If only it were permanent. (Commence booing and hissing at your leisure.)
Turns out that Meredith Grey's temporary departure from Grey's Anatomy this coming sixth season (Ellen Pompeo is going out on maternity leave) won't be the only character taking leave from the halls of Seattle Grace. Katherine Heigl's chock-full-o'-cancer Izzie Stevens will be going MIA for a few episodes as well.
If you're like me, the how and why doesn't really matter because this is just delightful news (my dislike for Heigl and her outbursts is no secret), but the details and spoilers are after the jump if you really want to know.
According to Jennifer Godwin over at Watch With Kristin, Heigl has been granted leave by the powers that be to -- wait for it -- shoot a movie! Considering the recent comments made by ABC prez Steve McPherson at the TCA, this is shocking. With all the crap she's spewed, you'd think that rather than give in to Heigl's obvious desire to advance her film career, they'd want to torture her and give Izzie a story where she gets leprosy, loses both legs, and literally can't leave Seattle Grace. But no, Heigl is heading off to film a date flick with Josh Duhamel.
Believe it or not though, this gets juicer. How can they get by with both Mer and Izzie gone? Godwin goes on to report that a major plot this season involves Seattle Grace merging with their cross-town rival hospital Mercy West. That means an influx of new characters and would explain the casting bonanza the drama has experienced the past few days - there's going to be a lot of new faces wandering the halls.
Why the merge? Longevity. Apparently ABC would like Grey's Anatomy to reach Law & Order or ER status and stay on for a decade or more. This merge will be the first real test to see if older characters can leave and newer ones can be rotated in. More characters means more options.
Makes sense and I find the attempt admirable, but you know what actually bugs me about this more than anything? Say the show is still on in five or six years with an entirely different cast as we know it right now. It'll still be called Grey's Anatomy and that just won't make sense anymore. It hardly makes sense right now as Meredith hasn't truly been the focal point of the show since early on in season two. Although, they did introduce Lexie and Thatcher could have easily had six or seven more illegitimate children while in a drunken stupor... nevermind.
If longevity was the goal, giving it a more generic name alá Chicago Hope or St. Elsewhere might have been a smarter move. Although, who knows - maybe the show will actually suck without Izzie, fans will complain, and the title will get changed to Izzie Stevens, MD.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-02-2009 @ 11:04PM
bc said...
Remember 'Valerie'? AKA 'Valerie's Family', AKA 'The Hogan Family'? If there's no Grey around, and the name no longer makes sense, they change it. Maybe something like 'The Interns'--nope, it's been done. 'Sleepless in Seattle' --different plot, but could fit. Maybe 'On Puget Sound'?
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9-02-2009 @ 11:04PM
unc69dmo said...
Since all those Denny ghost episodes that were UN fuggin Watchable.......can't watch her in anything.........Good riddins...don't come back !!!!!!
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9-03-2009 @ 7:56AM
tingrin87 said...
i stopped watching after about the same time the heart surgeon left... there were too many crappy plotlines that didn't make sense, or were left hanging... and the overall story arc was getting complicated.
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9-03-2009 @ 7:56AM
bruce said...
We're going to look back and realize that this upcoming season was when GA completely jumped the shark and destroyed itself.
Yeah yeah don't watch it if you don't like it. That's beside the point.
That being said, I'm glad there won't be any Meredith. The show would be so much better with out her. Can't stand her. Don't even like Pompeo - I think she's a crappy actress.
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9-03-2009 @ 12:59PM
Alicia R. said...
Why oh why are the PTB on this show catering to her? 'Specally after the last "it was mean" BS she threw around? I am so sick of this... it's coming off of my DVR.
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9-03-2009 @ 1:32PM
willy the impeached said...
Its a lethal combination, Izzie Stevens is an irritating character and Kathy Heigl is an irritating actress. Grey's hasn't been good since the George Thanksgiving epsiode. Starting with the death of George's father its been on a long arc over the shark.
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9-04-2009 @ 8:11AM
Jothie said...
The show has become something totally different then what it started out as. Why hasn't anyone just pulled the trigger on this thing and put it out of its misery?
Who'd of thought that so many has-beens and never-wills would think their shit is 'all that' enough to show what true assholes they are to the media.
Dear cast of Grey's Anatomy, you're not all that and all of your careers will dry up and disappear when the show ends. Stop acting like pricks, diva's and stars and you might actually see would outside the Lifetime Network in the years to come.... but I pray not.
