beloved Bailey (Chandra Wilson), whose role this week is mostly a baby-carrying cameo. At the center is TV's most complex and convincing romantic triangle as Derek (Patrick Dempsey) tries to find his way between his love for Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and his obligation to Addison (Kate Walsh). It's a tribute to all three actors that each side seems equal and that each can make a valid claim on our sympathy while equally taxing our patience. In the end, that rooting interest is what separates Grey's from Housewives. It's easier to believe in Grey's characters and to care what happens to them. To its fans' relief, Housewives has overcome an awful seasonal start and turned back into an entertaining, over-the-top camp romp. But the problem with romps is that they can become tiring. There's no question that Housewives lost something essential when it let go of last year's central mystery, the suicide of a suburban mother. That plot allowed the show to tap into a zeitgeist angst that has eluded it so far this year, as it wanders between unconnected plots and unbelievable incidents. Still, though it has faltered a bit, Housewives is still big and brassy and fun. Grey's is a softer, smaller show with a very different feminine energy - one that is just as sexual and competitive but far more nurturing. Last week, Grey's compared the male fantasy of a ladies-shower-a-trois with the female reality. Housewives exists in a colorful, bangle-beaded world of its own beyond fantasy and reality. That can be a nice place to visit, but in the long run, you might rather live with Grey's. The occasional bomb notwithstanding.
It's been more than a year since T.R. Knight swapped a stage career for a promising role on Grey's Anatomy as bumbling, puppy-eyed Dr. George O'Malley, one of a team of sexy, multicultural surgeons on the hit ABC series. Knight's Everyman alter ego, George, is Seattle Grace Hospital's resident bleeding heart, wrestling with unrequited love for Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), who pines for Dr. Derrick (McDreamy) Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). The 32-year-old Minnesota native spoke to The Associated Press about newfound success, working with stinky animal guts and that steamy post-Super Bowl shower scene. AP: Why do you think the show is so popular? Knight: You have a really - excluding myself - fascinating group of actors who are all very different from each other, exceedingly different. You've got really good writing and I really like the point of view of our creator, Shonda (Rhimes). I like her politics, I like what she stands for and I like what she's trying to do with the show. AP: Tell us about that scene where you fantasized about showering with your female colleagues. Knight: I love that. I think it was a great, great way to bring people into the show. But it also made sense because the last episode you left it, George was in bed with Izzie and Meredith. So he's got a lot of frustrations with that, and so his desires have to come out even subconsciously somewhere. AP: Was it fun to film? Knight: Oh, it was a blast! You know, everyone's really covered up. No one's completely naked. You get body makeup and so someone's spreading body makeup on you. I think if you were an exhibitionist, you'd kind of be in hog heaven, but I'm not that person. AP: So why doesn't Meredith hook up with George already? Come on. Knight: I don't know! That's a great question for Shonda Rhimes. It's very interesting, because it's getting to a point now where George really needs to, like, (get) off the pot already, you know? AP: Like George says, he needs to stop being a watcher. He needs to be a doer. Knight: I know! But I think he's starting to realize it. I don't know what's going to happen with the whole Meredith thing. ... The way he's used to living his life, it doesn't work. AP: Well, a lot of fans are pulling for him. Knight: I definitely identify with some of the things, so it's nice to know that other people do too. Everyone has their things where they think it's going to be all golden, and right before their eyes it just turns to dirt. You know what I mean? And you're like, 'Wait a second. This was supposed to be a great night! That was supposed to be a great date!' And all of a sudden, you go home and you're going to the chocolate or the alcohol or however you cure yourself. AP: Unlike George, do you have luck with the ladies? Knight: I have ladies and ladies and ladies and ladies. No, I'm pretty much with the show. You can't even have a pet. The pet would be dead. AP: What's your favourite George moment? Knight: I like the relationships that he has. I really like the relationship he has with Izzie. I think they have a really interesting kind of dynamic. It's just a blast working with Kate Heigl. The relationship that's developing with him and Bailey I think is very interesting. So I tend to look at it that way, instead of specific moments. AP: What would you be doing if you weren't an actor? Knight: That's difficult because nothing else ever clicked. I was not the best student. I didn't apply myself, as they say, very well. I think, you know, as an actor, unless you're exceedingly lucky and you're one of the golden few, a lot of your life you're unemployed and a lot of your life you're poor. You gotta be a little insane and driven and have it be the only thing you want to do. AP: What's the weirdest medical term you've had to use? Knight: I don't know about medical term, but the weirdest animal product we've had to deal with is intestines, sheep intestines. And they don't smell too good. The thing is also, after eight hours of doing a scene with it, you do get kind of numb to it. It's like perfume that is too strong. Eventually, you stop smelling it and you're eating chicken soup next to it. But first, you kind of wonder how you're gonna necessarily not pull a face while you're doing a scene and be revealed for the fraud that you are. That you're not really a doctor. Luckily, we're wearing masks, so some of our grimaces are covered up.
The Grey's Anatomy operator has moved up to the ranks of Indy car owners, putting him in the mix for the Indianapolis 500, the marquee racing event traditionally prefaced by Nabors' booming rendition of "Back Home in Indiana." "I feel like a kid in a candy store," Dempsey said in a statement announcing his alliance with Vision Racing. As a co-owner, TV's good Dr. Shepherd will watch his team's two drivers compete in as many as 14 Indy Racing League events this year. The season kicks off Mar. 26 with the Toyota Indy 300 in Miami. The 90th edition of the Indianapolis 500 is set for May 28. Dempsey's competition at the Indy 500 should as starry as it is fast. IRL driver Dario Franchitti is the husband of Ashley Judd; the Letterman of Rahal Letterman Racing is late-night talk host David Letterman. In 2004, Letterman, an Indianapolis native, won his hometown 500 on the strength of driver Buddy Rice's brickyard run. If Dempsey were a car, he'd be more of a Paul Newman model than a Letterman one. Like Newman, a longtime owner in IRL's rival Champ Cars league, Dempsey is also a professional driver. Last month, Dempsey cruised Daytona International Speedway in a souped-up Ford Mustang as befitting his status as a Grand-Am Cup Series helmet wearer and gas pedal pusher. Dempsey, 40, also drives GT cars in the Panoz Racing Series (finishing third in one event last year), and has competed in the annual celebrity competition held in conjunction with the Grand Prix of Long Beach. On TV, Dempsey and his Seattle Grace colleagues are zooming along in the ratings. Last Sunday, their show outdrew an all-new Desperate Housewives for the first time, taking honors as the night's most-watched show. In the movies, the former teen flick fixture (Can't Buy Me Love, Loverboy) will be Hilary Swank's leading man in Freedom Writers, an inspirational teacher flick.
"I'm really intrigued by this book It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken," kidded the star, who recently separated from Jessica Simpson. He was referring to the new book by fellow Cosmo honoree Greg Behrendt, who also co-wrote He's Just Not That Into You. Lachey received an "awww" from the audience when he said, "It is a little ironic to receive the Fun Fearless Award right now, because in some ways, I'm feeling that at this point in my life, I've never been more afraid." He thanked friends and family for supporting him. Seated in the audience was Lachey's Charmed co-star Alyssa Milano, who said his speech was "honest and endearing, self-deprecating and humble." Lachey's best bud, University of Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart, also was honored. "Nick's doing well," he said. "It's been a rough process for him, but a lot of good things are ahead." Lachey is looking forward to the release of his new album in May and the debut of his MTV solo reality show in the spring. The show is not expected to include appearances by his estranged wife. "They've got footage from the past year, but it's about the making of my album," Lachey said. Also honored: X-Men 3 director Brett Ratner, who directed Lachey's first 98 Degrees video for Invisible Man and Simpson's These Boots Are Made for Walkin' video. Ratner has been friends since he was 16 with another honoree: Oscar nominee Matt Dillon (Crash). Ratner recalled the time the two "went on a road trip to Palm Beach, and he taught me how to get models." Dillon's pickup secret, Ratner revealed: "Get the girl's number, because in the apartment where she lives are 10 other girls like her." Dillon added with a snicker, "We had a lot of good times." During the pre-show cocktail hour, honoree Terrence Howard, another Oscar nominee (Hustle & Flow), had to start at the beginning to describe the most fearless thing he ever did: "Stepping out of the womb and saying, 'I can handle this' was pretty fearless. Out of half a billion sperm, I got to that egg, hijacked my mother's body and greeted the world." Patrick Dempsey was Fun Fearless Male of the Year; he and the 11 others, who are featured in Cosmo's current issue, were chosen "because they're the perfect combination of smarts, wit, talent and good looks," the magazine said. A few blocks down the street, the cast of Dempsey's hit show, ABC's Grey's Anatomy, was gathering for the first-season DVD release party. "When it rains, it pours," said TV's Dr. McDreamy, who wrapped production on the movie Freedom Writers with Hilary Swank the previous evening. Earlier in the day, Dempsey worked on Grey's, napped with his 4-year-old daughter and packed to move into a new home. "My wife will be moving boxes on Valentine's Day while I'm working," he said. "It's terribly unromantic. But after the boxes are all packed, we'll be in a hotel room, lounging in bed with room service and watching movies."
As it did last week, ABC will rerun the episode at 9:30 p.m. ET Thursday (Feb. 16), following "Dancing with the Stars." Normal time-slot occupant "Crumbs" will get its second straight week off opposite the Winter Olympics on NBC. "Grey's Anatomy" is coming off the two best weeks in its short history. The show drew 38 million viewers in its post-Super Bowl slot on Feb. 5 and followed that up Sunday with an audience of 25.4 million people for the conclusion of the two-part "code black" story. Sunday's episode beat both NBC's Olympic coverage for that hour and its ABC lead-in, "Desperate Housewives." It was the first time "Grey's" had improved upon an original episode of "Housewives." The Thursday, Feb. 9 rebroadcast of the Super Bowl episode drew just under 10 million viewers. From 9:30 to 10 p.m. it averaged about 10.6 million viewers, on par with what "Crumbs" has been doing in that spot. "Grey's" performed a little better among adults 18-49, drawing a 3.6 rating in its first 30 minutes compared to "Crumbs'" season average of 3.2. An abbreviated edition of "Primetime" will follow "Grey's Anatomy" at 10:30 on Thursday.
NBC scored a 13.2 rating/20 share in primetime, beating out ABC's 11.3/17. CBS took third with a 6.0/9. FOX, 3.4/5, came in fourth, and The WB trailed with a 1.7/3. ABC managed to grab a victory among adults 18-49 with a 7.7 rating. NBC was right behind at 7.2. FOX was third at 2.6, followed by CBS, 2.0, and The WB, 1.1. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" conlcuded its post-Super Bowl cliffhanger with a 15.4/24, topping an original "Housewives" for the first time ever. The Olympics scored a 12.4/19 for the hour, while CBS' movie came in at 4.7/7.
"I'm there to shake things up a little bit," Morgan says. His wealthy marine-biologist character departed on the Jan. 15 episode without a desperately needed transplant. Disappointed, Izzie thought that was goodbye. Grey's Anatomy fans won't see Denny for at least a few episodes, but when he does return, Morgan promises pulses will quicken. "Izzie [gives him] a whole new reason to live," says Morgan, whose character believes it was love at first sight with the beautiful doctor. "It's going to be really interesting how it plays out. There's great chemistry." One doctor who doesn't appreciate their chemistry is Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), Izzie's ex-squeeze. "I would anticipate confrontation," Morgan says. "Denny isn't going anywhere, and Alex isn't going anywhere.... Neither of them wants to let Izzie go." Fighting for Izzie's heart is keeping Morgan a very busy man. In addition to his role on Grey's, he plays the phantom-fighting father on WB's Supernatural and Mary-Louise Parker's deceased husband (who appears in flashbacks and dream sequences) on Showtime's comedy series Weeds. Shooting Grey's Anatomy in Los Angeles and Supernatural in Canada doesn't leave much time for Morgan's off-screen romance with actress Sarah Lancaster (she was Ephram Brown's love interest, Madison Kellner, on Everwood). "It's tough right now," he says. "The minutes I use on my text [messages]! Lots of I-love-you's back and forth." But the actor is grateful for the opportunity to return to Grey's Anatomy. "I can't remember ever being on a show where everyone is so damn happy to be back," he says. "The atmosphere is amazing."
Dempsey, who’s enjoying acclaim for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd on ABC’s Golden Globe Award-winning drama Grey’s Anatomy, has joined Tony and Laura George as co-owners of Vision Racing. After attending the 2004 Indianapolis 500 as a “celebrity guest” and meeting the Georges, Dempsey’s future racing strategy began to develop. Last year, Dempsey followed – both in person and on ABC and ESPN coverage -- Vision Racing’s progress during its initial season in the IndyCar Series. Now Dempsey, who was recently named Cosmopolitan’s 2006 “Fun Fearless Male of the Year,” will be seen more often at racetracks around America. Laura and I are proud to have Patrick as a partner in Vision and value his contribution and council as we have built this team,” Tony George said. A true racer at heart, Dempsey is currently driving professionally in Grand American Cup sports car racing with Hypersport. He attended the Skip Barber and Panoz Racing schools and began racing in the Panoz GT Series in 2004. Dempsey finished an impressive third at the Panoz GT race in Road Atlanta in early May 2005. He also competed in the April 2005 Toyota Celebrity Race at Long Beach and the 2005 Baja 1000 with drivers Boris Said and Oriol Servia. Vision Racing also announced an expansion to a two-car team with drivers Ed Carpenter (No. 20) and Tomas Scheckter (No. 2). “I am thrilled to be a part of the Vision team and I feel like a kid in a candy store,” said Dempsey, who earned an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Aaron Brooks in the critically acclaimed television program Once & Again. “I think Ed Carpenter and Tomas Scheckter is a formidable combination and I believe they demonstrated this by their performance at the first test. I also cannot think of anyone other than Tony and Laura George that I would want to partner with in the IndyCar Series. All my experiences at Indy have been magical.”
Among adults 18-49, ABC scored a 28.7 rating, also a little better than last year. FOX managed to grab second in the demographic with a 2.1, with CBS in third at 1.6. NBC averaged 1.3 and The WB 0.6. The Super Bowl postgame show, 28.5/43, and the start of "Grey's Anatomy," 19.2/32, kept ABC in front at 10 p.m. NBC got a 5.2/9 from a "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" repeat, while CBS' "CSI: Miami" averaged 4.8/8.
Four of the hottest stars in show business -- history making George Clooney, the newest TV super star Patrick Dempsey, "sexiest man alive" Matthew McConaughey and comeback queen Mariah Carey -- sit down with Barbara Walters for a fascinating hour on "The Barbara Walters Special." This year, for the first time, the special will air on the last night of sweeps and following an original episode of "Lost" on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 at 10:00 p.m., ET. George Clooney made show business history this year by becoming the first person to receive three Academy Award nominations for two different films. He received an Academy Award nomination for directing and co-writing "Good Night and Good Luck," and a Supporting Actor nomination for "Syriana." New American heartthrob Patrick Dempsey, nicknamed "Dr. Mcdreamy," from ABC's hit drama "Grey's Anatomy," has been acting since he was a teenager and is comfortably settling into his newfound superstardom. Matthew McConaughey, who was recently named "The Sexiest Man Alive" by People Magazine, actually got his start by a chance encounter with a film producer while in college at the University of Texas. He seized that opportunity and never looked back. Eight-time Grammy nominee Mariah Carey has climbed to the top of the music charts after some difficult years and had an electrifying one this year with her No. 1 selling CD, "The Emancipation of Mimi." The biggest selling female recording artist in the world, Ms. Carey has surpassed Elvis Presley with 17 No. 1 hit singles. These superstars share their thoughts and perspective on their meteoric year with Barbara Walters.
Each week, various "Grey's Anatomy" cast members join producers for one-on-one conversations that will tease the week's upcoming episode, as well as give insight into the actors and their characters. On Friday, February 3, the first podcast will feature Kate Walsh (Addison Shepherd) and executive producer Jim Parriott providing insights into Kate's on-screen character, as well as discussing the upcoming post-Superbowl episode, "It's the End of the World" (airing on Sunday, February 5). The "Grey's Anatomy" podcasts will be available for download on the official "Grey's Anatomy" website at ABC.com and on Apple's iTunes. Users will be able to download the podcasts on both sites at no cost. Podcasts will remain available on each site for an unspecified time. A podcast is the distribution of audio files for download. You can then hear the podcast whenever you want from your computer or from a portable media player. On this Sunday's episode, "It's The End of the World" (airing 10:00-11:00 p.m. approx., ET), Meredith's fear that she is in for a bad day is realized when a medical case arrives at Seattle Grace Hospital that threatens the lives of everyone in the OR. In addition to the podcast series, "Grey's Anatomy" fans can also find blogs tied to the series on ABC.com. The Writer's Blog (http://www.greyswriters.com/) offers fans behind-the-scenes insight into the most recent episode. Penned by the writer or writers of that episode, the blogs offer observations not available from any other source, including inspiration for story ideas and the deeper meaning of the episode. Two fictional blogs offer viewers an expanded perspective of the show from the viewpoint of characters not central to the storyline -- Nurses' Blog and Joe's Blog. Nurses' Blog (www.seattlegracegossip.com), as the name implies, is the opportunity for Seattle Grace's nursing staff to weigh in on hospital events. They might be commenting on recent cases or gossiping about the casual trysts or complicated relationships certain members of the staff are engaged in.
Joe's Blog (www.emeraldcitybar.com) is the place where Joe, the bartender at the doctors' hangout, can wax on about his secret fantasies, comment on what his patrons are up to, and gossip about what he sees and overhears from his unique vantage point. In addition, the "Grey's" site on ABC.com offers Grey's Music Casts, streaming audio of various "Grey's" staff members talking about the music that was used in the episode, with extended clips of the songs.
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Drama Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Drama Outstanding Performance by a Drama Ensemble Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Comedy Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Comedy Outstanding Performance by a Comedy Ensemble Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Television Movie or Miniseries Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Television Movie or Miniseries MOVIES Outstanding Performance by a Lead Male Outstanding Performance by a Lead Female Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Male Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Female Outstanding Cast Performance ABC held a substantial lead among adults 18-49, scoring a 6.0 rating. FOX was second in the key ad-sales demographic with a 3.6, followed by CBS, 3.1, and NBC, 2.8. The WB trailed at 1.1. At 10 p.m., ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" grabbed the night's biggest audience with an 11.8/19. CBS' movie averaged 8.3/13 for the hour, and NBC's "Crossing Jordan" was at 7.3/11.
The magazine, in an issue on newsstands Friday, says the 36-year-old actor is the best of today's small-screen studs, even surpassing castmate Matthew Fox. Fox, who plays Jack on the Emmy-winning drama series, landed ninth on the top-10 list. Of Holloway, "Lost" co-star Evangeline Lilly is quoted saying, "He's the guy who opens doors, carries the bags for woman and makes sure they feel protected. It's a very endearing quality." Holloway is no bachelor, though. He's been married to Yessica Kumula since 2004. Fox, 39, has two children with his wife of 14 years, Margherita Ronchi. Second on the list is John Stamos of ABC's "Jake in Progress." The 42-year-old actor, who previously starred on "Full House," was divorced from Rebecca Romijn last year. In Touch says Stamos is still a hunk because he "has been twinkling those green eyes at us for 20 years." Also on the list: Jared Padalecki from "Supernatural," David Boreanaz ("Bones"), Wentworth Miller ("Prison Break"), Eddie Cibrian ("Invasion"), Patrick Dempsey ("Grey's Anatomy"), Shemar Moore ("Criminal Minds") and Tom Welling ("Smallville").
It bristles with intriguing thoughts about the realm of fiction, how one loves, issues of identity and questions concerning how one transfers a real-life incident into big-screen fiction. This is a film that can crawl inside your skin. You can ultimately dismiss it or at least question the filmmakers' choices, but you can't ignore it, and more than likely the film will intrigue audiences because the core of the movie is a mystery. The film could not be timelier. With traditional media and bloggers going nuts over the works of JT LeRoy and James Frey, whose authorship and authenticity have been called into question, "The Night Listener" is the movie about that hot-button topic. Factor in a cast that includes Robin Williams and Toni Collette and director Patrick Stettner's thriller approach, and you have a movie likely to do well in adult venues and possibly cross over into mainstream situations. Maupin's novel is drawn from an episode in the life of that Bay Area writer and radio storyteller. In 1992, he received a manuscript from a 14-year-old boy about the sexual abuse he suffered as a child and the female social worker who spirited him away from his nightmare. The writer then developed a relationship with the youth over the telephone. Both the real story and the movie deal with the uncomfortable realization that quite possible neither this boy nor his story really exist. Rather -- though it remains unproven -- the story is a figment of the imagination of the "social worker," who made everything up to fulfill emotional needs in her life. The movie's approach is that of a thriller shot in dark, moody lighting, often at night, heavy with melodrama and a sense of dread as the writer journeys to the Midwest to investigate the mystery. Right choice? Wrong choice? Well, there will be differing opinions on that, but this is, after all, the tale of a woman who just possibly dwelled in a fiction of her own life. Williams plays the Maupin character, called Gabriel Noone so that his radio show may be called Noone at Night -- cute, no? -- and Collette is the social worker, Donna Logand. Bobby Cannavale plays Jess, Gabriel's lover, who broke up with him during this highly emotional time of his life. The screenplay actually was written (along with Stettner) by Maupin and Terry Anderson, who is the real-life Jess, and knowing this adds another level of intrigue to the tale. It is actually Jess who notices that the voices over the telephone of the young boy, Pete, and Donna sound virtually identical. Because of the disintegration of his most important relationship -- which in real life happened at another time -- Gabriel undertakes a journey to Wisconsin to determine once and for all the truth. But Donna has constructed impressive barriers for Gabriel to surmount because Pete (Rory Culkin) is always in an unnamed hospital battling AIDS. Plus, town folks are so overly protective of the two, still hiding out from the boy's vicious parents, as to become lethal weapons against all outsiders. This is where all the tension and eerie "Twilight Zone" suspense come in, abetted in no small measure by Lisa Rinzler's atmospheric cinematography and Peter Nashel's brilliant, propulsive score. So this is a Chinese-box movie with puzzles lurking inside puzzles and a melodramatic overlay that keeps one on the edge of the seat. "The Night Listener" is one of the few films that manages to be highly cerebral and a great popcorn movie simultaneously. Cast: Director: Patrick Stettner; Screenwriters: Armistead Maupin, Terry Anderson, Patrick Stettner; Based on the novel by: Armistead Maupin; Producers: John N. Hart, Jeffrey Sharp, Robert Kessel, Jill Footlick; Executive producers: Michael Hogan, Armistead Maupin, Terry Anderson, Jonathan Sehring, Caroline Caplan; Director of photography: Lisa Rinzler; Production designer: Michael Shaw; Music: Peter Nashel; Costume designer: Marina Draghici; Editor: Andy Keir.
Rhimes' fortunes in the TV business have changed a bit since then -- she's the creator of one of ABC's biggest hits, "Grey's Anatomy." And now that old project is getting new life at Touchstone and ABC. The network has given a pilot order to the untitled project, which will undergo a few changes from its original incarnation. Instead of war correspondents, the lead characters will work for a news organization in the United States. The show, like "Grey's Anatomy" will delve into their personal as well as their professional lives. "It's going to be really sexy, and it's going to be fabulous," Rhimes tells The Hollywood Reporter. Rhimes is likely to take up the project after finishing work on "Grey's" in the spring. The pilot won't film until the summer, meaning it's likely to be a contender for ABC's midseason lineup in 2006-07. Mark Gordon and Betsy Beers, executive producers of "Grey's Anatomy," will serve in the same capacity on the new show, along with Rhimes and Julie Lynn ("Nine Lives").
•Confusion. Grey star Patrick Dempsey says a hit show can lead viewers - and even actors - to confuse their roles. "I was on an airplane once and we were getting ready to take off. And they're like, 'There's an emergency in the back of the plane. Is there a doctor on board?' And everybody turned to look at me. "I was debating whether or not I should get up. I'm like, 'Well, should I just go and look and see what's going on?' Then I just sat back and said, 'I'm a neurosurgeon. I don't do emergencies.' And it was a seizure, and I could have probably handled that case. I'm sad I didn't stand up."
Among adults 18-49, FOX's 11.6 rating gave the network a commanding lead over ABC's 7.2. NBC was third at 2.7, followed by CBS, 2.6, and The WB, 1.1. "Grey's Anatomy" held the lead for ABC at 10 p.m. with a 13.6/21. "Crossing Jordan," 7.3/12, was second for NBC, beating a "Without a Trace" rerun, 5.6/8, on CBS.
On stage at the Beverly Hills Hilton, the Ottawa-born actor told the dinner table audience: "I feel like someone set me on fire." And that's how she seemed when she ran backstage screaming, arms flapping, yelling "I'm elated, I'm elated I'm elated" after winning best supporting actress in a TV series for her work on Grey's Anatomy. "I'm so excited, I'm shaking right now," she told a room filled with radio, TV and print reporters. Wearing a wispy backless beige dress, Oh was indeed shaking at the microphone and unprepared for a question about the apparent difficulty she experienced walking to the stage. "You see the tables before you, notice which are squishiest chairs and go the other way," she said. "You know, when your name is called your brain goes to mush you can't walk, can't talk, can't do anything." Later, Oh thanked her friends and sent greetings to her family back in Canada. She described her fellow cast members as "really really great" and said that working with them is the best thing about doing Grey's Anatomy. Oh was asked where she plans to put the prize. "This is going in my parents' home," she said. "My parents are extremely pleased. They now know what the Golden Globes are and my dad has taken to reading Star Magazine." When she stepped away from the podium, a television reporter from Access Hollywood cornered her for an interview, handed her his cellphone and Oh promptly punched in a 613 area code to call her father in eastern Ontario. Oh was crying and still shaking on the phone as she spoke to her dad. Following the TV interview, she slipped behind the drapes and was still heard screaming for joy.
