Private Practice Season 3

[tammyy2j]

Addison's mom and dad (JoBeth Williams and Stephen Collins) are coming to visit on Dec. 3, and they're bringing a third: the other woman!

[tammyy2j]

Shonda Rhimes is introducing Derek Shepherd’s kid sis, but not on Grey’s Anatomy.

Caterina Scorsone is joining — wait for it — Private Practice in the recurring role of Dr. Amelia Shepherd, one of Derek’s never-before-seen sisters.

I’m told the character — nicknamed “Little Shep,” natch — lands a job at Oceanside Wellness.

[Perdita]

The executive producers of ABC's Private Practice have reportedly exited the show.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, showrunners Robert Rovner and Jon Cowan stepped down from the Grey's Anatomy spinoff.

Shonda Rhimes, creator of both shows, is expected to continue supervising all creative and production details of the series, currently in its third season.

Private Practice is said to be returning in the fall for a fourth season.

Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl recently confirmed speculation that she has left the programme.

DS

[tammyy2j]

After an entire season of Violet (Amy Brenneman) being away from her child, a vicious court battle in Thursday's episode of Private Practice will determine where baby Lucas ends up — with faithful father Pete (Tim Daly) or back in the arms of his healing mother.

"It's the process and conversation that we've been waiting for for a year," Brenneman tells TVGuide.com, explaining that Violet never left her child for selfish reasons. "Violet separated herself from her baby because she was afraid she'd do something neglectful or abusive."

After last season's finale, where Violet was sliced and diced by an unstable patient who proceeded to steal her baby, Violet has come to terms with her stress, says Brenneman. "It's really satisfying to come around and have her finally say her piece."

However, the court case is not just about Violet and Pete. "It involves everybody because everybody takes the stand and has to be brutally honest," says Brenneman. "Violet gets support in surprising places and non-support in surprising places, and through it all, everybody gets beaten up."

"There is a lot of dirty laundry hung out in this episode," adds co-star Daly. "It's not just a little dirty, it is soiled. It's not pretty. Pete is so in the right about everything that happens, even though some people may not perceive it that way. He certainly defends himself, a rigorous defense of his position."

Oh and rigorous it is, though executive producer Shonda Rhimes defends her male lead's actions. "There's nothing you wouldn't do for your child," Rhimes says. "Maybe his methods are wrong, but to everybody else, he's a flawed human being who has been very hurt by Violet, and is very scared of what could happen with his kid."

So what does this custody battle mean for the future of Pete and Addison (Kate Walsh), who has finally taken a step closer to achieving her goal of being a mother this season? "It's such a huge struggle," says Walsh. "Of course she loves Lucas and is so connected to him, but she needs to do the right thing in the end. You see her really struggle in this episode with how really hopeless she is and how much she loves Lucas."

And even though Violet will walk away with a new sense of peace, the Oceanside Wellness crew will still be feeling the effects of this hearing long after the episode concludes. "Nothing is solved by the end of the episode, but a lot has changed by the end of the episode," says Rhimes.

[Abigail]

I hope Pete keeps custody.

[Perdita]

Chris Lowell has reportedly decided to leave Private Practice.

The actor, who plays Dell, has been a series regular this season but his episode order has been cut back from 22 to a minimum of 13 episodes, Zap2It reports.

A source has now claimed that he "will be leaving the show after season three and has no plans to return for season four".

The insider claimed that other cast members including Audra McDonald are also "looking to get out of their contracts", adding: "They aren't happy on the show."

Representatives for ABC could not be reached for comment.

[tammyy2j]

Chris Lowell has reportedly decided to leave Private Practice.

The actor, who plays Dell, has been a series regular this season but his episode order has been cut back from 22 to a minimum of 13 episodes, Zap2It reports.

A source has now claimed that he "will be leaving the show after season three and has no plans to return for season four".

The insider claimed that other cast members including Audra McDonald are also "looking to get out of their contracts", adding: "They aren't happy on the show."

Representatives for ABC could not be reached for comment.

I guess he dies so

[tammyy2j]

Addison Forbes Montgomery (Kate Walsh) has had quite the revolving door of men on Private Practice, though executive producer Shonda Rhimes says it's all for good purpose: "We're bringing her on a journey to get a chance to have a happy ending."

So, is the happy ending with Pete (Tim Daly), with whom Addison has been playing house this season, or Sam (Taye Diggs), whose pining has sent him into an angry tailspin?

Although Addison has been in a relationship with Pete for the better part of Season 3, "it's really about the baby," Walsh tells TVGuide.com. "The baby is like the little carrot that's being dangled in front of Addison. She's super torn, but her affection is really about that baby."

Her affection also springs from her need to avoid being with Sam, says Walsh. "That tension with Sam is still there and lingering. It's always there, like avoiding the forbidden fruit."

"There will always be that kind of tension between these two characters just because of their history," adds Diggs, noting that he's been having fun playing the awkward moments with Walsh. "If you're in love with someone and see they're with someone else and playing family, it can get to you. Even though Sam has his own family, he feels like he's on the outside."

And Sam certainly has been on the outside this season, with Pete playing "a really good boyfriend to Addison," says Daly, adding she still has strong feelings for Sam "and it's a big mess."

Addison's love life may be complicated now, but Rhimes insists that she has a shot at obtaining happiness in the near future. "I would love to see her in a healthy relationship," she says.

"She might put one foot down on the road to happiness," adds Walsh. "Like she dips her toes in the happiness pool, so hopefully in the fall she'll be full-on swimming in happiness."