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Freestyle Music Park
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Freestyle Music Park
Slogan
Full Volume Family Fun
Location
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States
Coordinates
33°42′50″N 78°56′02″W / 33.714°N 78.934°W / 33.714; -78.934Coordinates: 33°42′50″N 78°56′02″W / 33.714°N 78.934°W / 33.714; -78.934
Owner
HRP Myrtle Beach Operations (April - September 2008) FPI MB Entertainment (May 2009 - August 2011)
FPI US LLC (August 2011 -Current)
Opened
April 15, 2008
Closed
2009
Previous names
Hard Rock Park
Operating season
Memorial Weekend To Labor Day
Area
55 acres (22 ha)
Rides
Total
50+
Roller coasters
5
Freestyle Music Park, formerly Hard Rock Park, was a music theme park located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that opened on April 15, 2008, then temporarily closed on September 24, 2008, due to financial issues, then reopened on May 23, 2009, under the Freestyle brand,[1][2][3] and closed yet again after the 2009 season.[4] It was built on 55 acres (22 ha) on a 140-acre (57 ha) property[5] at the intersection of Highway 501 and the Intracoastal Waterway on a site that includes part of the former Waccamaw Factory Shoppes in Fantasy Harbour, and used Mall 3 as its headquarters.[6]
Contents
1 History
1.1 Development of Hard Rock Park
1.2 2008 season: Hard Rock Park
1.3 Early closure, bankruptcy and new owners
1.4 2009 season: Freestyle Music Park
1.5 Further problems and subsequent closure
2 Attractions
2.1 Roller coasters
2.2 Other attractions
2.3 Shows
3 Fictional story
4 In popular culture
5 References
6 External links
History[edit]
The Old Hard Rock Park Sign
Development of Hard Rock Park[edit]
Plans for a Hard Rock-themed amusement park were released in 2003, but at the time, funding and licensing agreements had yet to be finalized.[7] AVX Corporation CEO Dick Rosen and other investors including Ziel Feldman and Safe Harbor Capital Partners managing partner Amnon Bar-Tur created two companies. Myrtle Property Owners I, which invested in the proposed theme park. Myrtle Property Owners II bought land from Rosen, with the intent to build a hotel along the Intracoastal Waterway in October 2005. A feasibility study showed that developers predicted 3 million visitors a year in the park's first year, with growth of nine percent the second year and decreasing growth rates after that.[8]
By 2006, a licensing agreement with the Hard Rock franchise was reached.[9] The Hard Rock name was licensed from Seminole Nation–owned Hard Rock International, current owners/operators of the Hard Rock Cafe brand, to HRP Myrtle Beach Operations, LLC, which designed and built the park, for a fee of $2.5 million per year.[10] Investors included Tim Duncan and AVX Corporation CEO Dick Rosen. Financing also included a loan of $385 million, though the park only cost $225 million to build. An early theme was the four seasons of summer, spring, winter and fall.[11]
Hard Rock Park was officially announced in early 2007.[12] Construction for the park took place in 2007.[13]
2008 season: Hard Rock Park[edit]
The grand opening celebration as Hard Rock Park on June 2, 2008, featured a concert by Eagles and The Moody Blues. The park featured six "rock environs" celebrating rock's culture, lifestyle, legends and irreverence. These rock environs included the All Access Entry Plaza, Rock & Roll Heaven, British Invasion, Lost in the 70's, Born in the USA and Cool Country.[14] At opening, the park had amusement rides, live shows, interactive elements, kids play areas, gardens, shopping and dining attractions. The main attractions of the park were the roller coasters and live shows that were set to music. The park included an amphitheater with 10,000-person capacity featuring live daily shows and special performances. Other amusements included a carousel, a water play structure and swings. Most attractions prominently featured music, bands, and rock memorabilia like its cafe counterpart.
The park opened to "awesome" reviews. The Times of London's writer Chris Haslam concluded that America's newest theme park brought the genre "from the preschool plastic of Disney to a new age of insubordinate adolescence through a combination of nerdy attention to detail, startling irreverence and sly wit."[15] Beth J. Harpaz, Associated Press travel editor, declared Nights in White Satin: The Trip as one of her all-time favorite rides from any park, right up there with Disney's popular Soarin' Over California ride.[16] However, Hard Rock Park had stated the park could accommodate up to 30,000 visitors a day,[17] and in light of the frozen credit markets, the park could not secure sufficient finance to underwrite its planned advertising campaign.[18] As the 2008 economic downturn deepened during the summer, high gas and hotel prices coupled with limited advertising by the park led to lower-than-expected attendance. The park cited "macroeconomic conditions that significantly depressed overall demand in the travel and leisure industry" and a lack of cash to advertise.[19] The park had borrowed a lot of money and could not convince investors to provide more help to keep the park going.[11]
Changes were made to operating hours and planned operating days. The original closing time of 1 a.m. was moved up to 10 p.m. in August and the park moved to weekend-only operations after Labor Day. And with an earlier end-of-season planned on November 2, the park scheduled no concerts past August 30.[20]
Early closure, bankruptcy and new owners[edit]
In September 2008, HRP investor Africa Israel Investments decided to write off its entire $10 million investment in the park "due to liquidity difficulties the park is experiencing".[21] Hard Rock Park then announced that they were ending the 2008 season over a month early, laying off most of the employees, and had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the time of the filing, the park expressed hopes of reopening in 2009;[22] the following month the company announced plans to sell the park. In January 2009, the company converted to Chapter 7.[23]
In February 2009, the Delaware bankruptcy court declined to force an auction and approved the sale of the park to FPI MB Entertainment (FPI) for $25 million.[24] FPI MB Entertainment was a joint venture of FPI US LLC, a company incorporated in Delaware, and MB Entertainment.[25] The partners included Roundbox Advisors, Freestyle Park International, Baker Leisure Group, and two of the park's original owners — Thomas M. Hiles and D. Tim Duncan. Baker Leisure Group managed the day-to-day park operations.[24] FPI had to completely re-skin and overhaul the park to comply with court rulings.[26]
On April 2, 2009, the new owners announced that the Hard Rock name would be dropped, despite efforts to obtain permission from Hard Rock International, which had been willing to continue use of the name if conditions could be met. The bankruptcy court required all Hard Rock merchandise to be destroyed as a result. Changing the name would give the park a more positive image since the old name was connected with the bankruptcy, and it was not considered family-oriented, which the new owners wanted the park to be. Later that month, FPI unveiled a new name for the park: Freestyle Music Park, stating that it will pay homage to a variety of musical genres, including rock n' roll, country, reggae, beach music, pop, R&B, alternative, Christian and disco.[1] The name does not refer to the Latin music genre, according to sales and marketing director John Stine.[27]
In May 2009, HRP Creative Services Co. wanted to make certain attractions separate from the park the new owners planned, with former park CEO Steven Goodwin wanting the new owners to pay royalties.[28] However, a Delaware federal judge said on March 30 that some of the previous owners still owned intellectual property rights relating to the original theme.[29] The original owners then sued FPI, claiming they had not done enough to change the park, and that the new owners were using intellectual property that was not theirs. This action threatened to delay the reopening.[30]
On June 22, 2009, the county planning commission agreed to change the name of Hard Rock Parkway to Fantasy Harbour Boulevard. FPI agreed to pay part of the cost for new signs. Businesses located on the road would have to pay their own expenses as the road, once called Outlet Boulevard, received its second name change in two years.[31] By mid-September, five of the seven signs on the street itself had been changed.[32]
2009 season: Freestyle Music Park[edit]
The park reopened on May 23, 2009, with adult admission reduced to $39.95 ($29.95 for children) and annual passes to $64.95 ($39.95 for children).[2][3] Additionally, the park offered three separate promotions during the 2009 summer season: $10 off for SC residents, $17.76 for two admission tickets before 4PM and $19.99 for two admission tickets prior to 4PM. As a result of these discounts, the park also made less money than hoped due to this need to attract more people.
