Shonda Rhimes Discusses Firing of Isaiah Washington, Reflects On Season 3
Shonda Rhimes has finally broken her silence.
Ever since Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington was released from the series two weeks ago, the world surrounding TV's top drama has been in a state of and upheaval.
But Rhimes, in an interview with Access Hollywood Thursday (June 14), as reported by Entertainment Weekly, says she is happy with how Isaiah Washington's character's story ended.
"I feel like we wrote the show in a way that really completes the story of Preston Burke, and that is a really strong thing," she said.
Burke broke off his wedding to Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) and skipped out in the May 17 season finale of Grey's Anatomy.
The show will not recast the role with a new actor.
"I've said it before, I and I will say it again," Shonda Rhimes said. "I don't believe in replacing one actor with another. I think a replacement is a little bit odd in terms of somebody who has been on the show for three years."
The decision not to bring Washington back next season was the culmination of months of speculation after an ugly incident last fall, when the actor was accused of referring to co-star T.R. Knight by a gay slur in an on-set disagreement with castmate Patrick Dempsey.
Washington then reignited the turmoil when he dubiously repeated the slur in front of reporters backstage at the Golden Globes in January.
The embattled actor spoke publicly about his being let go for the first time earlier this week when he talked to EW.com.
"I'm saddened by the outcome," he said. "I did everything 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, but apparently that wasn't the same vision that the network and studio had for me."
Despite the controversy over Washington's remarks - and over the star being dismissed, Shonda Rhimes told Access Hollwood that she viewed Season 3 as a positive one for the show.
"We won the Golden Globe this year," Rhimes stated. "I think the show took itself to new heights this year, I think we explored different things for women this year, I think we have had amazing guest casts this year. I think it's been a sweet, sweet year for us."
June 17th, 2007 9:17 AM
And the tap dance stll goes on. We've heard this over and over. It still does'nt clear up anything. It may have ended Burke and Cristina's relationship but not everything else. You can't take strong character's and have them all beat down like that. I mean there was'nt a happy person at the end of the finale. I know life is'nt perfect but it is'nt that depressing either not for that many people who are that close.
June 17th, 2007 10:15 AM
Well said Bonnie M.
June 17th, 2007 10:38 AM
Well said Bonnie M. And I will add this as well: The way she ended Burke's role was TERRIBLE.
June 17th, 2007 10:47 AM
I agree. She can hardly call it a complete story, if she ends a character like Burke in one episode. Now there isn't one solid relationship on the show (George & Callie don't count) and season 4 will all be about: Who sleeps with whom? Will they be together or not? It's getting old. I don't think I'll continue watching.
June 17th, 2007 11:25 AM
i agree. i dont think that burke running off on his wedding and the woman he loved so much he let her go was a good ending. its all up in the air and incomplete.
i also think that the show will suffer from not having the character of burke. not just because people will stop watching but because burke and the burke and cristina relationship was such an important piece of the show and he was such a strong character. i dont think letting washington go was an appropriate decision.
June 17th, 2007 11:57 AM
It was interesting to see what Shonda had to say on the home page about IW. There is not really a lot about the firing, but more about the show, story wise. I agree that the character of Burke does have some closure and it was a more dignified exit than being written out quickly in the middle of the season. I would have liked to see a final scene with Burke and Derek though. I really feel like they became close enough for them to need some closure. I will miss Burke and I am glad that he was around till the end and not just cut.
I think that season 4 will be about having theses characters move on and use the lessons of the last 3 seasons to make them more confident and secure in who they want to be.
June 17th, 2007 12:14 PM
So they knew all along that they would fire him! Or at least I get the feeling after reading this article.
It was really a badass move to led him to believe that there was still a chance! They could have told him way earlier that he would not come back for the next season!
Yeah, what can I say, I only watched GA because of Burke and his relation to Cristina! That is "so over" now, so thanks to ABC and their - excuse the word - fucking stupid decision I can stop counting the days to the beginning of the 4th season!
June 17th, 2007 12:24 PM
Yeah, Shonda, it's been a sweet, sweet year, but not for us, the fans. Why doesn't she say it is a terrible loss for Grey's? It is. Maybe it is the right decision for the sake of a peaceful production but still it is a loss and I would respect her more for admitting this. She always talked about symmetry and about those tiny hints and developments - there is no space for characters to leave if you go on that path. It was odd to see Addison leave and it is odd to think of Grey's without Burke.
June 17th, 2007 12:27 PM
I would wish more people stop viewing- maybe then the writers learn to not simply ignore the viewers opinion.
I mean, they made so many stupid moves which led to a lot of protest- just look at the comments on the writers blog. But Shonda still thinks she knows better- now look what happened to Grey's!
June 17th, 2007 1:04 PM
I was a huge fan. I am still undecided if I will be watching season 4. Season 3 was awful.... almost from the very get go.... it went way downhill after the January episdoes started. The writing staff obviously does not care for the opinions their fans share. I love the comment I read somwhere online about Shonda saying she burned down the house in the season 3 finale and a fan wrote that season 4 would then be nothing but ashes and smoke. KUDOS to that comment.
June 17th, 2007 1:22 PM
No, the show hasn't been taken to a new height. In fact, it has taken a hit from season 2. I probably will stop watching season 4 all together..and i think their rating will drop, if they don't pick up a few good story lines..
June 17th, 2007 2:08 PM
They should never have fired Isaiah Washington. He brought so much to the show. Big mistake on their part! The show went downhill after the marriage proposals...