Best Drama Series Best Actor - Drama Series Best Supporting Actress - Series, Miniseries or Movie Huffman and Bello wore ethereal white, which will be a top spring fashion trend. Bello complemented her white beaded Elie Saab gown with white gardenias in her upswept hair. Keira Knightley also wore a stunning strapless white dress by Valentino with a rope-style belt, and Sandra Oh wore a white gown with a sophisticated scarf-style back. "White was the big winner," Suze Yalof-Schwartz of Glamour magazine said from the red carpet. Kate Beckinsale's white dress from the Christian Dior archives was dainty and elegant. She showed a bit of a funky streak with her oversized green earrings. Reese Witherspoon's short vintage Chanel haute couture was a champagne color with metallic trim on the bust. Cross' dress, meanwhile, was coral, providing a sharp and stunning contrast to her red hair. "Marcia looked very goddesslike," said Collier Strong, consulting makeup artist for L'Oreal, who helped Cross get ready. "I knew her makeup had to be lighter and more feminine because the fabric was so billowy. ... It's easy to work with her because she has the most perfect skin you've ever seen." Red also had a strong presence on the carpet: Scarlett Johansson wore a red scoop neck Valentino dress with soft ruffles on the straps and down the back; Geena Davis wore a strapless Escada with a jeweled bustier top; and Laura Linney had an asymmetrical version. "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria complemented her red Grecian wrap gown by Bob Mackie with gold platform shoes to boost her 5-foot-2-inch frame. Longoria told E!'s Isaac Mizrahi that she was sewn into the dress because it wasn't finished until she was walking out the door. Equally bright was Ziyi Zhang's Giorgio Armani lime green silk tulle gown with a sweetheart neckline and floor-sweeping train. But some of fashion's favorite faces stuck with classic black — and proved that it is eternally chic. Sarah Jessica Parker was in a strapless dress with tiny rows of tulle by Rochas, and Christian Dior's John Galliano designed a custom cocktail dress for Charlize Theron that featured black lace over nude tulle. Swank's black dress by Jean Yu had a sexy back with several straps, and Mary-Louise Parker had a plunging V-front. Natalie Portman looked Audrey Hepburnesque in a vintage Chanel black lace bustier dress with a ribbon belt and a black-and-white diamond camellia jewel around her waist. Renee Zellweger remained loyal to designer Carolina Herrera, wearing an asymmetrical black silk chiffon dress with rouched detail and a leg-length slit up the left thigh. Zellweger wore a vintage Van Cleef & Arpels brooch pinned to the back of her waist. Candice Bergen's Michael Kors black turtleneck and ballskirt was a picture of casual elegance. Nicolette Sheridan and Queen Latifah both choose blue dresses. Sheridan's was an Armani sapphire-blue silk chiffon gown with a deep V-neck and pleated bodice, Latifah's a periwinkle goddess number that she accessorized with 23-carat, round-shaped drop diamond earrings with a fancy yellow pear-shaped diamond drop pendant on a diamond chain by Chopard. Teri Hatcher wore a body-hugging V-neck bronze halter gown with art deco-style beading, loose hair and a small bronze clutch that held her California driver's license. Hatcher told Mizrahi she was told to bring identification to get in at the door. (She also told him that it was her 8-year-old daughter that warned her about her panty lines, so Hatcher showed up to the Globes without underwear.) "The Globes set the fashion tone for the rest of the season," designer Randolph Duke told the Associated Press. "It's a very chic show. Some (actresses) wear more cocktail dresses. The Globes are an opportunity to do something other than that classic, glamorous Oscar gown." Gwyneth Paltrow's overall look was very soft. Her white Balenciaga tiered gown embraced her pregnant belly instead of hiding it and her hair was up with soft waves. The messy bun worn by so many stars was "crucial," according to Glamour's Yalof-Schwartz, and so was heavy eye makeup, pale lips and big, teardrop earrings. "I had to find a dress that would glow with me — that was the main challenge," said Rachel Weisz, who is five months pregnant and looked quite voluptuous in her strapless gold gown by Donna Karan. "You still see a lot of strapless," observed designer Duke. "There's something very easy about the strapless neckline. It solves a lot of problems. The garment has a foundation — usually a bustier or corset — that makes a girl feel more confident." George Clooney embodied the classic male movie star in his Armani two-button tuxedo with satin lapels and a classic white spread-collar evening shirt and black necktie. Ludacris, of course, had his own twist on the penguin suit: He wore a black velvet Ralph Lauren jacket with tweed pants. And Johnny Depp — always a fashion rebel — had a red shirt under his baggy suit.
FOX averaged a 13.1 rating/19 share in primetime, with those numbers likely to change some due to the live broadcast. ABC was a solid second at 10.2/15. CBS, 8.3/12, finished third, with NBC coming in fourth at 5.5/8. The WB trailed with a 1.7/3. Among adults 18-49, FOX's 9.2 rating led the way. ABC finished second at 7.0. From there, there was a huge drop to third-place CBS at 2.7. NBC averaged 2.5 and The WB 1.1. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" averaged 12.2/19 for ABC, easily beating the conclusion of CBS' movie, 9.0/14, and NBC's "Crossing Jordan," 7.0/11.
Gutsy, captivating, and not to mention gorgeous, Beyonce embodies the essence of Cosmo's Fun Fearless Female of the Year. In spite of her success and popularity, she's never fallen prey to the behaviors that have sent so many other starlets over the edge. That means no bitchiness, no train-wreck break-ups, no eating disorders, and no ugly fallouts with her parents. Beyonce's always been talented and confident, but by going out on her own this year, the pop princess has shown a boldness and independence that earned her Cosmo's Fun Fearless Female award. Patrick Dempsey earned his place among past Fun Fearless Male's Jon Bon Jovi, Matthew Perry, and Josh Duhamel by being a lot more than just another Hollywood heartthrob. In addition to his Dr. McDreamy good looks, Dempsey's a talented and sensitive guy who has got serious guts. Also being honored in the February issue are Terrence Howard, Matt Dillon, Tom Welling, Jeff Probst, Matt Leinart, Thomas Hayden Church, Jesse Metcalfe, Greg Behrendt, Pharrell Williams, Brett Ratner, and Nick Lachey. "Last year we received such an overwhelming response from our readers when we saluted all the Fun Fearless Males we love and admire," said editor-in-chief Kate White. "We decided to do it again this year. We chose these hot guys because they're the perfect combination of smarts, wit, talent, and good looks--traits every Cosmo girl looks for in a man." Interview Highlights From the 2006 Fun Fearless Female and Males Beyonce, Cosmo's Fun Fearless Female of the Year, on her biggest risk to date: "I took a risk with acting. It was scary because it was different for me. You just always have to take risks. I always go with my gut, and it's always right. People are scared to do that." Patrick Dempsey, Cosmo's Fun Fearless Male of the Year, on what it was like to do a steamy shower scene with co-star Ellen Pompeo: You just drink a lot of Scotch to get yourself used to the fact that you're walking around in a flesh-toned thong, and 20 people are watching you make out with someone you barely know. Matt Dillon, star of the upcoming film, You, Me, and Dupree, on ex-girlfriend Cameron Diaz: "Cameron (Diaz) and I dated for about three years. I was in love with her, and it was a passionate relationship. I've been in love since but in a different way." Tom Welling, Star of TV's Smallville, on his biggest turn-on: "Women who are confident and have a good understanding of who they are. When you ask a woman a question, you want to hear what she really thinks about something, not necessarily what she thinks you want to hear." Jeff Probst, Host of Survivor, on his relationship with his girlfriend Julie Berry: "In past relationships, I was a coward. I wasn't honest. I just wouldn't tell the truth about little things because I figured 'Why does she need to know?' Julie doesn't have time for that. I have finally learned that being authentic--farts and all--is the only way to be." Matt Leinert, USC Quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, on his lucky charm: "I wear the same boxers on every game day--I'm really superstitious. I've worn the same pair for my three years as a starter at USC. The one time I didn't, we lost." Thomas Haden Church, Star of Sideways, on his fearless feats: "I used to play football, I surfed for 25 years, I've boxed...and then there's the time I broke my pelvis riding a bull on my second-to-last day of bull-riding school." Terrence Howard, star of Hustle and Flow and Crash, on his nude awakening: "The bravest thing I've ever done is getting naked on-set (in Get Rich or Die Tryin'). You can't prepare. You just have to do it and realize the (acting) strengths you have when you're naked are the same strengths you have when you're clothed." Jesse Metcalfe, The Desperate Housewives star, on love: "I've had periods in my life when I could have been considered a player...but not anymore. I enjoy having a girlfriend, and I see myself settling down. I want kids, a family, a person to grow old with. I'm really looking forward to that stage of life." Greg Behrendt, author of He's Just Not That Into You, on getting fired: "I came to L.A. to be in a band. Getting kicked out of it let me think, Music isn't what I'm supposed to do but maybe it's something with a microphone. That led to stand-up comedy, which eventually led to writing." Pharrell Williams, singer and producer, on working at McDonald's: "When I was younger, I was fired from McDonalds because I was lazy. Basically, I was getting in the way. After that, I worked at two more McDonald's, and they both fired me for the same thing." Brett Ratner, Director of X-Men 3 and TV's Prison Break, on his celeb crushes: "I'd want to marry Cate Blanchett, date Kate Bosworth, and spend the weekend with Elisha Cuthbert." Nick Lachey, Newlyweds star and contributing host on ESPN's College Gameday, on sports casting: "Sportscasting is a lot of fun, but at the end of the day, my true love is and always will be performing."
Michael Apted, "Rome" ("The Stolen Eagle" - pilot), HBO ABC did manage to keep hold of No. 1 ranking among adults 18-49, scoring a 6.9 rating in the sweet-spot demographic for advertisers. CBS, 5.2, came in second, with FOX, 3.7, grabbing third. NBC averaged 2.6 and The WB a scant 0.9. At 10 p.m., a "Grey's Anatomy" clip show scored a 10.6/17 for ABC. "Crossing Jordan" averaged 7.6/12 for NBC, and CBS came in at 7.2/12 with "CSI: NY" and the start of a "CSI: Miami" repeat.
Turning his first laps at Daytona International Speedway this morning, in preparations for his Grand-Am Cup Series debut on the track less than three weeks from now, Dempsey admitted that it took a couple of laps before he fully realized where he was. "Being at this track, with all the history, it took me a while just to get back into my body," said Dempsey. "I was so excited about being here. This is a great series to start off, and the people around me have been very supportive. Today was just a big learning day for me--and I think the season will be a big learning curve for me. I just want to get as much seat time as possible and earn my way up the rankings." Dempsey, an avid racing fan, is stepping up to Grand-Am Cup Series competition in 2006, with an eye toward the GT class of the Rolex Series in 2007. Dempsey and team co-principals Joe Foster and Rick Skelton all agree that developing a driver for any series takes time. And in the case of Hyper Sport, Foster and Skelton want to make sure it's done right. "Our program is taking a step forward by including Patrick," said Foster. "It's going to help the whole series grow. We have a Daytona Prototype that we're not running here because we want to make sure Patrick's program goes good. He had his first run in the Mustang this morning, and everything went well, and we're excited to be here." "The Rolex Series is no longer a goal for us, it will be a reality," added Skelton. "Our goal is to build slowly and methodically, and do things right, which will take time. Hopefully by next year, Patrick will be in the car with us for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. That's the plan right now, and we have every intention of seeing that goal come to fruition. And because of Grand American's affordability, we will also be able to continue our GS program in Grand-Am Cup." Even Dempsey, the critically-acclaimed actor, couldn't help but notice the star-studded field that the Rolex Series has assembled for the Rolex 24 At Daytona. And if Dempsey has his way, he'll someday be remembered as much for his driving ability as for anything else. "You have all these stars from all these different series that show up," said Dempsey. "When you see them at different events, they all talk about the Rolex 24 At Daytona and how competitive these series are. They also talk about how much fun they have and how much joy they have in the cars. I think that says a lot about the series and how they've developed a car that people really enjoy driving. To be hanging with this group is a tremendous honor. These guys are my heroes, and I get in awe when I see all my favorite drivers and a lot of guys that I know from just going to the tracks."
Ensemble in a Drama "The Closer" Male Actor in a Drama Series Patrick Dempsey, "Grey's Anatomy" Female Actor in a Drama Series Patricia Arquette, "Medium" The Producers Guild presents its awards Jan. 22.
"There will be a love triangle for my character," Katherine Heigl, who plays Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens on the hit ABC show, told reporters recently, according to AP Radio. The 27-year-old actress also hinted about upcoming developments: "There's like some kind of prom episode or something, I don't what that is. Somebody leaves the program." But, she added: "I don't know what happens with Meredith and Dr. McDreamy. Nobody will tell us yet what's going on there." Ellen Pompeo stars as Dr. Meredith Grey, a first-year intern, and Patrick Dempsey plays neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd, nicknamed Dr. McDreamy. Meredith was getting cozy with Derek — until his sexy wife showed up in Seattle. "I love when people come up to me and tell me that they watch it. And ask like, `Do you think Ellen and Patrick are going to get back together?'" Heigl said. "I love that because we're working hard and it's great to know that that work is being appreciated." "Grey's Anatomy" airs on Sunday nights (10 p.m. EST). The medical drama returns Jan. 8.
"It feels like forever ago," Heigl laughs now. "My life was very different then. It's hard to even fathom it." Every week, nearly 18 million people watch "Grey's Anatomy," a huge audience that's only partially attributable to its "Desperate Housewives" Sunday lead-in. "I enjoy the show so much," says Heigl, who plays model-turned-doc Izzie Stevens. "I love television. I watch pretty much everything and I have at least two or three TiVoed programs a night. This is a show that appeals to all the sensibilities in me. If I weren't on it, I'd watch it." The show has transformed its formerly low profile cast into media celebrities, a status that brings both magazine covers and oodles of free stuff. Although Heigl has had her share of big screen exposure ("My Father the Hero") and niche small screen success ("Roswell"), she's still amazed by the impact a network smash can have. "You know, you read about Lindsay Lohan and all the free stuff celebrities get, but you don't really understand that until it starts showing up in boxes at your house and you're like, 'Why are they sending me this stuff? Are they gonna want it back?'" she says. Heigl is now discovering that somewhat disgusting reality of Hollywood -- the minute you can start affording the spa treatments, designer clothing and high-tech gadgets, companies start throwing them at you for free. "When I really needed that extra help, I couldn't get it, I couldn't get hired to save my life," she sighs. "Now, they're throwing stuff at you and none of it is without a price. My initial instinct was just to take it all, wear it all and mention it all -- since I was getting it, cool. But then you start to realize, too, that I was turning myself into a commodity. I understand that I am, to a certain degree, but I don't have to overindulge that." The Christmas season comes as the "Grey's" cast is in the middle of shooting what could be the show's most important episode ever. ABC has given the drama that most-coveted of slots, the post-Super Bowl hour. Naturally, Heigl can't say a darned thing about the episode except for to tease that there may be too much plot to be contained in the standard broadcast 43 minutes. "It's a big episode," Heigl says, saying nothing. "It's got a lot going on and it's got a lot ... I don't know how to say it without giving it away. I can't say it, but it's going to be an exciting episode and we're really thrilled about it." She continues, "I think right now, all the actors are like, 'You have to do this without commercials. You have to air the whole thing. You can't cut anything. It's too amazing.' I think it would awesome if they got a sponsor so that there would be no commercials but it's the Super Bowl, so there's no way."
Among adults 18-49, FOX's advantage was even more convincing, as the network did a 4.5 rating in the all-important young demo. The night's regular champ ABC moved up to second with a 2.5 rating. CBS was third with a 1.7 rating, leaving NBC in fourth with a 1.1 rating. Again, The WB was last, this time doing a 0.6 rating. The night ended with ABC in first with the 5.2/11 for "Grey's Anatomy." The CBS film was right behind in second, followed by the 4.1/8 for NBC's "Crossing Jordan."
The plot for the episode of the medical drama is being kept under wraps. Ricci's character is said to be coming to Seattle Grace Hospital "not as a patient but in a life-and-death situation." Ricci's rare TV series credits include a recurring role on Fox's "Ally McBeal" and a guest shot on NBC's comedy "Joey" last season, in which she played Joey Tribbiani's sister.
Rose is black. Bernard is white. And one of the spiciest relationships on TV right now is blossoming between feisty, attractive Grey's Anatomy doctors Cristina Yang, who is Asian, and Preston Burke, who is black. Interracial pairings suddenly are integral to several of today's top-rated TV shows, including Grey's, Lost, My Name Is Earl and ER. But these on-screen pairings no longer draw the kind of attention and reaction they did in the '60s and '70s. Romances between people of different colors are being handled more offhandedly, with race being neither an issue nor much of a plot point. "Honestly, we really don't even talk about it or consider that it's an interracial couple," ER executive producer David Zabel says of characters Neela Rasgotra, who is of Indian descent, when she married Michael Gallant, who is black. Younger people today don't see the couple as different races, he says. "They don't draw those lines. Watch MTV, and you'll see videos with all kind of people interacting." On Grey's Anatomy, the race difference between the lovers has not been addressed. Instead, other differences have been highlighted. Sandra Oh's character is messy; Isaiah Washington's character is tidy. She's Jewish; he's not; he's spiritual; she's not. The pairing stems from "casting whoever we thought was best for the part," says creator/executive producer Shonda Rimes. Washington, who plays Dr. Burke, didn't want to talk about his character's romance, saying through his publicist that drawing attention to the races takes away from the fact that it's quietly and happily existing without being an issue. His sentiment echoes that of Morgan Freeman, who said on Sunday's 60 Minutes that the whole idea of a month for black history is "ridiculous" because it separates black history from American history and is part of a labeling process that abets racism. But does this reflect a real maturing of public opinion, or is it the view through Hollywood's rose-colored glasses? "The reality is that interracial couples still deal with discrimination and hate," says Carmen Van Kerckhove, co-director of New Demographic, a diversity training company. "It's a positive thing that we're seeing less of a tragic element. Television models for us what we should think about people, really determines our taboos and what's acceptable. The more people see positive and normal representations, that will lessen the fear and taboo." Although the television industry long has been accused of not casting and portraying enough actors and actresses of different races and ethnicities, Zabel says that has slowly been shifting, and ER has been a front-runner. Mixed couples have been on at least since black Dr. Peter Benton (Eriq La Salle) and white Dr. Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston) were hot and heavy in the late 1990s. "This show has always tried to have a broad range of backgrounds - ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds," Zabel says. Parminder Nagra, who plays Neela, says it would be more of an issue if ER suddenly cast an Indian man for her to love. Her story line with Gallant works, she says. "Why wouldn't these two people get together? They're very passionate about life and each other. On a bigger level, it gives people hope." And the romance, she says, sweeps viewers away, making them forget about race. What will come later might be a story line that addresses race through family, Zabel says. That's where a clash may come as tradition is broken, and race will play a role. "I knew certain people would look at it and go, 'An Indian girl is going out with this black guy.' " But what they should notice is the passion, Nagra says. "It's important to have this on screen. There are so many mixed relationships. I don't think it's portrayed enough on television." Racism is often reflected on television through hate crimes and other violent stories, Nagra says. "We know racism exists. Let's show people getting on. Let's be positive about it." Mixed-race romances on television have never been plentiful, as the mass medium has been fearful of alienating viewers and advertisers. In 1957, on Alan Freed's weekly rock 'n' roll show, black singer Frankie Lymon was seen dancing with a white woman. ABC promptly canceled the show. On Star Trek, when Lt. Uhura and Capt. Kirk kissed (against their will) in 1968, it was heralded as the first interracial smooch on television. And when Norman Lear featured a black woman and a white man as married neighbors to 1975's The Jeffersons, it was considered groundbreaking. In real life, the gap slowly is narrowing. According to the most recent Census, interracial marriages grew from less than 1% in 1970 to nearly 6% in 2000. And as more of the world becomes a melting pot, interracial relationships have popped up more frequently on TV as well, though often tangentially. Some examples: • Debra Messing's Grace dated guest star Gregory Hines on Will & Grace in 2000. • David Schwimmer's Ross character fell for Aisha Tyler's Charlie on Friends in 2003. • Gary Dourdan's Warrick has a history with Marg Helgenberger's Catherine on CSI. So as the TV landscape has evolved, the issue now is less of whether mixed couples are featured on top shows, but when, how and if the writers will make their race part of the story line. As Lost's Hurley observed soon after he saw Bernard, in the show's sole comment, "So Rose's husband's white. Didn't see that one coming." Jack, annoyed, quickly changed the subject. The producers decided that acknowledging the couple's racial differences was necessary. "The thing we love most about Hurley is he's somehow able to say what people are saying in their living rooms just about the time people are saying it," says Lost executive producer Carlton Cuse. "We thought everyone's expectation would be for her to have a black husband. We wanted to confound everyone's expectation. Everyone would be looking for the 50-year-old black guy." In the case of Rose and Bernard, a story line of an older black/white couple could provide an interesting back story as they coped with segregation and civil rights issues. Executive producer Damon Lindelof says, "That's something we're planning," but it won't be before next season. L. Scott Caldwell, the actress who plays Rose on Lost, says she didn't want to see or meet her on-screen husband for the sake of the authenticity of the reunion scene, so she and the actor, Sam Anderson, took pains not to ride in the same van to and from the set and avoided having their paths cross while filming in Hawaii. "At this point, because I didn't know that Bernard was white, I was only playing a woman whose husband was missing and what that would be like. In my mind, I was using my real husband, who is 6-foot-5 and a black man. I was playing from my own reality." When she found out, "I wasn't shocked, but I was surprised." Viewers "immediately responded to it," she says. "Mostly it's been positive. There have been people who say, 'What's up with that?' " She thinks that not having any nod to it in the show's dialogue would have been unrealistic. "Because the idea of an interracial relationship still matters somewhere to somebody, it is ultimately much better to explore it than ignore it." Hurley's remark made sense, she says, "because if you're looking at Lost as a microcosm of society, somebody in that society is going to make note of it. It would be odd if nobody did. It still is an important issue." Anderson says, "It was perfect that Hurley said it. It was perfect that Jack ignored him." To him, personally, fans have been positive. "People respond to the humanity of it. People don't stop me to say, 'Oh, my God, you have a black wife.' They say, 'If they didn't let you two get back together, I was going to turn off my television set forever.' That supersedes anything else." In the NBC sitcom Earl, race is treated with irreverent humor. Earl's ex-wife, Joy, is white and has just married Darnell, who is black. She didn't want her father to find out, fearing he'd be furious. As it turns out, he loves black women - literally. Greg Garcia, executive producer/creator, says the characters simply fit the situation. "They're calling it like they see it and talking like real people talk."
CBS averaged a 9.1 rating/14 share for the night, easily topping ABC's 5.8/9 and FOX's 5.5/9 (FOX was second in viewers with 8.88 million to ABC's 8.73 million). NBC finished fourth at 4.4/7, and The WB trailed with a 2.1/3. All those numbers, save The WB's, are likely to change some in final nationals because of the White House address and live football on FOX. FOX snagged the No. 1 spot among adults 18-49, earning a 4.1 rating in the key ad-sales demographic. CBS came in second with a 3.2, followed by ABC at 2.8. NBC averaged 2.1 and The WB 1.4. CBS' movie improved to 9.3/15 at 10 p.m. The conclusion of "Desperate Housewives" and a "Grey's Anatomy" rerun averaged 6.2/10 for ABC, while NBC's movie came in at 4.8/8. FOX posted a 4.3/7 from 10 to 10:30 with "American Dad" and local programming.
The guild's awards for 2005 for the first time include categories recognizing overall excellence in the writing of episodic series. The awards for dramas, comedies and new series will be presented to all writers of the winning series. The awards will be presented Feb. 4 at ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York. The 12-person writing team of "Grey's Anatomy," which centers on surgical intern Meredith Grey, was nominated in the dramatic and new series categories. The 11-person writing team of NBC's "The Office," which is based on the BBC hit lampooning the 9-to-5 world, was nominated in the comedy and new series categories. The 13-person writing team of "My Name is Earl," which chronicles the title character's attempts to redeem himself, also was nominated in the comedy and new series categories. The show also received a nomination for a single writer for its pilot. In the comedy series category, HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" earned a nomination for its single writer, Larry David, who also stars in the comedy. Nominations also were announced for single episodes in the drama, comedy, animation and long-form categories. Fox's long-running animation show "The Simpsons" swept its category with six nominations. Nominations among 21 television and radio categories included: Dramatic series: "Deadwood," HBO; "Grey's Anatomy," ABC; "Lost," ABC; "Six Feet Under," HBO; "The West Wing," NBC. Comedy series: "Arrested Development," Fox; "Curb Your Enthusiasm," HBO; "Entourage," HBO; "My Name Is Earl," NBC; "The Office," NBC. New series: "Everybody Hates Chris," UPN; "Grey's Anatomy," ABC; "My Name Is Earl," NBC; "The Office," NBC; "Rome," HBO. Episodic drama: "Autopsy," "House," Fox; "A Good Day," "The West Wing," NBC; "Grave Danger," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS; "Normal is the Watchword," "Veronica Mars," UPN; "Rhea Reynold," "Nip/Tuck," FX; "Singing for Our Lives," "Six Feet Under," HBO. Episodic comedy: "Diversity Day," "The Office," NBC; "Exile on Main Street" pilot, "Kitchen Confidential," Fox; "Motivational Speaker," "Malcolm in the Middle," Fox; "Next," "Desperate Housewives," ABC; "My Name is Earl" pilot, "My Name is Earl," NBC; "You Can't Miss the Bear" pilot, "Weeds," Showtime. Long form, original: "Dirt," Showtime; "The Librarian: Quest for the Spear," TNT; "The Reading Room," Hallmark; "Warm Springs," HBO.
Best Drama Series Best Actor - Drama Series Best Supporting Actress - Series, Miniseries or Movie "Survivor" also helped CBS win among adults 18-49 with a 7.1 rating for the evening. ABC, 5.2, finished second, followed by FOX at 4.0. NBC averaged 2.4 and The WB 0.9. At 10 p.m., ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," 10.5/16, tied the "Survivor" reunion show for first (CBS had an edge in viewers, but ABC won the hour in the 18-49 demographic). "Crossing Jordan" came in at 7.5/12 for NBC.
The official selections of AFI Awards 2005 for top films and TV programs were announced Sunday after two days of deliberations by two juries that selected the year's best in film and television. The AFI will honor the creative ensembles behind each of the honorees January 13 at a luncheon at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles. "AFI is proud to honor these 20 collaborative teams. As the institute recognizes and celebrates excellence across the century, these honorees will be part of the record that documents America's enduring cultural legacy," AFI director and CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg said. In addition to "Mountain," "Kong" and "Virgin," the movies chosen are "Capote," "Crash," "Good Night, and Good Luck," "A History of Violence," "Munich," "The Squid and the Whale" and "Syriana." The 10 TV programs are: "24," "Battlestar Galactica," "Deadwood," "Grey's Anatomy," "House," "Lost," "Rescue Me," "Sleeper Cell," "Sometimes in April" and "Veronica Mars." The film jury comprised producer Robert G. Rehme, director Martha Coolidge, critic David Denby, scholar Anna Everett, director Norman Jewison, producer Tom Pollock, director Jay Roach, critic Lisa Schwarzbaum, scholar Vivian Sobchack, author David Thomson, critic Kenneth Turan, scholar Stephen Ujlaki and producer Laura Ziskin. The TV jury's members were director Marshall Herskovitz, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences president Dick Askin, writer Lionel Chetwynd, scholar Mary Corey, producer Tony Jonas, producer Jeffrey Kramer, critic Melanie McFarland, scholar Tara McPherson, producer Dorothea Petrie, director Frank Pierson, critic James Poniewozik, writer Del Reisman and critic Matt Roush.
