Despite being embedded in a typically well performing episode of Grey’s Anatomy, the proposed pilot of the Addison led spin off “Private Practice” was almost universally panned by critics and fans alike. A quick tour through the Grey’s Anatomy fan sites this morning was like stepping onto a battlefield, with the anti-Private Practice troops possessing superior firepower. On a personal note, I liked the segments but felt they clashed with a-typical motifs of Grey’s Anatomy.
One would assume from the beginning that there would be an attempt to give Private Practice its own look and feel, which was accomplished, but perhaps what wasn’t so well formulated was how to manage the incompatibility between the two segments.

So, what does this mean for the proposed pilot? By airing it not only within the Grey’s Anatomy timeslot, but within Grey’s Anatomy itself, ratings are of no help in the decision process. One can only imagine that ABC is looking over the fan reaction the day after with some serious reservations about moving forward.

Personally, I hope they will take a chance on the show. It is clearly not a show designed to share a blood supply with Grey’s Anatomy, so count out any serious cross over appeal. People addicted to the gritty, damp abscesses of existential despair and the thin membranes of humor that hold it together, probably aren’t going to go for the shenanigans of “Private Practice.” But that’s okay because, y’know, I hate ER but life goes on.

Hopefully ABC is taking into consideration the incompatibility of these worlds when they look at the fan reaction and realize that while “Private Practice” doesn’t seem to gel all too well with the Grey’s crowd, it still has a lot of potential to build an audience of its own.

Source: Buddy TV