After being the subject of almost universal loathing from critics and fans alike, the Kate Walsh led Grey’s Anatomy spin-off is moving ahead.  ABC will make the official announcement in their upfronts tomorrow.  One thing that might be changing is the title of the show.  Rumor has it that “Private Practice,” the previous title, has been nixed and that the time slot and title will be announced tomorrow, along with the permanent cast list.


The series follows Grey’s Anatomy’s Addison (Played by Walsh) as she resigns her post at Seattle Grace to pursue what she feels will be a more personally enriching experience in her friends medical cooperative.   Although the cooperative is a smaller, cozier environment, Addison soon learns that less people close up can be as complicated as the rat race world of Hospital politics.

The ‘pilot’ for the spin-off was introduced as an additional hour of material cut into the May 3rd episode "The Other Side of This Life.”  The hour chronicled Addison hooking up with her old friends and becoming steeped in the social dynamic of what she expected to be a quieter, more fulfilling existence.

Fans and critics were bewildered by how awkwardly the material meshed with the Grey’s Anatomy world. Every aspect of the productions seemed incompatible, from the color schemes on up. Rumor has it that the show was saved by a ‘fan edit’ that cut out the Grey’s Anatomy material and allowed the spin off to stand on its own.  Other rumblings insist that ABC was signed on to give the show a go from the very beginning.

What is not known is whether or not the series is getting a full season pick up, or the ‘front 15’ usually afforded a new show.  As well, there is no word on where ABC is expected to put the show in its crowded fall schedule; of all the networks, ABC has the fewest number of shows “on the bubble.”  For those details and more, check back tomorrow.

- Jon Lachonis, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(image Copyright © 2007 ABC)