Sort of.
If you've seen promos for this week's episode, "The Becoming," you likely noticed that they feature Preston Burke - even if the former character doesn't appear on the actual episode of Grey's Anatomy. Just a picture of him.
Below is a photo taken from the promo. Tonight's Grey's Anatomy will focus on how Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) reacts to this news of her ex-fiance.
Isaiah Washington, who portrayed Preston so brilliantly before being fired after Season 3, is now shooting a movie with Forrest Whitaker in New Orleans, but is reportedly upset about his likeness being used on Grey's Anatomy.
Washington's rep, Howard Bragman said in a statement:
"Isaiah has no plans to go back to Grey's Anatomy ... That being said, we were more than a little surprised that ABC used his likeness in a promo for the show, and indeed advanced his character's storyline. Mr. Washington's attorney has contacted the Screen Actors Guild and ABC as to the appropriateness of that action."
A representative for ABC could not be reached for comment.
This poses the question of whether ABC is using Burke (a la Addison) as a ploy to boost Grey's Anatomy ratings, which have slipped. Thoughts?
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58 Comments
May 8th, 2008 2:54 PM
Thoughts?
NOT a Ploy to get ratings to jump. It's more like necessary closure for the character of Christina.
May 8th, 2008 3:17 PM
duh, and their plan isnt even working because the show still sucks
May 8th, 2008 3:19 PM
duh! and it isnt even working because the show still sucks
May 8th, 2008 3:34 PM
yourmom-
why bother posting on this site then?
May 8th, 2008 3:56 PM
i miss burke and addison ALOT!!
it was so refreshing having addison back on the show for an episode. and i miss burke alottttttt.
SO EXCITED FOR TONIGHTTT
May 8th, 2008 4:06 PM
That would be a "yes" to the cheap ploy question.
May 8th, 2008 4:18 PM
Man, that would be FANTASTIC if Burke came back. Even if he just came back for a tiny little part, I would scream in happiness. I miss Burke and Addison SOOO much!
May 8th, 2008 4:44 PM
None of us know what truely happened on that set that day, but I do know one thing... Preston Burke was an excellent character, and Isaiah played him beautifully! I really do miss that character!
May 8th, 2008 4:54 PM
Okay, so the show may own the character of Burke, but I don't think they should have used Washington's picture without consultation. Just my opinion.
May 8th, 2008 5:41 PM
well I hope that abc didn't use his picture for ratings boost that is a low blow on their part. However, I think that abc and the show owns those pictures right