Grey's Anatomy is keeping Jeffrey Dean Morgan almost as busy in death as it did
in life. The actor — who braved shark-infested waters in February when he gave Meredith a purgatorial pep talk — is returning on April 12 to headline the show's
latest recap special. During a telephone chat last week, Morgan explained how this
won't be your standard clip show, disagreed that Grey's jumped the shark when
Meredith went to heaven, set the record straight about the status of his rumored-
to-be-dead war-correspondents drama with Shonda Rhimes, and offered a few
choice words about his big Supernatural comeback (the operative word being "few").

Ausiello: How will this clip show be different?

Jeffrey Dean Morgan: They're going to use me as an on-camera host.
They've never done anything like that before. Usually it's all
voice-over. That'll be interesting. I haven't seen a script yet,
so I'm kind of on pins and needles myself.

Ausiello: Rumor has it the Grey's spin-off killed your war-correspondents
drama. True?

JDM: I got a phone call from Shonda the day before the Grey's spin-
off was announced telling me that it does not affect my show
whatsoever. As far as I know, we're going into production this
summer for a mid-season replacement next year. The idea would be to
do six or 13 episodes. I know everybody's saying it's on the back
burner or dying a slow, painful death, but I don't think that's the
case. Until I hear differently, we're moving forward with it. I
haven't heard differently, and believe me, I've checked. I make
sure that no one's forgetting about me over here.

Ausiello: Looking back, how do you think Denny's February-sweeps return
turned out?

JDM: Shonda called me and said, "Would you be willing to come back?"
And I, of course, said, "Yeah," hung up the phone and "How?" became
an immediate question. And I don't think even she knew exactly how
that was going to play itself out. I got the script about a week
before I went out there to shoot it, and even then I was like, "Is
this going to work?" It's kind of a big jump from what they normally
do, but I thought it was pulled off beautifully. I was really excited
to do Denny again. I thought we put him to bed last year, so any
chance I get to play him I'm a happy guy.

Ausiello: What do you say to fans who think the show jumped the shark?

JDM: I don't know if the show's jumpin' the shark if 30 million people
are still tuning in to watch it. You're going to always have your
detractors, but the point is, it's the No. 1 show on TV. I laugh off
those comments. It's a good show, the writing is spectacular, and it's
so well acted. I don't think it's jumping the shark. Fonzie is not
putting on the shorts and waterskiing at this point. [Laughs]

Ausiello: I loved the final scene with Denny and Izzie brushing past each other.
What was it like shooting it?

JDM: It was very bittersweet. When I originally was told I was coming
back, I assumed I'd be with Katherine. I didn't see the Meredith thing
coming at all. So when I finally saw Katie that day and we did that
scene, it was very bittersweet, because we spent so much time
together. It was sad. That scene was such a cool scene to do, and the
way [the director] shot it, it turned out beautifully. It was great.
I wished Denny and Izzie could have reconnected more than that, but
I thought that was so powerful and such a good way to end that story
line. It was well worth it.

Ausiello: So the story is over?

JDM: I can only assume. I can't see Denny coming back again. He walked
into the white light, for god's sake. I hope he's not in purgatory in
that hospital forever. I can't imagine. But you never know. Sweeps
week, something could change.[Laughs]

Ausiello: A lot has transpired behind the scenes since the last time you were on
the set. Was the mood more tense?

JDM: The week I was there, we had a great time. It was a lot of fun
seeing everybody again. There was a lot of excitement happening at
that time. Patrick was just about to have his kids; the show just won
the SAG award and the Golden Globe. It was pretty upbeat when I was
around. I didn't see any goofiness happening.

Ausiello: What can you tell me about your return to Supernatural?

JDM: I can't confirm nor deny.

Ausiello: C'mon, we know you're coming back.

JDM: I've been instructed to dummy up on Supernatural. I can't say
anything about that. Warner Bros. gave me specific directions:
"Don't say squat!" They know you, I guess, Mike.

Ausiello: Curses, foiled again!