Mr. Washington should be FIRED. As a Black Actor on the #1 T.V. show in America, his behavior/denial/lame attempt at comic relief during the After-Award Presentation at the Globes, He should know better! If a white or latino or asian actor acted out and used the "N" word in a similar situation, there would be HELL to PAY - -
ABC...DO the right thing and set and example...Excersize the "NO Discrimination policy that stands at Disney.
sam Says:
January 22nd, 2007 11:28 PM
This guy is nothing but trouble, he had picked up a fight with another cast member and now this. He is subliminally propogating a missleding and false beleive that african americans are difficult to work with. This is not definatly not going to help with the lack of african american in sitcomes. He should be replaced by another african american.
Shay Says:
January 23rd, 2007 12:05 PM
As someone who is a same sex relationship, I think that everyone should just get over it. It wouldn't have even been an issue if it weren't someone famous. If he'd been called that on the streets, he wouldn't have been on tv talking about it. I think it takes away from TR's character as well to go on television with the issue. Be a man, gay or not, and handle that with Washington. When you work with people so closely on a consistent basis, they become like family. I don't know about anyone else, but if I had issues with someone in my family, I wouldn't need the support of the media, Ellen, or any gay rights organizations to stand up for myself and address the issue. I find it ironic that no one is telling is in what context the word was used. Was it used as a synonym for gay, or was it used to show a general dislike or even to kind of tease him? We don't know, because all Knight said was that he was referred to as the f word. That's all I've heard anyways from the media is that it was used to refer to Knight. Sadly, if he weren't gay, none of us would be reading this. That's why it's so important to figure out how the word was used. Not that it's right in either situation, but we all know the truth of the matter is that it's an issue because Knight is gay. Get over it!
Burke Backer Says:
January 23rd, 2007 1:33 PM
It is interesting that people accuse Isaiah of being a hatemonger by being hatemongers themselves. According to people who know Isaiah he is a wonderful person, a good friend, a father who loves and spends time with his two little boys and baby girl, a good husband, and a talented actor. Even his co-workers have talked about how they all get along for the most part in spite of the amount of time they spend together and their arduous work schedule. Isaiah did not do anything to hurt TR. He didn't say he didn't like him or didn't respect him, or even that he had a problem with him being gay. There was nothing hateful in the remark. He used a poor choice of words in the heat of an argument with someone else. I agree with Shay that without knowing the context and the intent of the word, it is impossible to pass judgment on the actor. If abc were to fire Isaiah for poor judgment they would have to fire TR and Katie Heigl as well. It was poor judgment to chose that moment to announce you're gay to the press and to go on Ellen to discuss it. It was poor judgment of Katherine to take sides publically. Do what you want behind the scenes, but don't insult one of your coworkers on national television adding fuel to the fire. Bad judgment all around for something that should have been handled in house and never leaked to the press to begin with. Was it TR who told? I wonder why? Has anyone asked him to resolve his issues with being gay? Because if this one word holds such importance to you that you have to cause this entire media circus, you clearly have problems with self acceptance. That's what I love about Rupert Everette's statement. He said call me gay, call me a queer, call me a faggot. I don't care. I would rather know where you stand. He is a gay man comfortable with his lifestyle and making no apologies for who he is. Good for him.
Korima Says:
January 24th, 2007 2:46 PM
NO, HE SHOULD NOT BE FIRED. I UNDERSTAND WHAT HE DID WAS TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL AND UNCESSARY BUT WE ARE HUMAN- AND NO HUMAN IS PERFECT!!
SECOND, THE SHOW WILL NOT BE SAME PERIOD. I HATE WHEN SHOW REPLACE PEOPLE- LIKE FRESH PRINCE WITH THE MOM OR FAMILY MATTERS WENT FROM THREE KIDS TO TWO KIDS. I HOPE GA ENDS LIKE THE COSBEY SHOW- ALL GREAT SEASONS WITH THE ORIGINAL CAST MEMBERS!!
AND THIRD- I DONT UNDERSTAND WHEN SOMEONE GETS CALLED OUT ON BEING GAY ITS SUCH A BIG DEAL. AS A KID, YOU FACE BEING CALLED SKINNY, FAT, UGLY, AND SO MANY OTHER NAMES. TEASING AND NAME CALLING IS LIFE. GET OVER IT- WHEN I WAS TEASED IN SCHOOL MY FELLOW CLASSMATE DIDNT KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL!!
