I'm just going to say it--Private Practice is and was (RIP) a better show than Grey's Anatomy. No show (aside from Parenthood) has reduced me to tears or been more fulfilling than Private. The actors, the stories, the writing...everything about it has been genius. The only thing making me feel better about this being the end is that I have exclusive video and pictures I took from that last week from the set--and now I can bring it all to you!
So, let's go behind-the-scenes of Seaside Wellness and give this exceptional cast a proper goodbye, shall we?
Taye Diggs
Which co-star cracked you up the most? It's a tie between Paul [Adelstein] and Kate [Walsh].
Who teased you the most? The crew. They always are commenting on the color of my sweaters and how tight they are!
You and Naomi tied the knot! Are you happy the way Sam's storyline ended? I really am. I mean, that Audra [McDonald] is really talent-free. I really wish she'd win an award or two. I mean, she just won her fifth Tony! [Laughs] I should have asked her for one as a parting gift, she has so many.
Caterina Scorsone
Who cracked you up the most? Kate Walsh takes the cake. She has a background in sketch comedy that you don't get to see very much on this show. And there's Brian Benben and Paul Adelstein.
Are you happy with Amelia winding up with Matt Long's character? Yes. She had so much pathos and tragedy last year that had there been one more hit, she might not have made it. So having a nice little juicy romance was exactly what the doctor ordered!
Any chance you'd make an appearance on Grey's? Shonda is always coming up with new ways to make things lively and interesting, so if she wanted to have a Shepherd family reunion, or an Amelia visit to do some cutting edge brain surgery, I'd be all for it.
KaDee Strickland
__What will you miss the most?__The cast and crew. I'm going to miss Charlotte King. She's been a good friend to me. I feel like Shonda Rhimes and the writers have written one of the strongest characters on network television.
Who will you see on a regular basis? None of us are going anywhere! I'll probably go over and babysit Caterina's kid, and I already have dinner plans with Benjamin and his wife. It's constant.
Which co-star cracked you up the most? Paul and Taye are kind of in tandem. Those two are full on idiots, and I mean that in a loving way! Kate's hilarious. It's just delicious and entertaining to be around these rascals that I work with!
Who teases you the most? Paul! He gives me a fit all the time on everything! He loves to make fun of my accent! He'll literally razz my head the way that brothers do to each other.
What storyline other than your own moved you the most? This season I'm in love with Brian Benben's storyline. I love the character Sheldon and I love the actor Brian. They finally wrote to all of his strengths. It's a perfect ending for him. Of course, I think Caterina and the addiction storyline was just incredible. Girl, don't get me started on how she did that storyline, especially while she was pregnant. I'm pretty sure I could not have done what she did.
I could say the same about you with the rape storyline. Incredible and paralyzing. By the way, were you happy when they made you pregnant with triplets? I was horrified! It was one of the physically hardest things I've ever had to do as an actor. Between that and all those dance numbers, which I didn't know! They didn't even know if Paul and I could dance!
Are you happy with the way Charlotte's storyline wraps up? Yes! The final scene with Charlotte and Cooper is the best bow you could put on the package of those two. They actually did a great rewrite on it that made it even better.
I just noticed on your arm, is that a tattoo? I've never seen anything like that. It's almost glow-in-the-dark! Yes, I've got four! It's white ink! The cameras never picked it up! One is a biblical reference and then this says, "Be your truth." This is literally on my body to remind me to show up. I want to constantly be of service...playing Charlotte has made me a better person for which I am so beyond grateful.
__How are you and Charlotte alike?__We both have incredible men in our lives. We are so loved. [Everybody together now....Aww.]
Where do you see Charlotte in 10 years? Happy. And still so in love with Cooper.
__And maybe a stay-at-home mother?__Never!
Amy Brenneman
__Who cracked you up the most?__Paul and Taye. And Kate! When Kate can't remember her lines...the stuff that comes out of her mouth is just...I joke that I want to put together a talk show/variety show starring her because I honestly don't think the world has seen how insane she is. [Laughs]
Who teases you the most? Paul. He calls me Brennewitz. I'm half-Jewish, and he's all-Jewish, so I think he feels I'm denying my Jewishness. I'm like, no, I'm literally both.' [Laughs] When we were in the bathtub even for the Pete's memorial get-together, the crew thought we were really stoned!
Aside from your own storyline, which one moved you the most? Caterina's intervention...that was written and played just so beautifully. We like anything where the cast comes together.
Hardest storyline to play: Having Violet not bond with her own child, after the whole cutting-the-baby-out-of-the-belly thing. I thought it would last for a couple episodes, but it was the storyline for a full season, which was tough.
Paul Adelstein
Who cracked you up the most? Taye.
Who teased you the most? Brenneman or Caterina.
What storyline other than your own moved you the most? I loved the Addison adoption storyline and I loved the Violet/Lucas/Pete stuff. That little boy is so wonderful.
If Shonda asked you to come on Grey's, would you? In a heartbeat. I'd play Cooper or somebody else! I've never been on Grey's, actually. We went to the set and shot there as part of Private, but not as part of Grey's.
What is on tap after PP? I'm finishing a film with Minnie Driver called Return to Zero. A lot of Doris stuff coming up and more shows. We'll start recording again. I want to direct, and then we'll see what happens in pilot season. That's the wonderful and terrifying part about being an actor.
Before you go, check out more of my on-set pics and video!
Sam and Addison's beach houses:
St. Ambrose Hospital:
Video of Sam and Naomi's wedding. Yes, I was in a bush filming:
Bye-bye, Private Practice. We'll miss you. Tell me below what you loved most about last night's episode, and click here to see what Shonda Rhimes had to say about penning the finale.
