ACTIVITY 17: GREYS ANATOMY

`Grey's Anatomy,' Not Just An Ordinary Hospital Drama

Friend and rival Cristina

Yang (Sandra Oh) finds herself in a
similarly taboo romance with
Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington).
The twist here is that Burke is
Derek's chief competition for the
title of chief resident. As for
Meredith and Cristina's fellow
"Grey's Anatomy" is

interns -- Isobel "Izzie" Stevens

not just another hospital drama. It

(Katherine Heigl), George O'Malley

is an incredibly well-written show

(T.R. Knight), and Alex Karev

that focuses on Meredith Grey

(Justin Chambers) -- they've got

(Ellen Pompeo), one of several

problems of their own. Izzie

first-year surgical interns at a

struggles with her past decisions and

Seattle, Washington hospital.

feels that she will always be judged

Along with her colleagues,

for her past as an underwear model.

Meredith struggles to maintain

Alex, on the other hand, is better at

relationships while keeping sharp

flirting with the ladies than he is

at her new job.

working with the patients. He has

The professional roles and

lots to work on with his bedside

real lives of this incredibly diverse

manner as well. George can't get any

group of surgeons collide

of the women around him to see him

unexpectedly in this Golden Globe-

as anything but a cuddly friend. All

winning ABC television drama. As

five interns answer to the roar of

an intern at prestigious Seattle Grace

senior resident Miranda Bailey

Hospital, Grey tries hard to live up to

(Chandra Wilson). But even Dr.

the reputation of her legendary

Bailey jumps to it when Chief of

surgeon mother. She continually

Surgery Richard Webber (James

struggles because she is hiding the

Pickens Jr.) is on the scene.

fact that her mom suffers from

Although it was a hit from the time

Alzheimer's disease. Meredith's life

of its initial launch on March 27,

gets even more complicated when

2005, Grey's Anatomy sat on the

she falls for her boss, Derek

shelf for a year before it made its

Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).

award-winning debut. Even though

Shepherd is a surgical resident who

the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes

recently relocated from New York.

received plenty of recognition for

This relationship has many viewers

her casting, it was Oh who earned an

wondering if they will ever meet

Emmy and Golden Globe for her

their "Dr. McDreamy."

work on the show's first season.

ACTIVITY 17: GREYS ANATOMY

Now let's take a look into one of the star's lives before making it big on "Grey's Anatomy." Ellen Pompeo's
career began to soar after the memorable role as Jake Gyllenhaal's sympathetic love interest in the family
drama "Moonlight Mile." With roles in such eagerly anticipated films as Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me If You
Can" (2002), and the