Grey’s Anatomy Spoiler: A Preston Burke Sighting
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?
Thoughts?
NOT a Ploy to get ratings to jump. It’s more like necessary closure for the character of Christina.
duh, and their plan isnt even working because the show still sucks
duh! and it isnt even working because the show still sucks
yourmom-
why bother posting on this site then?
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
That would be a “yes” to the cheap ploy question.
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!
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!
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.
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
Bring Burke back!!! He was one of the sane ones!!! All the other ones have such dumb problems, I want Christina and hime back…Oh and Izzie and Alex, duh. And what is up with George this season? They are making his character wors and worst with each episode, Merdith is getting really annoying, why would McDreamy even go back with her she can hardly take care of herself!!! And the nurse is hot, and seems stronger!
But Bailey and Alex rule!!!
I think this is a cheap ploy yes. I personally think that Burke and Addison were the two best characters on the show. I *still* can’t believe they fired Isaiah Washington… Hey, I’m gay, and I think that what he said was wrong…. but I don’t think his career should have been shot down because of it! I mean, have you *seen* The Bionic Woman?!! Peeeeyeewww!
I say Sondra Rhimes (or whoever runs this show) should suck it up and hire Mr. Washington back for whatever reasonable fee he demands. And while we’re at it… get Addison back on the show!
I’m sick and tired of all the whiny characters and pathetic “plots” that this show is made up of lately. Move forward people! And MORE SURGERIES!
Man i hate people who post stupid comments like the show sucks. You must have no life if your posting on the Grey’s Anatomy Insider website… are you lost???
Anyways hah well i think that its cool they are using his picture but i hope that Mr. Washington doesnt try and sue our fav. show. I cant wait for tonight.
I AM SO DONE WITH THIS SHOW!! WHY CANT I JUST WATCH A TV SHOW WITHOUT HAVING THE HOMOSEXUAL CRAP IN MY FAMILYS FACE! ABC I AM DONE !!!
I have been a fan of Grey’s since the very first episode and it is ironic that they used his likeness on an episode that also featured a storyline dealing with the very thing that brought his career on Grey’s to an end. The whole homosexual kissing was way over the top. I’s so over this!
It is so wrong to use an actors image and not pay for it. I think that they never should have fired Isaiah Washington it totally messed up the whole show and made the wedding so stupid to even have in the show if they never were going to get married anyway. I don’t know what happened to freedom of speech.
It’s pretty interesting that Isaiah Washington’s character pops into the show…whether for ratings or not, it maybe just a means of laying the Preston Burke character to rest, never to be mentioned again, hopefully . Is it just me but does it seem kinda obvious that the Burke character is mentioned and a very open gay storyline is seen…hmmm something to think about:) I love this show.
they need to just bring him back already. he was the only one that i could even imagine being a real doctor. what he did was bad, sure, but that was personal and abc mad it a business thing. the two should have never met.
i do not think it was a ratings ploy. burke was an important part of the development of cristina’s character, and it would be negligent to ignore that part of her storyline. plus her character has been stagnating. maybe this is the kick in the ass she needs to move on. it’s about time. you have someone like sandra oh you really ought to give her something to work with.
This is completely ridiculous!!! Isaiah needs to relax and move on with his life. They used a picture and believe me when I tell you, it is not he that is keeping the ratings. I am sure that everyone’s ratings dropped since, let’s see…the writer’s STRIKE!!! Do lawyers have anything else better to do but find a loop hole that gets someone more money? He made a comment that was not appropriate and in my opinion it is no different than if someone would have made a racial slur about him. He would have been very upset as well. It is over and done with and the show is still as great as ever. I do not watch much t.v. at all but I try to never miss Grey’s…it is GREAT!!! Who wouldn’t want to watch McDreamy? lol
Eh, if the show has the rights to the photo, then I don’t see how his complaint could hold up. I would LOVE for him to return, though!
Seemed to me it was more about Cristina’s character development than Burke’s. I was sorry to see him leave the show, as I enjoyed their relationship, but he needs to get over himself - his lawyer, I mean really! She is still struggling and it’s good to see how she has to work thru her feelings. Sometimes it seems actors blow things way out of proportion and I think Washington did in this case.
that’s great!!!!!!!
see, u cannot just fired a great ator like him!!!
the show needs him…
bring Burke back…let’s bygone be bygone!
i love grey’s with Burke and Addie in it!
Getting rid of Burke was one of the many stupid mistakes they made in Season 3. Don’t get me wrong, I think his notorious remarks were inapropriate, but I miss his character and his interaction with Christina.
sportsgurl2389– I totally agree with you on all counts– why do people who hate this show post here? Have you nothing to do in life so that you have to spend time posting nastiness on a website for a show you hate? None of us want to read the hate stuff!
rach– I totally agree with you too– not a ratings ploy at all, but a need for the development of Christina’s character. She needs to deal with what happened with Burke and him leaving.
