In honor of this wonderful show, I’ve created a list of 50 things that contribute to the wonderfulness that is Grey’s Anatomy. I’m sure there’s about a billion more reasons to love the show, so feel free to tell me what makes this show great for you.

Let’s begin!

The Actors: Because they make the characters come alive.

1. Patrick Dempsey: This gorgeous actor has stolen the heart of many a viewer in his role of McDreamy. And what’s not to love? He’s handsome, he’s funny, he’s sweet, and he’s a family man.

2. Katherine Heigl: The beautiful actress has been all over media lately and whether you’re sick of it or can’t get enough of her, there’s few who can argue the fact that she’s talented, hilarious and according to some, fascinating.

3. Sandra Oh: I could probably watch Sandra Oh do anything and be entertained. I’ve yet to see her in anything that I didn’t love. Whether she’s out being an activist or simply collecting some Emmys, she’s always entirely awesome.

4. Ellen Pompeo: Ah, our flawed but wonderful Meredith. I couldn’t imagine anyone else in that role. She is incredibly adorable. And you know, she’s not afraid to state her opinions.

5. T.R. Knight: The actor behind the adorable George came out of the closet and hit the ground running. The actor joined GLAAD’s Anti-Gay Slur Campaign, participated in the AIDS Walk in Los Angeles, and still has time to get surprised by best friend, Katherine Heigl.

6. Sara Ramirez: How I love her, let me count the ways. I love the way she sings, I love the way she looks with a milk mustache and I love the way she shares her recipes.

7. Justin Chambers: Well, he’s hot and everyone thinks so. But he also seems like a sweet, genuine guy. And who else could ever pull off the enigma that is Alex Karev with equal deliciousness?

8. Brooke Smith: She just joined the cast this season but I adore Brooke Smith. And her portrayal of Dr. Erica Hahn is so wonderful that it was love at first snarky remark. Plus, she was simply wonderful on Weeds.

9. Eric Dane: The gorgeous actor has had a rough year, what with battling cancer but he’s still the face of Men’s Health. And still he still finds time for double dating with fellow cast members, and supporting the gay community.

10. Chandra Wilson: Who doesn’t love this woman? Seriously. She oozes talent, warmth, charm, and somehow still manages to always be spot-on hilarious. How does she do it? No idea. This woman can be found anywhere from Broadway to Folger’s coffee ads. I think she’s got magical powers.

11. James Pickens Jr.: This wonderful actor has received Outstanding Supporting Actor nominations from the Image Awards. I’m still waiting for him to win one because he’s amazing. He’s appeared in a myriad of shows, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, CSI:Miami, and Six Feet Under. You can also find him making public service announcements for health coverage.

The Music: I think I come out with two or three new favorite songs out of every episode of Grey’s Anatomy. I can’t list them all (way too many!), but here’s a few of my personal favorites. Click on the links to visit some music videos (some Grey’s Anatomy related, other just official ones).

1. Today Has Been Okay by Emiliana Torrini | Heard in “Into You Like a Train” (Season 2)

2. The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson | Heard in “Six Days (Part 2)” (Season 3)

3. Swans - Uncle Bob | Heard in “Some Kind of Miracle” (Season 3)

4. Take Me Anywhere - Tegan and Sara | Heard in “Time Has Come Today” (Season 3)

5. Breathe (2am) - Anna Nalick | Heard in “Lay Your Hands On Me” (Season 4), “Losing My Religion” (Season 2), and “As We Know It” (Season2)

6. Where I Stood - Missy Higgins | Heard in “Crash Into Me Part 1″ (Season 4)

7. Better Already - Northern State | Heard in “The Heart of the Matter” (Season 4)

8. The Story - Brandi Carlile | Heard in “Time After Time” (Season 3) and “Losing My Religion” (Season 2)

9. 9 Crimes - Damien Rice | Heard in “From a Whisper to a Scream” (Season 3)

10. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol | Heard in “Losing My Religion” (Season 2)

11. Universe & U - KT Tunstall | Heard in “Fight or Flight” (Season 2)

12. Nowhere Warm - Kate Havnevik | Heard in “Damage Case” (Season 2) and “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” (Season 2)

13. World Spins Madly On - The Weepies | Heard in “Under Pressure” (Season 2)

14. Wreck of the Day - Anna Nalick | Heard in “Name of the Game” (Season 2)

15. Lotion - Greenskeepers | Heard in “Much Too Much” (Season 2)

The Guest Stars: A lot of great actors have walked the halls of Seattle Grace leaving behind some unforgettable performances. Here’s a few of them.

1. Edward Hermann - He of Gilmore Girls fame apppeared in three episodes of Grey’s Anatomy during season 4 as a well-meaning but somewhat infuriating intern. You can find him in episodes “Haunt You Every Day”, “The Heart of the Matter” and “Let the Truth Sting.”

2. Rosanna Arquette - Sister to Medium’s Patricia Arquette (as well as David, and Alexis), she appeared in the episode Season 2’s “Owner of a Lonely Heart” playing Constance Furguson, a prison inmate.

3. Jeffrey Dean Morgan - Probably one of the most unforgettable guest appearances on Grey’s Anatomy. The loveable Denny Duquette appeared in fourteen episodes of the series before succumbing to his tragic fate. We loved him so much that even after death, we wanted him back. And got him. (As an aside, how come his characters always die in shows? He died in Weeds, he died in Supernatural… poor guy doesn’t stand a chance).

4. Chris O’Donnell - The sexy veterinarian that sort of almost won Meredith’s heart appeared in nine episodes of of Grey’s Anatomy in the role of Dr. Finn Dandridge.

5. Loretta Devine - We can find her playing the Chief’s wife (soon to be ex wife?) in nine episodes of the show and I honestly think that whenever she’s on, she steals scenes. She’s such a pleasure to watch.

