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According to Shonda Rhimes, season six is going to be about transitioning. It seems to have occurred to the exec producer and creator that eventually most of the cast will want to move on and while I think a lot of us would agree that’d be the right time to pack it up, Rhimes thinks the show could have a future beyond the core cast, if they play their cards right. What brought all this on? Well, there’s T.R. Knight’s decision to leave the show, as well as Ellen Pompeo’s upcoming maternity leave.
Here’s the full quote from Shonda Rhimes about Ellen’s maternity leave and the future of Grey’s:
“Ellen is incredibly optimistic and somehow thinks she’ll be back and ready to rock ‘n’ roll. [But] I have a child, so I know that that’s not true. [So] we have a lovely story [on deck] that will take us into her maternity leave. And we have plans for some really interesting stand-alone episodes for [while she's gone]. But we’re heading towards the future of the show and eventually, unless we’re really lucky, everybody’s going to go. That’s what the end of season 5 taught me. So we’re looking at, How do we mess with that structure now while we have everybody and figure out ways in which, ‘What would we do without Ellen? What would we do if we had an episode without Patrick Dempsey?’ So season 6 is important. A lot of shows don’t make it through season 6 because they don’t know how to transition.”
A show without MerDer? Would you watch it??
Shonda Rhimes isn’t entirely certain that you’d watch it either, but she seems ready to try to make it work, should the day ever come when a MerDer-less series is what she’s left with. As she points out, “But [at least] we have Lexie Grey.”
Okay, I admit I really love Lexie, but I know a lot of you can’t stand her. Would you watch a Grey’s Anatomy in which there was no Meredith, no Derek and in their place there was Lexie? Let me know in the comments.
But let’s move on from these depressing thoughts because Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey and the rest of the cast seem to be staying put for now.
So what else is headed our way in season 6? Well, there’s no pregnant Meredith, that’s for sure. So if you were still hoping for that, let it go. Meredith might get pregnant sometime down the road, but not now.
Ausiello also mentions that it’s possible that Owen’s PTSD might “flare up” in the season premiere, since Amy Madigan – Seattles Grace’s number one shrink – will be guest-starring in the second hour.
And that’s about it for now!
What are your thoughts on this notion that Grey’s Anatomy could go on without the core cast? Do you think it’s got a shot? Would you consider watching it?
Via | Ausiello
I too have watched the show since the beginning and would not continue to watch if the two main characters were written out. George being written out in such a horrible way was enough to almost make me quit, and now that Izzy has been gone for most of the season is about to push me over the edge.
The show without its five original Interns is not the same show. Lexie is not a strong enough character to have the show centered around her. I agree with everyone when I say that Owen is dull, the lesbian drama weak, and missing Burke and George. REALLY missing George. He was my favorite and he was stolen from us. This isn’t the same thrilling, well-written show it was when it first began, and I for one am disappointed.
Also, if the show ever does lose the two main characters, it would be better for it to just go out on top, rather than let down the loyal viewers like that.
I agree that if they lose Ellen and Patrick they should just go out on top. I am interested in them and while I love the others on the show I just dont think it would work. When MerDer leaves I am done trying to keep up. I know there is lil Grey, but the show wasnt based on her. Its been great, but all great things must end. Maybe they can do one last season with the cast intact. Lets hope, cause some things need a lil more time to resolve.
I do not like Lexie, so I would not continue watching if the show would become about her
And I might add, I have been with Grey;s Anatomy from day one on. I have watched ev ery single episode out there and own season 1-5 on dvd. I never liked Lexie and would not want to watch the show anymore if it becomes about her
The show would not be the same without Mer Der. The first few season were GREAT and will never be beat. The main thing in the show that interested me and I’m sure interested others and made us keep watching was the relationship between Mer and Der. Without them on the show it just wouldn’t be Grey’s Anatomy. Therefore I agree with a lot of others… End the show while it’s still a hit. Season 6 is already getting lame because Meredith, Derek, and Izzy, and George aren’t in it.
I would NOT watch the show. I have been watching from the very beginning and i am one of grey’s biggest fans. But if meredith and mcdreamy are not together or leave the show and the rest of the cast goes too..there is just no way. NO WAY!!!!
