Meredith confesses her love for Derek asking him to love and choose her over Addison. Courtesy: Grey's Anatomy/abc

Jennifer Aniston with David Schwimmer in a scene from Friends.

AS the saying goes: every great love story has a beginning.

But how did our favourite TV couples, such as Ross and Rachel or Seth and Summer, first meet? Prepare for a trip down memory lane as Decider takes a look back at the first encounters of nine classic TV couples.

FYI To clarify, these are the first encounters we watched these characters have on their shows. We know Ross and Rachel knew each other in high school, but were focusing on their initial interaction on the series.

ROSS AND RACHEL (FRIENDS)

Whats the situation? So no one told Ross and Rachel that life was going to be this wayyyyy. As were introduced to the Central Perk 6, Ross is getting divorced and Rachel just pulled a Runaway Bride on her wedding day. While the two knew each other in high school, this scene is the future couples first encounter on the series.

First encounter:

Monica: You remember my brother Ross?

Rachel: Sure. Hi ... ah!

*An awkward Ross opens an umbrella into Rachel*

Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Considering all the future shenanigans these two would go through, Ross opening an umbrella on Rachel is quite indicative of future calamity.

Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green and David Schwimmer as Ross Geller.Source:Getty Images

SETH AND SUMMER (THE O.C.)

Whats the situation? Long before Seth and Summer were declaring their undying love for one another on various coffee carts, the two had an icy connection that can best be described as, well, non-existent. Moments before the now infamous Welcome to the O.C., bitch! quip, Summer was trying to hook up with Ryan, which in hindsight, ew, because that just seems all types of wrong. A heartbroken Seth, who has harboured a longtime crush on Ms. Roberts, catches her in the act.

First encounter:

Seth (to Ryan): What are you doing? I named my boat after her.

Summer: What? Eww. Who are you?

Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? No, but Adam Brody and Rachel Bilsons chemistry was undeniable as their relationship would be a pillar of the classic Fox series.

Seth and Summer from The O.C.Source:Supplied

BUFFY AND ANGEL (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER)

Whats the situation? Sensing shes being followed, Buffy acrobatically swings down from a bar and kicks Angel in the back, which is kinda foreplay for these two.

First encounter:

Angel: Is there a problem, maam?

Buffy: Yeah, theres a problem. Why are you following me?

Angel: I know what youre thinking, but dont worry. I dont bite. Truth is I thought youd be taller. Or bigger muscles and all that. Youre pretty spry though.

Buffy: What do you want?

Angel: The same thing you do.

Buffy: Okay, what do I want?

Angel: To kill them. To kill them all.

Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Definitely. Violence, flirting, banter? Its Buffy and Angel in a nutshell.

Angel and Buffy, what a couple.Source:News Corp Australia

MITCH AND CAM (MODERN FAMILY)

Whats the situation? Mitch and Cam are on a flight and theyre bringing Lilly home for the very first time.

First encounter:

Lady: Honey, honey, look at those babies with those cream puffs.

Mitchell: Okay, excuse me. (stands up to give speech) Excuse me, but this baby wouldve grown up in a crowded orphanage if it wasnt for us cream puffs. And you know what? No, to all of you who judge. Hear this: Love knows no race, creed, or gender. And shame on you, you small-minded, ignorant few ...

Cameron: Mitchell!

Mitchell: What?!

Cameron: (motions to cream puffs in Lilys hands) Shes got the cream puffs.

Mitchell: Oh.

Cameron: We would like to pay for everyones headsets.

Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? I cant possibly think of a better way to introduce this couple.

Mitch and Cam from Modern Family.Source:Supplied

JOSH AND DONNA (WEST WING)

Whats the situation? Fearing that Josh might be fired, Donna brings him coffee, which would be normal if it wasnt the first time shes done so in two and a half years.

First encounter:

Donna: You shouldnt have worn that tie on television. It bleeds.

Josh: I dont think the tie was what got me in trouble.

Donna: Yeah, but Ive told you a zillion times.

Josh: Whats that?

Donna: Its coffee.

Josh: I thought so.

Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Yep! Rapid fire banter and hidden depth wrapped up in conversational gymnastics is a Sorkin staple.

Bradley Whitford as Josh Lyman and Janel Maloney as Donna Moss.Source:Getty Images

MEREDITH AND DEREK (GREYS ANATOMY)

Whats the situation? Meredith attempts to kick Derek out after a one-night stand.

First encounter:

Derek: This is, um.

Meredith: Humiliating on so many levels. You have to go.

Derek: Why dont you just come back down here and well pick up where we left off?

Meredith: No, seriously. You have to go. Im late, which isnt what you want to be on your first day of work.

Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Adorableness? No. The couples sexual escapades? Definitely.

Derek and Meredith from Greys Anatomy.Source:News Corp Australia

LUKE AND LORELAI (GILMORE GIRLS)

Whats the situation? Lorelai. Luke. Coffee. Enough said.

First encounter:

Lorelai: Please, Luke. Please, please, please.

Luke: How many cups have you had this morning?

Lorelai: None. Five, but yours is better.

Luke: You have a problem.

