Isaiah Washington was fired from the ABC hit show 'Grey's Anatomy.' TV Guide's Michael Ausiello first broke the story late Thursday night. In his article, Ausiello goes on to report that 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 Washington was informed by Grey's executive producer Shonda Rhimes on Thursday that he was not being invited back to the show.
In a statement, Washington, who played Dr. Preston Burke, said "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore."
Hopefully he was just kidding with his statement because he can't blame anyone but himself for getting the boot.
And spare me the "He made a statement and apologized so what's the big deal" excuse.
If that's the case, explain the uproar over Don Imus?
The African-American community couldn't wait to get that man off the radio, but when one of our own drops an anti-gay slur, not once, but twice, we want to forgive and forget.
You can't have it both ways, folks.
Hopefully Rhimes will replace his character with another person of color and Washington will learn from his mistake and move on with his acting career.
Comments: (881)
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By: blkmarcus on 6/08/2007 1:39AM
yes thats what he gets, were no different from any other race. And maybe one day we will come to accept our selves and accept each other. We need to deal with our demons..
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By: BVRealtalker on 6/08/2007 1:39AM
Wow wee.
Markie, you may have hit the nail on the head.
But also struck a chord -- as usual -- with the blacks.
I do think Isaiah is taking the burden for the Don Imus controvery.
You know the way it works: An eye for an eye.
Something to think about for sure.
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By: King on 6/08/2007 7:05AM
We don't know what happen with Isaiah Washington or what he said only what was reported. But the world heard what Don Imus said. Don Imus had his own show and was on the radio for years. I am sure Don Imus will be back soon, but Washington may have truely hurt his career and the backlash he will see will be far greater.
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By: Alex M. on 6/08/2007 7:36AM
Another good post :)
Your posts have really been top-knotch the past few weeks.
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By: evie on 6/08/2007 9:49AM
just want to respond to kings'statement . we do know what ISAIAH said. he called T J KNIGHT a ; faggot. it was said to his face and on national TV . whats good for the goose is good for the gander , no matter what color it is.
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By: C. Benjamin on 6/08/2007 9:23AM
I think that's it for me. Grey's Anatomy has hit a sour note with me to much drama.
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By: Cheryl Giles on 6/08/2007 10:39AM
I will not be watching channel 7 Grey's Anatomy any longer, if they were going to fire him they should have done it when he made the statement, but because they needed him for the shows ending they used him for their own gain.
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By: Wendy on 6/08/2007 11:00AM
I don't think Isaiah Washington should have been fired. He is a great actor and was a big part of what attracted me to the show. I probably won't be watching Grey's Anatomy next season. I would like to know whether there will in fact be a spinoff show as suggested by the last few episodes. I would love to see Taye Diggs on a weekly drama.
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By: djed on 6/08/2007 11:00AM
I am very sorry that our society has come to bickering and name calling. We as a people should know what's acceptable and what's not. I am not talking about politically correct, but God correct. It does not matter what he said, she said. It does matter what is interjected in the face of people as a whole publicly and privately. Let's keep life as simplistic as we can and live to get along with everyone as much as possible.
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By: John Strader on 6/08/2007 11:04AM
Imus will be back, Washington will be banned for life. He should have been fired when it happened, this is all about making the dollars. Isaiah has become waste product for the almight profit machine.
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