To all of you die-hard "Grey's Anatomy" fans,
You probably have refused to watch "Private Practice." I mean why would you watch it? It's a show about Addison Montgomery's life and you are "Team Meredith Grey." I thought the exact same thing, as did Shonda Rhimes. I mean she must have, since she chose to cast Sarah Drew in both "Private Practice" and "Grey's Anatomy" as two entirely different characters.
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In season 3 episode 23 of "Grey's Anatomy," Addison Montgomery takes a trip out to LA to visit her best friend, Naomi, who has her own private practice. On this trip Addison is offered a job as the practices' new OB/GYN. Three episodes later, Addison leaves Seattle to join Naomi's practice. This is when the show "Private Practice" premieres to chronicle Addison's life.
Fast forward to season 2 episode 9 of "Private Practice," aired on December 10, 2008. A young, pregnant woman named Judy (Sarah Drew) arrives at the practice. Judy explains that she is a junior in college whom aspires to attend law school. She is given the medical attention she needs and is sent on her way.
Ten months later, on October 15, 2009, season 6 episode 5 of "Grey's Anatomy" airs. In this episode, the merger of Seattle Grace and Mercy West causes for the entrance of a new group of residents. One of these residents happens to be April Kepner (Sarah Drew), a devout Christian from Columbus, Ohio. We later find that April Kepner is a 28-year-old virgin whom intends on remaining pure until marriage.
Was this an oversight or an irreparable accident? It was certainly not a cameo appearance of April Kepner in "Private Practice," being that the episode of "Private Practice" aired first. or did April Kepner, at any point in the following six seasons of "Grey's Anatomy," confess to living under a false identity in which her real name is Judy. While it is known that Sarah Drew was only supposed to play a temporary role in "Grey's Anatomy" (appearing in only two episodes of season six) the original fate of April Kepner or why she was written into seasons seven through 12 has not been released.
Which leaves me with questions for the very talented Shonda Rhimes:
What was April Kepner's original fate? Did it coincide with her role as Judy in "Private Practice?" Why was she kept on as a major character? Did you anticipate that "Grey's Anatomy" fans would not watch "Private Practice?" If so who was your target audience? And what made this mistake of Sarah Drew playing two entirely different roles in connecting shows worth while?
