Remember that controversial musical episode of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy that aired last spring? Honestly, how could you forget about it? Well, that memorable hour is the focus of some of the extras on the upcoming DVD release of the show’s recent seventh season.
EW has an exclusive first look at the extra in which creator Shonda Rhimes and exec producer Betsy Beers reveal star Sara Ramirez, who won a Tony for her singing chops in the Broadway musical Spamalot, helped them fully crystallize the idea for the episode. Says Rhimes of Ramirez: “She said, ‘Why don’t we sing the songs that Grey’s has made famous?’”
Adds Ramirez, who plays Dr. Callie Torres, on her contribution: “It was really exciting, the prospect of kind of taking the songs that the fans love, taking the songs that the fans so deeply connect with Grey’s Anatomy and the characters and the scenes in which they were used, and then being interpreted by characters. I just thought that would be really, really neat.” Stars Kevin McKidd (Dr. Owen Hunt) and Chyler Leigh (Dr. Lexie Grey) — who also sang during the episode — chime in with their thoughts, too.
In anticipation of the Sept. 13 release of Grey’s Anatomy: Season 7 on DVD, watch the exclusive, behind-the-scenes video from the extras here first:
Tanner on Twitter: @EWTanStransky
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I would never admit I came up with that horrible, horrible idea.
I don’t think the idea itself was horrible. It was just clumsily handled. I would wager it was the directors and producers first time dealing with a TV musical – it REALLY showed.
Agreed. Between the horrible arrangements and just the completely bungled way it was filmed. One would think that they would have reached for #1 a director who was used to filming/staging musicals; #2 Shondra might have asked for help from someone that’s actually written a musical; and finally #3 with a cast that big, maybe have more than the same 3 people singing.
PS- Am I the only one who’s starting to get tired of the uber Owen obsession they’ve got going on lately in addition to the Callie excess?
Emma, I just have to disagree with you on the “uber Owen obsession” remark. I adore the character and think Kevin McKidd has been a breath of fresh air to the show. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, obviously — but there’s enough eye-candy on Grey’s for us all to share.
REALLY, the scenes were perfectly lit and the score was flawless. Possibly the best executed episode on prime time television.
Considering that it was a fantastic episode – one of the top 3 of the entire series – I’d be admitting it all over the world.
I really dislike Callie. That is what made this episode so awful, well the whole season really. I was hoping they’d kill her and then have Mark and Arizona raise the baby.
Ditto!!!
This. Callie was insufferable all season. I thought it extremely heavy handed for an entire musical to be written for Callie/Sara Ramirez. It’s unfortunate that her character lived and her nastiness will continue.
Reverse that, then I’d agree.
Despite what others may say, I LOVED that episode! I listen to Sara’s version of The Story regularly.
Word. I still think she shoulda gotten some Emmy love.
@moviemartin
All of the songs were surprisingly good, and I respect all of the actors that sung so much more.
I also LOVED this episode so much that I still have it in my DVR and watch at least once a week.
That episode just…didn’t work. They should have gone even campier with a musical episode – the premise itself is crazy, but they tried to be all serious with it.
I agree wholeheartedly with this.
Oh, how I hated that episode. I’ve been a fan of Grey’s from day one, and that episode pushed me almost to the point of quitting the show altogether.
Yes, it didn’t work at all. I couldn’t go in the story, it was… ridiculous.
And I think we had a “too much Callie & Arizona, and Lexie” thing going on as well…
theres never too much callie & arizona!! I always wish the best for them!!
Some things are best forgotten. That episode is one of them, IMO.
I stopped watching GA a long time ago.
This kind of comments stoped being cool a long time ago.
I never understood these kinds of comments. I sort of stopped watching too and have caught some here and there (this episode being one of them), but I don’t go on the boards claiming that I stopped watching. What does that add to the discussion? Now maybe if you went into detail as to why you did that might make a bit more sense.
I loved that episode! I thought it was fresh and original. I will buy the DVD from that show as long as it isn’t tampered with.
I personally loved the episode and have re-watched it many times.
So essentially, we’ve got Sara Ramirez to thank for the worst episode to ever be on this show? Wow, thanks so much.
Yes, Sara, thanks for the magificent job and the moving episode – one of my favoroites of all episode sof all show on all channels of the year.
Callie’s Anatomy is sh*t. Give us Grey’s back.
I loved the episode!!!! Sara Ramirez has an amazing voice and she is so talented. I re-watched it many times. I hope we get to see more of Callie and Arizona in the new season.