Lorelai: Yes, I do.

Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Banter and copious amounts of coffee within the first minute of the series? The answer is obvious.

Lorelai and Luke from Gilmore Girls.Source:Supplied

JOEY AND PACEY (DAWSONS CREEK)

Whats the situation? Steven Spielberg fanatic Dawson Leery is shooting a horror film that stars his two best friends, Joey Potter and Pacey Witter. Despite the scorching snap, crackle, and pop banter between Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes, the will they/wont they tension emanating from this particular creek is initially between Dawson and Joey. But the chemistry between Pacey and Joey couldnt be denied and one of the most memorable love triangles of the WB era was formed. In their first encounter, Pacey, dressed as a sea monster, attacks Joey and pulls her into the water.

First encounter:

Joey: He did it again. He grabbed my ass.

Pacey: Like you even have one.

Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? Kind of. The sizzling repartee between the two is a Dawsons Creek staple. These two had that ineffable it-factor from the get-go.

Joey was played by Joshua Jackson and Pacey was played by Katie Holmes.Source:News Corp Australia

MONICA AND CHANDLER (FRIENDS)

Whats the situation? The series begins with Monica and the gang (minus Ross and Rachel) debating if an upcoming hangout is actually a date, which goes to show you that 1994 and 2017 may not be as dissimilar as we think. Chandlers first words to Monica are So does he have a hump? A hump and a hairpiece? but their first encounter is below.

First encounter:

Monica: Okay, everybody relax. This is not a date. Its two people going out to dinner and not having sex.

Chandler: Sounds like a date to me.

Is this scene predictive of future adorableness? I mean, could that be any more of a Chandler Bing kinda thing to say?

Monica was played by Courteney Cox Arquette and Chandler was played by Matthew Perry.Source:News Corp Australia

This article was originally published on the Decider

See original here:
When our favourite TV couples first met - NEWS.com.au

Whats the prognosis for Greys Anatomy Season 14? Drama, of course.

But its also going to be a lighter, sexier season, the stars say with new faces joining the show and familiar faces coming back for more action.

The season is still weeks away, though, so our prescription for you is to click through the slides of this gallery. Just be warned: Side effects include spoilers.

Greys Anatomy Season 14 premieres on Thursday, September 28, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Tip: Use keyboard arrows to navigate

Season 14 premieres on September 28.

Thats Thursday, September 28, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, to be exact.

In fact, the last time a season of Greys premiered any time other than the week of September 21-28 was Season 1.

Were getting a two-hour premiere

Twice the episode for twice the fun! Shonda knows how to treat us.

The first episode is titled Break Down the House

It was written by new showrunner Krista Vernoff, whos returning to the show for the first time since Season 7, and directed by exec producer/star Debbie Allen.

Season 14 pick up right where Season 13 left off

The docs will still be reeling from the hospital explosion and from now-departed doc Stephanies brush with death.

Theres obviously some damage to the hospital, Kelly McCreary tells Entertainment Weekly.

But it is, in true Greys Anatomy style, a completely surmountable obstacle, because we are superhuman doctors.

It serves more as a metaphor of the transformation that the show is going to go through tonally.

Season 14 wont be as dark as Season 13

Its lighter this season, Kelly McCreary continues.

The hospital definitely is undergoing some changes in the form of a new crop of students coming in.

Itll look a bit different in certain areas, and some relationships have come to an end or are blossoming, so repairing the damage is more of a metaphor.

Season 14 will introduce a spin-off

This spin-off, as of yet untitled, will focus on the firefighters of Seattle and will premiere in early 2018. (Heres everything we know about that show.)

Owens sister will be back, with a new face

Well see more of Megan Hunt now that shes been found, though shell be played by Timeless star Abigail Spencer.

(Bridget Regan, who played Megan last season, couldnt return because shes filming The Last Ship.)

Teddy Altman will be back, too

We last saw the cardiothoracic surgeon in Season 8, when Owen generously fired her so that she could pursue her dream job at MEDCOM in Germany which happens to be the army facility to which Megan Hunt, Owens sis, was transferreden route to Seattle.

Kim Raver is bringing the character back for multiple episodes in Season 14, and we imagine Teddy will help Megan in her recovery and her acclimation to Seattle.

The cast and crew have been filming in Seattle

Its the first time in a decade Greys Anatomy has filmed where its actually based instead of, yknow, a Hollywood soundstage and these exterior scenes will be interspersed throughout Season 14, Entertainment Weekly reports.

Cast members have filmed scenes on a ferry you know how much Greys loves its ferries! and at the real-life house that plays Merediths house.

Camilla Luddington promises a sexy season

Especially because the Alex-Jo-DeLuca love triangle is still a thing, as Camilla tells TV Guide:

This seasons going to be very sexy I can imagine [Jo] maybe feeling a little bit jealous if DeLuca started dating someone else.

But I think she's at a time in her life right now where she has to deal with her own emotional journey and what shes going through in her past ... before she really jumps straight into a relationship with someone else.

Theres some stuff that she has to work through.

