Private Practice

One of the things I like about Private Practice is the music. The producers do a great job of choosing just the right tune to go along with the scene.

Perhaps the most famous example of this is in the very first Private Practice episode titled, “In Which We Meet Addison, A Nice Girl From Somewhere Else.” This is the great scene where Addison gets out of the shower and dances around her brand new house naked to the song of “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” by Scissor Sisters. Here’s a clip:

The music provides the perfect vibe to Addy’s new life, and Kate Walsh does an awesome job of dancing around with (and without) a towell. I can’t imagine doing that in front of a whole crew of people! The privacy of my house? Maybe. (Probably.)

Another great song choice was in the most recent episode of Private Practice, “In Which Dell Finds His Fight.” If you’ll remember, Cooper and Charlotte are in bed again, Dell kisses Naomi, Addison arrives at the police station[/tag] looking for that adorable cop, and this song plays in the background:

The song is both sad and sweet. When I first heard it I thought it was actually Nora Jones singing it. But no, it’s by Sonya Kitchell.

Another favorite choice is from the episode “In Which Sam Gets Taken for a Ride.” This was the episode with three births: the one in the birthing pool, the one at the convenience store, and the one with the woman that had three boys and wanted a girl.

The woman who gave birth in the tub had just lost her husband who happened to be a cop. That’s how Addison ends up meeting the cute cop to begin with. (He asks her out but then she has to say no because she’s supposed to meet up with Pete. Of course, later Pete stands her up and doesn’t tell her why. Oh… the drama!)

Back to the woman in the tub, though. She’s freaking out (and rightfully so) because her husband isn’t there and “You Have Been Loved” plays in the background:

Later, as the episode comes to a close, Pete arrives at Violet’s house (instead of Addison’s) and Cooper goes by Addison (after leaving Violet’s) and Sam arrives late to the office where Naomi is working. As all these storylines wrap up, “Say It’s Possible” by Terra Naomi plays in the background:

What a great voice this girl has, and so uplifting and moving all at the same time. Here’s the original video for this song which is very well done:

Perhaps the best song choice in Private Practice is in the episode, “In Which Addison Finds the Magic.” Pete is coming to grips with his wife’s death and goes to her grave to let out his frustrations and feelings and pent up emotions. Violet is still trying to get over Alan and finally has the courage to delete his one remaining voicemail message.

While all this is going on, Matthew Perryman Jones’ “Save You” plays in the background:

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Caught this great video on YouTube about Addison’s first arrival on Grey’s Anatomy. I love it because it’s told from Meredith’s perspective and talks all about secrets. Like, you really don’t know someone until you KNOW THEM.

So many people feel as if they know someone just because they see them on TV, work with them, or even (choke) read their blog. But you don’t, not until you get inside their lives and find out what makes them tick.

I wonder how many people, upon first seeing Addison on Grey’s, loved her character? Here she was, the “other woman” (even though she technically wasn’t) and she waltzes into the love lives of two characters that seem so much sweeter than she comes off. When she delivers that great line: “And you must be the woman who’s screwing my husband.”

That’s why these next few minutes; also from her start on Grey’s, completely change everything you think about her. Especially the last few. Take a look:

In a few short scenes, she goes from being the bitch, to the wounded ex-wife, to the revenge-seeking ex-wife, to the hurt and yet still professional and fair doctor. No wonder the character got her own show. And Kate Walsh really does a great job with showing the different sides of the character without being typical or boring about it.

This next quick clip brings all the ups and downs of Addison together and makes you understand why she left Seattle Grace Hospital and drove on down to sunny (and sometimes rainy) L.A. Plus, the music on this one, “Porcelain Heart,” is so sad and yet really lovely besides.

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Found an interesting article about today’s advertising climate and it’s use of a snide or sarcastic attitude to sell cars. I was even more surprised to see that Kate Walsh’s Cadillac commercial was listed as part of the “new advertising snide.”

