August 2008 News Archive

Private Practice is giving Addison Montgomery the chance for something she never had on Grey's Anatomy: a fulfilling love life.

"We only knew her as the miserable part of a triangle" with Derek and Meredith, says Kate Walsh, who plays Addison.

"It's going to be interesting to see this character with someone who wants to be with her — in a good way. That's been fun to explore, what it's like to date and perhaps date successfully."

SWAT officer Kevin (David Sutcliffe, in a recurring role) returns to court Addison in Season 2, putting her will-they-or-won't-they situation with Oceanside colleague Pete Wilder (Tim Daly) on the shelf for now.

"But by no means are Pete and I done," she says.

Romance will play an even greater role — for better and worse — for all of the Private Practice characters in the second-year medical drama, "creating more conflict and drama and comedy," Kate Walsh says.

She echoes creator Shonda Rhimes, saying neonatal surgeon Addison will be more grounded this season, which likely would stanch outside criticism that the character lost her grit and gravitas from Grey's Anatomy.

Having had time to adjust to her new professional and personal circumstances, "she will be more in a take-charge mode," Walsh says.

Continue reading this article in USA Today ...

Season 2 of Private Practice begins with high expectations, after the show became one of the highest rated new series for the Fall 2007 season, but at the same time did not live up to its full potential for many.

Opening with hype that was perhaps too high, the Grey's Anatomy spin-off will be aiming to find its true, unique footing here in Season 2. The first episode of 2008, A Family Thing, premieres on October 1.

To get caught up on the awesome Kate Walsh-led series, brush up on Season 1 of Private Practice using this new "primer" video from ABC ...

After nine-months without new episodes, Kate Walsh and the rest of the Private Practice cast finally return October 1!

KaDee Strickland, who plays Dr. Charlotte King on Private Practice, recently talked about the upcoming season, saying:

“It just goes to show that life is unpredictable, I think. The truth is that people end up in unlikely situations. I’m really thrilled!”

Kate Walsh is thrilled that Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama picked Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate on the Democratic ticket - and is also looking forward to the return of Private Practice on October 1.

“It’s great. I think it’s a perfect fit," she said Saturday night at a bash introducing Trump Tower Dubai in L.A. "He has got the foreign policy experience — a demographic that Obama hasn’t quite gotten yet."

More importantly, Kate Walsh is super excited for the new season of her ABC medical drama Private Practice, the second season of which starts soon on ABC after what will end up being a nine-month sabbatical.

"There is a lot of conflict, a lot of sex and a lot of great medical cases too!" she said. "The scripts are so tight and the cast is fantastic. We have a lot of great guest stars: Billy Dee Williams, Grant Show and David Sutcliffe coming back.”

As for Addison's love life? Kate says ...

"We will see her dating, I’m not going to lie to you. I can’t wait!”

If you like Private Practice - chances are if you're reading this, you're at least a little fond of it - and want to refresh yourself with a recap of Season One as Season Two gets ready to debut next month, here's a great video:

Want the latest on Dell (Chris Lowell), one of Private Practice's most intriguing characters? Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello says ...

Q: We’ve heard nothing about Dell from Private Practice. Spoilers?
A: Dude up and quit! No lie!

Quit Oceanside, that is. Not Private Practice. For a cool interview with a cool dude, check out EW's chat with Chris Lowell here ...

No show launched with higher hopes than Private Practice.

A spinoff of the hugely popular Grey's Anatomy with one of its best characters, Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh), leading the way.

How could it not be a smash it?

The result, so far, as been okay. But just okay.

Despite a great cast that included a number of proven stars — Tim Daly, Amy Brenneman, Audra McDonald and Taye Diggs — the show seemed to flail, trying to find itself in its strike-shortened first season.

The Addison-moves-to-LA theme alone couldn't make this show a hit - but can a re-tooled Private Practice thrive in its second season?

"For me, it was about delineating sort of what the medicine of Private Practice is versus what the medicine of Grey's Anatomy is," said creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

"Grey's Anatomy is all about the surgery, and Private Practice — this season we're honing in on really making it a show that the stories tell more of the ethical dilemmas that our doctors have to face."

After all, Addison is a surgeon, so there has to be some surgery. But Shonda Rhimes says there's much more in store.

"There's very high stakes in terms of the medicine of people's everyday lives that raises questions about sort of what-would-you-do-if-you-were-in-that-situation things that cause debate and conflict and are very interesting."

Continue Reading...

TV writer Michael Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly has a little tidbit about Private Practice in his weekly news and spoiler report. It pertains to the character played by new cast member Grant Show ...

Q: Any idea which Private Practice regular Grant Show will have a connection to?

A: Yes, but I worry Shonda Rhimes will have my head if I tell you. Eh, another one will grow back. He's playing Addison's older brother!

Looks like Grant Show won't be romancing Kate Walsh ...

Grant Show is trading in a polyester suit for some circa-2008 scrubs.

The Swingtown stud has signed on to appear in an early Season 2 episode of Private Practice, Entertainment Weekly reports.

This guest star news comes the same week as Billy Dee Williams has agreed to appear on the Grey's Anatomy spin-off.

Grant Show's character, a charming and flirtatious doctor, has ties to a Private Practice regular. Hmm. Who could it be?

Very interesting, regardless. Any thoughts as to which Oceanside staffer may have a skeleton in his or her closet?

Billy Dee Williams will be joining the list of solid guest stars lined up for Season Two of Private Practice, TV Guide reports.

The Empire Strikes Back star will be playing “a very moving role” and will guest star as a patient of Dr. Sam Bennett (Taye Diggs).

This will be interesting to watch unfold. We are looking forward to finding out what else Shonda Rhimes and the Private Practice writers come up with regarding Williams' story line and the rest of Season 2.