Grey's Fires Isaiah Washington
06-08-07 | 12:37 AM
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Grey's Fires Isaiah Washington
Exclusive! Grey's Fires Isaiah Washington
Yeah, you read that headline correctly.
Multiple sources are telling me that Isaiah Washington will not be returning to Grey's Anatomy next season. 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," says my spy. "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.
Personally, I think ABC did the right thing. As much as I'll miss Burke, Washington's behavior was inexcusable and it was tearing apart the show. But enough about me and my opinion, what do you think of ABC's decision to fire Isaiah? Sound off below...
Yeah, you read that headline correctly.
Multiple sources are telling me that Isaiah Washington will not be returning to Grey's Anatomy next season. 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," says my spy. "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.
Personally, I think ABC did the right thing. As much as I'll miss Burke, Washington's behavior was inexcusable and it was tearing apart the show. But enough about me and my opinion, what do you think of ABC's decision to fire Isaiah? Sound off below...
06-08-07 | 12:43 AM
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The one they really need to fire is Marti "Satan" Noxon.
It's too bad Isaiah Washington's behavior led to his firing. Burke was one of the few remaining interesting characters on the show.
It's too bad Isaiah Washington's behavior led to his firing. Burke was one of the few remaining interesting characters on the show.
06-08-07 | 04:48 AM
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Oh well, you gotta watch what you say and how you act on the job. You can't be gettin' into fights and calling people names. Chances are if someone had called him or another Black actor ********** he'd be one of voices demanding somenone get punished.
06-08-07 | 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Giantrobo
Oh well, you gotta watch what you say and how you act on the job. You can't be gettin' into fights and calling people names. Chances are if someone had called him or another Black actor ********** he'd be one of voices demanding somenone get punished.
06-08-07 | 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by gatoinfeliz
Marti Noxon is involved in this show?! That would explain a lot...
Originally Posted by MrX
She's leaving to run the Addison spinoff in the fall
06-08-07 | 07:45 AM
#10
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Good. Anybody who's stupid enough to talk like that in public doesn't deserve to be on TV. Besides that though, his character was actually interesting this last arc of the season. But I do agree with the above poster that the show is on the decline already.
06-08-07 | 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Doughboy
It's too bad Isaiah Washington's behavior led to his firing.
06-08-07 | 09:19 AM
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How about people just you know... 'Get over It!' I hate Grey's Anatomy, It's overrated beyond belief & is no ER (or old ER) & If people are saying the show is declining in quality & its only in its fourth season-Thats pathetic, ER went on for 9-10 seasons before seeing that dip in the quality.
I actually don't mind Isaiah Washington, He is the only person that is on that show that I can stand to look at & heres the big question....
What the fuck happened to free speech? I may not agree with what he said, Same with Richards but they can say whatever they want. Althrough this is what happens when you do so I guess If you want to leave a TV show just say something racist and your gone!
I actually don't mind Isaiah Washington, He is the only person that is on that show that I can stand to look at & heres the big question....
What the fuck happened to free speech? I may not agree with what he said, Same with Richards but they can say whatever they want. Althrough this is what happens when you do so I guess If you want to leave a TV show just say something racist and your gone!
06-08-07 | 09:55 AM
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From: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
It's not a free speech issue - the government isn't involved here. Can you go around and say anything you want (particularly something racist) where you work without any repercussions?
06-08-07 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by nateman241
What the fuck happened to free speech? I may not agree with what he said, Same with Richards but they can say whatever they want. Althrough this is what happens when you do so I guess If you want to leave a TV show just say something racist and your gone!
There's a price for free speech. Don Imus won't be thrown in jail for what he said about the women's basketball team, but he lost his job. Fuzzy Zoeller is still allowed to play golf after his stupid remark about Tiger Woods, but he lost endorsements. Rosie O'Fat can make fun of Chinese people and accuse our government of being behind 9/11, but she's no longer hosting The View as a result of it.
06-08-07 | 12:21 PM
#16
Is "fired" the right term for this?
He must have been a real dick to work with. Right or wrong, as stupid as his comments were, I doubt they let him go over just that, especially when he's one of the only characters on the show who doesn't suck.
das
He must have been a real dick to work with. Right or wrong, as stupid as his comments were, I doubt they let him go over just that, especially when he's one of the only characters on the show who doesn't suck.
das
06-08-07 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by nateman241
How about people just you know... 'Get over It!' I hate Grey's Anatomy, It's overrated beyond belief & is no ER (or old ER) & If people are saying the show is declining in quality & its only in its fourth season-Thats pathetic, ER went on for 9-10 seasons before seeing that dip in the quality.
Also, again IMO ER was not good until season 9, it started to go downhill dramatically at the end of season 6 and by season 7 it just wasn't the same show at all.
06-08-07 | 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Doughboy
Rosie O'Fat can make fun of Chinese people and accuse our government of being behind 9/11, but she's no longer hosting The View as a result of it.
If she wanted to return, ABC would take her back on The View in a heartbeat.
Last edited by rfduncan; 06-08-07 at 04:16 PM.
06-08-07 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by rfduncan
Where did that come from? -hscratch-
If she wanted to return, ABC would take her back on The View in a heartbeat.
If she wanted to return, ABC would take her back on The View in a heartbeat.
06-08-07 | 04:13 PM
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I see Rosie has already been broached, so I don't feel as bad as I was going to for suggesting that given the new NBC guy's interest in Rosie, he should really try to get some reality show greenlit featuring Rosie and Isiah Washington. Talk about fireworks city.
06-08-07 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by nateman241
What the fuck happened to free speech?
Riiight. Try going to work and yelling a slur at one of your co-workers, then complain about free speech when they send you packing. Go ahead.
Amazing the number of people who seem to think freedom of speech refers to the ability to say anything to anyone in any venue and not have to deal with any consequences whatsoever.
06-08-07 | 04:18 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by Doughboy
The Chinese thing was an isolated incident, and she did offer a halfassed apology later. But the 9/11 conspiracy theories were an ongoing thing on the show. Do a YouTube search and you're bound to come up with tons of clips of her insane ramblings.
06-08-07 | 04:26 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by critterdvd
It hasn't gone down in quality IMO, the story lines have just been ALOT darker the last 10 episode or so, and thus its not the happy-go-lucky it was in the past.