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TV Media Weekly | February 6 - 12, 2016 tina Yang, who left the show after season 10, and Patrick Dempsey ("Sweet Home Alabama," 2002) as Dr. Derek Shepherd (a.k.a. "Mc- Dreamy" to fans), who left after season 11. The current ensemble cast of "Grey's" also includes Sara Ramirez ("Sofia the First") as Dr. Callie Torres, Kevin McKidd ("Trainspotting," 1996) as Dr. Owen Hunt, Jessica Capshaw ("The Practice") as Dr. Arizona Robbins, Jesse Williams ("Lee Daniel's The Butler," 2013) as Dr. Jackson Avery, Sarah Drew ("Ever- wood") as Dr. April Kepner, Cateri- na Scorsone ("Missing") as Dr. Amelia Shepherd, Camilla Lud- dington ("William & Kate") as Dr. Jo Wilson, Jerrika Hinton ("Rain," 2006) as Dr. Stephanie Edwards, and Jason George ("Off the Map") as Dr. Ben Warren. Washington's "Grey's Anato- my" gig may mark the first time he's directed for television, but he has directed two films for the big screen: "Antwone Fisher" (2002) and "The Great Debaters" (2007), both of which he also starred in. And while he may be new to di- recting for TV, he has a great re- source in longtime friend and "Grey's Anatomy" executive pro- ducer Debbie Allen ("Fame"), who's directed a number of "Grey's" episodes over the years. It's a good thing, too. With fans champing at the bit to find out what happens next, Washington had his work cut out for him di- recting the highly anticipated epi- sode penned by writer/producer Stacy McKee. The episode features a thrilling storyline that could draw viewers back to the medical drama. While "Grey's" used to be all anyone wanted to talk about, the show could use a little resuscitation in the ratings department. After sit- ting among the top 10 series in its first four seasons, the show's overall ratings have steadily de- clined from almost 20 million reg- ular viewers in its season 2 hey- day to 8.5 million tuning in to the midseason finale, which aired in November. It's a good time to inject a little excitement into the series, in the wake of the departure of fan fa- vorite Dempsey last season. Many critics speculated the series wouldn't survive without Mc- Dreamy, but it's still performing very well in the all-important 18 to 49 demographic. If someone can help turn the tide, it's Washington. After all, he's no stranger to medical dramas — he started out in one. After his film debut in 1981's "Carbon Copy," his career really took off when he was cast in the hit NBC series "St. Elsewhere." From 1982 until the show's finale in 1988, the actor portrayed Dr. Philip Chandler, en- dearing himself to millions of tele- vision viewers week after week before making it big on the silver screen. His role as South African anti- apartheid activist Steven Biko in "Cry Freedom" made film critics sit up and take notice in 1987. He followed that up with his Oscar- winning turn as an ex-slave sol- dier in "Glory" (1989) and won another Oscar for his portrayal of a corrupt cop in "Training Day" (2001). With a career spanning three decades, the actor has amassed a number of other nota- ble film credits, including "Mal- colm X" (1992), "Philadelphia" (1993), "The Hurricane" (1999) and "Remember the Titans" (2000). Some more recent credits include "Flight" (2012) and "The Equalizer" (2014). For his acclaimed body of work, Washington was recently award- ed one of Hollywood's biggest honors. At the 73rd Annual Gold- en Globes, he became the third black actor ever to be recognized with the Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Golden Globes' lifetime achievement honor. Hopefully, he'll bring that golden touch to his work direct- ing "Grey's." Don't miss the Os- car winner's television directori- al debut in "Grey's Anatomy," returning with its midseason premiere Thursday, Feb. 11, on ABC. By Kyla Brewer TV Media E veryone loves an Oscar winner. Bringing in an Academy Award winner is a surefire way to create a buzz around a series, but one medical drama is taking an unex- pected approach with acclaimed actor Denzel Washington ("Train- ing Day," 2001). Instead of show- ing off his acting chops on screen, he stepped behind the camera to direct the midseason premiere of "Grey's Anatomy," which airs Thursday, Feb. 11, on ABC. In January, a promo for the Washington-directed episode sent fans into a frenzy as they speculated what had happened to Meredith (Ellen Pompeo, "Old School," 2003) after she was shown face down on the floor and later bloodied and wearing an ox- ygen mask. Kelly McCreary ("Emi- ly Owens M.D."), who plays Mere- dith's half sister Dr. Maggie Pierce, revealed some details at the Tele- vision Critics Association panel: "Meredith gets attacked by someone you would least expect and it is just as terrifying, shocking and harrowing as it appears." Cre- ated by television hitmaker Shon- da Rhimes ("Scandal"), "Grey's Anatomy" chronicles the day-to- day lives of doctors at Seattle's Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Pompeo leads the cast as Dr. Meredith Grey, a role that earned her a Golden Globe nomination in 2007. She's been with the series for all 12 seasons, along with Chandra Wilson ("Philadelphia," 1993) as Dr. Miranda Bailey, Justin Chambers ("The Wedding Plan- ner," 2001) as Dr. Alex Karev, and James Pickens Jr. ("The X-Files") as Dr. Richard Webber. Other nota- ble cast members include Sandra Oh ("Sideways," 2004) as Dr. Cris- Chandra Wilson as seen in "Grey's Anatomy" Down and Denzel Oscar winner directs new 'Grey's Anatomy' 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charlie's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" 3830 S LAFOUNTAIN, KOKOMO 765-453-9125 SUN-THURS 11AM-1OPM FRI & SAT 11AM-11PM www.grindstonesrestaurantandpub.com $ 3 00 OFF $15.00 Food Purchase Expire: 02/29/16 One coupon per person, per visit. Not good with any other offer. Taxes & Gratuity not included. Must present this Coupon for discount. TV

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