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« Ausiello Report
Exclusive: Grey's Spin-off Recast Shocker!
Audra McDonald by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
Apparently, Addison goes through girlfriends as fast as she does boyfriends: When Private Practice debuts this fall, Kate Walsh's character will have a new BFF — Audra McDonald. A spokesperson for ABC Studios confirms that the four-time Tony winner has been tapped to replace Merrin Dungey in the role of Dr. Naomi Bennet, Doc Montgomery's confidante. The decision was made for creative reasons.
Earlier this month, there were rumblings that execs had concerns that the Private lineup wasn't perfect, especially after some of the actors didn't "pop" with audiences. "Grey's Anatomy was cast off whoever seemed to fit the parts best and have good chemistry," says a well-placed source. "The spin-off was cast with actors the network and studio already had under contract."
Nevertheless, there are not expected to be any further cast changes coming before the show goes into production next month.
Personally, as much as I love Dungey — particulary her kick-ass stint on Alias — I think PP creator Shonda Rhimes and ABC made the right call by discharging her. Of all the problems I had with last month's "enhanced two-hour Grey's" episode, my biggest was the Dungey-Walsh dynamic. These two were about as believable as bosom buddies as Rosie O'Donnell and Anne Coulter. Again, love Dungey, just not in this part.
What do you guys think? Should Dungey have been given more time to Practice opposite Walsh? Or were the suits right to pull a Steven Carrington and give Naomi an extreme makeover?
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Jun 29, 2007 7:08 PM
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first comment yey!!!
i think the whole show needs to be scrapped. but then again what do I know.
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Jun 29, 2007 7:17 PM
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You're right, Mike, their on-screen friendship wasn't all that believable. Chemistry was an issue there, as faboo as Dungey is as an actress. (She was amazing on Alias and I even liked her on WB's Summerland!)
But you're killing me with "pull a Steven Carrington."
You know I will eat up Dynasty references anytime. That's right after my sudsy heart.
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Jun 29, 2007 7:21 PM
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Ugh, Merrin Dungey was about the only thing I liked about that weird, stiff episode.
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Jun 29, 2007 7:23 PM
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This is actually a deal-breaker for me. Merrin Dungey was the only reason I was willing to give the show another shot after the awful pilot. Now...I won't bother.
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Jun 29, 2007 7:30 PM
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Love the Steven Carrington reference! I just hope Audra McDonald comes across more like Pamela Sue Martin or Catherine Oxenberg, than Emma Samms or Karen Cellini. Those were two of the worst recasts in TV history! Michael, don't we miss the DYNASTY days?
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Jun 29, 2007 7:33 PM
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Also wanted to add: "Oh, the irony." When the media suggested possible recasts for Preston Burke, didn't Shonda Rhimes make a big deal about being disgusted/disturbed that one black man should be interchangeable for another? I guess she was only talking black men, and not black women.
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Jun 29, 2007 7:34 PM
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Great so ABC and Shonda have stolen the two brightest Broadway stars and put them on TV where the many of their talents will go untapped or worse yet will be wasted... oh well.
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Jun 29, 2007 7:44 PM
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im glad they replaced her. Their scenes were ok, but nothing I loved or cared to remember. As long as Tim Daly, Taye Diggs, and Kate Walsh stay Im good.
Cant wait for the fall!
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Jun 29, 2007 7:51 PM
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Hmmm, I like both actresses and just feel bad Dungey's out of a job. I hope Audra McDonald's chemistry is better with Kate Walsh. I just can't imagine her character and Taye Diggs' character being exes since I can't picture them ever having been together.
Actually, the first thing I thought was that we're going to see her character sing. We haven't seen Sara sing yet on Grey's, but Audra's like a legend. If so, this show really will be Ally McBeal 2.0.
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Jun 29, 2007 8:07 PM
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If they really want to pull a Steven Carrington, then does that mean Dungey will return to play the part when they do Private Practice: The Reunion in about 10 years?
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Jun 29, 2007 8:08 PM
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why can't I download the podcast ausiello?
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Jun 29, 2007 8:16 PM
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Even though I hate anyone getting fired,I agree with recasting the part of Naomi.Dungey's acting in my opinion was the weakest on the show.
She seemed too cold to be married to Taye Diggs or best friends with Kate Walsh.I don't think it was Kate Walsh's fault that they didn't click, either.She seems like she could have chemistry with a brick wall.She had instant chemistry with everyone on Grey's Anatomy. I really hope people don't turn away from watching Private Practice. Kate Walsh, Tim Daly,Taye Diggs, and Amy Brenneman deserve success.
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Jun 29, 2007 8:27 PM
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wow- Audra McDonald, awesome!
I agree with the recast, no offense to Merrin. I'm not crazy about Amy Brenneman either or her character. I just hope that the show ends up better than the pilot episode which bugged pretty hard.
I'll watch for a while b/c I love Kate Walsh. but if the show stinks I'm outta there!
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Jun 29, 2007 8:44 PM
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I also loved Merrin on Alias (in "both" roles), but I didn't like her on PP. Silverysparks, she was the one who seemed stiff and weird to me. I kept getting a vague sense that the character wanted to be somewhere else, but maybe I was getting the vibe from the actress. ">
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Jun 29, 2007 8:45 PM
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