All you Plant-haters, rejoice! Rose is being phased out of the series! Here is the scoop from Kristin at E! Online...

Is there going to be a resolution with Meredith and Derek? I don't know if I can take much more back and forth. Seriously! I'm hearing that yes, there is a Mer-Der resolution before the season ends—praise Shonda!—and it looks as though they're heading for outright coupledom, but of course, it won't happen right away. Sources tell me that Derek and Rose are on a special (brain surgery, of course) hospital case for quite some time together when the show returns, and DeRose get pretty cozy, however their romantic connection won't survive the season, as sources tell me that Lauren Stamile (Rose) is being phased out of the show.

Here's the scoop from our God herself, Shonda Rhimes via the always amazing TV Guide. Needless to say? These five/six episodes are going to ROCK. (Yes, the following is written by Shonda Rhimes.)

I like to call these five upcoming episodes: Grey's Anatomy, Season 4, Part 2. Because for us, for the stories, it really does feel like a whole separate season. I came back to work after the strike with a whole new purpose, a new dedication. And a sense of hope. My best friend, Oprah...OK, in my head, she's my best friend, but in reality she barely knows me. But, secretly, I like to pretend I'm Gayle King because Gayle is the person who makes Oprah laugh, and who doesn't want to be the one to do that? Also, I secretly wanna be Angelina Jolie. Because of the babies and the Brad and the fabulousness, but I don't have the legs...I lost my point.
My point is that Oprah would say I have renewed my spirit or something very sage like that. For me, that means I'm starting to enjoy this again. Really enjoy this. Feel the rich possibilities. So this season - Grey's Anatomy, Season 4, Part 2 - is the season of hope. For Meredith and Derek. For Izzie. For George. For Bailey. For Callie. Hopeful things are happening. Meredith and Derek are going to get together for good. That's right. FOR GOOD. Now, if you think I'm going to tell you how it will happen, you're crazy. 'Cause it is yummy stuff. It is special. I spent a lot of nights lying in bed awake thinking about this. These characters are my friends. They are people I know well who happen to live inside my head. I worry about their shortcomings and I celebrate their victories and I so, so want them to be happy. But more than happy, I want them to be brave. These episodes about about bravery. No ferry boats crash, no bombs explode. No one we love dies. But still, Meredith and Derek getting together - how they get together - is about bravery.
Alex is going to have to be brave, too. Because things are coming to a head with the woman we know as Ava/Jane Doe/Rebecca. And when it is over, he's never going to be the same. Cristina's struggling with the loss of Burke and what that means for her surgical career. She's going to do some things we have never seen Cristina Yang do. Izzie's already been through hell, and she's coming out the other side. George is growing up, becoming the man worthy of having Bailey's son named after him. Callie, Erica, and Mark are going to go through some changes that might surprise you. Bailey struggles to fix her marriage. The Chief makes a play for the woman he loves.
A lot happens in these five episodes.
And it all ends with a kiss. A good kiss. A great kiss. A kiss so good it makes us lean into our televisions. A kiss we never saw coming. Oh, it's a major kiss. As Derek would tell us, "I'm all about the kissing. More kissing, I say." It's that kind of a kiss.
I can't tell you who's going to be doing the kissing. That's not how I roll. You'll just have to watch and see.

Here's a little tidbit of information from Michael Ausiello at TVGuide.com. Grey's returns April 24 with five all-new episodes.

Do you know for sure if Amy Madigan will be playing Mer's psychiatrist on Grey's Anatomy? Yes, she's definitely playing her shrink and, presumably, the catalyst that will bring Mer-Der back together by the finale.

Here's all the scoop from Shonda Rhimes herself, thanks to those wonderful people over at TVGuide - this time, it's the magazine. The issue? It's currently on stands now. Grey's Anatomy returns April 24.

