He Had It Coming!
Filed under: TV News > Isaiah Washington
Isaiah Washington deserved to be fired, says Shonda Rhimes.
The Grey's Anatomy creator and executive producer is finally speaking out about the recently fired star.
TV Guide: How difficult was it for you to let Isaiah go, on a personal level?
Shonda Rhimes: It wasn't. It was a decision that was a long time coming, and it felt like it was the right decision for all of us.
So the decision to fire Isaiah was not something that was imposed on you?
Rhimes: The great thing about [ABC Studios head] Mark Pedowitz and [ABC president] Steve McPherson is they never imposed anything on me.
So you agreed with the decision?
Rhimes: Of course I did.
Do you understand that there were people that interpreted this as you turning a homophobic incident into a racial incident?
Rhimes: I do now. Absolutely. But I do think that [specific] discussion was disturbing to me — as disturbing as the entire incident that happened for T.R. and Isaiah.
In retrospect, do you wish you had spoken out sooner about the whole thing?
Rhimes: Here's the thing: I know for you guys it's incredibly frustrating that I didn't say something. And I'm kind of sorry, because I know you guys have stories to tell. For me, the story we have to tell is the story of the show, and my instinct when something like this happened is to sort of close the doors and hunker down with people who are my family and protect them as much as possible. The outside world became far less important to me than those people I work with every day, and making sure that those people I work with are OK. I wasn't worried about the outside world. The outside world's not something that I can control. But the people I work with every day were. And I really was spending my time dealing with that, not dealing with whether or not I should make a statement.
How are things between you and T.R. now?
Rhimes: We're good. I feel like everybody is working really well together. T.R. is doing some amazing work. We're moving forward. We're excited about the stories we're telling this season. It feels like they're fresh…. And we're going with the idea that we want to have a little bit more fun this season.
[Image via Celebrity Babylon.]
1st
being homophobe is not fuckin cool at all BUT GET OFF HIS ASS, WHITE PEOPLE FUCK UP ALL THE TIME!!!
3rd
WELL PUT!
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Well…it doesn't matter what she say now..because he isn't licking his wounds..he already have a NEW JOB..so get over it already! HE isn't the only one that hate gay people!
ugh, can't stand him!! glad that shonda finally spoke out about it though
perez im sad..you didnt look so good on geraldo just now…no shave? you didnt even comb your hair….ick
Silly Kneegrow.
OWNED
It's not cool to talk like that at a normal job but I'm sorry, I don't see what the big deal is with them being actors and all. Corporate America isn't Hollywood.
Dang Maang!!
LINDSAY IS A RACIST TOO
Good riddance! I hope his ass gets axed from his new show too.
people are just mad at him because he's not gay. he apologized (which he should'nt have )what more can he do?
why are people still discussing this? This is purely for promotional purposes. I was a fan of the show, but I think I will stop watching because it just all gets too old.
to # 15- he should die- he is a total loser, i hate him
blah blah blah. Shonda Rhimes has to give the I am not down with that negro speech,to appease the as she puts it " you guys" population. Their vile blood lust is never quenched. DEVILS!
WTF is the big fucking deal?
Okay so he hates gays.
You can't fucking fire everyone just for having an opinion you don't like.
WTF. Stupid over-emotional assholes. Get a clue.
She's really left him with egg on his face, if even she won't back-up his race-card crap anymore. I think she's backpedaling, not really being honest, but it's still fab that she's left that asshole out to dry.
WTF is the big fucking deal?
Okay so he hates gays.
You can't fucking fire everyone just for having an opinion you don't like.
WTF. Stupid over-emotional assholes. Get a clue.
Hi, I am Shonda Rhimes, I am scared of people, so I have to boot my own African American brother for the simple fact that we as people are not close. That is why we are so f*cked up in our societies.
Shonda Rhimes was TOLD to fire him, because she doesn't speak for herself.
