Brooke Smith

Salma Hayek brought an energetic Valentina to the farmers market in LA yesterday. They played in the petting zoo with the bunnies before stopping to take a look at the horses and later enjoying a yummy snow cone. The duo looked happy as they rode around in a little train with actress Brooke Smith. Salma recently announced she's working on an affordable beauty line, though she and Valentina have plenty of natural beauty to spare.

To see more photos of Salma and Valentina's adorable playdate just read more

On this week's Grey's Anatomy, lots of (mostly metaphorical) ghosts start floating around Seattle Grace. There's the ghost of Izzie's relationship with Denny, possibly preparing to start haunting all of Seattle Grace as well. There's the ghost of Denny himself, not letting Izzie go. There's the ghost of Meredith's mother, still present in those journals. And that's just the beginning, so to talk about it, just read more

Tonight would probably have been just another episode of Grey's Anatomy, except for one thing: It's going to be Brooke Smith's last. The actress revealed earlier this week that she's been let go from the show after being told the writers could no longer write for her character, who'd been pursuing a relationship — the show's first lesbian relationship — with Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez).

Something tells me we still haven't heard the last of this story, which now includes a statement from series creator Shonda Rhimes that states in part:

Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian. Clearly it's not an issue as we have a lesbian character on the show — Calliope Torres. Sara Ramirez is an incredible comedic and dramatic actress and we wanted to be able to play up her magic. Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run.

The ABC party line doesn't appear to be enough for Patrick Dempsey, who seemed a little skeptical of the logic on Ellen. For a show that already played with fire over the Isaiah Washington situation, this just feels like an odd move.

At least it appears Smith is getting a good storyline in her final episode, as she treats the patient who should have had the heart Izzie snatched for Denny at the end of the second season. Meanwhile, the residents compete for a chance at the first solo surgery of their class, and there's lots of tension (sexual and otherwise) between Cristina and Hunt. To watch some preview clips from the episode, just read more

• Although it is still too close to call, it looks like California has passed Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage just months after it was legalized in the state. Similar measures restricting the rights of gay Americans passed in three other states as well. — CitzenSugar
• Celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Oprah Winfrey were live in Chicago for Barack Obama's acceptance speech, while others have released their happy reactions to the news. — Us Weekly
• Tim Robbins was told his name wasn't on the register at a polling place he'd been going to for years, and he refused to fill out a provisional ballot, went down to a judge, and after five hours voted on a machine. — TMZ
• Simon Cowell opened up about his split with Terri Seymour and said that although they want "different path(s)" in life because he does not want to get married or have children, they remain friends. — Fox News
• There was an anthrax scare at a Chicago police station where Patrick Swayze was filming yesterday, although he did not come into contact with the package, which turned out to be corn starch. — Chicago Tribune
• Patrick Dempsey told Ellen DeGeneres he doesn't know why Brooke Smith was fired from Grey's Anatomy, that it's "too bad," and read a statement from ABC as a response on Wednesday's show. — The Ellen DeGeneres Show
• Todd Shemarya, an agent that has represented Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, and Leonardo DiCaprio, is being sued by his former assistant, who alleges he sexually harassed her and discussed Brad's private parts with her as well as stole gifts from Brad and Jennifer. — Page Six

Film Magic

Yeah, I know, we were just talking about Grey's Anatomy. But hold on tight, cause this story is crazy.

You know Erica Hahn? Hahn, Callie's confidant and lover, who came in to whip the cardiac surgery department into shape after Preston Burke's departure? Well . . . she's off the show, effective this week.

Brooke Smith told Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello that her character doesn't really get much closure — "My final scene is just me heading to my car." She said Shonda Rhimes seemed upset about the decision, almost like "some decision came down from above." She'd only gotten compliments for the work she was doing, she said.

I'll admit the Hahn/Callie storyline wasn't my favorite, but I think Smith is great and had rooted for her to join the show. This all seems rather fishy to me, somehow, though it certainly sheds new light on Grey's adding both a new bisexual character and a new heart surgeon, no?

Update: Melissa George's character, Sadie, might not be bisexual now, either.

Photo copyright 2008 ABC, Inc.

After spending a long day sitting on panels and fielding questions at the TCAs, the ABC and Disney stars got dressed up and hit the red carpet last night. Despite moving filming to NYC, the Ugly Betty beauties like Becki Newton (get her look here) were representing, even with no America Ferrera. Mixing our medical shows, Kate Walsh hung all over Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence celebrating life back on ABC. Nick Lachey didn't have Vanessa on his arm but looked handsome out promoting his High School Musical reality show. Check out lots more over on Buzz from all the stars and all the fun new and familiar shows!

To see more from the party including Selena Gomez, Victor Garber, Teri Hatcher, Peter Krause, Blair Underwood, Dave Annable, Zach Braff, Nicollette Sheridan just read more

This week, it really felt like everything was in transition on Grey's Anatomy. After weeks of keeping their affair a secret, George and Izzie finally had the chance to be together. Callie and Bailey reached a breaking point in their co-chief-resident arrangement. Mark developed a new crush. Cristina took steps to erase all traces of Burke from her life. And Derek and Meredith ... well, OK, they're pretty much the same. To talk about the episode, just read more

It seems like this is quickly becoming the redemption season for Grey's Anatomy — not just for the show, but for its characters, too. Last week, Meredith acted like a normal person for the first time in forever; in this episode, Izzie was actually allowed to be a competent surgeon. What's next, George getting a backbone? To read my thoughts on this episode, just read more

• E! Online reports that Ron Howard is directing an adaptation of Angels & Demons, which will be written for the screen as a sequel to The DaVinci Code.
• ABC has asked for more Dirty Sexy Money scripts, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
• ComingSoon reports that John Travolta will join Denzel Washington in the remake of The Taking of Pelham 123.
• The Los Angeles Times talks to Brooke Smith about joining Grey's Anatomy.
• Variety has news that director Michael Mann will team up with Robert DeNiro for the movie Frankie Machine.
• Billboard has details on a gigantic Pink Floyd box set coming out in December.
• More young people are watching The Price is Right now that Drew Carey is hosting, Variety reports.