Washington to Return to Set This Week
Embattled star Isaiah Washington is scheduled to return to the Grey's Anatomy set as early as Thursday for the first time since entering counseling after making a homophobic slur, People reports.
Isaiah Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke, has not been on the set since January 23, the day before he issued a statement saying he would seek counseling "as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again."
He also missed picking up a trophy at Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards that honored the Grey's Anatomy cast.
Best actress winner Chandra Wilson alluded to his absence, saying in her acceptance speech, "It's about the 10 cast members sitting over there and the other one in rehab."
A source familiar with the Grey's Anatomy production schedule tells People that Washington has confirmed he'll arrive for his next call time, now set for Thursday, although the show's production schedule changes.
Washington has been at the center of controversy since using a homophobic slur in reference to T.R. Knight, who is gay. After a firestorm of criticism, Washington issued an apology, then on January 23 announced he had entered counseling.
"I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and am committed to transforming my actions into positive results, personally and professionally," said the 43-year-old acto, who has also met with leaders of the gay community in an attempt to rectify his actions.
While we don't know anything for sure, this is a good indication that ABC believes - as many fans and columnists have opined - that Grey's Anatomy and its cast will survive the controversy and remain intact.
January 31st, 2007 11:43 AM
Welcome news to us Burke fans
January 31st, 2007 12:09 PM
Great to hear this news.......welcome back, Isaiah!
January 31st, 2007 2:54 PM
The show would be much better off IF Isaiah Washington would be fired. How dare he be allowed to say the things he has said, in public no less and still be allowed to remain on the show? Once a homophob and a biggot, always a homophob and a biggot - no amount of "help" will make him any better. He has been a very poor part of the show, his arrogance and Casper Milktoast attitude adds nothing to the cast or the storyline. Even on TV as himself, he is boring, whimpish and adds nothing to the conversation. How dare he be allowed to continue to be a part of this excellent and wonderful cast. GET RID OF HIM and find someone who could fill that spot who would enjoy being a part of this show and would add much more light to the cast and crew.
January 31st, 2007 3:58 PM
Thank goodness. I really hope that this is a positive sign that the parties involved are able to move past this. Isaiah has stated many times in both live interviews and in print that he loves being on this show, is honored to be working with these people, and very much likes and appreciates his castmates. This incident should be seen for what it was, a word spoken in anger not intended to hurt anyone including his castmate who overheard the remark. As one columnist put it talent is not universal and his loss would have greatly damaged the show. For those of us who are fans, no one else could play Preston Burke and his loss would have been devastating. I hope that this is an indication that ABC/Touchstone has a clearer head and a more forgiving heart than some of the fans who have spewed a never ending stream of vindictiveness and hatefulness at Isaiah. Good luck to all of the members of the cast.
January 31st, 2007 5:16 PM
ok, so once a homophob, always a homophob..
once a faggot, always a faggot, see the connection???
!!!!
so what if he called him a faggot, DEAL WITH THIS among themselves..don't make a public splash out of it...
As a woman of color, I fully recognize what my constitution rights entail. However, I don't have a problem with those who choose not to respect me and call my names...because that is THEIR problem, not mine. My confidence and self-esteem remains intact regardless.
Look, this thing has been going on for too long. I think KH, IW and TR should all just shut the hell up and do a good job....
heck, maybe it is all a publicity stunt...as they say , no publicity is BAD publicity...
January 31st, 2007 5:53 PM
The show would just go downhill if he got fired... people make mistakes, everyone does it... it just like if someone entered rehab for drinking, they can change and learn from their ways... i am glad he is comming back to the show, i think he will change for the better. This i think will make it better, and make them closer
January 31st, 2007 7:58 PM
I am a huge fan of IW, and am so thrilled that IW is back, not only because I couldn't imagine him not being without Cristina, or not being able to watch the phenomenal acting skills of IW and SO, but I feel that people should be given chances, chances to right what was wrong.
February 1st, 2007 8:47 AM
In my opinion... firing IW for being a homophobe would be like firing TRK for being gay. I don't agree with what he said, but he's taking steps to make ammends which is a lot more than some people would do. Hopefully he can work through the issues he has and come out a better person in the end.
February 1st, 2007 9:18 AM
YAY!!!! Burke is back! Thanks to everyone who supported Isaiah Washington during this difficult time. I do agree with the "K's"....Katie, Kerry, and Karen. And just to let y'all know...I hope Katherine is happy because her little immature comments landed her in InTouch Weekly. Like Karen said...no publicity is BAD publicity. I would call Ms. Katherine out of her name, but I would not want to too critizied for my thoughts and opinions and have to go to rehab for it!
February 1st, 2007 10:52 AM
I think people need to stop getting thier feeling hurts. I say welcome back Dr. Burke. The gay community is so dramatic.
February 1st, 2007 10:56 AM
My only concern is that of T.R.'s! Not IW!
