2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeThe doctor is out
Bad storylines in 'Private Practice' resuscitated by excellent acting
By Andrew Kase
Posted: 11/27/07, 12:14 AM EST Section: Clicker
The ride's been up and down so far for "Private Practice."
The sultry spin-off to ABC's hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" is still in the first half of its freshman season, and just aired its best episode of the season - but even the drama that unfolded felt forced and awkward.
It's as if writer-creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes only focused on November sweeps, instead of infusing the episode with a situation to showcase the fine acting talents of the cast.
Kate Walsh stormed into Seattle Grace Hospital on "Grey's Anatomy" as the most hated character (Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd), and but by the time she left, she was the funniest and quirkiest of the bunch. Now in her own show, she's belittled down to the actions and psyche of a child, a teenager at best.
The stories that have been coming are hit and miss, but with actors including Tim Daly, Audra McDonald and Amy Brenneman, one would think they would have appropriate material through which to shine. Unfortunately, they don't.
In the last Wednesday's episode, "In Which Cooper Finds a Port In His Storm," Cooper (Paul Adelstein) returned to the online dating realm, while one of Violet's (Brenneman) patients decides to go on a date with Addison (Walsh).
Meanwhile, dueling exes Naomi (McDonald) and Sam (Taye Diggs) visit a patient at a convent. Addison and Pete (Daly) also participate in a "Safe Surrender" program and help a pregnant teenager.
The episode was melodramatic as an epidemic broke out at the cozy Oceanside Wellness Center, and, of course, the tension was resolved by the hour's end.
The story fell flat, almost as if the writers had pulled it straight from an episode of the mother ship, "Grey's Anatomy," which has been edging out "Private Practice" in the ratings by several million viewers, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.
Walsh is both a beautiful woman and a talented actress, but pairing her with Daly's character felt forced, predictable and limp. The show was conceived in the hopes that it would contain more sex than "Grey's" and ultimately be wittier.
Instead, what viewers are left with is a semi-carbon copy of an outstanding medical show, full of cardboard characters and a whole lot of wasted talent. Even Brenneman, who had her own show just a few years ago (CBS's "Judging Amy") is left with foolish story lines, like stalking her ex-husband.
The only omnipresent factor of the show, besides the sub-par writing, is the eye candy. There's the surfboarder/receptionist (Chris Lowell), and a blonde doctor who works at a nearby hospital (KaDee Strickland), both of whom add nothing to show.
It's tragic that such talent is wasted on a show that was probably rushed into production and created just so that ABC could have another hit show, thus making millions more as part of lucrative advertising and marketing deals.
The sultry spin-off to ABC's hit medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" is still in the first half of its freshman season, and just aired its best episode of the season - but even the drama that unfolded felt forced and awkward.
It's as if writer-creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes only focused on November sweeps, instead of infusing the episode with a situation to showcase the fine acting talents of the cast.
Kate Walsh stormed into Seattle Grace Hospital on "Grey's Anatomy" as the most hated character (Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd), and but by the time she left, she was the funniest and quirkiest of the bunch. Now in her own show, she's belittled down to the actions and psyche of a child, a teenager at best.
The stories that have been coming are hit and miss, but with actors including Tim Daly, Audra McDonald and Amy Brenneman, one would think they would have appropriate material through which to shine. Unfortunately, they don't.
In the last Wednesday's episode, "In Which Cooper Finds a Port In His Storm," Cooper (Paul Adelstein) returned to the online dating realm, while one of Violet's (Brenneman) patients decides to go on a date with Addison (Walsh).
Meanwhile, dueling exes Naomi (McDonald) and Sam (Taye Diggs) visit a patient at a convent. Addison and Pete (Daly) also participate in a "Safe Surrender" program and help a pregnant teenager.
The episode was melodramatic as an epidemic broke out at the cozy Oceanside Wellness Center, and, of course, the tension was resolved by the hour's end.
The story fell flat, almost as if the writers had pulled it straight from an episode of the mother ship, "Grey's Anatomy," which has been edging out "Private Practice" in the ratings by several million viewers, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.
Walsh is both a beautiful woman and a talented actress, but pairing her with Daly's character felt forced, predictable and limp. The show was conceived in the hopes that it would contain more sex than "Grey's" and ultimately be wittier.
Instead, what viewers are left with is a semi-carbon copy of an outstanding medical show, full of cardboard characters and a whole lot of wasted talent. Even Brenneman, who had her own show just a few years ago (CBS's "Judging Amy") is left with foolish story lines, like stalking her ex-husband.
The only omnipresent factor of the show, besides the sub-par writing, is the eye candy. There's the surfboarder/receptionist (Chris Lowell), and a blonde doctor who works at a nearby hospital (KaDee Strickland), both of whom add nothing to show.
It's tragic that such talent is wasted on a show that was probably rushed into production and created just so that ABC could have another hit show, thus making millions more as part of lucrative advertising and marketing deals.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Kris Hankins
posted 11/30/07 @ 8:49 AM EST
Well I will say this... I have already written a few of the funniest,sexiest,and more dramatic storylines for this show that would sky rocket it's ratings. (Continued…)
lilmissme
Kris Hankins
posted 11/30/07 @ 8:52 AM EST
Well I will say this... I have already written a few of the funniest,sexiest,and more dramatic storylines for this show that would sky rocket it's ratings. (Continued…)
Post a Comment