Fire both of them. This will affect the show because it will be hard for them to continue with the realationship between Georgia & Callie and when a lot of people see Burke they will think of this scandal. I believe he said it and is to cocky to admit that he is sorry. Neither one is that important to the show anymore. A lot of people will not admit it but everytime you see George kiss or make love you will think about the fact that he is gay and the scene will lose its effect. He should have been upfront from the start about being gay and they could have done his character different on the show and know one would have thought anything about it.
Kathleen Says:
January 18th, 2007 1:10 PM
Ok, if Washington were fired from the show it would RUIN Grey's Anatomy. He is a vital role in the script and without him, what would Cristina have to fuel the situations she gets into?
If someone in normal, everyday life were to say something like what Washington said, it would be set aside, or some words would be exchanged, but then it would be let go. Just because he's a public figure doesn't mean he has to have so much more publicity and criticisms about it. Let it GO.
robin Says:
January 18th, 2007 3:03 PM
Fire both of them?! Because IW used a hateful epithet -- twice? I watched the clip and he really introduced an awful vibe: "I never called TR a faggot." And he totally wanted to bring people's attention to the whole issue by trying to kiss Patrick Dempsey on the red carpet, by saying "I love gay," then by doing interviews saying "it never happened. It never happened." The show's creator needs to step in and exert some moral authority in the situation and make clear that the use of that kind of language is not acceptable in their work environment or in discussing their work. She probably needs to say that she's spoken with all parties involved and that apologies and gestures of good will have been forthcoming from Isaiah. And he should really sit down with GLAAD, because otherwise, this thing is going to dog him forever.
Carol Says:
January 18th, 2007 4:16 PM
I agree with LA, IW should go. Most companies have zero tolerance when it comes to employees attacking one another. And this means physically or verbally. Either way, once the situation was 'investigated' by Shonda R. or whoever, IW should have been released. You guys act as if IW is the only African American actor who could be on GA. Burke could 'find another job' and be easily written out of the show. I'm surprised IW has lasted this long since the original fight that prompted the 'F' word. IW should have been more careful about what he said, not only the first time, but this last time at the Globes. IW is supposed to be a mature and upstanding man; that is the way he tries to show himself as to other people. It was a mistake what he did, but it was a serious one and it should have serious consequences.
Burke Backer Says:
January 18th, 2007 5:22 PM
Carol, I am appalled by your comment that Isaiah isn't the only African American man who could be hired on GA. What does that have to do with anything at all? It isn't because he is African American that he should not be fired it is because he has embodied Preston Burke and done so wonderfully well since the beginning. Fans of Burke and Cristina would miss this actor. It has nothing to do with race. It has to do with his skill and acting ability and the character that we love. I don't think anyone else would do it as well and I would hate to see him go over this.
Cheryl Says:
January 18th, 2007 5:47 PM
If Mr. Washington is accused of saying something derogatory - why isn't he also allowed to defend himself? For his castmate to say that he should not speak in public is as ridiculous as what he is accused of saying - who is she to say who should and should not speak?! I thought we are innocent until proven guilty in this country. What happened to the first ammendment? Does it only apply to what makes us comfortable? I say that we move on to more important issues like feeding those people we step over lying in the streets.
sandra westbrook Says:
January 18th, 2007 6:10 PM
If and I say if Isaiah is fired I think actor Morris Chestnut would be perfect. I really don't the show would suffer with a new Burke even though Isaiah has done an exceptional job.
Shonda cast all of the characters on Greys without giving thought to race. She did it based on the best audition for each part. Isaiah was the best and still is. No one can replace him in the role of Burke and no one should have to. He did not call TR a faggot. Did he use this term in the heat of an argument with someone else? Possibly. Does that warrant dismissal? No. In every situation where it is a matter of a verbal dispute you have to consider the context and the intent when passing judgment. Isaiah did not set out to offend TR. This was a poor choice of words uttered in the heat of an argument at a time when emotions were running high and everyone was overworked, tired, and running on empty. This action does not warrant firing.