Spoiler alert: Alex and Jo will get back together

Footage from the Seattle set shows Alex playfully chasing Jo in a park, and once he catches up to her, they embrace and kiss.

Paul Stadler, Jos abusive ex, will be back

Alex and Jo better watch out!

Glee alum Matthew Morrison said hell be reprising his Greys role.

I have a big role in Greys Anatomy coming up, he told The Argonaut in an interview published on August 2.

Jo is advancing in her career

We will absolutely explore Jos story more, Camilla Luddington told TVLine.

In fact, Camilla heard rumblings that Jo will take her board examinations and find another mentor

This season Jo may feel inspired by someone again, she says.

Well meet DeLucas sister, another medical professional

We are bringing my sister [in] as a new character, Giacomo Gianniotti told ETOnline.

She is going to be a new presence at the hospital. She comes from Italy, as my character is Italian, and you get to see us exchanging some blows in Italian, which will be very interesting

Her profession, although we cant disclose it, is a very interesting one. Its going to keep a lot of the doctors on their toes, make some doctors uncomfortable, [and] some people will be glad about [her coming on]. Shell stir things up with a European background and take on medicine.

Carina DeLuca will be played by Stefania Spampinato

The 35-year-old actress and dancer is Sicilian and had a two-episode arc on USAs Satisfaction in 2015.

Eliza Minnick wont be back

Were one step closer to a Calzona reunion, people!

Eliza, the education consultant that wooed Arizona was fired in the Season 13 finale, and TVLine confirms that Marika Domiczyk wont be returning for Season 14.

Whats the prognosis for Greys Anatomy Season 14? Drama, of course.

But its also going to be a lighter, sexier season, the stars say with new faces joining the show and familiar faces coming back for more action.

The season is still weeks away, though, so our prescription for you is to click through the slides of this gallery. Just be warned: Side effects include spoilers.

Greys Anatomy Season 14 premieres on Thursday, September 28, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Read more from the original source:
Everything We Know About 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 14 (PHOTOS) - Wetpaint

World oil markets have experienced a fundamental transition in recent years, making the practice of oil price manipulation to be elusive. In the past, oil prices were basically supported by the market being undersupplied, together with the specter of peak oil. Oil market paradigms were based on declining production in countries composing the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), contrasting with rising global demand mostly among non- OECD countries. In the face of such production declines, OPEC and Eurasia (Russia and the former United Soviet Social Republics, U.S.S.R) pegged their production to quotas more so associated with global supply than global demand. The resulting anticipation was for a state of secular market undersupply to simply continue, pushing oil prices higher.

However, oil prices collapsed. Market expectations were defeated with the U.S. dramatically increasing production. The production increase in the U.S. shocked markets by demonstrating the capacity to supply 78% of the total global oil demand increase from 2008 to 2015. Something never before experienced from a country or entity in the oil markets. OPEC and Eurasia market quotas, associated with global supply, cemented an oversupplied dynamic.

This oversupply was once thought to be self limiting with U.S. producers simply having to shut in production at various declining price levels. 2016 proved this not to be the case. Now, OPEC and Russia seek to regain influence in an oil market that's dramatically altered. Altered in such a way that the past method of controlling prices by controlling supply has simply given way to new technologies. These technologies evolved an oil market where the ability to accumulate market share at historically low prices is paramount. Driving this is that oil production trends have been much more dramatic than trends in oil demand, with both trends favoring oversupplied conditions. Technology is creating the ability to produce more oil at progressively cheaper costs. Likewise, technology reduces oil demand by creating fuel inefficiencies and alternative modes of energy.

Another transitional market dynamic is looming between a state of oversupplied conditions and sovereign budget deficits. Where OPEC countries once enjoyed significant sovereign budget surpluses and associated social services, now worrying budget deficits have persisted since 2014. To bridge the gap, unprecedented bond debt has been issued among the most able, namely Saudi Arabia, with there $17.5 billion global bond issuance in October of last year. The primary method of addressing deficits has been the use of foreign currency reserves, such as in Iraq to fill an approximate $20 billion per year short fall over the last 3 years. All of this in a region already inflicted with substantial ideological tensions, insurgencies and territorial conflicts.

OPEC once balanced production between supporting prices while avoiding global economic recession. Now, we see OPEC pressured in an unprecedented way with private company profitability setting oil price discovery. A collapse in OPEC production is the risk as always, but now it is compounded by the new economics of oil price due to technology, and not just the customary features of ideology and territory.

According to data from the United States' Energy Information Administration (EIA), from 2007 through 2013, global markets were undersupplied with oil 4 years out of the total 7 years. The undersupply was often significant with an undersupply of 1.4 million barrels per day(mb/d) in 2007 and 1.24 mb/d in 2011. In 2012 an oversupply of only 140 thousand barrels per day (kb/d) occurred. In 2009 and 2010, the market was essentially balanced with demand having been eroded by the Great Recession.

