Because I'm writing the Spoilers Anonymous column every week, I'm pretty much up-to-date with what is going to happen in our favorite TV series. However, I never saw the latest news from Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello coming. Reading comments left in response to Ausiello's announcement and a post on the same subject written by E!'s Kristin Dos Santos, it looks like I'm not the only one extremely surprised by the news. Usually, we get a few weeks warning before a major character leaves a series. But this time, we get about four days to prepare. As reported by Ausiello and many other entertainment media today, actress Brooke Smith is leaving the ABC hit series this Thursday. To learn more about her departure and what other tweaks the network asked the show to make, continue reading.
Spoilers ahead!
Michael Ausiello reports that Smith, a series regular, has been fired from the show. This is Grey's second actor firing. If you recall Isaiah Washington was fired from the show a few years back due to comments he made about fellow actor T.R. Knight. However, Brooke Smith is being fired for different reasons.
Show creator Shonda Rhimes claims the writers did not find the magic and chemistry needed to have Hahn sustain in the long run. However, according to Ausiello's sources, the network ordered the firing because they had issues with Dr. Hahn and the explicit relationship she has with Dr. Torres.
Kristin Dos Santos says that the network also asked the show to tweak Melissa George's new character, set to be introduced during November Sweeps, down a bit. George's character was set to be bisexual and flirt with Torres. Now, there will be some flirting but the storyline will not go anywhere and George's character will be straight.
Hahn may not be the greatest Grey's Anatomy character and I have not been enjoying the Hahn/Torres relationship much because the two actresses lack some chemistry, but did they need to get rid of the character so abruptly? Supposedly, she won't even get a proper send off. Hahn gets in a car and that's it. The end. Do not call us, we'll call you. I, for one, have enjoyed her character since she brought a different flavor to the show. Hahn was fierce in surgery and gave Cristina a run for her money. Maybe Hahn can get a job at Oceanside (aka Private Practice)?
If only the ABC suits could order Shonda Rhimes to make Meredith less needy and annoying...
The TV Squad Podcast: The Prisoner, '80s TV, soap news and more
Let's talk about spoilers ...
The Prisoner -- An early look
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-03-2008 @ 11:45PM
Allan said...
"is leaving the ABC hits series this Thursday."
Perhaps "hit series" is what you were going after...
"Do not call use, we'll call you."
I think "us" works better than "use" in this case...
Otherwise, it sucks that Smith's character will get tossed aside just like that :(
Reply
11-03-2008 @ 11:49PM
Joel Keller said...
Got 'em. Thanks. Please use the "corrections" link next time if you see a typo or two that needs fixing.
11-03-2008 @ 11:56PM
Allan said...
My bad, Joel. If I ever do this again, I will use the corrections link.
Please accept my apologies.
:(
11-03-2008 @ 11:58PM
Joel Keller said...
No worries, Allan.
11-03-2008 @ 11:59PM
Dorv said...
Surprised the spoiler haters haven't jumped on this post yet...
This news sucks. Frustrating that the network would kill the character and storyline based on this.
Now, if they killed it because it wasn't working (Which is my opinion, but I was holding judgement until Melissa George got thrown into the mix), then that's a different story. However, I doubt that.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 12:05AM
killer_twinkie said...
I was going to be one of them but then I was just like oh well it's not like it's George or anyone. I like her but I can easily live without having her around.
11-03-2008 @ 11:59PM
Nacho said...
What is up with all the spoilers on this site lately? And I'm not just talking about "behind the jump, you know what you're getting into, you have to click and read a while to get to them" variety either, but the "hey right in your face, major plot points revealed IN THE TITLE, no choice in the matter, congratulations you're spoiled if you want it or not" kind.
I already took clickcrap off my RSS feed reader because of their lack spoiler policy over there. I really don't want to have to do the same thing with TV Squad. I like this place, but if you guys continue to spoil the tv shows that I watch without giving me the chance to protect myself, I will have no other option but to stop reading this site.
Please try and be considerate of those of us that actually enjoy watching shows without knowing what's going to happen beforehand. In this case "about four days to prepare" is about four days too many, IMO.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 12:05AM
Joel Keller said...
Nacho, this headline was blasted all over the news media, including the original source article at EW. You may disagree, but I don't see the need to hide the info in that case, to be honest.
11-04-2008 @ 12:11AM
Nacho said...
Well, I guess since this is the only Entertainment related site that I frequent, it makes some sense that it will be the one that I get spoiled from from time to time.
FWIW, just because everyone else is doing it, it doesn't mean I have to like it, but I can see where you're coming from.
11-04-2008 @ 1:11AM
Modwild said...
Did they just re-film the episode or has it been "in the can" for some time? I wasn't buying the relationship as I thought chemistry was lacking, but she didn't need to go. But, then again, she didn't really have a purpose other than stir things up with Callie when she was boffing McSteamy all the time, if I recall correctly.
As I just lost my job (again), I have to wish Brooke all the luck in the world!
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 1:02AM
Erik said...