Julia Says:
January 24th, 2007 4:38 PM
YES he should be fired! Can't believe they haven't fired him yet!! Hurtful offensive and narrow minded comments like this about any other lifestyle/religion/race would NOT have been tolerated like this and Mr. Washington would have been collecting unemployment days ago!! Him apologizing doesn't mean a thing anymore AFTER he lied about saying what he did!! It only means that on top of being a complete narrow minded jerk, he's also extremely selfish! Denying what he said the first time was just to safe his ass, once he found out that that didn't help and only backfired, since 'firing rumors' appeared, then all of a sudden he decides to appologize and seek counseling...... do whatever the hell you want Mr. Washington, hopefully real soon you'll have plenty off EXTRA time to "search within your soul"! Seriously, who could ever look at him on that show without wanting to throw up and how could they ever do that to T. R., having to work with someone who has no respect for you or concideration for your feelings!! FIRE the jerk asap!!
D Roberts Says:
January 24th, 2007 11:14 PM
YES, he should be fired. Put it this way: If a white person used the "N" word and then later in a press conference said that he didn't use the "N" word, but used it YET AGAIN, then he would be fired and DESERVEDLY SO. Washington should be canned immediately and he should be ashamed for repeating the transgressions of the past. FIRE THE BIGOT!
Tyrone Jones Says:
January 24th, 2007 11:16 PM
Washington is a bigot, it's as simple as that. When you make bigotted slur once, you can apologize and move on. When you do it twice, you should be FIRED, just like anyone would be fired in ANY workplace. He should be fired, pure and simple.
Dyrun Says:
January 25th, 2007 7:51 AM
Fire him? Because of what? Yeah o.k. so, he said something really stupid.....,what's new? Everybody has said things that's later regretted.We've perhaps been able to salvage the situation/relationship,perhaps not.But,most of us have never had the media blow the issue up and force it down our throats.
I'm starting to think the cast of GA have serious problems,because it just seems like they're out to make sure IW gets kicked off.They've formed a clique,a herd of mindless beasts who'll trample anything or anyone who is not of the "accepted" standard.
The one thing I can say about IW is that he lets his mouth run ahead of him. Does that then make him evil or just thoughtless? T.R and K.H have also acted out negatively. One by being so malicious in a sickeningly spineless way and the other by being an overbearing interfering busybody.
That's the problem with trying to expose people to ridicule,pointing at them,accusing them,stripping them.The truth is you're right on the public stage with them and everyone can see you for what you really are.And let me tell,the sight ain't pretty!
This whole incident is just a FARCE! This is something that should have been handled in-house.
GA is not just as enjoyable or watchable as before.
You know these actors all have great smiles,great hair,bright eyes,the right clothes and all,but right now, they can't be more unattractive.
Matt Elmore Says:
January 25th, 2007 8:26 AM
Whatever happened to the stoic American? Why is it necessary to react at mere words as if they somehow can cause mortal wounds? Sadly, the resilient cowboy is dead and to the whole world we look like a bunch of whining wimps.
I dont think Washington should be fired although his words were wrong to use in any context. I feel as though the entire cast should be handling this thing outside of the public. Is it not enough to have a hit show without airing your fueds and making yourselves seem immature? Come on guys drop you are supposed to be professionals, the cast fighting in public trying to take Washington down when he is a seasoned veteran actor and the other two have yet to even do any thing of note other than the show, grow up all of you. Do you think all the other hit shows of the past went without its backstage spats? Save it for the memoirs
Meg's Says:
January 26th, 2007 6:57 AM
I am a white South African women and if they fire Isaiah I will stop watching Grey's Anatomy and believe me it's the only show on television that I watch - I love it and I can't wait for June 2007 when it comes back to South Africa. I have bought series 1 & 2 on DVD just to keep me going until June. McDreamy is my favorite character but my second favorite is Dr Burke and then coming in very close in third place is Shonda Rhimes.
