Isaiah Washington Explains Behavior in Lengthy Interview With Larry King
Isaiah Washington blamed co-star Patrick Dempsey's repeated tardiness to the Grey's Anatomy set for the infamous blow-up which resulted in Washington using a homophobic slur.
Interviewed last night on Larry King Live, Washington said he regretted that he did not confront Dempsey the first time he was late to the set, so he challenged him when the actor was late again.
But Dempsey wanted to delay the scene more to wait for Grey's star Ellen Pompeo, who plays Dempsey's love interest, before shooting began.
"I said I don't need Ellen, I can act," Washington told Larry King. "And that was the moment that sent it into a different zone."
According to Washington, Patrick Dempsey erupted.
"He became unhinged, sprayed spittle in my face," said Washington, in his first TV interview about the controversy. "I'm asking him why is he screaming at me... He just becomes irate."
That's when Washington said "a lot of things I'm not really proud of."
"I said several bad words," he recalled, quoting himself as telling Dempsey: "There's no way you're going to treat me like the B-word, the P-word or the F-word."
He said that the "F-word" was not meant as an anti-gay slur, but implied "somebody who is being weak."
Washington also strongly denied he ever directed the word at gay costar T.R. Knight, as frequently reported and insinuated by the press.
"I am not homophobic, in no way, shape or form," said Washington.
As for T.R. Knight claiming the slur was directed at him, Isaiah Washington said that is patently false.
"That's a lie. He misrepresented himself," Washington said, suggesting that Knight did that to advance his career and get more money.
"He has been very disappointed in playing the character he has been playing. He told me that," Isaiah added.
But Washington said he felt badly about repeating the slur backstage at the Golden Globe Awards, when he attempted to explain the context in which he used it in the first place.
"I wish I could take that back," Isaiah Washington said.
He became emotional at one point in the interview.
When King asked if any cast members had written him, Washington paused and appeared close to tears when recalling that Sandra Oh had.
Washington attended counseling and finished Season 3 of Grey's Anatomy after the incident, but was released from the hit ABC series a month ago as Preston Burke was written out of the show.
Larry King said on the air that the Grey's Anatomy producers, Patrick Dempsey and T.R. Knight all declined to comment.
July 3rd, 2007 7:21 AM
Okay what I am going to say is not to mean I won't miss Burke, cause I will. But SERIOUSLY! Can Issah PLEASE take SOME responsiblity in this. He screwed up yes, should he have been fired? I don't know I don't work for ABC, but now in the face of it, he has blamed everyone but himself. He has blamed ABC, the fact he is black, and NOW Patrick Dempsy and TR Knight. Seriously??? Be a man, admit you were wrong, you screwed up, you got fired. DEAL with it!
July 3rd, 2007 7:25 AM
In my opinion, that sounds a little more believable... but if he didn't direct the slur at TR in the first place then why did he do so much to make it seem like he *did* and then go into all this rehab crap for it? I know my wording isn't coming out right but if he had just told this story - this *exact* story - from the beginning, i would have believed it. But now, he's changed it so many times that i just can't trust that what he's telling us may or may not be crap.
July 3rd, 2007 7:26 AM
And I completely agree with you, Flynt!
July 3rd, 2007 7:40 AM
I just finished watching the interview, and I feel for Isaiah Washington. I've heard his side of the story, but I don't think any of us will ever completely hear the other side of the story (unless another actor is fired and is able to speak freely).
So, I feel for him, we've all said things that we wished we could take back. In our lives, at least we're able to go to the person we've offended and apologize. When you're in the public spotlight, it gets all blown out of proportion by the media.
Isaiah Washington repeatedly said that it was wrong of him to use the word (and especially at the Golden Globes) and he "took ownership" of what he did. So, Flynt, I'd have to disagree...he is taking responsibility for saying the word, but not for the anti-gay meaning behind it, because he says he said it in a different context. So, whether or not that's what *really* happened, we probably won't ever know.
Now, also, IW made some pretty strong allegations against TR Knight, that alot of the hub bub was manipulated by him. *Somebody* called the National Enquirer, and TR goes on "Ellen" and issues statements coming out of the closet, when apparently he didn't have to. (if IW's side is to be believed). He's coming off as a very sympathetic character in this.
July 3rd, 2007 7:47 AM
The Washington interview was done wonderfully. He was calm, rational and very well spoken. It cleared up a lot of confusion and all of it made sense. Washington wasn't blaming Dempsey, he was explaining the situation and repeatedly kept saying how it was his fault and he should have set a better example. Dang....what else do you want from him? He is getting massacred for something he didn't do in the context everyone thinks he did and went above and beyond the call of duty for redemption. I loved how he said whoever went to the Inquirer he hopes they got paid...because best believe, you know they did! I love Sandra Oh even more after Washington's tearful remarks on her email.
