Isaiah Washington Calls Grey's "Disgusting" for Firing Brooke Smith

Former Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington -- who was axed from the show in 2007 after spewing a homophobic slur at T.R. Knight -- is slamming the show for firing Brooke Smith.


"I looked at a brilliant actress, whom I have adored since I first saw her in Silence of the Lambs," he says in the Nov. 17 issue of TV Guide. "For her to be treated this way, I find very interesting."


Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes released a statement last week insisting that "Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian .... we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run."


Regardless, Washington says the move was harsh.



"The fact is that, just before the holidays, you have a mother, a wonderful actress removed from a steady income without the proper reasoning behind it..." he says.

Keep reading

-or-

Read and watch what Patrick Dempsey said about it on Ellen

-or-

Read the initial report of Smith's firing

Comments

[aedelbert]

Yo, Washington­... This a creative decision. I watch the show and her character always bothered me. Something just never quite worked right. It seemed pretty clear she didn't even feel comfortable in the character herself.

Anyway, you're the last person I'd look to for ethical advice.

[thankulord13]

Yo! Does anyone even say Yo anymore?

[aedelbert]

Damn insightful.

[btanner]

Why is IW behaving like Star Jones? They have to make ridiculous statements to draw attention to themselves and make themselves appear more relevant than they really are.

[harriettubman]

He's not. He liked her and he made a statement. What's wrong with that?

[tarko]

Oh sure--no bigger significance.

[Eric8869]

He doesn't even know her. Hence the SILENCE OF THE LAMBS reference. He saw her in a movie once.

[UWNBM]

Don't give Star a bad name...LOL­.

[LizardC]

She really was an awful character - she was mean, hateful, condescending, and had to bullied into teaching students at a teaching hospital. And she's been like this since we first met her, there's been no character development at all.It kind of seemed to me that they were using the stereotype as an excuse for this behavior, which I found wince-inducing, and if I were a lesbian I'd be pretty upset. She's the weakest link on this show, always has been, and I'm not sorry she's leaving.

[zootsuit711]

I agree. I love the actress, but hated her character. She only showed her humanity to Callie and I hoped that the relationship would make her a nicer person as it evolved... but alas. If their so-called (and poorly written) relationship was going to represent lesbians - I'd rather it not happen.

[Strywever]

I completely agree. I could never figure out what Callie saw in her!

[friscotxmom]

I'm with you. They wrote this character into a corner by giving her no redeeming qualities. To have her character turn a new leaf and become somewhat tolerable would feel entirely fake. This has nothing to do with Brooke Smith because she is an amazing actor. The material they gave her, though, su.cks.

[siney]

i disagree entirely..­..except for bailey, callie and christina, erica was the only other interesting character on the show...i agree they wrote her severely, but i think the point, in part, of her coming out/recognizing her lesbianism was to show why she was such a hardarse..­.and no, lesbians are not mean, bitter, people...t­he thing with erica is that she was so emotionally removed from herself and others, had such a total lack of self awareness, was such an uber control freak, it's no wonder she was clueless or in denial about who she was - a lesbian...­i always thought there were layers to erica to be explored and unfortunately the writers did a p i s s poor job of writing this lesbian storyline & relationsh­ip...

[granamica]

True. You should write drama for tv, that would give it a lot more depth.

I am also so disappointed that Izzy and the stupid hospital and the enablers won't be brought down for the whole heart thing.

If they had a McSteamy-Callie and lovers spin off, I would watch for sure.

[rmetz74]

Oh boy.

I'm sad she's leaving too, she's a really good actor and tv needs more women who look like real women...

But he is not helping her by speaking on her behalf. Shows make these kinds of decisions all the time,there's nothing sinister about it.

[blondecuban]

Isaiah this has nothing to do with you. I, for one, did not care for this character and her arc. I found it all so contrived.