Alex Says:
January 18th, 2007 7:26 PM
Seems IW is still upset he didn't get the McDreamy part.
Amy Says:
January 18th, 2007 8:26 PM
Why doesn't T.R let it go. If he did not call him that to his face how does he know that it was said? Why did he go on Ellen? It happened in October and it was over with. Whatever, T.R. can not act anyway. He should be afraid for his job. Let it go-he apologized.
Kelly Says:
January 18th, 2007 8:49 PM
I don't know about you but I am sick of Katherine Heigl. She needs to shut her mouth. Is TR that much of a faggot that he can't fight his own battles? They need to fire her. She's acting like she ready has a 8 million dollar check and she doesn't need to work. Shut your mouth and continue with your poor acting Heigl.
Amy Says:
January 18th, 2007 9:14 PM
IW apoligized tonight and is 'confronting' his issues. I just hope this is acceptable for ABC and they will not fire him.
You may be right, Alex, but I don't think so. I think his pride may have been hurt when he saw the fan reaction to Derek in Seattle though. They are pretty isolated on the set where they film the show. But when they went on location with everyone shouting for McDreamy, it may have bothered him. I don't know. He's been around quite awhile so perhaps not, but I can't help but think it would have affected him. I think he is happy in the role of Burke. He has kind of taken it and made it his own. I hope he is able to do enough along with the apology to satisfy the people on a witch hunt for his job so that he will have the opportunity to continue in that role.
Khackie98 Says:
January 18th, 2007 9:53 PM
No he should not be fired from the show. That's just insane! The man apologized, the crew went on to say that they are passed it and now everyone else needs to get passed it.
Donald Alexander Says:
January 18th, 2007 9:58 PM
I. Washington and Michael Richards are two peas of the same pod. He should do what Richards did. Get out there and ask for forgiveness, and seek help for his homophobic hatred. The fact that he is still a cast member says more about you than about him.
LeylaK Says:
January 18th, 2007 11:35 PM
It's clearly a PR stunt by TR Knight which is causing all this publicity, as he is trying to capitalize on the fame it generates for him and what it can do for his career. Making a scapegoat of Isaiah Washington, who is a good actor and surely should be celebrating the Golden Globe's win, not spending his time apologizing...Katerine Heigl is a BIG disappointment, with all her talk about "throw downs"...she should stop interfering and focus on her work.
chuky Says:
January 18th, 2007 11:54 PM
Michael Richard called people the N word in obvious anger and malice the next day he was back at the laugh factory performing. and what he did was much worse in my opinion. he made his apology and made his peace with the folks that were there and today he's still performing at the same place. I don't see the folks he angered still calling for his job since the apology. Isaiah deserves to earn a living just as much.
Kal1973 Says:
January 19th, 2007 12:03 AM
I do not think Isaiah should be fired. He apologized. Let it go! I guess I am ignorant where these things are concerned. Please correct me if I am wrong, but if TR is a gay man...what about that word affends him? I agree he should not have been called that if it is meant to affend.
Kal1973 Says:
January 19th, 2007 12:07 AM
I absolutely love every last one of the actors/actresses of Grey's, and I would hate to see any of them leave.
Megan Says:
January 19th, 2007 12:10 AM
Wow. I cannot believe some of the comments being made here. Kelly, that was completely inappropriate and uncalled for, and I honestly hope your comment gets removed for offensive language.
I think that IW needs to be reprimanded in some way. In most work places, references (especially derogatory slurs) are considered sexual harassment, and are a fireable offense. In my workplace, anyone calling a coworker that would immediately be fired. It's happened before. And frankly, I find it disturbing for people to place blame on TR Knight for this. The only person that can be held accountable for IW's comments are IW himself. The issue is obviously in the media, and TR has obviously struggled to deal with his private life being made public. And to those who claim that using a slur does not make you a bigot, I beg to differ. One does not throw that word around as casually as IW does and not be comfortable and secure in its meaning. Its not a "slang term" or a mean name like stupidhead, it is a disparaging slur against who a person is and is used to bring them down. Its no better or worse than any of the other horrible slurs one can think of. And sorry, but not all of us say stuff like that in moments of anger. That does not make it okay.