In the singular instance of oversupply, the volume of oversupply was minimal. This dynamic supported inflation adjusted oil prices in the range of $90 to $105 per barrel. A shift to oversupply came in 2014 with an oversupply of 820 kb/d, gaining to 1.71 mb/d in 2015 and 250 kb/d in 2016. So far in 2017, the first quarter saw a state of balance and second quarter saw an undersupply of 270 kb/d, primarily attributable to a large decline in Canadian production due to an unscheduled disruption in operations. Of course it was in the second half of 2014 that oil prices began their collapse as the basic premise of maintaining an undersupplied market showed failure.

Basic to explaining this shift in supply is shale and tight oil production in the U.S. For decades, oil production in the U.S. had been in decline until technology opened a new chapter. Chevron's 10-K for 2016 explains the oil industry's new approach to production by using the Permian basin as an example. According to Chevron, the "Permian has multiple stacked formations that enable production from several layers of rock in different geological zones." This allows "for multiple horizontal wells to be developed from a single well pad location using shared facilities and infrastructure..."

Such a compounding of wells on a single well pad, near shared facilities and infrastructure, largely explains the countervailing premise of historical oil market dynamics.

The EIA tracks oil production data in a variety of ways. One such way is by tracking production of "petroleum and other liquids," which is similar to barrels of oil equivalents. I will reference this EIA data as barrels of oil equivalents per day (boe/d). In 2009, as the new production technologies were being launched, U.S. production jumped by 630 kboe/d to 9.14 mboe/d, an increase of 7.4% over 2008's level of 8.51 mboe/d. U.S. production increased at similar rates until 2012 when the increase was 980 kboe/d to reach 11.11 mboe/d, an increase of 9.7% over 2011 levels. 2013 saw the U.S. rate of production brake the one million mark by increasing by 1.23 mboe/d, 2014 was a banner year with a production increase of 1.73 mboe/d, and 2015 saw a per day increase of another 1.05 mboe/d.

With multiple years of increasing production by over a million barrels per day, and nearly 2 million barrels per day in 2014, U.S. total production found itself at 15.12 mboe/d in 2015. This reflects a 77.6% increase in U.S. oil production from a 2008 level of 8.51 mboe/d. Over 7 years, the U.S. increased its production by a remarkable 6.61 mboe/d.

From 2008 to 2015, total global oil production went from 85.37 mboe/d to 95.78 mboe/d, an increase of 10.41 mboe/d. Of this increase in supply, the U.S. accounted for 6.61 mboe/d, or 63.5% of the increase in total global supply. Over the same period, the largest oil producer, OPEC, saw their production go from 35.72 mboe/d in 2008 to 38.31 mboe/d in 2015, an increase of only 2.59 mboe/d. Most of OPEC's increased production was in 2015 with an increase of 1.96 mboe/d. Still, OPEC's share of total increased global supply was only 24.8%. If one considers that global oil production grew by 10.41 mboe/d between 2008 and 2015, and increased production from both the U.S. and OPEC totaled 9.2 mboe/d, the combined increase in supply from the U.S. and OPEC accounted for 88% of the total increase in global supplies.

Eurasia once was the second largest oil producer behind OPEC, but this changed in 2014 with the progressing evolution of U.S. production. In 2008, Eurasia produced 12.52 mboe/d contrasting with the U.S. producing 8.51 mboe/d. By 2015, Eurasia's production advanced to 14.10 mboe/d while U.S. production saw 15.12 mboe/d. This resulted in Eurasia production growing by a small 1.58 mboe/d from 2008 to 2015, which is only 15% of the total growth in global production of 10.41 mboe/d.

If one combines U.S., OPEC and Eurasia production increases, the three grew production from 2008 to 2015 by 10.78 mboe/d while total global production increased at a smaller rate of 10.41 mboe/d. This numerical discrepancy shows that production from the above three assisted in offsetting production declines in other areas such as the North Sea having a decline of 1.24 mboe/d and Mexico declining by 570 kboe/d. Add in Canadian production increasing by 1.46 mboe/d, together with minor advances and declines in other areas and one can see that the increase in U.S. production of 6.61 mboe/d fundamentally altered the global oil market.

From 2009 through 2011, U.S. oil production steadily crept higher, gaining by about 500 kboe/d. That rate of production doubled in 2012, hitting nearly one million barrels per day of new oil that previously wasn't anticipated. OPEC generally keeps its share of total global production at about 40%, Eurasia similarly keeps its share in the 15% range. The U.S. on the other hand, expanded its share of total global production from 9.9% in 2008 to 15.8% in 2015. In so doing, the U.S. accounted for 63.5% of the increase in total global supply, and is the essential reason for the increase in global supply.

Looking at the demand side of the equation, production in the U.S. appears to have averted a looming energy crises. In so doing, a progressing undersupply imbalance was corrected, at the expense of high oil prices. In 2008, total global consumption stood at 85.78 mboe/d and reached 94.07 mboe/d by 2015, resulting in an increase of 8.29 mboe/d. Of course total global oil supply increased by 10.41 mboe/d over this period, showing an oversupply of 2.12 mboe/d. This oversupply assisted in compensating for more periods of substantial undersupply than rare periods of meager oversupply.