No I would not watch the show without Meredith and Derek, they are the show and they are the reason why I got hooked on the show. Lexie is not a character that would keep me watching. Greys without meredith and derek will just be another crappy show who lost its main characters and is still trying to go on and its just gonna suck.
NO I WOULD DEF NOT WATCH IT WITH OUT Derek AND Meredith BEING TOGETHER AND I HAVE WATCHED THE SHOW FROM THE VERY FIRST EPISODE
I AM OBSESSED WITH GREYS ANATOMY
but i will cry so so much if mer/der are not the leading roles… you cant be seriously considering doing greys without them?! i personally think it would be a real shame! already seeing as i miss george so so much
i love you greys. please continue to be amazing… and dont ever stop!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OMG!!! That’s incredible! Is that possible Grey’s anatomy without Meredith and Derek? Of course not! They ARE the show! I saw the season 5 premiere last month and I was SO crying just thinking maybe Derek could possibly die! It’s a shame to see Grey’s anatomy without that relationship. The first episode of the first season beginning with Derek and Meredith, so we supposed that they are on the show as long he will be on TV no? So… I’m just saying they can’t do a Grey’s anatomy without them!
Yes I would cause it’s better to have a show than no show. And I love every caracters in the show so I would not mind so much…
So continu to do your great work! I love you!
Seriously, what would be the point of watching the show? I don’t really like Lexie. Without Meredith GREY or Derrick it wouldn’t be the same and I’d sooner watch another channel. The side characters better have something interesting because I am already dreading the Maternity leave of Meredith. Not to say Lexie doesn’t have the chops, but it don’t mean a thing if it aint gat that zing. Cristina’s character cannot stand along without her person. I hate to say it, but I don’t like Owen, he’s a bore. The show we get such a boost if they were to recast Isaiah, he could be a guest star and let people decide upon whether they liked him. If they do, and it’s a plus, why not? It would be nice to spice things up. Right when you think Yang is making a break through with Owen, throw a wedge into it…. They could write it like Burke is at Mercy West since there’s going to be a Merger.
No I wouild not keep watching the show with MerDer. As I remember, the show started up with the Meredith as the main character,and then McDreamy and the rest of the gang. All of them were wonderful together until Lexie was brought into the show. Lexie has had a lot of airtime in the 2 seasons, mostly in season 5, and quite frankly she is not interesting at all. George was funny and king and together with the rest of the gang, they made the show interesting to watch. Season 5 was boring, boring. We hardly got to see MerDer, George etc and Dear Shonda, these people are the reasons why we fell in love with the show, not Lexie and the boring Marc and the lesbien stories. You took a show that had a lot of potential and turned it into a day soap opera kind of story by adding Lexie Grey. The true Grey in Grey’s Anatomy is Meredith and I don’t think you will succeed by changing what you did so well at the beginning of the serie. You want to kill your show, well just make it about Lexie and you will succeed.
I meant to say: I will not keep watching the show WITHOUT MERDER. I thought I make that clear.
I have been watching the show since season 1. I think all other characters could be written off (with good characters left in their place) except Meredith, Derek, and Yang! They are the best and one of the main reasons I watch! I think they should spice it up….have Burke come back for at least one episode! It would really throw a wrench in things! MerDer is vital to the show….please don’t cut them out!!!!!!
No i would not watch without the main characters.. george leaving was enough.. please dont ruin a good thing.. the cast you have now is goldne.. dont fix what aint broken!!!!!!
No I would not watch anymore if main core characters continue to drop off i.e. Meredith and Derek. I do like Meredith, Derek, and Yang. They are flawed human beings, and yet likable contributors in the world of the TV show. Doctors saving lives, making mistakes, having personal lives. They grow and change and transition before our eyes in an hour. I grew to like the show. I use to like ER. A couple of the main characters left and then ER decided to get rid of most of the core cast, the show became weak and unwatchable. I sure hope that Shonda Rhimes realizes that characters and their stories grow – on – people. Transitioning isn’t about replacing but growing each character, stretching the character and the drama. I think Ms. Rhimes was brilliant in the creation of the show thus far however, I don’t tune into see her visually each week. She is only a star as long as her stars are twinkling. Once she looses them she looses her twinkle too.
I would definitely not watch the show. I hope the writers and directors listen to the opinions of the fans.