As for Isaiah Washington thinking about sueing? I certainly hope not. It was just a picture. Not a ratings ploy. And it was used in a very understandable manner. Isaiah Washington, be the bigger person here, please!
i don’t think so.. as long as the storyline stays on track of getting Derek & Meredith together, then the show must go on!
I think it’s fair game. And I like that they addressed that Burke has moved on. I loved Christina’s speech, especially when she turned to wipe her tear.
Oh Isiah should be happy there using his likeness on the show. I cant believe his reps got intouch with SAG, bit pathetic to me.
I would love my picture on greys haha!
Gray’s Anatomy use to be my favorite show, but I must say I don’t have the same enthusiasm as I once did when Isaiah Washington was a cast member. It’s just not the same anymore. And to be even more honest, I use to love Catherine, but after her non-stop comments about Isaiah Washington wouldn’t stop…I don’t even care for her character anymore. She makes watching the show very difficult. I believe this whole situation could have been resolved without him being fired. So, now I’ve moved on to other shows on various networks. Good luck!
Please, please, PLEASE tell me someone caught that whole quote from Christina towards the end. Something like:
“I am the unseen to his brilliance … and now I am his ghost. It’s not difficult, it’s unbearable.”
THOUGH THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT THE COMPLETE QUOTE, SO DON’T USE IT.
Uh, it was just so good and I didn’t catch the whole thing cause my phone started ringing!
Please, please, PLEASE tell me someone caught that whole quote from Christina towards the end. Something like:
“I am the unseen to his brilliance … and now I am his ghost. It’s not difficult, it’s unbearable.”
THOUGH THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT THE COMPLETE QUOTE, SO DON’T USE IT.
Uh, it was just so good and I didn’t catch the whole thing cause my phone started ringing!
isaiah washington drives me insane! all he does is whine and whine and whine about everything! i think it’s clear that he was difficult to work with and actions like these only drive home that point. he should have been fired for what he said about TR. something like that wouldn’t fly in my place of employment and it’s great that the producers actually did something about his behavior. it’s great that they made it clear they wouldn’t stand for such remarks but i’m also sure that it was his overall backstage bullshit that lead to his being fired. and here he is still complaining about how he was treated? get over yourself!
They’re using the likeness of Burke to advance Cristina’s character, not as a ratings ploy….Addison was also used as a plot device.
just because isaiah washington is out of the show doesn’t mean his character is completely gone its dumb that he’s complaining about it
I don’t think that they are ploys to get fans back. The writer’s strike has been hard on all shows, not just Grey’s Anatomy.
That being said, why wouldn’t they use Addison, or even Preston Burke (because in my opinion they are using Preston Burke, not Isaiah Washington) in the plot. When you leave a place, things don’t just stop happening and vice versa, you cannot just expect to not hear about things just because they aren’t there any more. Life doesn’t work that way, so why should Grey’s?
They’re using the characters they wrote out of the show because Brooke Smith and Chlyer Leigh just isn’t enough to fill the void left by IW and KW.
If Isaiah and Kate were still on board, they’d continue to be in the 20 million range ratings-wise. Instead they’re down to 15 mil. Pitiful really.
the remarks washington made were derogatory, discriminatory, and could be considered sexual harrassment. that would not be tolerated in any other respectable work place, why should it be overlooked on a tv set. i doubt. i.w. would dismiss someone using the N word on the set, and yes, it is the same thing. by the way, if i was homophobic, i’d keep it to myself, not advertise it by ranting on a message board thread about an unrelated topic. seriously. that is biggotry, no excusing it.
oh. and to the guy concerned with his family being exposed to the ‘homosexual crap’, there is a ton of sex on grey’s. you don’t mind your family seeing all the promiscuity as long as the participants are straight? a bit hypocritical don’t you think? if you are going to get upset over the morally devoid content on primetime tv, at least be consistent.
At first I didn’t understand why Mr. Washington would be so upset with ABC using his image for an epsiode of Grey’s Anatomy but then I re-read it and now I get it.
I also agree with what Ela had said. It was a big mistake on their part getting rid of him even though I don’t agree with his remarks.
And I wasn’t aware that Grey’s ratings were still dropping. I thought that they had improved since the strike. At least that was what I had been reading in some tv blogs. Maybe when the creators of the show brought back Addison and wrote a Burke and Christina storyline[sort of] they were doing a ratings ploy. Aren’t all returning tv shows having a ratings problem? Since the strike a lot of tv viewers dont feel the need to watch there favorite shows anymore since they have gone this long without them and now you can watch them on the internet.
I think that bailey and mark are going to hook up
Tg for the sane comment by Stephen, I was losing the impression I always had about gays being nice people. Ever since TRK and all the horrible things said about IW, I felt really shocked at the outpourings of hatred by the gays.
Jeremiah- asking IW to get over himself. Why did not TRK and gay people get over themselves when the apologies were made. why are you not getting over it ? the counter attacks, it is not helping, just shows very unforgiving behaviour. Honestly I still think IW used it just as a word and had no mal-intention. He should not have been treated so harshly. IN fact if the gays root to get him back on the show they would make a wonderful point. Forgiveness and largesse, that they moved on and got over it.