Thursday, October 2, 2008

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?

11 comments:

Maureen Lipinski said...

Yes, but TV watching is the perfect source for procrastination! If I gave up TV, I'd actually have to...um...write or something...

*shudders in horror*

Anonymous said...

But there's a great way to both write AND watch TV, and this post is a perfect example! If you write about what you watch, then watching is just "research" for your writing. And then you go to the Grey's Facebook page and blog and comment away. More writing. Not procrastination at all...www.facebook.com/GreysAnatomy

Jillian Cantor said...

Maureen, I've still been finding plenty of ways to procrastinate. I did not give up the Internet!!

And I love that! Research! :-).

Now if only I could justify how watching TV is going to help me grade papers. . .

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Supernatural is the one show I won't give up for anything, and I'm very much Sam.

(There aren't any female regulars on the show). :)

Jillian Cantor said...

I've never seen Supernatural, but now that you and Tracy have raved about it, I'm intrigued! This whole cutting down on TV thing is harder than I thought. . .

Tracy Madison said...

I love Grey's Anatomy too, but I miss Preston Burke. How I wish they'd bring him back...

Jillian Cantor said...

I agree, Tracy. Preston was a great character and a really good love interest for Cristina.

Lesley Livingston said...

D'you know... I've never seen a single episode of Grey's.

Apparently that makes me slightly freakish, I know, but I have this quirk - unless I get in on a show on the ground floor, I can't watch it. I have to be there from ep.1.

But, now, the way you guys are talking about it, I may just have to go get me some dvd collections...

Carolyn McTighe said...

Great post. I don't watch the show either, but I took the poll and I'm Callie??? I may have to check it out.

Jillian Cantor said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jillian Cantor said...

Lesley, I'm the same way. If I'm not in from the beginning forget it. That's why I've never watched a single episode of Survivor.

And Carolyn, Callie is one of my favorite characters -- she's super-smart and strong, and she really wants to prove herself.