Question: Is Izzie really pregnant on Grey’s Anatomy? —Elle
Ausiello: I’ll say this: ABC’s promo gurus are very sneaky! While we’re on the subject of Katherine Heigl, sources confirm to me exclusively that she’s taking another leave of absence from Grey’s — but this time her reasons are personal not professional. Heigl will be going on a belated maternity leave to spend some QT with new daughter Naleigh. As a result, Izzie will be MIA for another string of episodes (most likely in early 2010.)

Question: Please tell me something will happen soon on Grey’s Anatomy that will make me stop hating the Chief! —Ann
Ausiello: Would the sight of him falling off the wagon do the trick? ‘Cause that’s what happens at the end of this week’s episode.

In Thursday's episode of Grey's Anatomy, a new cardiothoracic doctor comes to the hospital, and she's unlike the previous cardio gods who've held that position. Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) has a past with Owen (Kevin McKidd), which will create future problems for Owen and Cristina (Sandra Oh). Raver tells us all about the new love triangle, how long she'll be sticking around and the possibility of returning to 24 to reunite with Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). 

TVGuide.com: Tell us about Dr. Teddy Altman.
Kim Raver: She's amazing at what she does. She's coming from Iraq. Her and Owen were over in Iraq together. I come in to Seattle Grace and there's something interesting that plays out with the three of us.
 

Oh, Izzie, you are a heartbreaker. In these three sneak peeks for Thursday's all-new Grey's Anatomy, the highly controversial but never uninteresting Dr. Isobel Stevens (Katherine Heigl) returns to Seattle Grace to make Alex (Justin Chambers) miserable all over again.

We find that we're half mad at her and we're half glad to see her back and looking so well. (What about you? Where do you fall on this issue?)

Want someone else to be mad at, instead of Iz? Click in to see Kim Raver's new character, Teddy, be all buddy-buddy with Owen (Kevin McKidd), while Jackson (Jesse Williams) continues to put the moves on Cristina (Sandra Oh).

Oh, sweeps, you are such a bad influence on TV relationships...
 

I loved the Arizona-centric episode of Grey's Anatomy. What's next for her? — Lori
ADAM: Show of jazz hands: Who wants a musical episode of Grey's? Well, you're probably out of luck, but we will see Arizona sing in the coming weeks! Better still, it's a duet, but don't expect Tony winner Sara Ramirez to be her partner in song. Instead, Arizona will trill with one of her male co-stars. I hear the Chief has a rich baritone.

Mon., Nov. 9, 2009 3:45 PM PST by Jennifer Godwin

ABC/Danny Feld

Leven Rambin, aka home wrecker Riley from Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, is coming to Grey's Anatomy Nov. 19, and her home-wrecking streak might not be done yet...

We've been told that Leven's character features heavily in the Nov. 19 episode, titled "Holidaze," and that during the course of that episode (which spans several weeks of story time), "Mark (Eric Dane) and Lexie (Chyler Leigh) must cope with the shocking arrival of a woman from his past."

What's so shocking? Well, rumor has it that Leven plays Mark "McSteamy" Sloan's long-lost daughter. Gasp!

Do you see a family resemblance?

And if you're a "Sexie" fan, is it better if this newcomer is a romantic rival or if she's just a reminder that the Mark-Lexie romance is sometimes just a smidge age-inappropriate? (Seriously, Leven and Chyler look like they could be sorority sisters!)

Last but not least, is anyone out there a tiny bit suspicious that this blond newcomer might actually be the daughter that Izzie (Katherine Heigl) gave up for adoption?

(AP) – 1 hour ago

LOS ANGELES — Nominees for the People's Choice Awards are out, and the people choose vampires.

"Twilight" and "True Blood" were among the top nominees announced Tuesday. Fans cast more than 18 million votes online to select the nominee slate and will also choose the winners in 35 categories.

"Twilight" is up for favorite movie, franchise and on-screen team for its trio of stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Stewart and Pattinson were also nominated individually for favorite movie actress and actor, and Lautner is up for breakout movie actor.

"True Blood" was nominated for favorite TV obsession and sci-fi/fantasy TV show, plus star Anna Paquin earned a nod for TV drama actress.

Fans can vote for their favorites online at http://www.peopleschoice.com.

Queen Latifah is set to host the People's Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre. The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS on Jan. 6, 2010.

The complete list of nominees:

TV drama: "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Grey's Anatomy," "House," "Lost," "NCIS."

TV comedy: "Desperate Housewives," "How I Met Your Mother," "The Big Bang Theory," "The Office," "Two and a Half Men."

TV drama Actor: Hugh Laurie, Kiefer Sutherland, Mark Harmon, Matthew Fox, Patrick Dempsey.