What's next "When we come, we'll have leapt ahead five or six weeks in time," creator Shonda Rhimes says. "It's our way of acknowledging the bump [caused by the strike]. But it'll be very clear from the first moment what has transpired. You'll see where things stand with Derek and Meredith and Rose. You'll see where George is living, and in the first episode all the residents will be involved in a high-stakes surgical contest - definitely something the chief would not condone."
Hookup central "Old relationships will become new again, some people you thought would never get together will, and there are going to be some interesting outside influences," Rhimes promises. George and Izzie have "put it to bed for the night. They've left it at the idea that it's not necessarily about the bad sex as [it is] the bad timing. What will be interesting to see is that after the intimate explosion of events [whether] they can just be friends." Pretty boy plastic surgeon Mark "McSteamy" Sloan will continue his pursuit of hard-to-impress Dr. Hahn. "The way that is going to play out will be surprising to everyone," Rhimes says. "Mark is not used to not getting what he wants."
The MerDer Chronicles "I am pretty dedicated to the idea that they are going to be together for good this season," Rhimes says. "What's going to be interesting is how she gets her act together, and how they decide this is it." Are those wedding bells we hear?! "I did not say there is going to be a wedding," Rhimes says. "Or a ring. Although I didn't say there wasn't going to be a ring."
Flamethrower Addison will pop up at Seattle Grace to perform surgeries that only she can do and "discover whether you can really ever go home," Rhimes says.

Here's a ton of scoop from our best scoop gal, Kristin at E! Online.

I need Grey's Anatomy news, especially MerDer scoop! Well, you're in luck. Shonda Rhimes was the guest of honor of the Red Tie benefit for the Red Cross of Santa Monica (a relationship that started with that ferryboat-crash episode last season), and chatted about, yes, the future of Meredith and Derek. She said what I know many fans will be happy to hear: "It's time for [Meredith] to get over her issues." Rhimes continued: "She and Derek should either be over by the end of the season, or she should make it on her own. I felt like, you know, what I want to see is what happens after the happily ever after."
Any scoop about my Grey's fave: Alex Karev? Shonda said, "It's good, but I can't say anything." Poopie! Chyler Leigh, bless her possibly now-unemployed (just kidding) heart, said she doesn't think the Alex-Lexie door is closed: "It was left pretty open-ended there, so I'd guess it's going to continue for a bit. I'm very looking forward to it and to getting back to work."
What's up for Addison's return to Grey's? Any McSteamy love? According to Shonda, "I don't know if I'd call it the final visit, but she is coming back for a visit." And don't expect any McDreamy-McSteamy resolution either. "I think she has more important things to resolve than men. She's got the job that the chief left open for her and a couple of other things." Kate Walsh said the script hasn't been written yet and that she'll start shooting at the end of March.

Here's some information on the next slew of all-new Grey's Anatomy, starting with Where the Wild Things Are on April 24, straight from Michael Ausiello at TVGuide.com:

Now that we know that Meredith and Derek will be getting back together on Grey's Anatomy, any idea on how it'll happen and why the fans have to endure five more episodes of Nurse Plot Device? I imagine the reason you have to endure Nurse Plot Device Rose for five more episodes is because A) the show already agreed to pay Lauren Stamile for those episodes, and B) Nurse Plot Device Rose is probably one of the catalysts bringing Mer-Der back together. In related news, new details are emerging about the first episode back on April 24 and they vary slightly from what I reported last week. I'm told that roughly six weeks will have passed, not "several months." And the first scene will most likely take place at Seattle Grace, not at the end of Derek and Rose's latest date. Damn script revisions!
Grey's scoop — please, sir, may I have some more? And how. Get this: Grey's is out to get George Clooney! Well, a George Clooney type, at least, to appear in two episodes. The show also is on the hunt for an actress to play the hunk's wife, who, though younger, is no Sarah Larson; she's more of an everywoman housewife, minus the desperate.

After that scintillating interview with Entertainment Weekly, Shonda Rhimes has now spoken to TV Guide, detailing that Meredith and Derek will be together - for good - by the end of this season. She won't divulge whether or not they'll get married or be engaged, but she does say that no one will be wearing "eveningwear" in the season finale. Apparently, they've got more information coming up in their next issue, so we'll be here to report it to you.
Also, after hearing the debunked rumors about Katie Heigl leaving Grey's, Kristin at E! Online has dug up some information, saying that Katherine did, in fact, ask to be let go from Grey's Anatomy, but the producers won't let her. However, beyond this season, it isn't sure what will happen. In my personal opinion, I don't think the show will be the same if Katie leaves (and I really hope she doesn't). And how many times has an actor left an incredibly successful television show to pursue movies...only to regret it? Thoughts? Post below!
[UPDATE: Apparently, Kristin at E! was wrong, and Ausiello was right about the rumors being wrong, as Katie's rep has gone to OK! Magazine and denied everything. Thanks to those of you who posted that in the talk back section!]

