“Free Falling and She’s Gone” episode 1 and 2 of Season 8 of Grey's Anatomy premiered in the US on the 22 September 2011. While it’s completely frustrating for Australian fans to have to wait for so long after the US to see new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, the fans here don’t get treated to the double feature.
Are Australian TV Executives Worried About Ratings?
Given the not so terrific ratings in the US the last few seasons, it’s possible this is a concern. However ratings have improved since Season 8 premiered in the US, and Grey’s Anatomy has continued to do well since returning in 2011. So perhaps this is why the network has decided to show “Free Falling” as a stand alone episode in the hope that viewers will tune in the following week to see what happens in “She’s Gone.”
The other issue could be regarding all the gossip on which actors will not renew their contracts at the end of this season. It is possible that Patrick Dempsey may revert to recurring status after his contract end; however there has been no talk about the other five original characters. It is assumed by most people in the know that everyone will be back for Season 9 full time; with the exception of Patrick. Hence his recent character assassination in Episode 13 and pretty much most of Season 8. This rant however could cover another article, so let’s move on.
It is a safe bet that an announcement will be made about the original actors contracts when Season 8 finishes in the US in April/May 2012. Grey’s will still have another two months to go on Australian screens, so this could affect ratings. Episode 14 will be screened on US screens on 9 February 2012, which will be a special Valentine’s Day episode. Australian fans are more than half a season behind the US.
Show Grey’s Anatomy in September in Australia
Obviously television bosses have their reasons for delaying certain programs that are bought from overseas, however the reason certain overseas shows might not be rating is because many of the fans can’t wait and watch the new episodes online. New TV programs come to Australia in September all the time. One example of this is Person of Interest, which premiered on the Nine Network in September 2011 and this show was a great success.
Body of Proof premiered on the Seven Network sometime in September, airing in double episodes. Viewers would see a new episode from Season 2, and then an episode from Season 1. This tells everyone that if Body of Proof was any good, why didn’t Channel Seven pick it up last season? Grey’s Anatomy is shown on the Seven Network, and if it had of been chosen instead of Body of Proof; it is highly likely the ratings would have been higher than Body of Proof.
Fans also choose to watch Grey’s Anatomy online, therefore not bothering to watch the show when it returns in February. This would affect ratings in a big way; so why not bring it back at the same time as the US? This makes far more sense.
Is Grey’s Anatomy Back to its Best?
Grey’s Anatomy is still getting decent ratings; maybe not as high as Season 2 and 3, however the writing, directing and acting has been some of the best work we’ve seen on Grey’s in a while. Unless you get the dark humour which is Grey’s then perhaps it’s about the drama and emotion for you as a fan. This season Grey’s Anatomy writers have worked really hard to produce episodes that contain all the ingredients that make Grey’s the show we fell in love with originally.
Critics have praised the efforts of the creator, writers, cast and crew for so far, showing us Grey’s Anatomy at it’s best and many fans and critics believe until the story of the interns that began in Season 1 is wrapped up and viewers see them succeed in their brilliant lives and careers as medics, then Grey’s Anatomy is far from finished.
Now it’s your turn. Tell me what you think by sounding off below or commenting via Facebook or Twitter.
Source:
