Did Isaiah Washington Save His Job?
Could the Grey skies be clearing in Hollywood? Sources say it looks as if they may be.
It was a close call, but Bill Zwecker of the Chicago Sun-Times, citing an inside source on the Grey's Anatomy production staff, reports that Isaiah Washington may have just barely saved himself from being fired over using a gay slur in reference to co-star T.R. Knight.
Since the incident, the embattled Grey's Anatomy star has ended his relationship with his longtime publicist, issued an apology, met with several leaders of the gay community and has hired a pair of damage control specialists, Allen Mayer and Kelly Mullens. Those consultants previously have helped Chicago's R. Kelly, Tommy Lee and Paula Poundstone when they faced serious image problems.
Even so, Grey's Anatomy star Kate Walsh told Extra at the Sundance Film Festival that the cast is still shaken by the incident.
"I really feel sad... I'm just saying my prayers... I don't know what is going to happen, I just trust that our show will deal with it in the way that they see fit," she said.
Then her co-star, Katherine Heigl (shown above, with Knight) chimed in.
"It's tense ... but I think it'll work out and I'm hopeful that it's handled properly," she said.
January 23rd, 2007 9:02 AM
Please....Katherine and T.R. need to stop forming these little ciliques among the cast. You would think this was the movie Mean Girls! Katherine saying that she would throw down for T.R. is just childish and immature. Again I do not agree with what Isaiah said, but he really is going above and beyond for him to just "barely" save his job! There is only one man who was born to play Dr. Preston Burke!
January 23rd, 2007 9:57 AM
Reacting to 1st comment: I certainly hope people are still free to be friends with whomever they choose! I, for one, admire Ms. Heigl's loyalty and Mr. Knight's class.
I hope Mr. Wahington's new publicist and damage control specialists will set him straight.
It's a good thing for Mr. Washington that he has such devoted admirers.
January 23rd, 2007 12:24 PM
So, a person gets offended, another one steps to defend that person, and they are the "bad guys"?
No words, no words...
January 23rd, 2007 12:37 PM
This whole thing has just gotten to be so sad for everyone who loves the show and the characters on it. I am sorry for everyone involved including the fans of the show who have taken sides. I agree with McNasty Social Worker that it doesn't help the onset chemistry to have one cast member publically taking sides over another. They all work together and according to Justin Chambers all get along well for the most part. Isaiah is taking steps to make amends and to prevent a reoccurrence. He is dealing with any issues he has. I love that cast members of "Everyone Hates Chris", who know him personally, have gone public in support of Isaiah saying that he is not only a talented actor but also a wonderful person. These are people with nothing to gain or lose by their endorsement of his character. I am so hopeful that they can work it out and we will not lose Burke and the wonderful, frustrating, crazy, and fascinating relationship that he has with Cristina on the show.
January 23rd, 2007 12:43 PM
I agree with you completely, BB.
January 23rd, 2007 12:59 PM
I know it was a shock to find out about T.R. Knight, although Isaiah should have left his comment to himself. Grey's Anatomy wouldn't be the same if Preston Burke wasn't there. In my opion I think that they should make up and keep making the best show on television continue to be the best show on television.
January 23rd, 2007 3:53 PM
This morning it suddenly crossed my mind that this "affair" must be pleasing all those other show producers that are jealous of GA's success so let's drop it and go on with our lives.
Each time in my life that something un-appropriate was said to me I learned (after the pain) to ignore and forgive. Indifference is the best defense in those moments believe me.
January 23rd, 2007 5:41 PM
It's sad but other people would love for this show to fall apart by keeping ugly things stirred up. I love the show and hope they can finally put this to rest for good. This is a very talented cast and work very well together.
January 23rd, 2007 7:24 PM
These are some of the best and most rational posts on the net.... I am gay, and I know that people say things and sometimes people say things in the heat of battle... and the last time, the question was asked! Geez... let the show and characters live; and those who are stirring it up should be ignored!
January 23rd, 2007 9:30 PM
I agree. The cast can work this out if the public would just butt out. These people are professionals.
January 23rd, 2007 10:11 PM
It's sad that this is happening at all. The show in some way is ruined for me now because everytime I watch it all I can think about is how Washington might lose his job. I hate to say this but the show isn't really going to be the same for me anymore. I wish that I was in the dark about this whole thing so that I would be able to just enjoy the show without thinking about this "fight."
