Isaiah Washington Speaks Out On Firing
The controversial and much-discussed Grey's Anatomy star breaks his silence and shares his thoughts with Entertainment Weekly about being fired from hit ABC drama, his relationship with the cast, and his future ...
Entertainment Weekly: How are you feeling about what happened last week? Did you think it was fair?
Isaiah Washington: I don't know if it's a question of "fair." I'm saddened by it. I did everything that the producers and the network asked me to do. I came back under great duress and stress, and thought I was doing the job I was hired to do. I thought that was going to speak for my future at Grey's Anatomy, but apparently that wasn't the same vision that the network and studio had for me.
Entertainment Weekly: Why do you think the decision was made by ABC? Was Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes happy about it?
Isaiah Washington: I knew she was aware of the decision. But you have to understand, she's at the helm of one of the top-rated shows on television.
Entertainment Weekly: Were you in touch with Shonda Rhimes after you were fired?
Isaiah Washington: She called me on Thursday of last week [June 7] and told me that I would not be returning to the show. Just like she personally called me and invited me to the show. It was full circle.
Entertainment Weekly: When was the last time you talked to Shonda?
Isaiah Washington: Yesterday.
Entertainment Weekly: There are rumors you may file a lawsuit against ABC.
Isaiah Washington: I don't know anything about that.
Entertainment Weekly: Have you heard from many of your castmates?
Isaiah Washington: No. Everyone is still on vacation. I don't expect to hear from my castmates. I did talk to Chandra Wilson and I got a text message from Kate Walsh. Everyone's doing their own thing. People are still trying to enjoy their summer before they get back to the grind. I think a lot of people are out of the country. I'm still getting calls from people discovering that this change has occurred.
[NOTE: EW also spotted Washington receiving a hug and hi-five from former guest star Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Denny Duquette) at the Chateau Marmont in L.A. the day he was let go.]
Entertainment Weekly: Would you consider you and T.R. Knight to be on good terms?
Isaiah Washington: I don't know. You have to ask T.R. that.
Entertainment Weekly: Anything you'll miss about Grey's Anatomy?
Isaiah Washington: I'll miss working with the team. I think the past season we got our rite of passage and we pretty much all learned what we can and we can't do... like any other new show or fledgling child trying to find its legs. Season 4 is going to be stronger, better and wiser and smarter, and I had hoped to be a contributor to that. That's not the reality.
Entertainment Weekly: There are rumors that you were originally supposed to be the lead in a Grey's Anatomy spin-off (eventually written for Kate Walsh and Private Practice). Did Shonda ever approach you?
Isaiah Washington: Me for a spin-off? No. No. Never. I love Shonda Rhimes and her writing ability and I felt like she made me a better actor because of her talent. I was invited back by Shonda to be part of the team and I always had a team player mentality about that. I took it as a humbling opportunity to be invited and be part of the team. I'm going to miss her writing. She's an extraordinary talent. She's very collaborative and allowed me to create the Dr. Burke that the world has grown to love.
Entertainment Weekly: Would you be open to cameo on Grey's?
Isaiah Washington: Dr. Preston Burke is probably the greatest challenge I've ever had. I've studied the medical world extensively. I enjoy surgeons and I'm glad they do what they do and I gave it everything I had. If Shonda calls me and says, ''Look, we want you to do something for Grey's Anatomy'' I probably would not hesitate. But I don't really see that happening.
Entertainment Weekly: How do you think this is going to affect your career?
Isaiah Washington: I'm working right now [on the indie film, The Least of These]. I can only take one day at a time. I can only apologize so many times. I can only accept so much responsibility. All the players involved have taken care of what we needed to take care of in-house â" and the media took it in a different direction. I hope that everyone is happy for the outcome for Isaiah, but Isaiah will go on and do what I love to do. And I have to go about the business of letting people know what's written about me is not the truth. I'm merely an actor, a husband, and a father who's trying to do a great job and be very grateful and understanding that I'm in a very privileged position. This isn't a time for me to be looking back; it's only a time for me to be looking forward. I just hope people can understand in the industry and otherwise that it's a horrible misunderstanding what transpired with our show and it was blown out of proportion. If the naysayers out there feel that some justice has been served and that they're happy with the outcome, so be it. It's incumbent on me to take what I do, do it well, grow from the experience, and move on.
Entertainment Weekly: Do you have any concerns about being labeled as difficult as an actor?