Aside from the renaming of the overall park, sections of the park also got new names; "Myrtle's Beach" (previously "Rock 'N' Roll Heaven") became a "tongue-in-cheek celebration of all things Polynesian." "Born in the USA" became "Kids in America." "British Invasion" became "Across the Pond." "Cool Country" became "Country USA." The entrance changed names from "All Access Entry Plaza" to "VIP Plaza". FPI also introduced Kids in America, a 17,000-square-foot (1,600 m2) children's section with four rides named after hit songs purchased from Zamperla of Italy. The rides are named "Get Off My Cloud," "Fly Like an Eagle," "Wheels in the Sky" and "Life Is a Highway."[33] "CSI: Live", previously performed at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, was added to the park and was based on the CSI TV series.[34]
As the park prepared to close at the end of the summer, FPI President Steve Baker said, "Overall, I'm real happy," and that "we're doing our best, and we're here to stay."[35] Baker made these comments despite the fact that the economy and the park's past problems contributed to a less than spectacular first season. Many amusement parks were also having difficulties, said David Mandt of International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Consultant Dennis Speigel, who had no connection to the park, said, "It's probably the largest catastrophe in our industry. Quite frankly the park shouldn't reopen." He said for the price FPI paid, they should have been able to make the park succeed. Speigel said the park was too far from the beach.[36]
Further problems and subsequent closure[edit]
Throughout the season, a series of lawsuits were filed against the park, adding to the park's woes. The lawsuits were filed by Brandon Advertising (for $1.4 million) on August 5, 2009, and Roundbox Advisors LLC (for $360,000) on August 17, 2009. Baker explained that FPI MB would pay both creditors, saying that Freestyle Park had fewer problems than Hard Rock Park, but people were assuming the difficulties would continue, meaning that they were less patient. Tetra Financial Group also filed a lawsuit in September for lease payments, taxes and fees.[37] In October 2009, FPI announced that they had lined up some new investors to help the park pay its debts. They signed a memorandum of understanding with the investors.[38]
The agreement to purchase Hard Rock Park included paying $570,000 the former park owners owed. In January 2010, the attorney for Hard Rock Park's trustee allowed an extension on that payment as the park searched for new investors. Court documents said the economic situation caused difficulties in making the payments. The park laid off 30 employees early in January 2010.
In February 2010, FPI attorney Tobey Daluz announced that the park would not open in March 2010 as planned. She said when or if the park opened depended on actions of investors who have not been identified.[39][40] On March 29, 2010, lawyer David Slough said the park would not reopen unless investors allowed FPI to pay Hard Rock Park's debt by the deadline of April 1, 2010. He would not say how close investors were to a deal. On April 1, 2010, Slough said, "Currently, the park has no ability to make the payment." Foreclosure and even bankruptcy are now possibilities, but the park could still find investors and reopen, according to attorney Allen Jeffcoat.[4] Court documents filed April 13, 2010, in federal bankruptcy court in Delaware say a court ruling will create a lien; the next step will likely be a Horry County court action leading to the park's sale.[41] On June 29, 2010, a federal court awarded Tetra $14 million after Freestyle failed to answer the lawsuit. On June 30, 2010, Baker said the park was "aggressively" seeking new investors. Jeffcoat, who had no connection to the case, said Tetra would only be repaid after other creditors who already had claims.[37]
On August 9, 2010, foreclosure proceedings were filed against Freestyle Music Park.[42] Mortgage holder FPI US LLC seeks over $25 million from park owner FPI MB Entertainment LLC. Loan documents identify the general manager of FPI US LLC as Alexey (Alexei in most documents) Sidnev; Sidnev is a former partner in Moscow-based MT Development, an investor in Freestyle Park that had planned a similar park in Europe. Court filings show FPI US LLC is a division of MT Development.[25] On August 20, FPI MB Entertainment responded to the foreclosure action, admitting the amount of debt is correct and that it cannot pay.[43] Four out of five creditors responding to the foreclosure claimed FPI US and FPI MB are the same company and that FPI US should not have first claim to park assets. FPI MB attorney Nate Fata denied this.[44] In an August 24, 2010, interview, Baker said the park's entire board had resigned, except for one member appointed by Russian investors who will work to sell the park. Baker, who continued to head Baker Leisure Group, believed the park could succeed under new owners.[43]
VenCore Solutions, which leased items such as radios and shelves to Hard Rock Park, continued its agreement with Freestyle Park. On September 8, VenCore, claiming FPI MB owes the company over $1 million was granted the right to repossess the property.[45] FPI MB stated in a letter that VenCore was correct that the property "is currently uninsured and not subject to a hurricane contingency plan."[46]
In December 2011, FPI US which received the property in an August foreclosure auction, filed papers showing it had mortgaged the property for $20 million, money that the company's attorney was needed for maintenance and other expenses until a sale. Land for a proposed hotel which was never built was later sold in a foreclosure auction on July 2, 2012.[8]
