Like many patients on every doctor show, at first glance, the prospects of Private Practice looked bleak.

But by the end of its premiere, it miraculously came back to life, writes the New York Daily News - and even without the aid of a tall, handsome, mysterious script doctor.

The first of what could be several spinoffs from the hit Grey’s Anatomy sends Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, played by Kate Walsh, down the West Soast from Seattle to beachfront L.A. There she joins a Private Practice that, at first, seems like it should be called Neurosis Cliche Central.

Addison was specifically hired by her medical school friend Naomi Bennett (Audra McDonald). When we meet Naomi, she is sitting on the floor of her bathroom, crying and eating an entire cake.

Violet Turner (Amy Brenneman) is a shrink who stalks her ex-boyfriend. Pete Wilder (Tim Daly) plays a cocky alternative medicine specialist who may be Addison’s next fling. That’s not necessarily a position with job security.

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It’s one of the TV season’s newest - and already biggest - battles, so who won the first round of the ratings war between Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice and the revamped Bionic Woman? It was rather close.

Let’s just say that no matter how tough Jamie Sommers (Michelle Ryan) may be with her acute hearing and super-human speed, she’s still coming up a close second to Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery (Kate Walsh).

But the bottom line is that ratings for both shows‘ debuts were very successful - so much so that determining a winner is a very difficult task.

While Private Practice took home the overall bragging rights thanks to its 14.2 million viewers, helping ABC win the night, debuting with a 9.7 rating / 15 share at 9 p.m., Bionic Woman actually scored higher with the 18-49 demographic that advertisers covet. Bionic Woman brought in 13.6 million viewers total.

The third season premiere of Criminal Minds finished third in the time slot for CBS, followed by Fox’s Kitchen Nightmares and The CW’s Gossip Girl.

Can Private Practice and Bionic Woman keep the big audiences their debuts garnered? Regardless, it looks like these ladies have some staying power.

Welcome to the Private Practice Insider Round Table!

While fans of the show gather in the forum to discuss every character and story line, three of our staff members will come together to analyze the latest developments and key moments from each Private Practice episode.

Topics in this edition include possible chemistry between Cooper and Violet, the future prospects for the Bennetts, and who we’d like to see dance naked …

1. How long until Naomi and Sam reconcile?

2aTAYE: Two months. Sam’s previous relationships (read: shows) scarcely lasted two weeks. I think he’s just being cautious here. Once the ratings stay strong, this doctor’s heart will become weak for Naomi again.

Oceanside Guy: Are these two really divorced? Sam wasn’t happy? She didn’t fight? There’s gotta be more of a back story than we know.

McWings: I don’t know… maybe by the end of the year? If it were Merrin Dungey playing the role opposite Sam, I could see it sooner. But that’s just me.

2. Do you sense chemistry between Cooper and Violet?

McWings: Yes. I think they should date and see what happens.

2aTAYE: Only if she likes rope, a cheese grater and grape juice to be involved in her lovemaking.

Oceanside Guy: Undeniably. Cooper obviously has sexual issues but he also has a thing for Violet. Maybe a “real” relationship with someone his age who he already loves and respects will cure him!

3. Okay, so Addison likes to dance naked. Which other character would you like to see appear in the nude?

Oceanside Guy: Uhh, can’t Addison just begin and end each episode this way? Not only is she gorgeous, but the comedic potential with Sam as her next door neighbor is limitless. On a side note, I gotta use his Realtor.

2aTAYE: Charlotte King. Let’s see if she’s the boss in the bedroom, as well.

McWings: Pete. Although he doesn’t strike me as the dancing type. Whatever the circumstances, I’ll take it though! He’s McHot!

4. What was your least favorite part of last night?

McWings: Too little of Dr. Richard Webber. The Chief needs regular cameos! Carry on in L.A., Addison. Carry on.

Oceanside Guy: The incongruence of Addison’s medical background. Is she a neonatal expert? An OB-GYN? All of the above? I know it’s secondary to the entertainment value of the show, but this should be better explained.

2aTAYE: The first words out of Violet’s mouth after she and Cooper helped the tile lady: “I’m not a stalker.” Transparent attempt by Shonda to sound cutesy.

The Private Practice buzz paid off. Sort of.

After a slew of much-hyped new shows premiered to merely average ratings, NBC’s heavily marketed Bionic Woman conquered a tough field of new and returning shows to win Wednesday night.

Bionic Woman earned a 5.5 rating among adults 18-49, topping the premiere of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy spinoff Private Practice, which earned a 5.1 rating.

Bionic Woman is the highest-rated new series premiere thus far this fall, with Private Practice second. Bionic Woman won its hour despite Private Practice having a higher lead-in and was the top Wednesday NBC debut since 1999.