OK, so maybe not this very minute. However, those amazing people over at EW.com (Entertainment Weekly) have dug up some information (well...a quote) from Shonda saying that Meredith and Derek will be together. Finally. Forever. And the storylines will be about trying to make it work and exploring relationships, etc. Which is what we've always wanted. Her reason for the change? The strike, which she says put it all into perspective. The reason this won't happen this very minute, though, is because apparently Rose (aka, The Plant) is sticking around for the final five episodes. (On a side note, Ava/Rebecca/Jane Doe/Elizabeth Reaser will be back for three, and Kate Walsh for one.) Plus, the first episode back picks up a few months later...at the end of one of Derek and Rose's dates (or so the rumors say). Nevertheless, this is amazing news. Stick around for more as it comes it.
(And on a totally unrelated note, rumors are flying that the first two episodes back is a two-parter, entitled "New York, New York." Stay tuned for updates.)

Here, after many many weeks, is some scoop on the next all-new episode of Grey's Anatomy from Michael Ausiello at TVGuide.com:

I was really looking forward to Joshua Jackson being Cristina's love interest on Grey's Anatomy, so the scheduling conflicts suck! Any updates on who'll be cast instead? Big update: I'm hearing that Shonda Rhimes has handed the plum part to a relative newcomer by the name of No One. Get it? She handed the role to No One. [Hold for laughter and/or crickets] Seriously, my Grey's spies tell me that Ms. Rhimes has decided to put the character on hold indefinitely. Bummer.
I seriously need some Grey's Anatomy scoop. Any hope for us Mer-Der fans? Not in the first episode back, which flashes forward a few months and, per one source, picks up at the end of Derek and Rose's latest date. In that same episode, I'm hearing something about a contest to determine who Seattle Grace's best doc is.

Uh-oh. Watch out MerDer fans and Rose-haters. Patrick Dempsey has spoken out about the show's creative direction and the Meredith/Derek/Rose relationships. "Dempsey is actually happy about the development, saying that he feels 'encouraged' that someone new has come into to his character's life. 'It will make the storylines more interesting and compelling,' Dempsey told the New York Post. 'Last season [season three] was boring to do. Enough is enough already. It's time for the writers to go back and take a look at things and find some new paths for these characters. It was too repetitive for me.'" But he's not hopeful for Meredith and Derek's relationship. "'You would think that they would work through their difficulties and move forward. Meredith needs to get healthy. That's an interesting thing to explore with her character. Does he stand by her while she goes through that? Or do they work through their problems alone? Shonda Rhimes is very clear on what she wants to do but not clear on what the actors are going to do.'" Nonetheless, "'The opportunities that the cast is getting are certainly because of the show's success,' he said. 'As long as [Grey's Anatomy] continues, we'll stay with it.'"
So, there you have it. Meredith and Derek's future is pretty much all up in the air, Patrick Dempsey's getting excited about his role again, and Rose may just stick around longer than you want her to...

According to one of our sources, there's going to be a triangle between, yup, you guessed it: Meredith, Derek, and Rose. The source continues on, telling us that while George and Izzie may not be back together by the end of this season, seedlings of a reunion between the couple (lubby-dubby wise) will be planted by at least mid-next season (Gizzie haters rejoice!). They also say that Mark will continue to not have a really big storyline during the course of this season, but that we should expect one next season. All of this information, I'm going to assume, is based on the fact that the writer's strike will end and season four will get a few more episodes in. And if it doesn't, well, all this goes down the pot...

Here's the scoop from Ausiello at TVGuide.com...

You mentioned a while back that George's mom was returning to Grey's Anatomy. Did the strike push that back? That's what I'm hearing. According to my Seattle Grace mole, Mama O'Malley's return — originally slated for November sweeps — was delayed until Episode 11, aka the show's final pre-strike episode. That probably explains why George had little to do during the just-wrapped two-parter. Why'd they move her out of sweeps? Well, per my spy, when it became clear that eppy 11 might be the final hour of Grey's we get in a long time, the script underwent "massive rewrites" to ramp up the drama and add several cliff-hangers — one of which involves George's old lady. "They're pretty big bombshells," says the source. "Basically, everyone's futures are left up in the air." Well, not everyone's. As I reported in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast, by the end of the episode there will be little doubt which direction the Mer/Derek/Rose triangle is headed in. [Basically, Derek will dump Meredith's "whiny ass" for Rose.]
Earlier this season, you teased that someone's getting divorced on Grey's Anatomy, and it's not who we'd expect. After reading your Bailey/narration spoiler, it has me thinking that it's her. I can neither confirm nor deny that Bailey will be getting a divorce this season on Grey's Anatomy.

