"Grey's Anatomy": The Spin-Off and Contract Talks

Since “Grey’s Anatomy” was a re-run last night, I figured I’d take this opportunity to address some rumors about the show…

You may have heard something this week about Katherine Heigl (Izzie) leaving the show. It’s not true but that doesn’t mean there are not problems. “People” reported that Heigl broke off contract talks with the show because they weren’t offering her as much money as some of her costars. A “well-placed source” said she was disappointed that ABC “doesn't value her as much as her other costars, especially Sandra Oh and Isaiah Washington.” Gossip abounded that this was payback for her comments during the Isaiah Washington fiasco. That made ABC issue a statement that they had a long-term contract with Heigl that would keep her around for “several years to come.” ABC said they were only trying to renegotiate to give her a higher salary and they were surprised about the negative coverage of it in the press.

Yesterday, Heigl issued her own statement that confirmed she walked away from the renegotiation to “treat myself with the respect I was not getting from them.” She also said she was disappointed that ABC decided to make the negotiation public (like we’re supposed to believe the “People” source wasn’t any of her people). Heigl does say she is still committed to the character she loves to play…

With all the behind-the-scenes drama, Kate Walsh is probably thrilled about the plans for her to star in a “Grey’s” spin-off, so she can get out of there.

The spin-off’s pilot will be a two-hour episode of “Grey’s” that will air in May. Taye Diggs has already signed on to co-star in the show that would take Walsh’s Dr. Addison Montgomery to another city.

“Grey’s” creator Shonda Rhimes, who is behind the pilot, says it was the right time to do a spin-off because she needed the space on “Grey’s” to make room for all of the characters.

There is no guarantee that ABC will pick up the show, but it’s pretty likely. However, if they do not, Kate Walsh has a clause in her contract that will allow her to return to “Grey’s.”

I’ve often said that when a show’s creator has his or her attention divided, it’s the beginning of the end for the show. That could be the case for “Grey’s”—if the behind-the-scenes strife doesn’t kill it first…

Stay tuned…