Grey’s without Derek and Meredith would be like an anatomy sans lungs. If it is interesting, I shall watch it, but, I will not be as eager to watch it without Mer-Der.And soon, the exuberance of watching Grey’s Anatomy would jade away.
I have grown to love and relate to each of the core characters on Grey’s and am not certain that I could ever feel the same if they decide to leave. Especially Ellen, I was irate that they even brought in Lexie, I think the writers need to be cautious about letting her overpower Ellen’s character. Ellen and the rest of the core characters are the foundation of this show – messing with it – well, it’s unjustifiable.
It has been amazing to watch each of the core characters grown and learn and adjust to life, Christina and Mer aren’t so dark and twisty, although, they can’t always be happy peppy either, we need the dark and twisty at times. Alex has turned into a wonderful caring guy, and Izzy, well we need her BACK! 5 episodes it’s torture! along with meranda, derek, callie, mark and richard!
I do however, completely approve on arizona and owen becoming a main focus too! but we NEED a cardio god for christina!!!
no!!!! I have watched from the very beginning and will not watch if mer is gone!! I think the show needs to pull it together… mercy west? come on!!! bring burke back and get rid of the new characters. The original cast is great
I don’t know if I would watch it. I know I never watched New York Undercover again after they killed off one of the main characters. I am surprised Greys can go on without George… (I loved the first season and George was great). But if any other core characters go… (by core I mean Meredith, Derek, Izzy, Cristina) then I’d probably stop watching it as faithfully as I do now… Side note Alex is cool… but if he had to leave I don’t think I’d miss him that much. Oh and I do miss Burke still. There’s been no steady cardio dr. and no steady man for Cristina with Burke gone. I liked Owen at first but now… he does seem boring… perhaps its the writing for his character?
I would never watch again. Mer and Derek are everything, the show cannot survive without them. And, in my opinion, this season is a boring crazy mess. I hate that persons from mercy CRAP west, at the show. They don’t fit there. I am missing the crazyness from Cristina, the stupid from Alex and the passion from derek and meredith
And another thing. BURKE REALLY NEED TO COME BACK!
The only thing that could save that show without Mer and Der, is if they bring Burke back, and put Yang in a love triange (everyone loves Yang), and everyone would tune in just to see Burke, can’t help it we love the guy. That would keep the fans busy and provide Ellen with all the big belly time she needs. I pray they don’t try to write in those doctors from the other hosipital (i could write that). Looks like they are trying to push the show to Izzy and Karev, I’ll stop watching right there, they have had enough dramma, writers are no longer being creative. The lost of George was no big deal, no one ever watched for George. I also think they need to do more with Bailey’s role, the material is getting bad. And she’s the rock of the show.
Derek and Meredith’s moments amidst all the trauma and emergency in Seattle Grace makes the Grey’s Anatomy an exciting watch. So, would not want to watch a Grey’s Anatomy without the original Grey and McDreamy….
A Grey’s Anatomy … with a different Grey? Um … no. I admit, I HATE Lexie, but I really don’t think she could keep a mature cast onboard. Meredith and Derek, among others, keep the plot of the show on a serious base. How can we expect to get anywhere serious with Lexie, who’s starting right from where it took Meredith five seasons to get? And she did it in two seasons, come on! Lexie’s is like the ‘Robin’ (From Batman) of Grey’s Anatomy. Funny, cute, immature, but she can’t really do the whole ‘Dark and Twisty’ thing, can she? I would probably still watch the show, but it wouldn’t be half as enticing. Right now, its that show you get a speeding ticket for rushing home to see, but without Meredith, (or Derek, Cristina, or other leading roles) it’d be the show you watch half-heartedly, and you’re not afraid to miss when a movie you like is on. Keep as much of the original cast as possible.
NO. it’s that simple. it’s happened to many of my favorite shows, but most recently One Tree Hill lost 2 of its main characters, and after watching this show for 6 seasons (it was my life) i could care less about the show now. Without Meredith and Der, the show would not be the same. It MIGHT be an “okay” show.. but i wouldnt watch it, and it would lose SO many fans.
The show seems to losing interest with the merger. Bring in the new people and do the firing or whatever needs to be done, once and for all create the conflict and give some excitement to Yang and the McDreamy couple.
Sad that George left.
