I'm Not a Doctor, But I Play One on TV

I usually do love the return of fall TV – the sudden rush of real shows after the long stretch of summer with nothing to watch but D-List reality shows a la Kathy Griffin (Though, she does make me laugh!). But this year, I’ve found myself in a bit of a bind. So many shows that I watch returned at once and at the same times, that I wasn’t even able to tape them all on some nights, even with 2 DVRs recording 2 shows each (That’s 4 shows at once!!). And the bigger problem, I don’t have the time to watch them all. Between the kids, the three college classes I’m teaching, and the two books I’m currently working on, it’s usually after 11 o’clock each night before I settle down and even think about turning on the TV. So I decided it was time to make some choices (as in more sleep or more TV), and I’ve chosen the more sleep option. I’ve vowed to cut out watching everything but my absolute favorites. (I actually posted a list of what I’m cutting and why on my personal blog earlier in the week).

But Grey’s Anatomy is the one show I can’t live without right now, the one show I wouldn’t give up for any amount of work or sleep deprivation. Why?

It’s hard to say. I’m not usually a big fan of medical shows – the inner hypochondriac in me doesn’t need anything else to worry about, and I can’t stand graphic medical scenes. I never got into ER. Ever. Not even for George Clooney.

Yet, Grey’s Anatomy feels different. The characters are all so funny and well-written and complex and smart and undeniably flawed.

So I was browsing on the Grey’s Anatomy site on abc.com (for, um . . . the purposes of writing this post only) and I came across this personality quiz: Which Grey's Anatomy Character Are You? (Click here for the quiz.) Being unable to stop myself, I took it. 10 little questions later I had my results: I am Cristina.

Seriously? Cristina?

I felt a little disappointed. Though, I thoroughly enjoy watching the cold, driven, sarcastic, no-nonsense Cristina, I don’t necessarily want to be her.

Then I read the blurb that followed: “Very few people have or understand the sheer drive that propels you . .” Yeah, okay, that’s sorta true. I am a driven person. Maybe not quite as driven as Cristina, but I always did very, very well in school, and I think as a writer, facing so much rejection, you have to be driven to keep on going. “But you’re just as fiercely protective of your friends as you are of your own hopes and dreams. . .” Also, true.

Of course, I wasn’t left at the altar by my cardiac surgeon fiancée. And I am sometimes more emotional than I am practical – not very Cristina-like at all.

So I did what any reasonable person would do: To test the validity of this little quiz, I had my husband take it. That’s because, in Grey’s speak, he’s my person.

10 questions later he informed me that he’s Dr. Derek Shepherd. That’s right, McDreamy himself, which according to the quiz, means he has “knight in shining armor” qualities and his heart’s in the right place. All true. I concur. Definitely my McDreamy. (And besides, maybe now he won’t be so offended when I gush about how much I LOVE the real McDreamy.)

And maybe that's why I like the show so much. I can see pieces of myself, my husband, my friends, in all of the characters: Cristina’s drive and sarcasm, Izzie’s tendancy to get too emotionally attached, Meredith’s indecisiveness, Bailey’s need for organization, Callie’s insecurity, Derek’s desire to save everyone.

Which makes me wonder, what show wouldn’t you give and up, and which character are you?