Isaiah Washington Not Returning to GREY’S ANATOMY
June 8, 2007 by Kath Skerry
A girl goes out in they city for one night and of course some major TV news breaks. A TV blogger never rests. But yes, it’s true. Isaiah Washington will not be returning to GREY’S ANATOMY in the Fall. According to TV Guide’s Michael Ausiello, ABC decided not to renew the actor’s contract and he was informed by showrunner Shonda Rhimes herself yesterday morning. ABC is staying a little hush hush but that doesn’t mean some people aren’t talking.
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.”
-Michael Ausiello (read more)
I will say that this move from ABC comes as quite a shock. I didn’t think they would actually do it. And if I’m being honest here, I had heard some of the rumors about the “problematic behavior” from Isaiah but I just chalked it up to gross rumor and speculation, but maybe there was something to it after all. You never know.
I know this is going to be a very heated discussion as it always has been on the past here at GMMR. Feel free to share your opinions on the matter in the comments, but I only ask that you keep it respectful and remember there isn’t a right and wrong to this issue.
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I’m sad his character isn’t returning and am surprised that Shonda actually pulled the trigger.
Wow. I’m floored. I didn’t think they’d actually do it. Well, I’ll miss Dr. Burke. He was an excellent heart surgeon. But I can’t say I’m sad to see Isaiah gone.
I’m sure Isaiah was probably a jerk, but Dr. Burke was one of my favorite characters on the show. I was sad to hear this news. I wonder who they’ll replace him with? My suggestion: bring Dr. Han to Seattle Grace full time!
So is “Dr. Burke” also gone from the show, or just Washington? If they keep the character and replace him with another actor i would be disappointed because it just proves how sad this whole situation is.
Personally i found his statements about Knight both cruel and inexcusable , but after offering his apologies, attending rehab AND doing psa’s, its clear that he’s sincere in his regrets (or at least it appears that way), and he should have been given the opportunity to prove himself by returning next season.
I just hope that the tension on set will go away now. I don’t really care one way or another if he kept his job, though, to be honest. I just want Grey’s to be better. Speaking of which, theres this letter being sent to ABC by some Grey’s fans about how crappy this past season has been – hopefully it and this Isaiahgate will have Shonda & Co doing some SERRRIOUUSSS soul searching this summer!
http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Grey-s-Anatomy-Fans-Express-Their-Disapproval-4608.html
I’ve read a few comments on another blog and it’s weird how alot of people seem to have forgotten about the fact that he shoved and tried to choke someone. I understand how his use of ‘that word’ was in this case very loaded and meant to be hurtful, but he put his hands on another person. In my book, that’s it, case closed. Should have been fired months ago.
And I might be in the minority, but I couldn’t stand Burke. He was selfish, smug pr*ck about 90% of the time, and he was definetly closing in on my most hated character. I’ll be curious to see who they’ll bring in to fill in his missing spot(….and if they’ll even be able to salvage this show at all, honestly the only characters I don’t want to smack just a little bit are Christina and Callie, but that’s another topic)
Bravo jenintx! Thank you for pointing out that Washington put his hands on another person. From what I remember, that’s what started this whole thing, and no one seems to remember that.
Personally, I couldn’t stand Burke either. I had a hard time separating his huge ego from that of Washington, and assumed Washington was really good at huge egos, so that’s why Burke had one.
It’s a step in the right direction as far as I’m concerned as to whether or not I’ll even bother to watch the next season.
I dont know if this is too far off the deep end. But as i re-read the title of of this blog post, it says Isaish is not returning to Grey’s.. what about private practice? Probably not, but just something to throw in the whole big mess of things.
Also, i liked Burke in season one. I kinda got this nice vibe from him. Sadly, i can never look at Burke the same way again because of these series of incidents.
and poor Christina?
Isaiah is a pr’ck, but i’ll miss dr Burke.