Tom Olstad Says:
January 19th, 2007 12:29 AM
Fire the Bigot Trash. If he was called a nigger we would all be in an uproar. No surprise he has been seen hanging with the Bush Family. Martin Luther King would be ashamed of him. He is a sick jerk. I hope people with Boycott this show and the sponsors that pay him to spread hate and intolerance. Fire him now!
James Kraatz Jr Says:
January 19th, 2007 2:01 AM
YES!! I work night's however I record the show. What Isaiah Washington said was intollerabe! I am writing this because I don't want to watch the show! I look forward to the day when he is off the show! In Michigan the religious black community give the local gay community a hard time. I do not enjoy this and certainly will not except it!
Matthew Brownfield Says:
January 19th, 2007 4:26 AM
Ok there are some pretty good responses that you have put down here the last few days about this issue. There really is only one problem though. How do you really know if he even called him a faggot. The New York Post published it. Did it say it was a quote. The New York Times are so left wing, you have no idea if they lied or took the statement completely out of context. Unless you have some kind of concrete proof, you have no right to criticize either of the cast mates for anything at all. This is completely redicules that GLAAD is demanding an apology for something with no actual proof. There isn't anything to get fired over either, so that is out of the question. If I was him and they fired me for something like that, there would be a lawsuit in the making. I think both of them are exceptional actors and deserve to be on the show, because the whole cast makes the show what it is. THE BEST DRAMA SHOW(on the small screen).
pia Says:
January 19th, 2007 5:36 AM
IW shouldn't be fire. He is a great actor and everybody can make a mistake, even people that judge so harsly. If he is off, ga is done for me.
micki Says:
January 19th, 2007 5:41 AM
not everybody says something like that in moment of rage. But we are not the same and I am really sure that a word doesn't make you a bigot. This is a huge hypocrysis. And TR is at fault too. I agree with those that said that his performane on Ellen was the best of his career.
January 18th, 2007 12:55 PM
Fire both of them. This will affect the show because it will be hard for them to continue with the realationship between Georgia & Callie and when a lot of people see Burke they will think of this scandal. I believe he said it and is to cocky to admit that he is sorry. Neither one is that important to the show anymore. A lot of people will not admit it but everytime you see George kiss or make love you will think about the fact that he is gay and the scene will lose its effect. He should have been upfront from the start about being gay and they could have done his character different on the show and know one would have thought anything about it.
January 18th, 2007 1:10 PM
Ok, if Washington were fired from the show it would RUIN Grey's Anatomy. He is a vital role in the script and without him, what would Cristina have to fuel the situations she gets into?
If someone in normal, everyday life were to say something like what Washington said, it would be set aside, or some words would be exchanged, but then it would be let go. Just because he's a public figure doesn't mean he has to have so much more publicity and criticisms about it. Let it GO.
January 18th, 2007 3:03 PM
Fire both of them?! Because IW used a hateful epithet -- twice? I watched the clip and he really introduced an awful vibe: "I never called TR a faggot." And he totally wanted to bring people's attention to the whole issue by trying to kiss Patrick Dempsey on the red carpet, by saying "I love gay," then by doing interviews saying "it never happened. It never happened." The show's creator needs to step in and exert some moral authority in the situation and make clear that the use of that kind of language is not acceptable in their work environment or in discussing their work. She probably needs to say that she's spoken with all parties involved and that apologies and gestures of good will have been forthcoming from Isaiah. And he should really sit down with GLAAD, because otherwise, this thing is going to dog him forever.