According to SFGate.com:

Here we get to the crux of advertising snide; communicating that you are far too hip to work up a spit to sell your product; that like most endeavors these days, the ad is hardly worth the effort. “No,” actress Kate Walsh intones in a bored, singsong voice in an ad for Cadillac, “the question isn’t whether you car has features like a 40-gig hard drive, it isn’t about sun roofs, Sapelli wood accents, or any of that.” “No,” she drones, dismissing features that were until recently the essence of auto lux, “the real question is when you turn your car on, does it return the favor?”

Here’s the thing: I actually kind of like that commercial.

I like the fact that a hot, hip, and gorgeous 40-something female is the one selling the car. The fact that she’s “sarcastic” in the ad makes sense, especially if you think of her Private Practice character, Addison.

After all, if she’s able to afford a Cadillac, she’s obviously successful and has probably worked hard to get that success. More than that, I think other successful females will relate to her attitude. (Hence, they’ll be more willing to buy the car, too.)

Here’s the commercial, for those of you who haven’t seen it:

What do you think? Does this type of advertising work?

With the writer’s strike lagging on, some of the networks are beginning to switch things around in an effort to boost (or at least maintain) ratings.

According to the New York Times, ABC will temporarily replace Private Practice with Supernanny. They’ll also move Wife Swap to Pushing Daisies usual time spot. These changes are due to happen next month.

This is another reason the writer’s strike is starting to worry me. Today’s television viewer is not the same as it once was. More than that, regular TV can be replaced (at least temporarily!) with reality programming with minimal time and effort.

Apparently ABC is also trying to get some more viewers interested in Lost. Starting at the end of Janaury, they’ll move Grey’s Anatomy (their big ratings cow) out of the way to make room for eight episodes of Lost. Grey’s reruns will then float around on Friday and Saturday nights for a while.

What happens after that? Presumebly, the writer’s strike will then be over and new episodes will be in the works. At least, we can hope.

In other news, came across some interesting figures from TV Guide regarding Private Practice and viewer statistics. For example:

Median income for homes that watched Private Practice: $63,000. Average age for people watching ABC: 49.

Those are AVERAGES? So a lot of older weathly folks seem to like the show. Good to know (I guess.)

Private Practice is reairing “In Which Addison Find the Magic” tonight. In case you haven’t seen it, it’s a great episode. This is the one where Addison first helps a newlywed couple, who incidentally, we do see again later in the season. In the episode Addison needs a recharge of faith, per se, and at this time of year, maybe that’s something we can all relate to. Here’s a highlight:

Great video about Pete and Addison I had to share with you. It’s set to “The Little Things” by Colbie Caillat. Perfect soundtrack for this clip:

Pete and Addison, Colbie Caillat

There’s been lots of talk (buzz, bitching) about Private Practice not being enough like Grey’s… and then being too much like Grey’s.

People…puh-leeze.

First, I’ve fully admitted that I didn’t come to Private Practice as a Grey’s fan. I’d never (and still haven’t) watched an episode of the show. I came to the show because I was a fan of Judging Amy and found out Amy Brenneman had a new show.

Maybe that’s why I’m able to get into the characters a bit more. At least the “new Addison” I keep hearing about.

The bottom line is: Private Practice isn’t supposed to be Grey’s Anatomy. It’s supposed to be Addison’s send off into another world. And to all of those complaining that Addison just doesn’t seem like Addison… well, duh.

She’s turned her life upside down. She realized her might not be able to have children. She moved to a completely new state, new job, new way of doing things, new friends… OF COURSE she’s not the same.

The people she chose to hang with in her new digs are all going through some things, too. They aren’t perfect. They are doctors who know how to tell patients how to get better but can’t take the advice they themselves dole out. That seems pretty real to me.

And the times that Private Practice is like Grey’s… well no kidding. It’s the same writer. The same creative vision. There are bound to be similarities. Any writer who has a distinct voice (which Shonda Rhimes most certainly does) will have his or her writing recognized even in a different creative outlet.

So here’s the thing, Grey’s is Grey’s, and Private Practice is… it’s own show. It proves that more and more each week.

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Oh what a tangled web. The writer’s strike, that is. And if you thought the writer’s strike was bad, apparently it’s just the beginning. While it might seem odd that the studios don’t want to negotiate to resolve this thing, when you consider the fact they’ve also got the Director’s Guild and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) coming up June 20, 2008, it puts this in a new perspective.