Three months before the Summer 2012 season, Alain Wizman of Keller Williams, who had been looking for buyers, said Freestyle appeared unlikely to make a return before 2013.[47] However, on April 18, 2013, local Myrtle Beach newspaper My Horry News reported that Abiding Village which is a local Christian nonprofit arts group launched a campaign with the hope of generating enough money to buy the former Freestyle Music Park minus the rides for $10 million and convert the old park into an education and entertainment complex. An official with Freestyle gave the group three weeks to come up with the resources to purchase the land and buildings, according to Abiding Village officials.[48][49] On May 7 it was announced via The Sun News that Abiding Village was way short of their goal of $10 million and with 5 days to go they still needed $9 million.[50] On May 13, WBTW and WMBF-TV reported the Abiding Village would not call the old theme park home for now at least. The group held a yard sale on May 12, 2013 and later that evening the group's website listed the total as $155,789.82. Abiding Village reps say that they are hopeful that somehow they will still be able to buy the land in the future.[51][52]
On November 12, 2013, local media reported that Freestyle Music Park is currently trying to sell off many of the rides from the venture. This was despite earlier rumors that Baker had plans to move the Freestyle rides to a park he planned to open in Orlando, Florida.[53] Dozens of the rides are now listed for sale with Ital International, a company based in Nashville. All of the park's rides were listed for sale, with the exception of the Wave Swinger and Balloon Race, which were previously sold to Seabreeze Amusement Park.[54][55]
Martin Durham, the park's former vice president for entertainment says "That's the biggest shame of it all" and "That's going away and I rode it personally maybe 50 times, an old guy like me and it was a lot of fun, it really was." Durham says that many factors led to the park's demise, but the biggest culprit was the recession that hit right as it opened.[56][57][58]
On December 20, 2013, The Sun News reported that few of the rides that were for sale have found a new home at the Family Kingdom Amusement Park. The Magic Bikes and Jump Around Dunebuggies, which are two interactive family rides that were the right size to add to Family Kingdom's 13-acre park, were purchased from Freestyle Music Park.[59]
On February 20, 2014, The Sun News reported that Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament has bought roughly four acres of the park which it used prior to 2008 for its horses to exercise and graze.[60][61]
In late July 2014, all the rides at the park began to be dismantled and removed.[62]
On August 11, 2014, it was reported that the rides from the former Freestyle Music Park that were not acquired by Family Kingdom are reportedly being shipped out of the US, possibly to Vietnam. Being taken down was the roller coaster known as The Eagles' Life In The Fast Lane. Other rides from the park already had been sold. Ital International had listed a number of the Freestyle rides for sale on their website, but the rides were no longer listed there as of August 11.[63][64]
As of February 2015, Freestyle Music Park has dismantled all of its rides. They are now being assembled in Asia Park in Da Nang, Vietnam with the exception of the Led Zeppelin/Time Machine coaster. The track has appeared in Ha Long, Vietnam at a new park called Dragon Park Ha Long. Both parks have the same owner.
Area government officials visited China in February 2016 and have reported that investors have plans for a $100 million development on the site.[65]
Attractions[edit]
Roller coasters[edit]
Hard Rock Park
Freestyle Music Park
Manufacturer
Type
Status
Ref(s)
Name
Area
Name
Area
Eagles Life in the Fast Lane Cool Country Iron Horse Country USA Vekoma Mine Train roller coaster Relocated [66]
A mine train roller coaster that would take riders through a creepy abandoned lumber mill. The ride was originally set to be named Midnight Rider; however, the coaster was renamed after it was announced that the soundtrack would be set to Eagles, and named for their 1977 hit song.
Led Zeppelin: The Ride Rock & Roll Heaven Time Machine Myrtle's Beach Bolliger & Mabillard Steel roller coaster Relocated [67]
The ride stood 150 feet (46 m) tall, and had a top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h). Other features included six inversions, a spiral over the existing lagoon, and an on-ride video system. When originally operating as Led Zeppelin – The Ride, guests were treated to a unique multimedia Led Zeppelin live-concert experience during the pre-show. The ride was most notable for active participation of surviving Led Zeppelin band members Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, who contributed to all aspects of the ride, including the ride name, logo and overall look and feel of the vehicles.[68] The Led Zeppelin properties were licensed from C + P Eighty-Six Ltd. Under Freestyle Music Park, the ride was set to the music of the 1960s to the 2000s.
Maximum RPM! British Invasion Round About Across the Pond Premier Rides Steel roller coaster Relocated [69]
A convertible car-coaster that races to 1980s hits, particularly Gary Numan's "Cars". Riders go for a test drive through a mock factory in British sports cars. The coaster features a first-of-its-kind ferris wheel lift hill, where the coaster trains are rolled from the bottom of the track onto a ferris wheel-like contraption and then pushed off at the top into a high speed adventure. The ride building somewhat resembles Battersea Power Station with an inflatable pig, in reference to the cover of Pink Floyd's Animals album. Automaker BMW sued the park in 2010 over the similarity of the attraction's ride vehicle to the plaintiff's Mini Cooper.[citation needed]
Shake, Rattle & Rollercoaster Born in the USA Hang Ten Kids in America Vekoma Junior roller coaster Relocated [70]
A classic boardwalk-themed kiddie roller coaster.
Slippery When Wet Born in the USA Soak'd Kids in America Premier Rides Suspended roller coaster Relocated [71]
A suspended roller coaster that featured an interactive experience permitting non-riders to fire water cannons as the roller coaster trains passed by, at the risk of themselves being drenched by overhead showers that fired at random.
