THE COMPETITION FOR THE CHIEF�S POSITION BEGINS AFTER RICHARD ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT, ON ABC�S �GREY�S ANATOMY�

Guest Starring Emmy-Nominated Actress Kate Burton as Ellis Grey

�Wishin� and Hopin�� � The race for the Chief�s position is on, as the doctors compete for Richard�s affections, a surgical patient endangers the lives of those around her, and Meredith�s Alzheimer�s-stricken mother, Ellis, experiences a change in her medical condition, on �Grey�s Anatomy,� THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Editors note: This program will repeat Friday, Feb. 2 (8:00-9:01 p.m., ET).

�Grey�s Anatomy� stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke, Katherine Heigl as Isobel �Izzie� Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O�Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Kate Walsh as Addison Shepherd, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres and Eric Dane as Mark Sloan.

Guest starring Kate Burton as Ellis Grey, other guest cast to be announced.

�Wishin� and Hopin�� was written by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater and directed by Julie Ann Robinson.

�Grey�s Anatomy� is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC�s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.