I don't know why TR is making such a huge issue about this when he hid his sexuality in the closet until last year and now all of a sudden his at the forefront of gay activism. Isaiah is a good man and people say things in the heat of an argument without thinking and anyway if TR did not hear this slur with his own ears and was not confronted by Isaiah face to face with the slur - how could he have been hurt by the comment! He should just put on his big boy underpants and deal with it. We live in a world were we still have freedom of speech and opinion. We have to tolerate many things but we don't have to like or embrace them and no one should loose their job over such BS!
Liz Says:
January 26th, 2007 4:20 PM
No he should not be fired. It woudl ruin a vital part of the show. Not only would he suffer, so would all of the fans of Grey's Anatomy. Everyone says stupid things, his job is to be an actor, he doesn't get paid to be a roll model, get over, and don't let it ruin a good show.
J. Merk Says:
January 30th, 2007 8:16 PM
Grey's Anatomy and ABC are complete hypocrites to not fire Isiaih Washington. How can he not understand at his age that he's a bigot, a homophobe? It's not that complicated. Keeping him on the show is as good as stating a TV series is more important than making an example of Washington by firing him for his unprofessional outburst and, later, offensive use of a slur that betrays utter ignoance and a very real ugliness at the core of his soul. The rehab business is silly. Take ownership, go to counselling if you're too young or immature to recogize you're a bigot - regardless, he should quit or be fired.
Well, J.Merk, perhaps he can't understand at this age that he is a bigot because he isn't one. It was an incident of name calling. Not even name calling because he didn't call anyone the name. He used the word but not directed at anyone. It does not warrant firing. If anyone should be fired it should be TR Knight for bringing all of this controversy on the show by publicly outing himself and blamiing it on his castmate. Who in the world are you to presume that you have any knowledge at all of what is in this man's hear let alone his soul. Show me a pattern of bigotry. Show me other instances when Isaiah showed any kind of contempt for the gay community. Show me some evidence before you get on your high horse and make such outrageous statements about another human being. Of course Grey's Anatomy and ABC should not fire Isaiah. You make absolutely no sense. In one sentence you say rehab is silly and in thenext you say take ownership, go to counseling. That is exactly what he has done. Tell me do you even watch the show? Are you a fan at all? Or do you just have a gay agenda to promote regardless of who you hurt in the process.
small Says:
May 3rd, 2007 3:33 AM
I feel sorry what have happened,but I think no one should be fired.Because performer should be professional!Everyone has some character that maybe someone else can`t accept it,but it dosen`t matter their career,their job...
Also,everyone will make mistake...
SO,forget it...
By the way,I love GA....
FS Says:
June 11th, 2007 11:25 PM
I think it's scary that every few months we have to throw some politically incorrect person to a PC lynch mob. I think it's ridiculous and sickening that pathetic childlike T R Knight is coming out of this looking like a hero, when he reminds me of the whiny teachers pet always tattling to the teacher. I don't see why Knight couldn't have fought his own battels and dealt with Washington as an adult and a professional-this is so Orwellian.
And after all the PC intimidation and PC hoops Washington has had to jump through this firing is an even greater outrage. Let this be a lesson: You can never placate a PC lynch mob, so stand up to them; you have nothing to lose.
FS Says:
June 11th, 2007 11:50 PM
Doesn't this all boil down to IW being fired for something he was only rumoured to have said and has denied. Although there is now outrage over him paraphrasing said "F" word in his denial. What a vindictive little coward TR Knight is. I think I never even noticed him on GA until this happened.
Joan Says:
July 2nd, 2007 8:15 PM
I saw Isaiah Washington on Larry King tonight he was extremely professional and I believed every word he said. He is confident, talented and consistent . His Firing was a big mistake and will be a detriment to the show. I will only begin to watch again when he is reinstated.
Sheila Says:
December 15th, 2008 9:20 PM
Whenever I watch the Season 1 and 2 of Grey's it still hurts the way IW was treated and it hurts how Burke was treated in Seaosn 3 and then made to leave in such a unbelievable way. I will always dislike TRK for what he did and he should have been way more sensitive before causing all the fans of IW such pain and destroying IW's career. He has neither class nor decency nor forgiveness and in as incredibly cruel person. I hope his career fails and he finds undying ignominy for what he did to IW.