July 3rd, 2007 8:19 AM
Sad that the senses of sight and hearing fall victims to animosity and unforgiveness. Sad because we fail to see or hear the words of others, no matter how repentant or repetitive. Sad because we cannot see or hear our own hatred nor taste the venom we spew. Sad because we deprive our humanity the chance to rise above pettiness and meanness.
July 3rd, 2007 8:30 AM
way to go IW! no matter what other people say... you held your own! He made it so clear about what happened. He took full responsibility for his actions and didn't try to get around the facts. He was clear and declaritive and I am proud of him... but I am dissapointed in what he did... he SHouLD be forgiven... and for crying out loud.. if that wasn't enough what WILL bring IW back?!
July 3rd, 2007 9:05 AM
I haven't seen Larry King so I can only go by what has been written but from what I can gather Isaiah, although taking some responsibility, is clearly trying to blame everyone else â€" Patrick Dempsey being the latest victim. There is very much a sense of "Patrick Dempsey made me say the f-word". It's childish. No-one makes you say anything.
He had a disagreement with Patrick and he said many things including the f-word. No-one held a gun to his head and said "say this .. say that". Isaiah CHOSE to say those things.
You know, for a little while I was actually starting to feel a little bit sorry for Isaiah. Not anymore.
July 3rd, 2007 9:08 AM
He's a moron. I'm tired of this story.
Patrick and the other Grey's actors deserve respect.
July 3rd, 2007 9:16 AM
So, according to Mr. Washington's latest version of the "truth," it was not T.R. but himself whom he referred to as a F*****. How can you people not love such a magnanimous person? :)
July 3rd, 2007 9:27 AM
So many different stories, so many different targeted actors, i mean we got the whole Isiah vs. T.R. but now its Isiah vs. Patrick, Isiah telling people they can't act, Blaming Ellen because they waited for her,
okay i agree with Lou, he chose those words, if he singles himself out with the F word fine, whatever, but if he says someone made him say it, or he calls someone that and then he says he didnt we have a problem, i mean seriously?!
I felt sorry for him also, i was like okay, the dumbass actors screwed this up, but now its like how many more stories or how many more people are you blaming?
It's over, hes gone, if they keep bringing this up more people will get in trouble, grow up Isiah we get your point. This stupid fight is pointless, shonda made the decision your gone, end of story.
July 3rd, 2007 9:51 AM
i wasn't there, so I can't say definitively "this is what happened". What I have seen is multiple versions of the same event and subsequent related events - all from the same person, IW.
The fact that the 'facts' keep changing make me doubt his credibility. I don't know which of the many stories is REAL - or if any of them are.
So - trying to be non-judgemental - I wish IW well, and I wish he (and everyone else) would move on. For whatever cause, the whole thing cast a pall over GA S3 stories and cast members, and I want the writing to be better and the remaining cast to be a superb ensemble together again.
And I'll wait for the mini-series to come out for the "behind the scenes...." lol
July 3rd, 2007 9:59 AM
Some of you obviously didn't watch the Larry King interview in its entirity. I don't agree with any racial, sexual, or gender slurs. I do, however, believe that one actor in particular who was afraid to expose his true sexuality took advantage of this as an opportunity to out himself because he didn't have the courage to do it in any other fashion. I personally do not care who's gay, who's not, who started what part of the argument nor that an argument even occurred. I think it is a shame that the chemistry that was obviously working (hence the shows success) will now be comprimised because of the immaturity of all the actors involved. If actors behaved with the same professionalism as the characters they portray (doctors), I don't think half of this would have even been an issue. We live in a society that finds these types of things newsworthy when there is so much more depth and substance that should be and could be reported. I don't think Mr. Washington was referring to any one cast member in particular. Do I abhor his use of profanity and offensive language? yes. Does that make him human? Of course. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. When we can look at our own mistakes, errors in judgement with the same criticism as we do that of others than maybe these incidents can be prevented. The executives of ABC, Disney, Grey's Anatomy etc did what they thought was in the best interest of the show. He's a big boy, an adult, and hopefully we can all leave it at that. Twenty years from now this show will have little or no relevant impact on society if it keeps the negative publicity going. This is Mr. Washington's first opportunity to address this fiasco since his termination. I don't blame him for wanting to do so whether I agree with what he said or not. No one had a problem with T.R. for adressing it at his first opportunity. it is what it is....let's all just get a grip.