Shame on him and who does he think he is? A pity really, to have lost such credibility and put such shame to such a wonderful show!
Frankly, when push comes to shove, who could we really live without?
February 1st, 2007 11:51 AM
So happy it appears that this debacle is finally coming to an end. Thank goodness we can all get back to just discussing the show now. I must comment on Liz's post above -- LMAO too funny!!!!
February 1st, 2007 3:59 PM
The show is great with all the organic characters!!!! We shouldn't have do watch the show with out them. Isaiah Washington is taking the appropriate actions. He has done wrong, and admitts to it and regrets it, and now he is doing his best do rectify the situation. Why cant we leave it at that. Truth be told it has nothing at all do with anyone but Isaiah and T.R.. Nothing. Everyone should keep out of it and let the two of them Hash it out. If T.R. can work through it thats all the matters. Its him that has to work with him day to day not any of us. He's the bigger man.
February 2nd, 2007 6:57 PM
Who I really blame this whole issue on is the media. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and to freedom of speech. But because of the media, a bunch of people took offense to something that wasn't aimed at them, and they keep bringing it up even though it happened months ago. They just need to let it die. And while I absolutely love TR Knight, he and the entire gay community need to move on. Everyone on the entire planet has been called a name before. They need to quit acting like (uh oh, another name calling...) babies.
February 3rd, 2007 2:00 AM
While I realize this has probably been said before, I have to say it again: if the situation was reversed, and TR Knight had called Isaiah Washington the "N" word, would everyone be so willing to "forgive and move on"? And do you really think TR would only have been "sent to rehab", instead of being fired? I'm not saying Isaiah should be fired, but I am disturbed by the apparent double standard here.
February 3rd, 2007 6:32 PM
Okay, time to move on!
February 4th, 2007 8:45 PM
I am gay, and I am shocked to see IW said what he said and I don't think enough rehab will change his opinion. However his lack of understanding does not make him a bad actor and I think Cristina won't be as good without him. Although I do feel that they should change his hair a bit :P
February 13th, 2007 4:05 PM
Hey Babs, Who could we really live without? Any of them, probably, but I would miss Isaiah far more than any of the others. If Isaiah, Sandra, Ellen, and Derek were the only ones on the show, I would watch. I also love Alex and I am liking Addison more all of the time. I could easily live without George or Izzie. So I guess in spite of your bolded letters it is still a matter of personal opinion. I would not want to have any of the original cast leave the show, but I would stop watching without Isaiah. I am glad that TR has garnered so much sympathy for himself. The entire incident has given him more visibility and name recognition as an actor than ever before. He should be sending Isaiah roses instead of calling him a liar on Ellen. There are two men here who saw the incident differently. You are chosing to believe TR Knight. version of what he thought he overheard and I am chosing to believe Isaiah's version of what he thought he said. Neither of us know for sure what happened on the set or what was said. All I know is that TR has benefited from this and Isaiah has been victimized. Hmmm. I wonder which one is being more honest.
February 13th, 2007 4:08 PM
SeanK, do you realize by your definition you just called Isaiah the n-word. If by saying the word in the same sentence with someone you are calling the person that word, you have just uttered a racial slur. If this had been Patrick Dempsey calling TR the f-word would the n-word even enter your mind? They are not parallel. The n-word has been uttered far more times that you can count and with no reprecussions. Save the sanctimony for a worthier cause.
May 27th, 2007 10:42 AM
Hey Eileen, I think what IW did was wrong but the comment once a homophobe, always a homophobe isn't true for everyone. I used to have problems with gays up until (nearly 20 years ago) I found out my very best friend was gay, He was having such a hard time accepting it and was going through so much pain and I was forced to face this issue. It wasn't easy but I really had to think about my beliefs and re evaluate my way of thinking. And I am really glad I did because I learned that I was wrong and that my beliefs were too. I do feel for TR Knight for being subjected to that but perhaps, if IW is truly going for councelling etc., then this isn't such a bad thing if it means that he can open his mind an accept that gays are no different than anyone else.
August 16th, 2007 5:05 AM
Hello My name is Dorine Poawui, I am from Sierra Leone West Africa. I was watching the News last week and I heard that Mr. Isaiah Washington roots is from my country and tribe. I am from the Mende Tribe from Damballa. My grandfather was Chief Kargobai in Damballa. I was born in Bo. I am leaving August the 26th to go to Sierra Leone for my Grandmother Baja Kargobai's funeral.If by any chance I can be some kind of help please let me know.
September 4th, 2007 6:37 AM
hi my name is Norkor and im from Ghana, West Africa.
I love watching grey,s anatomy and of cos i love Isaiah He made a mistake he has apologised.can we all please get over it.
We want him back on the set pleeaaaseee!
September 4th, 2007 6:40 AM
im a burke and cristina fan.please please bring isaiah back.