The concept of "Private Practice" was launched last spring, in a "Grey's" episode in which Addison travels to California to visit a friend who's a partner in a swanky medical co-op. The new show begins with Addison accepting a job at said co-op and arriving in California to find out that no one except her friend Naomi (Audra McDonald) knows about the job offer. The other docs in the practice are briefly annoyed that Naomi has overruled them, then break off into a series of ridiculous, soapy subplots: Naomi and her soon-to-be-ex-husband Sam (Taye Diggs) get involved with an unusual artificial insemination case; pediatrician Cooper (Paul Adelstein) and psychiatrist Violet (Connecticut native Amy Brenneman) try to help a woman who has a breakdown in a department store; and Addison tries to deliver a teenage girl's baby with the help of the practice's holistic doc, Pete (Tim Daly).
Even for someone who doesn't like "Grey's," "Practice" is disappointing and, even worse, a waste of talent. The charismatic and funny Daly is wasted, as is the usually terrific Adelstein. "Prison Break" fans will recognize Adelstein as the dearly departed Agent Kellerman, perhaps the grandiose Fox drama's best character.
Admittedly, my dislike of "Practice" might have been informed by my bitterness that Adelstein cast Kellerman aside to play someone much less interesting on an even sillier show.
And, lest you think my anti-"Practice" attitude is due solely to my dislike of "Grey's," chew on this: my boyfriend's mom, a rabid "Grey's" fan, didn't like "Practice" either.
So stay away.