This is not the first time Pompeo has hinted that Grey’s Anatomy could be ending soon. When she was on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast on Aug. 24, she said, “Certainly I think to dip out sooner rather than later at this point having done what we’ve done, to leave while the show is still on top is definitely a goal.” Pompeo also added that her deal is up for renegotiations after Season 17, which could spell the end of the series. “This is the last year of my contract right now. I don’t know that this is the last year? But it could very well could be,” she said. She told Shepard, “I’m not trying to stay on the show forever. No way. The truth is if I get too aggravated, and I’m no longer grateful there, I should not be there.” Interestingly, when Pompeo was talking to Variety, she reportedly brought up Grey’s Anatomy ending unprovoked by the interviewer. Pompeo acknowledges that the show would not be able to sustain itself without her since, according to Variety, Rhimes and ABC have both made it clear that Grey’s Anatomy would likely end with her exit. “I don’t take the decision lightly,” Pompeo said. “We employ a lot of people, and we have a huge platform. And I’m very grateful for it. You know, I’m just weighing out creatively what can we do.” Time will tell if this is truly the end for Meredith Grey, but in the meanwhile, here are 16 other shows that are still going strong—and have actually been on longer than Grey’s Anatomy. And for more TV news that will surprise you, check out This Is the Worst Guest “Today” Has Ever Had, Host Says. Premiered on April 1, 1963 Premiered on Nov. 8, 1965ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Premiered on Nov. 10, 1969 To see which stars have appeared on this iconic children’s show, check out 50 Amazing Celebrity Cameos on “Sesame Street.” Premiered on Jan. 10, 1971 Premiered on Sept. 4, 1972 For more entertainment news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Premiered on March 26, 1973 Premiered on Oct. 11, 1975 And for more on this show’s lows, check out The Worst “SNL” Host of All Time, According to the Cast. Premiered on Jan. 6, 1975 Premiered on Sept. 10, 1984 And for more on the beloved host of this series, check out the 4 Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer Alex Trebek Wished He’d Known Sooner. Premiered on March 23, 1987 And for more on soap star Denise Richards’ other recent gig, check out The Most Famous Real Housewives, Then and Now. Premiered on Nov. 26, 1989 Premiered on Dec. 17, 1989 And for more on the success of this long-running series, here are The 50 Most Popular TV Shows of All Time. Premiered on Aug. 28, 1993 And if you remember when this show premiered, you may be familiar with these 20 Slang Terms From the 1990s No One Uses Anymore. Premiered on Aug. 13, 1997 Premiered on Sept. 20, 1999 Premiered on Sept. 23, 2003

 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 53 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 50 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 25 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 20 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 49 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 73 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 52 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 31 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 2 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 94 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 11 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 32 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 78 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 94 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 71 Grey s Anatomy  Star Ellen Pompeo Says the Show Could Be Ending - 66