With every fall television season comes a new year of both
tried and true programs and the hottest new shoes vying for
America’s attention.
ABC’s newest hit, “Private Practice,” a ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
spinoff, joins “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Ugly Betty” for their
fourth and second seasons, respectively.
In the season premiere of “Private Practice,” viewers join
former Seattle Grace neonatal surgeon Dr. Addison Forbes
Montgomery, played by Kate Walsh, as she leaves her Anatomy
roots behind to join a private practice in Santa Monica,
California.
The new spinoff takes a different view of the medical practice
than its sister show, and its staying power has yet to be
determined.
“Private Practice” plays host to several notable actors such
as Taye Diggs of “Rent” and Amy Brenneman from former
CBS show “Judging Amy.”
These actors play part of the practice that Walsh’s character
joins in the midst of a soul-searching part of her life.
The realization of Montgomery’s absence at Seattle Grace
Hospital makes very few waves as the fourth season begins
on “Grey’s Anatomy,” in which her move was only briefly
acknowledged by one character on the show.
Anatomy, unlike Practice, comes back from a summer hiatus
of rumors and drama that surrounded the homophobic
comments of fired Anatomy star Isiah Washington. On the
screen however, Washington’s disappearance from the show
is hailed as a much larger issue, as Sandra Oh’s character
Christina Yang recovers from a failed public marriage.
The love triangles that run deep in Anatomy’s plot are still
in full swing. Marital spouts and infidelity plague the union
of resident George O’Malley and recently promoted Chief
Resident Callie Torres since Dr. Izzy Stevens declared her
love for O’Malley.
The show’s namesake, Dr. Meredith Grey, finds her still
working out relationship issues with on-again off-again
boyfriend Dr. Derek Shepherd, while also finding time to
narrate the entire show.
And finally we have “Ugly Betty,” ABC’s fashion industry-
oriented dramedy, returning for its sophomore season.
America Ferrera, who recently won a Best Actress Emmy
for her work on Betty, returns to play ugly Betty Suarez, the
show’s central character.
Viewers join the characters and employees of MODE magazine
as if no time had passed in the show. Betty’s father Ignacio
is still stuck in Mexico awaiting his Green card, her sister
Hilda continues to mourn the loss of her husband Hector, and
nephew Justin has recently been accepted as an intern at the
magazine.
Editors In Chief and siblings Daniel and Alexis Meade are
still recovering in the hospital, father Bradford is continuing
with a wedding to fashion editor Wilhelmina Slater, and
receptionist Amanda is still struggling to accept that she is
adopted, and the biological daughter of former MODE Editor
In Chief Fey Sommers.
ABC’s primetime lineup is back, with both new shows and
new episodes. Only time will tell whether the new Anatomy
spin-off Private Practice will be a lasting success, and good
publicity will continue to surround Anatomy and Betty
through their latest television season.