Isaiah Washington and Grey's Anatomy?!
Question:
Isaiah Washington and Grey's Anatomy?
What is the whole deal with Washington and Knight? I don't know the whole story because I don't read up on it or watch the celeb news or anything. So, can someone please send me an article or explain what happened that was so bad to get Washington fired??? I liked him as Dr. Burke on Grey's Anatomy and I'm kinda sad for Christina now that she doesn't have anyone. Please help me understand!!!
Answers: In October 2006 as season 3 began, the show's actors attracted media attention when Washington was alleged to have referred to another cast member as a "******" during an on-set altercation with Patrick Dempsey. This cast member transpired to be T.R. Knight who came out about his sexual orientation following media speculation. While Washington denied using the word, he issued a public statement apologizing for his "unfortunate use of words." The controversy later reignited at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards. After the show won for Best Drama Series, the cast and crew appeared in the pressroom to answer reporters' questions. While creator Shonda Rhimes was being asked about the incident, Washington unexpectedly stepped in front of the microphone and stated: "No, I did not call T.R. a ******." (The Hollywood Foreign Press Association placed the footage on their website) Afterwards, in an interview with Access Hollywood, Katherine Heigl criticised Washington for revisiting the incident publicly and using the slur in the pressroom, and said "he needs to just not speak in public. Period." Later that week, Knight appeared on Ellen DeGeneres' daytime talkshow and said he and others had heard Washington use the slur during the October incident. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation then called on Washington to apologize. Network executives went on to reprimand Washington, who then agreed to undergo counseling and issued a statement saying: "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." In an effort to try to come clean with the viewers, Washington surprisingly checked into a residential treatment facility to undergo a psychological assessment for the slur.
However, on June 7, 2007 ABC announced they had decided not to renew Washington's contract, and that he would be dropped from the show. "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore," Washington said in a statement released by his publicist.
He has also spoken out about the controversy and said that "I have to clear my name. I'll start from the beginning. I'm telling everything. So here's the truth ... I used the word during a disagreement with Patrick Dempsey. I apologized for that. We shook hands and went back to work." He has also stated that it was Knight who spun the slur into a personal attack, alleging it may have been to increase his salary or storylines and is considering legal action. He has stated that Patrick Dempsey will support him in saying the previous statement.
Since then Isaiah Washington has spoken about the firing and has said that he was not mad but "saddened" by his firing. He also said that if he was asked to make a cameo on the show, he would not hesitate to say "yes". Source(s):
wikipedia He said some racist things about being gay and Knight is gay....and then Patrick stepped in and after that his career(Washington) was done. Washington made a real negative comment about Knight being gay. He did not realize Knight heard the comment. Tensions rose and I guess the powers that be...thought it best t let Washington go. what happened was that Washington said a gay slur and that made T.R uncomfortable,and he came out as gay. then he had problems with others on the set, and he went to rehab cuz he kept saying gay slurs. then, it was up to the creator and ABC to decide if it was okay to keep him on, seeing as how he created a uncomfortable enviroment for others. so they fired him. now, the actors are saying the mood on the set is much lighter. There was a fight on the set last year and IW called TRK a "******". IW went to counseling and did some PSA's and everything seemed okay until the some award show...I think it was the People's Choice Awards or maybe the SAG's (but I'm not sure)...where IW stuck his foot in it and announced to the world that he did not call TRK a ******...even though he had.
As it goes, that drew the line for the producers and they saw the opportunity to release him from his contract...or not renew his contract. Which is sad. He should have learned to keep his big mouth shut. I really enjoyed his performance on the show and thought his character was one of the most well defined ones on Grey's Anatomy. He's going to be missed this season.