January 23rd, 2007 11:00 PM
I will make this short and sweet. If someone had used the "N" word, there is not a question in my mind that they would have been fired the very same day. You would think people who have been discriminagted against would think twice before opening their ignorant mouths. I find Mr. Washington's comments rude and worthless. I also have no interest in watching this show after hearing his comments. Unless he is off the show I will not tune in again. Many of my friends feel the same.
January 24th, 2007 7:03 AM
When I read some of the reactions of some people I have the feeling that the word tolerance does not exist. We should all focus on the real problems of the world and not go on and on and on about this. If someone has no interest in watching this show after hearing IW comments let them do so I just hope they keep in mind that by doing so the jealous detractors of this show score points. Isn't this the hidden agenda of this whole campaign?
January 24th, 2007 7:18 AM
If you want to keep IW as Preston Burke on the show please sign the petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?weluviw&1
January 24th, 2007 10:28 AM
To all of you that agree with me...thank you! To all of you who disagree with me....THANK YOU! I have an opinion just like everyone else and I can respect other people's opinions, but that doesn't mean that I have to agree with and like it. Isaiah does not have to agree with how T.R. lives his life...hell...he doesn't even have to like him as a person. But in order for them to work together...they have to respect eachothers talent and differences. Firing Isaiah would be horrible for the show and it would only give that horrible F word fuel. It gives that word power. Black people were called the N word for years and then they decided to flip it and make it into something positive that they could use...the word ends with an "A" instead of an "ER." Yes, the "ER" still hurts and is wrong but at least they tried to overcome the hurt and piss off some people who tried to overcome them along the way (ha ha). IT IS A WORD...yes it hurts, but let's not give it the power that it does NOT deserve.
January 24th, 2007 4:01 PM
Did Katherine Heigl and anyone else who was offended at Isaiah Washington's insensitive comments feel this way when Michael Richards used the N word? Hypocrisy is knocking on your door here.
Be brave, be courageous, have a spine. Be fair. You tolerated Michael Richards insensitivity. Tolerate this. Right or wrong is obviously not an issue.
January 24th, 2007 7:32 PM
Suzan Lastname - who says that any of us tolerated what Michael Richards said???????
January 24th, 2007 9:36 PM
SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!! WASHINGTON WAS RIGHT!! KNIGHT IS A FAGGOT!! WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY DEFINES FAGGOT AS "A MALE HOMOSEXUAL"!!! HELLO??? AND SHAME ON ALL OF YOU WHO ARE TRYING TO INDOCTRINATE WASHINGTON WITH YOUR FILTHY HOMOSEXUAL EVIL DEVIAT LIFESTYLE!!!!!!!
January 26th, 2007 3:51 AM
rebekah isaacs shame on you!!!! What is this mentality you sound like an old (not in age but in your head) grumpy person who never smiles and can not be positive in life. You must be very unhappy. I am 60 on paper not in my head. At 93 my grandmother was more tolerant then you and that's 15 years ago.
January 26th, 2007 2:52 PM
CLEERLY T.R. appeared to be a gay man from the very first episode....there was NOTHING screaming "I'm STRAIGHT" from the first time his character was introduced. It was a shock that they created a love interest for him. None-the-less, let it go. And please, there is no comparison for the word "Faggot" and "Nigger". So, please....(non-african american folks) don't go there. Both of these individuals have there own cross to bare and we have not been called to be judge and jury. So let it go, continue watching the show, and live your life.
January 27th, 2007 1:33 AM
Purplemerder, I think what Suzan Lastname may be saying is that we are not reading for months and months that Michael Richards should be fired from the Laugh Factory for his slur. The entire event was in the news for a week or two at the most. Richards apologized and we moved on. We have heard from the pulpit of the press gathering rabid followers daily that Isaiah should be fired for his mistake. Michael Richards is still performing. It is hypocritical to ask for a man to lose his career over one slur and not the other particularly when one was intentional and the other may not have been.
January 29th, 2007 2:28 PM
With a few exceptions, I agree with the comment that this site contains some of the most high level and rational commentaries of the situation. Isaiah's choice to avoid the spotlight these days is commendable and advantageous to the life of the show. This has been one of those series of unfortunate events that has elicited the invective of Euro-American public, which is horrifying, unappealing, and unworthy of us as a nation of people. On other websites people are calling for much more drastic measures. Such words are not as hurtful as harmful actions. Anger management help is in order, and the situation should be looked upon with tolerance as any other disorder in which somone is legitimately attempting to alter. I hope this is the case with Mr. Washington, applaud him for his effort and hope that he will be successful. We would become the villians if we pursue an attempt to end his career at this point in time.