Among adults 18-49, ABC's 7.4 rating more than doubled that of CBS, 3.5. FOX was a close third at 3.3, beating out NBC, 2.7, and The WB, 0.8. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" delivered a 13.1/21 for ABC. "Crossing Jordan," 8.2/13, was second for NBC, while CBS' movie averaged 5.1/8 for the hour.
Those two shows have about as much in common as the Franklin D. Roosevelt biopic "Warm Springs" has with such action flicks as "Speed" and "The Day After Tomorrow" or a big-budget war movie a la "Saving Private Ryan" or an offbeat historical drama like "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself." But the one thing all of those productions have in common is a producer, Mark Gordon, who has made a name for himself in the past decade with an eclectic output of features and high-end TV movies. And while his movie career has gone into overdrive -- his slate during the past year includes two upcoming Lasse Halstrom features, "Casanova" and "The Hoax," the dark comedy "The Matador" and the Zooey Deschanel starrer "Winter Passing" -- Gordon decided not too long ago that it was time to get into the television-series business in a serious way. "Sometimes I still feel like a student in film school," Gordon says. "I've always loved all kinds of different movies -- I'd go see 'Lawrence of Arabia' and then turn around and love a small intimate foreign film. I've always liked all different kinds of TV. I just try to pursue whatever it is that I'm interested in." After just two years in the primetime development fray, the Mark Gordon Co. and its studio partner, Disney's Touchstone TV, have hit a bona fide home run in ABC's medical drama "Grey's," a late midseason entry in March that has exploded into a top three Nielsen hit this season. The critically embraced ensemble series from writer-producer Shonda Rhimes, seized the opportunity provided by its "Desperate Housewives" lead-in but also has proved beyond any doubt that it is a big draw all on its own. In just a few months, "Grey's Anatomy" has become appointment television for 20 million-plus viewers every Sunday night. Gordon also has fielded a promising newcomer for CBS this fall with Mandy Patinkin as an FBI agent in "Criminal Minds," which has been heading in the right direction, Nielsen-wise, posting better numbers than anyone could have reasonably expected in the killer 9 p.m. Wednesday slot opposite Touchstone's own "Lost." (On the flip side, the company had a less-than-charmed experience last season with the Heather Locklear-Blair Underwood NBC drama "LAX.") "The only commonality you'll find in the shows we have on the air is great writing and great characters," says Deborah Spera, a former Showtime executive recruited last year by Gordon to spearhead his company's push into television. With the heat of "Grey's" and "Criminal Minds," and an Emmy win in September for HBO's "Warm Springs," Gordon says the immediacy and tremendous impact that TV series have is awe-inspiring. "You have such a tight deadline in TV, and there's something challenging and exciting to know that no matter what happens, you don't have time to mess around," he says. "The work has to be done. The show must go on."
The race was not quite as close among adults 18-49, where ABC led with a 7.6 rating. FOX took second with a 6.2, followed by CBS, 3.6, and NBC, 2.9. The WB trailed with a 1.2. "Grey's Anatomy" held the lead for ABC at 10 p.m. with a 12.7/19. "Silver Bells" held steady for CBS, and NBC's "Crossing Jordan" came in at 7.3/11. The conclusion of "American Dad" and local programming on FOX averaged 4.9/7 from 10 to 10:30.
Viewers think the sexy surgeons are the latest in TV cool, while ratings have been red-hot for the ABC medical drama, which ranks fifth in viewers (18.4 million) in just its first full season. Launched in March, Grey's (Sunday, 10 p.m. ET/PT) inherited the huge lead-in audience of Desperate Housewives, but it soon attracted its own following. There's something for everyone, says Patrick Dempsey, who plays neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd, known as Dr. McDreamy to Grey's female doctors. "There's such a diverse cast that people can identify with, archetypes that people can relate to," Dempsey says. "There's an emotion to it. There's a sense of humor to it." Grey's secret might be in the mix: of work and play; of comedy, drama and a little soap; of men and women; and of interns, residents and attending physicians of varied background, race and personality. "This is essentially a workplace romance show, as opposed to a pure medical show or a pure relationship show. It's really about a group of friends trying to make it through everyday work and relationships," says creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes. And don't forget the sex factor. "Everybody has sex on (Sunday's episode). Well, not everybody, but there's a lot of sex," Rhimes says. Since more people are watching, the series' growth spurt deserves examination, with diagnoses courtesy of Grey's actors, producers and viewers. Character counts Friends, as Rhimes calls them, is the operative term. Fans appear to have bonded quickly with Grey's cast. Viewers enjoy the stories, but they come back for Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), her sometimes lover, Shepherd, and colleagues. "The characters are so convincing and the chemistry is electric," says Tracy Gallo of Lisbon, Ohio. In a recent episode, "I could feel McDreamy's breath on the back of my own neck during the elevator scene with Meredith." Meredith, the Grey of the title, is one of five first-year interns. The show's narration comes from her perspective, but Rhimes says it "absolutely is an ensemble show." Critics praise the rich detail of the characters, especially in a series now featuring 10 regulars with the addition of Dr. Addison Shepherd (Kate Walsh), Derek's wife. Moving targets Both characters and relationships are ever-changing. The early take on George O'Malley (T.R. Knight): indecisive intern. He has evolved into a talented doctor with a backbone. At the same time, cocky Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) is dealing with an uncertainty of his medical future and his tentative love connection with Isobel "Izzie" Stevens (Katherine Heigl). Tough-as-nails resident Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), known as The Nazi, could have been a one-dimensional person. But subsequent episodes have shown a broader character. Now she's pregnant, which tests her ambition, says Wilson, who this month gave birth to her third child. "We'll see how together she is." One vision Series TV newcomer Rhimes, who wrote Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement, has been given broad leeway to create the world of Seattle Grace Hospital. "Shonda has a very clear idea of who the characters are, and she writes them that way," fellow executive producer James Parriott says. Rhimes' concept combined the universality of workplace relationships with a heightened life-or-death aspect that few face. It didn't hurt that she is a big fan of surgery documentaries on cable TV. "I know what's going to happen in Season 4, should we make it that far," Rhimes says. Tragedy, meet comedy Heigl says viewers relate to the show's humor. "And I think Shonda has the wickedest sense of humor," she says. In one episode, Seattle Grace encountered the serious and not-so-serious aspects of a syphilis outbreak among the medical staff. In another, doctors discovered a patient had consumed doll heads. During a scene shot this week for an upcoming episode, Meredith faced the serious and the slapstick simultaneously. The caring doctor gave lifesaving treatment to an elderly woman with "do not resuscitate" instructions. As Meredith realized the gravity of the matter, the patient's friends, played by June Lockhart, Betty Garrett and Rae Allen, served as a tsk-tsking trio. Allen's character then whacked Meredith with a large handbag, calling her a schnook. Pompeo broke up laughing during a couple of takes. Working with the veteran actresses was refreshing on a demanding day. "You can only hope for days like this," Pompeo says. "They're hysterical." Doctor's orders Though the medical plots exist to serve the characters, often serving as a metaphor for events in their lives, the show wants to get them right. It has featured such oddities as a teratoma, a growth that can make a man appear pregnant. On the operating room set, director David Paymer gave instructions to Dempsey, Heigl and Walsh, whose characters were trying to save a premature baby. The actors were playful between takes - Dempsey and Walsh pantomimed patty-cake over the dummy mother - but the lifesaving scene was all business. That seriousness grounds everything else, says co-executive producer Peter Horton. "Human beings in direct proximity of life and death - that makes it intriguing, entertaining and extremely moving." Variety is the spice Grey's is running ahead of a TV world slow to reflect the country's diversity. The cast includes African-American and Asian-American doctors; a Latina character is coming. But they are not defined by race. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), an Asian-American, and Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), an African-American, have relationship issues, but they are based on personality. Grey's "actually reflects a regular city, with three-dimensional minority characters," says Kevin Lockett, a viewer from Akron, Ohio. When Grey's was casting, the goal was to be open to all actors without earmarking roles by race. Grey's diversity "is by design and not by design at the same time," says Rhimes, the lone African-American woman heading a broadcast network drama series. It also features strong, complex women pursuing professional and personal goals. "It's an accurate reflection of the women I know." Rx: Sex, and lots of it From the hot cast - Dempsey is in People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive issue and other cast members have not-so-secret admirers - to trysts ranging from romantic to lustful, Grey's offers soapy va-va-va-voom, creating buzz and drawing media interest. The yin-yang of Burke-Yang intrigues fans, as does the slow-moving mating dance of Izzie and Alex. Rhimes says the Meredith-McDreamy-Addison triangle has plenty of mileage. Last week's renewed spark between Addison and McDreamy left viewers buzzing. "You get to see them try to work it out," Walsh says. But "that's a very small trailer to live in." Some fans don't want it to work out, underscoring their bond with the actors and their characters. "I'm rooting for Meredith and Dr. McDreamy to get back together," says Kimberly Kamis of Orchard Park, N.Y. "He is absolutely the best-looking, most delightful man" on television.
Woods will be guest-starring on an episode of NBC's "ER" in February, marking his first work on a live-action series in a number of years (he's done voice work on several shows, most recently "Family Guy"). He'll play Dr. Nate Lennox, a former professor of Abby's (Maura Tierney) who now suffers from ALS and becomes a patient at County General. Woods is a five-time Emmy nominee, most recently in 2003 for playing New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in a USA Network biopic. His wins came in 1986, for the CBS movie "Promise," and '89, for ABC's film "My Name Is Bill W." He's also a two-time Oscar nominee, for "Salvador and "Ghosts of Mississippi." Ramirez, meanwhile, will follow up her Broadway run as the Lady of the Lake in "Spamalot" with a multi-episode arc on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." She'll appear in seven episodes of the second-year hit, playing a surgeon. Other details, including the date of her first appearance, are scant at the moment. She won a Tony Award earlier this year for her performance in "Spamalot," the musical based on "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Her TV credits include guest spots on "Law & Order: SVU," "Spin City" and "NYPD Blue."
Gorgeous Charlize Theron and her equally gorgeous guy Stuart Townsend of TV's "Night Stalker." Responding to constant marriage speculation, Townsend said, "We're never ever getting married. Not ever. Just to piss them all off!" ("Them" are the paparrazi who hovered scarily over Charlize and Stuart's home recently, thinking the pair were marrying. In fact, it was Charlize's mom who was tying the knot.) . . . Lindsay Lohan, looking much more glamorous as a brunette, arrived late and left early, but made an impression — even showbiz vets think she has that old-style va-va-voom. . . . Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, the most tormented-by-the-media couple in Hollywood, looked like anything but a raging about-to-split pair, as they are painted. Jessica and Nick held hands all night, and Simpson said: "We are very much in love. He is my soul mate." . . . Steven Spielberg, taking time from post-production on his eagerly awaited "Munich" feature, was there with wife Kate Capshaw and pal Drew Barrymore, who rocketed to fame in Spielberg's "E.T." Steven said of Drew: "She made me everything I am today!" Tom Hanks, looking very youthful these days, and his Rita Wilson, who always looks great, wandered up to the roof for some dancing. Laura Dern, Jeremy Piven, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Topher Grace, Tatum O'Neal, Jimmy Fallon, Stevie Wonder and dozens of other A-listers ate, drank and boogied until late into the night. But the undisputed man of the evening was hot, hot, hot Patrick Dempsey, the "Grey's Anatomy" sex symbol. Patrick, who has slowly matured from cute and gawky to handsome and assured, was mobbed without mercy. Asked about his new surge of popularity, Dempsey said, "I'm just glad to be working. I'm happy to be at this party. I am so thankful!" Not just thankful, but generous. As Patrick left the fete, a staffer ran after him, "Oh, Mr. Dempsey, you forgot your gift bag!" The star smiled and said, "Kid, I think I have enough Gucci. You keep it."
The gap was wider among adults 18-49, with ABC's 7.6 rating dominating the premium demographic for advertisers. CBS, 4.3, finished second, and FOX took third with a 3.8. NBC averaged 3.1 and The WB 1.3. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" scored one of its biggest audiences of the season with a 13.3/21. "Snow Wonder" averaged 8.2/13 for CBS, and "The Poseidon Adventure" finished with a 6.3/10.
Among adults 18-49, ABC's 7.5 rating was the clear leader, with FOX, 5.0, coming in second. CBS scored a 3.8 in the demographic, beating NBC's 2.8 and The WB's 1.2. ABC held the lead at 10 p.m. with "Grey's Anatomy," 13.1/21. "Category 7" finished with an 8.4/13, and NBC's "SNL" documentary came in at 5.4/9.
Some of the fall season's top shows have the biggest casts. ABC's Desperate Housewives, with 19 actors on its credit list, is No. 2 in viewers. ABC's Lost, No. 4, features 15 regular characters. And Grey's Anatomy, with an ensemble of nine, ranks fifth. Then there's Fox's Prison Break, whose pilot included 34 speaking roles. And at midseason comes Windfall, an NBC drama that follows 20 characters - all winners of a huge lottery prize. Large-cast dramas are all the rage, and there are reasons for it. Though big casts have downsides - including higher production costs and actors competing for screen time and equal publicity - executives and producers say they offer more chances to bond with viewers. "You can have more interactions between characters and create more diverse characters, more back stories, more love triangles," says Bryan Burk, executive producer for Lost. Until the burst of recent hits, large ensembles had been out of vogue for a decade, with NBC's ER and The West Wing the exceptions to the rule. Large-cast dramas are more likely to be serialized, and serialized dramas fell out of favor in part because of their limited repeat value. Sitcoms, with smaller casts, were hot for a time, then came the domination of plot-focused crime dramas, led by the Law & Order and CSI brands. Both comedy and procedurals generally have self-contained episodes, which perform better as reruns and in syndication. But serials such as Lost and Fox's 24 have proved their worth in strong DVD sales, providing a new source of income to help justify the extra costs of a large cast. Actor salaries and additional sets and locations can run $500,000 more an episode than a standard one-hour drama, says Dana Walden, president of 20th Century Fox Television, which produces 24 and Prison Break. "When you look at the DVD marketplace, part of what consumers are interested in is characters they get invested in over time," she says. "(And) there's a very strong appetite in the international marketplace for serialized dramas." And hits spawn imitators. Lost and Housewives turned ABC around when it had been languishing. The possibility for similar success tempts others to take the risk. Even reality shows may have helped the trend, says David Bushman, curator at the Museum of Television & Radio. CBS' Survivor, he says, is one of a number of reality hits whose large number of contestants and story lines may have gotten viewers more acclimated to the expanded drama casts. But big ensembles present producers with both positives and negatives. Among them: The pluses •Catching the rhythms of real life. More characters means more and different stories. In Windfall, each character has won $20 million in the lottery, and their stories reflect a range of experiences, each with a different perspective on the good fortune, says executive producer Laurie McCarthy. "You just have a chorus line of people from whom you can draw both characters and story lines," she says. "It feels much more naturalistic" than having all events happening to a few main characters. There's also the ability to undertake the most dramatic possibility - a main character's death - without destroying the show. Last season, Lost killed off Boone (Ian Somerhalder). It will lose another tonight (ABC, 9 ET/PT). Though killing off regulars might alienate fans, producers say it is necessary for the island's life-or-death threats to be credible. And, from a writing perspective, the show has reached about the maximum level of regulars without spreading too thin, so the departure of a character can make room for a new one. •Being more diverse. Large casts can easily present a mix of racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The doctors of Grey's Anatomy reflect varied backgrounds. And Lost's Sayid (Naveen Andrews), a former member of Iraq's Republican Guard, is a TV regular unlikely to be seen in a show with a small cast. "It's easier when you have 10 people in a cast to have a broader spectrum," ABC entertainment chief Steve McPherson says. •Staying flexible Extra characters give a show options if an actor is sidelined. During the first season of NBC's Las Vegas, actor Josh Duhamel, who plays central character Danny, ruptured his Achilles tendon. Having other actors and stories to draw on allowed the show to continue shooting while writers adjusted Danny's story to reflect the injury, says executive producer Gary Scott Thompson. "It's better if you're not dependent on one actor," Thompson says. "We had Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky & Hutch) here directing, and he pointed that out. He said on Starsky & Hutch, it was the two of them - that was the show. Without them, you've got no show." One other benefit to producers, although those interviewed for this story say they haven't used it: Because characters are more easily replaced, contract talks with actors can get ruthless. The minuses •Squeezing everyone in. Lots of characters in limited time means some get left out. In early episodes of Lost this season, some main characters, such as Charlie (Dominic Monaghan), have all but disappeared. The focus has been on the island's mythology and introducing passengers from the tail of the plane. "We were dealing a lot with the cliffhanger from last season," Burk says. "As soon as they all come together, we'll be spending time with everyone." Some TV critics have complained that Housewives has lost focus by splitting up its main characters in separate stories, losing the charm of the housewives' bond. McPherson disagrees, but says this year's mystery of the secret of new neighbor Betty (Alfre Woodard) is "a little bit peripheral" to the main characters compared with last season's Mary Alice Young suicide story. •Recruiting actorsand keeping them challenged. Ensembles can be too crowded for some stars. Rob Lowe, who originally was supposed to be the central character of The West Wing, left the series after a few seasons because he felt his role was diminishing. "If you have a good agent and you're in demand, would you rather be in a show that focuses on four people and gives you lots of lines, or one with 15?" says Tim Brooks, co-author of The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable Shows. With a cast of 15, Lost actors have occasionally expressed a desire for more scenes. "It's more 'I'm sitting on the bench, coach. I want to get up there and knock a home run out of the park for you,' as opposed to, 'I feel like you're not using me. This is coming from a place of ego,' " executive producer Damon Lindelof says. Any unrest can be somewhat mitigated by having some roles be recurring, with actors appearing less frequently than the regulars (which also saves money). But those actors have more freedom to take other roles, which can limit story options. • Puzzling promotions. When trying to tell viewers about a new series, having an established star or two is often the easiest way to gain recognition. Ensembles, which often include less famous actors, pose a challenge. "You can't be as comfortable with 20 people as you can with three or four," says Vivi Zigler, who oversees NBC's current programming. NBC will feature individual characters in stylized Windfall promotions, so viewers aren't overwhelmed at once by the large cast. Size complicates logistics, too. "Just to get a big ensemble cast together for a big publicity still is a lot of work," Zigler says. •Navigating the politics Publicity can turn into a competition, too, as was the case last spring with the Housewives' Vanity Fair photo shoot. The series avoided tensions this fall with a multi-photo campaign that gave each housewife the center position. Magazine editors are used to actors' publicists jockeying for photos and stories, and the competition for attention can increase when a series features 10 regulars instead of three. "They all want equal placement," says Debra Birnbaum, executive editor of Inside TV. But, at least for now, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The possibilities are pretty much endless. Says Birnbaum: "If Grey's Anatomy had one big lead character, we could do maybe one story a month and then we'd be done," With nine regulars, "we can come back on Grey's Anatomy every week."
I had a blast,” said Dempsey, who will race in the Grand-Am Cup Series in 2006 and is involved in an upcoming movie about road racing. “I can’t wait to do it again if I am invited back. I had a great time.” Dempsey has been an avid open-wheel and sports car racing fan for several years and participated in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race at this year's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. He also competed in Miata Pro Series and Panoz Racing Series events, scoring a best result of eighth in the Panoz Series event at Road Atlanta. Earlier this year, four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon test drove the Corvette Z06, and future episodes of Test Drive will put IRL driver Danica Patrick behind the wheel of the new Honda Civic SI at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix and two-time Formula One champ Mika Hakkinen will test drive the Mercedes-Benz AMG line at the famed Hockenheim circuit in Germany.
ABC also won among adults 18-49, scoring a 7.6 rating in the demographic that advertisers salivate over. CBS was second with a 4.5 rating, nipping the 4.1 rating for FOX. NBC dropped to fourth with a 3.3 rating. The WB's 1.0 rating trailed. "Grey's Anatomy" helped ABC close on top with a 12.6/20. NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" improved to a 10.2/16 in its final hour. CBS' second hour of "Category 7" lost some viewers and finished third.
"Grey's Anatomy" will continue to dominate its Sunday night time period by airing immediately after Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006, it was announced today by Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment. With the game slated to start at 6:00 p.m., ET, it is expected that the highly anticipated original episode of "Grey's Anatomy" will begin immediately following all post-game coverage around 10:00 p.m., ET. "'Grey's Anatomy' is a huge asset for this network and is fast becoming one of America's favorite Sunday night events," said McPherson. "The producers are preparing a great episode that will appeal to new viewers as well as devoted fans. It's the perfect conclusion to one of TV's biggest days." "Grey's Anatomy" is the fourth-highest-rated TV show this season in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic and stands as the No. 2 television program among Women 18-34 (10.3/26), behind only ABC's "Desperate Housewives." ABC's sophomore hit is TV's No. 1 10 o'clock show on any night of the week for the second season in a row, across all key adult demographics. In its hour, the ABC drama defeats its nearest competition by 5.9 million viewers (18.2 million vs. 12.3 million - NBC's "Crossing Jordan"), and outperforms the combined deliveries of CBS ("Sunday Movie") and NBC ("Crossing Jordan") in the hour by 32% in Adults 18-49 (8.2/20 vs. 6.2/15) and by 16% in Adults 25-54 (9.2/20 vs. 7.9/18). "Grey's Anatomy" is substantially improving the time period for ABC (+54% in Total Viewers & +78% in Adults 18-49), generating the Network's strongest series numbers in the hour in five years - since "The Practice" during the 2000-01 TV Season. "Grey's Anatomy" stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke, Katherine Heigl as Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O'Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey and James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber. Guest starring is Kate Walsh as Addison Shepherd. Shonda Rhimes is creator and executive producer of "Grey's Anatomy." Mark Gordon, Betsy Beers and Jim Parriott are executive producers. Peter Horton is co-executive producer. "Grey's Anatomy" is a Touchstone Television Production.
Among adults 18-49, ABC's 5.8 rating was the clear leader, with FOX coming in second at 4.1. NBC's 3.0 was good for third, beating CBS' 2.6 and The WB's 1.3. "Grey's Anatomy" showed it's not just a time-slot hit at 10 p.m., scoring the night's biggest audience with an 11.2/19. "Crossing Jordan" averaged 8.3/14 for NBC, while "Vampire Bats" slumped to a 4.0/7 for CBS.
It's not quite a drama. It's not quite a comedy. It's not quite a soap opera. It's a strange combination of all three. Characterizations notwithstanding, Grey's Anatomy attracts the attention of a lot of viewers every Sunday at 10 p.m. (CTV, ABC). And why is that? Maybe it's similar to that old joke about the guy who would have been a doctor had he been able to stomach sick people. Grey's Anatomy is set in a hospital, but it is not about medicine in the most literal sense of the word. Ellen Pompeo -- who looks a bit like Renee Zellweger with better hair -- stars as Meredith Grey. You may remember Pompeo from her tiny role in the Leonardo DiCaprio film Catch Me If You Can, but in Grey's Anatomy she's one of five spunky interns (including Ottawa's Sandra Oh) at Seattle Grace Hospital. Occasionally, in between sexual escapades and the pursuit of true love, the medical staff gets around to real doctorin', as John Candy used to say on SCTV. But even the most unfunny situations on Grey's Anatomy come across as ER-lite. Case in point: In the episode last week, two interns were moving a policeman who had been shot into the operating room for surgery. But while in an elevator, the power went out, thus trapping them. The policeman took a turn for the worse and one of the interns had to operate, following instructions communicated through a small crack in the elevator doors. Sounds dramatic, huh? But nothing is all that serious on Grey's Anatomy. There always is time for mild humour, not to mention a soothing E-Z Rock soundtrack in the background. The episode tonight sees Meredith nervously awaiting a final decision from hunky surgeon Derek Shepherd (played by Patrick Dempsey) about whether he is going to sign his divorice papers and commit to Meredith full-time. But her personal turmoil is sidetracked when several victims of a train wreck show up at the hospital, including a pair of passengers who have been impaled on a metal pole. Ouch. But Grey's Anatomy will find a way to get a chuckle or two out of it, with some clunky dramatic moments thrown in for good measure. At the end of each episode, you can't help but feel slightly guilty. If you allow yourself to enter this fictional world, then you have to accept that lives, even fictional ones, are at stake. But the staff at Seattle Grace never gets too overwrought about it. Heck, after work they even have time to hang out at the same bar, a la Ally McBeal (hopefully none of the doctors will start singing with the band soon). There are some nice-looking dudes and dude-ettes on Grey's Anatomy. It's fairly well-acted. And it will not keep you up late on Sundays as you face another work week. But you almost need to approach Grey's Anatomy as you would one of the Harry Potter movies. Yes, there are schools in the world, but none quite like Hogwarts. And yes, there are hospitals in the world, but none quite like Seattle Grace. Pity. There's a lot more fun going on there than in any Ontario-based emergency room.
Teaming up to help children with special needs, the casts and crews of ten hit Disney-ABC Television Group series have created exclusive, one-of-a-kind wooden hearts to be auctioned off October 24 - November 3 at DisneyAuctions.com. All proceeds from the online auction will benefit The Help Group, an organization dedicated to serving children with special needs related to autism, Asperger's disorder, learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, mental retardation, abuse and emotional problems. The inspiration for the hearts comes directly from the children of The Help Group schools. Help Group students paint hearts and other canvases as part of an art therapy program designed to promote self-esteem as well as visual motor skills in children with special needs. Unique, detailed pieces of art capturing the essence of shows -- including ABC's "Alias," "Desperate Housewives," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "General Hospital," "The View," "Good Morning America," "Grey's Anatomy," "Lost," Disney Channel's "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" and "That's So Raven" -- are part of the unprecedented ABC auction. "Alias" - autographed by Jennifer Garner, this silver heart features two doors that open to reveal a detailed fake time bomb and unique images. "Desperate Housewives" - covered in wisteria, this heart includes photos of America's most famous housewives and is signed by Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria and Nicollette Sheridan. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" - an intricately carved house filled with tiny people is the centerpiece of this heart, which also includes the show's logo, the sun and moon. "General Hospital" - "My Heart Belongs to General Hospital" is emblazoned on this red heart pierced by a hand-painted arrow and decorated with roses - a must have for fans of this ABC and SOAPNet favorite. "Good Morning America" - featuring photos of both the weekday and weekend casts, this heart's backdrop are the Stars and Stripes of America. "Grey's Anatomy" - signed by Patrick Dempsey, this heart brings to life various elements of the hit show, including scenes of Seattle, diagrams of the heart and brain, a group photo and character quotes. "Lost" - this heart features photos of America's favorite castaways, along with scenes from the island they inhabit. "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" - this heart, signed by Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Brenda Strong and Ashley Tisdale of the Disney Channel hit series which recently premiered on ABC Kids, features behind-the-scenes photos and pages from an episodic script, and typifies the young cast's favorite things, sports and beauty items. "That's So Raven" - Raven-Symone, star of the hit Disney Channel and ABC Kids series, personally transformed this heart into a beautiful face filled with emotion. "The View" - decorated with photos of ABC's five queens of daytime, this heart includes some of the ladies' trademark quotes.