Isaiah Washington: Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to address a lot of that down the road. It'd be very cleansing for my soul to let the fans and the general public see a side of me that I feel was horribly represented in the press.
Entertainment Weekly: What type of offers have you received?
Isaiah Washington: I've gotten a ton of offers in both film and TV, and now my agent Ben Press and I are just sorting through all the options. There is one network in particular that's very interested. But I don't want to say anything specific until it's a done deal.
Entertainment Weekly: Why did you decide to make the movie The Least of These?
Isaiah Washington: Actually, I decided to do the part based on the recommendation of Sandra Oh. I was telling her about it last fall and she felt it was a strong role that would be good for me. Since Sandra is a Golden Globe winner among other things I always take her advice. She's a smart lady.
Entertainment Weekly: Would you work with ABC again?
Isaiah Washington: [Laughs] I don't know. That's up to ABC.
June 13th, 2007 7:03 AM
We his fans are saddened by the loss of his character and angered by the deceitful way the network maneuvered his disappearance. They should have fired him on the spot. ABC made his fans believe that they internally are keeping the team intact with all the atonement hoops Isaiah had to jump through. The man is bigger than ABC, than Grays, and he will come out of this the better man. Again' his bashers will negate his words and actions and attribute more untruths, question his sincerity, and consign him to the pits of ignominy if need be. Well, that is your right to fill your hearts with hatred and vileness. Personally, I am glad because that makes Isaiah stand ten feet tall in statesmanship, dignity and class.
June 13th, 2007 7:21 AM
Statesmanship, dignity and class!? Yeah, he's a regular MLK. I like the man and am sorry he is not going to be back for Season 4. He lent a dimension to the show that won't easily be replaced. But he's no martyr. He screwed up and got what was coming to him. That is life. There was no deceit on the part of ABC, who never claimed he would be back at any point. Believe it or not, it's okay to be sad about his departure and still be a fan of Isaiah's without kidding yourself. Really, give it a try.
June 13th, 2007 7:49 AM
Thanks but am not losing sleep over the guy. He doesn't pay my rent. But if I am, isn't that my right to be so? I wish you'd comment on the article, not on my comment. But then, again, it's your right. So no biggie,man.l
June 13th, 2007 8:12 AM
Burke was great, he was an amazing part of Greys Anatomy and I loved watching him with Cristina. But ABC backed him for so long, everyone thought he was going to stay - and they did lead all his fans on. Plus Izzie/George/Callie story line sucks but not as much as Merideth's sister. I think Shonda really burnt down the house.. and I doubt it'll come back up...
June 13th, 2007 8:20 AM
If Isaiah never would've said what he said, I wonder what would've originally happened with him and Cristina... I doubt they would've still gotten married...but that would've been weird with him back at the hospital after having left her like that.
June 13th, 2007 8:40 AM
I understand that those of you who are fans of Isaiah Washington are upset, and rightly so. The network did sort of lead us on, but it's still equally important to remember that the network has every right to fire someone that they feel isn't working out for them and the show. It could be that what Isaiah said about T.R. Knight is completely irrelevant to why he got fired, and that they fired him for another reason. You know?
June 13th, 2007 8:46 AM
I really liked his comments -- he never denied his wrongdoings or had a negative word to say about ANYONE involved with the show (as others have done-no names necessary). I don't care what anyone else says, he showed class in this interview. I will miss him on the show.
June 13th, 2007 9:00 AM
dudeeeee!! he should not have to leave. its stupid that they would make him jump through hoops and do all these things if he was just going to get fired in the end. people say hurtful things all the time, people need to get over it, and im not talking about T.R., i'm talking about all the stupid "fans". this is like schoolchildren's fights! its DGNDFIWE that hes leaving. burke is needed on the show, i'm gonna miss him.
June 13th, 2007 9:36 AM
this is completely un-fucking-necessary. how the hell is it going to be Grey's without Burke. ABC is retarded, and I'm angry at Shonda for not doing more to keep him, she personally called him and fired him herself. that obviously shows that she didn't give a shit about the fans of Grey's and how this would affect the quality of the show. if she really cared about her fans and the show she would have stood up and said something to the people that wanted Washington gone, or at least she could have refused to PERSONALLY FIRE HIM HERSELF. but NOPE she phones him and says yeah sorry but you're not wanted anymore. Grey's isn't going to be the same at all, and I'm not sure that i want to watch it anymore either. With all of this shit going on and everything changing, it's terrible and i'm not going to be open minded about it because i'm so frustrated with this whole situation.
so he called T.R. a name, people call each other names everyday, sometimes it just comes out when the person doesn't really mean it. like he said how many fucking times does he have to apologize. the man made a fucking mistake, he went to meetings, he did a commercial. what does this show people, that even when you make a small mistake you can't be given a second chances and that everything is over from there.
i absolutely love Shonda's writing and everything she has done for Grey's but FUCK her, and FUCK ABC, and everyone that had to do with Washington being fired.
