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Isaiah Washington Says Patrick Dempsey Agrees T.R. Knight Should Be Fired
Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey by Karen Neal/ABC
Sorry, Heigl: he's still not not speaking. Though Isaiah Washington says he is "trying real hard not to incite an unnecessary war" among his former Grey's Anatomy cast mates, he has given a new interview in which he propels a claim that T.R. Knight is as much to blame for the aftermath of the October 9 on-set fracas. Washington even says that no less than "McDreamy" would concur. Positing that Knight had been "very tactical" in seeking to get Washington — if not Patrick Dempsey, as well — off the ABC drama, Washington tells gay-rights activist/BET host Keith Boykin, "I know Patrick Dempsey has supported me by stating that if there is anyone that needs to be fired, it is T.R. Knight, because he has created such a negative environment on the set." (Dempsey's publicist has not yet responded to TVGuide.com's requests for comment.)
At the crux of Knight's alleged campaign is a feeling that "he has not been treated and given the same 'leading man' kinds of story lines" as his peers playing Burke and Derek, that "[George] was being treated very caricature-ish and dopey,” says Washington. Empowered by his costar's semi-private (and then very public) use of the F-word, Knight leveraged his bosses into beefing up his role. Says Washington, "That's why you see his character changing so significantly," becoming this "uber he-man that’s sleeping with everyone."
Washington says that Shonda Rhimes and the Grey's brass "are not happy" about Knight's alleged tactics, and "think that something has gone awfully awry with [T.R.'s] stability." "I can freely say this now, because I am no longer a Disney employee and I am no longer gagged," Washington says. "Everyone [from] the producers all the way up to [the studio] is very disappointed in the behavior of T.R. Knight."
POLL: Do you believe there is any truth to the story that T.R. Knight used the F-word incident to get his role beefed up? Vote here.
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Jun 25, 2007 11:31 AM
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when is this going to end? why do we care? just bring me good television each thursday night and i'll worry about my own problems.
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Jun 25, 2007 11:43 AM
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Wow.... this is getting seriously weird.
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Jun 25, 2007 11:48 AM
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sadly, all this bickering back and forth is doing is taking away from my enjoyment of the show. it's much harder to focus on the characters when the actors personal lives are so intrusive
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Jun 25, 2007 11:50 AM
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I think it's really cool that he chose to pull Patrick Dempsey down with him. Way to go! Let the man speak for himself!
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Jun 25, 2007 11:52 AM
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OH....MY.....GOSH
Mr. Washington (and I am being very polite) needs to just quit talking. I feel that he is digging himself a deeper hole the more he talks. Give it a rest already.
Now, he has the gall to say that Patrick Dempsey "supported" him. Wow, that takes some BRASS ones to say that. Wonder what of if Mr. Dempsey will have a response to this.
For someone not wanting to "stir the pot", he is doing a wonderful job of that. Someone take that spoon away from him!!
Mr. Washington, you have BITTEN the hand that fed you and you have pooped in your own nest. It is time that you move on.....quietly. Thanks
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Jun 25, 2007 11:55 AM
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God, SERIOUSLY, when will this end? I mean, I thought everyone was being childish and immature before, but this is getting completely out of control. Is Isaiah Washington seven years old?! LET IT GO, MAN. It's over. Making a bigger and bigger deal out of this whole thing is hurting your career, T.R. Knight's career, and the show. No one is coming out of this a winner.
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Jun 25, 2007 12:10 PM
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Well, considering the "performance" at the Golden Globes and the last almost two weeks of less than pristine (cough) behavior. Kind of makes one wonder just WHOSE "stability has gone awfully awry" Protesting much??
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Jun 25, 2007 12:12 PM
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Please... make it stop... can't... take it... anymore...
[Said with my very best "Captain Kirk" voice]
Seriously, between our two favorite martyrs (Paris and Isaiah), I dunno who is worse. Maybe they should get married and live in Martyrland and name their kids Martyrdee and Martyrdom.
Enough with the self-pity. Time to move along now, k?
[insert rolling eyeballs smiley face here]
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Jun 25, 2007 12:27 PM
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Blackball Washington, I say. I wish they would have arrested him when he punched and choked Dempsey.
I'm glad that everyone's option has been picked up, with raises given to all .. with the exception of Washington. What a nut job.
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Jun 25, 2007 12:29 PM
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He’s like the “stupid-comment energizer bunny”. He just keeps going, and going, and going. Sadly, nothing outlasts the energizer (I know my tolerance gave up on that race long ago)
As for his comments, I know when I have a problem employee my reaction is usually to fire someone else altogether and then raise the problem employee’s salary. That’s just good business.
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Jun 25, 2007 12:32 PM
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For the record, I am not any kind of supporter of Washington. In fact, I don't care one way or another about him. I am a gay male who thinks this has all been blown way out of proportion.
However, we have been forced to see Washington in the "villain" role since the beginning. It's easy to tell him to shut up now, but any of us in the same position would defend ourselves to the death. What if there is validity to his claims? I don't think it's fair to listen to one side, then tell the other side to shut up.
In my case, he's planted a seed of doubt - maybe T.R. is partly at fault himself. The country is beating up on Isiah, but we all admittedly only have a fraction of the story. I don't pity Washington, but I do think he deserves the same forum to speak as those who are against him have had.
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Jun 25, 2007 12:32 PM
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Yikes! Nothing says "doesn't play well with others" like antics like this. Seriously, this hurts IW's credibility and I would think future marketability as well. Who would want to hire/work with him now?
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Jun 25, 2007 12:38 PM
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Valid claims or not - Washington is still guilty of the slur!
No Excuses!
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Jun 25, 2007 12:41 PM
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I think it's fabulously interesting.
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Jun 25, 2007 12:51 PM
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