Other attractions[edit]
Hard Rock Park
Freestyle Music Park
Manufacturer
Type
Status
Ref(s)
Name
Area
Name
Area
All the King's Horses Carousel British Invasion Carnaby Carousel Across the Pond Chance Rides Grand Carousel Closed [72]
Garage Jam Born in the USA Grunge Station Across the Pond Prime Interactives Ball play area Closed [73]
Games Born in the USA Ring My Bell Across the Pond Upcharge attraction Closed
Just a Swingin' Cool Country The Texas Swing Country USA Bertazzon Wave Swinger Relocating to Seabreeze Amusement Park [54][55]
Kids Rock! State Park Born in the USA Fantasy Harbour State Park Kids in America Rope Courses, Inc. Ropes course Closed [74]
London Cab Ride British Invasion McGillivray Cab Company Across the Pond HUSS Park Attractions Rodeo (London cabs) Closed [75]
Magic Mushroom Garden British Invasion Faerie Glen Across the Pond HUSS Park Attractions Swamp Thing Closed [76]
A Scrambler-style ride featuring the "World's largest blacklight poster."[77]
Muddin' Monster Race Cool Country Big Ol' Trucks Country USA HUSS Park Attractions Swing Around Closed [78]
Nights in White Satin: The Trip British Invasion Monstars of Rock Across the Pond Sally Corp. / ETF Dark ride Closed [79]
Was a dark ride based on The Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin". The ride incorporated sights, sounds, smells and tactile effects, onboard ride vehicle audio, a purpose-made movie written to the spoken word section of the song, and a re-orchestrated version of the iconic song by Justin Hayward. Guests entered through a bead curtain and wore chroma-depth 3-D glasses during the ride. Nights was voted in the top three new attractions of 2008 in a themeparkinsider.com annual poll.
Pinball Wizard Arcade Born in the USA Who's Tommy Arcade Across the Pond Arcade Closed
The Punk Pit Born in the USA Jump Across the Pond Bounce house Closed
Reggae River Falls Rock & Roll Heaven Polly Nesian's Splash Bash Myrtle's Beach Water play area Closed [80]
Sole Train Born in the USA Cuckoo-Ka-ChooChoo Kids in America Zamperla Rio Grande Closed [81]
N/A Fly Like An Eagle Kids in America Zamperla Kite Flyer Closed [82]
N/A Get Off Of My Cloud Kids in America Zamperla Balloon Race Relocating to Seabreeze Amusement Park [54][55]
N/A Kids' Tree House Kids in America Henderson Treehouse playground Closed [83]
N/A Life Is A Highway Kids in America Zamperla Convoy Closed [84]
Shows[edit]
Hard Rock Park
Freestyle Music Park
Manufacturer
Type
Status
Ref(s)
Name
Area
Name
Area
Bohemian Rhapsody All Access Entry Plaza Kiss the Sky VIP Plaza Fireworks and laser show Closed
Bohemian Rhapsody was a nighttime show held over the lagoon, set to the classic song by Queen. The show featured fountains, fireworks and a laser-light show displayed from the top of the giant Gibson Guitar icon. The fireworks and lasers returned for Kiss the Sky.
Ice House Theatre Cool Country Ice Cold Country Country USA Ice show Closed
Originally showed "Country on the Rocks", a rock-themed show set on ice. Freestyle Music Park saw the theatre present an ice show set to country and southern rock music. Situated in a former Fantasy Harbour-era ice skating theater subsumed into the amusement park.
Live Amphitheater Born in the USA Stars theatre Kids In America Closed
The main stage used for a series of headline acts, specialty musicians, high school bands as well as being the location of the opening-day Eagles/Moody Blues concerts. Bowling for Soup were the first band to play at the venue.
Malibu Beach Party Rock & Roll Heaven Adrenaline Rush Myrtle's Beach Closed
Malibu Beach Party was a live-action comedy show set to all the great beach classics and some modern day pop songs. A cast of dancers and swimmers danced, dove, performed stunts on motorcycles and interacted with the crowd in a lakefront/poolside amphitheater. During Freestyle Music Park's operation the stunt show consisted of skateboards, bicycles and rollerblades.
Origins All Access Entry Plaza Beale Street Theatre VIP Plaza Film presentation Closed
A film presentation showing the history of rock n roll and how it is intertwined with theme parks.
Phonehenge Stage British Invasion N/A Performance stage Demolished
A performance area equipped with red British-style phone boxes arranged to resemble Stonehenge. Featured Fireeater/sword-swallower/juggler Lukas Dudek.
Roadies Stunt Show British Invasion CSI: Live Across the Pond Show Closed
Roadies Stunt Show was a twist on the popular stunt show concept with rock and roll 'roadies' as characters. This show featured many 'cirque'-type elements and numerous pyrotechnic effects. It was replaced by CSI: Live, based on the TV series. Investigators would try to determine who committed a murder at a magic show, with audience members considered suspects.
Flip 5 Live!-Stars Theatre-Kids In America This was "a high energy, interactive show that rocked the house." The 11 characters were named Kira, Kimmy, Dot, Spin, Chase, Bounce, Trip, Jive, Jam, Cali and Zach. They sang original and cover songs from the past and present.
Fictional story[edit]
On October 26, 2010, the book Grand Strand by former park employee Reid Barwick, became available for purchase online. Many of the details of the fictional "Rocktime Amusement Park" match those of the real story of Hard Rock and Freestyle Music Parks. However, the book contains fraudulent deals which Baker denies took place.[85]
In popular culture[edit]
The park was used as a set on an episode of the TV Series Revolution. Several rides and the park itself are used as the scene of a post-apocalyptic amusement park.[86]
References[edit]
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^ Jump up to: a b Cherney, Mike (May 9, 2009). "Freestyle Music Park Shows Off Its Younger Side". The Sun News.