ABC also notched a victory among adults 18-49, drawing a 6.8 rating in the demographic advertisers covet. FOX, 4.8, came in second, followed by CBS, 3.7. NBC averaged 2.6 and The WB 1.2. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" averaged 12.2/19 for ABC to beat the World Series, 10.5/16. "Crossing Jordan" came in at 7.9/12 for NBC, while CBS' movie dropped to fourth with a 5.4/8.
Chief among the possible changes would be the addition of a high-profile partner, actor Patrick Dempsey (lead character in the “Grey’s Anatomy” TV show). In a strategy similar to HVM Racing’s association with Cedric The Entertainer in Champ Car, George hopes Dempsey’s addition would help bring in new sponsors for the team, who has run the entirety of its inaugural season without a title backer. If those plans come to fruition, Vision Racing’s plan is to run as many as two cars in the IndyCar Series - one of them presumably for George’s stepson Ed Carpenter, the reason for Vision’s creation in the first place - and another two in the Infiniti Pro Series. A part-time Grand-Am program, perhaps with George himself and Dempsey joining Carpenter for driving duties, is also in the squad’s cards. Hampered by its last-minute assembly and Toyota power, Vision had a forgettable ‘05 campaign, with Carpenter finishing 18th in the points standings and never starting a race better than 16th. The squad notched a single top-10 finish, precisely a P10 result at Nashville. In the Pro Series, USAC racer Jay Drake manned Vision’s single-car effort, taking two podium finishes en route to ninth in points.
ABC's lead among adults 18-49 was bigger, as its 7.4 rating almost doubled second-place CBS' 3.9. FOX, 3.4, was third, followed by NBC, 2.7, and The WB, 1.2. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" kept ABC on top with a 12.4/20. "Crossing Jordan" pushed NBC up to second with a 7.6/12, beating the CBS movie "Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire." FOX posted a 6.4/10 with the last innings of the American League Championship Series.
(*Only broadcasts of half hour or longer are counted) 1 CSI CBS 28.8 Ratings for viewers aged 18 to 49 (= denotes tie, S denotes special, R denotes repeat) 1 Desperate Housewives ABC 11.1 Among adults 18-49, ABC's 7.0 rating led the field by a considerable margin, with FOX, 4.5, finishing second. NBC was third in the demographic at 3.0, followed by CBS, 2.8, and The WB, 1.2. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" kept ABC in the lead with a 12.0/19. "Crossing Jordan," 8.4/13, finished second for NBC. Baseball posted a 7.6/12 for FOX, and CBS' movie came in at 5.6/9.
ABC averaged a 10.4 rating/16 share in primetime Sunday, beating CBS, 7.9/12. NBC took third at 6.5/10, with FOX not far behind at 6.2/10. The WB trailed with a 1.8/3. Among adults 18-49, ABC's 7.1 rating led the way. FOX took second in the demographic with a 4.7, although that may turn out to be somewhat inflated by a late-ending NFL game in much of the country. NBC's 2.9 was good for third, beating out CBS' 2.8. The WB averaged 1.1. At 10 p.m., "Grey's Anatomy" kept ABC in first place with an 11.8/19. "Crossing Jordan" scored an 8.3/13 in the first half of a crossover with "Las Vegas." CBS' movie finished with a 6.8/11.
ABC's lead among adults 18-49 was even wider -- its 7.8 rating in the ad-friendly demographic nearly doubled CBS' 4.0. FOX was a close third at 3.9, and NBC was fourth at 2.6. The WB trailed with a 1.3. At 10 p.m., the season premiere of "Grey's Anatomy" drew a 12.3/20 for ABC. "Crossing Jordan" averaged 8.6/14 for NBC, and "Martha: Behind Bars" came in at 5.3/8 for CBS.
How could he do that to us - I mean, you - er, her? Give your heart a compression or two and get set for another round of, well, rounds with those frisky interns, as ABC's surprise midseason hit ``Grey's Anatomy'' returns for a second season (tonight at 10:01 on WCVB, Ch. 5). Meredith (Ellen Pompeo, TV's Renee Zellweger) narrates a cute recap of last season that ends with the moment when Meredith came face to face with her beloved Derek's (Patrick Dempsey) equally brilliant surgeon wife, Addison (Kate Walsh), who, by way of introduction, said, ``And you must be the woman who's been screwing my husband.'' Can you believe this beeyatch? She's all Amanda Woodward in Meredith's face, forcing her to work for her. Meanwhile, the other interns have their own bedside problems. Cristina (Sandra Oh) is pregnant and confused about her relationship with her boss, Dr. Burke (Isaiah Washington). Interns Izzie (Katherine Heigl) and Alex (Justin Chambers) are sniffing each others' surgical masks, so you know it's only a shift or two before they're checking vital signs. ``All you people ever think about is how to get into somebody's pants. You're nasty,'' Dr. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) snaps, speaking for the few of us at home overdosing on the romantic mush. Even the patients who are dying know all about the interns' love lives. You half-expect one to say, ``Sure, I've got this aneurysm that's going to implode in my brain, but enough about me, are you getting your mack on?'' Meanwhile, the chief of the department orders sad sack George (T.R. Knight) to spend the entire day spying on the staff. Apparently the state of medicine is so good at the hospital that heGFgbugTELEVISION REVIEW``GREY'S ANATOMY''Season premiere tonight at 10:01 on WCVB (Ch. 5).55 (out of four)can afford the time to skulk around stairwells and hallways. Oh, there's a teensy bit of drama thrown in for those viewers who have been spoiled by ``House.'' Dr. McDreamy decides that to save a patient, he'll have to first kill him. Yes! And you'll watch because McDreamy says so. After dodging him for, like, ever, Meredith finally shares a beer with McDreamy to find out why he hid this awful secret from her and made her, well, more of a tramp than she already is. Dempsey's line reading at one point is so anguished that you can hear millions of viewers telling their TV sets, ``We forgive you! We forgive you!'' Will Meredith? Here's a hint: ABC wants you to tune in next week. The network is sick like that.
Where we left off: There's an outbreak of sexually transmitted disease affecting several members of the hospital staff, prompting mass testing. Meanwhile, chief of surgery Dr. Webber confides his own medical concerns to Dr. Derek Shepherd; Izzie and Cristina are worried by a patient's wife and daughter who are at odds over his care; Burke treats Bill, a college buddy whose medical diagnosis raises some questions regarding his wife's actions; and, just as Meredith and Derek grow more intimate, a bombshell is dropped - his wife appears. What's ahead: The story will pick up right where it left off, and Derek will have some explaining to do. Where has this wife been? What is the status of their marriage and why didn't he ever mention it? Burke and Cristina's relationship will continue to unfold, and George's love life will continue to be troubled, to say the least.
Anderson, who was born in Ladysmith, B.C. in 1967, beat out other well-known Canadian stars such as Jim Carrey, Mike Myers and Keanu Reeves. The magazine said she scored high on the magazine's first celebrity power list because of her countless web hits, numerous press clippings, media appearances and a salary estimated at $300,000 dollars per television episode. Anderson has appeared in more than a dozen films and television sitcoms, including "Home Improvement", "Baywatch", comic book legend Stan Lee's "Stripperella", "VIP" and her latest effort, "Stacked", about a party girl working in a bookstore. She is also famous for her much-publicized relationships with rock stars Tommy Lee and Kid Rock, along with her 11 appearances on the cover of Playboy magazine. Other notable Canadians to make the list: Spader is among the latest group of presenters added to the 57th annual Primetime Emmys. "The Closer" star Kyra Sedgwick, Patrick Dempsey ("Grey's Anatomy"), Rachel Bilson ("The O.C."), Jason Lee ("My Name Is Earl") and "Late Late Show" host Craig Ferguson will also present awards. Spader was a surprise winner last year for best lead actor in a drama series ("The Practice"), and he's nominated again this year for his work on "Legal," which was spun off from "The Practice." His competition will come from Ian McShane ("Deadwood"), Kiefer Sutherland ("24"), Hugh Laurie ("House") and Hank Azaria ("Huff"). Dempsey earned a guest-acting Emmy nomination four years ago for ABC's "Once and Again" and currently stars in "Grey's Anatomy" with fellow presenter Ellen Pompeo. Bilson also joins a castmate, Mischa Barton, in taking on presenting duties. Sedgwick, Lee and Ferguson will all be making their first Emmy show appearances. Ellen DeGeneres will host the Emmy telecast, which is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 18 on CBS.
Sela Ward, Charles S. Dutton and "Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo have also joined the show, which Ellen DeGeneres will host and CBS will broadcast Sunday, Sept. 18. Smits is currently running for president on NBC's "The West Wing," one of the nominees for outstanding drama series this year. He has been nominated for an Emmy 11 times in his career and has won once, in 1990 for his work on "L.A. Law." Like Hewitt, who stars in "Ghost Whisperer," Dutton will be featured in a new CBS series this fall, the sci-fi drama "Threshold." The one-time "Roc" star has won three Emmys in his career -- for guest appearances on "The Practice" and "Without a Trace" and for directing the HBO miniseries "The Corner." Pompeo will be making her first Emmy appearance following the surprise success of "Grey's Anatomy" this spring. The show is up for three Emmys, including one for Pompeo's co-star, Sandra Oh. Ward is a two-time Emmy winner, for "Sisters" and "Once and Again." She guest-starred on two episodes of FOX's "House" at the end of last season and will be back for several more this fall.
TVGuide.com: I can't believe you pulled the old, "Oops, did I forget to mention my wife?" bit on poor Meredith in the finale! TVGuide.com: The show was somewhat of a surprise hit. What's the mind-set over there now? TVGuide.com: So which lady is going to be more disappointed, Meredith or Derek's missus? TVGuide.com: I bet the boys over on Boston Legal were pretty disappointed too, seeing as you kicked them off of Sunday night. TVGuide.com: Perhaps Lisa Kudrow [of HBO's The Comeback] should come to you for tips. You certainly made a hell of a comeback. Sorry, I know actors hate that word. TVGuide.com: Since you brought it up, the years have been kind to you. The consensus is that the older — sorry, I know actors hate that word even more — Patrick is even better than the teen Patrick. The Big Four were tightly bunched in the adults 18-49 demographic, with CBS' 2.5 rating winning out. FOX took second at 2.4, followed closely by ABC at 2.3 and NBC at 2.1. The WB trailed with a 0.8. At 10 p.m., "Deep Impact" took over the lead with a 5.7/10. "Crossing Jordan" averaged 4.9/8 for NBC, beating the 3.9/7 for "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC.
"Strong lady!" That's "Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey remembering the good old days to writer Andrew Goldman of Elle. (Patrick is now happily married. Doors remain hinged.)
FOX scored a victory among adults 18-49, earning a 2.4 rating in the advertisers' favorite demographic. ABC took second at 2.0, followed closely by NBC, 1.9, and CBS, 1.8. The WB averaged 0.6. "Crossing Jordan," 5.6/10, won the 10 p.m. hour for NBC. The conclusion of "I Am Sam" came in at 4.8/8 for CBS, ahead of "Grey's Anatomy," 3.7/6, on ABC.
FOX, however, won among adults 18-49, doing a 2.6 rating in the advertiser friendly demographic. NBC dropped to second with a 2.0 rating, as ABC stayed third with a 1.7 rating, better than the 1.5 for CBS. The WB trailed again with a 0.7 rating. "Crossing Jordan" closed the evening with a 5.7/10 for NBC. CBS' telefilm averaged a 3.8/7 for second. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" was third.
Thanks to "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy," FOX led among adults 18-49 with a 2.4 rating. ABC was second at 2.3, beating NBC, 1.9, and CBS, 1.7. The WB averaged 0.7. At 10 p.m., NBC's "Crossing Jordan" posted a 5.3/10 to beat the conclusion of "Gleason," 4.5/8, on CBS and ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," 3.8/7.
He woke up every day knowing exactly what he was supposed to do and who he was supposed to be. Everyone in his suburban Houston neighborhood — where he did his homework, got good grades and stayed out of trouble — knew he was going to get a football scholarship to pay his way through college. But even when that didn't happen, he simply went to the backup plan and joined the Air Force, where he learned enough about aerospace engineering to land a successful private-sector job in Washington, D.C. Throughout it all, he showed up every day and worked hard, and if he had any questions, he asked someone in charge: a coach, a superior officer, a boss. He got married the day after his 21st birthday. He bought his wife a mink coat. A led to B led to C — a straight line. Except that the dots weren't connecting in the way he'd been told they would. He was bored with the job and unsure about the marriage, and his wife was allergic to the coat. One night in 1986, on the way to a Luther Vandross concert, he had to take her to the emergency room. The mink coat had given her hives. "The doctors are applying Benadryl, we're missing the concert, she doesn't want to give up the mink coat, and I'm thinking, 'Is this [my life]? This can't be it,'" Washington recalls. "I pretty much had a midlife crisis at 23." So Isaiah Washington stepped out of line. He quit his job. He got a divorce and, after seeing Spike Lee's first feature film, She's Gotta Have It, decided to become an actor. "It was an epiphany," he says. "I said, 'Pow! That's what I want to do.'" His friends thought he'd lost his mind. But, in the same linear way he'd done everything else, Washington developed a plan: He'd take some acting classes, read up and then, in 10 years, be in a Spike Lee movie. He studied theater at Howard University, moved to New York and became a founding member of CityKids Repertory, a group that performed "in homeless shelters, crack dens, on flatbed trucks." In 1994, two years ahead of schedule, Washington appeared in Spike Lee's Crooklyn (he went on to make three more films with the director: Clockers, Girl 6 and Get on the Bus). The reviews were good, and phrases like "the next Denzel" were being whispered. His inclination, still, was to follow the rules, so he took the parts he was offered, even when they didn't always feel right. Roles in prestigious movies like Steven Soderbergh's Out of Sight and Clint Eastwood's True Crime aside, Washington mostly played thugs and cops gone bad. Shooting a gun and dying were nearly always in the script. "I got tired of doing things on the promise that they would lead to something else," he says. "And I got very angry. I started to speak up. Once a producer blurted, 'Do you want the f---ing job or not?' 'Well, sir, I guess I don't.'" By the time Washington had done Hollywood Homicide in 2003 — where his criminal character was thrown off a roof by Harrison Ford — he'd had enough. "I told my agents I wanted to try television. Instead they sent me 14 movie scripts opposite people like Arnold Schwarzenegger," he recalls. "I said, 'I am not working with one more old has-been.'" Then he got the Grey's Anatomy script and a chance to audition for the lead, Dr. Derek Shepherd. "I said, 'This is what I want. I will go in and play dirt on the floor because this is the room I want to be in.'" When the part went to Patrick Dempsey, Washington says he felt like he'd "been kicked in the stomach by 14 mules." But Shonda Rhimes, the show's creator and executive producer, hadn't dismissed Washington. She offered him Dr. Preston Burke, serious and arrogant in the pilot script, with the promise he could make the role his own. "In the abstract, Burke was a more awkward and self-hating guy, a little bit of a weasel, but that was before Isaiah walked into the room," Rhimes says. "Isaiah played him as someone who intensely loves his job. He brought a sense of honor to what Burke does. And with Isaiah, suddenly there was a sexiness to the role, an intelligence and a wit." And now Isaiah Washington, 41 years old, is starting to see the opportunities he envisioned so many years ago. His next film, The Moguls, opposite Jeff Bridges and featuring no gunplay, opens later this year. His second marriage, to fashion designer Jenisa Washington, is in its ninth year and thriving, with two kids and a third on the way. He's immersed himself so deeply in the role of Dr. Burke that he spends his free time at Centinela Freeman hospital near Los Angeles, and is seriously thinking about studying to be a physician's assistant. He won't say exactly where Dr. Burke's on-screen relationship with Sandra Oh's Dr. Cristina Yang character is going, but he's pleased that no one seems to have made a fuss about the romance between an African-American and an Asian-American. "If you don't feed into it, you don't get the backlash," he says. "We have two ambitious doctors who end up [sleeping with] each other. It's not really that deep." Washington laughs — the long, relaxed laugh of a man who's comfortable with his place in the world. "I'm happy as hell," he says quietly. "For a long time, the town wasn't ready for me. They couldn't find a way to sell me. But now I'm Cinderella and that slipper feels good. The shoe fits. Finally."
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE OUTSTANDING MINISERIES OUTSTANDING MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE OUTSTANDING REALITY PROGRAM OUTSTANDING REALITY/COMPETITION PROGRAM NBC led the way among adults 18-49 with a 2.5 rating, edging FOX's 2.4. ABC was third in the ad-friendly demographic with a 2.1, followed by CBS at 1.6 and The WB at 0.8. At 10 p.m., the conclusion of "Open House," 5.9/10, moved CBS back in front of NBC and "Crossing Jordan," 5.5/10. ABC got a 3.7/6 from "Grey's Anatomy."
After 27 years as a practicing oral and facial reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Stephen Marquardt used his professional experience, along with his studies in engineering, to build a patented mask that he believes defines the ideal face. It's based upon a mathematical construction that uses the ancient Greek ratio known as the Golden Mean, a proportion that for centuries has helped artists, architects and others create eye-pleasing forms. Dr. Marquardt's initial interest in this field of study was inspired by his personal life, beginning at age 4 when his mother suffered a car accident. "She was disfigured," he says, "so I always thought about why, when someone's face changes, you perceive [that] the whole person changes." And then came his teen years: "In high school I was always interested in why I found some girls attractive and not others. All the guys in school were chasing the same three girls and they were the prettiest ones. I was fascinated with how the popular girls got everything, how others were drawn to them because of their beauty." Later, as a medical doctor, he began his quest for a formula for attractiveness after he realized that not all facial reconstructive procedures actually improved a patient's overall look. "In fact," he says, "sometimes people would look better and sometimes not at all. When I'd do surgery, we'd put the chin where it was supposed to be but it wouldn't work aesthetically because, say, the nose was too small. You have to make everything match and work harmoniously." So Dr. Marquardt spent years studying, sketching and working with computer programs to create the image and measurements of the perfect face. "I knew I had to find out what the perfect nose, chin, lips, cheeks and jaw were, so I started to reach out to makeup artists from movies and TV and sculptors, painters, and plastic surgeons from all over the world," he says. "I was astounded that nothing had been written of any significance since the thousands-of-years-old rudimentary measurements of the vertical thirds of the face — meaning from the hairline to where the nose starts, down to the tip of the upper lip to the bottom of the chin. All the specialists were focused on their one area and ignoring the whole." Finally, in 1992, after a breakthrough with the lips portion ("I almost gave up at that point," he remembers), he was able to get his beauty mask patented. Now, Dr. Marquardt devotes his time to speaking to groups about his lifelong work and to private facial analysis and consultations. So how do some of television's finest faces fare when Dr. Marquardt applies his theories? Here are his verdicts: Teri Hatcher: Perfect: She has a very pretty face with a big beautiful smile and nice teeth. Less Than Perfect: Her nose is shorter than ideal, which means she needs to accentuate her upper lip. Evangeline Lilly: Perfect: She has a very pretty face, nice full lips, very nice eyebrows, good forehead and nose and beautiful cheekbones. Less Than Perfect: Her eyes are a little close-set and her jaw is narrow. Eva Longoria: Perfect: She has a very pretty face, beautiful smile, nice full lips and beautiful teeth and forehead. Less Than Perfect: Her eyebrows peak too soon, particularly her left one. (The peak should be at the outside corner of her eye, the tail of the brow should not be lower than the inside top of the brow.) Pamela Anderson: Perfect: She has pretty, deep-set eyes with nice, high cheekbones, a pretty chin and a feminine jawline. Less Than Perfect: Her lips, although full, are a little large and her upper lip is quite a bit bigger than her lower lip. Jennifer Garner: Perfect: She has a pretty nose, nice full lips and gorgeous cheeks. Less Than Perfect: She has beautiful brows but they're too closely set; she should open up the distance between them. Tyra Banks: Perfect: She has a beautiful nose with a delicate tip. Her beautiful, wide-set eyes and high, well-shaped eyebrows give her an exotic look. Less Than Perfect: Her upper face is exotic but her lower face, with the delicate jawline, is more childlike. Josh Holloway: Perfect: He has a nice forehead, masculine brows, good strong nose and a nice jawline with a strong chin. Less Than Perfect: His eyes are slightly sunken. Patrick Dempsey: Perfect: He has a good forehead, masculine jawline, great hairline and a nice, strong chin. Less Than Perfect: His eyes are narrower than is ideal and his eyebrows are too wide at the top. Taye Diggs: Perfect: He has a very masculine face. He has a nice strong chin and jawline, good eyes, good cheeks and a very strong look and profile. Less Than Perfect: His forehead's a little high and his eyebrows are a little too full in the middle, which pulls away from this eyes a bit. Tom Welling: Perfect: He's very nice looking, with good eyes, good brows and a nice nose. Less Than Perfect: His chin and jawline are short, giving him a bit of a childlike, feminine look. Wondering how you stack up against this competition? Intrigued by Dr. Marquardt's ideas? Visit his official website, www.beautyanalysis.com, to find out more.
ABC and FOX held sway among younger viewers, tying for the lead among adults 18-49 with a rating of 2.6. NBC came in third at 2.2, followed by CBS, 1.5, and The WB, 0.8. NBC closed out the night with "Crossing Jordan," 6.4/11. A "Grey's Anatomy" rerun on ABC, 4.5/8, just beat the final hour of the Tonys, 4.4/8.
Welcome to Sunday's 2005 Tony Awards (8 p.m.-11 p.m. EDT on CBS), where the production that could walk off with the most silver medallions is a play — John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt," which has picked up just about every other theater award given this spring, as well as a Pulitzer Prize. It's a shoo-in for best play Tony and probably several more honors, too. Its competition for best play includes "The Pillowman" by Martin McDonagh, "Gem of the Ocean" by August Wilson and Michael Frayn's "Democracy." Yet most of the attention will be focused on the musical categories where "Spamalot," a Mike Nichols-directed extravaganza based on "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," received 14 nominations. And the prime entertainment of every Tony telecast is a scene from each of the shows nominated for best musical and best musical revival. "The great value of a musical number on the Tonys is that it is a unique opportunity to present your show to the largest possible theater-oriented audience on national television," says Howard Sherman, executive director of the American Theatre Wing, which co-presents the Tonys with the League of American Theatres and Producers. "And given the fact that most of these shows have only been running for a few months, showcasing a complete number (on television) is an exceptional marketing tool." "Spamalot" will present its inspirational "American Idol" spoof, "Find Your Grail," featuring the Lady of the Lake (Sara Ramirez), King Arthur (Tim Curry) and the entire company. Its competitors are also pulling out top numbers for the TV audience. "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," a raunchy tale of French Riviera con men, will offer "Great Big Stuff," a hymn to greed delivered by stars Norbert Leo Butz and John Lithgow. "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," the cheerful little show about young spelling bee contestants, will combine the musical's title song with "Prayer of the Comfort Counselor," a man who provides emotional first aid for those who happen to misspell a word and get eliminated. Meanwhile, "The Light in the Piazza," the emotional, romantic story of American tourists in Italy, will deliver "Statues and Stories," sung by Victoria Clark, Kelli O'Hara and other members of the company. The awards telecast will also present songs from two of the three musical-revival nominees, "La Cage aux Folles" and "Sweet Charity." The third nominee, "Pacific Overtures," closed in January. As usual, the presenters on stage at Radio City Music Hall are a mixture of stage and television folk. Look for such theater regulars as Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and Bernadette Peters to mix it up with such TV luminaries as Marcia Cross of "Desperate Housewives," Sandra Oh of "Grey's Anatomy" and Doris Roberts of "Everybody Loves Raymond." And there will be a movie contingent as well, a parade that includes Angela Bassett, Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne as well as several who are also nominated for Tonys this year, including Alan Alda, Laura Linney and Kathleen Turner. The design awards — for sets, costumes and lighting — have been doubled, with separate categories for plays and musicals. They will be given, though, before the national telecast begins but will be announced during the program. This year, the telecast will focus on the whole season, not just the specifically nominated shows, broadening its scope to celebrate Broadway, no matter who is honored with awards. Last year's ceremony was the least watched ever, although the show did have to go up against the season finale of "The Sopranos" on HBO and Game 1 of the NBA Finals on ABC. This year, with "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy" in reruns, there's nothing as formidable, but don't count on the ratings to soar. "CBS continues to have great faith in us," says Jed Bernstein, League president, in explaining why this time around the telecast will continue to focus on what the program does best — presenting scenes from nominated shows. The network has options on the show through 2010. "The thing about the ratings is that no matter what the gross ratings are, the demographics of the ratings have always been representative of the very hard to reach wealthier, more urban (audience) — and that's helpful for us," Bernstein said. "What we have to recognize (and celebrate) is the uniqueness of the theater," said Sherman. "We can't alter the broadcast in pursuit of some imagined program that might get ratings but might not remain true to the Tonys and the theater."
TELEVISION: Choice Show: Drama "7th Heaven" The adults 18-49 race went handily to FOX, which averaged a 4.0 rating. ABC and NBC tied for second at 2.2, and CBS was fourth at 1.9. The WB put up a meager 0.5. At 10 p.m., "Double Jeopardy" shot into CBS first with the night's highest hourly rating, 6.8/12. "Titanic" concluded with a 5.2/9 for NBC, and ABC got a 4.3/8 from a "Grey's Anatomy" rerun.
Among adults 18-49, ABC's 8.5 rating was more than double that of No. 2 FOX, 3.6. CBS, 2.9, was third, while NBC, 2.1, finished fourth, while The WB came in at 1.1. ABC's momentum continued at 10 p.m. with the season finale of "Grey's Anatomy," 14.1/23. CBS got a 7.3/12 from a "CSI: Miami" rerun, while a repeat of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" averaged 5.3/9 for NBC.