January 22nd, 2007 11:13 PM
Mr. Washington should be FIRED. As a Black Actor on the #1 T.V. show in America, his behavior/denial/lame attempt at comic relief during the After-Award Presentation at the Globes, He should know better! If a white or latino or asian actor acted out and used the "N" word in a similar situation, there would be HELL to PAY - -
ABC...DO the right thing and set and example...Excersize the "NO Discrimination policy that stands at Disney.
January 22nd, 2007 11:28 PM
This guy is nothing but trouble, he had picked up a fight with another cast member and now this. He is subliminally propogating a missleding and false beleive that african americans are difficult to work with. This is not definatly not going to help with the lack of african american in sitcomes. He should be replaced by another african american.
January 23rd, 2007 12:05 PM
As someone who is a same sex relationship, I think that everyone should just get over it. It wouldn't have even been an issue if it weren't someone famous. If he'd been called that on the streets, he wouldn't have been on tv talking about it. I think it takes away from TR's character as well to go on television with the issue. Be a man, gay or not, and handle that with Washington. When you work with people so closely on a consistent basis, they become like family. I don't know about anyone else, but if I had issues with someone in my family, I wouldn't need the support of the media, Ellen, or any gay rights organizations to stand up for myself and address the issue. I find it ironic that no one is telling is in what context the word was used. Was it used as a synonym for gay, or was it used to show a general dislike or even to kind of tease him? We don't know, because all Knight said was that he was referred to as the f word. That's all I've heard anyways from the media is that it was used to refer to Knight. Sadly, if he weren't gay, none of us would be reading this. That's why it's so important to figure out how the word was used. Not that it's right in either situation, but we all know the truth of the matter is that it's an issue because Knight is gay. Get over it!
January 23rd, 2007 1:33 PM
It is interesting that people accuse Isaiah of being a hatemonger by being hatemongers themselves. According to people who know Isaiah he is a wonderful person, a good friend, a father who loves and spends time with his two little boys and baby girl, a good husband, and a talented actor. Even his co-workers have talked about how they all get along for the most part in spite of the amount of time they spend together and their arduous work schedule. Isaiah did not do anything to hurt TR. He didn't say he didn't like him or didn't respect him, or even that he had a problem with him being gay. There was nothing hateful in the remark. He used a poor choice of words in the heat of an argument with someone else. I agree with Shay that without knowing the context and the intent of the word, it is impossible to pass judgment on the actor. If abc were to fire Isaiah for poor judgment they would have to fire TR and Katie Heigl as well. It was poor judgment to chose that moment to announce you're gay to the press and to go on Ellen to discuss it. It was poor judgment of Katherine to take sides publically. Do what you want behind the scenes, but don't insult one of your coworkers on national television adding fuel to the fire. Bad judgment all around for something that should have been handled in house and never leaked to the press to begin with. Was it TR who told? I wonder why? Has anyone asked him to resolve his issues with being gay? Because if this one word holds such importance to you that you have to cause this entire media circus, you clearly have problems with self acceptance. That's what I love about Rupert Everette's statement. He said call me gay, call me a queer, call me a faggot. I don't care. I would rather know where you stand. He is a gay man comfortable with his lifestyle and making no apologies for who he is. Good for him.
January 24th, 2007 2:46 PM
NO, HE SHOULD NOT BE FIRED. I UNDERSTAND WHAT HE DID WAS TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL AND UNCESSARY BUT WE ARE HUMAN- AND NO HUMAN IS PERFECT!!
SECOND, THE SHOW WILL NOT BE SAME PERIOD. I HATE WHEN SHOW REPLACE PEOPLE- LIKE FRESH PRINCE WITH THE MOM OR FAMILY MATTERS WENT FROM THREE KIDS TO TWO KIDS. I HOPE GA ENDS LIKE THE COSBEY SHOW- ALL GREAT SEASONS WITH THE ORIGINAL CAST MEMBERS!!