According to the LA Times:

“The largest union, with 120,000 members, SAG also has a relatively new president, Alan Rosenberg, who came to power after promising a much more aggressive stance about new media revenues. For the first time, SAG also brought in an outsider, former NFL Players Assn. executive Doug Allen, to be its executive director, another sign that the guild is preparing for a hard-nosed negotiation.”

In other words, the actors will probably be looking for the same thing that the writers are, and if the studios give it to the writer’s, they’ll have to give it to the actors.

Labor negotations… Ain’t it great?

What does that mean for you and me? The International Business Times says:

“If the strike lasts another four to six weeks, it could spell the end for 2008 pilot production. The most-circulated scenario in that case involves the networks renewing all their existing series for next fall, producing their pilots in the summer and launching their new crop of shows in midseason 2009.”

In happier news, John Stamos believes the writer’s strike will actually help his show, ER. (Yes folks, that show is still on the air! I personally haven’t watched it in like ten years, but it’s been on for over a decade. The Gunsmoke of the its time, apparently.) Stamos tells the New York Daily News:

“The writers strike will mean that a lot of pilots won’t be made. That will help us because we’re tried and true and have enough episodes stockpiled to remain on-air well into February, which is getting to be pilot time. Besides, after 14 years, the series would take at least 14 to 19 episodes to wind up properly.”

Well, not necessarily. That’s what “TV Movies” were created for, after all.

One of the shows apparently hit by the writer’s strike is ABC’s Big Shots (which the Hollywood Reporter called “a low-rated male version of “Desperate Housewives.”) The show had some serious eye candy, with Michael Vartan, Dylan McDermott, Christopher Titus and Joshua Malina as the stars. But alas, it was not to be. The network has canceled the show, which aired just after Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday nights. ABC will air reruns of Private Practice in its place.

Private Practice is also among the new shows ABC has already requested a full season from, along with Dirty Sexy Money and Pushing Daisies.

If you can’t wait until Thursday for Private Practice, not to worry. It’s still on tomorrow, too, where they’ll re-air the episode, “In Which We Meet Addison, A Nice Girl from Somewhere Else.”

Here’s a clip:

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First of all, I loved the fact that Dell kissed Naomi. So much better than cake! (An early Christmas present from Santa, perhaps?)

I think we saw a different side of Dell tonight. The storyline with his grandpa showed that he’s probably someone that had to grow up too quickly. I have a much larger appreciation for Dell since this episode.

I also loved that Cooper stole Charlotte’s notes and roster for the father’s parenting class. It showed some backbone. Although WHY he continues to sleep with her is beyond me.

I was also glad to see the cop was back in Addy’s world. That smile they both showed at the end said it all.

I still don’t love the Naomi and Sam series of events. I don’t see where it’s going, and this new “fighting for her” storyline is rather lame besides. Here’s why: First he leaves her… THEN he suddenly wants her back? I don’t buy it. Not with a guy like Sam. The writer’s are going to have to be very careful with this one!

Speaking of which… when are you guys coming back to work????

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New Private Practice tonite… which may be the last one for awhile, if what Kate Walsh said on The View is any indication. It’s hard to tell, given the amount of interrupting those other View hosts do, but it sounds like tonight’s eppy will be the last new one until the writer’s strike ends.

I didn’t get to see Kate on the The View, but I did hear she was great. (As always.) She’s very charming and funny and makes a great guest. Here’s here appearance the last time she was on The View, just after she got married:

Don’t you love how Elizabeth Hasselbeck makes the lame comment “Do you know anyone that has an open marriage?” Kate looks at her like she’s nuts.

Anywho, tonight Dell puts up a fight for Naomi. I’m not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I do not like Sam and Naomi so happily together. They don’t seem like they ever really went together, and also HE LEFT HER so I doubt he’d really want her back so soon. On the other hand, it might be fun to see Naomi and Dell together for a while.