But will we get to see it?
Read on for the scoop from Kristin at E! Online...

I actually really like Lauren Stamile on Grey's and hope that McThorny, as you call her, and McDreamy have lots of romance and babies together!
Well, then you'll be happy with the upcoming episodes. No babies, but they are definitely heading toward l'amour, mon cheri. I hear Rose/Lauren is sticking around until the last episode they shot before the strike—which is episode number 11—and she'll be an increasingly bigger part of the plot, as Derek calls on her to help save a surgery. For those of you rooting for Meredith and Derek, the good news is that this new McThorny romance is indeed a thorn in Mer's side—she just might realize how very badly she wants her own McDreamy ending. The bad news? According to my sources, she might realize that a little too late...(gulp.)
Is the writers strike going to interfere with Joshua Jackson's upcoming guest appearance on Grey's Anatomy?
And how. Josh is no longer scheduled to come on Grey's. Producers are hoping they can figure out another slot for him after the strike, but that's contingent on his schedule.

The strike has begun...and it's already beginning to take their toll on TV as we know it. Some TV series that were set to premiere...won't. Late night sitcoms are in repeats. Heroes is having its season finale in December. And it appears as though Grey's Anatomy will be as well. Of course, there is always the off-chance that the strike could be resolved in a week...or two weeks, and nothing will be effected. However, it's not looking good. Rumor has it this strike could last a long time, possibly as long as the last writer's strike (which lasted an unprecedented 22 weeks). In this event, Grey's Anatomy has only completed 11 out of 23 ordered episodes...meaning that our season finale would be episode 411 Lay Your Hands on Me (and also the introduction of Joshua Jackson's character) and would probably air sometime in December, instead of the scheduled January 2008 (because what would be the point of holding one episode over to 2008 if there were no more to air?). So, brace yourself. Because things aren't looking up and we may be getting a season finale when we don't want one. And brace yourself even more, you MerDer fans, because things in the potential finale are not looking up for them either. Take a look at this quote from Patrick Dempsey:

"The next couple of episodes are going to be completely different with what happens with Meredith and Derek...I’m looking forward to that change and that movement...I just want the characters to continue to grow and to work things out realistically. Derek and Meredith’s relationship has gone as far as it can go. I don’t think it’s going to go unless she commits to marrying him or goes into therapy and starts working on herself. We’ll have a cliff-hanger with this last show [411 Lay Your Hands on Me] and there will be a resolve that seems to be permanent." Source: TVGuide.com

Here it is, straight from Kristin at E! Online. Don't shoot the messenger.

Any word on Meredith and Derek? I'm so tired of the back and forth. Can they just get together or break up for good?
Now, what fun would that be?! Trust me, I feel your pain, but this is TV, and in the spirit of Sam&Diane/Ross&Rachel/Kristin&Stamos, things will get more complicated before they get any easier. Sources confirm to me that Lauren Stamile is most definitely a new love interest for Derek/Patrick Dempsey, and she'll be sticking around for a while. I'm told she's pretty much the anti-Meredith (all the way around—looks and personality) and will make Derek somewhat conflicted. What do you guys think of this? Are you happy to have a third party spicing things up, or are you done with the Mer-Der ping-pong match?

Here's the latest news from Michael Ausiello at TVGuide.com...don't shoot the messenger...

What's going on with George and Izzie on Grey's? Are they breaking up or not?!

I honestly don't know what to believe anymore. After my interview with Shonda Rhimes at the Emmys, I thought for sure she was pulling the plug on this ill-conceived romance. But yesterday I got an unconfirmed tip that Gizzie is still alive and kicking in Episode 8. That's right — 8! That means we've got at least five more weeks of these two! My mole also reports that in the same episode, Mer and Der are still going strong with their whole let's-have-sex-but-not-be-super-serious thing.