She sold him out, because it was either him or her. She let this get out of hand, but instead of dealing with this in house, or addressing it immediately, she allowed them to keep running off at the mouth . She's a black woman, with a top rated show on a major network, she was not going to jeporadize that with Washington's drama.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN
Have to tell you some of the comments on this websight really make me wonder what the hell is wrong with people. The point is not that he is the only one who hates gay people, believe me the world is well aware of the effects that bigotry has, not to mention complete stupidity. It's not about Isiah, it's really not even about gay people, it's about why this stuff is happening at all and the fact that if we are going to survive it has got to stop. We have to stop judging people and hating them just because they do not fit into our own specific little mold. It's about learning to accept peole for who or what they are. People like Isiah can not be allowed without being called on it to go around and put down, mock or belittle people just because they don't want to understand who they are. This seems to be a lsesson we are never going to learn and all the violence & hatred it inpsires will just be left to grow and grow. We are all human and all deserve to be whatever and whoever it may be that makes us lead productive and happy lives, and no one has the right to take that away from anybody and keep it for themselves.
Your girl, Paris Hilton routinely used hateful language directed against homosexuals and ethnic minorities.
So what do you think Paris Hilton has coming to her?
You want to see a man hung because he used inappropriate language ( see post number 17), you're the one with the problem.
#25 buffy boy:
what are YOU talking about? It IS about him. If it was anyone else they couldn't be fired because of a personal belief. He actually did nothing wrong. He just has a certain opinion. My point is you can't and PEOPLE DONT get fired for merely having opinions that others don't agree with. THAT isn't fair.
I am all for gay rights but I am not the rule maker so even though there should be equality that doesn't I am right and he is wrong (merely our differing opinions) and it doesn't mean you can somehow try and force people to see gays as okay by bullying them and firing them etc etc.
That is not going to make them change their mind, it's going to make them keep their controversial thoughts to themselves in future. But they will still have them, just not say them out loud. That is in some ways even worse.
Thanks to the attention of sites like this, hes now a commodity in the biz and just landed two big new gigs.
Meanwhile TR Knight has to settle for the least paid, least interesting and most stale role in a dying series.
PEREZ! LET IT GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!
I wii not watch this show again. It was an awful thing to say but don't you think everybody needs a second chance. He and Sandra Oh were the best. Too bad T.R. Knight couldn't forgive. Won't be the same without him.
ugh, i everytime i read an interview by that woman it just goes "wah wah wah"
what a cunt.
she's ruining grey's, somebody really needs to take over!!!!!
Number 28, nice post but typical. You missed the point entirely. Just goes to show exactly what I am saying. His behavior was wrong and he should be punished for it. He somehow thought it is ok to lash out and spread hate whenever and wherever he likes, and obviously you agree because you would not want to to stop someone from comfirming the fact that some people deserve to be hated. Pathetic, if you ask me.
Booooooooring. Next.
i dOn't have any idea what tihs posting is talknig about PeReZ. dOes anyone? iS this big news in aMerica?
What Isaiah said was wrong, but he shouldn't have been fired for it. The fans must be mad, or Shonda Rhimes would not be doing damage control. I know I'm mad. I liked Dr. Burke.
#33 buffyboy
How typical of YOU.
If you can't come up with decent points and keep your emotions in check when discussing something, then just accuse the person of being a homophone/racist etc themself.
To anyone with a brain this method of arguing does not fly, but is an interesting way to try and distract (stupid) people.
she is dumb b*tch.. F*K the Fag, she should stick up for Black People… Go take a shit fatso.. Shonda (ghetto name) needs to stop acting like a dumb nappy headed ho!
lol stupid typos.
A homophobe not a homophone.
But I would not be surprised if I was called a homophobe who used a homophone..
I have been very emotional since Perezzy told me I need to get a blood test asap, his came back HIV+ apparently.
Knight gets an emmy nod and all of a sudden she comes out against Washington. Why now? Trying to save a stupid show that jumped the shark already. This should be a lesson to all producers, tell your actors to keep their high school s*** behind the scenes and not try to get viewers on "your side".
THATS right this guy is like a totall dickhead in they gay world, hillarious!