We’ll also get to see more of Cooper and Charlotte doing the nasty. Here’s a clip in case you’ve forgotten:

I have mixed thoughts on this storyline as well. I liked the surprise of having Cooper hook up with Charlotte instead of Violet at the end of the last episode. And I do think it will be majorly awkward in the office when Violet realizes Cooper has DONE IT with the lovely (choke) Dr. King. Seriously, if she were not thin and blonde, would any man want this woman? That voice alone is enough to make you stay away, not to mention the bitchiness factor.

Should be an interesting one. Here’s the preview:

Can’t wait to chat all about it. See ya back here after the eppy.

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While the rest of us were probably overeating and being thankful this past holiday weekend, Kate Walsh was frolicking on the beach with her new hubby, Alex Young. Check out these pictures – she looks mucho hotto. Are we sure she’s really 40?

In another note, Patrick Dempsey has told the Toronto Sun that things on the Grey’s Anatomy set are calmer and less dramatic this year. He seems to hint, however, that part of the issue was not only the Isaiah Washington leaving the show, but also Kate Walsh’s parting to start Private Practice. When asked about Kate and the new show he said:

“I think it’s a very awkward situation to find yourself in when someone is going off to a spin-off and it was a difficult year last year for obvious reasons … I think it’s settled now. We don’t discuss it. It’s one of those things, it’s too close to discuss. We’re more concerned with where we’re at with our show and are the characters growing.”

It seems like one of those, “I won’t say anything negative, so I’ll be snarky but quiet” type of statements. I’d heard a rumor that some members of the cast of Grey’s were slightly unhappy with Kate getting the new show because it was understood none of the cast would be spun off.

That may have been true once upon a time (pardon the Enchanted pun), but if a character so obviously seems to stand out, and even perhaps – fails to truly fit in on another popular medical drama – maybe the character should get their own show. Especially if the character were popular and cool all on her own. Dontcha think?

In case any of us needed convincing, here’s a great video highlighting Addison. It’s set to Tom Jones; “She’s a Lady.”

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One thing is clear: our favorite TV characters don’t speak with their own brains. They can’t. They are fiction. In other words: They need writers.

From everyone I’ve talked to personally or heard from via emails to this blog, the vast majority of people wholly support the writer’s strike. Heck, even John Edwards got into the act by picketing in front of NBC Studios on November 16th. (He’s the one pictured at left for all of you folks living under a rock.) Here’s a great video on what’s being asked for by the Writer’s Guild and why:

Today the Writer’s Guild and studio heads go back to the negotation table. The last time they met was on November 4th. And we all know what happened there: The writer’s went on strike the very next day. According to the Hollywood Reporter, “The guild and studios have implemented a press blackout on Monday’s session, which is being held in an undisclosed location.”

That’s probably because a federal mediator has joined in the fun. And no wonder. With the support the strike has seen, every related means of Hollywood employment has been affected: from catering, to actors, to cameramen. And so on.

I commented in an earlier blog entry about the bigwig writers (including Private Practice’s own Shonda Rhimes) joining the picket lines. It is this support that gives voice to the other unknown and less well-paid writers. Perhaps if the support continues, we’ll see an end to the strike soon. Wouldn’t that be nice? An early Christmas present! Now that I’m into Addison and Pete and Cooper and Violet and all their kookiness, I don’t want to be left hanging. For some other of my show favorites, like The Office and 30 Rock, that need is even more persistent.

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In this age of unreasonable demands and pampered celebrities, what the writers are asking for seems so very reasonable. Everyone except this dolt seems to agree with them. I hope the studios kick it into gear and agree also.

Since today is the day to give thanks, I thought it only fitting that we should thank Private Practice for a few things. Namely: Dell. Thank you, Shonda Rhimes! After all, she’s the one that made Dell a surfer dude. Want to know what I’m talking about? Here’s a clip from the Private Practice pilot:

Anyway, I was thinking about Dell… and his surfboard… and came across his blog, which is called “Confessions From the Front Desk.” And ‘lo and behold, what happens to be there but his “Holy Mother of Chocolate” cake recipe. You remember this recipe? It’s the one that made Naomi go all atwitter and actually scream at Dell. It’s the one that made Naomi tell Addison: “That boy is baking cakes at me!”

