Ellen Pompeo Reacts to Isaiah Washington News
Though Ellen Pompeo was on Ryan Seacrest's morning radio show on Friday to discuss her charity work, there was no escaping talk of her Isaiah Washington's shocking dismissal from Grey's Anatomy.
Pompeo also touched on Katherine Heigl's summer movie success and Grey's storylines for next year, but the good stuff came when Seacrest asked her about Washington and T.R. Knight's fates. Here are those highlights:
On Isaiah Washington's departure:
"I got a call late last night from my lawyer...and I woke up this morning and saw it...that's really all I know. I really can't comment on my reaction."
On whether she knew anything in advance:
"No. They're very secretive about things, for obvious reasons. I guess actors have big mouths. So I didn't really know what would happen, if anything. It's not really my business...You just have to roll with the punches."
On word that T.R. Knight has signed a contract to return:
"I certainly hope so. It's such an ensemble. The show works, I think, because all of us have such great chemistry together."
Well, except the cast and Washington, of course. Fans of the show are already in heated discussions about the decision on our message board.
June 8th, 2007 3:36 PM
At least there are a few cast members who know how to handle an interview.
June 8th, 2007 3:44 PM
haha seriously katherine hiegl can really get carried away with her comments
as for washington i feel sorry for him, that it had to be carried on for this long and for him to put in the effort only to be fired in the end. i think that abc and shonda could have handled this much better.
June 8th, 2007 4:20 PM
I'm disappointed in the producers of the show. I was a Grey's fan, but I suppose along w/IW, I'll also depart. I cannot stand behind a show, that tried to muzzle their actors and make them into puppets as was done w/IW. I know that everyone has an opinion and myself I'm a fan of knowing what ones opinion is. I just so happen to agree w/IW opinion and don't mind saying so.
June 8th, 2007 5:02 PM
The show is not going to be the same without Burke. IW had a great role in the show with Cristina & now that he is gone it just won't be as good as it used to be. I think I'm going to have to say goodbye to Grey's... : [
June 8th, 2007 5:25 PM
That is one of the reasons why i love ellen pompeo, i am really happy with the way she handled the interview. Will be sad to see IW go however there is a saying that goes..." every disappointment is a blessing" so maybe this will be a blessing for both parties(IW and the show, atleast i hope so). I will also like to believe Shonda and Co didnt want to let go of IW but have no other choice i suppose.
June 8th, 2007 5:53 PM
I didn't know where to put this, but I think it deserves its own post.
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Grey-s-Anatomy-Fans-Express-Their-Disapproval-4608.html
It is a very good article basically telling ABC how all of us feel about the downhill path that Season 3 went on.
As they say, if you want to put your comments through to Shonda & the other writers, go to www.greyswriters.com and make a comment. They do read them all.
I found the amazing writers of this letter
http://forums.go.com/abc/primetime/greysanatomy/thread?threadID=1721935&forumStart=0
It has been forwarded to ABC, Touchstone, many websites, and all major entertainment shows.
June 8th, 2007 8:29 PM
I hope IW sued the hell out of ABC. They played around with him and his fans. I'm mad as hell and wish nothing but the worst for ABC. At least I won't have to rush home anymore on Thurs., and won't be watching anything that has to do with ABC, Shonda Rhimes, that fake KH and that little boy TR.
June 9th, 2007 2:05 AM
Ellen, you are great!
June 9th, 2007 6:12 AM
The only reason I watched Grey's was the hot relationship between drs. burke and yang. Goodbye Grey's, you just lost a viewer.
June 9th, 2007 7:12 AM
Hey Hafsa i hope your going to watch season 4´s G.A. even thogh IW is gone, Although if PD wasn+t in it i wouldn´t watch it. He´s the only reason i watch this dalm show. He´s the reason i´m addicted to G.A.
June 9th, 2007 8:50 AM
Hey Debs, how have you been? of cos i will watch season 4, my favorite characters(merder) are still on the show, i am not a huge fan if IW but i still like him and its very sad to see him go.
June 9th, 2007 9:39 AM
Hey Hafsa I´m fine. I thought you were up for burktina getting hiched. anyway i made a comment a few days ago. i read here on the insider that both Ellen Pompeo & Patrick Dempsey want Mer/Der to make it & have a Happy & healthy relatship. So i really hope Shond & Betty listen if not to all Mer/Der fans then Ellen & Patrick.
June 9th, 2007 9:59 AM
Grey's Anatomy has lost yet another fan.
June 9th, 2007 10:09 AM
Preston Burke will be missed on GA. He was a good actor and played that part well.
Someone mentioned on a previous comment yesterday that they heard that Patrick and Ellen may be doing a movie together. Is that true? Has anyone else heard that and if so, where did you hear it? That would be great if they were to do a movie together! Just wondering if it was just a rumor.
