Former Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington - who was let go from the show after the end of the third season in mid-2007 (amid allegations of making homophobic slurs about gay co-star T.R. Knight) - is slamming the show for its recent firing of Brooke Smith.
"I looked at a brilliant actress, whom I have adored since I first saw her in Silence of the Lambs," Washington says in the November 17 issue of TV Guide.
"For her to be treated this way, I find very interesting."
After Brooke Smith was let go, Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes released a statement last week insisting she "was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian" and did not think the "chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run."
Regardless, Isaiah Washington says the move was harsh.
"The fact is that, just before the holidays, you have a mother, a wonderful actress removed from a steady income without the proper reasoning behind it," he said.
"You look at the way another consummate professional [is] being treated because her character, her story line [has] potentially made producers uncomfortable."
He says Shonda Rhimes is getting the raw deal.
"Now that I see what they're doing to a show that I love and I care about, I think it's disgusting," Isaiah Washington said. "The fact that Shonda has been put in this position is extremely unfair. It's unfortunate because it was probably, at the time, the most progressive show on television. Now I see it [being] systematically torn apart."
How can the show be fixed?
"Bring Burke back!" Washington says.
Would he return to the show, despite all the drama? "Absolutely!"
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65 Comments
November 10th, 2008 2:00 PM
Dr. Burke, I MISS you somuch! oh my god, I would love if you came back to SGH, it would be great, because you could see exactly what you're missing out on since Yang has a new hot doctor to replace you. I think its ironic that you are commenting on Brooke Smith's firing, but hey, we're all entitled to our opinions. I think it was a terrible injustice that you got fired for a stupid comment said in the heat of the moment--if I were at SGH you are the only doctor that I would let operate on me (well, maybe George or Mer)--
By the way, Brooke Smith is a good actress, but her character on GA was naaaaaaaaasty, and I for one was happy to see her go. Maybe the writer should have been fired too.
November 10th, 2008 2:08 PM
{!}0mfg...{!}
November 10th, 2008 2:52 PM
BRING BURKE BACK!
That would be an AMAZING storyline for Cristina...
who would she choose? Burke or Hunt? I think that love triangle would definitley get some ratings up, and I would imagine that most of the viewers would be torn between the two doctors, as well.
November 10th, 2008 2:57 PM
oh come on! First he insults TR Knight to the core for being gay and now he's all like, "shame on the producers" for firing an actress who plays a lesbian? As much as i hate the way brooke has been treated, a comment from him was soooo uncalled for! Ridiculous!
And I really missed Burke but i don't think I'd want him back. After the way he treated Cristina... and now she's finally kinda moving on... and i don't think the other acters would want Washington back on the set, which is understandable in my eyes.
Can we please have addie back for good instead? ^^
November 10th, 2008 3:05 PM
That would be the greatest thing the writers could make, bringing Burke back, after throwing Hahn out. I guess the show would earn some more watchers.
November 10th, 2008 3:37 PM
Burke and Meredith could make hot romantic couple.But they are not of the same color. Because of that let he stay aside.
November 10th, 2008 4:14 PM
With the things he said about TR, and if he pushed Patrick Dempsey in a fight off screen, an I think you cannot bring him back. Nobody messes with McDreamy/Patrick and to bash a member of the crew for their sexual orientation is not acceptable. Even though I really loved the character of Burke, I think that maybe Isaiah Wshington might not be welcomed back to the cast with open arms. Sad though, I would love Burke to come back, but I think there is too much bad blood there in real life for him to make the comeback. Maybe Sydney (where is she these days anyhow!) could talk them all through it! ;)
November 10th, 2008 4:15 PM
BRING HIM BACK
amazing and awesome drama will unfold!
November 10th, 2008 4:17 PM
It doesn't matter that they aren't of the same color... Neither were he and Cristina.
I don't know if you were being sarcastic to ABC or whoever or if you were being serious. LOL
I'm gonna take it as sarcastic. haha
anyway. It would be kinda cool if Burke came back. Cristina would be all hot and bothered.... it would be interesting.
November 10th, 2008 4:40 PM
I think Isaiah should keep his mouth shut on this one but whatever, I guess everyone should express their opinion. It is a free country after all.
On another note, I would like to see Burke back just to close the chapter on him. It still feels very open ended and maybe he should return to make ammends with Cristina. It'd be great to see that confrontation.
But permanently, bring back Addie. I miss her.