June 13th, 2007 9:49 AM
I felt really sad when i read IW's interview and i felt his pain. What more can i say? ITS NOT FAIR
June 13th, 2007 9:50 AM
i liked his interview. how he talked about the talent of shonda and his repsect...so obviously his im mad as hell and im not gonna take it anymore comment is either bogus or sarcastic. and i hope he does a cameo sometime cuz hes such a major character that it would be kinda inrealistic for him to just disappear. anyways ill miss him...
June 13th, 2007 9:59 AM
I've gone from being a fan of Preston Burke, to being a fan of Isaiah Washington. It's a fantastic interview, you really have to give him that.
June 13th, 2007 10:28 AM
being from england ive not heard much except he called t.r a name. aside from stupid childish fighting, its still a work place, who cares what happened he was great on the show and i dont know where it goes now. he wasnt my favourite character but yet i still feel disappointed, that shows how great his role was when he can make that kind of impact.
June 13th, 2007 11:41 AM
Wow, Bright&Shiny....not so bright and shiny today, huh? Sheesh, calm down. If someone called IW the "n-word", they would have been fired on the spot. I also think that it was CLASSY of Shonda to call him herself -- I think he'd rather hear it from her than from anyone else. I would be unspeakably rude if he heard it from CNN or something before he heard it from his boss. That's the way things *should* go in the workplace, in case you're not aware.
June 13th, 2007 1:15 PM
I love Kate Walsh and Chandra Wilson even more for actually reaching out to the guy but what the hell is up with everyone else?!? I don't buy that whole on vacation thing they can still text him or something.
I am seeing Isaiah Washington in a completly different light now after reading this.(Iam going to miss him soo much btw) I've said this before and I'll say it again...him getting let go from Grey's Anatomy could be the best thing for him. Career wise as well as personally. This could make him a better person and an even better actor.
June 13th, 2007 1:52 PM
I am deeply saddened after reading his interview. I thought that the whole escapade was over after everything he tried to do to right his wrong. But he still got fired in the end. I don't think that is fair. The only thing I can think of is that there must have been more going on behind scenes that we were not made aware of. I know I will miss his character a lot on the show, he was on of my favorites. Burke was always strong, wise, not silly or goofy like a lot of the other storylines. His was real. This is definately a loss for the show. Its going to be interesting how the show does next season with him gone. They may be begging him to come back! :) Very good interview.
June 13th, 2007 3:27 PM
First of all I must confess. It is the right of ABC to hire and fire whoever they decide to. But IMO in this case that right makes a wrong.
To be perfectly honest I have used the term IW is reported as using a few times(he still says he didnt say it BTW) but not once towards a gay person and not once as a term of sexuality. My question is wasnt TR in the closet, did any of the cast even know he was gay? Does it even make a difference?
Anyway I am very dissapointed in the cowardlly actions of everyone who contributed to the firing of IW and the blatant renewing of TR Knights contract(I do however think TR deserved it he's a great actor) all within apparent hours of each other looks more like politics than anything else. Which IMO underminds the whole point of this move on ABC's part.
I think in one fatal swoop ABC has ruined a strong aspect of their best show (Burke and Cristinas relationship) showed the whole world that retribution outways forgiveness (even GLAD didnt want him fired) and allowed the so called trouble making actor to be the bigger man in this very good article.Makes you wonder how anyone over there had the thought to air the show in the first place. I think in everyones interest ABC after seeing the retooling of Grey's lead to a substantial rating drop will rehire IW with a nice raise and all will be well. Yes there are still optimist in the world.
June 13th, 2007 3:48 PM
I have great respect for IW. After this interview, he's come out being the better man. I don't plan on watching Greys anymore. Personally, I would not go back if they asked. But, if he decides to come back hopefully he makes them give him a big raise first. I hope he finds another show on another network to make the best show on television like he did Greys. And I hope they apreciate him alot more than ABC did.
