As someone who has spent more hours than I care to admit watching medical dramas, I must say that the news about the potential end of the Shonda Rhimes era on ABC gives me a strange sense of nostalgia mixed with apprehension.
In just a few weeks, you’ll find “Grey’s Anatomy” back on your screens as part of the 2024 TV lineup. We’ll discover which Grey Sloan Memorial staff members are still working following some significant changes in the Season 20 finale. But, it’s not just the Seattle surgeons who’ll be operating on Thursday nights – Ryan Murphy is introducing a fresh series to ABC, with “Doctor Odyssey” premiering on September 26 as well.
Though I’m looking forward to Joshua Jackson’s medical adventures on the high seas, it’s hard not to feel a bit troubled that the fresh medical series is displacing the time slot of Grey’s Anatomy. Allow me to clarify my worries as a dedicated Grey’s fan about the new Thursday schedule.
Can ABC Handle Two Medical Dramas On Thursday Nights?
In a novel twist on the typical medical drama, Joshua Jackson will take on the role of Dr. Max Bankman in ABC’s upcoming freshman series. Set aboard a luxury cruise ship, he works alongside Captain Robert Massey (Don Johnson), nurses Avery Morgan (Phillipa Soo) and Tristan Silva (Sean Teale). Together, they grapple with extraordinary challenges as they perform medical procedures far from the comforts of a conventional hospital. This intriguing premise offers a refreshing departure from the hospital-centric storylines seen in shows like Grey’s Anatomy.
Speaking as a devoted viewer, I must admit, I’m a bit apprehensive about ABC’s Thursday night lineup. Kicking off with Ryan Murphy’s two-hour block featuring the gripping first responder drama 9-1-1, followed by Doctor Odyssey at 9 p.m. ET, it seems like a strong start. However, I can’t help but worry that the audience might not hang around for another medical series so soon. This situation reminds me of when Grey’s Anatomy was followed by Private Practice, but in that case, Kate Walsh’s medical series was a spinoff that complemented Ellen Pompeo’s role nicely. Unfortunately, the same didn’t seem to work out for Station 19. Here’s hoping for better luck this time around!
Will Grey’s Anatomy Suffer Station 19’s Fate?
After six successful seasons, it appeared that the spinoff series “Station 19” was thriving, with numerous crossovers with the original show and both dominating Thursday night ratings. However, ABC recently announced that the 2024 season would be its last. In its final run, the firefighter drama was moved from its original slot to the same 10 p.m. ET timeslot where “Grey’s Anatomy” will be airing next month. Instead, a Ryan Murphy drama of the same genre, “9-1-1”, will take its place – a situation reminiscent of the one “Grey’s Anatomy” found itself in previously.
There’s another point to consider regarding ‘Doctor Odyssey’. Will Joshua Jackson’s show gain support from the fans of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, or will viewers prefer sticking with Meredith Grey and choosing not to incorporate additional medical content into their Thursdays? Also, how long will ABC allow ‘Doctor Odyssey’ to find its unique energy, known as “Big Deck Energy”, before it’s already got a well-established medical drama on the air?
Grey’s Anatomy’s New Timeslot Hasn’t Seen Consistency In Years
Previously, I expressed my reservations about Grey’s Anatomy shifting to the 10 p.m. ET time slot. How to Get Away with Murder was the only show that remained in that hour for more than one season, and this was possible due to support from other shows created by Shonda Rhimes, such as Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal.
Following the conclusion of “How to Get Away with Murder” in 2019, the 10 p.m. time slot has been occupied successively by shows like “A Million Little Things”, which shifted back to Wednesdays the following year, “Big Sky”, which did the same a year later, “Alaska Daily”, which was canceled after just one season, and now “Station 19” during its seventh and final season. Will “Grey’s Anatomy” buck this trend and continue on, or will it be shifted or canceled next year as well?
The Shonda Rhimes Era On ABC Appears To Be Over
As a long-time fan of medical dramas, I have always held “Grey’s Anatomy” in high regard. Its longevity and popularity are truly remarkable. Even when Ellen Pompeo expressed her desire to end the show a few years ago, ABC refused to listen because it was such a profitable venture for them. However, as a viewer who has witnessed numerous shows come and go, I can’t help but wonder if “Grey’s” might eventually reach its expiration date. With the network shifting focus to new series due to budget cuts, it seems that even the seemingly indestructible “Grey’s Anatomy” may have a finite lifespan after all.
Looking back, it wasn’t too hard to see that change was in the air, even before ABC announced the cancellation of Station 19. This marked the end of an era that Shonda Rhimes had been shaping on Thursday nights for quite some time with ABC. Back in 2017, Rhimes made a bold move, deciding it was time to part ways from the network and take up a phenomenal offer at Netflix. Station 19 was her swan song for the Alphabet Network, signifying the start of new adventures on different streaming platforms.
For the first time since 2008, when Grey’s Anatomy returns in September, it won’t have any other Shonda Rhimes series airing simultaneously. Previously, shows like Private Practice, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and Station 19 kept our Thursday nights company, starting from 2009 when Private Practice moved from Wednesdays.
Is Ryan Murphy the new Shonda Rhimes? The queen is dead. Long live the king.
Absolutely, I’m hoping that Doctor Odyssey becomes successful, and it’s plausible that all three Thursday night shows could boost each other’s success. After all, a rising tide lifts all ships! With the new drama being set on the water, there seems to be an immense chance to offer something distinctive in the realm of medical TV. A cruise ship is such an intriguing setting, and given that it’s Ryan Murphy’s creation, you can bet we’re in for some thrilling episodes.
As a dedicated fan of Grey’s Anatomy for years now, I must confess my apprehension is running high this season. The show seems to be grappling with quite a few challenges – budget reductions, unfavorable time slots, departures of beloved cast members, and intense competition from a new, vibrant medical drama. Frankly, it’s leaving me uneasy until we see how the ratings shape up and what ABC chooses to do moving forward.
Don’t forget to catch up on Wednesday, September 26th! The eighth season of ‘9-1-1’ starts airing at 8 p.m. ET, and it’s followed by the debut of ‘Doctor Odyssey’ at 9 p.m. ET. Then, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ comes on at 10 p.m. ET. If you have a Hulu subscription, you can stream all three shows the next day!
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2024-08-22 16:08