AND THIRD- I DONT UNDERSTAND WHEN SOMEONE GETS CALLED OUT ON BEING GAY ITS SUCH A BIG DEAL. AS A KID, YOU FACE BEING CALLED SKINNY, FAT, UGLY, AND SO MANY OTHER NAMES. TEASING AND NAME CALLING IS LIFE. GET OVER IT- WHEN I WAS TEASED IN SCHOOL MY FELLOW CLASSMATE DIDNT KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL!!
January 24th, 2007 4:38 PM
YES he should be fired! Can't believe they haven't fired him yet!! Hurtful offensive and narrow minded comments like this about any other lifestyle/religion/race would NOT have been tolerated like this and Mr. Washington would have been collecting unemployment days ago!! Him apologizing doesn't mean a thing anymore AFTER he lied about saying what he did!! It only means that on top of being a complete narrow minded jerk, he's also extremely selfish! Denying what he said the first time was just to safe his ass, once he found out that that didn't help and only backfired, since 'firing rumors' appeared, then all of a sudden he decides to appologize and seek counseling...... do whatever the hell you want Mr. Washington, hopefully real soon you'll have plenty off EXTRA time to "search within your soul"! Seriously, who could ever look at him on that show without wanting to throw up and how could they ever do that to T. R., having to work with someone who has no respect for you or concideration for your feelings!! FIRE the jerk asap!!
January 24th, 2007 11:14 PM
YES, he should be fired. Put it this way: If a white person used the "N" word and then later in a press conference said that he didn't use the "N" word, but used it YET AGAIN, then he would be fired and DESERVEDLY SO. Washington should be canned immediately and he should be ashamed for repeating the transgressions of the past. FIRE THE BIGOT!
January 24th, 2007 11:16 PM
Washington is a bigot, it's as simple as that. When you make bigotted slur once, you can apologize and move on. When you do it twice, you should be FIRED, just like anyone would be fired in ANY workplace. He should be fired, pure and simple.
January 25th, 2007 7:51 AM
Fire him? Because of what? Yeah o.k. so, he said something really stupid.....,what's new? Everybody has said things that's later regretted.We've perhaps been able to salvage the situation/relationship,perhaps not.But,most of us have never had the media blow the issue up and force it down our throats.
I'm starting to think the cast of GA have serious problems,because it just seems like they're out to make sure IW gets kicked off.They've formed a clique,a herd of mindless beasts who'll trample anything or anyone who is not of the "accepted" standard.
The one thing I can say about IW is that he lets his mouth run ahead of him. Does that then make him evil or just thoughtless? T.R and K.H have also acted out negatively. One by being so malicious in a sickeningly spineless way and the other by being an overbearing interfering busybody.
That's the problem with trying to expose people to ridicule,pointing at them,accusing them,stripping them.The truth is you're right on the public stage with them and everyone can see you for what you really are.And let me tell,the sight ain't pretty!
This whole incident is just a FARCE! This is something that should have been handled in-house.
GA is not just as enjoyable or watchable as before.
You know these actors all have great smiles,great hair,bright eyes,the right clothes and all,but right now, they can't be more unattractive.
January 25th, 2007 8:26 AM
Whatever happened to the stoic American? Why is it necessary to react at mere words as if they somehow can cause mortal wounds? Sadly, the resilient cowboy is dead and to the whole world we look like a bunch of whining wimps.
http://intimationsofubiquity.blogspot.com/2007/01/society-whos-faggot-now.html
January 25th, 2007 10:05 PM
I dont think Washington should be fired although his words were wrong to use in any context. I feel as though the entire cast should be handling this thing outside of the public. Is it not enough to have a hit show without airing your fueds and making yourselves seem immature? Come on guys drop you are supposed to be professionals, the cast fighting in public trying to take Washington down when he is a seasoned veteran actor and the other two have yet to even do any thing of note other than the show, grow up all of you. Do you think all the other hit shows of the past went without its backstage spats? Save it for the memoirs
January 26th, 2007 6:57 AM
I am a white South African women and if they fire Isaiah I will stop watching Grey's Anatomy and believe me it's the only show on television that I watch - I love it and I can't wait for June 2007 when it comes back to South Africa. I have bought series 1 & 2 on DVD just to keep me going until June. McDreamy is my favorite character but my second favorite is Dr Burke and then coming in very close in third place is Shonda Rhimes.
