Grey’s Anatomy has blessed our screens since 2005 with its 16 series and two spin-off shows, and Private Practice and Station 19. Read through these 10 facts about Grey’s Anatomy and feel blessed once again.
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Like many of you, I have watched Grey’s Anatomy from the very beginning — with the original gang and all. I am now powering through this series… until Shonda Rhimes says it’s time to stop. Re-watching it from the start brings out such a strong feeling of nostalgia, with some of my favourite moments being Addison Shepherd’s entrance, Cement Boy, Prom Night, and any conversation shared by McDreamy and McSteamy.
To help aid you in re-living these classic moments, here are 10 facts about Grey’s Anatomy:
1. The absent intern
The character Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) was added to the script after the pilot had already been shot, so all of his scenes were digitally implanted into the episode. No wonder none of the interns take a liking to him.
2. Relationship trouble
Ellen Pompeo (who plays Meredith Grey) didn’t know that Derek was married until the Season 1 finale was being filmed. Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd) didn’t know his character was married until halfway through the first season. It seems that Rhimes wanted their genuine reactions shot on camera!
3. The pregnancy cover-up
While filming season six, Ellen Pompeo got pregnant. However, instead of making Grey pregnant as well, the writers had the character give part of her liver to her estranged father, Thatcher (Jeff Perry), so that Pompeo could be confined to bed rest to hide her pregnant belly under sheets.
4. The wreckage
When Lexie was killed in the plane crash in Season Eight, the actress Chyler Leigh stayed under the actual wreckage for the better part of two straight days to film the scene. Can you imagine having to do that as part of your job?
5. Operation Moo
Ever wondered what is used as organs and blood on the show? Onset, real cow organs are used. There’s also blood matter: red Jell-O, blood, and chicken fat. If that wasn’t enough, lamb brains have been used for some of the brain surgeries. According to some of the cast, the smell on set was horrendous.
6. Bailey and George?
The character who would become Miranda Bailey was originally named Deborah and had a totally different personality: “Surly, quirky, and sorely lacking in people skills.” She also was supposed to get into an “odd but hot” sexual relationship with George O’Malley. I personally can’t think of anything more cringe than O’Malley going near Bailey’s “vajayjay” for anything other than delivering her baby.
7. Breaking the ice on alcoholism
There’s a reason some of the doctors love tequila so much. Alcohol preference is a character trait Rhimes picks deliberately. She says Grey and Yang drank tequila because “you never saw women drinking on TV…women weren’t the hard drinkers.” Rhimes deliberately prevents clichés and preconceptions with her castings and character developments.
8. The wedding donation
In 2009, when Grey and McDreamy finally decided to get married, a real-life wedding registry for the couple was created on the website The Knot. Instead of buying the Shepherds’ matching dinnerware or a set of saucepans, however, fans could donate via the registry to research organisations including the Alzheimers Association.
9. The forgotten spinoff
We all know about the two main spin-offs but in 2018 there was the third spin-off. It’s called Grey’s Anatomy: B-Team. This consists of six three-minute episodes that streamed on com. The web series focuses on the new interns at the hospital and is directed by actress Sarah Drew (who plays April Kepner). Starring Jake Borelli (Levi Schmitt), Sophia Ali (Dahlia Qadri), Rushi Kota (Vik Roy), and Alex Blue Davis (Casey). The show also featured guest appearances from Grey’s regulars like Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey), Justin Chambers (Alex Karev), Kelly McCreary (Maggie Pierce), Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt), and James Pickens Jr (Richard Webber).
10. Dedication at its finest
Preston Burke (played by Isaiah Washington) was just as disciplined and devoted while out of character. He became so dedicated to the work that he made sure to learn how to perform all of the surgeries before actually doing each episode. He claimed that this helped him be more prepared and made the show look more realistic.
The Future of Grey’s Anatomy
These facts about Grey’s Anatomy may have brought back some memories we probably don’t want to remember. I’m sure we all have character deaths that we’re still not over. Take 007 being hit by a bus, or Lexie Grey and Mark Sloan after the plane crash. Let us also not forget Derek’s devastating departure in Season 11. However, we can still look forward to Season 17 which will air its first episode in the US next month!
I wonder if they have written coronavirus into the storyline?