'Rookie Blue' is very 'Grey's Anatomy'

Here's what we've learned on ABC in the past few months:

 Trying to turn "Grey's Anatomy" into a show about lawyers — bad idea.

 Trying to turn "Grey's Anatomy" into a show about cops — good idea.

You may recall a little show called "The Deep End" that aired earlier this year. Although odds are you don't, because the show about a group of young, impossibly attractive, neophyte lawyers was quickly canceled.

"Rookie Blue," on the other hand, has already been picked up for a second season.

Yes, this show about a group of young, impossibly attractive, neophyte police officers is the summer's highest-rated original series, as ABC has been crowing. But ratings are relative. And ratings for "Rookie Blue" haven't been spectacular; it's averaging 7.1 million viewers.

However, the network is hopeful. And costs for the Canadian-made import are relatively low.

It is clear, however, that they're watching "Grey's Anatomy" in Canada. "Rookie Blue" is so clearly patterned on that longtime ABC hit, with rookie cops standing in for rookie doctors.

There's young up-and-comers learning from more experienced superiors. The young 'uns getting romantically involved with those superiors. And with each other.

The first-among-equals in the ensemble cast — Andy McNally (Missy Peregrym) — is clearly a clone of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). Hey, she's even got issues with one of her parents. Who was also a cop.

Sort of surprisingly similar to the situation with Meredith's mother, who had been a surgeon. As is Meredith.

Or maybe the similarity isn't that surprising.

The look and feel of "Blue" is sooooo "Grey's" — up to and including the overuse of music videos. Maybe it wasn't by design. Maybe.

And maybe the reason "The Deep End" didn't work was that it wasn't enough like "Grey's Anatomy."

Ah, well. At least there are new episodes of "Rookie Blue" airing this summer when most of what's on the networks is repeats.

Slow summer: "Rookie Blue" is the only summer show on any network to get picked up for more episodes. And the way things are going, it probably will remain the only summer series that does.

ABC is not having much success with "Scoundrels," "The Gates" or "Downfall."