THE MARKET: Will “Private Practice” on ABC make it to a tenth episode in its second season? The drama will premiere on Wednesday, October 1 at 9 p.m. ET. Trading will close immediately after a seventh episode is aired. If a tenth episode airs, shares are worth $100. If it doesn’t, they’re worth $0.
THE DATA: “Private Practice” is one of a trio of sophomore ABC shows, including “Pushing Daisies” and “Dirty Sexy Money” trying to recover from a strike-shortened season. All return to the air on Oct. 1.
OUR TAKE: Being a spin-off from “Grey’s Anatomy” ensured that “Private Practice” would, if nothing else, be a solid performer. It mostly was, with a 14-million-viewer premiere, and a season average of 11 million (strongly outperforming network classmates “Pushing Daisies” and “Dirty Sexy Money”). But the L.A. version of “Grey’s Anatomy” lacks the original’s gritty medical realism and compelling ensemble of messed-up characters. We suspect Dr. Addison’s character will be welcomed back to Seattle Grace once the spinoff series fails – and we think it will by year’s end. LEARN MORE: See the “Private Practice” home page.