TV drama Actress: Anna Paquin, Blake Lively, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Katherine Heigl, Mariska Hargitay.

Lucas in Evanston, Ill.: Forget Owen and Cristina on Grey's Anatomy! Give us some scoop on Cristina and Jackson! Please?

ABC/Randy Holmes

Look at you with your contrarian point of view! If you are rooting for Cristina-Jackson, you'll be happy to hear from Jesse Williams that most of his scenes are with Sandra Oh and Chyler Leigh: "It seems to be Cristina and also Lexie [that I spent most time with], just because our characters did spend that whole episode together last week. Right when we started, Jackson and Cristina did the opposite of hit it off; immediately they had confrontation with each other, but I do think there is an underlying mutual respect and wariness there that will carry on." Sounds like a definite case of unresolved sexual tension...

Bridget in Portland, Ore.: I loved last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy, especially the scenes between Arizona and Callie! They are becoming my favorite couple on the show. What's the scoop on them coming up?
According to the lovely Ms. Jessica Capshaw (aka the Arizona half of Callizona), "I don't have a view of what's around the corner, but it feels like they're in a nice place. I would be lying if I didn't say this is a one-hour drama—of course there's gonna be drama, there has to be—but so far I don't know where the drama or the conflict will be coming from. I think they're just in a very sort of loving relationship and all the good things that come with a new relationship and trying to figure it out." Yay!


 

The early 2010 Grey’s/Private Practice crossover I told you about last week will find the doctor formerly known as McSteamy spending some quality time with his currently single ex, Addison. “They’ve both really grown up since they were together, and most of the animosity that they had is gone,” says Shonda Rhimes, executive producer of both shows. “Now they’re friends, but they may end up falling back into their old patterns while they’re together.”

But wait, there’s more (so keep those paddles handy). As you know, the reason Mark pages Addison to Seattle Grace (and what prompts him to visit her in L.A. in the second hour of the crossover) is that he needs her to perform surgery on a woman from his past (played by Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles alum Leven Rambin, who first airs on Nov. 19). But here’s where the plot thickens: One possibly-true rumor making the rounds is that the woman — make that girl — is Mark’s daughter! And she’s pregnant!

Rhimes isn’t commenting on the Papa McSteamy buzz, but she does acknowledge that Rambin’s character represents a “new obstacle for [Mark and Lexie]… I’m not sure it’s the kind of obstacle people are expecting, but it’s definitely a new one. I’m not sure they’ll stick together through it.”

Okay, you can go ahead and use those paddles now.

Now that you've seen the kiss between Owen's gal Cristina (Sandra Oh) and new Mercy Wester Jackson (Jesse Williams) on Grey's Anatomy,  find out about the aftermath, details on the other Mercy West-Seattle Grace coupling and the return of Izzie (Katherine Heigl) from Williams himself ...

TVGuide.com: Jackson and Cristina kissed! What the ... ?
Jesse Williams: From the beginning when Jackson joined, he's immediately thrown into this direct competition with Cristina. We're on the same cases, we're battling for surgeries. We've had a couple of run-ins. In this episode, she really takes charge and goes with her gut and I'm in a position to really admire her. We have similar character traits and watching her take the reins gets Jackson fired up. He's looking at her differently now. He's seen a whole new side of her that's so attractive. What also helped was that he had been boozing all night, but the attraction is real and it has been mounting. I think she kind of liked it.

Sorry, Cristina-Owen fans, but tonight's scandalous sweeps episode of Grey's Anatomy is going to be a little rough on you.

As the Canadian promo for tonight's episode teases, Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) is going to be cheating on Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) with the "Hotness Monster" himself, Mercy Wester Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams). The hookup goes down against the backdrop of a huge pediatric case led by our girl-crush, Arizona Robbins (breakout star Jessica Capshaw).

Okay, here’s the sitch: In the Grey’s half of the crossover, Mark summons Addison to Seattle Grace to perform a surgery on TBCFTSCC (a.k.a. Leven Rambin). The storyline spills over into Private when, according exec producer Shonda Rhimes, “complications arise and Mark ends up taking [her] back down to Los Angeles to get more surgery.”

What’s Mark’s connection to TBCFTSCC? Will sparks fly between lovers-turned-friends Addison and Mark? And what impact does this crisis have on “Mexie”? Answers to all those questions (as well as a few others) can be found in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on sale tomorrow. Come on, don’t make that face. You know you love it when I shamelessly cross-promote.

Last week on Grey's Anatomy, Derek Shepherd stepped into the spotlight, saving a co-worker's legs and life. This week, Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) steps into it, testing her ethics while trying to save a patient — a 10-year-old whose parents have millions to donate to the hospital. Could Arizona bring Seattle Grace out of economic turmoil? Capshaw tells TVGuide.com about the challenges her character will face, the upcoming speed bumps for Arizona and Callie (Sara Ramirez) and the possibility for wedding bells at Seattle Grace...