I don't know why TR is making such a huge issue about this when he hid his sexuality in the closet until last year and now all of a sudden his at the forefront of gay activism. Isaiah is a good man and people say things in the heat of an argument without thinking and anyway if TR did not hear this slur with his own ears and was not confronted by Isaiah face to face with the slur - how could he have been hurt by the comment! He should just put on his big boy underpants and deal with it. We live in a world were we still have freedom of speech and opinion. We have to tolerate many things but we don't have to like or embrace them and no one should loose their job over such BS!
January 26th, 2007 4:20 PM
No he should not be fired. It woudl ruin a vital part of the show. Not only would he suffer, so would all of the fans of Grey's Anatomy. Everyone says stupid things, his job is to be an actor, he doesn't get paid to be a roll model, get over, and don't let it ruin a good show.
January 30th, 2007 8:16 PM
Grey's Anatomy and ABC are complete hypocrites to not fire Isiaih Washington. How can he not understand at his age that he's a bigot, a homophobe? It's not that complicated. Keeping him on the show is as good as stating a TV series is more important than making an example of Washington by firing him for his unprofessional outburst and, later, offensive use of a slur that betrays utter ignoance and a very real ugliness at the core of his soul. The rehab business is silly. Take ownership, go to counselling if you're too young or immature to recogize you're a bigot - regardless, he should quit or be fired.
February 13th, 2007 5:28 PM
Well, J.Merk, perhaps he can't understand at this age that he is a bigot because he isn't one. It was an incident of name calling. Not even name calling because he didn't call anyone the name. He used the word but not directed at anyone. It does not warrant firing. If anyone should be fired it should be TR Knight for bringing all of this controversy on the show by publicly outing himself and blamiing it on his castmate. Who in the world are you to presume that you have any knowledge at all of what is in this man's hear let alone his soul. Show me a pattern of bigotry. Show me other instances when Isaiah showed any kind of contempt for the gay community. Show me some evidence before you get on your high horse and make such outrageous statements about another human being. Of course Grey's Anatomy and ABC should not fire Isaiah. You make absolutely no sense. In one sentence you say rehab is silly and in thenext you say take ownership, go to counseling. That is exactly what he has done. Tell me do you even watch the show? Are you a fan at all? Or do you just have a gay agenda to promote regardless of who you hurt in the process.
May 3rd, 2007 3:33 AM
I feel sorry what have happened,but I think no one should be fired.Because performer should be professional!Everyone has some character that maybe someone else can`t accept it,but it dosen`t matter their career,their job...
Also,everyone will make mistake...
SO,forget it...
By the way,I love GA....
June 11th, 2007 11:25 PM
I think it's scary that every few months we have to throw some politically incorrect person to a PC lynch mob. I think it's ridiculous and sickening that pathetic childlike T R Knight is coming out of this looking like a hero, when he reminds me of the whiny teachers pet always tattling to the teacher. I don't see why Knight couldn't have fought his own battels and dealt with Washington as an adult and a professional-this is so Orwellian.
And after all the PC intimidation and PC hoops Washington has had to jump through this firing is an even greater outrage. Let this be a lesson: You can never placate a PC lynch mob, so stand up to them; you have nothing to lose.
June 11th, 2007 11:50 PM
Doesn't this all boil down to IW being fired for something he was only rumoured to have said and has denied. Although there is now outrage over him paraphrasing said "F" word in his denial. What a vindictive little coward TR Knight is. I think I never even noticed him on GA until this happened.
July 2nd, 2007 8:15 PM
I saw Isaiah Washington on Larry King tonight he was extremely professional and I believed every word he said. He is confident, talented and consistent . His Firing was a big mistake and will be a detriment to the show. I will only begin to watch again when he is reinstated.
December 15th, 2008 9:20 PM
Whenever I watch the Season 1 and 2 of Grey's it still hurts the way IW was treated and it hurts how Burke was treated in Seaosn 3 and then made to leave in such a unbelievable way. I will always dislike TRK for what he did and he should have been way more sensitive before causing all the fans of IW such pain and destroying IW's career. He has neither class nor decency nor forgiveness and in as incredibly cruel person. I hope his career fails and he finds undying ignominy for what he did to IW.