How many stars, exactly, are leaving ABC?

First Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight might be leaving “Grey’s Anatomy.” 

Now Nicollette Sheridan is exiting "Desperate Housewives."

Yet the behind-the-scenes story emerging is of two different situations. 

On "Grey's," we have the ongoing backstage drama that this show cannot seem to shake. Heigl and Knight have grumbled their contract frustrations to the media. Then oh-yeah-that-guy co-star James Pickens Jr. mouthed off to US Weekly, claiming the duo were off the show.

Sources say Pickens' comment was premature (and by and by, you do not want to have been in Pickens' shoes yesterday if he received a phone call saying, "please hold for Steve McPherson.") There are ongoing discussions about Heigl's and Knight's futures with the show, and nothing has been decided yet. Some sort of exit is seeming likely, but the timing is up in the air.

Over on "Desperate Housewives," the departure of Sheridan is said to be a creative decision. Creator Marc Cherry wanted another game-changing incident this season (like last year's five-year time jump) and scripted the exit of Edie Britt. Sheridan has been at the center of some backstage drama on the set in the past, but sources say her behavior has improved.

"It would have been a really great surprise," bemoaned one source about the character's departure.

The stakes are high for ABC. “Grey’s” and “Housewives” are the network’s top two dramas, and both have suffered some recent loss of viewership. Cast departures could impact the shows’ performances next season.

But at least in the case of "Housewives," the captain appears to be steering the ship rather than having to put down a mutiny.

PREVIOUS: ABC entertainment president asked about "Grey's" cast changes at press tour 

Comments

[Sam]

"Grey's" is nothing BUT backstage drama.

[Lisa]

DH can get along fine without Edie. I love her, but she's mostly a peripheral character. I think her absence will have little negative impact. OTOH, Grey's losing two stars under contentious circumstances could be a huge issue. I really think it will be.

[Liza]

Maybe it's time to find a new captain for "Grey's."

[jamie]

Well, it finally happened. What they have been dangling in front of us for years -- it's a crazy move, they don't realize what they have with Nicolette Sheridan. It's a real shame. I hope more people feel the same way and voice their opinions.

as for Grey's, please don't get rid of TR Knight -- and actually use him - he's a great emmy nominated actor who deserves juicy material.

[Mike]

T.R. Knight's departure will be sheer destruction for his career. If it wasn't for Grey's Anatomy, nobody would have the slightest clue who he is, and he's not interesting enough to carry a TV show or a film on his own. Best he can hope for is to get cast as the third or fourth (or fifth, or sixth) lead in another sappy TV drama and hope that it can come close to matching the success of "Grey's". And then he'll be back where he started from.

[screw grays and er!!!]

they could have got rid of edie before they just keep adding her back in.. good luck dear nic....too many hospital shows.. who cares???