DailySugar's Isaiah Washington Archives

June 21, 2007

Isaiah Washington: They fired the wrong guy

The former Dr. Preston Burke on ABC's hit series Grey's Anatomy told the Houston Chronicle that T.R. Knight should have been fired from the show instead of him.

Washington was let go on June 7, just a month before filming for the new season was to begin. He has been slammed with negative publicity since October. That's when he allegedly used an anti-gay slur during an on-set disagreement with co-star Patrick Dempsey.

The Houston native's interviews with the media since then have been limited.

"I have to clear my name," a determined Washington told the Houston Chronicle in a telephone interview from the set of his new movie, The Least of These. "I'll start from the beginning. I'm telling everything. So here's the truth."

Washington said Knight, who plays Dr. George O'Malley, stirred up the notion that the slur was targeted at him and created a negative work environment. Washington also alleged that Knight likely wanted a salary increase and a more substantive role for his character.

Knight, who acknowledged that he was gay after the incident, told Ellen DeGeneres in January that Washington used the slur against him and that "everyone (on the set) heard it."

Washington said:

"That's a lie. I used the word during a disagreement with Patrick. I apologized for that. We shook hands and went back to work."

He said he is considering a lawsuit.

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June 8, 2007

Isaiah Washington not returning to Grey's Anatomy

Isaiah Washington will not be returning to Grey's Anatomy next season, TV Guide reports.

An ABC Studios spokesperson confirms that the actor's contract option has not been picked up, but declined further comment.

One insider, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, speculated that the decision was likely due only in part to the T.R. Knight homophobic slur scandal and the subsequent fallout. "There was a pattern of problematic behavior going back before he used the F-word. I imagine [his dismissal] was the result of all of that."

Washington's rep, Howard Bragman, confirmed the news, adding that his client was informed by Grey's executive producer Shonda Rhimes earlier today that he was not being invited back to the show. In a statement, Washington, referencing the iconic line from Network, said, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." (He's kidding... I think.)

Plot-wise, it won't be difficult to explain Washington's absence. In last month's season finale, Burke left Cristina at the altar and moved out of their apartment.

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February 1, 2007

Sharon Stone & Tammy Lynn defend Isaiah Washington

In the latest news of Isaiah Washington/T.R. Knight "Grey's Anatomy" controversy, two actresses have gone public to express their support for Isaiah Washington, who is currently in anger management rehab for allegedly calling co-star T.R. Knight a �faggot,� and then using the offensive term again at the Golden Globes to deny that he ever said it.

Gay actress Tammy Lynn Michaels, partner of rock star Melissa Etheridge, defended the actor in a posting on her blog, Hollywood Farm Girl. She says the Isaiah Washington that she has come to know through playdates with their respective children �is not that man� described in the press as a hot-tempered, homophobic outcast.

She writes:

he is not a bad man ...
i forgive his words,
because truth be told
i do not believe
the word
faggot
lives in his heart

Sharon Stone has also come to Washington�s defense, telling the New York Post that his anger management deal is ridiculous.

"I've been called a b*tch - and a lot worse - for years. And you know what, so what? People who think that aren't going to change their minds. And I wouldn't dream of sending them to therapy to 'rehabilitate' their feelings. How absurd. Please, I call all my gay friends 'big fags'."

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January 23, 2007

Isaiah Washington to be fired

Isaiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy may be on his way out, eonline reports.

It was reported that a highly placed source within the Touchstone/ABC family said that ABC and Disney executives are currently considering the option of firing Isaiah Washington from Grey's Anatomy, effective immediately, without having him appear in any kind of farewell episode.

According to this reliable source, if the network does follow through with this option, the producers are likely to run a full-screen announcement at the beginning of the first Burke-less episode that announces Isaiah Washington is no longer part of the show.

The loss of Preston Burke is not an easy task for Grey's writing staff to deal with, given that he has a major storyline (including a life-changing event) coming in the next few episodes that airs during February sweeps. Those episodes have already been shot.

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January 19, 2007

Isaiah Washington issues statement on 'anti-gay' remarks

Isaiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy said he had "never" called gay castmate T.R. Knight "a faggot" at Monday's Golden Globes. Knight had earlier told Ellen DeGeneres that he had heard Washington use the term during a scuffle with Patrick Dempsey on the set of "Grey's Anatomy."

Isaiah Washington had seen issued a statement.

"I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on "Grey's Anatomy." I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help.

I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect, I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I've hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I've opened.

T.R.'s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity."

ABC has gotten around to responding to Isaiah Washington's use of a gay slur at the Golden Globes. The ABC statement, first reported by TV Guide, reads:

"We have a long-standing policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees. We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously, and his actions are unacceptable and are being addressed."