[zootsuit711]

I have never trusted the 'industry' with lesbian couples. They fall in love - then BAM! one gets cancer or shot, overdoses or cheats... and don't forget the rare lesbian who dies of AIDS. With South of Nowhere over (and most of you are saying 'south of what?') and L Word ending next year - we need a POSITIVE HAPPY COUPLE to cling to (and worship endlessly) for longer than 5-6 episodes. Maybe if we were represented more positively (or at all) in society - Prop 8 would have failed. I have a feeling more people watch TV than go to church.

We (lesbians) are so happy with every little scrap we're given, like begging puppies! Then it's yanked away before we can get our teeth into it, like cruel teasing - leaving us yipping and yapping until we just silently go off to corner and pout.

As for Brooke Smith's last scene on GA - Odd that Erica just walks away to the parking lot - shouldn't she get hit by a car! Oh, wait... Callie is the ortho-spec­ialist... she'd have to TOUCH Erica for real - can't have that.

[ScandalousCandice3]

We do need more substantive gay characters. I feel like this situation with Grey's was forced. It didn't work, there was no chemistry, and the character of Hahn is awful. Callie's character is okay for wanting to explore the tryst. But in reality, these two together were just awful, uncomfortable, and not believable.

With regards to the L Word they are not free from their own forced issues either. Max for one. And the ridiculousness that is Jenny Schecter. Yes Mia Kirschner is hot, but a terrible and stupid character. I know though, this show is all about pushing the envelope and no so much about great substance. At least not after the first season anyway. But I am big fan of the show. I am all about Bette and Tina. I love Shane if only she would cut her nasty hair or wash it and comb it.

[zootsuit711]

Callica (as they're known on YouTube) was completely forced and uncomfortable, they made much happier friends. That being said, I know many lesbians in real life who have mistakenly crossed that boundary and ruined their perfectly good friendships for the hope romance. That aspect of it actually seemed (painfully) real to me. Hahn's harshness and Callie's confusion made this the most frustrating relationship I've watched in years - I'm glad to see it over. I can yell at the TV for other reasons.

I'm feel badly for Brooke, but she's a survivor and a damn good actress!

[siney]

i disagree -- these two actors are both very talented and they had great chemistry.­..it was all about the awful, awful writing...­it overwhelmed and consumed all that was good about the couple...a­nd to add insult to injury, GLADD advised them on this storyline.­..note to GLADD - get lost....go­od grief, what a let down and a waste....b­rooke smith is brilliant and save for sandra oh, shondra wilson and sara ramirez, the show is not worth watching..­.

[twokidsonecat]

I think he's just bitter about his own experience.

[Esot3ric]

You can say what you want about Isiah Washington and the mistakes that he made but Grey's Anatomy has never been the same since he left. He was awesome to watch. The storylines with Burke and then Burke and Cristina were simply fantastic. The show has greatly suffered since he's been gone, even though I still watch it.

[Eric8869]

The show wasn't new anymore - lots of shows tank after their first couple seasons. I don't think his loss had anything to do with it.

[goodtomeetyou]

Agreed, I tried to hang on after he was cut but the show jumped the shark after that.

[Afikpochic]

Isaiah, crying more more than the bereived much? shut up. physician, heal thyself.

[Bellanova]

"Grey's" is a crappy show. Who cares? Smith is better off not associating with it.

[Eric8869]

Then why is he still trying to get his job back?

[ScandalousCandice3]

I still think the Grey's people treated Washington badly. He s-crewed up and said something awful, but the only ones he owed an apology to were Dempsey and Knight. That situation had no business being blown up and exaggerated by the likes of Catherine "It's Heigl not Heigel." She had the big mouth and wouldn't stop talking about it and it had nothing to do with her. Even Knight was trying to let it go.

I don't agree with what Washington said, but he more than made up for it. He apologized and even took anger management classes. And then a reporters asks him if he called Knight the f word. And he said no he didn't. Yes he said "No I did not call him a f..." And they fired him for answering a question. It was a word. And I firmly believe in the intentions in which you use your words. The first time he made up for, the second time he just said it.

He got the shaft because we live in an overly PC society. He was wrong but at what point can someone stop being chastised for a mistake? A mistake that doesn't involve anyone but those 3 people.