With the U.S. increasing its production by 6.61 mboe/d from 2008 to 2015, and total global demand increasing by 8.29 mboe/d, the increase in U.S. production addressed 78% of the increase in global demand and, together with OPEC and Eurasia production, an oversupply resulted. Over the 7 years prior to 2008, an opposite dynamic prevailed where supply grew by 7.6 mboe/d and demand grew by 10.3 mboe/d, with an undersupply of 2.7 mboe/d. Undersupply was the essential premise of oil markets, and when the U.S. shale revolution became apparent as a continuing development, prices collapsed.

Originally it was assumed that the oversupplied condition would be self correcting. That is, the falling price of oil due to changes in market dynamics would inevitably weed out U.S. shale production. However, as observed by Chevron's John Watson in his Q4 2016 earnings call, "I have been surprised at how resilient production has been in many locations around the world[,] some of that is we just keep getting better."

One such location of production resiliency is certainly the U.S. In January 2016, the EIA projected that U.S. petroleum production would fall into a run rate of 14.5 mboe/d and stay there, if not go lower, through 2017. This contrasts with a run rate in the 15.20 mboe/d range seen in 2015, a decline of 700 kboe/d. By June 2016, the EIA projected U.S. production to fall as low as 14.22 mboe/d, a decline of 980 kboe/d versus 2015 levels. Interestingly, EIA projected continuation of oversupply through 2017 despite projections of significantly declining U.S. production. The essential reason was forecasts of OPEC increasing production thereby offsetting U.S. declines. It wasn't until December of 2016 that OPEC resolved to cut production by 1.8 million barrels of crude per day. The reason: By December of 2016, both OPEC and the EIA had recognized the resiliency of U.S. production.

Though U.S. production did decline, it didn't do so to the extent thought. U.S. production consistently defeated projections to the upside throughout 2016 by around 200 kboe/d. Ultimately U.S. production decreased by only 290 kboe/d compared with 2015, despite oil prices rarely exceeding $50 per barrel, going as low as $27 and ranging between $50 and $40. In 2016, the market remained oversupplied by 350 kboe/d, assisted by OPEC increasing its production by 610 kboe/d.

OPEC's agreement in late 2016 to cut production by 1.8 mb/d boosted oil price optimism. But the agreement was more so a last ditch response to OPEC's disappointed expectations of U.S. shale production collapsing. Through the first half of 2016 both OPEC and the EIA projected declining U.S. production, with OPEC's expectations being much more aggressive. In the second half of 2016, it became apparent that U.S. shale production could function in an environment of sustained low pricing. Consequently the EIA began to revise up projections for U.S. production.

Currently, U.S. production has returned to the upward trajectory previously witnessed. In January 2017, the EIA projected U.S. first-quarter production to be 14.76 mboe/d, the actual production was 15.01 mboe/d. Same with the second quarter where the projection was 15.04 mboe/d with an actual rate of 15.36 mboe/d. By the fourth quarter of this year, the EIA projects U.S. production to reach 16.24 mboe/d, exceeding the high mark reached in 2015 of 15.20 mboe/d. OPEC is also projected by the EIA to exceeds previous records of production by reaching 39.91 mboe/d by the end of 2017.

The EIA forecasts a balanced oil market this year, going into moderately oversupplied next year. However, such a forecast for 2017 looks to be based essentially on flat Canadian production. Since the rescission, Canada has consistently increased production. In the fourth quarter of 2016, their production reached 4.95 mboe/d and was at 4.92 mboe/d in the first quarter of 2017. In the second quarter of 2017, production fell to 4.52 mboe/d due to disruptions arising from a fire at Suncrude Canada Ltd.'s bitumen processing plant. For the third and fourth quarters of 2017, the EIA is projecting Canadian production to be at 4.78 mboe/d. Given Canada's history of increasing production and given a production rate of 4.9 mboe/d prior to the second quarter disruption, it appears more likely that Canadian production will reach the 5.0 mboe/d level. Such an event would result in a slightly oversupplied market for 2017.

OPEC's production cuts are showing signs of declining enthusiasm. June's compliance rate decline to 78% versus high 90% rates in previous months. There is a market dynamic at play which OPEC has yet to address, at prices more so implying the need for difficult social transition than simply the margin efficiencies obtained by private oil companies.

Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

See the original post:
The Anatomy Of An Oil Market Evolution, Its Sustainability, And Consequences - Seeking Alpha

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Photo Credit: Greys Anatomy/ABC Image Acquired from ABC Studios Press

All TV shows have those characters that fans hate with a passion, including Greys Anatomy. Or there are characters that just dont seem to be interesting or vibrant enough to gain a lot of love. These characters leave with either little fanfare or with fans cheering for their demise. Its a shame that actors are no longer working on the show, but the characters certainly do not end up missed.

On the odd occasion, an unlikable character does get an emotional and well-created exit. We can be left wondering if there could have been something more, but a rewatch of an episode reminds us of why we hated that character with a passion.

With the news that a certain character is not returning to the show, I cant help but think about how much I wont miss her. A lot of fans feel the same, and its brought up the question of other characters we dont really miss from the show.

There are a lot of reasons why we dont miss a character inGreys. Sometimes its because they were just hateful characters but others are due to poor writing or lack of dimensions. In some cases, their storylines came to a natural end and theres no reason to have them back.