June 9th, 2007 12:16 PM
I have to say I am not overly shocked IW was let go - the media crucified him from the get go and KH's loose talk certainly did not help the situation. I said it once and will say it again - I am a little suspicious of KH's motives here - I could be wrong but all I see is a young woman with an eye on the main chance - she's an average actor in a town of many average actors a pretty blonde in a town with a gazillion pretty blondes in a hit TV show but not the main star, has been around long enough to understand how the system works and would be insane not to see that GA could be her springborad to stardom if she plays her cards right. KH has been at the center of major media storms for two reasons - first when she publicly jumped on the bandwagon of the IW detractors, second when she tried to get a salary hike from ABC at par with that of the major stars of the show. Now there's nothing wrong with trying to get ahead but it also hints at a steely and calculating person - at odds with the "I'm a simple straight - talking what you see is what you get" persona - that comes across in her interviews. In my opinion TRK could look after himself and did. I have no doubt that EP, SO and co supported TRK throughout this debacle but it really was the sensible thing to do not to publicly take sides - I think it hurt the show. But enough about KH. Back to IW - I feel really sorry for him - it was wrong of him to use that slur about TRK but I sincerely believe he was deeply regrettful - it is especially hurtful whern you look at all the efforts he made to redeem his reputation - despite these he was fired. We live in an unfair world I guess. I have been in a place where I was job hunting for what seemed like years and know the stress and uncertainty of not knowing how bills will be paid so I worry that with a young family to look after he needs to have a good source of income. Now his livelihood and that of his kids is threatened all because he made a mistake - a big one but still something that many go through. I really sympathize with IW. We are all different - some are cool, calm, always rational and controlled (I envy you guys!) while others (myself included!) are a bit too emotional and often get carried away in the heat of the moment. God knows I have said hundreds of stuff I deeply regretted later, felt ashamed of myself and was determined never to lose control of a situation like that again. I am in my 30's now but still struggle with this, one day at a time. Not racial or homophobic slurs but words that are perhaps hurtful and ill advised.
At least I am not in the media spotlight - my mistakes magnified for millions to debate on, judge and condemn. For IW that is exactly what has happened and in his case much is at stake - already good roles for black actors are thin on the ground - what chances will he have now? For what it is worth I truly wish him well. In the increasingly cynical and hypocritical world we live in (where many think one thing but voice another) this man should be given another chance at success - or the last shreds of humanity that still exist will truly be gone.
June 9th, 2007 12:52 PM
If in fact he was not FIRED and just didnt have his contact renewed, those are two seperate things. If it was the contract thing, there is no way he can sue. What would be sue for? Not picking him back up? Thats TPTB's choice, not his. Thats would be like you sueing a company just because they didnt hire you. As long as it's not for any type of discrimination, (which it isnt) there is nothing he can do except suck it up and take it like a man, not like the big 'ol baby he is being.
June 9th, 2007 3:15 PM
I agree Didi. Of course KH is a hypocrite. I'll be so happy when she slips, and she will. I think this is first time I've actually watched a divia being born.
June 9th, 2007 3:52 PM
Here's my opinion:
If T.R. called Isaiah the "N" word, he'd probably be fired within 2 seconds. And, for what I'm guessing, it's because Shonda is the same race as Isaiah. Now, this would be what I'd call "favoritism."
So, all in all, I think it's only right that Isaiah does get fired. He's too cocky. It's not right.
June 9th, 2007 4:00 PM
Thought I might add something, here....
Wouldn't it be funny if Isaiah went over to Private Practice and hooked up with Addison? lol
June 9th, 2007 4:01 PM
What a diappointment! Burktina had such a good
chemistry between them n it was the reason I was hooked on GA. I think Shonda n ABC played it really dirty with IW to give him hope n make him do all the things he might not have wanted to do. And KH must be so happy now that she got the publicity she so craved for n got rid of IW too. Now
she and TRK can have a party together. At least from now on, I won't have to waste my time in front of TV every Thursday nite trying to catch
Burktina story.
June 9th, 2007 7:31 PM
ok so about KH...watch the episode 17 seconds, deterioation fight or flight repsonse and losing my religion...then tell me shes an "average actress" plus go see knocked up and tell me what you think of her then. shes much more valuable than IW so shut the eff up ..didi..about saying shes average.
June 10th, 2007 1:55 AM
Well. I agree with a lot of you. Preston Burke was really good to have on the show. And IW did a great job, in particular, in season 2. I'm living in Europe at the moment, and right now they've got a lot going on with football (socker) players, who can't behave them self, when playing. As well as the people watching the match.. It's crazy that people can't tread eachother nicely - no matter if they're actors or football players. I agree that IW had to go, because of his comments. You have a certain responsibility when you're in a show like G.A - but what I really don't get is why IW would use that word. He, of all on the set, must have felt racism in some point of his life..So!? I think that Shonda fired him at this point, because she had a storyline which needed him. So he couldn't have left earlier. Oh, and you're right. KH should watch her mouth. One day she' s going to make a mistake, and I'm guessing she wouldn't like the entire cast to talk badly about her in the press. Well, okay. Just what I've been thinking..
June 10th, 2007 9:26 AM
I respect Burketina fans but they weren't meant to be.
Burke and Addison are perfect together. I hate both (mostly Addison)
June 10th, 2007 1:33 PM
At list one coworker knows how to handle an interview. Bravo Ellen, now KH if u could just get a sensible lawyer that will advice you to shut the heck up or learn from ur collegues then everyone will be happy.
June 10th, 2007 3:30 PM
Personally, I think MerDer have more chemistry.