Here's the exciting scoop from Michael Ausiello at TVGuide.com!

Did Shonda Rimes mislead everyone? Is she reviving Gizzie instead of killing it? It sure looked that way in the premiere and the preview for this week's episode.

You should know by now that those promos only tell half the story. Take it from someone who has seen the entire episode — that's me! — Gizzie is dealt a setback this Thursday when George chooses… um… let's just say he makes an important decision that sets the stage for Episode 3, "Let the Truth Sting." Keep in mind, Shonda strongly hinted that Gizzie wouldn't start to come undone until news of their fling made its way around Seattle Grace. I believe what you witnessed in last week's opener was the snuggle before the s**tstorm. Another scoopbit: Derek also makes a decision at the end of the episode, and it's one that'll make all you Mer-Der fans swoon.
Can you please provide some Grey's Anatomy scoop? Preferably on whether or not Cristina will get a new love interest.

Before she can get a new love interest, she has to purge the old one from her system. And she'll do just that this Thursday when Mama Burke drops by Seattle Grace to administer a dose of tough love. And Cristina isn't the only person she goes all Dr. Phil on. As I teased in this week's Ausiello Report vodcast, Diahann Carroll takes Meredith to task for the "selfish" and "inappropriate" thing she did in last May's season finale. And don't even think of asking me for a hint. You know full well what thing I'm referring to.
I hear you've seen this week's Grey's. Please tell me it's better than the season premiere. Izzie tending to a deer? WTF?

OMG, I totally forgot to tell you the most important thing about Thursday's installment: It's fraktacular! If you were longing for the good ol' Grey's, I'm happy to tell you it makes a triumphant comeback tomorrow night. It had all the snap, crackle and pop of a Season 2 episode. And speaking of triumphs, Chandra Wilson gives a performance that has "2008 Emmy Reel" written all over it. I know it's early, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that supporting-actress trophy is hers to lose.

After Kristin's depressing news that Meredith and Derek are over at the start of this new season (beginning tomorrow!), it was nice to read today that they'll be having the infamous on-call room sex! Not quite sure how this is all gonna work out...but I can't wait to see! Grey's Anatomy's all-new season begins tomorrow...and be sure to take what Ausiello says with a grain of salt. He's been wrong before...but I'm hoping he isn't this time.

I would love you as much as Patrick Dempsey if you would tell me something about Meredith and Derek's relationship!

Did you see that big Grey's cover story in Monday's USA Today? In it, both Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo basically confirmed that there are no major developments with Mer-Der in the early part of the season. "Meredith and Derek are sort of treading water," Dempsey said. Added Pompeo, "All of our scenes are the same — we're either breaking up or having sex." She then teased that the star-crossed lovers will have an on-call-room "date" in an upcoming episode. Onetime spoilerphobe Shonda Rhimes, meanwhile, teased that one couple will get divorced this season, "and not the one people are thinking of." Hmmm… I was thinking George and Callie. Does that mean I'm wrong?
Grey's Anatomy spoilers would be appreciated.

The show is adding a new female character, described as a "girl-next-door type" and a potential love interest for one of the show's docs.

Here's the amazing scoop from Kristin at E! Online...

Give us some good Grey’s Anatomy dish!
Yes, ma’am. Here’s what I can tell you about the new season:

• Izzie’s interns think she’s a bottom-of-the-barrel loser (Denny’s death strikes again)—especially after she brings a deer into the hospital to be saved.
• Callie has a terrible time getting respect from others on the staff who don’t understand why she was made chief resident, especially over Bailey.
• As I mentioned in last week's Vine show, Meredith and Derek are officially broken up as of the first episode—but if you've seen those elevator promos, you know there is still hope!

Any Grey’s gossip?
We’re told producers are looking for a big-name star for a recurring role on the show to begin around November. She’ll be in her early 30s, sweet, strong and the sort of girl who would catch the eye of a certain regular character...
Who won the Emmy Prediction Smackdown? Do we get the scoop?
We were impressively in synch, but if my calculations are correct, I won by one, thanks to Ms. Heigl's win. (Woo!) However, since it was so darn close, I will go ahead and tell you who says "I love you, too." It is George. And it is not to Callie. I know. Gaaah!