ABC Entertainment President Speaks on Grey's Anatomy
On last week's press tour, ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson spoke out candidly about Grey's Anatomy's controversial ghost-love story involving Izzie and Denny.
"[Denny Duquette] is not a ghost, which you will learn," McPherson says.
"I actually think when you get to the end of the season and you see everything she had in mind, it might not be your cup of tea, but I think you'll be surprised at how insightful and smart that story line itself is in terms of the dynamics it's creating for the characters involved and where we end up with those characters at the end."
Not exactly enthusiastic praise, is it? The boss continued:
"The viewers will be the judge. That's the good and the bad about this business. I think shows ebb and flow. And when you talk about long-term serialized dramas like Grey's Anatomy, you're going to have some stuff that people don't respond to."
McPherson said he is satisfied with the creative direction of Private Practice, and has high hopes for the show's upcoming crossover arc with Grey's Anatomy.
That's not all the ABC chief discussed. Follow the jump for a controversial exchange regarding the departure of some of Grey's Anatomy characters. The exchange apparently took place in a hallway after the panel met, and was reported by AfterEllen.com ...
Steve McPherson: Melissa George was a guest for one episode.
Reporter #1: ...so many guests just leaving - no, she was in more than one episode.
Steve McPherson: I'm not going to answer the question, that's an absurd question. The only person who has left the show is Isaiah Washington.
Reporter #2: Brooke Smith.
Reporter #3: Melissa had contracted for 8 to 11 episodes, and she hasn't gotten 8-11 episodes.
Steve McPherson: She didn't contract for that many episodes, she was a guest -
Reporter #3: That's what she said.
Steve McPherson: Well, we all know what everybody says when they leave the show, they want to say what works best for them."
Reporter #3: She was in more than one episode.
Steve McPherson: Yeah, I think she was in three. She was mentioned in one and then shown in two other episodes, I think.
Reporter #4: Brooke Smith was in the opening credits at the start of the season. Was that just, you didn't like the character -
Steve McPherson: Yeah, the character was not working for us. The dynamic with the relationship was not working for us. We felt like Sara Ramirez is such a dynamic character, an amazing actress and woman, and we really 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 (chuckling) in the show. So again, that was an actress who was trying to talk about something in a manner that would serve her and not the reality.
So, to sum up, McPherson calls the reporter's question about why there are so many actors leaving "absurd," then throws Melissa George under the bus, then throws Brooke Smith under the bus, then laughs away the idea that anyone could accuse Grey's Anatomy of having a problem with lesbian relationships. At least it's subject to that interpretation.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let us know!
Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.
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Lexie: Mark, I'm dying. Please tell Meredith I love her and that she is a good sister.
February 19th, 2009 10:01 AM
i thing that mark is good t be alone.....izzy and karev is very good together.....but i want t learn if dr han come back.....!!!pliz answer t me.greys anatomy is my life
February 8th, 2009 5:23 PM
Wow I read Mr Mc Phersons statements again. Does the damn man even watch the show? He either don't watch or he is a complete moran.
February 8th, 2009 3:32 PM
Hmmm I really pissed now. Brooke Smith didn't say anything about ABC or Grey's. She has not said one bad thing about the show or ABC. And believe me had she said something I would have read it. She has been very professional. She said her firing, was what it was. And she had moved on. Her fans are the ones who aren't happy. It is really funny that a fantastic actress like Brooke Smith is fired. But Jeffery Dean Morgan can play a dead guy and last forever. That is the stupidest story line I've ever seen. The faster it can end the happier I will be.
January 24th, 2009 5:08 PM
I think Izzie's gonna be dead by the end of this season and this is his way of warning us!
January 22nd, 2009 11:20 AM
Yes I love Gizzie too. Alex is such an idiot, he is totally clueless about Izzie being sick. Only George is not or was not. Of course they dropped that story because they didn't want the GI haters to feel all threatened by GI's special connection and she again screwed all of us GI fans.
BTW, this site doesn't say it but Steve said to his knowledge TR was not going anywhere.
I wonder why this is not here. Most of us care a lot more about TR than MG, so why was this cut?
January 21st, 2009 11:15 AM
I'll complain about seeing seeing Jeffrey Dean Morgan :)
I liked the original storyline of Denny/Izzie, even though I am an Alex/Izzie fan and even though I never really bought their greatest love of all time since they hardly knew each other. But they have brought him back too many times for a DEAD character and now even his voice makes me cringe. I am also starting to dislike Izzie again.
Even if the storyline makes sense by the end of the season, I don't think that it makes sense now and it makes me not want to stick around for the end of the season. Everytime Alex has a breakthrough and has a cute scene with Izzie, Denny is there with some smart@.. comment ruining it. Plus Izzie is somehow having sex with him. And not just in her mind apparently because she is moaning and sweaty, so what is going on? We need to know otherwise we assume she is masturbating all the time at work, no less, or is having sex with a ghost. We needs some explanations and soon. Some may have th
January 21st, 2009 10:40 AM
I love Gizzie too, always will. I don,t care what anyone says.
I can't believe dead Denny gets all this screen time and my wonderful George can't get more than two sentences a show. Shonda is a nutso!
January 21st, 2009 9:50 AM
I don't understand all of the negativity about Izzie and Denny. I am intrigued by the story and know there is a point to it. There always is! In the meantime, enjoy the ride and go with it. How can anyone complain about seing Jeffrey Dean Morgan?
Rank: Guest Star
January 21st, 2009 7:40 AM
I agree with other people, it sounds as though he doesn't have any clue about what is actually going on in the show. I think it also makes Melissa George and Brooke Smith sound like terrible actresses who want to say what makes them look/seem good which I personally think is bullshit. I'm Australian but not a massive fan of Melissa George.
I LOVED Callie and Hahn it was good to see Callie happy if not scared too. I guess one good thing is that they're not just glossing over Callie 'exploring' her sexuality.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the whole Denny thing if he isn't really a ghost. Who knows what will happen?!? I like Alex and Izzie together :-)
January 21st, 2009 7:02 AM
In my opinion...
Callie and Mark have to go togheter...
For me they could be a great couple...Very very great couple...
When I watch their scenes is the top...