^ Jump up to: a b Cherney, Mike (May 24, 2009). "Freestyle Music Park rolls out smooth opener". The Sun News. [permanent dead link]
^ Jump up to: a b Spring, Jake (2010-04-02). "Freestyle Music Park misses deadline". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
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^ Jump up to: a b Spring, Jake (2010-08-23). "Consultant: 'Time to bury' Freestyle Music Park in Myrtle Beach area". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
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Jump up ^ Newton, Monique (2009-08-24). "Freestyle Music Park: How is it doing?". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2013-08-16. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
Jump up ^ Spring, Jake (2010-03-30). "Freestyle Music Park opening hinges on investors". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
^ Jump up to: a b Spring, Jake (2010-07-01). "Court rules against Freestyle Music Park". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
Jump up ^ Newton, Monique (2009-10-17). "Freestyle Music Park says it's lined up investors". The Sun News. Retrieved 2009-10-27. [dead link]
Jump up ^ "Freestyle Music Park to close offices, lay off workers until deal made with new investors". The Sun News. 2010-02-06. Retrieved 2010-02-18. [permanent dead link]
Jump up ^ Saldinger, Adva (2010-02-16). "Freestyle Music Park won't open on schedule; needs investors". The Sun News. Retrieved 2010-02-18. [permanent dead link]
Jump up ^ Spring, Jake (2010-04-15). "Freestyle Music Park creditors close in". The Sun News. Retrieved 2010-04-15. [permanent dead link]
Jump up ^ Summer, Jake (2010-08-13). "Freestyle begins foreclosure proceedings". WMBF. Archived from the original on 2012-03-03. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
^ Jump up to: a b Spring, Jake (2010-08-25). "Freestyle Music Park board resigns". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
Jump up ^ Spring, Jake (2010-09-18). "Freestyle Music Park creditors cry fraud, fight back". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2012-09-12. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
Jump up ^ Spring, Jake (2010-09-17). "Court gives go-ahead to repossess Freestyle Music Park property". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
Jump up ^ Spring, Jake (2010-09-18). "Freestyle Music Park's legal tangle thickens". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
Jump up ^ Bryant, Dawn (2012-02-16). "Theme park in Myrtle Beach likely won't reopen for this summer". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
Jump up ^ "Myrtle Beach area nonprofit trying to buy Freestyle park". My Horry News. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
Jump up ^ Byers, Melissa. "Freestyle Music Park could become Christian Education Center". The Digitel Myrtle Beach. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
Jump up ^ Bryant, Dawn (7 May 2013). "Group way short of $10 million goal to buy former Freestyle Music Park as deadline approaches". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
Jump up ^ Riggs, Kelsey. "Raising $10M in 3 weeks too tough for Abiding Village". WBTW. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
Jump up ^ Gonzalez, Erika. "No deal reached for purchase of Freestyle Music Park". WMBF-TV. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
Jump up ^ Spring, Jake (2010-11-14). "Freestyle Music Park rides to stay put". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
^ Jump up to: a b c Seabreeze Amusement Park (5 November 2013). "Balloon Race & Wave Swinger". Facebook. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
^ Jump up to: a b c Seabreeze Amusement Park (5 November 2013). "It's official! We're adding two new..." Facebook. Archived from the original on 16 January 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Rides listed for sale from former Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach". WBTW. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
Jump up ^ Joel, Allen. "Former Hard Rock Park roller coasters for sale". WPDE. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
Jump up ^ Bryant, Dawn (12 November 2013). "Rides at former Freestyle Music Park listed for sale". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
Jump up ^ Bryant, Dawn (20 December 2013). "Some Freestyle rides find new home in Myrtle Beach". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
Jump up ^ Bryant, Dawn. "Former Freestyle Music Park property to be used for Medieval Times horses to exercise". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
Jump up ^ "Horry County Council Regular Meeting 2/18/2014". Horry County Council. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
Jump up ^ "Freestyle Music Park". www.screamscape.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-08.
Jump up ^ Jones, Steve. "Freestyle rides headed from Myrtle Beach to Vietnam?". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
Jump up ^ Allen, Joel. "Destination unknown for dismantled Freestyle park rides". WPDE. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
Jump up ^ Perry, Charles D. (29 February 2016). "Chinese investors eyeing former Hard Rock theme park site". Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
Jump up ^ Marden, Duane. "Iron Horse (Freestyle Music Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
Jump up ^ Marden, Duane. "Time Machine (Freestyle Music Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
Jump up ^ Led Zeppelin - NEWS - www.led-zeppelin.com[permanent dead link]
Jump up ^ Marden, Duane. "Round About (Freestyle Music Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
Jump up ^ Marden, Duane. "Hang Ten (Freestyle Music Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
Jump up ^ Marden, Duane. "Soak'd (Freestyle Music Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Chance Freestyle Grand carousel". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Freestyle air guns battle zone". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Ropetrails inc. Freestyle rope course". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "HUSS Freestyle Taxi Rodeo". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "HUSS Freestyle Swamp Thing". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ ThrillNetwork.com :: Hard Rock Park – For those that want to rock Archived 2008-06-12 at the Wayback Machine.
Jump up ^ "HUSS Freestyle Swing Around". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "ETF Freestyle dark ride". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Freestyle Soak Zone". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Zamperla Freestyle Rio Grande Train". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Zamperla Freestyle Kite Flier". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Freestyle tree house playgr". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ "Zamperla Freestyle Truckin'". Ital International. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
Jump up ^ Spring, Jake (2010-11-07). "Freestyle Music Park book sure to intrigue". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
Jump up ^ "Abandoned Freestyle/Hard Rock Amusement Park on NBC's Revolution". Archived from the original on 2014-07-15. Retrieved 2014-03-18.
External links[edit]
Freestyle Music Park at the Roller Coaster DataBase
Hard Rock Park Photo Gallery
2013 podcast with developer Jon Binkowski
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Derek Shepherd
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This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. (November 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Derek Shepherd
Grey's Anatomy character
Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd in 2012
First appearance
"A Hard Day's Night"
1x01, March 27, 2005
Last appearance
"You're My Home"
11x25, May 14, 2015
Created by
Shonda Rhimes
Portrayed by
Patrick Dempsey
Information
Full name
Derek Christopher Shepherd
Nickname(s)
McDreamy
Shep
McDreary (Season 8 Episode 13)
McAss
Pretty
Occupation
Attending neurosurgeon
Member of the Board (former)
Chief of Surgery (former)
Head of Neurosurgery (former)
Title
M.D.
F.A.C.S.
Family
Mr. Shepherd
(father, deceased)
Carolyn Maloney Shepherd
(mother)
Nancy Shepherd
(sister)
Kathleen "Kate" Shepherd
(sister)
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Shepherd
(sister)
Amelia Shepherd
(sister)
9 unnamed nieces
6 unnamed nephews (one deceased)
Spouse(s)
Addison Montgomery (m. 1994; div. 2006)
Meredith Grey (m. 2009–15)
Significant other(s)
Rose
Children
Zola Shepherd (daughter)
Derek Bailey Shepherd (son)
Ellis Shepherd (daughter)
(with Meredith)
Relatives
Molly Thompson (half-sister-in-law)
Lexie Grey (deceased-half-sister-in-law)
Maggie Pierce (biological half-sister-in-law)
Owen Hunt (brother-in-law)
certifications
M.D.