With Grey's Anatomy, he has a chance to establish himself as a mature leading man. "I'm very happy that that's changing," he says. Lunching at the Beverly Hills Hotel's Polo Lounge, Dempsey speaks with USA TODAY about his new role. (The season finale airs Sunday on ABC, 10 ET/PT.) Q: You grew up in Turner, Maine. What's your earliest memory of visiting the doctor? A: We had an older local doctor we could walk to when I was like 6 or 7. He was the quintessential small-town doctor with the bag who would sometimes leave his little office to come to you. He had the button-down and the old jacket. Q: Were you a healthy kid? A: Pretty much. Living in the country, unless something is broken or you're bleeding to death, you don't go to the doctor. Q: Did you ever break anything? A: Oh, sure - mainly from ski racing or skating. I broke my collarbone many times ... my arm. ... I split my head open. Q: You and your wife of six years (celebrity makeup artist Jill Fink) are the parents of a 3-year-old daughter (Talula). How did you hold up in the delivery room? A: Some people get squeamish, but I was fascinated by the whole thing. My wife obviously didn't enjoy it. I think what I learned most from the doctors was how calm they all were. I think a great doctor makes you feel relaxed and has a good sense of humor. Q: Did you do any extra medical research for the part? A: I sat in on an operation at UCLA. The patient was a small child and the parents wanted a picture and an autograph. Q: Has your wife asked you to come home in scrubs? A: Not yet, but I did take some scrubs home with me. Q: Is your character a good doctor? A: I think he's very good. He's got a natural ability. His general philosophy is to make people feel very good. Q: Apparently no one more than Ellen Pompeo's Dr. Meredith Grey. (The two characters are enjoying a steamy love affair.) A: He's crossing the line in the workplace. That will follow him into the next year. Things are going to get a lot more complicated for him. And his darker side will start to come out.
Influential music supervisor forms record label
(3/26/07) The woman behind the soundtracks to "The OC" and "Grey's Anatomy" is launching her own label.'New Man' in Life of Grey's Anatomy Hunk
(3/26/07) When Grey's Anatomy hunk Jeffrey Dean Morgan hooked up with his Weeds costar Mary-Louise Parker, he also got a new man in his life: Parker's young son, William.Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 22, 2007
(3/23/07) "October Road" dropped some in its second week, but the new show and "Grey's Anatomy" were enough to carry ABC to a ratings win Thursday.ABC bringing 14 series back
(3/21/07) Getting a jump in planning for next season, ABC announced on Wednesday that it had ordered new episodes for 14 programs that will return in the fall.Sex and the small screen
(3/19/07) Lost's Evangeline Lilly (Kate) and Grey's Anatomy's Patrick Dempsey (Derek, aka Dr. McDreamy) are the "Sexiest Stars" on TV.
2. Eva Longoria, Gabrielle Solis on Desperate Housewives
3. Katherine Heigl, Izzie Stevens on Grey's Anatomy
4. Marg Helgenberger, Catherine Willows on CBS' CSI
5. Ali Larter, Niki Sanders on Heroes
6. Nadine Velazquez, Catalina on My Name Is Earl
7. Roselyn Sanchez, Elena Delgado on Without a Trace
8. Rashida Jones, Karen Filippelli on The Office
9. Rebecca Romijn, Alexis Meade on Ugly Betty
10. Jennifer Morrison, Allison Cameron on House
2. Sendhil Ramamurthy, Mohinder Suresh on Heroes
3. James Tupper, Jack Slattery on Men in Trees
4. Josh Holloway, Sawyer on Lost
5. Taylor Kitsch, Tim Riggins on Friday Night Lights
6. Shemar Moore, Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds
7. Skeet Ulrich, Jake Green on Jericho
8. Eric Mabius, Daniel Meade on Ugly Betty
9. Justin Chambers, Alex Karev on Grey's Anatomy
10. Dave Annable, Justin Walker on Brothers & Sisters
'Anatomy' Star Dons '27 Dresses'
(3/16/07) Katherine Heigl has had difficulties with love on "Grey's Anatomy," but that's nothing compared to the plight of her character in the upcoming romantic comedy "27 Dresses."Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 15, 2007
(3/16/07) The premiere of "October Road" drew pretty strong ratings behind "Grey's Anatomy" Thursday, helping ABC to a ratings win.Actor donates to Sierra Leone project
(3/14/07) Isaiah Washington, who traced his ancestral roots to Sierra Leone through DNA testing, has donated $25,000 to a computer animation project that aims to detail the Atlantic slave trade.Beautiful Stranger: Meet Grey's Anatomy's "Jane Doe"
(3/14/07) It's Sunday, and on a stylish strip of Hollywood's Melrose Avenue, Elizabeth Reaser has her choice of two popular coffeeshops — one that's packed with self-consciously hip Nicole Richie look-alikes, the other with a more serious sweats-and-Sunday-paper crowd. She makes a beeline for the latter. "It's such a scene at that other place," she says, pouring soy milk into her coffee.Katherine Heigl Makes Dollars for Scents
(3/14/07) Katherine Heigl may not be leaving Grey's Anatomy, but that hasn't stopped her from sniffing around for other opportunities.Brenneman scrubs in for "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff
(3/13/07) Former "Judging Amy" star Amy Brenneman has been cast in the potential "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff.Platt, 'Piz' Pluck Pilot Parts
(3/09/07) Multiple Emmy nominee Oliver Platt and "Veronica Mars" actor Chris Lowell have joined a pair of fairly high-profile projects in development at ABC."Grey's Anatomy" stars get pay rises
(3/09/07) "Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo has closed a new deal for her services on the hit ABC medical drama.ABC Prescribes 'Grey's' Raises
(3/09/07) Several of the doctors at Seattle Grace are about to be better-compensated for their work.Patrick Dempsey Reveals What 'Drives' Him
(3/08/07) New father of twins Patrick Dempsey lives life in the fast lane – thanks to his wife, Jillian.Kate Walsh enjoying success on TV drama
(3/08/07) Kate Walsh has something in common with the sexy neonatal surgeon she plays on ABC's hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy": love issues.McSpinoff: Daly set for a "Grey" shift
(3/07/07) Welcome a new McDreamy. "Wings" veteran Tim Daly is set to guest star in the "enhanced" two-hour episode of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," designed to serve as a springboard for a potential spinoff from the hit medical drama."Anatomy" guest Burton lays down law in "Supreme"
(3/07/07) Kate Burton, who received an Emmy nomination for a guest turn in "Grey's Anatomy," has joined the cast of "Supreme Courtships," a Fox comedy-drama pilot about six Supreme Court clerks and the judges they work for.Price Tag For Isaiah Slur
(3/06/07) KATHERINE Heigl got into a dispute with ABC over her "Grey's Anatomy" salary last week - claiming she wanted to be paid as much as co-stars Sandra Oh and Isaiah Washington - but we hear things aren't going so well for Washington, either. "All the actors are in the midst of contract renegotiations," a source said. "But ABC is using Isaiah's recent troubles to keep from paying him more." Washington recently had to go into anger-management rehab after he'd called fellow co-star T.R. Knight a "f - - - - t." According to our insider, "Isaiah knows it is his fault that he may not get the fat raise he was going to get. ABC doesn't have to give him anything - he is under contract for seven years - and this is going to cost him millions. It's just a bitter pill he is going to have to swallow." A rep for Washington said, "We are going to do our business in private, not in the press." A rep for ABC didn't return calls.
Katherine Heigl's Costars Offer Praise
(3/05/07) A week after Katherine Heigl slammed her employers over issues surrounding her stalled contract renegotiations, her Grey's Anatomy costars are saying they enjoy working with the actress.38th annual NAACP Image Awards winners
(3/03/07) Drama Series: "Grey's Anatomy"Mary-Louise Parker & Grey's Hunk: Going Strong
(3/03/07) In Weeds, Mary-Louise Parker plays a housewife who starts selling drugs after her husband (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) dies. But in real life, Parker and Morgan's romance is very much alive.Hudson, Washington win NAACP Image Award
(3/02/07) Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson kept her winning streak alive and Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington claimed a best actor prize at the 38th annual NAACP Image Awards Friday. Hudson, a former "American Idol" finalist, received a best supporting actress award for her role in the musical "Dreamgirls," the same category she won at the Oscars on Sunday.Katherine Heigl 'Embarrassed' by Contract Flap
(3/02/07) The verbal slugfest between Grey's Anatomy's Katherine Heigl and the show's producers has entered a new round, with Heigl zinging her bosses for going public on their salary dispute.Grey's Heigl Fades to Black?
(2/28/07) Just what the producers of Grey's Anatomy need: more discord within the cast.Katherine Heigl Not Feeling Grey's Love
(2/28/07) Katherine Heigl has dropped out of contract talks with Grey's Anatomy over salary, a well-placed source tells PEOPLE.Dempsey backs cancer initiative
(2/25/07) He's a doctor on television's "Grey's Anatomy," but off the screen Patrick Dempsey faces the same questions as anyone else when a loved one needs medical care.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007
(2/23/07) A huge audience for the end of "Grey's Anatomy's" sweeps arc gave ABC a ratings win Thursday, despite the presence of "American Idol" on FOX.'Grey's Anatomy' fans could see double
(2/22/07) The prognosis is uncertain, but ABC's hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" might turn out to have spin-off syndrome. A special two-hour episode, featuring cast member Kate Walsh and guest starring Taye Diggs, is a test run for a possible new series, ABC said Thursday.DIGGS AND ELIZONDO TO GUEST STAR
(2/21/07) Acclaimed actor Taye Diggs will guest star in "Grey's Anatomy" in a special two-hour episode that will air later this season. Diggs, an established star of film, television and theatre, made his feature film debut starring opposite Angela Bassett in the box office hit, "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," and has since earned critical acclaim in several leading roles.Taye Diggs joins "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff
(2/21/07) Taye Diggs will star opposite Kate Walsh in ABC's potential spinoff from hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy."'Grey's' spinoff a good idea?
(2/21/07) The possibility of a Grey's Anatomy spinoff featuring Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) stirs the passions of devoted fans, but not always in the same direction. Some think it's a great idea; others don't care for it and even think it might hurt the original. Here are some second opinions from fans in the USA and around the world, many of whom watch episodes online:Grey's Doc Spins Off
(2/21/07) The good doctors at Seattle Grace may be focused on resuscitating Meredith Grey, but it's another female character who's moving to a better place.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007
(2/16/07) A big showing for "Grey's Anatomy" Thursday gave ABC a demographic win but wasn't quite enough to lift ABC over CBS in the overall ratings.'Grey's' patient pregnant with possibilities
(2/14/07) Hard to believe the two faces in these photos both belong to Elizabeth Reaser.KNIGHT TO REMEMBER FOR PUFFY
(2/12/07) TENSIONS were running high Friday night at the Rolling Stone/Justin Timberlake pre-Grammy party at Avalon. Members of the "Grey's Anatomy" cast got their noses out of joint when they had to move tables for Sean Combs. T.R. Knight was sitting in the VIP area of the club at a table with fellow castmates, Kate Walsh and Sara Ramirez, catching performances by Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, and Fergie and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, when the three were told to leave by a security person believed to be working for Combs' entourage as "he wasn't working for the club," our spy said.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007
(2/09/07) The return of "Survivor" helped push CBS to the top of the overall ratings Thursday, although ABC stayed at the top of the demographic heap.Cast "Hopeful" as Rehabbed Isaiah Returns to Grey's
(2/08/07) Isaiah Washington may be done with rehab, but Katherine Heigl isn't done talking about what put him there. This time, though, she's being a lot more complimentary.Gay actors? Public OK but biz still wary
(2/07/07) Some high-profile gay actors have exited the closet recently and the fan reaction has been ... almost nonexistent.Ellen Pompeo Calls Patrick Dempsey 'A Good Dad'
(2/05/07) New father of twins Patrick Dempsey is "a good dad," his Grey's Anatomy co-star Ellen Pompeo tells PEOPLE.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007
(2/02/07) ABC grabbed top honors in the first night of February sweeps, edging CBS in viewers and scoring a sizable win in the adults 18-49 demographic.Twin boys arrive for Dempsey and wife
(2/01/07) The wife of "Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey has given birth to twin boys. Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick Dempsey were born Thursday in Los Angeles, the actor's representative told People magazine. Patrick and Jillian Dempsey also have a 5-year-old daughter, Talula. Dempsey, 41, plays Dr. Derek Shepherd, known as "Dr. McDreamy" to his female colleagues on the hit ABC show.
Behind Closed Doors: When Isaiah Washington Met GLAAD
(2/01/07) Isaiah Washington might be more of a foot-in-the-mouth hothead than a homophobe, but gay groups aren't letting the Grey's Anatomy doc — currently in anger-management counseling — off the hot seat quite yet. TV Guide talked to Neil Guiliano, president of GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and Kevin Jennings, executive director of GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), to find out what really went down at their Jan. 22, pre-rehab powwow with the actor, and what they still want to see from him.Isaiah Returning to Grey's Anatomy Set
(1/31/07) Isaiah Washington is scheduled to return to the Grey's Anatomy set as early as Thursday for the first time since entering counseling after making a homophobic slur, a source tells PEOPLE.Chandra's Shout-Out to Isaiah
(1/28/07) Accepting her award for best female actor in a drama series, Grey's Anatomy's Chandra Wilson credited her castmates, including Isaiah Washington, saying, "It's about those 10 cast members sitting over there and the other one in rehab. Y'all just hold me together."
SAG Award Winners
(1/28/07) Female Actor in a Drama Series: Chandra Wilson / GREY’S ANATOMY – Dr. Miranda Bailey - ABCDempsey plans another house call
(1/28/07) So it was a cameo appearance for award-winning actor and IndyCar Series team co-owner Patrick Dempsey in the Fresh From Florida 200 at Daytona International Speedway.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007
(1/26/07) "Grey's Anatomy" beat out "CSI" in Thursday's ratings, but the rest of CBS' lineup was strong enough to give the Eye a ratings win for the night."Grey's Anatomy" star in counseling after gay slur
(1/24/07) "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington on Wednesday started counseling after a furor over a gay slur he directed against a fellow cast member on the hit television hospital drama.Sandra Oh's Ex: No Spousal Support
(1/23/07) Writer-director Alexander Payne has filed a response to ex-wife Sandra Oh's divorce claim, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.'Grey' star meets with gay activists
(1/22/07) "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington, under fire for using a gay slur about a co-star, met Monday with gay rights activists who said he agreed to help educate the public about the cruelty of such language.Justin Chambers: Grey's Cast Working Things Out
(1/22/07) Justin Chambers of Grey's Anatomy said Monday that the players in the show's off-screen controversy over Isaiah Washington's use of a gay slur are continuing to work out their problems – and that it's a shame the spat has distracted from the program's accomplishments.Gay rights group unveils film, TV nominees
(1/22/07) "Little Miss Sunshine" will vie with "The Night Listener," "Running With Scissors," "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" and "V for Vendetta" for outstanding film in wide release honors at the 18th annual GLAAD Media Awards.Producers Guild of America Awards
(1/20/07) HBO's "Elizabeth I" was named best made for television film. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" was named best TV drama series and NBC's "The Office" best TV comedy series. The non-fiction TV award went to CBS' "60 Minutes" and the award for best variety TV show went to HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher."
Can `Grey's Anatomy' heal cast rift?
(1/20/07) Friendships betrayed, careers at stake — how will the drama spilling from behind the camera into real life on "Grey's Anatomy" affect the future of the smash hit TV series?Neil Patrick Harris Weighs In on Grey's Spat
(1/20/07) Neil Patrick Harris, who came out in November, said Thursday he was shocked to hear that Isaiah Washington had repeated a gay slur at the Golden Globes – but thought that those involved in the Grey's Anatomy controversy have mostly dealt with the situation well.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007
(1/19/07) With "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI" both airing new episodes Thursday, ABC and CBS battled to a near-dead heat in the ratings.ABC 'Dismayed,' Washington Apologizes for Gay Slur
(1/19/07) After his conduct at the Golden Globes, "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington has to answer to the network behind his hit show.2007 Writers Guild Awards Television Nominees
(1/19/07) DRAMATIC SERIESGroup demands apology from 'Grey's' star
(1/18/07) A gay and lesbian advocacy group demanded an apology Wednesday from "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Isaiah Washington for comments made following the Golden Globe Awards.T.R. Knight: Isaiah Washington's Slur Made Me Come Out
(1/17/07) T.R. Knight says hearing Isaiah Washington call him a "faggot" on the set of Grey's Anatomy gave him the courage to come out of the closet – and that he's speechless that Washington on Monday denied using the word.Heigl upset with co-star's comments
(1/17/07) "Grey's Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl was not pleased with fellow castmate Isaiah Washington's comments following Monday's Golden Globe Awards.Golden Globe Award Winners
(1/16/07) Series, Drama: "Grey's Anatomy," ABCWave of white gowns hits Golden Globes
(1/16/07) The Golden Globes lived up to its reputation as the most relaxed of the major awards shows as Hollywood's leading ladies from both the movie and TV worlds chose flowing gowns, tousled hair and funky dangling earrings.On The Red Carpet
(1/16/07) "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington, accompanied by his wife, shared a secret on the Golden Globes red carpet.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007
(1/12/07) The return of "Grey's Anatomy" after a five-week hiatus propelled ABC to a big ratings win on Thursday.Dempsey receives People's Choice Award
(1/10/07) Vision Racing co-owner Patrick Dempsey, aka Dr. McDreamy of the hit ABC series “Grey’s Anatomy,” is popular with fans at IndyCar Series venues and TV viewers. The co-star of the new movie “Freedom Writers” on Jan. 9 received a People's Choice Award for his role on "Grey's Anatomy," which also was voted best drama. Winners were selected by Internet fan voting.
Grey's Anatomy Star to Present at Speed Performance Awards
(1/08/07) Patrick Dempsey, star of the hit television series Grey’s Anatomy and the new movie Freedom Writers, as well as a competitor in the Grand-Am Koni Challenge Series will be one of the presenters for the inaugural SPEED Performance Awards presented by BF Goodrich scheduled to premiere Feb. 8 at 9 p.m. ET.SAG Awards
(1/04/07) The 13th Annual SAG Awards will announce the winners on Sunday, Jan. 28 on TNT and TBS.
Patricia Arquette, "Medium"
Edie Falco, "The Sopranos"
Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: SVU"
Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy"
"Desperate Housewives"
"Entourage"
"The Office"
"Ugly Betty"
"Weeds"
Producers Guild of America Awards
(1/04/07) The Producers Guild Awards, which recognize outstanding work in film and television, will be doled out on Jan. 20.
Grey's Anatomy
House
Lost
The Sopranos
24
Grey's Oh Suddenly Single
(12/27/06) After a year and a half on life support, a judge has finally pulled the plug on Sandra Oh's marriage.Celebs Give Their Top Picks of 2006
(12/23/06) Ashlee Simpson: Desperate Housewives – "It's one of those shows like Sex and the City – every girl likes it."ABC, NBC Gift-Wrap Video Streams
(12/21/06) It's the holiday season, which means tree-trimming, gift exchanges, family reunions and the like. And, if ABC and NBC have anything to say about it, catching up on several TV shows via streaming video.Cast of "Grey's Anatomy" tops entertainer list
(12/20/06) The cast of the television hospital drama "Grey's Anatomy" tops Entertainment Weekly's list of the year's top entertainers because of their cultural impact, the magazine said.Isaiah Washington's Presidential Run-In
(12/17/06) Isaiah Washington may play a doctor on TV – but in real life, he's building his cred as a political activist, hobnobbing with President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush this week in Washington, D.C.Size-12 Bliss
(12/17/06) SIZE doesn't matter any more to "Grey's Anatomy" star Sara Ramirez , who plays Dr. Callie Torres. "There's catered food everywhere you look - I gained 25 pounds in four months," the big-boned hottie tells January's Glamour. "Nobody ever said, 'You're getting a little heavy.' Instead, they wrote scenes for me to dance around half-naked in my underwear. I went to Shonda Rhimes, the executive producer, and said . . . 'Why me? . . . She just looked at me and said, 'Work it.' " Ramirez did, and is comfy as a size 12.
It's a 'Great Wake-Up Call' for Globes Nominees
(12/14/06) For Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Sacha Baron Cohen and the other Golden Globe nominees, Thursday morning's news might have come before dawn, but it didn't take long for the reality to set in.2007 Golden Globe Nominations
(12/14/06) BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
24 (FOX)
BIG LOVE (HBO)
GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)
HEROES (NBC)
LOST (ABC)
PATRICIA ARQUETTE- MEDIUM
EDIE FALCO- THE SOPRANOS
EVANGELINE LILLY- LOST
ELLEN POMPEO- GREY’S ANATOMY
KYRA SEDGWICK- THE CLOSER
PATRICK DEMPSEY- GREY’S ANATOMY
MICHAEL C. HALL- DEXTER
HUGH LAURIE- HOUSE
BILL PAXTON- BIG LOVE
KIEFER SUTHERLAND- 24
EMILY BLUNT- GIDEON’S DAUGHTER
TONI COLLETTE- TSUNAMI, THE AFTERMATH
KATHERINE HEIGL- GREY’S ANATOMY
SARAH PAULSON- STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP
ELIZABETH PERKINS- WEEDS
Writers Guild Award nominees announced
(12/14/06) Grey's Anatomy,24,The Office and 30 Rock are among the contenders for top honors at the 2007 Writers Guild Awards.Spree's Anatomy
(12/12/06) IT'S a good thing celebrities who play doctors on TV make more than actual doctors, because "Grey's Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl sure does love to shop. The blond beauty dropped $6,920 on Saturday afternoon at L.A. boutique Rumor. Her pricey purchases (which filled up 15 bags!) included a $284 Joy Han dress, $278 Dolce Vita boots and a $445 Augustine coat. "She was picking up gifts for Josh Kelley (her fiancé) and (co-star) Sandra Oh," said a spy - though most of the holiday shopping was for herself.
Grammy Nominations
(12/08/06) Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
Cars, Various Artists
Grey's Anatomy - Volume 2, Various Artists
Little Miss Sunshine, Various Artists
Walk the Line, Joaquin Phoenix & Various Artists
Endquote
(12/08/06) "IF I could gain five to 10 pounds, it would probably go straight to my boobs and a - -. I would be the happiest girl in Hollywood, trust me. I'd have this sick bod because I'd be the skinny girl with big boobs and a cute butt" - Ellen Pompeo, of "Grey's Anatomy," in Playboy
McDreamy Turns 'Made of Honor'
(12/05/06) Somebody at Columbia Pictures thinks Patrick Dempsey would look great in a bridesmaid dress."Lost," "Grey's Anatomy" among Producers Guild TV nominees
(12/04/06) ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost" were among the five drama nominees, while NBC's "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office" numbered among the five comedy contenders as the Producers Guild of America announced the TV shortlist for its annual awards Monday.Grey's Anatomy Q & A: Katherine Heigl
(12/03/06) Katherine Heigl has been on camera since she was 9 years old. But the flashbulbs have never been brighter than they are now that she stars on the hit ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." The 28-year-old blond beauty, who plays Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, said she's still adjusting to the challenges of overnight fame. But she's digging the perks: One acting gig helped Heigl find her fiance, singer-songwriter Josh Kelley. She was hired to star in his music video, and the two ended up engaged.NAACP TAPS CHANDRA WILSON
(12/03/06) The NAACP has tapped actors from two of the hottest shows on television to host the 17th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards. “Grey’s Anatomy” star Chandra Wilson and “Prison Break’s” Rockmond Dunbar will do the honors in the ceremony scheduled for Feb. 19 in Los Angeles.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006
(12/01/06) With CBS airing a "CSI" repeat Thursday, ABC cruised to a ratings win, while NBC's reconstituted comedy block performed reasonably well.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006
(11/24/06) As you might expect, ratings for Thanksgiving night were off some from a typical Thursday. Otherwise things were pretty much the same, with CBS holding off "Grey's Anatomy" and ABC for the top spot.Katherine Heigl talks fame and beauty
(11/21/06) Katherine Heigl has been on camera since she was 9 years old. But the flashbulbs have never been brighter than they are now that she stars on the hit ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy."Isaiah Washington: Grey's War Is Over
(11/21/06) Isaiah Washington says his on-set dust-up with Grey's Anatomy co-star Patrick Dempsey last month was blown out of proportion and that everyone on the show is having "a great time."Fast National ratings for Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006
(11/17/06) Some of the strongest ratings of the season for "CSI" and "Shark" led CBS to a ratings victory Thursday night.People magazine recognizes the Dempsey factor
(11/17/06) So what other motorsports property can boast of a team co-owner among People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" list? Um, none.Knight, Harris outings a product of the times
(11/13/06) If only Rock Hudson were alive today to meet Neil Patrick Harris or T.R. Knight. Were this silver-screen legend told that gay actors known for playing heterosexuals on television would one day issue headline-grabbing declarations of their sexual orientation, he probably would have had to see it to believe it.Grey's Anatomy's Ellen Pompeo Is Engaged
(11/13/06) Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo and her boyfriend, record producer Chris Ivery, are engaged, PEOPLE has confirmed.'Denny' Joins Firth & Thurman in "Accidental" comedy
(11/12/06) Colin Firth, "Grey's Anatomy" star Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Sam Shepard have joined the cast of "The Accidental Husband," a romantic comedy starring Uma Thurman.Devine Intervention for ABC's Prophet Pilot
(11/10/06) Loretta Devine, seen occasionally on "Grey's Anatomy" as the Chief's estranged wife, is angling for a more regular gig on ABC.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006
(11/10/06) The ratings see-saw that is Thursday night this season tipped back to CBS this week, although ABC did manage to keep its lead among younger viewers.2007 People's Choice Award Nominees
(11/07/06) Movies:Favorite Female Movie Star: Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock
Favorite Male Movie Star: Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington
Favorite Leading Lady: Cameron Diaz, Kirsten Dunst, Scarlett Johansson
Favorite Leading Man: Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Vince Vaughn
Favorite Female Action Star: Kate Beckinsale, Halle Berry, Uma Thurman
Favorite Male Action Star: Johnny Depp, Samuel L. Jackson, Jet Li
Favorite On-Screen Match-Up: Jennifer Aniston & Vince Vaughn, The Break Up; Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson & Leonardo DiCaprio, The Departed; Johnny Depp & Keira Knightley, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Favorite TV Comedy – Animated: Family Guy, King of the Hill, The Simpsons
Favorite TV Drama: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Grey's Anatomy, House
Favorite Competition/Reality Show: American Idol, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Favorite Female TV Star: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Eva Longoria, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Favorite Male TV Star: Patrick Dempsey, Charlie Sheen, Kiefer Sutherland
Favorite Talk Show Host: Ellen DeGeneres, Jay Leno, Oprah Winfrey
Favorite Male Singer: Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith
Favorite Group: The Black Eyed Peas, Nickelback, The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite R&B Song: Christina Aguilera, "Ain't No Other Man"; Justin Timberlake, "SexyBack"; Mariah Carey, "Shake It Off"
Favorite Hip-Hop Song: Nelly, "Grillz"; Chamillionaire, "Ridin'"; Eminem, "Shake That"
Favorite Pop Song: Shakira, "Hips Don't Lie"; Nelly Furtado, "Promiscuous"; Pink, "Stupid Girls"
Favorite Country Song: Carrie Underwood, "Before He Cheats"; Rascal Flatts, "What Hurts the Most"; Tim McGraw, "When the Stars Go Blue"
Favorite Rock Song: Evanescence, "Call Me When You're Sober"; Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Dani California"; Bon Jovi, "Who Says You Can't Go Home"
Favorite Funny Female Star: Ellen DeGeneres, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Queen Latifah
Favorite Funny Male Star: Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Robin WilliamsFast National ratings for Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006
(11/03/06) CBS and ABC dominated the first night of November sweeps Thursday, while FOX took it on the chin despite the return of "The O.C." to its schedule.Grey's Anatomy Star Kate Walsh Opens Up
(10/27/06) Kate Walsh's character Addison Shepherd may have broken up with Dr. McDreamy, but she isn't splitting from Seattle Grace any time soon. The Grey's Anatomy star, 39, talked to PEOPLE about heating up with McSteamy, facing off against CSI and her first big splurge (hint: Patrick Dempsey is to blame).