TVGuide.com: What can you tell us about the Arizona-centric episode?
I have a patient who I fight very hard for. Everybody feels strongly about it and it's a very high-stakes episode. It's life or death. The episode speaks to the whole idea that money runs a hospital. The chief [James Pickens Jr.] is having a hard time figuring out how to make the hospital ascend the ranks of the numbers game, [and] money helps make that happen. Arizona's case happens to be with a set of parents who have the ability to give or not give in a very consequential way.

Patrick Dempsey talks about why he races, what he really thinks of "Grey's Anatomy" and his world-famous nickname, "McDreamy."

Speaking about his love for the racetrack, he tells Los Angeles Confidential Magazine in this month's issue, "I think speed is only good if you can control it and channel it properly -- that's a real challenge in racing...it's a great escape for me."

As for the nickname on "Grey's Anatomy," the actor says it's a blessing and a curse. "It's a double edged sword," he tells the mag. "This will be my legacy. I will be McDreamy."

Dempsey also talks about his upcoming flick 'Valentine's Day' with Jennifer Garner -- and his real-life Valentine, wife Jillian. "I think our children really enhanced our love for each other," he says.

The new Los Angeles Confidential is on stands now.

THG's Top 10 Favorite TV Couples

They make us laugh. They make us cry. They occasionally make us change the channel when the wife walks in, or want to hurl the remote at the screen. What would TV be without romances ranging from depraved to desperate to delightfully boring?

Here are The Hollywood Gossip's top 10 TV couples of this fall ...

10. Violet and Auggie (Melrose Place)

Conniving Violet and recovering addict Auggie, who flirt constantly on the Melrose remake, are on this only because their "chemistry" offers so much unintentional comedy. And got both Ashlee Simpson and Colin Egglesfield fired.

9. Meredith and Derek (Grey's Anatomy)

Meredith and Derek (McDreamy) have been together so long, it's almost as if there is no relationship drama left for Grey's Anatomy to waste time on. Which is a good thing, after year after year of breakups and will-they-won't-they nonsense.

8. Betty and Don (Mad Men)

We're suckers for the period piece. And January Jones. She and Jon Hamm may look like a wholesome '50s couple, but they aren’t that innocent. Or even close.

What's not to love about Jim and Pam from The Office?

7. Jim and Pam (The Office)

These two have melted our hearts, and made us laugh along with the rest of the Dunder Mifflin gang with memorable Office Quotes from day one. When their baby arrives later this year, we might just burst from cute overload.

6. Darryl and Roxie (Eastwick)

Newbie witch Roxie (Rebecca Romijn) may be dating much younger Chad (Matt Dallas) but can’t resist a more mature, mysterious Darryl Van Horne (Paul Gross).

5. Peter and Elizabeth (White Collar)

Just a few episodes in, new USA series White Collar features Peter (Tim DeKay) and Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen), who may struggle to make time to see each other, but always find a way to make up for lost time, if you know what we mean.

4. Bill and Sookie (True Blood)

This HBO twosome definitely wins most R-rated! Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) have lots and lots of sex. They may be madly in love, although another vampire, Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) poses a potential threat.

Two very different but equally appealing vampire couples make our list.

3. Stefan and Elena (The Vampire Diaries)

Mystic Falls high school student Elena (Nina Dobrev) is attracted to Stefan, a vampire more than 150 years old (Paul Wesley) but after Elena learns what he really is, she recoils. There's enough tension here to carry The Vampire Diaries for years!

2. Chuck and Blair (Gossip Girl)

Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick are so great as their Gossip Girl alter egos that they may have created a new prototype for TV relationships - they are actually more entertaining together, while still growing as individuals, than apart.

1. Finn, Quinn and Rachel (Glee)

Okay, so it's more complicated love triangle than couple, but bear with us if you have not seen Glee, which is one of the best new shows of the fall season so far:

QB Finn (Cory Monteith) has a crush on Rachel (Lea Michele), he’s committed to former cheerleader Quinn (Dianna Agron) who says she’s pregnant with his baby. But football player Puck (Mark Salling) has admitted he is the baby daddy!

We all come across TV characters who get on our nerves. Not the ones created to irritate -- hello, Urkel? -- so much as those who offend our personal tastes. They grate on our sensibilities so much so that watching them becomes, well, unwatchable. A few:

• Horatio Caine, CSI: Miami: If the show weren't set here in Miami, David Caruso would probably still wear sunglasses all the time. Because he doesn't know how to act without putting them on at strategic moments, to punctuate his lines. Hands on hips, he delivers second-rate truisms and cop clichés with a monotone that makes him seem kind of bored. He may very well be.