I would argue that this *isn't* a spoiler (and doesn't need a *warning*) because, as Smith said in the Ausiello interview, she isn't getting a send-off, her departure isn't a plot point. Rather, Smith was fired because the higher-ups decided they didn't like her character, and so now she's going to be gone, without giving her arc any sort of satisfying conclusion (in my opinion, the Hahn/Torres storyline has been one of the most compelling Grey's storylines of late).
That's not a spoiler, that's NEWS. And it's bad news for Grey's.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 1:42AM
shadowracer said...
The scenes with Torres were too explicit. They should could rid of her, that character is so boring. At least they're dropping the lesbian story line, it was way too forced and wasn't working at all.
Yang as a lesbian, now that would be interesting.
Grey's is in what season 4 or 5 and they haven't had a character killed off. Pfff. Here's the list of ones they can off - Torres, McSteamy, Alex and number one: Izzie(they've destroyed that character with the stories they write for her).
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 4:08AM
gooby said...
I guess I'll be leaving ABC and Grey's Anatomy too. This is just messed up! "The scenes with Torres were too explicit." Are you kidding me?! If this was McDreamy and Meredith they'd be screaming "not enough" but because this is two women on prime time television, they're saying it's too much.
I've been losing interest in Grey's Anatomy for a while and the Hahn/Torres relationship was the only saving grace... but since they decided to screw this so royally without even a proper send off, I'll do the same and just stop watching the show all together. I'm sure it won't make a dent in the ratings but out of principle, it's see you Grey's Anatomy. It was fun while it lasted.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 5:28PM
Seattleite said...
I agree with gooby's comments. This is the WORST news for the show in my opinion. There needs to be some gay characters on this show--it is filmed in Seattle for goodness sake, gay city usa! Walk into any Seattle hosp and it's like 1 out of 3 is gay. Regardless, Sara Ramirez is HOT and if the Producers are smart, will find her some little hottie--make her the female McSteamy!
11-04-2008 @ 4:49AM
Phish said...
this show sucks, they need to re-tool, it still has potential to be good again. its not a gone-case scenario like 'heroes' just yet. but they need to retool badly.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 7:28AM
Naf said...
I honestly can't believe it. ABC gets to immediately remove characters they don't feel are working? It's not like people hated Hahn so much that it's been causing bad press for the show, like George and Izzies hook up. And Shonda Rhimes comments are such a cope out. "Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run" doesn't make any sense either. Firstly, it's not like Hahn only made contact with Calie. Her introduction also shook things up with Christina. If the storyline wasn't working, why not just find a better storyline for her. They're writers, isn't that there job. It's just a spit in the face to those of us who have been watching this character from the start to have her simply vanish. I thought ABC was supposed to be the good network?
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 10:33AM
gooby said...
I totally agree. Hahn was a great character by herself even without the Callie relationship. I wish they would have given the show writers a chance to write out the relationship (like with George and Izzie) and write her another storyline maybe focusing on the professional side of Hahn because she's still supposed to be like the best heart surgeon around.
This is such a blatant misuse of power by the network as far as a show's plot and character development goes. And again, I'm SO dropping ABC from my list. Bye bye Pushing Daisies, Ugly Betty and Lost. Hell, I think this might even be a good thing, my schedule just got a whole lot lighter...
11-04-2008 @ 7:25AM
nattyff said...
"If only the ABC suits could order Shonda Rhimes to make Meredith less needy and annoying..."
LOL, so true!!!
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 9:19AM
Darren said...
This is BS - why can mainstream TV have guys be gay on TV - IE Melrose Place, Will and Grace but as soon as they get a lesbian on a show - they dump her. Come on ABC - smarten up!!!! I loved the Torres/Hahn relationship! It was just getting - HOT. IE - when Torres came in and said - take off your pants NOW!
I would expect this from FOX (the new and boring fox) but not ABC.
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 10:29AM
Tim said...
Honestly... I'm disappointed in their decision to kill off Hahn. The steaminess of the relationship brought a bit of renewed vigor to the show- a nice change of pace from the whininess of the rest of the heterosexual characters.
I found Shonda Rhimes' statement to be disingenuous. Last week, Smith's character was the one saying "I am SO GAY!!" -- while Ramirez's character was distinctly uncomfortable and promptly hooked up with Eric Dane's character twice. She then makes a comment to the effect of "the sex was awesome... both ways" - implying that she was bisexual.
Calling Torres a lesbian on basis of her having sex with one woman doesn't sit right with me. I'd consider Torres a lesbian when she comes out and says "I'm a lesbian." I have a feeling they're going to write her character back into dating men.
Especially with that bit about Melissa George. If its true, I think that in itself, would prove the network wasn't comfortable with a same-sex romance.
OK, so Brooke Smith's acting chops aren't the best. Some of the rest of the cast isn't that great either- for example, I find Patrick "McDreamy" Dempsey to be capable of two emotions: a plastic smile, and a brooding stare.
The show quality is teetering downward, it is nowhere near as good as it was in the first couple seasons. A retool is neccessary. This may be a sign that it is time to stop watching the series.
Disappointing, nonetheless.
Reply