June 13th, 2007 4:01 PM
At first I felt like IW did a bad thing...but firing him? Now i feel bad for him...after he just made one mistake. I love that Chandra and Kate reached out to him...and personally I feel that all the other cast memebers are ignoring the situation.
June 13th, 2007 4:19 PM
Wow I really can't believe how calm he seems to be about this, thats very classy and dignified of him! hes an amazing man and hes going to be missed very much as Preston Burke! :( But I am sure we will see him again, hey maybe on ER or something lol I'm j/k!! or you know another network could do like a Burktina spinoff called Bangs anatomy! lol ok I guess I'm dreaming!
June 13th, 2007 5:51 PM
Guys...we dont even know the entire story. Obviously, according to IW, the media manipulates things and doesn't always get everything. It could go the other way too. We could just not be hearing about other problems he caused. If he was fired solely for what he said last feb., then i think its harsh. But i have a feeling we're not getting the whole story. I think they mustve had more of a reason. That mightve been what set it off, but we can't assume that it was all because of his gay slur. I guess im still not sure how i feel. I wont miss him terribly - i wouldve missed george more - but i kinda feel bad at the same time. Honestly tho, i'll prolly forget by the 3rd or so episode next season.
June 16th, 2007 9:00 AM
Everything negative they can come up with or find, we're hearing about, so I don't believe there are things we haven't heard about. If there were other things, we would be hearing about that, too - the media would make sure of that. The thing that really makes me angry, among so many other things, is that IW was doing a fantastic job portraying Preston Burke, but yet he didn't receiving any media coverage like he's getting now; he's always been underrated as an actor, and his charity work was rarely mentioned. He has been treated unfairly and so has his fans, and I don't plan to have anything to do with ABC or Shonda Rhimes. I am more of a fan now than I every was before. He turned out to be the bigger man/person in all of this, and will continue to have my support.
June 16th, 2007 1:33 PM
Right...coming from an english gay girl, what is all the big hype about someone calling someone else a faggot!!! Right i undersatand that it is clearly not very nice but surely firing him is a bit harsh. At the end of the day T.R.Knight went into acting on his own accord and knew that his sexuality would come out at some point, if it is true that is was because of this incident then sorry but tough. What happens if it was a previous partner walking down the street with a grudge, would he get them fired from their job because of it, no i doubt it, he would laugh it off and keep walking. I know i am sitting here writing this and i don't know exactly what happened on or off set, but at the end of the day life is too short for people to go on like this surely?!?!?!?!
June 16th, 2007 2:04 PM
I'm with you on that MJ. You are SOoo correct. Also, Does anyone really remember how this all got started.? I do, IW had an argument with Patrick Dempsey. (not TR) He supposedly grab Patrick by the throat. Now stop and think for a minute.(What would make a person SO mad that they would grab hold of another person.?) During this altercation IW (was supposed to have said ) I'm no fa_ _ _ _ like TR. Keep in mind IW and TR never had words. So I'm back to IW and PD. IW didnot get out of bed that morning and think I'm going to work and choke PD. What was said to him to cause him to react like he did. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that. Since they were in the studio working. Only the staff,writers,cast members,shonda camera people were there. One of them Leaked this problem to the media. And you all know the rest. Now, don't get me wrong I love PD,but if all of this started with him,why is the reasoning for firing IW about a word he said.And not about his disagreement with PD.(2) weeks ago PD in an interview praised how well IW was doing. PD did say he(IW) has a problem with his hands.It also seemed that PD and IW resolved their differences.So again WHAT WAS THE REAL REASON FOR HIS FIRING.And I still would like to know what Patrick said to him that made IW grab him. (I can think of a few things, but I would NEVER mention it out loud. )But YOU ALL know NO ONE IS GOING TO OWN UP ON THIS ONE.
June 16th, 2007 2:16 PM
I'm upset over the situation. Washington is an amazing actor and Burke is an amazing character. Other castmates have not spoken ill of IW and even the outspoken Heigl said recently that he apologized and she accepted. Washington is not homophobic, he just said something completely wrong and innapropriate. IW kids play with Mellisa Etheridges kids and she had been out of the closet for years/ No one can disagree that what he said was wrong, but come on! People say stupid offensive crap all day long and they dont get fired for it! ABC should not be burning bridges with such a talented man! As for SR, i doubt she had a whole lot to do with his firing. It was her superiors who made the final call.