I'm still pissed off that Burke left Cristina. I'm not even sure if I'll watch season 4. I would enjoy watching Cristina bounce back from the whole wedding issue! But we'll see.
June 17th, 2007 2:14 PM
Has anyone put into consideration that his contract was up? He was not guaranteed Season 4. I believe the show will benefit with him being gone. Imagine working with someone that acted the way he did. Everyone was most likely walking on eggshells and that shows through in their acting. Yes, he did go through all of the "steps" to make things right, but come on, attacking someone the way he did? There is nothing he can do to change the way people feel. He was a great character, but for me, good riddance!
June 17th, 2007 3:26 PM
You know, I hate that Burke left too. I don't think it will be a good show now. I wonder if Shonda really believes deep down inside that the show is going to be good still, or is she crossing her fingers and toes praying for a miracle and just putting up a front. If they ever recognize that they made a mistake letting that man go, it's too bad they will never admit it to us fans. To the people that are glad he is gone for the little bitty insignificant thing he did that was not worth him not renewing his contract for, from what I'm reading on different forums everywhere, the majority is on Isaiah's side. They fired the main interest of the show. (the Meredith and Derek show has dried up) And kept the boring, nobody gives a crap people.
June 17th, 2007 3:33 PM
http://www.amole.info/Halle-Berry-anal-teen/index.php
June 17th, 2007 3:46 PM
I had to travel today and I listened to the last few podcasts again. Shonda talks about all the 'hints' (going as far back as the proposal to end Burke / Christina's standoff) that they weren't going to make it as a couple.
I don't know if that proves that ABC / Shonda intended to release IW that far back, but it certainly leaves that option open to write him out if they chose to...
June 17th, 2007 4:25 PM
Yourmom: iYou`re right. I agree. Well said, Bonnie M. Zinoba: I know what you mean, there are so many shows, why should I watch this. I was a fan, but now "Shonda burned down the house." I´m totally sad and disappointed. A good actor, an interesting couple, not as boring as Merder, and now???
June 17th, 2007 5:21 PM
Shonda has a pattern of leading viewers to think one thing then heading in the opposition direction. This is why Burke and Cristina fans just knew they would be getting married. She was being to obvious. She lead us to believe all through Season 2 that the relationship wouldn't survive, beginning with Cristina walking out on Burke during the surgery, during the betrayal, etc. Then she gave us "I sticking" and "in for the long haul." I don't believe for one second that they had planned to break them up. The bottom line is that they deceived up in the end.
June 17th, 2007 7:33 PM
anyone who said imagine working with someone like washington is kidding themselves, when you get a job you cant expect everything to be perfect unless washington was on the set killing everyones puppies i think hes fine and i think that tr is a huge baby like yeah it sucks that you are gay and im sure it was such a burden for you to come out blah grow up its you and your life deal with it and be stronger for it not a huge baby
ps greys sucked this season
June 17th, 2007 7:38 PM
shonda sucks! and i think ultimatly greys is going to fail because of her. this season was depressing as all hell and her time is now split between greys and private practice (aka shit). not to mention the awful remaining storylines she is working.
i am still hoping she can turn it around and make it as good as it was in the first two seasons but it's not looking good, not at all.
June 17th, 2007 7:38 PM
the writers were making as if being surgical interns have horrible, failed relations lives. overall, season 3 was ok except the finale...it was just tooooo fictional. its just so unrealistic that every possible relationship fails approximately at the same time...particularly when these were close buddies.
and ending dr burke's story by cancelling the wedding...pathetic guys..it was sooo abrupt...hello...its not like yang didnt want to get married...its just the wedding., she didnt like....it was in yang's script during the finale...
besides, you guys did that just to end burke's character...u guys forgot that he was supposed to be some hot shot surgeon who is supposed to be one of the best in cardiothoracic...just end it that way by him running out of the house?? duh..even the chief wouldnt let him off so easily...in reality...this doesnt happen so abruptly guys...if u guys r not replacing him...means wat ?? bringing in another slutty girl like lexie...hello..i think there are just too many girls in the story now if that's the case...
June 17th, 2007 8:44 PM
Shonda - Remember the old saying "when you read your own reviews and believe them you are in trouble." In television replace "reviews" with "ratings." The Golden Globes were in Jan. 07. Since then Grey's has presented contrived plots and was depressing. Where is the wit and clever fun with basically good but flawed people??? And by the way, the staff writers' blogs are an insult to intelligent people.
June 17th, 2007 10:05 PM
Yea I'm a little behind, didn't realize Isiah got fired intill today. But learning this makes completely rethink the ending of Grey's Anatomy. They pretty much knew they were going to fire him and it completely questions Shonda's so called "logic" in letting the show end that way. I'm not sure I can watch next season.
June 17th, 2007 10:41 PM
I just want to say that I think Grey's is going downhill. It's not a steep hill at this point. But I'm just not as excited as I used to be...other shows have taken that spot. This has nothing to do with Burke leaving, I just think that Shonda is kind of pushing her fans away. And unfortunately, Grey's Anatomy is not what it used to be.
June 18th, 2007 1:09 AM
Talking about pushing fans away.... I am one of them Season 3 was disappointing. I won't be getting up early on Friday mornings to see the reviews and download (I know I shouldn't but I also buy the DVD's) the episodes. I've said this many times before once success goes to someone's head is the end of their good sense. There is no passion in GA anymore they will never find back the great moments we had between Mer/Der so I'll be one of many lost fans. I still have CSI to watch perhaps I'll start watching Dr. House who knows.