Heres a look at 13 Greys Anatomy characters that we definitely do not miss from the show.

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Excerpt from:
13 Grey's Anatomy characters we definitely don't miss - Hidden Remote

A new romance might be in the air when Greys Anatomy returns.

After the season 13 finale hinted at a potential romance for Jackson (Jesse Williams) and Maggie (Kelly McCreary), fans of the ABC medical drama have spent the hiatus wondering if Japril is out and Jaggie Mackson? is in. April (Sarah Drew) pointed out the potential in the finale, telling Maggie she believes her ex-husband and the cardio doc who grew close when Jackson treated Maggies dying mother have feelings for one another.

What April said to her literally had not crossed her mind, so I think its a question shes grappling with whether theres any truth to that, and if there is, what to do with it, and if theres not, how to manage if theres truth for Jackson in that, McCreary tells EW. Shes on fertile ground trying basically to find out whether April was onto something shes unaware of.

When Greys Anatomy returns this fall, the series will pick up right where the finale left off following the hospital explosion, which means Aprils words will still be ringing in Maggies ears. So, will Maggie take a shot with Jackson? The truth is that still remains to be seen, McCreary says. Whats ironic is that all of the reasons the fans might not want Jackson and Maggie to get together are the exact things that make really great drama. Thats true of life, too, the stuff that makes things a little bit messier is the stuff we think we dont want, but ultimately makes us stronger, so if thats where it goes, then theres probably good story to mine and good lessons to teach there about humanity and god knows what else.

And if it doesnt go there, McCreary continues, theres still so much potential in that relationship because Jackson and Maggie havent spent a lot of meaningful time together, April and Maggie havent spent a lot of meaningful time together those are new relationships that are absolutely as worthy of exploration as Amelia and Maggie and Meredith and Maggie, so why not?

Greys Anatomy returns with a two-hour premiere on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Read the rest here:
Grey's Anatomy: Will Jackson and Maggie really get together? - EW.com (blog)

Human, empathetic, rational, emotional, brave and agile just a snapshot of the essential attributes a modern marketing leader must possess.

From being data literate and adept at driving sales, to having the ability to tell a rich brand story, marketers can feel under real pressure to excel at every aspect of the role in order to succeed. This pressure, coupled with the shrinking length of CMO tenure, is putting marketing leaders under the microscope like never before.

To examine the key skills and attributes required by a modern marketing leader in 2017 Marketing Week has carried out an in-depthqualitative and quantitive study, mapping out the Anatomy of a Leader.

The first part of the study looked at the core responsibilities of a marketing leader, with our survey of more than 600 marketers finding thatsales and commercial awareness (74%) is considered the most important responsibility for marketing leaders.

Now, switching the focus to the essential attributes of a modern leader, it is strategic thinking that most marketers (86%) believe is imperative.

Relationship building came in a distant second (61%), followed by people management (60%), vision (59%) and problem solving (57%).

Conversely, visual presentation emerged as the least important skill for a marketing leader (14%), followed by practicality (15%), general knowledge (16%), specialist knowledge (16%) and written communication (20%).

READ MORE:Take our quiz to find out if you have the Anatomy of a Leader

Recognition of the importance of strategy is welcomed by Marketing Week columnist Mark Ritson: In recent years, marketing has become more and more tactical and we have lost the art of developing clear strategic direction first. We like to debate the knobs and dials of communication, but do not have a clear strategy for our brands first.

Adaptability (87%) was identified as the attribute growing most in importance for marketing leaders, followed by strategic thinking (83%), vision (81%) and technical proficiency (77%).

The fact that strategic thinking, commercial awareness and vision are now seen as being more important is unsurprising since more marketing leaders are moving into roles with a broader set of commercial and customer accountabilities, says Direct Line Groups marketing director, Mark Evans.

What is perhaps surprising is that more marketing leaders believe that technical proficiency has simultaneously become more important. I suspect that this relates to being literate and staying fresh with regards to all things digital. However, there is a risk of being a jack of all trades and a master of none.

Evans recognises that not all digital skills are a must-have for marketing leaders and while it is helpful for CMOs to understand developments in digital, it is better to remain channel agnostic.

CMOs may feel pressure to personally build digital skills, but I dont think its something to lose sleep over if you have invested in your team, he adds.

Bacardi head of creative excellence, Zara Mirza, agrees it is less about being a super CMO who can do it all and more about building strong teams. At Bacardi, we have more than one CMO. We have me, we have a head of data, head of PR. Together we figure it out and we all report into the CEO.

Thats a smart move as theres not going to be one person as a super CMO. Having lots of perspectives and figuring it out together will give you a better chance of success.

READ MORE:Russell Parsons The modern marketing leaders might not be who you think

Looking ahead, problem solving (77%), the ability to listen (74%), resilience (74%), people management (67%) and risk taking (67%) are key attributes that marketers say are becoming the DNA of a marketing leader.

By contrast the research finds that experience (11%), specialist knowledge (10%), tactical execution (9%) and assertiveness (7%) are the attributes marketers are most likely to identify as becoming less important to the make up of the modern leader.