I vow to boycott the Bionic Woman because hate-monger homophobe Isiah Washington will be on the show. I hope everyone joins me in this effort to get him out of show business forever.
yeah.. way to go.
I'm sure they will flounder because they will be down by 1 viewing figure (yours)
Now there's a cause to be proud of. How brave and bold you are to go as far as to just not put a tv channel on. What an inspiration you are to us all
We want Rev Al Sharpton to condemm this guy for what he did, to expose him for being a homophobic and insulting his friend on the set. We want equal punishment for bigots no matter what color they are.
But Al Sharpton will not said shit about this bigot, because this bigot is black. Blacks can get away with murder (Simpson) in Al Sharpton's world.
FUCK HIM AN THIS BASTARD TOO.
Mr. Washington was punished for using a homophobic slur.
He was made to attend anger management classes and taped a public service announcement against hate speech, and after, his contract was still not renewed by Disney.
you want to see a man, destroyed- not punished.
you want to see man hung, not punished or reprimanded, YOU PEOPLE are the one with the problem.
Washington was out of line a, for fighting with his costars ( Patrick Dempsey) b. for using the f word on set and during a Q&A at the 2007 Emmy's.
But I can't support a Jihad against someone who behaved badly, you're just as messed up as Washington is.
Michelle, you're actually completely wrong. BuffyBoy is correct. In fact, Washington was not fired for a belief. He was fired for making a slur. He wasn't discussing gayness in a general conversation; he made a slur. And there have been plenty of people who have been fired over making slurs, including Don Imus and numerous others, so your statement is false. What some of you do appear to be saying, including "B*TCH*, is that it's okay to be prejudiced if you're of another race or whatever. But it's not. No one should be allowed to spew such bigotry at others, not white people, not anyone.
P.S. Did you notice the slur I made in my name, Michelle? Hmm, do you think it's appropriate? Did you care for it? No, I think not…
Devore, I'm guessing if that's your line of reasoning, then Don Imus shouldn't have been taken to task and nor should Mel Gibson. Both met with leaders of the groups they slurred and tried to make amends, but no one said there was some Jihad out to get them (an incorrect use of the word, by the way).
He is one ugly mud duck
GAY PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT DO BE GAY AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS…SOMETIMES I THINK GAY PEOPLE FORGET STRAIGHT PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME RIGHT. NOTHING PERSONAL.
I am not a racist, but like Whites, Asians, Jews, Latinos, and every other race in the world, WE HATE THE NIGS!
I like all other people though, I mean all people, not the monkeys.
if i was white or asian id hate black people too we understand "everyman"
# 52, your mother is a monkey.
It's too bad that monkey bitch didn't do the right thing and flush you down a toilet when she had the chance.
Here's hoping you are run over by a SUV one bright beautiful morning.
As a HUGE Grey's Anatomy fan I think the show is going to suffer from getting rid of Preston Burke (Isaiah's character), he really added to the show. This whole saga needs to end though, it's ridiculous, Isaiah apologized, and went to rehab, what that entails I don't know, it just seems like the cast and Shonda Rhimes are just slinging shit at Isaiah now that he's gone…
Number. 52: your mother is a monkey.
It's too bad that monkey bitch didn't do the right thing and flush you down a toilet when she had the chance.
Here's hoping you are run over by a SUV one bright beautiful morning.
@48+49….. aka genius who also likes to think they are very witty.
I don't keep a list of slurs handy myself, and I have deleted the rest of what I was going to reply to you because you're not worth it. But believe me it was scathing and I would have obliterated you.
FYI : I don't even know who the fuck "YOU" are.
Try posting under ONE NAME you fucking douche.
You are the fucking racist one if you are assuming that I am somehow sticking up for this guy because he happens to be black. WTF is that all about ? How does that make any sense? I never mentioned his race at all, and I don't care. We were talking about being homophobic, which he was, and all I'm saying is that not liking gays or even HATING them is just an opinion.
I did not say that I fucking AGREE with him, I am saying that by having a certain opinion or even calling someone a name, does not warrant harsh punishment. Using a racist or homophobic term is technically no different to calling someone a bitch or a cow or a daisy.
