Call me crazy, but I could've sworn the Grey's Anatomy writers have been very subtly setting up some sexual tension between Chief Richard Webber and Miranda Bailey these past few weeks. And with all this talk of kissing in tonight's season four finale, I just assumed these two would be part of the action. I jumped on the phone with James Pickens Jr. to see if my prediction held any weight, and we talked about a few other things too...

So, how do you feel about the show’s overall direction this season, and since coming back from the strike?
I feel pretty good about it. I guess we were trying some different things at the end of season three and I don’t know if the audience could tap into it like they did with the first two seasons. It was a bit of a transition, but I think [creator] Shonda Rhimes got back to the things that made the show what it is at the beginning of this season, and once the strike [was over], we stayed with that same theme: the combination of humor and provocativeness and drama with the surgical stuff. The show is doing great. I know I’m biased, but it's a good show.

What about the Chief's storyline right now? Are you enjoying that?
Yeah. I may be getting even more involved, so we'll see more dimensions to him than we have before. It’s great, he’s not just seen as a purely authoritarian figure. There are some layers to him now and I like that. It gives him some place to go and it allows the audience to take that ride with him.

You’ve been doing some funny stuff lately, which is great.
And I like that. I like doing comedy. I’ve done a few half-hours in my career and I always liked comedy, so when I get a chance to do it, it’s fun.

I loved that scene with Sloan and Shepherd where you were asking them for advice on what to do when a woman -- who happens to be your wife -- doesn't call you back after sex. I actually rewound it a couple times, because it was a good laugh.
Really? Thank you! I appreciate that.

Do you think we’ll see more humor from the Chief?
I hope so. They seem to think I pull it off pretty well, so I think so, sure.

This time last year, we thought the Chief was retiring. Did you ever think your job was in danger when that storyline was going on or did you always know he'd stick around?
I’d like to think I always knew it was just to move the storyline along, but as actors, we can never get too comfortable. When you think something’s a sure thing, they turn around and do a slam dunk on you. But I understood what they were trying to do. It was a good choice. It kept everybody on their toes and also helped propel some other storylines forward. I was pretty comfortable. Every once in awhile I’d say, are you not telling me something I should know? But they always reassured me [that I wasn't going anywhere].

Are we going to see more of the Chief's personal strife tonight, with him desperately pursuing Adele? Will Loretta Devine be in the finale?
Yeah, she will be on the finale. I think the audience will be pleased with what they see. I can’t divulge any more than that, but you will see her [tonight].

Okay, this may be totally out of left field, but I feel like lately there have been a few hints of the Chief and Miranda maybe having a future.
Oh really? (Laughs) That's as far left field as you can get.

It's just that you're both single now, and she got so angry about the Chief not seeing her as an available woman. The possibility has never crossed your mind?
It never crossed my mind. I don’t think I’m her type!

Would you like to see the Chief pursue the bachelor life or do you think he’s better off married?
I think he’s much better married. I think his personality is such that he needs to be grounded, he needs the foundation. I don’t think he’d fare very well out there in the single world.

As far as next season is concerned, is there anything in particular you’d like to do with this character?
In the first season, I think they touched on his alcoholism, and it might be interesting if they looked back into that.

Is there anything you can tease to coming up tonight?
Things will be resolved. I think the audience will be very pleased.
Things will be resolved, but I bet there will also be some sort of cliffhanger that we’ll be talking about all Summer.
Yes, I think so.

Will any of the cliffhangers have to do with Chief Richard Webber?
Ummmmm… maybe. That's all I can say!

Comments

Thanks Korbi! You were thinking the same as me with Miranda but I guess that's a no straight from his mouth. I can't wait for the show tonight.

Melissa | May 22, 2008 6:43:27 AM | #

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I just said the exact same thing about the Chief and Bailey to my mom.

Allie | May 22, 2008 10:07:50 AM | #

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I agree - I kept thinking that Chief didn't want Bailey to list her parnters, because he was one, and Adele would see. But I really like Loretta Devine, I hope she keeps coming around - recurring, so she can stay on Eli Stone.

MDEP | May 22, 2008 10:15:57 AM | #

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He must be lying!

Pernisa | May 22, 2008 12:03:56 PM | #

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I reckon it's Bailey and George after all her son is named after him and he always seems to be around when she needs him. Plus, unlike Christina, he doesn't mind being with her son.

Solly | May 22, 2008 1:56:39 PM | #

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Korbi, I completely agree with your thoughts that a little something-something might be going on with the Chief and Bailey. I'm actually a little surpised that he seemed so shocked by your question. It seemed like TPTB were clearly going there. A little disappointed they aren't.

Marisa | May 22, 2008 11:26:25 PM | #

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Okay, "YOU'RE CRAZY".

Art Carnage | May 23, 2008 8:45:50 AM | #

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So the finale's over and there wasn't a single kiss on it that you couldn't see coming. Fortunately, your interview covered much more than the so called kiss between Bailey and the Chief or it would have been a complete waste of time!

Solly | May 23, 2008 9:30:58 AM | #

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the kiss i was talking about (other than the one between the chief and miranda which i was hoping for) was the george and lexie kiss -- although i thought it would be a bit more spectacular. there's more to come on that front next season.

korbi_ghosh | May 23, 2008 1:24:11 PM | #

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I loved the George/Lex kiss!

gina | May 23, 2008 3:22:13 PM | #

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Oh dear god I hope not Korbi - George needs to stay away from those Grey women and I am so hoping that someone in that hospital starts dating someone outside of the hospital pool - meet someone at the supermarket or something anywhere but that hospital! It used to be every mother's dream that their child would marry a doctor but barring an accident where ARE they going to meet one if the doctors and nurses constantly jumping on each other??

Solly | May 24, 2008 2:37:37 AM | #

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Ok so what I'm confused about is Rhimes' comment about the finale when she basically said something to the effect. "There's going to be a kiss so deep it will make you lean into your television." I'm not sure which kiss that was referring to. There really wasn't anything that spectacular in the finale that made me "lean." Everything in the end (all the kisses) we all saw coming. So what on earth was she talking about?

Alicia Gray | May 25, 2008 4:24:35 PM | #

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Grey's? Peeps still care about this show? I hope it tanks next season.

P | Aug 19, 2008 11:08:11 PM | #

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I just watched the finale cuz my roommate was watching it and it was mediocre at best.

P | Aug 19, 2008 11:09:11 PM | #

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