LinkedIn CMO ShannonStubo believes asking the right questions and using the answers to solve problems is the hallmark of a successful leader. Reflecting on her own background in PR, Stubo explains that despite not having the typical marketing experience of most CMOs, she understands how to set a vision, hire great people and build excellent teams.

Marketing leaders need to be able to identify the right talent, but also be relationship-focused with key stakeholders. They need to be able to dedicate time to mentoring and coaching to help teams develop, as well as navigate and adapt to increasingly fast-moving trends, she adds.

READ MORE: LinkedIns CMO on being a marketing boss with PR DNA

Reflecting on the skills he feels are missing from the top survey findings, Britvic CMO Matt Barwell highlights the ability to lead creatively and encourage an environment of creative thinking, which he argues are attributes far more likely to deliver true breakthroughs.

Humanity and empathy are the stand-out traits of a brilliant marketing leader in the opinion of Tommy Hilfiger CMO Avery Baker, who argues that leading without an ego is the only way to get the best out of people.

However, these softer skillsfail to impress Ritson. All this wank about humanity and bravery is the outcome of sitting around on yachts in Cannes feeling each others pain. Its time for marketers to wake up and smell the coffee. Our role is as a fundamental part of organisational success, not some personality-driven, self help group for sensitive people.

Peugeot marketing director Mark Pickles disagrees, arguing that marketers ultimately have to be brave and adaptable in order to succeed.

It is only by understanding the core desires, motivations and demands of consumers, and being brave enough to consider how to quickly adapt the enterprise to deliver these that the modern marketer can survive and prosper.

However, in the opinion of IBM CMO Lisa Gilbert, the perfect marketing leader is T-shaped. She defines this as a mixture of general leadership skills, like the ability to set a vision or the tenacity to bring an idea over the finish line, combined with expertise such as the ability create a compelling narrative or get to the root of a data problem.

This mix of skills is underpinned by empathy and the ability to manage your energy, explains Gilbert.

Being a leader in this fast-paced industry takes stamina. Fortifying yourself with people who lift you up, coupled with a few good nights sleep are critical to winning the marathon of leadership versus the sprint.

At its core Marketing Weeksresearch reaffirms how essential it is for marketers of any level to possess strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking, talents that are superseding functional skills such as copywriting and design.

To be a successful marketing leader the key is to recognise that you do not need to be good at everything and that fundamentally it is far more valuable to ask the right questions, listen to the answers and empower your teams to execute your vision with confidence and creativity.

Marketing Week will further explore the necessaryqualitiesfor leadership on the Realising YourPotential stage at the Festival of Marketing in October. For tickets, visit festivalofmarketing.com

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Anatomy of a Leader: The practical skills you need to get to the top - Marketing Week

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Updated Aug. 8, 2017, 8 a.m. PT: Grey's Anatomy is making casting changes so quickly, we can hardly keep up.

In the latest announcement, Refinery29 reports that series regular Marika Dominczyk, who plays Dr. Eliza Minnick, won't be returning for Season 14.

Fans who watched the end of the last season probably won't be surprised. Eliza Minnick joined at the start of Season 13, and she came into Grey Sloan Memorial like a wrecking ball, pissing off pretty much every doctor (except Arizona, who she instead dated), and getting unceremoniously fired by Bailey in the season finale. At least Shonda Rhimes didn't kill her, so the door is open for her to reappear later. Let's all just hold out hope for that.

Original story:

Grey's Anatomy has some pretty big casting news for Season 14.

More: Jesse Williams' Insta Is Making Us So Hungry for Grey's Anatomy

Glee star Matthew Morrison has revealed that he'll be reprising his role from the end of Season 13 as Dr. Paul Stadler by returning as a series regular in the upcoming season. But Morrison is staying tight-lipped about the details, saying only that he has a "big role coming up." What we do know is that there will be drama between Morrison's character and Justin Chambers' character, Alex Karev. They crossed paths briefly at the end of the 13th season, where it was revealed that Dr. Stadler is Jo's abusive estranged husband, and if we know anything about Alex Karev, it's that he fiercely defends the people he loves.

The show's upcoming season will also welcome Timeless star Abigail Spencer as Owen's sister, Megan Hunt. Megan was presumed to be dead, but the end of the Season 13 finale saw Owen anxiously awaiting her arrival to Seattle. She was previously played by Bridget Regan, who was unable to take the recurring role due to her commitment to TNT's Last Ship. She did congratulate Spencer on landing the role, though.

More: Grey's Anatomy's Finale Had a Sad Goodbye but These Deaths Were Way Worse

"Thanks for all the love guys! @abigailspencer is an incredible actor, tip top lady and will be a BRILLIANT Megan on #GreysAnatomy," she wrote.

More: Grey's Anatomy Season 14 Will Feature a Blast From the Past

Season 14 of Grey's Anatomy premieres with a two-hour episode on Thursday, Sept. 28.

