Reasons We Still like Private Practice ...Even Better Than Grey's Anatomy

1. As major, life-altering tragedies go, Violet wears hers better than Izzie.

While Katherine Heigel (Izzie Stevens - Grey's Anatomy) is no less talented than Amy Brenneman (Violet Turner - Private Practice), it would be a feat of near superhuman ability to make the chaos of Izzie's life somehow honest and workable. No one person can withstand a near death experience, the death of a best friend, the making and dissolving of a marriage, and the loss of a career in the span of a few months.

And while we're at it, no writer/producer worth her salary would try to make such a ridiculous thing work. It's unclear what Shonda Rimes was thinking in regards to Izzie's story, but it is obvious that the show has ceased to be about real people and has become a battle for ratings.

2. As dangerous/wrong relationships go, we like Dell and Heather better than Cristina and Owen.

Maybe it's because it's impossible not to like Chris Lowell (Dell Parker - Private Practice), even when he's making silly decisions. Or perhaps it's just easier to understand someone going through all that drama when the interest of a child is at stake. Regardless, it's much harder to understand staying with a man who has major emotional issues and has already attempted to strangle you before the relationship had really gotten started. Especially for hardcore Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), who has always been drawn to the strong and silent, macho type.

3. As messy breakups go, we can forgive Violet and Pete much more easily than Izzie and Alex.

Pete (Tim Daly - Private Practice) left Violet over huge problems regarding the wellbeing of their son. These were problems that would split any relationship, and it was clear that Violet had no ability to share her life with anyone while trying to recover from the attack.

Izzie and Alex's (Justin Chambers - Grey's Anatomy) relationship survived brain cancer, an ordeal stretching out over many months, involving a near death experience. And then they split up because Alex expressed concern about her ability to withstand hours and hours in the operating room. Right.

4. As strange developments go, we believe Charlotte becoming a sex doctor, and not Callie suddenly coming out of the closet.

Perhaps if Callie (Sara Ramirez - Grey's Anatomy) had voluntarily decided to date either of her girlfriends rather than sort of stumbling into the relationships, we'd believe it. Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith - Grey's Anatomy) coming out was completely believable, and her "leaves on the trees" speech was the very definition of great television. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw - Grey's Anatomy) coming onto Callie was believable, as well. But Callie herself? Her reactions to all these developments was hardly more than a series of shocked noises and a shrugging acceptance.

5. We really, really don't like Grey's quite as much without George O'Malley. And Private Practice has not robbed us of any beloved characters. They win.

The death of George (TR Knight - Grey's Anatomy) was quite a blow to the show's fanbase. As one of the most lovable characters, he added charm and reliable comedy to the show on a regular basis. The show has not recovered well in his absence, and Rimes will be hard pressed to replace him. As Izzie said rather ironically to one of the new Mercy West residents, the new additions to the cast will never quite restore the show to what it was.