He's like a statue. Every time he pauses, he's just gorgeous. And so nice and so talented.
You'll see some interesting things play out. There aren't tidy beginnings and endings. It's always messy, and – no pun intended – there's always a gray area.
Even if fans want Derek to be with Meredith they sympathize with Addison. She's just like every woman struggling to make a relationship work.
Yeah, I was nervous. CSI is a great show – I was in it! (She played a transsexual informant.) But they are two different animals. There's room for both of us. You know, that's why we have the TiVo.
I mostly did press. We went all over Europe promoting Grey's. It's huge everywhere. (The cast) went to Monaco and got an invitation to dinner with the prince. My stylist said, "So I see on your itinerary, cocktails at the palace. Is that, like, the palace?" I was like, "Yeah, (it's) not a club. . . . The palace!"
I (had one) big splurge, which I am driving now. It's a 1985 Aston Martin convertible. When I moved (to L.A. seven years ago) I got a station wagon. Then I got a little car crazy. I have to say, Patrick Dempsey did influence me a lot in that area.
No! This was hand-built. It's gorgeous – an elegant British muscle car. It makes doing errands much more palatable.
Endquote
(10/29/06) "DO I give off a girl-on-girl vibe, I wonder? Or is it because I'm tall? I guess the chicks just dig me" - Kate Walsh of "Grey's Anatomy," explaining in Women's Health why she's been cast in so many lesbian roles.
'Anatomy' Co-Star's Fiancee Survives Bus Crash
(10/27/06) Katherine Heigl, whose character's fiancee died on "Grey's Anatomy," had a scare when her real-life fiancee was involved in a bus crash over the weekend.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006
(10/27/06) The World Series was a ratings winner for FOX Thursday, though reruns on CBS and ABC also performed fairly well.Isaiah Washington Apologizes
(10/25/06) Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington has issued an apology in a statement exclusive to PEOPLE for his behavior during an on-set argument with costar Patrick Dempsey.'Grey's' star opens up about on-set 'scuffle'
(10/24/06) One star of ABC's Grey's Anatomy is speaking out about an incident on set between Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey that has sparked plenty of rumors.Isaiah's A Real Physical Guy
(10/24/06) FORMER castmates of Isaiah Washington were not surprised to hear he assaulted his "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Patrick Dempsey last week, choking him on the set of the ABC hit. (Washington also referred to T.R. Knight with a homophobic slur - which prompted Knight to come out of the closet and announce he was gay.) According to TMZ.com, in 1997 Washington, as a guest star on the TV show "High Incident," got into a fight with a crew member serious enough that police were called. Then, in 2000, Washington was shooting the show "Soul Food" for Showtime in Toronto when he grabbed a woman who was playing his wife and planted a "forceful, aggressive kiss" on her, rather than the peck on the cheek called for in the script. The irate actress screamed at Washington, and he screamed back. When the director and producer tried to intervene, Washington "went off" on them, too. Washington has yet to apologize to Knight, Dempsey or the producers of "Grey's Anatomy."
Eric Dane Heats Up Grey's Anatomy
(10/22/06) Paging Patrick Dempsey: The competition for sexiest doc alive just got . . . McSteamy! Once a construction worker, Eric Dane joins Grey's Anatomy as surgeon Mark Sloane. The 33-year-old actor took a break from the OR – and revealing shower scenes – to give prescriptions for love, home cooking and washboard abs to PEOPLE's Lisa Ingrassia.
I don't feel any competition with Patrick. But he keeps asking me when my calendar is coming out.
We both shower daily! There are a lot of things in common, but just so your mind doesn't go in the wrong direction, it's not the infidelity and deceitful, backstabbing side of him.
Weightlifting – it gets the aggression out. No yoga! I'm competitive and you can't score points in yoga.
(Life with her) has been wonderful. On a whim, we ran to Vegas and got married (in Oct. ’04). We'd been together nine months and we just knew.
Sleep in – for me, that’s about 9:15 – make coffee, quiet my head, make an omelette for my girl and play music. I make a hell of an omelette. And I make great chicken soup too!
Closet-busters
(10/20/06) IT'S the week to come out of the closet. Yesterday, "Grey's Anatomy" star T.R. Knight told People.com he was gay after his co-star Isaiah Washington outed him during an on-set fight with Patrick Dempsey. The National Enquirer quoted Washington as saying, "I'm not your little faggot, like [name deleted]." Knight told People, "I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me." On Wednesday, former "American Idol" contestant R.J. Helton came out when he told Sirius Satellite deejay Larry Flick, "Just because I am gay does not mean I can't love God." After telling Flick he'd just outed himself "three seconds ago," he said, "It feels good."
Fast National ratings for Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006
(10/20/06) FOX's baseball playoff coverage made Thursday's ratings into a three-network showdown, with CBS coming out on top overall.'Anatomy' star T.R. Knight says he's gay
(10/19/06) "Grey's Anatomy" star T.R. Knight says he's gay, but hopes people don't consider that "the most interesting part of me." The 33-year-old actor addressed rumors of his sexuality in a statement to People magazine Thursday.Race-Record 400+ Entries Expected for Baja 1000
(10/19/06) When it comes to the SCORE Trophy-Truck division in next month’s 39th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race, the favorites list continues to be led by defending race and season point champion Bob Shepard, along with the veteran teams of Brian Collins/Larry Ragland, Ryan Arciero/Mark Miller/Rick Johnson, brothers Ed and Tim Herbst and current class point leader B.J. Baldwin. The growing list of serious contenders also includes Alan Pflueger, Andy McMillin/Robby Gordon, Mark Post/Curt LeDuc, Carl Renezeder, Gus Vildosola/Rob MacCachren, Cameron Steele, and rookie Garron Cadiente.McDreamy Sighting
(10/18/06) Pop star Justin Timberlake isn't your typical fashion designer. So the runway debut of his William Rast clothing line wasn't a typical fashion show.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006
(10/13/06) ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" took a 3-to-1 lead in its head-to-head battle with CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," but CBS still captured the overall Thursday title.'Grey's' has a smooth operator
(10/11/06) Sara Ramirez is slightly mortified.'Anatomy' Studs Get McPunchy
(10/11/06) "Grey's Anatomy" began with two surgeons vying for a promotion, and it appears that their has rivalry bled over to the real world.Fray's "Anatomy"; TV exposure boosts band
(10/11/06) Fans of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" have been given a crash course in rock band the Fray, thanks to a pair of videos produced by the broadcast network and the group's Epic Records label.Fast National ratings for Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006
(10/06/06) ABC and CBS made Thursday's ratings a two-horse race for the third week in a row, with CBS leading overall and ABC topping the 18-49 demographic.Patrick Dempsey to Race at VIR This Weekend
(10/03/06) Patrick Dempsey, who plays Dr. Derek Shepherd on ABC-TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” will be competing in the Wheel Enhancement GS Six-Hour Enduro presented by EMC Mechanical for the Grand-Am Cup Grand Sports Series at VIRginia International Raceway this weekend, Oct. 6-8.Eric Dane joins cast of "Grey's Anatomy"
(09/29/06) Actor Eric Dane ("X-Men: The Last Stand", "Gideon's Crossing") will join the cast of ABC's critically acclaimed, award-winning series "Grey's Anatomy." Dane, who first appeared on the series last season in the episode entitled "Yesterday," continues his role as plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Sloan, a.k.a. "McSteamy."Fast National ratings for Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006
(09/29/06) "Ugly Betty" got off to a strong start for ABC Thursday, but CBS reclaimed its spot at the night's most-watched network and closed the gap with the Alphabet considerably in the all-important adults 18-49 demographic.McDreamy Ratings: 'Anatomy' Routs 'CSI' on Thursday
(09/23/06) The Thursday night ratings war will likely rage throughout the season, but ABC, fueled by "Grey's Anatomy," has won the first battle.ABC Changes 'Anatomy' of Thursday
(09/22/06) Fast National ratings for Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006.Whoops: Canada Gets Wrong 'Grey's' Episode
(09/22/06) Canadian fans of "Grey's Anatomy" anticipating Thursday night's season premiere may have been left a little bit confused about what they were seeing.Take one 'Grey's Anatomy' tonight and feel much better
(09/20/06) Like Meredith, you have a tough choice ahead.Grey's ladies
(09/14/06) Seattle Grace Hospital may be loaded with medicine's most mesmerizing males, but it's the female doctors who make Grey's Anatomy a McDreamy attraction for viewers.Patrick Dempsey to be a dad once again
(09/14/06) Another beautiful dream for TV's Dr. McDreamy. Patrick Dempsey and his wife, Jillian, are expecting their second child, Dempsey's publicist, Leslie Sloane Zelnik, said Wednesday.Christopher Guest film takes a jab at Oscars
(09/12/06) Surrounded by the cast of his latest film comedy "For Your Consideration," Christopher Guest barely smiles. Comedy after all is serious business.B'KLYN-BOUND?
(09/10/06) ANOTHER actor might forsake Hollywood for Brooklyn. "Grey's Anatomy" star T.R. Knight, who plays intern George O'Malley on the hit show, checked out a $850,000 condo at the Court Street Lofts in Carroll Gardens several times, a source told The Post's Lois Weiss. The 1,507-square-foot apartment has three bedrooms, two baths and a huge private back yard. If he did move, Knight would be neighbors with Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany, Mos Def, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Rosie Perez, Adrian Grenier, Jeffrey Wright and Norman Mailer.
Desperate for your favorite TV shows?
(09/08/06) Grey's Anatomy
When it returns: Sept. 21, 9 p.m., ABC'Grey' party talk turns to love triangle
(09/06/06) The doctors were in, as cast and crew of the hot TV medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" converged Tuesday night for a celebration of the DVD release of the show's second-season episodes.THE FRAY / GREY'S ANATOMY MUSIC VIDEO RELEASE
(09/06/06) ABC ENTERTAINMENT AND EPIC RECORDS PARTNER TO PRODUCE MUSIC VIDEO USING SCENES FROM THE NEW SEASON OF "GREY'S ANATOMY" AND THE FRAY'S VIDEO FROM THEIR GOLD DEBUT, "HOW TO SAVE A LIFE"Patrick Dempsey's Emmy arrival: McDreamy not so Mcsmoothy
(08/27/06) Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey drew the biggest cheers from fans watching prime-time stars arrive for the Emmys.Emmy Tidbit
(08/27/06) With a fiery late-August sun bearing down on the red carpet, stars gathering for the Emmy Awards had to be creative to keep cool.'24,' 'Office' win Emmys for best series
(08/27/06) The groundbreaking action series "24," which turns one dangerous day into a season, ended Sunday with a bang as it won Emmys for best drama series and best actor for Kiefer Sutherland.Fashion flashes from Emmy red carpet: low necklines, metallic beads, purple
(08/27/06) TV's top stars showed off their assets in a big, bare way as low-cut V-necks and halter tops dominated the red carpet at Sunday's 58th annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles."Grey's" producer set to revive new ABC drama
(08/25/06) Peter Horton, an executive producer on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," has been called in to lend a hand on the network's troubled new drama "Six Degrees.""Grey's Anatomy" favored over "West Wing" at Emmys
(08/25/06) ABC's hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" is favored to win the top award at Sunday's Emmy Awards and foil a bid by newly departed NBC political saga "The West Wing" for a record fifth term as U.S. television's best drama series.Heigl At The Emmys
(08/23/06) Katherine Heigl (Izzie) will be a present at the Emmys this Sunday on NBC.
Breslin, Ward checking in as "Grey's" guests
(08/21/06) Abigail Breslin, the 10-year-old star of "Little Miss Sunshine," is set to appear in an upcoming episode of ABC's "Grey's Anatomy."Study: Fewer gay television characters
(08/21/06) Nine homosexual characters are depicted in network-TV series scheduled for the 2006-07 season, a decrease from last year's 10, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said Monday.ABIGAIL BRESLIN TO GUEST STAR ON GREY'S ANATOMY
(08/18/06) Ten-year-old actress Abigail Breslin, who can currently be seen in the critically-hailed, independent feature "Little Miss Sunshine," will guest star in an upcoming episode of "Grey's Anatomy."Jim Carrey passes Pam Anderson on Canadian Business magazine's power list
(08/16/06) (Actor Jim Carrey has passed Pamela Anderson to take the top spot on Canadian Business magazine's second annual Celebrity Power List.
1. Jim Carrey.
2. Pamela Anderson.
3. Keanu Reeves.
4. Kiefer Sutherland.
5. William Shatner.
6. Mike Myers.
7. Avril Lavigne.
8. Rachel McAdams.
9. Matthew Perry.
10. Brendan Fraser.
11. Hayden Christensen.
12. Eric McCormack.
13. Sandra Oh.
14. Ryan Reynolds.
15. Evangeline Lilly.
Clothes Line Campaign Featuring Ellen and Patrick
(08/04/06) (From Gaby) Here you can see the video of a clothes line campaign featuring Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey... or Meredith and McDreamy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci7yw7Rhmu8
They Started On Soaps 6
(08/03/06) DON'T MISS A STAR-STUDDED HOUR OF SOAPnet's ORIGINAL FRANCHISESNOW PATROL'S USING CLIPS FROM GREY'S ANATOMY
(07/28/06) Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" was vaulted to the Top 10 list on iTunes after it aired during the closing moments of the season finale of ABC's hit medical drama, "Grey's Anatomy." Due to the tremendous response, ABC Entertainment and A&M Records have partnered to create a music video combining clips from "Grey's Anatomy" and the song "Chasing Cars," which is available at ABC.com until August 14th. The video debuted on the ABC Television Network Saturday night during an airing of "The Rookie."Lifetime snatches "Grey's Anatomy" reruns
(07/24/06) Women's cable network Lifetime snatched rerun rights for "Grey's Anatomy" following the last-minute collapse of a deal that would have brought the show to Oxygen and TNT."Grey's" Feels the Critical Love
(07/23/06) NBC has had a rough couple of seasons in the ratings, but it's earned the respect of the nation's (and Canada's) TV critics.Carroll gets secret spot on "Grey's"
(07/21/06) Will she be Dr. Burke's mom? A terminal cancer patient? A new hospital administrator? Only "Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes and her writing staff on the hit ABC drama know for sure what role Diahann Carroll will play during her guest appearance next season.ABC EXPANDS THE NUMBER OF SERIES DUBBED INTO SPANISH
(07/15/06) ABC, the first English language broadcast network to provide all regular primetime entertainment programming in Spanish via a combination of closed-captioning and dubbing, has increased the number of programs dubbed into Spanish, Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment has announced.Specail Status
(07/15/06) ELLEN Pompeo refused to do any interviews with other "Grey's Anatomy" cast members at the Monte Carlo TV Festival last week, said insiders. But Pompeo's rep, Jennifer Allen, said, "It was at the request of broadcasters that she interview alone because she is the star of the show. But I was not there." The actress also had a screaming match with her boyfriend, music producer Christopher Ivery, according to a witness, who said the fighting couple was being driven to the Fairmont Hotel when she jumped out and ran up the road. The driver yelled, "Ellen! Ellen! Get back in the car with your husband!" To which she howled, "He is not my husband!"
Oxygen, TNT near deal for "Grey's" rights
(07/12/06) Oxygen and Turner Broadcasting are closing in on shared cable rights to the ABC hit series "Grey's Anatomy," sources said.Heigl Discusses 'Anatomy' Emmys and Izzie's Choices
(07/07/06) In the wee small hours of Thursday (July 6) morning, ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" earned 11 Emmy nominations. What was co-star Katherine Heigl's reaction?Reaction to Emmy Award nominations
(07/06/06) "I'm so happy for our show. My family is here, so I got hugs right away, and the cast is here, so we're hugging on each other. Maybe we can go have a really expensive dinner." - Chandra Wilson of Grey's Anatomy calling from Milan, Italy, where she and the cast are promoting the show.Emmy Nominations
(07/06/06) The nominees for the 58th annual Emmys have been announced. The Emmy Awards are scheduled to air Aug. 27 on NBC with Conan O'Brien as host. Other Emmy honors, including those for technical achievement and guest actors and actresses in series, will be given at the creative-arts ceremony on Aug. 19.Outstanding Casting For A Drama Series
Big Love • HBO • Anima Sola and Playtone in association with HBO Entertainment
Junie Lowry Johnson, C.S.A., Casting Director
Libby Goldstein, Casting Director
Ken Miller, C.S.A., Casting by
Nikki Valko, C.S.A., Casting by
Linda Lowy, Casting by
John Brace, Casting by
Amy Lippens, C.S.A., Casting by
Stephanie Laffin, Casting by
April Webster, C.S.A., Casting by
Veronica Collins Rooney, C.S.A., Casting by
Mandy Sherman C.S.A., Casting byOutstanding Makeup For A Series (Non-Prosthetic)
Black. White. • Hour One • FX Network • FX Networks, Actual Reality Pictures and Cube-Vision
Brian Sipe, Makeup Department Head
Keith Vanderlaan, Key Makeup Artist
Will Huff, Key Makeup Artist
Perri Sorel, Makeup Department Head
Rela Martine-Gray, Key Makeup Artist
James MacKinnon, Key Makeup & Personal Makeup for Melina Kanakaredes
John Goodwin, Makeup Effects
Norman Leavitt, Makeup Department Head/Makeup Artist
Brigette Bugayong, Key Makeup Artist
Tom Burman, Makeup Artist
Bari Dreiband-Burman, Makeup Artist
Jennifer Aspinall, Makeup Department Head & Special Makeup Effects
Nathalie Fratti, Makeup Artist
Heather Mages, Makeup Artist
David Williams, Makeup Artist
Eryn Krueger, Makeup Department Head
Stephanie Fowler, Key Makeup
Debbie Zoller, Additional Makeup
Michelle Tyminsky, Additional Makeup
Maurizio Silvi, Makeup Department Head
Federico Laurenti, Makeup Artist
Francesco Nardi, Makeup Artist
Laura Tonello, Makeup Artist
Patty Bunch, Makeup Department Head
Karen Kawahara, Makeup Artist
Farah Bunch, Makeup ArtistOutstanding Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Miniseries, Movie Or A Special
Grey’s Anatomy • Yesterday • ABC • Touchstone Television
Norman Leavitt, Makeup Department Head/Makeup Artist
Brigette Bugayong, Key Makeup
Tom Burman, Prosthetic Makeup
Bari Dreiband-Burman, Prosthetic Makeup
Gail Kennedy, Makeup Department Head
Matthew Mungle, Prosthetic Designer
Jennifer Aspinall, Makeup Department Head & Special Makeup Effects (Prosthetic Designer)
Heather Mages, Prosthetic Makeup Artist (Designed Prosthetics)
Wade Daily, Prosthetic Makeup Artist
Douglas Noe, Prosthetic Makeup Artist
James Rohland, Prosthetic Makeup Artist
David Williams, Prosthetic Makeup Artist
Eryn Krueger, Makeup Department Head
Stephanie Fowler, Key Makeup
Tom Burman, Prosthetic Designer
Bari Dreiband-Burman, Prosthetic Designer
Matthew W. Mungle, Department Head Posthetic Design & Application
Michelle Vittone-McNeil, Prosthetic Makeup
John E. Jackson, Prosthetic Makeup Artist
Clinton Wayne, Prosthetic Makeup ArtistOutstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television Studios
Candice Bergen as Shirley Schmidt
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Bailey
Blythe Danner as Izzy Huffstodt
Jean Smart as First Lady Martha LoganOutstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series
Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television Studios
Michael J. Fox as Daniel Post
Christian Clemenson as Jerry “Hands” Espenson
James Woods as Dr. Nate Lennox
Kyle Chandler as Dylan Young
Henry Ian Cusick as DesmondOutstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series
Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • Touchstone Television
Kate Burton as Ellis Grey
Christina Ricci as Hannah
Swoosie Kurtz as Madeline Sullivan
Patricia Clarkson as Aunt Sarah
Joanna Cassidy as Margaret ChenowithOutstanding Drama Series
Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • Touchstone Television
Producers TBA
Producers TBA
Producers TBA
Producers TBA
Producers TBAOutstanding Writing For A Drama Series
Grey’s Anatomy • It’s the End Of The World, As We Know It (Part 1 & 2) • ABC • Touchstone Television
Shonda Rhimes, Written by
Krista Vernoff, Written by
Carlton Cuse, Written by
Damon Lindelof, Written by
Alan Ball, Written by
Terence Winter, Written by
Strong performances ground issue-heavy "Satellites"
(06/26/06) As any grade-schooler knows from elementary science class, a satellite is an object that orbits a planet. But as any viewer of the new drama "Satellites" also knows, there's a price to be paid for refusing to come down to Earth.
Nina: Sandra Oh
Miles: Kevin Carroll
Eric: Clarke Thorell
Kit: Johanna Day
Reggie: Ron Cephas Jones
Mrs. Chae: Satya Lee
Walter: Ron BriceO'Donnell Is TNT's 'Company' Man
(06/19/06) Chris O'Donnell, whose "Grey's Anatomy" character is still waiting to learn his romantic destiny, has signed on for a lead role in "The Company," a limited run series on TNT.'Grey's Anatomy' star Katherine Heigl engaged to musician Josh Kelley: People
(06/17/06) Katherine Heigl is engaged to musician Josh Kelley, according to People magazine.Sightings
(06/17/06) "GREY'S Anatomy" star T.R. Knight teetotaling with a black-cherry soda at Heartland Brewery in Union Square while his two pals downed beers.
T.R. On The Street
(06/16/06) For its 37th season, debuting Aug. 14, Sesame Street will introduce its first new female muppet in 13 years — Abby Cadabby, a pink "fairy-in-training" who knows just enough about magic to get herself into trouble, but not quite enough to get her out. Among the celebrities dropping by this season are Jamie Foxx, Matt Lauer, Amy Sedaris and Grey's Anatomy's T.R. Knight, while the kiddie show's spoofs will include "Law & Order: Special Letters Unit M," "Survivor: Musical Chairs" and "Outrageous Makeover: Home Edition," featuring Grover as Ty Pennington.
Tidbit
(06/16/06) Grey's Anatomy writer-producer Krista Vernoff has inked a two-year, seven-figure deal with Touchstone, as part of which she will be elevated to the rank of exec producer and develop new projects.
Teen Choice Award Nominations
(06/16/06) The awards will be handed out Aug. 20 on FOX. You can vote at TeenPeople.com thru August 11
"The O.C."
"Grey's Anatomy"
"One Tree Hill"
"House"
"Lost"
"Smallville"
"Desperate Housewives"
"Everybody Hates Chris"
"Gilmore Girls"
"My Name Is Earl"
"High School Musical"
"The War at Home"
"American Dad"
"Family Guy"
"King of the Hill"
"South Park"
"The Boondocks"
"The Simpsons"
"America's Next Top Model"
"American Idol"
"Beauty and the Geek"
"Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County"
"Survivor: Guatemala"
"Yo Momma"
Adam Brody, "The O.C."
Chad Michael Murray, "One Tree Hill"
Kiefer Sutherland, "24"
Matthew Fox, "Lost"
Patrick Dempsey, "Grey's Anatomy"
Tom Welling, "Smallville"
Evangeline Lilly, "Lost"
Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy"
Kristen Bell, "Veronica Mars"
Mischa Barton, "The O.C."
Kristin Kreuk, "Smallville"
Sophia Bush, "One Tree Hill"
Michael Rapaport, "The War at Home"
Jason Lee, "My Name Is Earl"
Zach Braff, "Scrubs"
Steve Carell, "The Office"
Tyler James Williams, "Everybody Hates Chris"
Wilmer Valderrama, "That '70s Show"
Alexis Bledel, "Gilmore Girls"
Eva Longoria, "Desperate Housewives"
Jaime Pressly, "My Name Is Earl"
Mila Kunis, "That '70s Show"
Raven Symone, "That's So Raven"
Tichina Arnold, "Everybody Hates Chris"
Allison Mack, "Smallville"
Amaury Nolasco, "Prison Break"
Vincent Martella, "Everybody Hates Chris"
Donald Faison, "Scrubs"
Jorge Garcia, "Lost"
Percy Daggs III, "Veronica Mars"
Ashton Kutcher, "Punk'd"
Nick Cannon, "Nick Cannon Presents Wild 'N Out"
Ryan Seacrest, "American Idol"
Simon Cowell, "American Idol"
Maria Menounos, "Access Hollywood," "Today"
Vanessa Minnillo, "TRL," "Entertainment Tonight"
"King Kong"
"Mission: Impossible III"
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"
"Superman Returns"
"V for Vendetta"
"X-Men: The Last Stand"
"Flight Plan"
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
"Pride & Prejudice"
"Take the Lead"
"Goal!"
"Walk the Line"
"Failure to Launch"
"Just Like Heaven"
"Just My Luck"
"Last Holiday"
"Aquamarine"
"The Lake House"
"Click"
"Nacho Libre"
"Scary Movie 4"
"She's the Man"
"The Benchwarmers"
"The Break-Up"
"American Haunting"
"Hostel"
"Red Eye"
"Saw II"
"Silent Hill"
"The Omen"
Hugh Jackman, "X-Men: The Last Stand"
Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, "Crash," "Hustle & Flow"
Orlando Bloom, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"
Terrence Howard, "Crash," "Hustle & Flow"
Tom Cruise, "Mission: Impossible III"
Halle Berry, "X-Men: The Last Stand"
Jessica Alba, "Fantastic Four"
Keri Russell, "Mission: Impossible III"
Keira Knightley, "Pride & Prejudice," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"
Natalie Portman, "V for Vendetta"
Reese Witherspoon, "Walk the Line"
Vince Vaughn, "The Break-Up"
Jim Carrey, "Fun with Dick and Jane"
Johnny Depp, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
Jon Heder, "The Benchwarmers," "Just Like Heaven"
Jack Black, "Nacho Libre"
Adam Sandler, "Click"
Lindsay Lohan, "Just My Luck"
Jennifer Aniston, "The Break-Up"
Hilary Duff, "The Perfect Man," "Cheaper by the Dozen 2"
Queen Latifah, "Last Holiday"
Rachel McAdams, "Wedding Crashers," "The Family Stone"
Sarah Jessica Parker, "Failure to Launch"
Chad Michael Murray
Chris Brown
Justin Timberlake
Nick Lachey
Orlando Bloom
Wentworth Miller
Eva Longoria
Jessica Alba
Jessica Simpson
Scarlett Johansson
Rachel Bilson
Rihanna
Adam Sandler
Chris Rock
Dane Cook
Jack Black
Jim Carrey
Rachel Dratch
Endquote
(06/11/06) "THE guy I'm dating now is just so fantastic in bed that half the time I just want to leave the handcuffs on and say: 'I've got to run a few errands, but don't you move. I'll be back!'" - Katherine ("Grey's Anatomy") Heigl tells FHM magazine
Dempsey to serve as grand marshal
(06/08/06) Patrick Dempsey, star of the critically acclaimed ABC-TV drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” will be the grand marshal for the Bombardier Learjet 500k at Texas Motor Speedway on June 10 (9 a.m. EDT on ESPN, IMS Radio Network affiliates, XM Satellite Channel 145 and www.indycar.com).