6. Christina Ricci - The film actress dropped into Grey’s Anatomy for the infamous episodes “It’s the End of the World” and “As We Know It” in which she played Hannah Davies. The role earned her an Emmy nomination.

7. Kate Burton - Playing the Ellis Grey. How great was she in the role of Meredith’s mother? I still miss her. The actress appeared in fifteen episodes of Grey’s Anatomy.

8. Kyle Chandler - He appeared in four episodes of the series, though he’s most remembered for the episodes “It’s the End of the World” and “As We Know It” in the role of Dylan Young. He reprised the role in “Some Kind of Miracle” and “Drowning on Dry Land”, and he was awesome every single time. In fact, he also won an Emmy nomination for his performance.

9. Seth Green - The actor appeared in the two-part episode “Crash Into Me” from season 4 playing the role of Nick Hanscom.

10. Steven W. Bailey - Known to most of Grey’s fans as “Joe” plays … well, Joe. He’s appeared in twenty-eight (!) episodes of the show as our favorite bartender and occasional camping buddy.

11. Elizabeth Reaser - The beloved Jane Doe who stole Karev’s seamingly unstealable heart. Elizabeth Reaser has appeared in 14 episodes of the series in the role of Jane Doe/Rebecca Pope/Ava, for which she earned an emmy nomination.

The Characters: Because we’ve all fallen in love with at least one of them. Here go a few reasons to help you remember why.

1. Dr. Miranda Bailey: Brilliant, hilarious, and everyone’s rock.

“I have five rules. Memorize them. Rule number one, don’t bother sucking up. I already hate you, that’s not gonna change.”

“I may be forty-seven weeks pregnant. I may be on bed rest. I may not be able to see my own feet. But I AM Dr. Bailey. I hear every thing. I know every thing. I⿿m watching each and every one of you. And I will return.”

2. Meredith Grey: Beautiful and flawed.

“At some point, you have to make a decision. Boundaries don’t keep other people out. They fence you in. Life is messy. That’s how we’re made. So, you can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them. But there are some lines… that are way too dangerous to cross.”

3. George O’Malley: Adorable, loyal, boy next door.

“I know you’ve been going through a bad time. I know you miss Shepherd and that your life has been pretty unpleasant these days. You get points for breathing in and out. You get to be a little selfish. But you don’t get to choose a dog over me. You don’t. My name is George. I sleep down the hall from you. I buy you tampons. I hold your hand. Every time you ask. I’ve earned the right to be seen. To be respected. So, I’m not moving out. Whether you like it or not, I’m staying.”

4. Cristina Yang: Determined.

“You know, I know a liar when I see one because I am a liar.”

5. Erica Hahn: Brilliant and and a hard-ass.

“This is going to be so much fun.”

6. Mark Sloan: The player.

Derek: You’re like the worst, most juvenile human being I’ve ever met in my life.
Mark: You know the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem?
Derek: How many nurses have you slept with this week?
Mark: That’s not a problem, man. That⿿s an adventure!

7. Izzie Stevens: She’s got a heart of gold … and it usually gets her into trouble.

“Fine! Let’s look at that tattoo up close and personal, shall we? What are these? Oh, my God! Breasts! How does anybody practice medicine hauling these things around? And what have we got back here? Let⿿s see if I remember my anatomy. Glutes, right? Let⿿s study them, shall we? Gather around and check out the booty that put Izzie Stevens through med school! Have you had enough, or should I continue, because I have a few more very interesting tattoos. You want to call me Dr. Model? That’s fine. Just remember that while you’re still sitting on two hundred grand of student loans… I’m out of debt.”

8. Derek Shepherd: Will he ever get Meredith?

“We met at this bar, remember? We met and we, um, you said I’m just a girl, and I said I’m just a guy, and we started this thing. We started this thing. You didn’t know anything about me. The good, the bad, the wife. You didn’t even know my name. You didn’t know me. I want you to know me. I want to start over from the beginning. So, hi, I’m Derek Shepherd.”

9. Callie Torres: Unlucky in love.

“Four years of high school, four years of college, four years of med school. By the time we graduate we’re in our late 20s and we’ve never done anything except go to school and think about science. Time stops. We’re socially retarded. Ha, I mean, look at me, I’m in love with a guy who won’t say he loves me back and here I am, in his kitchen, just hoping he comes home and notices me. I’m that girl, who sits in the back of the class and eats her hair.”

10. Richard Webber: Starting late at a new beginning.

“Oh! So you’re, um, that’s wonderful! Man love! It’s beautiful. Beautiful… My cousin’s gay! So… I’m hip and Brokeback Mountain and… all of that.”

11. Alex Karev: Blunt, honest, and secretly tender. Sometimes.

“I tell the truth. It’s what I do. It doesn’t make me a bad doctor. Everyone walks around this place lying. We tell a patient who’s dying that there’s hope when there is no hope. Maybe I’m a pig. Maybe I’m an ass. Maybe I’m a vermin like everybody says. But I tell the truth. It’s the only thing I got going for me, and you don’t get to take that away and call it a lesson. Sir.”

The Writers: Because they make this show what it is, and boy am I glad the strike has come to an end so they can get back to doing what they do best.

1. Shonda Rhimes: The mastermind behind the operation, as well the creator of Private Practice. She’s won Glamour’s Woman of the Year, and penned 83 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy (more than any other writer on staff), and serves as executive producer. So much love for Shonda.

2. Krista Vernoff: Also an executive producer behind the series, Krista Vernoff has penned eleven episodes for the show. She’s also written for such shows as Wonderfalls (one of my favorites of all times) and Charmed.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list. I look forward to seeing your reasons for loving Grey’s Anatomy.

Is it April yet?