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TwitterDenny's not a ghost: ABC chief discusses 'Grey's Anatomy'
ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson is pretty much over answering questions about the behind-the-scenes drama on Grey's Anatomy.
"I think everything that's been out there -- stuff gets said that's correct, stuff gets said that's wrong," McPherson told a gaggle of reporters Friday morning during ABC's time at the Television Critics Association press tour. "Again" -- as he'd stated earlier in the morning -- "I just wish everyone would do their jobs and worry about the show."
OK, about the show, then: What was McPherson's reaction when Shonda Rhimes laid out the Denny-Izzie story line for this season?
"I actually really liked the story line when I heard the whole year as it was laid out to me," he says. And, by the way, Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) isn't a ghost.
"He's not a ghost, as you'll learn," McPherson says. "I actually think that when you get to the end of the season and see everything [Rhimes] had in mind, it might not be your cup of tea, but I think you'll be surprised how insightful and smart the storyline itself is, in terms of the dynamics it's creating for the characters involved and where it ends up. ...
"Viewers will be the judge," he adds. "That's what's good and bad about this business: You put it out there and see what works and what doesn't. I think shows ebb and flow, especially the kind of shows we have. ... There is going to be some stuff people don't respond to." He also says he has confidence that Rhimes will find a way through this storyline.
A number of behind-the-scenes questions came up in the post-press conference scrum, including ones about the departure of Brooke Smith earlier in the season and the reported truncation of Melissa George's guest stint.
Asked about George, who was reportedly signed for eight to 11 episodes and has appeared in five so far, McPherson asserts, "She didn't contract for that many episodes. We all know what everyone says when they leave a show -- they want to say what works best for them."
(For the record, George has said she left Grey's Anatomy "to do something else" and praised the show profusely.)
As for Smith, whose departure caused waves when it was reported that ABC got nervous about the lesbian relationship between her Dr. Erica Hahn and Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), McPherson says the character simply wasn't popping.
"The dynamic with the relationship was not working for us," he says. "We felt like Sara is such a dynamic character and an amazing actress ... and we just weren't seeing the excitement out of that relationship. There was some mention that we were upset by the lesbian nature of it -- she's going to be in a dedicated lesbian relationship in the show."
McPherson also says he expects T.R. Knight to be back next season. He cut things off, though, when a reporter asked him if Grey's had officially been picked up for next season or whether he was "just speculating it will be."
"That's the last question," he says, starting to move away. "It's Grey's Anatomy. It's the No. 3 show on television."
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Uhm, shouldn't that be, the No. 3 show on ABC? CSI, NCIS and The Mentalist are all ahead of Grey's in the season to date ratings.
"Grey's" is No. 3 among adults 18-49 this season -- that's the primary ratings demo ABC uses for its shows. You're right, though, that all those shows draw more total viewers.
The president of ABC doesn't know where his shows are ranking? Of course he does. Rick is right, in the 18-49 demo, where the advertising dollars go!
I agree with the Prez! I never really liked Erica Hahn, and to put her with Callie, who I adore and make me want them to be together? Never happened. Right call.
CSI, NCIS, and the Mentalist are bigger total viewer draws. Luckily, they're also a complete waste of intellectual energy and relatively less valuable to advertisers. Grey's is a shadow of its former self, but the CBS trio--in fact, basically everyting on CBS--has just been awful for years.
"they're also a complete waste of intellectual energy" Yeah, because this show is so intelligent... It's just a sappy melodrama, often poorly written with stupid storylines. Get over yourself, there's nothing making it superior to those other three shows. I don't even watch those shows regularly, but there's no reason to bash them and act smug.
I stopped watching Grey's when they brought in Denny's Ghost! One of The DUMBEST Plotlines in the history of Television. I was also sick of all The Common and Crude Sex scenes. Calie asking McSteamy for pointers on Oral Sex was a low point for the show. This show used to be great but I cant deal with it anymore . I predict that Kathryn Heigel will leave the show after this season(her contract is up). She is way bigger than the show and is a Bona Fide Movie Star. TR Knight also wants to leave the show and I dont blame him. I would be embarrased to star in this show
In many respects, I think we're all watching Grey's crash and burn. It has DEFINITELY gone way off base! I agree with some of what Tom said in his comment... The Denny's Ghost storyline is RIDICULOUS. Only way out of that is to have Izzy have a brain tumor causing her to be this nuts (also giving the character a way to be written out of the show). I absolutely agree that the sex scenes and such were one of the lowest points on the show.. It was like they were trying their hardest to 'shock' people, but instead have turned a lot of loyal fans away in my opinion.
The writers would have to do some AMAZING work to make this show worth watching again. I kept trying to watch in case they changed (for example .. removing the 'ghost' of Denny).. But I think it is pretty much done. It may be popular in 'ratings'.. but I think it's because people must be leaving their tv's on for their pets to watch.. LOL
I wish they would send Gay George back to the closet and bring back Burke!
I agree with Tom on the common and crude sex scenes and the one he mentioned where Callie was asking McSteamy about oral sex pointers was where I drew the line. I've seen some pretty vulgar stuff on the tube lately, but that just made me want to throw up it was so raunchy. Talk about having stuff just literally thrown in your face.
If the President of the network says the Denny storyline is gonna have a plausible end then I am willing to go along with it.Arizona I hope is gonna stick around and the Sloan and Lexie storyline is the main reason I am tuning in this season.