Celebs try on Fashion Awards
(06/05/06) Hollywood and fashion go together like Paris Hilton and Greek heirs."Grey's" creator in $10 million production deal
(06/03/06) The creator of "Grey's Anatomy" has renegotiated her production pact at Touchstone Television for at least three years, extending it through the 2008-09 season.Westward, Ho!
(06/03/06) NEW York is losing two of its comeliest residents. "Grey's Anatomy" star Justin Chambers and his wife, Keesha, are headed to Los Angeles with their five kids now that the show is a hit. "We already found schools and everything," Chambers told Page Six at the GQ party to celebrate the Council of Fashion Designers of America menswear nominees at MoMA the other night. "I was commuting for a year and a half and it was just too much." They'll have a family vacation first, though: "We are going to Europe and the Dominican Republic for six weeks starting in July." We'll miss you!
Season Program Rankings
(06/03/06) From September 19, 2005 through May 28, 2006 - Regular Programs 1 to 216
Clooney, McDreamy Deemed Most Dateworthy
(06/02/06) When it comes to getting women's hearts racing, Oscar winner George Clooney still hasn't lost his touch."Grey's" players score $200,000 bonuses
(06/02/06) After a red-hot second season, the "Grey's Anatomy" cast is getting a little extra green from the show's producer.TV Critics Like 'Grey's'
(05/31/06) The Television Critics Association announced the nominees for its 2006 awards. The TCA Awards will be handed out July 23.
"Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
"Lost" (ABC)
"The Office" (NBC)
"The Sopranos" (HBO)
"24" (Fox)
"Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
"House" (Fox)
"Lost" (ABC)
"The Sopranos" (HBO)
"24" (Fox)
"Grey's" patient resurrected in new show
(05/30/06) Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who had a recurring role as an ill-fated heart patient on "Grey's Anatomy," has been hired as a regular on a new ABC project from the creator of the network's hit medical drama.Fast National ratings for Sunday, May 28, 2006
(05/29/06) Fans of Nascar may be fans year round, but when it comes to TV ratings, it doesn't hurt that the official TV season is over. The racing sport topped households on Sunday night with a 5.0 rating/10 share. CBS was second with a 4.5/9, followed by ABC, 3.9/8; NBC, 3.5/7 and The WB, 1.2/2.Search for stars on Race Day
(05/27/06) The red carpet will roll out in Indianapolis this weekend as celebrities from around the world arrive for a number of events surrounding the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race.Sightings
(05/22/06) MISCHA Barton, escaping her mother for two hours, at the International Center for Photography benefit at Chelsea Piers along with Amy Sacco, Steven Meisel, Iman and Justin Chambers.
Sightings
(05/20/06) JAMES Marsden, in thigh-high leather riding boots, and Patrick Dempsey laughing while checking out the menus outside the restaurants of Swish Cafe and Ollie's, before deciding on the latter
Sightings
(05/18/06) JUSTIN Chambers and his "Grey's Anatomy" castmates Patrick Dempsey and T.R. Knight celebrating their season finale (which had 22 million viewers on Sunday) two nights later at Susanne Bartsch's drag- tastic party at Happy Valley.
MARTIAL MADNESS
(05/18/06) HOLLYWOOD legend has it that fallen CAA chief Mike Ovitz wanted to turn Ultimate Fighting champion Rickson Gracie into the next Steven Seagal, but the attention-shy jujitsu artist took a pass on movie stardom. Yet, Best Life corralled Rickson and 18 other Gracies on two continents to pose for its special Fathers and Sons issue, which also features Aerosmith's Joe Perry, Isaiah ("Grey's Anatomy") Washington, Jay McInerney and James ("X-Men: The Last Stand") Marsden posing with their offspring. "We had nearly two dozen angry martial artists, all of whom could kill you with their left pinky finger," says Best Life editor-in-chief Stephen Perrine. "Fortunately, no editors were harmed during the production of this issue."
"Grey's" extended finale might be fun for fans
(05/16/06) They just don't make season finales like they used to.'Grey's' Moves To Thursdays In The Fall
(05/16/06) Monday (May 15) night's "Grey's Anatomy" finale left viewers with a cliffhanger: Will Meredith go home with McDreamy or with Finn the Sensitive Vet? In order to find out the answer, fans will have to follow the popular medical melodrama to a new night.Fast National ratings for Monday, May 15, 2006
(05/16/06) The two-hour season finale of "Grey's Anatomy" carried ABC to a ratings win Monday, turning in big numbers despite some pretty strong competition.Questions Matter More on 'Grey's' Finale
(05/16/06) The main characters of "Grey's Anatomy" found moments to take their own pulses during the two-hour season finale Monday night. In thoughtful monologues, they articulated the most troubling questions of their lives — from metaphorical matters of the heart to real, medical ones.'Brother Bear' sequel coming direct to video
(05/15/06) Disney's next direct-to-video sequel will be a follow-up to "Brother Bear," which grossed $85 million at the box office in 2003.Fast National ratings for Sunday, May 14, 2006
(05/15/06) ABC averaged a 9.5 rating/16 share for the Mother's Day evening, beating out CBS' 8.4/14. NBC took third with a 6.4/11. FOX was fourth at 3.9/7, and The WB trailed with a 1.5/3.The Anatomy of "Grey's Anatomy"
(05/10/06) "20/20" goes behind the scenes on the set of one of the hottest shows on television to discover if the amazing - and often unbelievable - medical cases are based on fact or fiction. As Deborah Roberts reports, the show has a team of practicing doctors, medical researchers and a former surgical nurse, all of whom serve as writers or medical consultants to not only make sure the actors look and sound like doctors, but to find interesting storylines that are also plausible. Although they do admit to taking some dramatic license, the show creator says "everything we do is possible and has happened at least once sometime in the world." The special edition of "20/20" airs FRIDAY, MAY 12, from 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET on ABC.Grey's Anatomy To Be THe Focus Of Upcoming Jimmy Kimmel Live
(05/10/06) Late-Night Show Pays Tribute to Both Famed Director and Dramatic SeriesFast National ratings for Sunday, May 7, 2006
(05/08/06) ABC earned a 9.6 rating/16 share for the night, easily beating CBS' 7.6/12. NBC finished third at 5.9/10. FOX, 4.1/7, came in fourth, and The WB trailed with a 1.5/3.Fast National ratings for Sunday, April 30, 2006
(05/01/06) "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy" returned to original episodes Sunday, in turn giving ABC a resounding win among younger viewers, though the overall numbers were fairly close.Victoria's Secret compiles a 'sexy' who's who
(04/25/06) What's sexy to Victoria's Secret? On the lingerie company's first "What is Sexy?" list, winners were subject to debate, says spokeswoman Monica Mitro. "Sexy always changes," she tells USA TODAY. "We looked at self-confidence, humor, presence, achievements."
Male: Adam Levine, 27, lead singer and guitarist for Maroon 5
Female: Shakira, 29
Male: Patrick Dempsey, 40, Grey's Anatomy
Female: Halle Berry, 39. "Whether she's casual or red carpet, she's put together," Mitro says.
Male: Tom Brady, 28, quarterback, New England Patriots
Female: Maria Sharapova, 19, Russian tennis player
Male: Jay Leno, who turns 55 Friday. "He's confident, he's funny, he's comfortable."
Female: Shaun Robinson, 43, Access Hollywood. "She's very feminine, very glamorous."
Fast National ratings for Sunday, April 23, 2006
(04/24/06) ABC averaged a 7.7 rating/13 share for the night to hold off CBS, 7.5/12, for the top spot. NBC finished third with a 5.9/10. FOX, 3.8/6, came in fourth, and The WB trailed with a 1.4/2.Actor Morgan Juggles 'Grey's,' 'Supernatural' and 'Weeds'
(04/23/06) With roles on three hit shows on three different networks -- demon-hunting John Winchester on The WB's (and very likely The CW's) "Supernatural," heart patient Denny Duquette on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," and the deceased Judah Botwin on Showtime's "Weeds" -- journeyman actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan is having a good year.'Grey's Anatomy' Director Dies
(04/19/06) Scott Brazil, an executive producer and director of FX's series "The Shield," has died.Daytime Emmy Presenters
(04/19/06) Chandra Wilson, Kate Walsh and James Pickens, Jr. of ABC's hit medical drama, "Grey's Anatomy," plus Rachael Ray ("The Rachael Ray Show") and Tyra Banks ("The Tyra Banks Show") are among the stellar lineup of scheduled presenters for ABC's live broadcast of "The 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards," FRIDAY, APRIL 28 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT, tape-delayed to the West Coast), it was announced today by Brian Frons, president, ABC Daytime, and Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss, executive producers of the program.Heigl getting "Knocked Up" in Apatow comedy
(04/18/06) "Grey's Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl is set to get "Knocked Up" in writer/director Judd Apatow's follow-up to "The 40-Year-Old Virgin."Fast National ratings for Sunday, April 9, 2006
(04/10/06) CBS averaged an 8.0 rating/13 share in primetime (with those numbers subject to change because of the live golf coverage) to beat ABC's 7.3/12. NBC came in third with a 6.1/10. FOX, 3.6/6, came in fourth, and The WB trailed with a 1.5/2.Toyota Pro/Celebrity race at Long Beach
(04/08/06) Pro skateboarder and occasional shifter karter Bucky Lasek backed up his dominant pole position conquered on Friday to comfortably win the 2006 edition of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race at Long Beach.Fast National ratings for Sunday, April 2, 2006
(04/03/06) ABC averaged a 10.0 rating/16 share for the evening, topping the 6.9/11 for No. 2 CBS. NBC took third with a 4.8/8. FOX's 3.3/5 was good for fourth, beating out The WB's 1.3/2.Table for two?
(04/02/06) Table for two? Seen lunching together were rock icon Gene Simmons and Patrick Dempsey, star of the hit ABC show “Grey’s Anatomy.” Said Dempsey, co-owner of the Nos. 2 and 20 Vision Racing cars: "I'm having a great time. This event particularly is very relaxed and really enjoyable. It's good to see all the different drivres I've been friends with over the years. Now to be here as a co-owner with a vested interest is a great thing."
Actor Isaiah Washington Leads Effort to Raise Awareness of Narcolepsy
(04/02/06) Star of Grey's Anatomy Films Public Service Announcements to Launch During National Sleep Awareness WeekDiversity is a fact of life on `Grey's Anatomy'
(04/02/06) Show gives minorities major roles without preaching about raceCelebrities Kick Off Long Beach Action
(03/29/06) A varied roster of celebrities attended the first track activities for the 32nd Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach this Tuesday, as the opening practice session for the 30th Pro/Celebrity race took place this Tuesday on LB's streets. Formula D drifters also practiced during the day.
Antonio Sabato Jr. (actor)
Bo Bice (singer)
Bucky Lasek (skateboarder)
Dave Mirra (BMX rider)
Frankie Muniz (actor, F-BMW driver)
John Elway (former Denver Broncos quarterback)
Martina Navratilova (former tennis player)
Patrick Dempsey (actor)
Paul Caine (People magazine publisher)
Roger Cross (actor)
Shannon Miller (former gymnast)
Thom Naito (online charity auction winner)
William Fichtner (actor)
William Shatner (actor)
Vinnie Jones (former soccer player, actor)
Xzibit (hip-hop artist)
David Reutimann (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series)
Jeff Kincaid (off-road)
Johnny Greaves (off-road)
Todd Bodine (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series)
Tom Rudnai (Longo Toyota President)
Fast National ratings for Sunday, March 26, 2006
(03/27/06) ABC averaged a 9.1 rating/14 share in primetime, narrowly beating CBS' 8.8/14 (which may change when final numbers for its live sports are calculated). NBC was third at 6.2/10. FOX, 3.9/6, came in fourth, and The WB trailed with a 1.5/2.TV Land Taps 'Grey's Anatomy' as 'Future Classic'
(03/21/06) Should TV Land still exist a generation from now, there's a decent chance its viewers will get to wax nostalgic over the lives and loves of those pretty interns at Seattle Grace Hospital.Fast National ratings for Sunday, March 19, 2006
(03/20/06) ABC posted a 9.4 rating/15 share for the night, beating CBS' 8.0/12 (the CBS numbers include live basketball in much of the country and therefore may change some). NBC, 6.6/10, came in third. FOX took fourth with a 3.8/6, and The WB trailed with a 1.3/2.'Grey's Anatomy' a dreamy Rx for almost everybody
(03/19/06) THERE are TV fans, and then there are "Grey's Anatomy" fans.Sign of Chambers' time
(03/18/06) In the summer after his freshman year of high school, Grey's Anatomy star Justin Chambers' childhood in Springfield, Ohio, was turned upside down when his parents, Pam and John, both sheriff's deputies, were assigned to investigate two grisly murders on the outskirts of town.Patrick Dempsey Relishing Driving, Grand Marshal Roles at Sebring
(03/17/06) Actor Patrick Dempsey, star of ABC’s top-rated television drama “Grey’s Anatomy,” is on a short break from his acting responsibilities regarding his portrayal of Dr. Derek Shepherd – a role that earned him nomination for best actor in a drama at this year's Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards – to race and serve as Grand Marshal of the 54th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway (Sebring, Fla.)."Grey's Anatomy" director gets promotion
(03/13/06) "thirtysomething" actor-turned-director Peter Horton has been promoted to executive producer status at "Grey's Anatomy" under a deal with the producer of ABC's red-hot medical drama.Fast National ratings for Sunday, March 12, 2006
(03/13/06) ABC averaged a 10.8 rating/17 share for the night, finishing far ahead of its closest competitor, CBS (6.8/11). NBC finished third at 6.2/10. FOX, 5.2/8, was fourth, and The WB trailed with a 1.2/2.`Grey's Anatomy' star sells 1926 Spanish-style house
(03/11/06) On the work front, Patrick Dempsey and Oscar nominee George Clooney have a lot in common. Both have starred as doctors in hit TV medical series. And both have leading-man good looks.UNFORGETTA... OUCH
(03/02/06) Grammy winner Natalie Cole slipped and fell, fracturing her right arm, while taping an episode of ABC's Grey's Anatomy earlier this week, says the New York Daily News. After being fitted for a real-life sling, Cole returned to work like a trouper — only to have George, like, sit there and pine for her like a sad puppy dog.
Field named for Pro/Celebrity race
(03/02/06) Patrick Dempsey ("Grey's Anatomy," "Sweet Home Alabama") is both an actor and a driver and is trying to build a career in Grand Am racing in 2006 and he will be joined on the list of professional drivers by Bodine, Reutimann, off-road racers Johnny Greaves and Jeff Kincaid and Longo Toyota General Manager Tom Rudnai.Caffeine Movie Website Up
(03/01/06) (From Noam) The website for Katherine Heigl's new movie Caffeine has officially launched. There are some great clips of her doing a really cute English accent. Check it out at www.blackcatcafeonline.com
'Grey's Anatomy' Jokes at TV Festival
(03/01/06) They joked, they flirted, they even squabbled a bit, and Ellen Pompeo accidentally called her co-star by his character's name, George.Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey reveals he has dyslexia
(03/01/06) Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey said his childhood wasn't so McDreamy: he wasn't diagnosed as being dyslexic until he was 12 years old.An Interview with Tomas Scheckter, Ed Carpenter and Patrick Dempsey
(03/01/06) MODERATOR: Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today for the Indy Racing League teleconference. We're joined this afternoon by three guests from Vision Racing. Vision is returning for its second season in the Indy Racing League in 2006 and has experienced quite a bit of growth this winter and our guests today represent that growth.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006
(02/27/06) ABC won the night convincingly, averaging a 13.1 rating/20 share in primetime. NBC, 8.5/13, finished second, and CBS was third at 7.4/11. FOX came in fourth with a 5.6/8, and The WB trailed with a 2.1/3.Grey's Anatomy Wins at NAACP's Image Awards
(02/26/06) With only a week to go before the Academy Awards, the Oscar-nominated film "Crash" was named best picture by the NAACP at its 37th annual Image Awards on Saturday.Patrick Dempsey to Serve As Grand Marshal Of Mobil 1 Twelve Hours Of Sebring
(02/24/06) Heartthrob actor Patrick Dempsey, star of ABC’s top-rated television show “Grey’s Anatomy,” will serve as Grand Marshal of the 54th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 18.Pompeo Ponders Grey's Matters
(02/24/06) Ellen Pompeo of ABC's red-hot Grey's Anatomy (Sundays at 10 pm/ET) opens up to TV Guide about her gypsy soul, her red-carpet style and how she really feels about Meredith and McDreamy.
Ellen Pompeo: When there's a very strong female character, it's hard to walk away. In all the great, interesting films, the parts for me were really small, and the only lead parts I could get were in big, giant bad movies — except Old School, which turned out to be really funny. This role lets me balance the art and the commerce.
Pompeo: Several members of my family have been admitted to the hospital since the show started, and when they feel like the treatment isn't good enough, they say, "Do you know who my niece is?" And suddenly they're in the VIP area, having pedicures in bed.
Pompeo: She wasn't much of a student, and that certainly was me. The fact that I'm convincing is a huge triumph for me because I'm not that [kind of] book person. I adore books but on my time and not in a classroom. I was very restless. I'm a gypsy at heart. As soon as I turned 18, I started traveling.
Pompeo: I went to Europe, and then I spent three years cocktail-waitressing in Miami in the early '90s when it was fabulous. When I first got there, it looked like a scene out of Scarface: old people sitting on the porches, and all these dilapidated hotels. And then I moved to New York City in the mid-'90s.
Pompeo: Actually, I bartended. My first professional job was a L'Oreal commercial. They dyed my hair fire-engine red. It was supposed to go away after six washes but, you know, bright copper hair doesn't wash out that quickly!
Pompeo: I did Law & Order twice — played a psychotic killer [both times]. The first time, I hired my boyfriend to kill my parents. And in the second one, my boyfriend and I drugged girls to have sex with them and kill them. They rerun them on TNT all the time.
Pompeo: This is my first time around and I've been having a blast dressing up, but I think the Valentino outfit I wore at the Golden Globes was too fashion-forward for some people. With the 1920s-style wave in my hair, it was a little more New York than L.A.
Pompeo: A lesbian scene! [Laughs] Speaking of surprises: Did you know that one of the interns is leaving the intern program?
Pompeo: No, but whoever it is knows already. I just know that it's not me.
Pompeo: Personally, I don't approve of Meredith wanting to be more than friends with Derek. I don't condone her kissing a married man, because I don't think that's cool.
Pompeo: What she needs is to figure out why everything happened to her. I always thought she met Dr. Shepherd in the bar and got drunk and slept with him on the first night because she used to be a partier. And this was going to be her last hurrah before she really had to get serious. So why did she put her whole career on the line so soon into her internship, and it really wasn't worth it? Now she's starting to figure out it was worth it because he is fantastic.
Pompeo: I think Meredith is completely oblivious. She's consumed with her mother and Dr. McDreamy. [Laughs] There are certain things that are just going to go unnoticed.
In Justice Star Constance Zimmer On GA
(02/24/06) TVGuide.com: What TV are you liking these days?
Zimmer: I'm definitely on the Grey's Anatomy bandwagon. The writing is really, really amazing, and [series creator] Shonda [Rhimes] really seems to have her finger on the pulse of young people's issues of today. By young, I mean 20 to 40. [Laughs]
The Zodiac Starring Justin Chambers Coming March 17
(02/23/06) THINKFilm has announced the theatrical release of THE ZODIAC, Alexander Bulkley's thriller about the most infamous killer America has ever seen. The movie will open on March 17th in Los Angeles , San Francisco , Dallas, Houston and Atlanta theaters.'Anatomy' of Sunday Nights Changing
(02/21/06) If it had happened only once, it could have been considered a fluke. But then Sunday night, it happened again. Now, we may almost have a trend on our hands.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006
(02/20/06) NBC averaged an 11.6 rating/17 share for the night, beating out ABC's 10.8/16. CBS was well back in third at 6.1/9. FOX, 3.2/5, finished fourth, beating out The WB, 1.9/3.'Anatomy' sneaks up on 'Housewives'
(02/17/06) Talk about a show exploding.The doctor is in: T.R. Knight talks about his Grey's Anatomy role
(02/15/06) Move over, McDreamy: This doctor wants your ex, and he won't break her heart."Grey's" Doc Hooked on Speed
(02/15/06) Patrick Dempsey is revved up, and presumably ready to hear Jim Nabors roar.Blend of courage and cool
(02/15/06) At Cosmopolitan's Fun Fearless Male Awards, the nine of the 12 honorees who made the party Monday night lived up to their monikers - especially Nick Lachey, who delivered the evening's best acceptance speech.ABC Pulls Another 'Grey's' Switch
(02/14/06) Judging from its impressive Nielsen figures, not many people missed Sunday's episode of "Grey's Anatomy." But just in case, ABC is giving viewers another chance to see it.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Feb. 12, 2006
(02/13/06) "Grey's Anatomy" out-rated its lead-in, "Desperate Housewives," for the first time on Sunday, but NBC's Olympics coverage was able to slide past ABC for an overall ratings win.Grey's Izzie in a Triangle Tizzy!
(02/10/06) Izzie is so over Alex. That's because Katherine Heigl's sweet intern finds love on Grey's Anatomy (Sundays at 10 pm/ET) with returning heart-transplant patient Denny Duquette (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) instead. Well, at least for a nine-episode arc chronicling Denny's quest for two hearts — Izzie's and a new one for himself.Dempsey's newest role: Team co-owner
(02/09/06) Patrick Dempsey’s newest role will be at the racetrack.HOLY SCOOPAGE, BATMAN!
(02/09/06) It looks like Chris O'Donnell — apparently not put off by Head Cases' grim fate — will next call Grey's Anatomy's Seattle Grace home. Rumor has it that Chris O'Donnell has signed on for an eight-episode arc beginning in March.
Fast National ratings for Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006
(02/06/06) ABC averaged a 34.6 rating/52 share in primetime Sunday -- with those numbers subject to change due to the live broadcast. CBS was the best of the rest at 4.1/6, followed by NBC at 3.5/5 and FOX at 2.7/4. The WB barely registered at 0.9/1.Barbara Walters Special
(02/02/06) Special to Air on ABC on a New Date and Time, Wednesday, March 1, at 10:00 p.m.New Grey's Anatomy Podcast
(02/02/06) The ABC Television Network will be launching the first official "Grey's Anatomy" podcast series on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3. The podcasts will be available on ABC.com and iTunes Music Store.Grey's Anatomy Casting Scoop
(02/02/06) Eric Dane - that's Jason Dean to all you Charmed fans - has landed the pivotal role of Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy. Not that you need to be reminded, but Mark is the creep who slept with Addison behind Derek's back. The traitorous doc shows up at Seattle Grace on Feb. 19.
2006 Screen Actor Guild Award Winners
(01/30/06) TELEVISION
Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer on "24"
Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang on "Grey's Anatomy"
"Lost"
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Mr. Eko
Naveen Andrews as Sayid
Emilie de Ravin as Claire
Matthew Fox as Jack
Jorge Garcia as Hurley
Maggie Grace as Shannon
Josh Holloway as Sawyer
Malcolm David as Kelley Walt
Daniel Dae Kim as Jin
Yunjin Kim as Sun
Evangeline Lilly as Kate
Dominic Monaghan as Charlie
Terry O'Quinn as Locke
Harold Perrineau as Michael
Michelle Rodriguez as Ana Lucia
Ian Somerhalder as Boone
Cynthia Watros as Libby
Sean Hayes as Jack McFarland on "Will & Grace"
Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo on "Desperate Housewives"
"Desperate Housewives"
Roger Bart as George Williams
Andrea Bowen as Julie Mayer
Mehcad Brooks as Matthew Applewhite
Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis
Marcia Cross as Bree Van De Kamp
Steven Culp as Rex Van De Kamp
James Denton as Mike Delfino
Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer
Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo
Brent Kinsman as Preston Scavo
Shane Kinsman as Porter Scavo
Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis
Mark Moses as Paul Young
Doug Savant as Tom Scavo
Nicollette Sheridan as Edie Britt
Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young
Alfre Woodard as Betty Applewhite
Paul Newman as Max Roby in "Empire Falls"
S. Epatha Merkerson as Rachel "Nanny" Crosby in "Lackawanna Blues"
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote in "Capote"
Reese Witherspoon as June Carter in "Walk the Line"
Paul Giamatti as Joe Gould in "Cinderella Man"
Rachel Weisz as Tessa Quayle in "The Constant Gardener"
"Crash"
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges as Anthony
Sandra Bullock as Jean Cabot
Don Cheadle as Graham
Matt Dillon as Officer Ryan
Jennifer Esposito as Ria
William Fichtner as Flanagan
Brendan Fraser as Rick Cabot
Terrence Howard as Cameron Thayer
Thandie Newton as Christine Thayer
Ryan Phillippe as Thomas Hansen
Larenz Tate as Peter
Fast National ratings for Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006
(01/30/06) CBS averaged a 9.1 rating/14 share for the night to edge ABC's 8.9/14, although ABC's 14.8 million viewers trumped CBS' 13.9 million. NBC, 6.7/10, came in third, with FOX one spot back at 4.2/6. The WB finished with a 1.8/3.Dempsey Named As One On TV's Top 'Hunks'
(01/25/06) Josh Holloway, who plays con man Sawyer on the hit ABC series "Lost," has been named the "hottest hunk" on television by In Touch Weekly.'Night Listener' a skin-crawling experience
(01/25/06) "The Night Listener," based on Armistead Maupin's novel, plays like an Alfred Hitchcock thriller but is nevertheless a movie of ideas.