You KNOW you’ve gone nuts when you yell at someone for baking you a cake. I think this cake did such a great job, that one of you guys out there should try it as a way to get your object of affection to notice you. If you do, be sure to write and tell me all about it.

Here’s one other point that we can be thankful about when it comes to Private Practice…

… that Addison and Pete aren’t together yet.

Come on… you guys really don’t want her to hook up with Pete already, do you? She needs to have some fun before she jumps into anything serious. (And something tells me a relationship with Pete would be a little too serious for her right now.)

Here’s one thing we can hope for on this day of thanks…

… that the writer’s strike ends soon and we have new episodes to watch!

Enjoy your turkey everyone! (And GO PACK!)

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We’re talking kids here. Private Practice kids that is.

That seems fitting, given that the show is about babies and reproducing.

Anywho, Amy Brenneman recently told the Bend Weekly News:

“My life changed in every possible way down to my cellular level when Charlotte was born, then heightened when Bodhi came along,” she explained. “I’m now a different person who feels vulnerable for the first time in her life. I’d always been an invincible kind of gal. A friend of mine puts that love for my kids this way: ‘It’s like having your heart walk around outside your body.”

She also says the Private Practice set is a friendly one for kids and families. (She’s shown with her daughter and husband here.) When asked about coming back to TV, she talks about meeting Tim Daly before on her old show Judging Amy. (But then I’ve already covered that little twist, haven’t I?)

Speaking of kids, newlywed Kate Walsh jokes with People Magazine that she’s pregnant with triplets! (It’s a JOKE folks. She’s a busy woman, with NO TIME to start a family yet.) She says:

“Right now my baby is Private Practice … she is beautiful and strong, growing every week.”

Besides, if they had to write a pregnancy in for Addison right now I think the character would go nuts. Especially after her getting hit on by that hunky cop last week and having to turn him down in order to meet up with Pete. (And then Pete stands her up….ooooh, it’s gonna be an interesting one on Wednesday!)

Speaking of which, it looks like George Segal will be on an upcoming episode, playing Dell’s (Chris Lowell’s) grandfather. You remember George… he was recently on Just Shoot Me. He’s been nominated for an Oscar… he’s good. Very funny. Now will they write his character as serious or humorous? I’m opting for a little humor. Besides that, I think Dell has a great sense of humor and it would seem only fitting that he gets it from his grandpa.

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Here’s a preview for tonite:

Thoughts on last night’s episode. Well, first of all, I think the whole Violet and Coop getting undressed thing was hilarious. Did you love how Cooper says, “You’re naked. You always have clothing on at work.” And Violet says, “I try to be professional.”

I did NOT see the whole Sam and Naomi having sex thing coming, tho! I still have a hard time believing that women would attract Taye Diggs! But then I’ve more than made myself clear on why that is.

Another six degree of separation thing was the whole birthing in a pool scene. ESPECIALLY when Addison gets in the pool with the pregnant girl! Know where I last saw that? None other than Judging Amy… when Maxine gets in the pool with Donna. (My Judging Amy circle is once again complete.)

Couldn’t you just hear the “Dar-leeeeen” from Roseanne somewhere off in the background during Sara Gilbert’s scenes? Like, if we were to peak in on Darlene Conner today I bet she’d be knocked up and robbing a convenience store. So… good casting there. I did think the whole storyline between her and the store clerk was kind of tired, though. I mean, she robs the joint because she needs money for the baby… and he takes the job there because he needs MONEY FOR THE BABY. So very Gift of the Magi.

Couldn’t you just see the disappointment on Addison’s face when the cop asks her out and she had to turn him down? You could just see that, “DOH!” look on her face… but she couldn’t very well cancel with Pete, could she? It didn’t surprise me at all that Pete blew her off. It was a cute twist that Pete showed up at Violet’s door while Coop showed up at Addy’s. Loved that.

Plus, I’m not buying the emotion that Pete is going through. He’s like a blank slate. He’s got no intensity… not for the grieving husband deal, or for the smarmy womanizer. Tim Daly’s really gotta work on that or I’m going to have to start yelling at the TV. (Cuz they can hear you when you do that. You knew that, right?)

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