You Tell Us: Should Isaiah Be Fired from 'Grey's Anatomy?'

January 18, 2007 | Television


It’s the real-life battle that’s dividing the cast of TV’s top drama, “Grey’s Anatomy.”

“He called me a faggot,” T.R. Knight said of Isaiah Washington to talk show queen Ellen DeGeneres.

Now, T.R.’s explosive accusation against his “Grey’s” co-star could cost Isaiah his job, according to TV Guide Consulting Editor Mary Murphy.

“He may have put them in a position where there’s nothing else they can do,” Murphy said. “I think that there’s an easy way to write him out. He’s already been marginalized, and I’m sure he’s very angry about that. I’m sure that’s part of what went on with him.”

Even the show’s loyal fans have expressed their frustration on the “Extra” website, posting comments like, “It’s time Mr. Washington goes home,” “Time to recast” and “Shame on him.”

Late Thursday, ABC told "Extra" : “We have a long standing policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees. We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously. His actions are unacceptable and are being addressed.”

However, Isaiah maintains the ordeal “really was blown out of proportion.”

The controversy has continued to shine the spotlight on the married father of three and former military man who starred in a string of Spike Lee films before “Grey’s” made him a household name.

The downside of that fame? Isaiah blames the press for keeping the controversy alive.

“I need to get some shares in some magazines because they made a hell of a lot of money,” Isaiah joked.

Meanwhile, co-star Katherine Heigl told “Extra” that what the once close-knit cast now needs is closure.

“It just needs to stop,” she said. “T.R. is my best friend in the world, and I’m not cool with his feelings being hurt.”

Click an image to see the “Grey’s Anatomy” photo gallery

comments

zvaytwe jsrft efrx mrxynlpd buxoh rzgbs ucjx

gpfbzv mcuxwf
November 14, 2008

zvaytwe jsrft efrx mrxynlpd buxoh rzgbs ucjx

gpfbzv mcuxwf
November 14, 2008

Nah, they shouldnt fire him as he only expressed the feelings of many Americans. While we shouldnt discriminate against gays, we should have the right to tell them what we think just as we would tell any other man. Their is no in between, you eighter produce testosterones, If you are a man , or you produce Estrogen if you are a woman, everything else is a learned character. I think Gays are sick. We need to bring back Sigman Fraud to help those who would continue to twist the meaning of gay to fit their desires.

Nate
January 19, 2008

Yep, just like I said - it was a matter of time before he got fired from the show. Hopefully this will be a lesson to him and enable him to learn to respect people especially those that he works with. Maybe this incident will open the eyes of so many other rude and disrespectful Americans in the workplace. It’s great to see that many celebrities are being held responsible for their own actions. I was very happy to see Paris Hilton sit in the cold jail cell even if just for a few days - she got a taste of what it is all about. Britney Spears now needs to be awaken to what she is lacking when it comes to child rearing.

“It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
— Kahil Gibran

Sonia Mangual
September 20, 2007

YES! He was fired! Ha ha ha!

Sonia
August 14, 2007

Thank you Isaish-

I am an African American Male married to an Asian woman for 10 years.
You have no idea how much racism we have to deal with in this so called color blind society.

Support Asia’s interest in Africa!


spacemanwalkth
July 11, 2007

Unfair treatment. He was wrong to make the comment. Isiah was told to apologize, get treatment, and make positive ads dealing with the situation. He did and then he was fired. Hello, something is wrong with that picture. Two wrongs don’t make a right. What happen to helping out a person with a negative mind set on any group of people be it color or personal sexual preverance. Isiah should have not been fired. TK seems to be milking this for all that it’s worth is this right? (shades of Rosie)I We now live in a country where a group of beautiful young ladies can be called one of the most disgusting names a women can be called by a man that had also prior to that comment referanced two sisters who play fantastic tennis in a horrible racial slur and he received little to no press on the first slur and on his most recent utterance, his fans gave the excuse was given that he was just repeating a slang of what has always been said. I too see a double standard.

JJ
July 9, 2007

Look they are wrong for firing him. It is called freedom of speech. Right or wrong! How come T.J. can come out and say whatever he wants and hes standing up for him rights. Bull! If you fire people for something they say then everyone in the country better watch out. Whether you agree with what he said or not doesn’t matter. I am sure Isaiah has had racist comments thrown at him. The point is he has the right to say anything he wants and not be fired for it. He is a great character on the show. It will be a shame to lose him. Their are other people in this situation at fault. Isaiah is fired for saying something. Everyone on the show who said something about the situation should be fired too. T.J has been all over the tv saying harmful things about Isaiah. Why hasn’t he been fired. Because he has the right of freedom of speech. Good luck Isaiah. Good luck Grey’s Anatomy without him. The show will suffer for it. Maybe what he said was or wasn’t wrong. But as an AMERICAN he did have the right to say it and not lose his job. So what he made people mad. People get mad everyday at what others say. They don’t lose their job for it. You got to ask yourself, why was T.J being gay such a big secret anyway? Not many people is any knew before all this crap came out. So was he truly mad at what Isaiah said or that he outed him to the world?

Heather
July 6, 2007

We can never know exactly what happened and who offended who. Thus, it would be good if people tried to spare their judgments rahter than talk and criticize all over. If Mr.Washington used a slur etc etc, the show producers and authorities should’ve taken appropriate measures. Nevertheless, without Dr.Burke, the show really won’t be the same. He was a great and strong character, and I’ll mis his relationship with Cristina.