F.A.C.S
Derek Christopher Shepherd,[1] M.D., also referred to as "McDreamy", is a fictional surgeon from the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actor Patrick Dempsey. He made his first appearance during "A Hard Day's Night", which was broadcast on March 27, 2005. Derek was married to Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) for 12 years, before their divorce in 2006. Before his death in 2015, Derek was happily married to his longtime girlfriend Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). The couple are often referred to as "Mer & Der" and they have three children together. Shepherd was formerly the Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, but abruptly resigned as chief in season 7 following the shooting. For his portrayal of Shepherd, Dempsey was nominated in 2006 and 2007 Golden Globe for the Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Drama for the role, and the 2006 SAG Award for the Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series award.
Contents
[hide]
1 Storyline
2 Development
2.1 Casting and creation
2.2 Characterization
3 Reception
4 References
5 External links
Storyline[edit]
Derek arrives at Seattle Grace Hospital as the new Head of Neurosurgery from New York City. He is a Bowdoin College graduate[2] and attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons alongside his childhood best friend Mark Sloan and ex-wife Addison Montgomery and Private Practice characters Naomi Bennett and Sam Bennett. Derek was a student of Dr. Richard Webber and was enticed to come with an "offer he couldn’t refuse"[3] – the position of Chief of Surgery, which he eventually turned down. He specializes in highly complex tumors and conditions of the brain and spine[4][5][6] and came to Seattle Grace with a reputation for taking on "lost causes" and "impossible" cases[7] that most of his peers would turn down. As an attending he is both well-liked and feared — well-liked by patients and his scrub nurses for his compassion and gentlemanly bedside manner and feared by interns and residents who are intimidated by his reputation and high standards.[4][8] He is passionate about his job and has been known to expel staff or remove interns and residents (or at least threaten them) from his service for being disrespectful about patients or if he deems their attitude to be detrimental to his patient's well-being.[9][10][11][8]
Derek first meets Meredith Grey at a bar, and soon finds out that she is an intern at Seattle Grace. They begin to have feelings for one another and it causes some awkwardness at work, particularly after her supervising resident Dr. Miranda Bailey discovers their relationship. Meredith's housemates and fellow interns George O'Malley and Izzie Stevens both antagonized her for some time as they felt she was using her relationship with Derek to further her career. He generally tolerated them despite his dislike of sharing his living space with the interns who worked under him. While most of his family members accepted Meredith, his sister, Nancy, particularly disliked her and repeatedly called her "the slutty intern";[12] as of season nine she still refuses to speak to Meredith or acknowledge her as her sister-in-law.[13] His mother Carolyn approved as she felt Meredith's gray perspective of life complemented Derek's tendency to see everything in black and white.[14]
Derek's background was generally a mystery for the first season and source of speculation amongst his colleagues due to his sudden departure from an established and highly respected practice in New York. In the season one finale, his past eventually catches up with him when his estranged wife Addison moves to Seattle and is offered a position by Dr. Webber. Shortly thereafter, his childhood best friend Mark joins Seattle Grace as the new head of plastic surgery. Derek and Addison attempt to repair their marriage but attempts were futile. Since their divorce they have remained on amicable terms, with Addison even admonishing Meredith for breaking up with Derek in season three. In the Private Practice episode "Ex-Life" Derek finally tells Addison that his mother never liked her in the first place. He admits to Meredith that Addison cheating on him with Mark was partly his fault as an absentee husband.[15] Addison eventually leaves Seattle for a private practice in Los Angeles, spawning the spin-off Private Practice. In the season eight episode "If/Then", Meredith dreams of an alternate universe where her mother never had Alzheimer's; Derek and Addison are still married but their strained relationship and Shepherd's disillusionment causes his career to stagnate, earning him the nicknames "Bad Shepherd" and "McDreary".
When Derek is offered the Chief of Surgery position for the second time, he persuades the board to keep Dr. Webber on the staff. During the merger of Seattle Grace with Mercy West their relationship sours when Derek disagreed with Richard's handling of the merger and Richard begins to display uncharacteristic behavior, not unnoticed by his fellow surgeons. Derek learns from Meredith that Richard has since resumed drinking and feels forced to have him removed as Chief of Surgery. With mixed feelings, Derek offers him an ultimatum: go into rehab and possibly pick up where he left off after, or quit completely.
In seasons three and four, Meredith and Derek's relationship becomes rocky and they each take time to date other people. Derek's plans to propose were ruined by a series of unfortunate events in season five. In the season finale, they decide to give their planned wedding to Alex and Izzie. Due to their tight schedule, they instead informally marry and Derek writes down their "promises" on a post-it note. They legalize their marriage in season seven in order to adopt Zola, a young African orphan treated for spina bifida.[16] They briefly separate after Meredith tampers with their Alzheimer's trial, jeopardizing her career and tarnishing Derek's reputation. Zola is taken away from Meredith after a social worker finds out she and Derek are living separately. In later seasons, Derek often griped about how his subsequent interns and residents – mainly Lexie Grey, Shane Ross and Heather Brooks – did not quite measure up to Meredith.[4][10] The social worker comes back and announces they are the official parents of Zola. As Meredith nears the end of her fifth year of residency, she and Derek are torn between staying at Seattle Grace Mercy West or leaving for Boston where Derek would work at Harvard while Meredith would be at the Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Following his rescue from the plane crash that killed Mark and Lexie, Derek learns that he may only regain 80 percent of his hand's function. He comes to terms with the fact that his career as a surgeon may be over and is grateful that he is alive. When Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), head of orthopedic surgery, tells him a more risky surgery could give him back full function of his hand or reduce its function if it goes wrong, he agrees, accepting the possibility of never again holding a scalpel. Derek recovers well and Callie clears him to return to work, but it is still weeks later that he feels ready to operate. Derek, Callie and fellow resident Jackson Avery decide to do nerve transplant for his hand. Meredith, newly pregnant with their second child, goes behind his back and calls his sisters so they can donate a nerve to him. Lizzie (Neve Campbell), Derek's younger sister, agrees to donate a nerve and the surgery is a success.