January 18th, 2007 4:16 PM
I agree with LA, IW should go. Most companies have zero tolerance when it comes to employees attacking one another. And this means physically or verbally. Either way, once the situation was 'investigated' by Shonda R. or whoever, IW should have been released. You guys act as if IW is the only African American actor who could be on GA. Burke could 'find another job' and be easily written out of the show. I'm surprised IW has lasted this long since the original fight that prompted the 'F' word. IW should have been more careful about what he said, not only the first time, but this last time at the Globes. IW is supposed to be a mature and upstanding man; that is the way he tries to show himself as to other people. It was a mistake what he did, but it was a serious one and it should have serious consequences.
January 18th, 2007 5:22 PM
Carol, I am appalled by your comment that Isaiah isn't the only African American man who could be hired on GA. What does that have to do with anything at all? It isn't because he is African American that he should not be fired it is because he has embodied Preston Burke and done so wonderfully well since the beginning. Fans of Burke and Cristina would miss this actor. It has nothing to do with race. It has to do with his skill and acting ability and the character that we love. I don't think anyone else would do it as well and I would hate to see him go over this.
January 18th, 2007 5:47 PM
If Mr. Washington is accused of saying something derogatory - why isn't he also allowed to defend himself? For his castmate to say that he should not speak in public is as ridiculous as what he is accused of saying - who is she to say who should and should not speak?! I thought we are innocent until proven guilty in this country. What happened to the first ammendment? Does it only apply to what makes us comfortable? I say that we move on to more important issues like feeding those people we step over lying in the streets.
January 18th, 2007 6:10 PM
If and I say if Isaiah is fired I think actor Morris Chestnut would be perfect. I really don't the show would suffer with a new Burke even though Isaiah has done an exceptional job.
January 18th, 2007 6:24 PM
Shonda cast all of the characters on Greys without giving thought to race. She did it based on the best audition for each part. Isaiah was the best and still is. No one can replace him in the role of Burke and no one should have to. He did not call TR a faggot. Did he use this term in the heat of an argument with someone else? Possibly. Does that warrant dismissal? No. In every situation where it is a matter of a verbal dispute you have to consider the context and the intent when passing judgment. Isaiah did not set out to offend TR. This was a poor choice of words uttered in the heat of an argument at a time when emotions were running high and everyone was overworked, tired, and running on empty. This action does not warrant firing.
January 18th, 2007 7:26 PM
Seems IW is still upset he didn't get the McDreamy part.
January 18th, 2007 8:26 PM
Why doesn't T.R let it go. If he did not call him that to his face how does he know that it was said? Why did he go on Ellen? It happened in October and it was over with. Whatever, T.R. can not act anyway. He should be afraid for his job. Let it go-he apologized.
January 18th, 2007 8:49 PM
I don't know about you but I am sick of Katherine Heigl. She needs to shut her mouth. Is TR that much of a faggot that he can't fight his own battles? They need to fire her. She's acting like she ready has a 8 million dollar check and she doesn't need to work. Shut your mouth and continue with your poor acting Heigl.
January 18th, 2007 9:14 PM
IW apoligized tonight and is 'confronting' his issues. I just hope this is acceptable for ABC and they will not fire him.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20009080,00.html
January 18th, 2007 9:33 PM
You may be right, Alex, but I don't think so. I think his pride may have been hurt when he saw the fan reaction to Derek in Seattle though. They are pretty isolated on the set where they film the show. But when they went on location with everyone shouting for McDreamy, it may have bothered him. I don't know. He's been around quite awhile so perhaps not, but I can't help but think it would have affected him. I think he is happy in the role of Burke. He has kind of taken it and made it his own. I hope he is able to do enough along with the apology to satisfy the people on a witch hunt for his job so that he will have the opportunity to continue in that role.
January 18th, 2007 9:53 PM
No he should not be fired from the show. That's just insane! The man apologized, the crew went on to say that they are passed it and now everyone else needs to get passed it.
January 18th, 2007 9:58 PM
I. Washington and Michael Richards are two peas of the same pod. He should do what Richards did. Get out there and ask for forgiveness, and seek help for his homophobic hatred. The fact that he is still a cast member says more about you than about him.