The Bionic Woman-Private Practice showdown wounded the rest of the 9 p.m. field. CBS’ Criminal Minds was down 22 percent from last year to a 3.5.

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Years after earning his Wings and getting whacked by on The Sopranos, Tim Daly is excited to scrub in (without actually scrubbing in, of course - he’s all about the Eastern medicine) on ABC’s new series, Private Practice.

Daly talked to Us Weekly about his character, Dr. Pete Wilder, his romantic hopes for the storyline, Pete’s back story and Daly’s own past cast run-ins.

Us: The premiere episode had potential, especially since we see Pete and Addison growing closer at Oceanside Wellness.
Tim Daly: Oh good, cool. I haven’t seen it. I’m glad you saw it and liked it. [We’ve filmed] five episodes, I believe.

Us: Are you ready for a McNickname and all the responsibilities associated with it? Will Doc Wilder become the new office heartthrob?
Tim Daly: I hope so. I don’t know about the McNicknames, but I know that producers are sort of moving to something between Addison and Pete. These things always play out with as much possible foreplay as you can squeeze into something. It’s kind of like actual sex. You want to do foreplay until you can’t think of anything else to do but the actual deed, so hopefully, [the show will] drag it on as long as they possibly can, maybe until season three or four.

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On last night’s season premiere of Private Practice, one of the medical cases revolved around a man who had just died - and whose sperm was very much in demand from his girlfriend (and his wife).

How realistic is the process of retrieving it, as Naomi (Audra McDonald) and Sam (Taye Diggs) ultimately did? According to the New York Times, doctors have been receiving a larger number of requests for this very procedure.

The practice, while feasible for decades, is still relatively rare. But it is becoming more common, according to a new study. Most of the requests for dead men’s sperm are from family members, and medical experts are starting to debate when and whether the procedure should be permitted.

As often happens in the new world of reproductive technology, doctors who are asked to take sperm from dead men find themselves in a grey (no pun intended) area where the rules are uncertain.

In the end, as shown on Private Practice yesterday evening, the decision to honor or decline a wife’s or family member’s plea for the sperm can hinge on the doctor’s personal feelings about the situation.

Some almost never refuse to do the procedure. Others say they do it only if the man was married and had wanted children. Others decline all requests.

Continue reading this article by the New York Times …

Last night, Private Practice finally made its long-awaited debut on ABC, and the Insider has you covered with its exclusive episode guide to the show. Relive the action or take a look at what you missed. There was a lot to see, from a nearly-naked Addison to some unconventional medical miracle working.

To further enhance your viewing experience, we have also put together a gallery of still shots from the episode, as well as a list of the episode’s music. If you can help us find missing songs or lyrics, leave a comment and we’ll add them! We’re also working on our list of memorable quotes from last night.

As always, you can share all your thoughts on “In Which We Meet Addison, a Nice Girl From Somewhere Else” and everything else about the show in our forum. Follow the link in our top navigation bar or use the link in this post!

“You so moved down here because I kissed you.”

Just a few hours until the series premiere of Private Practice makes its debut, and our official FORUM is ready for comments. Share all your thoughts on “In Which We Meet Addison, a Nice Girl From Somewhere Else” and all else about the show before and after the show airs this evening. Join the discussion here!

We’ve waited a long time for this night, and hopefully it will have been worth it. Our official episode guide will be posted shortly after the show, along with our list of the night’s music, memorable quotes and image gallery. Enjoy! For now, here’s a three-minute sneak peak!

Here’s a three-minute sneak peak at tonight’s premiere of Private Practice. As Addison Montgomery discusses her impending departure from Seattle with Dr. Richard Webber (the Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital), she talks a bit about her new colleagues as a way of introducing them. Then she and Sam (Taye Diggs) have an interesting encounter…

Only a few hours to go until Private Practice premieres! You can check out other ABC promos, clips from the May pilot and much more in our video section!

Kate Walsh stops by The Late Show with David Letterman on Tuesday to chat about her upcoming spin-off of the award-winning Grey’s Anatomy. The Private Practice series premiere - “In Which We Meet Addison…” - airs tonight!

On David Letterman’s talk show, Kate Walsh talked about the show, and also about building up the wall at her home in Los Feliz, Calif., for privacy.

In response to this action, Kate apparently received landscaping tips from members of the celebrity news media! One of them left a note in her mailbox:

“We noticed you’re building up your wall, but we just want to tell you that you really don’t have to. You can just put some more shrubs in and then we can’t really get any good pictures. Signed, The Paparazzi.”

Well, that’s nice at least. Here’s hoping Kate Walsh finds a good way to keep her private life private… and find success with Private Practice!