Gabriel Noone: Robin Williams
Donna: Toni Collette
Jess: Bobby Cannavale
Anna: Sandra Oh
Pete: Rory Culkin
Noone's father: John Cullum
Ashe: Joe Morton'Anatomy' Creator Goes to Press with ABC
(01/24/06) During the 2002-03 season, Shonda Rhimes wrote a pilot script for Touchstone TV about a group of female war correspondents. It was the first script she wrote for television, and it didn't advance too far up development pipeline.Dempsey's A Wanted Man
(01/24/06) Per Variety, Patrick Dempsey has joined the cast of the drama Freedom Writers, in which he will play the husband of Hilary Swank's young motivational teacher. What's more, if the scheduling can be worked out, the Grey's Anatomy star is also in talks to play a hardworking single dad — and Amy Adams' love interest — in Disney's Enchanted, also starring Susan Sarandon, James Marsden and Idina Menzel.
Code Black for ABC's 'Grey'
(01/23/06) Grey matter: Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes also was tight-lipped at an ABC session Saturday. The post-Super Bowl episode (Feb. 5) will add a heavier surgery story line to the soapy drama, cryptically called Code Black, with guest Christina Ricci. Can Rhimes describe the story? "Absolutely," she cheerily responded. "Something happens, and bad stuff follows."Fast National ratings for Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006
(01/23/06) FOX scored a 17.6 rating/25 share in primetime (with those numbers subject to change some in final nationals due to the game airing live). ABC didn't suffer any, finishing a strong second at 10.8/16. CBS, 6.4/9, came in third, edging out NBC, 6.2/9. The WB trailed with a 1.8/3.Sandra Oh delighted to win Golden Globe for Grey's Anatomy
(01/17/06) Sandra Oh was one of the most exuberant winners at the Golden Globe Awards on Monday night.Golden Globe Quotes
(01/17/06) "I think I feel like someone set me on fire." Sandra Oh, best supporting TV actress for Grey's Anatomy.
Golden Globe Winners
(01/17/06) The 63rd annual Golden Globes Monday, Jan. 16 2006
"Commander in Chief"
"Grey's Anatomy"
"Lost"- Winner
"Prison Break"
"Rome"
Patrick Dempsey, "Grey's Anatomy"
Matthew Fox, "Lost"
Hugh Laurie, "House"- Winner
Wentworth Miller, "Prison Break"
Kiefer Sutherland, "24"
Candice Bergen, "Boston Legal"
Camryn Manheim, "Elvis"
Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy"- Winner
Elizabeth Perkins, "Weeds"
Joanne Woodward, "Empire Falls"
Ladies Wear Red, White and Black at Globes
(01/17/06) The goddesses ruled the Golden Globes red carpet, with stars like Felicity Huffman, Maria Bello, Hilary Swank and Marcia Cross wearing plunging V-neck halter gowns with draping, fitted waists and billowing skirts.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006
(01/16/06) A big audience for an NFL playoff game and the season premiere of "24" lifted FOX past ABC in Sunday's ratings, although ABC's lineup didn't really suffer.Patrick Dempsey Named Cosmopolitan's 2006 Fun Fearless Male of the Year
(01/14/06) Singing sensation Beyonce and ABC's Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey are named Cosmopolitan's Fun Fearless Female and Male of the Year.58th annual Directors Guild of America awards
(01/11/06) Nominees: Dramatic Series
Alan Ball, "Six Feet Under" ("Everybody's Waiting"), HBO
Paris Barclay, "House" ("Three Stories"), FOX
Peter Horton, "Grey's Anatomy" ("A Hard Day's Night" - pilot), ABC
Jeff Melman, "Grey's Anatomy" ("Into You Like a Train"), ABC
Fast National ratings for Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006
(01/09/06) CBS averaged a 10.9 rating/17 share in primetime (with those numbers likely to change a little because of the live game) to beat out ABC's 10.2/16. NBC finished third with a 6.3/10, followed by FOX at 4.6/7. The WB trailed with a 1.7/3.Dempsey Turns First Grand American Laps
(01/08/06) Patrick Dempsey is no stranger to driving a car at high speeds, dodging in and out of traffic. The Grey's Anatomy star gets that every morning driving to and from Hollywood. But in the cockpit of a race car, Dempsey had never experienced the fast-paced, high-adrenaline world of Grand-Am Cup Series action until climbing into the No. 54 Hyper Sport Ford Mustang GT for this weekend's Daytona Test Days.Screen Actors Guild Awards
(01/05/06) The 12th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will air Sunday, Jan. 29 on TNT and TBS.
"Grey's Anatomy"
"Lost"
"Six Feet Under"
"The West Wing"
Alan Alda, "The West Wing"
Hugh Laurie, "House"
Ian McShane, "Deadwood"
Kiefer Sutherland, "24"
Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy"
Geena Davis, "Commander in Chief"
Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"
Mariska Hargitay, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
Producers Guild Nominees
(01/04/06) Producers Guild television nominees included 24, Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy, Lost and Six Feet Under for best drama series. Best comedy series nominees were Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Desperate Housewives, Entourage and Two and a Half Men.Love Triangle Planned for 'Grey's' Izzie
(12/30/05) Izzie's going to have her hands full when "Grey's Anatomy" returns from its holiday break next month.Heigl's 'Anatomy' Yields Perks
(12/27/05) Two years ago, Katherine Heigl shot a little politically incorrect comedy film with Johnny Knoxville. In the time it took "The Ringer" to make it to the big screen (it took in $8.4 million in its first four days in release), Heigl shot a pilot for an ABC medical drama, watched the network hold the show until midseason and then saw "Grey's Anatomy" explode as one of television's biggest hits.TV's Biggest Stars Reflect on 2005
(12/27/05) Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy
"When I left Maine, I always wanted to be a working actor. I never cared too much about being the star. I just wanted to do the work and get on with it. I enjoy that. And there's a lot of responsibility that comes with it — you have to keep your ego in check. There were a lot of years where I wasn't working and a lot of people didn't care about me. I'd go into rooms and people would turn away. Now it's all different. But I know it can very easily turn around again — a show goes off and people forget about you. Fame is fleeting, so enjoy the moment. Don't take it too seriously. And don't get too high on yourself."
Fast National ratings for Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005
(12/26/05) Fueled by NFL coverage, FOX averaged a 6.6 rating/14 for the night. Second place CBS was far back with a 4.7/10, followed closely by ABC's 4.2/9. NBC lagged a bit in fourth with a 3.2/7. The WB trailed with a 1.0/2.Christina Ricci entering 'Grey' area
(12/22/05) Christina Ricci will guest-star in a special episode of ABC's sophomore hit "Grey's Anatomy" slated to air February 5 after the network's broadcast of Super Bowl XL.Love is no longer color-coded on TV
(12/21/05) One of the sweetest scenes to unfold on recent television was the long-awaited reunion of Bernard, the scruffy old survivor from the tail section of the downed Lost plane, with his calm and loving wife, Rose.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005
(12/19/05) With ABC resting its big guns Sunday night, CBS was able to score a ratings win with a solid performance from its holiday-themed movie. All of the Big Four networks also offered coverage of a televised address by the president.Television Writers Nominated for Awards
(12/14/05) The writing teams for the new ABC medical show "Grey's Anatomy" and the NBC comedies "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office" scored double nominations Tuesday from the Writers Guild of America.Golden Globe Nominations
(12/13/05) The 63rd annual Golden Globes will air Monday, Jan. 16 on NBC
"Commander in Chief"
"Grey's Anatomy"
"Lost"
"Prison Break"
"Rome"
Patrick Dempsey, "Grey's Anatomy"
Matthew Fox, "Lost"
Hugh Laurie, "House"
Wentworth Miller, "Prison Break"
Kiefer Sutherland, "24"
Candice Bergen, "Boston Legal"
Camryn Manheim, "Elvis"
Sandra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy"
Elizabeth Perkins, "Weeds"
Joanne Woodward, "Empire Falls"
Fast National ratings for Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005
(12/12/05) CBS averaged a 12.1 rating/18 share in primetime (which may change some in final nationals due to live football early in the night). ABC was second at 8.1/12, and NBC took third with a 6.3/9. FOX, 5.1/8, came in fourth, and The WB finished a distant fifth at 1.5/2.AFI honors best of 2005 film, TV
(12/12/05) Critics' darling "Brokeback Mountain," the upcoming effects extravaganza "King Kong" and the raucous comedy "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" are among the 10 films that the American Film Institute has judged as the most outstanding motion pictures of the year.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005
(12/05/05) ABC averaged an 11.1 rating/17 share in primetime to finish comfortably ahead of CBS, 8.5/13 (because of live NFL coverage, those numbers may change some in final nationals). NBC, 6.6/10, came in third, and FOX was fourth at 4.3/6. The WB trailed with a 1.5/2.Moviemaker makes splash in TV business
(12/05/05) The fictional worlds inhabited by the sex-addled medical residents of "Grey's Anatomy" and the high-strung FBI behavior analysts of "Criminal Minds" couldn't be much different.Sightings
(12/05/05) KATE Walsh, who plays Dr. Addison Shepherd on "Grey's Anatomy," sipping Macallan Single Malt Scotch with three girlfriends at the Campbell Apartment in Grand Central . . .
Fast National ratings for Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005
(11/28/05) ABC averaged an 11.1 rating/16 share for the night, beating out CBS' 10.6/16. FOX was third at 9.0/13, although those numbers may change some in final nationals due to late-ending NFL games early in the evening. NBC came in at 5.7/8 and The WB at 1.9/3.Shades of 'Grey's Anatomy'
(11/25/05) The Grey's Anatomy doctors are definitely in.Woods, Ramirez Check into TV Hospitals
(11/23/05) Two-time Emmy winner James Woods and recent Tony recipient Sara Ramirez will be bringing their award-winning chops to television's two most popular medical dramas in the coming months.Party Tidbit
(11/21/05) HOLLYWOOD restaurateurs Eva and Michael Chow invited a staggering array of movie and TV stars to help celebrate the their new six-story mansion in Holmby Hills last week. Gucci and InStyle magazine underwrote the dinner — expect pics in the next issue! (It was for a good cause, too. Children's Action Network/Westside Children's Center benefited.) Get this guest list:Fast National ratings for Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005
(11/21/05) ABC averaged an 11.5 rating/17 share in primetime, beating out CBS' 10.9/17 (those numbers may change due to live football early in the evening). NBC took third at 5.9/9, beating out FOX, 4.8/7, and The WB, 2.1/3.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005
(11/14/05) ABC averaged an 11.2 rating/17 share in primetime Sunday, beating CBS, 9.5/14, by a pretty comfortable margin. FOX took third at 6.7/10, while NBC managed only a 4.6/7. The WB trailed with a 1.8/3.TV hits maximum occupancy
(11/09/05) Prime time is having a population boom.Grey's Anatomy Star Patrick Dempsey Latest to Take Turn Behind Wheel on SPEED'S TEST DRIVE
(11/07/05) Actor Patrick Dempsey, Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit television show Grey’s Anatomy and an aspiring road racer, recently filmed an episode of SPEED Channel’s Test Drive with host Tommy Kendall. The pair put the new Lexus IS350 through its paces at Willow Springs Raceway in California for an episode that will debut Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. ET.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005
(11/07/05) Overall, ABC averaged an 11.6 rating/17 share, topping CBS' 9.8/15. NBC was a respectable third with a 7.6/11, beating FOX's 5.0/7 and The WB's 1.6/2.Grey's Anatomy Gets Post Super Bowl Spot
(10/31/05) "GREY'S ANATOMY" TO AIR SPECIAL EPISODE FOLLOWING SUPERBOWL XL, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2006Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 30, 2005
(10/31/05) ABC averaged a 9.3 rating/14 share in primetime, beating second-place NBC's 7.1/11. CBS, 6.6/10, finished third, and FOX was fourth at 5.6/9 (those numbers include live football in some of the country and may change some in final nationals). The WB trailed with a 2.0/3.A diagnosis of 'Grey's Anatomy'
(10/30/05) The hit show Grey's Anatomy falls into a vacuous grey area.Diversity Awards
(10/26/05) Dakota Fanning, Tyrese Gibson, Malcolm Lee and Sandra Oh will be among the honorees when the 13th annual Diversity Awards are bestowed November 13 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Others on the Multicultural Motion Picture Assn.'s list of diversity winners are Paul Haggis, Terrence Howard and Carlos Mencia and the casts of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Everybody Hates Chris."
Heart Auction Benefit Release
(10/24/05) Cast and Crew of Hit ABC and Disney Channel Shows Create Exclusive Wooden Hearts to Raise Funds for The Help Group Through DisneyAuctions.com, Starting Monday, October 24.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005
(10/24/05) For the night, ABC averaged a 10.2 rating/16 share, beating FOX's 9.2/14 and CBS' 8.7/13 (numbers both FOX and CBS include live sports and will change some in final nationals). NBC finished fourth at 6.4/10, and The WB trailed with a 1.9/3.Grey's gaining
(10/19/05) ABC's Grey's Anatomy (18.3 million) has been steadily growing over the past three weeks even as Sunday lead-in Desperate Housewives (25.8 million) has declined. The gap between the shows has narrowed by 2 million since the season's start.
Changes Brewing at Vision Racing
(10/17/05) Vision Racing expects to be a radically different operation for the 2006 season, team - and Indy Racing League - owner Tony George told the Indianapolis Star.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005
(10/17/05) Led once again by "Desperate Housewives," ABC took the night by averaging a 10.7 rating/17 share. CBS was second at 8.9/14, followed by FOX at 6.7/10. (Ratings for both CBS and FOX reflect time period only due to live sports telecasts.) NBC, 6.3/10, came in fourth, and The WB was a distant fifth at 1.9/3.Nielsen's top 20 prime-time TV shows
(10/11/05) Following are lists of the top 20 prime-time programs on broadcast TV for the week ended October 9, as measured in average total audience and ratings for viewers aged 18 to 49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
(Total viewers in millions)
(= denotes tie, S denotes special, R denotes repeat)
2 Desperate Housewives ABC 26.1
3 Lost ABC 22.4
4 Without a Trace CBS 21.2
5 CSI: Miami CBS 18.7
6 Grey's Anatomy ABC 18.1
7 Survivor: Guatemala CBS 17.9
=8 Commander In Chief ABC 16.9
=8 NCIS CBS 16.9
10 Law & Order: SVU NBC 16.2
11 Cold Case CBS 15.9
12 NFL Monday Night Football ABC 15.6
13 Extreme Makeover ABC 15.3
14 CSI: NY CBS 14.6
15 Two and a Half Men CBS 14.2
16 ER NBC 14.1
17 Las Vegas NBC 13.6
18 My Name Is Earl NBC 13.2
=19 Crossing Jordan NBC 12.9
=19 Medium NBC 12.9
=19 Law & Order: Criminal Intent NBC 12.9
2 CSI CBS 9.8
3 Lost ABC 9.2
4 Grey's Anatomy ABC 8.0
5 Without a Trace CBS 6.8
6 CSI: Miami CBS 6.4
=7 ER NBC 6.3
=7 Extreme Makeover ABC 6.3
=7 Survivor: Guatemala CBS 6.3
11 Law & Order: SVU NBC 6.2
=12 My Name is Earl NBC 6.0
=12 NFL Monday Night Football ABC 6.0
=14 Commander In Chief ABC 4.8
=14 Las Vegas NBC 4.8
=14 Two and a Half Men CBS 4.8
=17 CSI: NY CBS 4.6
=17 Medium NBC 4.6
=19 The Apprentice 4 NBC 4.5
=19 Major League Baseball (S) Fox 4.5 (AL Division playoffs, Game 4)
=19 Prison Break Fox 4.5
Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005
(10/10/05) ABC averaged a 10.4 rating/16 share in primetime to beat FOX's 7.8/12 (its numbers may change some due to live football and baseball broadcast). CBS was third at 7.3/11, and NBC, 6.8/10, was not far behind in fourth. The WB was a distant fifth at 1.8/3.Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005
(10/03/05) Fast National ratings for Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005Fast National ratings for Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005
(09/26/05) ABC averaged an 11.3 rating/18 share in primetime to beat CBS, 9.2/14, by a fairly sizable margin (because of a late-ending NFL game, CBS' numbers are likely to change somewhat in final nationals). NBC took third with a 6.6/10, and FOX was fourth with a 4.8/7. The WB came in at 1.9/3.'Grey's Anatomy' opener gets pulses racing
(09/24/05) When we last left ``General Hospital Booty Call,'' our brave young heroine had just discovered that Dr. McDreamy is married.New Set
(09/15/05) The residents finally get a place to hang. It’s a bar called Emerald City.
Left hanging? Stay tuned
(09/02/05) 'Grey's Anatomy'
When it returns: Sept. 25, 10 p.m., ABCMost Powerful Canadians in Hollywood
(08/31/05) Former "Baywatch" TV star Pamela Anderson has been named the most powerful Canadian in Hollywood by Canadian Business magazine.
- Jim Carrey (2nd)
- Keanu Reeves (3rd)
- Mike Myers (4th)
- Hayden Christensen, who played Anakin Skywalker in two "Star Wars" movies (6th)
- Elisha Cuthbert (11th)
- Rachel McAdams (12th)
- Sandra Oh (14th)
Spader, Bilson, Dempsey Get Emmy Duty
(08/30/05) "Boston Legal" star James Spader may or may not become a repeat Emmy winner next month, but he'll definitely be on stage during the awards.Hewitt, Pompeo Join Emmy Festivities
(08/25/05) Emmy winner Jimmy Smits and Jennifer Love Hewitt, who isn't an Emmy winner but has a show on CBS this season, are among the latest round of presenters added to the 57th annual Primetime Emmys.Patrick Dempsey's Big Anatomy Lesson
(08/19/05) It's fun, if a bit unnerving, to watch the insensitive interns of Grey's Anatomy trip all over each other for a shot at handling Seattle Grace Hospital's bizarro-medical-case-of-the-week. (A man with ovaries? A guy addicted to injuring himself because he likes scars? The sicker the patient, the more excited they get!) And all the while, everyone's hiding secret crushes and secret shagging. And secret wives. Yeah, I'm talking about you, Dr. Derek Shepherd (who is never to be confused, handsome looks aside, with Lost's Dr. Shephard aka Jack). TVGuide.com recently spoke with Patrick Dempsey about Grey's bombshells, Boston Legal and his successful return to the pop culture limelight.
Patrick Dempsey: [Laughs] I know! The [new] season [premiering Sept. 25] opens right at that climax where we left off, and there are fireworks. A lot of fireworks. Actually, they didn't mean it to end there; it was going to continue to play itself out, but we ended up not showing five episodes that we had already shot, so it keeps building instead. There are even more twists and turns that come along.
Dempsey: Shonda [Rhimes, creator/executive producer] said she didn't know if we were ever going to do more than nine or 12 episodes, so she told us to "just do everything you can," and I think that's still our philosophy going into this year — just write like it's the last show that you're going to be in and hopefully, the fans will be loyal and we don't disappoint them with the stories.
Dempsey: I think they both are. There are a number of people who are extremely disappointed.
Dempsey: [Boston Legal has] a great cast and it's well written… even though we kicked their asses. We literally got calls the next day joking, "We're out of our time slot! Screw you!" But seriously, there's a great camaraderie amidst all of it, everybody supports each other. And I think their show will do much better on a different night, certainly. I'm happy to see that James [Spader] can remodel his house now and not worry about unemployment. I've known him for years, and he's happy and he's cool. It's all good.
Dempsey: Yeah, it took a combination of things to get to this point. It started with [my role on] Once and Again, and probably Will & Grace helped, as well as The Practice, and then certainly [the 2002 film] Sweet Home Alabama. Then this great [Grey's Anatomy] character came at just the right time. And I've been around for 90 years too!
Dempsey: I have a great wife who has a lot of great beauty products. [Laughs] Plus, I've always been a late bloomer.
Fast National ratings for Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005
(08/08/05) CBS averaged a 5.5 rating/10 share for the night, just beating NBC's 5.4/9. ABC finished third at 4.0/7, followed by FOX, 3.3/6, and The WB, 1.2/2.Page Six Tidbit
(08/04/05) 'WHAT WAS the largest object a woman's ever thrown at you?"
"A door."
"Well, it was a slammed door that she kept slamming until it finally fell off its hinges onto me."Fast National ratings for Sunday, July 31, 2005
(08/01/05) For the night, CBS averaged a 5.1 rating/9 share, just beating NBC's 5.0/9. ABC finished third at 3.8/7, topping FOX's 3.2/6. The WB trailed with a 1.1/2.Fast National ratings for Sunday, July 24, 2005
(07/25/05) Overall, NBC averaged a 5.2 rating/9 share, with CBS' 4.8/9 in a close second. ABC's 3.7/7 and FOX's 3.4/6 weren't far off the pace, still beating up on fifth place WB's 1.1/2.Fast National ratings for Sunday, July 17, 2005
(07/18/05) CBS averaged a 5.0 rating/9 share in primetime, narrowly beating NBC's 4.9/9. ABC finished third at 3.9/7, followed by FOX at 3.1/6. The WB trailed, coming in at 1.2/2.Vet Earns M.D. on Grey's Anatomy
(07/15/05) For the first 23 years of his life, before he embarked on a circuitous two-decade acting career and the breakout role of Dr. Preston Burke on Grey's Anatomy, Isaiah Washington walked a very straight line.Emmy Award Nominees
(07/14/05) The 57th Emmy Awards are scheduled to air Sept. 18 on CBS.
Jason Bateman (Arrested Development)
Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
Zach Braff (Scrubs)
Eric McCormack (Will & Grace)
Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives)
Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives)
Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives)
Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm In The Middle)
Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development)
Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
Peter Boyle (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace)
Jessica Walter (Arrested Development)
Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Holland Taylor (Two And A Half Men)
Conchata Ferrell (Two And A Half Men)
Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)
Fred Willard (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Victor Garber (Will & Grace)
Jeff Goldblum (Will & Grace)
Bobby Cannavale (Will & Grace)
Alec Baldwin (Will & Grace)
Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives)
Lupe Ontiveros (Desperate Housewives)
Georgia Engel (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Cloris Leachman (Malcolm in the Middle)
Blythe Danner (Will & Grace)
Arrested Development
Desperate Housewives
Everybody Loves Raymond
Scrubs
Will & Grace
James Spader (Boston Legal)
Ian McShane (Deadwood)
Hugh Laurie (House)
Hank Azaria (Huff)
Kiefer Sutherland (24)
Jennifer Garner (Alias)
Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
Patricia Arquette (Medium)
Glenn Close (The Shield)
Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under)
William Shatner (Boston Legal)
Oliver Platt (Huff)
Naveen Andrews (Lost)
Terry O’Quinn (Lost)
Alan Alda (The West Wing)
Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy)
Blythe Danner (Huff)
Tyne Daly (Judging Amy)
CCH Pounder (The Shield)
Stockard Channing (The West Wing)
Red Buttons (ER)
Ray Liotta (ER)
Ossie Davis (The L Word)
Charles Durning (NCIS)
Martin Landau (Without a Trace)
Swoosie Kurtz (Huff)
Cloris Leachman (Joan of Arcadia)
Amanda Plummer (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
Angela Lansbury (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit/Trial by Jury)
Jill Clayburgh (Nip/Tuck)
DeadwoodLost
Six Feet Under
24
The West Wing
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Elvis)
Ed Harris (Empire Falls)
Geoffrey Rush (The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers)
Kenneth Branagh (Warm Springs)
William H. Macy (The Wool Cap)
Blythe Danner (Back When We Were Grownups)
Debra Winger (Dawn Anna)
S. Epatha Merkerson (Lackawanna Blues)
Halle Berry (Their Eyes Were Watching God)
Cynthia Nixon (Warm Springs)
Randy Quaid (Elvis)
Paul Newman (Empire Falls)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Empire Falls)
Christopher Plummer (Our Fathers)
Brian Dennehy (Our Fathers)
Camryn Manheim (Elvis)
Joanne Woodward (Empire Falls)
Charlize Theron (The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers)
Jane Alexander (Warm Springs)
Kathy Bates (Warm Springs)
Elvis
Empire Falls
The 4400
The Lost Prince (Masterpiece Theatre)
Lackawanna Blues
The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers
The Office Special
Warm Springs
The Wool Cap
Antiques Roadshow
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Penn & Teller: Bulls---!
Project Greenlight
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
The Amazing Race
American Idol
The Apprentice
Project Runway
Survivor
Fast National ratings for Sunday, July 10, 2005
(07/11/05) CBS averaged a 5.7 rating/10 share in primetime, narrowly beating NBC's 5.5/10 (NBC brought in more total viewers: 8.2 million to CBS' 8 million). ABC finished third at 3.8/7, while FOX took fourth with a 3.1/6. The WB brought up the rear with a 1.1/2.Wanted: TV's Perfect Face
(06/17/05) Still think beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Think again. According to one expert, it's possible to figure out exactly what makes a "perfect" face. And you'll be surprised at how he rates some of today's hottest male and female TV stars.Fast National ratings for Sunday, June 5, 2005
(06/06/05) For the night, NBC averaged a 5.6 rating/10 share, topping CBS' 5.2/9. ABC finished third at 4.4/8, and FOX, 3.4/6, took fourth. The WB managed only a 1.2/2.Hugh Jackman Back to Host Tony Awards
(06/03/05) Hugh Jackman is back as host for the third year in a row, and the Broadway season's biggest musical hit, "Monty Python's Spamalot," is being challenged by three very different musicals.Teen Choice Nominees
(06/01/05) The Teen Choice Awards are a joint effort between FOX, which will air the awards on Aug. 16, and Teen People magazine, which is handling all the voting.
"Alias"
"Everwood"
"Grey's Anatomy"
"House"
"Lost"
"The O.C."
"One Tree Hill"
Fast National ratings for Sunday, May 29, 2005
(05/30/05) FOX averaged a 6.0 rating/12 share for the night (although, since its race telecast aired live, those numbers will change some in the final nationals) to beat second-place CBS' 5.6/11. ABC was third at 4.2/8, edging out NBC, 4.0/8. The WB barely registered with a 0.9/2.Fast National ratings for Sunday, May 22, 2005
(05/23/05) ABC averaged a 12.3 rating/20 share for the night, finishing way ahead of second-place CBS, 7.7/13. FOX took third at 5.3/9, while NBC managed only a 4.3/7 with a lineup that included a couple of reruns. The WB trailed with a 1.7/3.Dempsey's the latest remedy
(05/18/05) After just two months of wielding his scalpel as sexy Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit ABC medical dramedy, Grey's Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey has become TV's hot new doc. Dempsey, 39, has spent nearly two decades struggling to live down his goofy, 1980s naughty schoolboy big-screen beginnings.ABC Fall Schedule- Sundays
(05/18/05) 7:00 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos"
8:00 p.m. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
9:00 p.m. "Desperate Housewives"
10:00 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy"
