Grey's Anatomy: Watch Out Cristina and Owen

Since Grey's Anatomy's resident dysfunctional couple is currently happy, someone clearly has to take their place right? After all, this isn't Grey's Anatomy if there isn't at least one issue-laden couple. Let's do a quick head count. Meredith and Derek - happy; Alex and Izzie - tough love happy; Sloan and Lexie - weird, but happy; Cristina and Owen - wait.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Grey's Anatomy is throwing a wrench at the so-far improving Cristina and Owen pairing in the person of 24's Kim Raver. Jack Bauer's ex is set to play a new surgeon and potentially a new love interest for Owen starting episode 9, which airs November 12. With the Seattle Grace-Mercy West merger upon us, it's not clear if she'll be with either hospital.

McKidd has previously alerted Grey's fans that something / someone will definitely come in the way of his relationship with Cristina but it will be worth it in the long run.

"Someone comes to the hospital that he was connected to in his past, not his ex-fiance, but it's somebody we didn't expect. I think it could get a little tricky, but exciting and interesting. Hopefully it will bring [Owen and Cristina] closer in the long run."

No respite for the wicked, as they say. No respite for the wicked.

Kim Raver joining 'Grey's Anatomy'

Kim Raver is checking into Seattle Grace.

The "Lipstick Jungle" star has joined the cast of the ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" as a recurring, playing a new surgeon.

Raver will make her first appearance on the show in the ninth episode, which is expected to air Nov. 12.

"Grey's" reunites Raver with ABC and creator-executive producer Shonda Rhimes. This past development season, Raver starred on the ABC drama pilot "Inside the Box," which was exec produced by Rhimes.

Raver, whose series credits also include "24" and "The Nine," is repped by WME and Mosaic.

Katherine Heigl takes a long leave from 'Grey's Anatomy.' Her idea or ABC's?

Katherine Heigl is talking a prolonged leave of absence from “Grey's Anatomy.”Gosh, is that applause we hear?

She's reportedly going to skip five episodes to shoot yet another romantic comedy, "Life As We Know It," directed by Greg Berlanti .

But this leave didn't have anything to do with her loud complaints last month about (boo-hoo) having to work 17-hour days.

And the resulting smackdown from ABC President Stephen McPherson was not indicative of any network displeasure.

Or was it?

"I think it's unfortunate," McPherson said of Heigl's comments during the Television Critics Assn. summer press tour. "It’s not something I think you want to let consume you or your people because it is what it is. People are going to behave in the way they choose to behave."

And it probably also has nothing to do with Heigl withdrawing her name from Emmy consideration last year because she felt the material she was given was not awards worthy.

Nah, just a coincidence.

Except that my inside sources tell me that this “temporary leave” is an easy way to transition Heigl off the show without causing a big stink.

Obviously, the leave is being presented like it was her idea. And maybe it was.
What do you think?

Did we mention that there are three new doctors coming to work at Seattle Grace? Nora Zehetner, Robert Baker, and Jesse Williams are joining the cast as recurring characters.

If Heigl comes back, she may find someone else wearing Izzie's scrubs and putting their name on her locker.