Celebrity Feuds
ABC "Greatly Dismayed" by Isaiah's Outburst

Isaiah WashingtonABC has gotten around to responding to Isaiah Washington's use of a gay slur at the Golden Globes, and, no, they're not at all happy about it.

The ABC statement, first reported by TV Guide's Michael Ausiello, reads, "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, that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously, and his actions are unacceptable and are being addressed."

Washington said he had "never" called gay castmate T.R. Knight "a faggot" after Monday's Golden Globes. Knight told Ellen DeGeneres that he had, in fact, heard Washington use the term during a scuffle with Patrick Dempsey on the set of "Grey's Anatomy."

It is unclear when the network will make a decision on Washington's future on the show.



Tags: Grey's Anatomy, Grey'sAnatomy, Isaiah Washington, IsaiahWashington

Reader Comments

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46. I think that T.R. Knight is acting to soft, Isaiah Washington needs to apologize and they both need to move on. I love Grey's Anatomy, but I will not watch it if Isaiah gets fired.

Posted at 6:56PM on Jan 18th 2007 by allison

47. I love the character of Burke and wish washington had not said what he did at the golden globes. But,the media brought it up by asking him the question in the press room. None the less,he should just button it. He really needs to do something to apologize publicly now because he has caused more hard feelings. TK Knight seems like such a gentle soul and this has really hurt him. i hope it doesn't hurt the show.

Posted at 6:48PM on Jan 18th 2007 by a walters

48. I don't understand why black people are called "African American" this should only be used if you are/were born in Africa and then moved to America and became a citizen. I am black, and an American of African decent. Nobody says white people are European Americans when describing someone who is white...

Now to the topic at hand... I personally feel his comments were inappropriate to say the least, but why can't Isaiah's comments be wrong because they are hurtful and bigoted, it shouldn't matter that he is a black man. What does his race have to do with his nasty comments? He didn't say T.R. Knight was a mutha F'n gay a$$ cracker .. Then he would have been using racial and homophobic slurs, if that were the case i could understand Mr. Washington's race being brought into this discussion. That being said his black a$$ needs to apologize...


Coming from a black woman...

Posted at 6:54PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Celebrity Status...Unknown

49. Gays are just mad that one of them got called out. If it would have been anybody other than a successful black man you wouldn't be hearing a stink about this. Look at all the people Howard Stern, Rush Linbaugh, and YES, even Rosie o'Donald have offended. Guess people would be more satisfied if Washington were see gang banging and drug dealing instead.

Posted at 9:44PM on Jan 18th 2007 by queenmeeka

50. let the jerk biggott die from his precious hand surgery...would be a great storyline after he accused mcdreamy after the first surgery...

Posted at 6:51PM on Jan 18th 2007 by judy schwartz

51. Isiah's homophobic, innapropriate, insecure comment to get attention was surprising and at the least inapproptiate. He spoke out of turn, and at the wrong time, period.
I'm sure he is feeling that now, and I bet it doesn't feel good...
I agree with Katherine, it was something that should have stayed at the set, and not out in public.
Whatever TJ Knight is, that is his business, I still like him-whether gay, straight or bi-he is a great actor, so for me-nothing else matters-he does his job.
With all that said: Isiah should take note. Isiah could probably learn integrity from TJ Knight, which should be one of many lessons...like name calling because I'm sure he has been called a name or two in his lifetime.
Not to mention: watch and walk lightly, because he is losing his fans...
I used to be one of them.

Posted at 6:57PM on Jan 18th 2007 by justmi

52. I was just on the Rosie Blog and I have notice that half of you that want to defend knight was on there and calling Rosie a butch. Talk about Double Standard!!

Posted at 6:59PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Gisele

53. I was just on the Rosie Blog and I have notice that half of you that want to defend knight was on there and calling Rosie a butch. Talk about Double Standard!!

Posted at 7:00PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Gisele

54. So let me get this straight - Rosie can berate people over and over on "The View" and nothing happens to her and her big mouth.But Ishaih Washington could be fired?? Give me a break- if ABC does that (my favorite show) I will quit watching

Posted at 7:13PM on Jan 18th 2007 by tired of the bull

55. Washington should be fired from GA. His black ass had a heart attack on the show because TR called him the N word. That will get rid of the situation.

Posted at 7:22PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Justaham

56. Ignorance is ignorance, regardless of the person's color saying it. It makes no difference what color/race/sexual orientation a person is when they're saying hateful demeaning things to others. Psychologists say when a 'straight' man get so worked up and violently mad at 'gay' men, it's usually because they are insecure with themselves and their sexual orientation...not that they would ever admit it. ABC needs to set an example and fire IW promptly! It's obvious he thinks he's above disipline or else he wouldn't have comandeered the mic from Shondra at the Golden Globes to spew hit 'version of the truth'. FIRE HIM ABC!

Posted at 7:15PM on Jan 18th 2007 by STEVE

57. # 61 - this is not about ignorance - it is about if ABC wants to set an example, fire Rosie's butt off "the View- I agree with #60- can we all say DOUBLE STANDARDS

Posted at 7:21PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Luv Greys

58. Do not fire Washington!!!...love his acting...all the cast needs is behavior contracts while on the show!!! I think he learned a lesson here....

Posted at 7:25PM on Jan 18th 2007 by susette jackson

59. I I can only imagine how much we'd be hearing if someone had DARED to call Mr. Washington the N word. He is a classless act, and in fact a disgrace to his profession and especially his race. But hey, he can blame all his mistakes on his pathetic climb from slavery to the t.v. screen. Maybe he can call Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton to speak in his behalf. I, personally, will not watch Grey's Anatomy until this AA is forced to make an apology to T.R. Knight!

Posted at 9:18PM on Jan 18th 2007 by Sonny Anders

60. Fire his behind. The racism, the hatred, the slurs, all that is negative stops now. I'm black, a woman and straight, but unacceptable is "unacceptable". Get him out of there NOW. Hate cannot be tolerated in any form or fashion. ABC I'm already ticked off with you for making that shameful 9/11 whatchamacall it docu/mockumentary. You don't fire this fool you can forget me and everyone I can spread the word to not to watch ABC under any circumstances. Remember the best (and worst) publicity is person-to-person. In other words, drop the dog.

Posted at 7:44PM on Jan 18th 2007 by sistamama

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