Every character in Grey’s Anatomy can stand on their own in terms of plot…but losing the two MAIN characters would change the entire vibe of the show. Having captured the hearts of such a huge audience, drastic changes in the supporting leads are risky enough. Writing off characters who are as influential as Derek and Meredith would be absolute suicide.
People need a base personality to connect with in order to become attached to a show. That comfort character should always be there to survive the dramatic twists that come along no matter how difficult they may seem. It may not be realistic, but that’s the beauty of television. Making such a drastic change as to switch the entire focus from one person to another is far too complicated for anyone to adjust to.
It has nothing to do with whether or not the supporting leads are influential enough to keep up the quality of the show. The entire cast is fabulous, and they all carry their own weight. Nonetheless, Grey’s began with Meredith, not just as the main character, but the narrator; the voice of reason throughout all of the chaos came from her mind. Without that same voice, it would be a different mind and an entirely different show.
Examples:
FRIENDS without Ross and Rachel
DAWSON’S CREEK without Dawson and Joey
WILL AND GRACE without Will and Grace…
THAT 70’s SHOW without Eric and Donna
LOST without Jack, Kate, and Sawyer
THE OFFICE without Michael
SEX AND THE CITY without Cary
Look what happened to the OC without Marissa…they couldn’t even finish their season. Please don’t let that happen to Grey’s Anatomy.
If it is an issue of the pregnancy leave…break for a year before shooting another season. People will wait. As a proud fanatic of Grey’s Anatomy myself, I would rather wait for the real show to return rather than have to adjust to the sequel-like version that would take it’s place.
Sincerely,
An overly opinionated fan
Simply enough, no the show would not work with out the main characters . Last week with Mer in bed recuperating from her surgery you seriously noticed her missing & that the vibe had changed. So no .
I WOULD NOT WATCH THE SHOW. THE ONLY REASON I WATCH IT NOW IS FOR DEREK AND MEREDITH. IF SHONDA GETS RID OF THEM THE SHOW WILL LITERALLY BE OVER. WHILE SOME OF YOU DONT LIKE MEREDITH THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY (99%) WOULD NEVER WATCH THE SHOW AGAIN. AND DEREK. DEREK. DEREK. CANNOT LEAVE. HE JUST CANT.
“Grey’s began with Meredith, not just as the main character, but the narrator; the voice of reason throughout all of the chaos came from her mind. Without that same voice, it would be a different mind and an entirely different show.”
I very much agree. You can’t get rid of the narrator of story in the middle of the story. Derek and all the other main characters, wile important, aren’t necessary and the show can survive their replacement but not Meredith’s.
If they are going to take her out of the story they should scrap the series and start a spin off show, maybe with Lexie as the narrator. Otherwise you end up with just another crapy soap like General Hospital; and it’s been spewing it’s stink for that last fifty years.
Absolutely not. There would be no point to watch. I have been a faithful fan since season 1, own all the DVDs, and if Meredith and other core cast members are taken away, the show would loose it’s original pizazz. Continuing a show without the original cast is a mistake, it would never be the same. The new 90210 series was a disaster, and I feel like slowly replacing the core characters would be headin in the same direction…
No, i would not watch the show if Meredith and Derek was not in it, they make the show!!
I love this show.
I’D WATCH IT UNTILL IT ENDS. Only if MerDer is there
I have to mostly agree with the above post. The show was light but then it had some great seriousness to it also. The bomb in the patiesnt is a perfect exanple. It was serious however they found ways to really lighten it up. Remember that lady screeming constantly and the only way to quiet her was Alex getting right in her face and screaming back at her. And lets not forget the famous Va jay- jay! I am also very tired of Izzy and KH! This show really put her out there and she is using it now. It makes me wonder what would happen if all of the other actors demanded the same thing. This hiatus stuff is not fare, it makes Greys Anatomy as a second choice show. I still continue to watch however it is no longer my favorite #1 show anymore,
Ok, Seriously if you get rid of Meredith or Derek this show is going to suck! What you really need is a pregnancy! Meredith, Kristina, Izzy (eventually), one of them needs to get pregnant. You’ve had the pregnancy scare with Krisitina, marriages, deaths, break ups, straight to lesbian relationships…what you really need now is a pregnancy? seriously!