Jenny
July 4, 2007

Thank you Isaiah, I am an African American man married 10 years to an Asian woman. Your character as far as I am concerned more then you will ever know helped us navigate this stream of hatred.

You have no idea the racism we have to deal with in this so-called color blind society. What is equally sad is that this black woman who was forced to fire you did not stand up for you and walk off the show.

Everyday we African Americans are told to get over one of the most horrific crimes against humanity, slavery. Why couldn’t they get over alittle slur which you obviously apologized for.

I want you to know Isaiah that I to know what its like to have a prsence with white Americans. I know that trick too, O you’re to big” O you’re scary” O you scare me. Yea sure I know Isaiah, You scare them but menawhile lock up your house and check the windows because these people are known for hanging and shooting people in their drive ways, especially those white girls with 2 or more brothers, makes you wonder if someone liked you , doesn’t it? I been there, maybe next time, if there is , and your not married, you might wanna screw one of those white girls. Because the white race don’t respect black families, and could care less if you work and make a living. Keep your head up, remain quiet, note your friends, remember the roles of some black! remember!
This is a slave culture, and you have no outside authority to shore up your side of the story, you’re not Irish, You’re no Italian. If you have an Opportunity to introduce just alittle support, you better get it.

If Al sharpton wants to come in for you, you better get it!
if Jesse Jackson wants to come in for you, do so quietly and allow then to be your mouth piece. It’s so sad that I see to many Black men who mean well misunderstood because they are to altruistic. There’s a story called The ‘Count of Monticello.” and another called, Othello.
Then we have the fictional story called The atlantic slave trade.

Now I dont think calling people out their names is ever appropriate but I don’t think its fair for opportunist to get a free ride to ride you out the business when you have a life time of up standing work.

You are not a thief, a murderer, molester, pimp or dug dealer, you are a descent ambitious confident person who happens to be black.

Just today a crook had his sentenced commuted for obstruction of justice and perjury.

And why do they want to see you crawl and beg for mercy?
because your a weak man without nation, and a pasrt of a group of people who will not say enough is enough! God Bless you in your country.


spacemanwalkth
July 3, 2007

He should be fired. Race has nothing to do with his homophobic slur. I am African American. I don’t like when people try to intimidate or embarrass me because of my race. I don’t believe Mr. Thomas has the right to use such strong, hate-filled words against a co-worker. I believe they were used to cause pain, embarrassment or intimidation. Such comments are also made by people who feel superior than others and that they have a right to harbor such attitudes. I don’t know what the hell went through that man’s head, but he needs to be stopped. I also hope he doesn’t get to work in a little while. I’ve lost a lot of respect for him.

Freddie Manuel
June 20, 2007

Dr Burke had actually one of the strongest role on the show. He was kind and caring- He was only interested in 1 woman and you didn’t see him sitting in a bar. It’s a shame when a black actor’s character with values is written out of a show. If his character had been a black person with no moral he would still be in the show. I don’t think I have the desire to watch next season. The show would have been better without George or Izzy

Sue
June 12, 2007

Dr Burke had actually one of the strongest role on the show. He was kind and caring- He was only interested in 1 woman and you didn’t see him sitting in a bar. It’s a shame when a black actor’s character with values is written out of a show. If his character had been a black person with no moral he would still be in the show. I don’t think I have the desire to watch next season. The show would have been better without George or Izzy

Sue
June 12, 2007

It’s a shame that the producers and Mr. Washington could not come to terms.
with the incendent, if it is true Mr. Washington said those words, then it should be dealt with. Behind close doors not in the public. Have Mr. Washington and Mr. Knight tried to talk things over. Mr.Washington owes
Mr. Knight an apology, if he said all
those harmful words. This is such a great show I would hate for drastic changes to be made in the 4th season!

Carol Cager
June 8, 2007

It’s a shame that the producers and Mr. Washington could not come to terms.
with the incendent, if it is true Mr. Washington said those words, then it should be dealt with. Behind close doors not in the public. Have Mr. Washington and Mr. Knight tried to talk things over. Mr.Washington owes
Mr. Knight an apology, if he said all
those harmful words. This is such a great show I would hate for drastic changes to be made in the 4th season!

Carol Cager
June 8, 2007

It’s a shame that the producers and Mr. Washington could not come to terms.
with the incendent, if it is true Mr. Washington said those words, then it should be dealt with. Behind close doors not in the public. Have Mr. Washington and Mr. Knight tried to talk things over. Mr.Washington owes
Mr. Knight an apology, if he said all
those harmful words. This is such a great show I would hate for drastic changes to be made in the 4th season!

Carol Cager
June 8, 2007

It’s a shame that the producers and Mr. Washington could not come to terms.
with the incendent, if it is true Mr. Washington said those words, then it should be dealt with. Behind close doors not in the public. Have Mr. Washington and Mr. Knight tried to talk things over. Mr.Washington owes
Mr. Knight an apology, if he said all
those harmful words. This is such a great show I would hate for drastic changes to be made in the 4th season!

Carol Cager
June 8, 2007

He should be fired. As a public figure he has a responsibility to sensor his language in public settings. For all of you that use the freedom of speech argument that is rediculous. Freedom of speech implies your ability to speak your mind without being criminally charged. He can obviously say what he wants, but saying stupid things like the F word have social consequences. Discrimination is discrimination and should never be tolerated.

adrienne
June 7, 2007

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rae
June 5, 2007

No, he should NOT loose his job. He is human, just like the rest of us and he made a mistake (an error in judgement) as we all do. Give him and the rest of the crew a break and let them get on with the show!

Doris
April 20, 2007
post comment


(not displayed)


Back to Top »