The rest is here:
Grey's Anatomy Is Making So Many Cast Changes, We Can Barely ... - SheKnows.com

Now PlayingGrey's Anatomy: Will DeLuca and Jo Get Together in Season 14?

With Jo's (Camilla Luddington) estranged husband Paul (Matthew Morrison) back in the picture when Grey's Anatomyreturns for Season 14, will her love triangle with DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) and Alex (Justin Chambers) become a... quadrangle?

Not anytime soon, Luddington assures.

"I have yet to read a script that has my ex-husband back in it," Luddington told TV Guide at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Los Angeles this week. "It's definitely a storyline that I hope we explore, because it's so important. But right now, it's [DeLuca] and Alex."

Of course, Jo has no idea that Alex went to confront her ex at the end of Season 13 -- and DeLuca has no idea either.

Grey's Anatomy Adds a Controversial New Doctor for Season 14

"When Jo finds out that Alex did that, I don't know what her reaction's going to be," Luddington admits. "I feel like it could go either way. They're in a really interesting time in their relationship, and it's very tricky. ... Do I think that it could push them even further away from each other? It's definitely possible."

But will it push Jo further away from Alex and then into the arms of DeLuca? We'll have to wait and see, but this is Grey's, so one thing is certain: there will be complications. For now, Jo will be leaning on DeLuca in a friendship capacity in Stephanie's (Jerrika Hinton) absence. And, after confessing his feelings to Jo didn't go over so well at the end of last season, DeLuca may be looking to move on.

"It might be a little bit more awkward, now that there's some things that have been shared between us that are a little bit more intimate," Gianniotti tells TV Guide. "We're bringing on some new people, and so there might be something there. ... If [a new romance] was to happen, I feel like Jo's the one that got away [for DeLuca]."

Adds Luddington: "This season's going to be very sexy. ... I can imagine [Jo] maybe feeling a little bit jealous if DeLuca started dating someone else. But I think she's at a time in her life right now where she has to deal with her own emotional journey and what she's going through in her past ... before she really jumps straight into a relationship with someone else. There's some stuff that she has to work through."

Grey's Anatomy kicks off Season 14 with a two-hour premiere Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8/7c on ABC.

The rest is here:
Grey's Anatomy Stars Tease "Sexy" Season 14 - TV Guide

When youre a rebuilding team, its hard to find wins anywhere, but this current stretch is a tall order for anybody.

The White Sox ended the first half with three games against the Rockies, then opened the second half with the Mariners, Dodgers, Royals, Cubs, Indians, Blue Jays and Red Sox. Theyll start a series with the Astros today, followed by more Royals and Dodgers before a softer week arrives.

Thats nine teams with winning records at the time the White Sox played them, and the Mariners are over .500 and adding now (they acquired Yonder Alonso). The math says the White Sox would find it difficult to win, and the results bear that out, with a whopping 20 losses over their last 23 games.

As a result, the White Sox are now within one game of the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft.

Heres how the standings looked at the opening of the second half.

The White Sox made up eight games on the Phillies over a stretch of 22 games, during a stretch where the Phillies played only .500 baseball. This is like The Phold in reverse.

Its been a team effort, because the White Sox sport both ...

Baseballs worst offense: In the second half, the White Sox rank dead last in all of baseball in runs (68), OBP (.284) and OPS (.658) ... and that includes teams that dont have the designated hitter. The position players as a group are 0.1 wins below replacement. The Brewers are the only ones worse, and by one-tenth of a point.

... and ...

The leagues worst pitching: The White Sox have the ALs worst second-half ERA at 5.34, with the Rockies (5.68) and Red (5.84) trailing. It could be worse, because the Sox have yielded a whopping 45 homers over 193 23 innings, along with the highest OBP (.371) and slugging percentage (.520). The Rockies are the only team within 50 points of OPS, and they play at Coors Field. Most of this is on the rotation, which has a 6.28 ERA (second-worst) and a 1.69 WHIP (easily the worst) since the All-Star break. As a whole, the White Sox pitching staff has been worth -1.5 WAR, with every other team on the positive side.

Its not all bad. Carlos Rodon has finally tied together two overpowering starts, Yoan Moncada went 5-for-14 with three walks during the Boston series, and Reynaldo Lopez is starting on Friday, although the White Sox havent yet made that official. There are aspects of this team worth watching on a regular basis.

They just get overshadowed by the overwhelming talent deficit the Sox face day in and day out. Most of it shows up on the scoreboard, but theyre even battling parts that get buried in the box scores (the White Sox running into outs while being unable to slow down the running game, for instance).

The arrival of baseballs sluggingest offense figures to only exacerbate the problem, but the White Sox arent too good for anybody anymore. If they can only count on wins against teams with worse records, they wont play the Philles until 2019.

Excerpt from:
The anatomy of the White Sox' 3-19 second half - South Side Sox

For years, Selim, a director at the Department of Homeland Security, built relationships with Muslim community leaders as part of the federal government's programs to combat violent extremism. The idea was for the federal government to support local initiatives to prevent children and young adults from being recruited and radicalized by violent extremist groups, such as ISIS.

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The Anatomy Of A Trump Administration Resignation Letter - BuzzFeed News