Sincerely, ex-fan
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9-04-2009 @ 8:11AM
Jothie said...
erm "you might actually see work.." not "..you might actually see would..' Sorry
10-15-2009 @ 10:18PM
Jillian said...
Ugh- new characters? I keep giving this show chance after chance, but especially since season 6 started, I'm disappointed. What happened to Cristina's wit and edge, and Meredith's lines, period? And why is Izzie the frickin' center of the universe again? They should just kill her off already, and bring George back to life while they're at it. Lord knows his resurrection would be much more appreciated than Denny's.
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10-15-2009 @ 10:26PM
ilovekatherineheigl said...
f you guys!!! she's my FAVORITE character! you guys are jealous bc she's gorgeous and funny, and you guys suck at life :)
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10-15-2009 @ 11:06PM
Roxanne said...
The name Grey's Anatomy is a take on the text book used by residents to teach anatomy. The name will work regardless. Get over it. It's a tv show. If you don't enjoy it, watch something else.
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10-15-2009 @ 11:29PM
brittanne02 said...
Thank you, my thoughts exactly! instead of sitting here bitching, all these people should find a new show to watch..
10-16-2009 @ 1:02AM
Jason said...
Your absolutely right, the title is a metaphor to that book. the show is about interns and residence and the world of becoming a surgeon fresh out of medical school. The name will stay and will always work.
Anyone who might complain about this reasoning can read more about "Henry Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body" here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray%27s_Anatomy
10-16-2009 @ 10:16AM
Jonathan Toomey said...
I gotta disagree here and stand by my original argument. While I know the name of the show is taken from the medical text "Gray's Anatomy," the title of the show, "Grey's Anatomy" is a play on words - *not* a metaphor. It relates to the fact that the show, when it first started, it was about Meredith and *her* anatomy - aka, the bits and pieces and people that made her life what it is. The key to that is having Meredith as the center of that world because it is about her and the less she's present or plays a role, the less that title makes sense.
10-15-2009 @ 11:14PM
JAB said...
For someone who "dislikes" the show so much, you certainly seem to know a lot about it. Maybe focusing on something you do like would be a better use of your time?
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10-16-2009 @ 9:05AM
jungkuga said...
The shows name refers to the medical text "Grey's Anatomy" which is commonly used in medical schools nationwide. The fact that Meridith's last name happens to be Grey is just a pun the writers came up with.
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10-16-2009 @ 9:56AM
Viva said...
Grey's turned into a total snoozer, and that decline began when the character, "Burke" left the show. This season's premiere was boring and oddly enough, I thought Private Practice came out with more guns blazing, and far more interest then the whiners on Grey's.
I find myself watching Grey's more out of curiosity as opposed to fandom. Sandra Oh's Christina has been reduced to a snivelling neurotic; the lesbian story line with Callie and Arizona couldn't be more forced, and for the love of many, please get rid of Izzie for good!
Katherine Heigl is the ultimate example of ungracious behaviour and has repeatedly bitten the hand that feeds her. Heigl is a mediocre actress who's presence will not be missed, so enough, already. Let the wench go try to find fame on the big screen.
Meanwhile, it's obvious Shonda Rhimes is paying more attention to Private Practice. It shows.
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10-17-2009 @ 11:34AM
Jen said...
I actually like Katherine Heigl. I could care less what she does or says off screen. I think she's a great actress and apparently so does Hollywood - seeing as they keep her around. Some of you people are just wayyyyy to obsessed. It's a show. She's an actress. Heaven forbid she express her point of view on anything. Just because she makes a lot of money doesn't mean she should have to work 20 hours a day. Some people make good money and work 4 hours a day. Get over it. Jealous much?
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10-18-2009 @ 6:59PM
Octavia said...
Ok.. I'm not going to go all psycho and exclaim that she is my favorite character or actress...but I enjoy her character and the emotional connection that she brings to the story line. I still do enjoy the show..and while I am not over joyed and somewhat disappointed with all the changes that are going on right now.. I won't cut them off just yet..because I am a fan I will see this through for a while and see what they have to offer.... How long are Mer and Izzy going to be gone anyway??? Seriously if anyone knows.. could you please respond....
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10-17-2009 @ 11:34AM
Jodi said...
Greys Anatomy is also the title for one of the best known medical books of all time --- so the title fits no matter who the characters are.
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