[Eric8869]

He said the F word in anger at a co-worker about a gay co-worker.

Then he tried to cover it up - then he apologized.

Next he said the F word AGAIN on the Emmy awards.

Then he was fired.

Then he tried to blame the whole incident on the gay co-worker he was calling the F word in the first place.

He apologized in WORDS ONLY and didn't learn or accept he had really done anything wrong.

He dug his own grave then cried like a baby at the consequences and is still crying.

This debate wouldn't even be happening if Patrick Dempsey had said the N word. You would be singing a different tune.

TYPICAL

[MrT3]

typical...­.. the new racial slur......­lol

[ScandalousCandice3]

I would not be singing a different tuen if the n word was thrown out. If Dempsey and Washington squared it between themselves then that is all that matters.

This was not covered up. It was blown out of proportion by people like Heigl. Even Knight didn't think it was a big deal. In fact thanks to her big mouth and the media attention on it it forced him out of the closet which he wasn't really quite ready to do yet. He is a mild mannered man and they squared the issues.

He did do something wrong but he certainly didn't make his own grave.

What is typical here is your overblown reaction.

[Clavis]

Katherine Heigl is yummy. That is all.

[ScandalousCandice3]

You mean Catherine "It's Heigl not Heigel?"

[WowJones]

No it's Katherine

[AshleyMarie]

Oh, Isaiah... how you do love the spotlight.

If a restaurant only needed 2 cooks (because of a change of menu or finances) would you expect them to keep on a 3rd cook out of guilt for the holidays??? NO!!! Her part was no longer needed!!

Trust me, I noticed long ago the lack of chemistry between these characters. Their relationship just didn't work, not because of sexual orientation, but because there was no passion!

When a workers talents are no longer needed, they get canned. I don't hear Isaiah crying for the tens of thousands of people being laid off each month because of the failing economy???

She is a big girl, and a phenomenal actress... I'm sure she'll be just fine!

[sisterdebmac]

Um, excuse? Hahn's sole function in the series was not to serves a love interest for Callie. She had some great stuff BEFORE that relationship becage and she could've had plenty of great stuff AFTER. They didn't have to can Brooke, they could've just ended that relationship. Now what will they do with Callie? Her stupid little trysts with McSteamy aren't exactly full of great chemistry either, you know. And she's a great character so they'd better not just shove her to the back burner for the rest of the season. Which is exactly what I fear they will do.

[siney]

well, you hit on a point, but not the one you're thinking about...th­ere was no passion because they didn't focus on passion...­.instead, the writers focused on S E X which has nothing to do with real passion...­these two had great chemistry as friends and the writers should have kept the focus on the developing emotional and intellectual connection­....it's the falling in love part that audiences can relate to...the S E X, even on a show as s e x u a l as grey's, was heavy handed and, for example, icky insofar as the tutorial callie got from mcsteamy, and thus just too much for the average straight person to take seemingly all at once and all of a sudden...t­his was a coming out story as much as a lesbian love story and unfortunately they mostly skipped the coming out part and entirely ignored the love part...

[atomic]

If you are gonna loose anybody make it George. His acting consists of looking like a puppy and mumbling. Why is he on this show... tell me again?

[MrsMAB]

Agreed.

[ScandalousCandice3]

You can't just blame George. They all s-uck now. The writing and these big speeches and wishy washy moaning for everyone. It's just awful anymore.

[siney]

he is like the antithesis of erica hahn, only erica was a compelling figure...g­eorge does not move me one iota....i'­ve seen alot of brooke smith's work, so i know she's a tremendous talent...i haven't seen anything that TR Knight has done other than grey's so i don't know what to make of him...is he just a dud of an actor or is he just so poorly written? when he comes on screen, i'm reminded of white noise -- a buzzy, incoherent, nothingness that can sure keep you up at night if you are so unlucky as to tune into it...

[atomic]

This is a lame writer issue. Hollywood tweaked out writers who can't follow a story line through or just get bored. She is a good actress ... so unless there is something personal going on here all the public statements about this are crap.