victoria mungal says:
November 25, 2009 at 10:33 am
i understand that ellen has to go on marternity leave…..but, honestly there would be no show without the whole MERDER romance…i’m from trinidad…n i have been watching this show since it started n i love the romance between these two characters n there would be no show without them…..i like the fact that izzie survived…but we’ve already lost george…we cant loose two MAIN characters!!!!!!!!!!! get creative think of something… u cud do it because since this show started, you’ve had some amazing ideas… we need a cardio-god….i want BURKE back!!!! we love BURKE n CHRISTINA……i dont want to loose the MERDER romance!!!!please……..
iam a desperate fan begging…………………………………
I too have watched the show since the beginning and would not continue to watch if the two main characters were written out. George being written out in such a horrible way was enough to almost make me quit, and now that Izzy has been gone for most of the season is about to push me over the edge.
The show without its five original Interns is not the same show. Lexie is not a strong enough character to have the show centered around her. I agree with everyone when I say that Owen is dull, the lesbian drama weak, and missing Burke and George. REALLY missing George. He was my favorite and he was stolen from us. This isn’t the same thrilling, well-written show it was when it first began, and I for one am disappointed.
srry i forgot somin—-I agree that if they lose Ellen and Patrick they should just go out on top. I am interested in them and while I love the others on the show I just dont think it would work. When MerDer leaves I am done trying to keep up. I know there is lil Grey, but the show wasnt based on her. Its been great, but all great things must end. Maybe they can do one last season with the cast intact. Lets hope, cause some things need a lil more time to resolve.
I also have watched the show from day one, own all the seasons on dvd and would have to agree, its not greys without mer-der (my favorite tv couple).. everything has been based around them and to change that now would be a HUGE mistake, its come to far. And christina with merideth = disaster. Better to end the show on top with them rather than extend it a couple of season and kill everything its become.
I will definitely stop watching grey’s anatomy if there is no derek and meredith. Even, maybe I will stop watching it if they will not be together. I love Derek and ‘them’ so much from the very beginning. The other Grey won’t be the same.
I have been a fan since season 1 episode 1. Meredith and Derek are basically the reason I watch the show… the earlier seasons were amazing because of them. Even season 5 was pretty good. Season 6, however, has gone WAY down hill. Especially the most recent Holiday episode.
And yeah I agree with the others.. even if the show continues but Mer & Der break up, it will be stupid. Esp after all that. Im curious as to why they didnt write Ellen’s pregnancy into the show…
i think if merideth and derek were off the show then the show would suck. i started watching this show a long time ago and i hated the fact that dereks wife came back cause he and merideth are the best couple on the show. honestly if i could choose who to take off the show it would be mark and lexi. so i honestly hope that the show keeps going the way its going because you are gonna loose alot of viewers because nobody will like the show if they leave, so theres my look on the aspect,,,and i really hope tht merideth has a baby soon cuz that would make the show awesome
the show would be a disaster without merideth she is the core charecter. without her derek could not function, christina could not function. and if they couldnt function then no one could function and the show would be a down right bore. the other charecters are great and all but if you take out merideth what would happen??? dont do it.
seriously people!! you just cant get rid of the shows main. imagine tuning into abc every thursday and hearing lexie greys (chyler leighs) voice. all about her problems with mc steamy. total bore!!
I have been a loyal fan. But there is no way I would watch without MERDER. I cant stand lexie.
would be very boring without meredith also derek. And I absolutely won’t watch grey’s anatomy. Because i’m a huge fans of them (MerDer)*from 1st eps until now. But i’m not hating lexie so bad since she was dating with mark sloan.
THE POINT IS GREY’S ANATOMY WILL BE VERY BORED WITHOUT MEREDITH ALSO DEREK.
Tori,
Seriiously way too obbssed. I get you love the shows but did you stop to think maybe the actors don’t want to do it anymore? Yes its an amazing show and it won’t be the same without the main characters but its a show, who the actors have real life. They might wanna move to something else, have babies etc etc.
Am all the way in malawi and bn watchn grey’s since season 1 and tho i lav alot of the characterz, mcdreamy n mer r the real deal. Cnt watch without them. Oredy george z gone as is izzie, its too much. Lexie aint interestn enaf. U r great bt myb u nid to stat anatha sho 4m scratch. Get out while on top. Much lav.