Fall Preview: PRIVATE PRACTICE

Premiere Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Airs: Wednesdays @ 9pm on ABC

Addison Forbes Montgomery is a renowned surgeon. Having left behind Seattle Grace Hospital, a broken marriage with Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd, and her torn relationship with Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, Addison moves to Los Angeles for sunnier weather and happier possibilities.

Addison reunites with her friends from medical school, Naomi and Sam Bennett, joining them at their chic, co-op, Oceanside Wellness Center in Santa Monica. The practice has a team of specialists that all seem to spend a little too much time together, in and out of the office.

For Addison, an old friend’s invitation brings her to a new city and a new life full of promise. At Oceanside Wellness Center, the doctors are dedicated pros; it’s their private lives that need a little practice.

So first I think it’s important to tell you that I was one of the few people that really liked the PRIVATE PRACTICE sneak peek that we got last May when it was introduced during an episode of GREY’S ANATOMY. I’m a big fan of Dr. Addison Frobes Montgomery and would follow her to her new life in California if it meant I could watch her once a week (that sounded more stalkerish than I intended). But I gotta be honest and tell you that I was less than pleased with the first full pilot episode of PRIVATE PRACTICE. This show is helmed by Shonda Rhimes and sports a great cast so it really has no excuses to not be fantastic television…but it isn’t. Actually if it weren’t for the cast and the promise of what Ms. Rhimes can deliver, I’m not sure I would be tuning in for a second week. The one word I kept jotting down in my notes while watching the premiere episode was “weak”. And weak extended itself across many aspects of the episode. The storylines (which were at times absurd), the characters (whom didn’t feel flushed out)…almost everything felt just “weak” and a bit shallow. There was so much wrong with the first episode that inspired moments still left me feeling underwhelmed. I’ve read some really positive reviews from critics I respect so maybe it’s me…maybe I’m missing something here. I’m not giving up on Addison Montgomery or Shonda Rhimes – PRIVATE PRACTICE will still get a Season pass on the ‘ol DVR, but it’s more out of respect for Grey’s Anatomy than anything else (well that and even if the show doesn’t improve I can just watch it on mute and fast forward to the scenes with Taye Diggs and Chris Lowell).

PRIVATE PRACTICE Videos:

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