TV ADDICT: Skies are blue when ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ men visit

[10 October 2006]

By Pamela Sitt

The Seattle Times

The men of “Grey’s Anatomy” were in Seattle last week, mostly shooting wilderness scenes and therefore cleverly outwitting my stalker capabilities, as the one thing I would not do for McDreamy is go camping.

However, Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington were among the cast members spotted in Pioneer Square and downtown Seattle during brief filming on Tuesday morning, where they were promptly mobbed outside the Westin Hotel and signed a lot of autographs.

“They were great with the fans,” said James Keblas, who was on location with the cast as director of the Mayor’s Office of Film and Music. “At one point, Isaiah Washington went over to this crowd of women and said, ‘When I say Patrick, you say Dempsey.’ He got the whole crowd riled up.”

Speaking of getting hordes of women—and some men, to be fair—riled up: McSteamy (Eric Dane), who appeared wearing only a towel in the season premiere, has been promoted to a series regular. McDreamy or McSteamy? What would Addison do? What would you do? E-mail me if you can decide.

Anyway. All of the “Grey’s” men were here and they were wearing backpacks, the better to shoot scenes for a camping trip, Keblas said. Most of the filming took place in the mountains, outside Seattle proper, according to a publicist for the show. ABC’s Seattle-set hospital drama films locally several times a year.

Kate Walsh, who plays estranged wife to Dempsey’s character, was also in town to shoot some ferry scenes. It’s unclear whether she’ll end up canoodling with her ex in a sleeping bag, but one can only McDream.

In other TV happenings, the extreme makeover of the fall TV schedule has officially begun. The CBS heist drama “Smith” is the first to go; the show will be temporarily replaced at 10 p.m. Tuesdays (all times ET) with reruns of “CSI” and “Criminal Minds.” It’s a brave network that risks the wrath of Ray Liotta.

Meantime, NBC’s “Kidnapped” is on the way out, having been moved to Saturdays starting Oct. 21. You might as well stop watching this serialized drama now, as the network won’t be renewing the show after its original 13 episodes.

Good news for fans of “Heroes”—NBC has ordered an additional nine episodes of the supernatural drama, extending its season to a full 22 episodes.

Recaps!

“The Bachelor: Rome”

Lisa from Portland does wonders for our reputation here in the Northwest by attempting to flirt with Prince Lorenzo thusly: “When it comes down to it, I’ll lick a slug, I’ll hug a tree, whatever.” She neglects to add, “I’ll kiss a frog,” but come on, where exactly do we think this “prince” came from? (9 p.m. Mondays, ABC)

“America’s Next Top Model”

CariDee accidentally pulls a Tara Reid—wardrobe malfunctions are sooo 2004—on the runway. Observes one onlooker: “CariDee’s top exposed her breast. I think it was so awesome. It was so Paris!” It remains unclear whether he was talking about Paris Fashion Week or Paris Hilton. (8 p.m. Wednesdays, CW)

“The Amazing Race”

The teams must re-enact a scene from “The Perfect Storm.” Or so it seems, considering the angst displayed by all by the seemingly simple task of rowing a boat. I’m not saying I could do it, I’m just saying: It doesn’t look that hard. Anyway, the challenge ends with the beauty queens and the other queens sobbing and racing for last place. Tom and Terry, I’m sorry to say you’ve both been eliminated from the race. (8 p.m. Sundays, CBS)

“Project Runway”

In the obligatory reunion/clip show, we get behind-the-scenes confirmation that Vincent is a complete lunatic when he goes ballistic over his laundry. Please note that multiple expletives in the following tirade have been deleted: “Do not put my clothes in the laundry! $125 shirts ruined! I told them, I wrote a note and put it in the bag, DON’T FLUFF AND FOLD THE SHIRTS! I told the guy, don’t do it, don’t do it. I will wear them dirty. Why, why, why, man?” Um, because the spin cycle turns him on? (10 p.m. Wednesdays, Bravo)

“Survivor: Cook Islands”

In a surprise move, Tribe Raro votes off a stunned J.P. (His response: “Holy crap.”) Jeff Probst: “Well, you just voted out someone who appeared to be one of the strongest members of this tribe. I’m hoping this means you have a plan ... to start winning some challenges.” Actually, the plan now is for the women to pick off the men, one by one, for being lazy, bossy and not doing enough around the house. Well done, I say, well done! (8 p.m. Thursdays, CBS)

“Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team”

The girls are interviewed as part of the audition process. Question: “If you had 10 minutes to live and one phone call to make, who would you call and what would you say?” Answer: “I would love to call Miss United States. She’s just currently won, and I’ve always wanted to be Miss United States. I’d ask her how it feels.” To everyone’s relief, it turns out that was the wrong answer ... on so many levels. (9 p.m. Fridays, CMT)

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TV Addict is a weekly roundup of television news and gossip, along with recaps of a constantly shifting lineup of (mostly) reality TV shows by Pamela Sitt, pop culture writer for The Seattle Times.

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© 2006, The Seattle Times. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Published at: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/article/tv-addict-skies-are-blue-when-greys-anatomy-men-visit/