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Grey's Anatomy

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey
  • Posted at 3:10pm
  • 13 June 2008
  • by AlisonGraham-RT
  • 8 comments

I really do feel there is something shameful about my devotion to Grey's Anatomy (Thursdays, 10:00pm, Five). I kind of hate this emotionally gloopy, damp, annoying, self-centred, frequently nauseating American medical soap, so I kind of hate myself. But I kind of love it too. I particularly love it when I compare it to Casualty (BBC1, Saturdays).

Casualty is weedy and pathetic, and I always feel it grovels for my attention, as in "please watch us. Please. Watch us. Please. You can spare us 50 minutes of your time, can't you?" If Casualty were to sit on a grubby blanket outside Morrisons with a dog on a string and try to sell me the Big Issue, I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised.

Grey's Anatomy, about a group of interns at a teaching hospital, is, on the other hand, shiny, confident and has lovely teeth. It's touchy-feely and in communication with its emotions. In short, Grey's Anatomy cares. And, unlike Casualty, it's got verve and a bit of oomph to it.

The fact it makes me want to be sick in the waste bin that I handily leave by my side every week doesn't really matter. It's completely nauseating, yet at the same time exercises a strange kind of pull. It's Meredith Grey (of the title) who squeezes my vomit nerve every week, as her tired little voice trails across the programme like a dying slug making a last bid for home.

Ignore her, if you can (and it's difficult, because obviously she's the fulcrum of a lot of the action), and there's much to enjoy in Grey's Anatomy. It's brilliantly made, for starters. (How DO Americans do this? Why are their shows just so blooming GOOD?)

Every script takes you on a journey. It might be a journey that leaves you retching and bilious, but still, it's a journey, rather than an unsatisfactory, Casualty dead end. It's sick-making because it deals, quite frequently, with death. No-one dies in Grey's Anatomy without everyone caring or being touched in some way. Couple all of this empathy with Snow Patrol (or Coldplay, or Damien Rice, or any whiny girl singer du jour) on the soundtrack and you have gold. Pure gold.

It's good at the funny stuff too - not knockabout comedy, but neat little asides and character-based wheezes. All right, so this can seem a bit twee, particularly if it involves Meredith, who, in the words of Blackadder, is wetter than a haddock's bathing costume. But the whole Grey's Anatomy package is a perfect one.

**

Alison Graham is TV editor of Radio Times - read her column in the latest issue of Radio Times magazine, on sale now.

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Comments

  • Posted on 05 August 2008
  • at 6:24pm
  • by Anna

Greys has jumped the shark big time. Meredith has to be one of the most infuriating & annoying 'lead' characters ever. But I will concede that the show is addictive, even in it's awfulness.

I had great hopes for the greys spin-off, Private Practice, as it stars the great Kate Walsh - Addison, my favourite Greys character. The 1st short season was hit-and-miss, but given it was rushed together, I think the writer's strike may have benefited it & hopefully it will return stronger for the full Season 2. And it is certainly lighter & less angsty than Greys which is a blessing - & no characters are as annoying as Meredith, which is always a blessing !

I second the recommendation re. Gilmore Girls. Another well-polished US piece of fluff, but very enjoyable. E4 seem to be showing all 7 seasons consecutively - Season 2 finished today.

  • Posted on 27 July 2008
  • at 11:34am
  • by james

hi casualty has been the yeras of my life can u tell me when does casualty end cause i like to know im not saying its a great show for years i love all the episodes its a good programme so far i really would like a job in casualty in a role so i could have a go at chances its a really good drama to be wattching it i can't belive its gone on for ages so all my life iv recorded it and watch it tomorrow morning im a early riser person so thanks for putting it on BBC1 so i just say one last thing we are all loved it can u try and make me a role i like to work with adam tureman and the conuslant so yeah also one more thing i got a silver certificant for my youth award it is all about healthy on a diet that could research things and stuff so i really appeachate it and if u ask me for a job i would be granted i want to work with charlie fairhead he's cool he's my mate my dad knows him so yeah plese could you thanks so much for all the show and produicing it on my life thanks so much once agian love from james cool mate

  • Posted on 19 June 2008
  • at 5:04pm
  • by AlisonGraham-RT

Rats! You've got me there. I've never seen The Gilmore Girls, and I am very ashamed, because a good friend tells me at every opportunity how wonderfully funny it is. I'm delighted it's arriving on E4, though it's a silly time for anyone ie me who has to go out to work. I will definitely try to track down the DVDs. Thanks for the tip.

  • Posted on 19 June 2008
  • at 4:34pm
  • by Lorelai

I notice that the US hit show Gilmore Girls is now (FINALLY) airing on Freeview (E4 weekday mornings). This show is terrific and a real antidote to all the soaps, crime, hospital etc. dramas on TV these days. I wonder if Alison Graham you have watched the series? It ended after 7 great years in the States last year. Your namesake Lauren Graham is superb in the lead role and admirably supported by a hugely talented ensemble cast. I would urge anyone who wants some intelligent humour and realistic drama to watch!

  • Posted on 19 June 2008
  • at 1:22pm
  • by Ludders

I have not watched either of these (Grey's Anatomy or Casualty) but wanted to say I think Alison Graham is the best reviewer of programmes on TV.

  • Posted on 18 June 2008
  • at 6:02pm
  • by Lindy

Shame on those who don't get channel 5 or even Living TV last year!Grey's Anatomy has opened up a world of new music and emotional catharsis! I love both shows without any need for any guts and gore, the guts are supplied by the writers of Greys with the most brilliant story lines ever on TV. I was brought up on TV drama and this surpasses the best. I still love Casualty also with it's dear old favourite characters like Charlie and Abs.

  • Posted on 15 June 2008
  • at 8:35pm
  • by dylan
both programmes are rubbish
  • Posted on 15 June 2008
  • at 6:50pm
  • by Taffycat

Why are we being treated to so many hospital programmes anyway? For heaven's sake, most of us try to keep out of them, if we can, but the TV channels are full of medical dramas. Mercifully, we are "saved" from Grey's Anatomy, because we live in a non-reception area for Channel 5, but Casualty, Holby City, Doctors, The Royal, The Royal Today, are still available. That list doesn't include the real-life medical documentaries, to which we are regularly treated.

We honestly don't want to see someone throwing-up graphically, or someone else's entrails being laid-bare (even if they did originally belong to a pig, or were, perhaps conjoured-up by a special effects crew.) The stressed-out, worried little faces of actors playing at being doctors and nurses, will all be heading for Botox treatment before they are much older.

Please, TV Companies, lighten-up. Some of us have had a surfeit of these depressing, hypochondria-inducing, stomach-churning stuff.

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