You need a fucking brain to grasp what I am saying though without getting offended.
Once again, you're trying to trick people because you are a wanker who doesn't know what they are talking about.
Don't bother calling everyone who doesn't want to hang him a homophobe and don't assume that their opinion has anything to do with race when we're talking about sexuality.
It's late, i'm off to bed. Don't think I will waste my time looking here again.
He's got another job, so who really cares?, he is entitled to have an opinion, now a day's everything anyone says is not correct, maybe the other guy finally got up his nose, and in his face, white people always make mistakes, so now this guy has had his say, it's over
To the people who say what he said was no big deal and he apologized…You know, if it was a white man calling him a N&%#er on the set, in an argument, all hell would have broken loose, and the NAACP and Sharpton would be ALL OVER IT, and he would have a hard time, for a very long time, getting another job. I am white, and female, and straight, and I grew up in the Gay mega-center of Gay rights, right here in NYC. And eventhough there is more acceptance now of Gays, I think in general society, somehow they think it's okay to make fun of, or put down Gays, or use terrible words, like this jerk did. But if anyone would treat a black person that way — forget it. There would be law suits, and maybe even riots. I think that idiot should be BLACKLISTED for his bigot comments. If he was a white man saying bigot comments about a black man, he would be, for sure. I would NEVER watch any project he is in, from now on, just for the principle of the thing. He hates Gays. And my best friend is a Gay man. If anyone ever called him a Fag, I would knock them out, because he is like my brother.
i'm for team Isiah, this is an African American who made it in this business and has been in it for many many years. He's a terrific actor and it's ABC's and Grey's Anatomy's lost for firing him. I think it was blown out of perspecitive and he shouldn't have been fired. Everyone says fa**ot or qu**r but doesn't mean they're homophobic. Come on people are you seriously going to hate him. I mean if we can give nicole, lindsay, and especially Paris– who was actually seen and heard (recorded) saying homophobic slurrs– second chances, then we can very well give Isiah another chance!!!
Maybe I'll start another show and call it "Niqqers say the darndest things".
i think he got exactly what he deserved. live and let live live is the old saying but this guy is such a homo-phobe i guess he cant abide by this saying
How long are you gay people gonna whip this dead horse?
I think its hilarious that of all people Perez Hilton is giving someone else shit about not being nice to people.
Gays like you love to say nasty things about others for a laugh or to be mean. But God forbid someone says something about gays.
Perez you rip people all the time. Dont get all sensitive if someone rips you for being gay. You can dish it, so you should be able to take it too.
I'm glad that Shonda is saying all of this! Isaiah is a loon… completely off his rocker. I'm a huge fan of Grey's and I liked Burke but am glad that they got rid of him! I also think T.R. and P. Dempsey are better people for not talking after Isaiah did his CNN interview. Let me just say I can't wait for Season 4 to start!
re: #63 Beth
It is NOT a crime or illegal to make a slur. It's mean and rude, but not illegal. Where would you get such an idea? We still have free speech in this country. For now, anyway.
why are you such a hater? He explained everything on larry king and i makes fucking sense; he wasn't talking about lameboy T.R. Don't hate on his game, his a great actor, the best one on grey's actually. Don't even act like you haven't said "That's so gay" or "You're slow" or another term that refers to a specific sector of the population. Those who live in glass houses… No one's perfect, he apologized, did what was asked of him and more, and it wasn't enough. Get over it, he learned his damn lesson.
Free speech in this country!!! Some people just can't stand gay people, so does the Pope.
Sorry, but if I called anyone a sexist, racist, or homophobic slur at my job i'd be fired before you could say Isiah Washington!
Where do YOU work, Michelle???
Perez can rip on people all he wants, HE IS HIS OWN BOSS! How is it that hard to understand you idiots? This is a website, HIS website, not a job where he has to go to an office, work around a lot of people, and answer to another person!
Also, all the people supporting Isiah, why do you necessarily believe him? It's been widely reported he is an asshole and has done th