July 3rd, 2007 10:09 AM
The best thing IW should have said is' what has happened has happened, but if only i could turn back the time i would'. Dont get me wrong, there are two sides to every story, and i am not going to take sides,however, i think he is handling the whole situation the wrong way, mentioning names for starters is not a good move. I hope for his own sake and future career his lawyers will advice him to keep quite.
July 3rd, 2007 10:29 AM
BRAVO Isaiah Washington! I feel he has completely exonerated himself and can now go on with his career, after doing his very best to clear his name. I can't wait to see him on tv again soon, and hope he gets his own medical show!
July 3rd, 2007 10:32 AM
I am watching the interview now and all I can say is T.R. is a major asshole(I don't usually like to curse but that is the only way to describe him at this moment).
Isaiah Washington seems very disapointed in himself and his castmastes for how this whole thing went down. I don't think he's lying at all and I bet you anything that it is ver free and liberating for him to finally clear his name and make sure that everyone gets the real story on what happened.
And by the way, T.R gives the gay community a bad name. He's such a drama queen and hoepfully karma will comeback to bite him in the ass.
As for Patrick, he needs to remember that he was NOTHING before Grey's Anatomy came along. He should be kissing the people who work at ABC and Shonda's asses for giving him this chance at a comeback. I will most likely still watch the show just because I love Ellen, Sandra, Chandra, Sara and Justin but screw Patrick, Kate, and especially screw T.R.
July 3rd, 2007 10:32 AM
I think at this point, most of viewers want someone to blame. We have lost an amazing character and after watching Larry King, it seems to be for no reason. But people will see what they want to see. They will see IW blaming Dempsey when in actuality, he did not. He kept saying that he should have kept his cool. That he should have talked to Dempsey the first time there was an incident with his tardiness. Boys will be boys and they will fight. I think our society tries to built people up simply to knock them down. We wanted the real life drama. The only reason it seems that IW won't be quiet about this is because no one else is speaking. Not because they don't care or they are over it, but because I'm sure legally, ABC is telling them they can't. THEY look good by keeping quiet. They make IW look bad because he is talking which will keep GA fans quiet about wanting him back if indeed, firing him was a bad decision.
This happened, this sucked. But I agree with "Get a grip" 100%, people who live in glass houses should not throw stones...
July 3rd, 2007 10:52 AM
Seriously, let's get a grip, 100%. If we didn't watch the interview... how can we comment. Seriously.
July 3rd, 2007 10:54 AM
How could IW say that PD erupted & became unhinged. After IW went into theripy PD defended iw by saying he was a changed man.& to EP in to it well that was just SERIOUKY WRONG. & if PD wants to wait for EP or any other cast member thats his right.
July 3rd, 2007 11:11 AM
ok mellissa no offense but i don't agree with one word that you said. i highly wait no im sure patrick dempsey wouldn't do that. have you ever thought why didn't isaiah say that in the beginning why did he wait untill he got fired.oh and patrick dempsey never blamed any body and he was supportive the whole time. i will miss burke but i will not miss isaiah washington i think it is better he got fired. patrick dempsey was more famouse than isaiah washington.
I think that t.r. knight and patrick dempsey and greys anatomy are better off without isaiah.
July 3rd, 2007 11:25 AM
melissa you are rude.
IW isn't a martyr. I saw a great actor during LK interview.
PD respect the other people and his co-stars. He's grateful to Shonda and ABC for his work.
mcdreamylove1 I agree with you. Grey's will be better without IW (and without KW, for me).
July 3rd, 2007 12:08 PM
Is there any place on the internet where we can watch the interview? I missed it and want to see it. Thanks.
July 3rd, 2007 12:16 PM
get over it Isaiah, its Hollywood, nothing makes sense in show biz (it's not reality, that why we watch)!!
July 3rd, 2007 12:26 PM
I knew this had to be brewing for a while for it to come to this. Everytime you read or hear something new their is someone else drawn into it. I really don't see where it was Isaiah's place to call Patrick on being late. That's what the production staff is for. Then getting upset because they had to wait for Ellen. It may or may not be right in some people eyes but when it comes to Patrick you don't mess with Ellen. I don't think he would care who you are. Let's face it this show got bigger than any of them could have ever imagined ego's got bruised and feelings got hurt. It turned into a popularity contest and some of them are acting just the way they would in high school. It's just now the whole world is watching. The show will not be the same without Isaiah but it will survive that's if the writer's can get it together.
July 3rd, 2007 12:51 PM
question ..i know what the f word is, because he repeated it at the Golden Globes, but what is the bword (female dog?) and the p word (pansey???)
Sorry, this is the first i have heard mention on it.