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Isaiah Washington: "I'm Saddened by the Outcome"
Isaiah Washington by Scott Garfield/ABC
Isaiah Washington is "saddened by the outcome" of events started last fall that led to him being let go by Grey's Anatomy. Echoing that which his rep told Ausiello last Friday, Washington tells Entertainment Weekly, "I did everything that the producers and the network asked me to do.... I thought that was going to speak for my future at Grey's, but apparently that wasn't the same vision [they] had for me."
Washington doesn't shed light on Grey'screator Shonda Rhimes' personal take on the sitch — "You have to understand that she's at the helm of one of the top-rated scripted shows" — nor does he say where things stand with him and T.R. Knight, instead saying, "You have to ask T.R. that."
As for how this scrape might impact his career, he says, "I have to go about the business of letting people know what's written about me is not the truth.... It's a horrible misunderstanding what transpired with our show, and it was blown out of proportion. If the naysayers out there feel that some justice has been served and they're happy with the outcome, so be it."
That said, he confirms that one network in particular is "very interested" in working with him, though it's probably not Logo. (Yep, stole that joke from someone on Ausiello's blog.)
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Jun 13, 2007 9:40 AM
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I hope things go well. He is an extremely talented actor - and I believe he has learned from his mistakes.
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Jun 13, 2007 10:26 AM
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What a crying shame that this happened.
This should have been a private matter,
but people just wont do that. TR is a homosexual and I wonder how many times this has happened with no backlash? I think this will change the dynamics of GA and perhaps ruin the show - and if so then SR deserves it for not being more of a person and going forward. Piss on her.
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Jun 13, 2007 10:58 AM
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He got what he deserved.
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Jun 13, 2007 11:06 AM
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I don't think he was fired just for what he said about T.R. He assaulted a co-worker and had a history of being difficult to work with. Most of his statements show that he still thinks he's better than the people around him, so I really don't think he learned anything from this situation, except not to use the "f word."
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Jun 13, 2007 11:07 AM
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"This should have been a private matter, but people just wont do that."
Oh grow up. Washington made it a public matter when he lied about the slur in front of dozens of reporters at the Golden Globes.
"TR is a homosexual and I wonder how many times this has happened with no backlash?"
So what are you saying, rebekahdene? That Knight deserved what happened to him?
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Jun 13, 2007 11:08 AM
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This is all so ridiculous. tvguide.com is really no more than star magazine reincarnated. I just read his interview over on cnn.com and his comments about shonda are in now way negative like tvguide is portraying it and they left out some stuff. It goes to show you can't believe everything you read. Isaiah Washington is talented and had been acting for a long time, he'll get other jobs. I doubt that T.R. Knight will be able to do the same. Actually this whole thing that was blown out of proportion from the start but you watch T R Knight career will not go any further than Grey's after all this thanks to media rags getting the story and running with it. Isiah has been railroaded and used as a scapegoat for saying something that I hear all the time but we all know why, because I doubt this would have gone this far if it was "McDreamy".
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Jun 13, 2007 11:11 AM
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Everybody seems to think this is all becasue of this one incident with TR Knight and calling him "faggot". Isn't it possible that somebody who would so freely throw around a word like that in the workplace might just be a royal pain in tha arse and an overall disruptive force on the set? I've read many reports that claim he was fired because of a pattern of behavior. And I haven't heard of any of his costars coming out to defend him. Granted I haven't read every article/interview but it seems like most people on the show are following the "If you can't say anything nice" line of thinking.
And for those who think he's done his penance and is now a changed man, sorry but two weeks in "rehab" doesn't cure a lifetime of bigotry and hate. If TR had called Washington the n word I have no doubt he wouldn't be so easily forgiven by most of the people who have forgiven Washington. And I have no doubt that Knight would also have been fired and they probably wouldn't have waited until the end of the season.
He may be a fine actor but it's alot more important to be a fine person.
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Jun 13, 2007 11:15 AM
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POLL stemming from desbrit's charge that I misrepesented IW's comments re: Shonda.... Here is the complete exchange:
Why do you think the decision was made by ABC? Was Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes happy about it?
I knew she was aware of the decision. But you have to understand that she's at the helm of one of the top-rated scripted shows on television.
So... did I?
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Jun 13, 2007 11:25 AM
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"I did everything that the producers and the network asked me to do...
This statement doesn't really speak well to Washington's sincerity either. He shouldn't have done whatever it is he claims to have done (I assume he is talking about rehab and the public service ads) because anyone asked him to. He should have done it because he realized what he did to TR Knight was wrong.
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Jun 13, 2007 11:26 AM
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I have to agree Buffy Freak. It sounds like he only did it because he had to not because he actually wanted to. I hope that he did learn something from this but his comments make me think otherwise.
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Jun 13, 2007 11:39 AM
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He sounds like a royal butthead, but many talented actors are. . .
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Jun 13, 2007 11:53 AM
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First, Matt, an answer to your question: Of course you didn't misrepresent Washington's comments on Rhimes!
Accusing the media (and anti-Washington posters here on TV Guide Online) of misrepresenting Washington is a tactic that has been used repeatedly by his supporters.
They really hate it when facts intrude upon their irrational attachment to this sad person.
This should have been a private matter... - rebekahdene
I know the Washington groupies are upset that some unpleasant realities have been revealed about their idol, but the truth is, this could never have been a private matter.
If the incident had never been reported, and ABC had fired Washington at the end of the season (with seemingly no explanation), the Washington fanatics would have been harassing ABC with demands for an explanation. It would have had to come out eventually.
But, the question is, why would anyone think this kind of behavior should be covered up?
Isaiah Washington is talented and had been acting for a long time, he'll get other jobs. I doubt that T.R. Knight will be able to do the same. - desbrit
I keep seeing this notion expressed from the Washington supporters, and it cracks me up every time.
That's some crystal ball you folks have. Do you have any stock tips for me?
You have no way of knowing what the post-Grey's Anatomy future holds for either, careerwise. But let's get real -- Washington is going to face a real uphill battle thanks to the reputation he created for himself.
Isiah has been railroaded and used as a scapegoat for saying something that I hear all the time... - desbrit
Classy group you hang around with.
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Jun 13, 2007 11:57 AM
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Poll vote: Seriously?
Since I cannot just leave it at that, I would say you just quoted it word for word and it really did not come across in a negative way in my opinion. I am not sure exactly where desbrit was coming from.
Desbrit's post did have a tinge of resentment to it though in speculating T.R. will not have a career past Grey's. Huh? I wonder what the basis for a sweeping statement like that is. I think they are both decent actors and will most likely both do fine in the future. I see T.R. having less controversy surrounding him though given Isaiah's past track record.
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Jun 13, 2007 12:03 PM
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i am sure there is more to this than we know. i am sad to see dr burke go. maybe he'll be back in a year, who knows? i trust shonda.....
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Jun 13, 2007 12:38 PM
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