Derek and Meredith's marriage is strained after he accepted an invitation from the President to participate in the Brain-Mapping Initiative. He went back on his promise to her that he would not add to his current workload in order to devote time to their two young children and allow her the chance to establish her career as a full-fledged attending. Eventually he was offered a position at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C., but Meredith puts her foot down and refuses to leave her hometown and uproot their young family. His youngest sister Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) takes over his position at Grey Sloan. Meanwhile, he and Meredith fight bitterly on and off over whether they should move. After a bad argument, he accepts the job in the heat of the moment and leaves for Washington. While there, he and Meredith talk things out over the phone and come to a mutual conclusion that they both did not want to end their marriage. He tells her that just being with her, raising their children and operating on patients was more satisfying than "saving the world".
In season 11, Derek is involved in a fatal car accident while driving to the airport for his final trip to Washington. He is able to hear and process auditory input, but unable to speak. He is recognized by Winnie, one of the victims of a crash he assisted in earlier, who tells the surgeons that their patient's name is Derek and that he is a surgeon as well. The hospital he was taken to was understaffed and his head injury was not detected quickly enough by the interns on duty that night. Although the neurosurgeon on call is paged multiple times, he takes too long to arrive and Derek is declared brain dead. Police arrive at Meredith's door and take her to see Derek, where she consents to removing him from life support. At the time of his death, Meredith was pregnant with their third child. She gives birth to a daughter whom she names Ellis after her mother.
Derek was mentioned or referenced to a number of times in season 12 as the other characters struggle to cope with his sudden death. In the episode "My Next Life", Meredith had a flashback of their first ever surgery together when a patient named Katie Bryce was admitted to the hospital with a brain aneurysm. Amelia took his death especially hard as he was the sibling she was closest to. At the end of the season, prior to her wedding to Derek's long-time colleague Owen Hunt, Amelia goes on a nervous rant about how Derek was supposed to be the one to give her away, him having given away their three other sisters at their weddings.
Development[edit]
Casting and creation[edit]
When Patrick Dempsey auditioned for the role of Derek Shepherd, he was afraid that he was not going to get the part. Creator Shonda Rhimes' first reaction was: "The very first time I met him, I was absolutely sure that he was my guy. Reading the lines of Derek Shepherd, Patrick had a vulnerable charm that I just fell for. And he had amazing chemistry with Ellen Pompeo." Rhimes admitted that Dempsey's dyslexia threw her at first, particularly at the first few table readings: "I did not know about Patrick's dyslexia in the beginning. I actually thought that he didn't like the scripts from the way he approached the readings. When I found out, I completely understood his hesitation. Now that we all know, if he is struggling with a word, the other actors are quick to step up and help him out. Everyone is very respectful."[citation needed] Isaiah Washington also auditioned for the part and when he did not get it, he said his reaction was like "I'd been kicked in the stomach by 14 mules." Washington was, however, later cast as Preston Burke.[17] Rob Lowe was also considered to portray Shepherd but turned the role down.[18] Some of the character's medical cases were inspired by real-life patients of Steve Giannotta, Chair of Neurological Surgery at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, whom Rhimes had consulted in writing for Shepherd's storylines and patients.[19]
In January 2014, Dempsey signed a two-year contract to remain on Grey's Anatomy (then in its tenth season) that would ensure his presence for potential 11th and 12th seasons.[20] However, in April 2015, Dempsey's character was killed off[21] while his contract was not over yet. Dempsey explained: "it just sort of evolved. It’s just kind of happened. It really was something that was kind of surprising that unfolded, and it just naturally came to be. Which was pretty good. I like the way it has all played out."[22] In August 2015, Rhimes commented:
“ The decision to have the character die the way that he did was not a difficult one in the sense of what were the options? Either Derek was going to walk out on Meredith, and leave her high and dry, and what was that going to mean? That was going to suggest that the love was not true, the thing we had said for 11 years was a lie and McDreamy wasn't McDreamy. For me, that was untenable. Meredith and Derek's love had to remain Meredith and Derek's love. As painful as it was for me as a storyteller, because I had never really thought that was going to happen, it preserved what felt true to me, was that Derek was going to have to die in order for that love to remain honest. Because I really couldn't have the idea that he just turned out to be a bad guy who walked out on his wife and kids be a true story. To me, it felt like that was the only way to make Meredith and Derek's magic remain true and forever frozen in time.[23] ”
The character was later written to be a graduate of Bowdoin College, a liberal arts college in Brunswick, Maine, after an alumnus led a petition signed by over 450 students to "adopt" the character as an alumnus.[24] Dempsey is from Lewiston, about 18 miles (29 km) away from Brunswick, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Bowdoin in 2013.[2]
Characterization[edit]
Rhimes describes Shepherd as typical "Prince Charming". He was planned to be a doctor who doesn't really care about anything, who lives in his "own" universe and has a big sex appeal. A man who is charming, devilishly handsome and the type of guy every girl dreams of, and a man that often makes the wrong decisions, and is often known as a jerk or the ultimate heartbreaker. Rhimes planned to have this kind of character from the beginning, because he was the kind of guy whom girls fall in love with and a character whose storylines could easily be changed.[citation needed] USA Today writer Robert Bianco said: "Derek could, at times, seem like two people, warm and funny one minute, cold and self-involved the next. Dempsey's gift was in making those two sides seem like part of the same person, while keeping us rooting for that person as a whole."[25]
Reception[edit]
Dempsey's relation with Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey) has been the highlight of the series since its inception.