• Nora Walker, Brothers & Sisters: Overacting? Sally Field? Never (that's ironic, folks). She chews up the scenery and spits it out with particular vigor in this show, as the mother who invests too much psychic energy and self-interest in her children. In a family of drama queens, she's the leader of the pack.

• Izzie Stevens, Grey's Anatomy: Katherine Heigl likes to create drama off screen, and on screen she likes to create buzz -- as in a mosquito.

Penned by 'The Hangover's' Jon Lucas, Scott Moore

By Gregg Kilday

Nov 3, 2009, 07:09 PM ET

Patrick Dempsey will find himself in the middle of a couple of stick-ups in an untitled bank-heist comedy written by "The Hangover" team of Jon Lucas and Scott Moore and to be directed by Paul McGuigan ("Lucky Number Slevin").

Peter Safran and Foresight Unlimited's Mark Damon are producing with Dempsey, with Joannie Burstein serving as an executive producer.

Foresight will fully finance the film and is handling worldwide sales at AFM.

Dempsey ("Grey's Anatomy"), who last appeared onscreen in 2008's "Maid of Honor," will play a man caught in the middle of two different robberies at the same bank who tries to protect a bank teller with whom he's secretly in love.

Production will begin in April.

Dempsey, repped by UTA and manager Burstein, next appears on the big screen in Warner Bros.' ensemble comedy "Valentine's Day," directed by Garry Marshall, to be released in February.

Lucas and Moore are repped by CAA.

Jenny in Alaska: Any news on Grey's Anatomy?
Football injuries are a very trendy topic these days (we blame Malcolm Gladwell), and Grey's Anatomy jumps on the bandwagon in episode 11 when the gang treats a quarterback injured during a game.

Talk about getting back into the swing of things! Only a little over a month after giving birth to daughter Stella Luna, it seems Ellen Pompeo has returned to her pre-baby slim figure. The Grey’s Anatomy star dared to bare her non-existent belly on Monday while leaving her L.A. home to head to a studio.

The actress will play a patient under the care of Cristina and Jackson in the Nov. 19 episode. “It’s a really sweet, heartbreaking story,” says a Grey’s insider.

In the same episode, The Wire’s Frankie Faison will appear as Bailey’s father, Bill.

Where: Cipriani at 42nd Street

Guest list: Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey, Courteney Cox, actress Paula Patton and singer Fergie

Fashion fix: Witherspoon, in Narciso Rodriguez, talked up her new Avon perfume, In Bloom. "It was inspired by my childhood in Tennessee. I do like perfume. I like makeup. I'm girly." Cox, who stars in the new ABC series Cougar Town, relished being in something other than the skimpy bikinis she wears on the show. "This is the frilliest I've ever been," said Cox, who is the face of Avon perfume Spotlight.

News you can use: When Patton was congratulated on the news that she and husband Robin Thicke were expecting their first child, she said: "Where did you hear that? I'm doing great. I feel thankful." And Cox shared some news about her show. "I'm getting a new boyfriend on the show," the actress said.

Helping others: The gala honored leaders in the causes of breast cancer and domestic violence. "When you have children, you are concerned about the world they're in," Witherspoon said. "It's such a great cause," said Dempsey, whose wife, Jillian, is Avon's global creative director. Fergie also showed support and acknowledged the event sponsor. "My grandmother was an Avon lady. Their body butter is amazing."

Baby talk: Dempsey, whose cologne Patrick Dempsey 2 is out soon, talked about popular topics on the Grey's Anatomy set. Ellen Pompeo had baby girl Stella Luna on Sept. 15. And Katherine Heigl recently adopted daughter Naleigh from Korea. "They're no longer talking about shoes," Dempsey says. "They're talking about car seats."

Couples talk: Cox saw her husband, David Arquette, on the carpet. "David, you're so late!" she said.

 http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2009/10/lauren_conrad_im_writing_a_couple_of_books.php#ixzz0VGS2ek33

ET has the latest...

Reese Witherspoon, Courteney Cox, Patrick Dempsey and Fergie were just a few of the A-list stars on hand for the Avon Foundation for Women Gala in New York, where they all talked about the great work the foundation has done for women.

"It's very important to me to give back," Reese told ET. "It's been so great for me in my life to have this opportunity to work with a company that is so committed to women."

Still dressed from The Avon Foundation Celebrates “Champions Who Change Women’s Lives”celebration held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City last night, Patrick Dempsey visited Good Morning America today.

The hunk chatted about the 6th season of Grey’s Anatomy, a pilot he is working on with his wife Jillian entitled, Coif, and the Avon Foundation. Dempsey wraps up the interview with some impressive juggling!