January 18th, 2007 11:35 PM
It's clearly a PR stunt by TR Knight which is causing all this publicity, as he is trying to capitalize on the fame it generates for him and what it can do for his career. Making a scapegoat of Isaiah Washington, who is a good actor and surely should be celebrating the Golden Globe's win, not spending his time apologizing...Katerine Heigl is a BIG disappointment, with all her talk about "throw downs"...she should stop interfering and focus on her work.
January 18th, 2007 11:54 PM
Michael Richard called people the N word in obvious anger and malice the next day he was back at the laugh factory performing. and what he did was much worse in my opinion. he made his apology and made his peace with the folks that were there and today he's still performing at the same place. I don't see the folks he angered still calling for his job since the apology. Isaiah deserves to earn a living just as much.
January 19th, 2007 12:03 AM
I do not think Isaiah should be fired. He apologized. Let it go! I guess I am ignorant where these things are concerned. Please correct me if I am wrong, but if TR is a gay man...what about that word affends him? I agree he should not have been called that if it is meant to affend.
January 19th, 2007 12:07 AM
I absolutely love every last one of the actors/actresses of Grey's, and I would hate to see any of them leave.
January 19th, 2007 12:10 AM
Wow. I cannot believe some of the comments being made here. Kelly, that was completely inappropriate and uncalled for, and I honestly hope your comment gets removed for offensive language.
I think that IW needs to be reprimanded in some way. In most work places, references (especially derogatory slurs) are considered sexual harassment, and are a fireable offense. In my workplace, anyone calling a coworker that would immediately be fired. It's happened before. And frankly, I find it disturbing for people to place blame on TR Knight for this. The only person that can be held accountable for IW's comments are IW himself. The issue is obviously in the media, and TR has obviously struggled to deal with his private life being made public. And to those who claim that using a slur does not make you a bigot, I beg to differ. One does not throw that word around as casually as IW does and not be comfortable and secure in its meaning. Its not a "slang term" or a mean name like stupidhead, it is a disparaging slur against who a person is and is used to bring them down. Its no better or worse than any of the other horrible slurs one can think of. And sorry, but not all of us say stuff like that in moments of anger. That does not make it okay.
January 19th, 2007 12:29 AM
Fire the Bigot Trash. If he was called a nigger we would all be in an uproar. No surprise he has been seen hanging with the Bush Family. Martin Luther King would be ashamed of him. He is a sick jerk. I hope people with Boycott this show and the sponsors that pay him to spread hate and intolerance. Fire him now!
January 19th, 2007 2:01 AM
YES!! I work night's however I record the show. What Isaiah Washington said was intollerabe! I am writing this because I don't want to watch the show! I look forward to the day when he is off the show! In Michigan the religious black community give the local gay community a hard time. I do not enjoy this and certainly will not except it!
January 19th, 2007 4:26 AM
Ok there are some pretty good responses that you have put down here the last few days about this issue. There really is only one problem though. How do you really know if he even called him a faggot. The New York Post published it. Did it say it was a quote. The New York Times are so left wing, you have no idea if they lied or took the statement completely out of context. Unless you have some kind of concrete proof, you have no right to criticize either of the cast mates for anything at all. This is completely redicules that GLAAD is demanding an apology for something with no actual proof. There isn't anything to get fired over either, so that is out of the question. If I was him and they fired me for something like that, there would be a lawsuit in the making. I think both of them are exceptional actors and deserve to be on the show, because the whole cast makes the show what it is. THE BEST DRAMA SHOW(on the small screen).
January 19th, 2007 5:36 AM
IW shouldn't be fire. He is a great actor and everybody can make a mistake, even people that judge so harsly. If he is off, ga is done for me.
January 19th, 2007 5:41 AM
not everybody says something like that in moment of rage. But we are not the same and I am really sure that a word doesn't make you a bigot. This is a huge hypocrysis. And TR is at fault too. I agree with those that said that his performane on Ellen was the best of his career.