With the show concluding its second season, Robert Bianco of USA Today said that Emmy voters could consider him because of the "seemingly effortless way he humanizes Derek's 'dreamy' appeal with ego and vanity".[26] In the third season, Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger wrote that "the attempt to give the moral high ground back to McDreamy was bad. Dude, whatever happened in New York ceased to count in any kind of grievance tally once you agreed to take Addison back and give things another try. You're the dick who cheated on her, you're the one who knew that she found the panties, and still you act like her getting back together with Mark justifies what you did? Wow. I didn't think it was possible for me to dislike anyone on this show more than Meredith, but congratulations, big guy."[27]
Debbie Chang of BuddyTV noted the character's immaturity in the fourth season, saying: "The only character who did not make me love him was Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). How this character is still Shonda's golden child is beyond me. Yes, we get it. He's tormented by his love for Meredith, but that does not give him the right to lash out at her when his clinical trial patients are dying. If things don't go absolutely the way he wants them to, then he refuses to cooperate. How immature can this man possibly be? No amount of heavily styled hair or blue-blue-blue eyes is going to make me warm up to him unless he admits to being the needy, desperate one in the relationship."[28]
Entertainment Weekly placed Shepherd in its list of the "30 Great TV Doctors and Nurses".[29] The character was also listed in Wetpaint's "10 Hottest Male Doctors on TV" and in BuzzFeed's "16 Hottest Doctors On Television".[30][31] His relationship with Meredith was included in TV Guide's list of "The Best TV Couples of All Time".[32]
Victor Balta of Today listed Shepherd and Sloan's friendship in its "TV's best bromances". He called them "the most exciting couple on Grey’s," explaining "they’ve demonstrated an easy chemistry that makes for some of the great comic relief around Seattle Grace Hospital with their banter, sage wisdom on each other’s lives, and locker room-style teasing."[33] Their bromance was furthermore included in lists by About.com, BuddyTV, Cosmopolitan, Wetpaint.[34][35][36][37] However, following the announcement of Dane's upcoming departure from the show, Mark Perigard of the Boston Herald felt he and Derek "never clicked like you’d expect friends would. Any scene they had together ranged from uncomfortable to forced."[38]
References[edit]
Jump up ^ "Addison Shepherd Quotes – Season 4, Episode 13: "Piece of My Heart"". TV Fanatic. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
^ Jump up to: a b "'McDreamy' in Maine for Dempsey Challenge, Tips Cap to Bowdoin". Bowdoin College. October 2, 2010.
Jump up ^ "Enough is Enough". Grey's Anatomy. Season 1. Episode 2. April 12, 2012. ABC.
^ Jump up to: a b c "Poker Face". Grey's Anatomy. Season 8. Episode 6. October 20, 2011. ABC.
Jump up ^ "Stand By Me". Grey's Anatomy. Season 5. Episode 18. March 19, 2009. ABC.
Jump up ^ "Give Peace a Chance". Grey's Anatomy. Season 6. Episode 7. October 29, 2009. ABC.
Jump up ^ "Support System". Grey's Anatomy. Season 8. Episode 19. April 12, 2012. ABC.
^ Jump up to: a b "Go It Alone". Grey's Anatomy. Season 10. Episode 20. April 17, 2014. ABC.
Jump up ^ "Brave New World". Grey's Anatomy. Season 5. Episode 4. October 16, 2008. ABC.
^ Jump up to: a b "What Is It About Men". Grey's Anatomy. Season 8. Episode 4. October 6, 2011. ABC.
Jump up ^ "The Heart of the Matter". Grey's Anatomy. Season 4. Episode 4. October 18, 2007. ABC.
Jump up ^ "Let the Angels Commit". Grey's Anatomy. Season 3. Episode 6. November 2, 2006. ABC.
Jump up ^ "Love Turns You Upside Down". Grey's Anatomy. Season 9. Episode 8. December 6, 2012. ABC.
Jump up ^ "Sympathy for the Devil". Grey's Anatomy. Season 5. Episode 12. January 15, 2009. ABC.
Jump up ^ "Yesterday". Grey's Anatomy. Season 2. Episode 18. February 19, 2006. ABC.
Jump up ^ "White Wedding". Grey's Anatomy. Season 7. Episode 20. May 5, 2011. ABC.
Jump up ^ Rhodes, Joe (July 15, 2005). "Today's News: Our Take – Vet Earns M.D. on Grey's Anatomy". TV Guide. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
Jump up ^ Keck, William (November 17, 2006). "Lowe knows political roles". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
Jump up ^ "Meet the Real-Life McDreamy: The Doctor Behind 'Grey's Anatomy'". The Hollywood Reporter. September 10, 2014.
Jump up ^ Goldberg, Lesley (January 23, 2014). "'Grey's Anatomy's' Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo Ink New Two-Year Deals". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
Jump up ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (April 23, 2015). "‘Grey’s Anatomy': Patrick Dempsey Officially Leaving After 11 Seasons". Variety. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
Jump up ^ Rice, Lynette (April 24, 2015). "Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey on tonight's shocking twist -- exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
Jump up ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (August 5, 2015). "Shonda Rhimes Finally Explains Why Derek Had to Die on Grey's Anatomy". E! Online. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
Jump up ^ "Alumnus puts Bowdoin in the Spotlight". The Bowdoin Orient. April 20, 2007.
Jump up ^ Bianco, Robert (April 24, 2015). "Review: 'Grey's Anatomy's' accidental death". USA Today. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
Jump up ^ Bianco, Robert (May 14, 2006). "The cure for bromidic TV: 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'House'". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
Jump up ^ Sepinwall, Alan (September 28, 2006). "Grey's Anatomy: You're kidding, right?". What's Alan Watching?. Blogspot. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
Jump up ^ Chang, Debbie (May 27, 2008). "How 'Grey's Anatomy' Got its Groove Back". BuddyTV. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
Jump up ^ Wilkinson, Amy (June 15, 2009). "Paging Dr. Feelgood: 30 Great TV Doctors and Nurses". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
Jump up ^ Martin, Rebecca (December 21, 2012). "The 10 Hottest Male Doctors on TV". Wetpaint. The Cambio Network. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
Jump up ^ "The 16 Hottest Doctors On Television". BuzzFeed. September 28, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
Jump up ^ "Couples Pictures, Grey's Anatomy Photos – Photo Gallery: The Best TV Couples of All Time". TV Guide. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
Jump up ^ Balta, Victor. "How adorable! TV’s best bromances". Today.com. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
Jump up ^ Thomas, Rachel. "TV's Best Bromances". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
Jump up ^ "Best TV Bromances #15 McDreamy and McSteamy". BuddyTV. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
Jump up ^ "Hottest TV bromances". Cosmopolitan. July 19, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
Jump up ^ Hoffman, Kim (January 28, 2013). "Top 14 TV Bromances — I Love You, Man! (PHOTOS)". Wetpaint. The Cambio Network. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
Jump up ^ Perigard, Mark (July 27, 2012). "‘Grey’s Anatomy’ drops another doc". Boston Herald. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
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