T.R. Knight Wants Off "Grey's Anatomy"

NEW YORK — A person with direct knowledge of the situation has confirmed that T.R. Knight has asked to be released from his contract with "Grey's Anatomy."

The actor, who plays Dr. George O'Malley, has asked to leave the ABC medical drama because he is unhappy with his storyline, the person said. Knight has three years left on his contract and the network has indicated it will release him, said the insider, who could not be identified because that person was not authorized to discuss negotiation details.

An ABC representative declined comment.

Entertainment Weekly magazine first reported news of Knight's request Tuesday in a posting at ew.com. Writer Michael Ausiello quoted a person at ABC who was not identified as saying that the show and "Grey's" creator Shonda Rhimes were prepared to let the 35-year-old actor go.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects pronoun agreement)

Comments

[OverIt]

T.R., you are no David Caruso. There will not be a C.S.I. in your future. These kids never learn. Even the great Rojo was in danger of being a one-hit wonder.

[MDUB1969]

Really? People still watch this show? I couldn't get past Meredith's whiny narcissism long enough to care about the rest of the characters...
Just cut the whole cast loose. Please. For the love of god and all that is sacred, stop the madness.

[Rictracee]

might as well leave.. I stopped watching Grey's last season.. i sick of the merideth and mcdreamy BS.. the show been going down the drain since the faux Isaiah Washington fiasco.

[thefooligan5]

This show is still on the air? It had already gotten very old before I stopped watching in the 3rd season. Why does crap stay on the air so long?

[Eric8869]

Let's get real all you posters on here - trying to blame Grey's anatomy's lameness on TR etc especially people defending Isiah.

Umm....TR doesn't write the show.

LOTS of shows are popular in their first year or two and then TANK creatively. Writing for new characters and situations is realitively easy compared to keeping it going. You are witnessing the sophomore slump.

Just look at shows like PRison Breat for example. Great first year and downhill all the way.

[Free2Rocknroll]

I'm done with this show. I used to love it. For the last couple years the story has sucked. I thought it might get better but now they get rid of Dr. Hahn because they didn't like her lesbian storyline, they add some strange British girl without much explanation, Izzie is seeing and interacting with her dead boyfriend, and George is leaving. So disappointing. Why do they ruin great shows?

[kathy001]

I hate to admit it but I'm about to be done with it, too. I really love having something fun that I can look forward to watching during the week but the new blonde twenty-something Kewpie-doll who serves no purpose and Izzie's affair with a ghost are taking all the fun out of it. And I thought Dr. Hahn was really starting to grow on the show - her character really seemed to be going somewhere. Why is it that TV writers can't seem to combine intelligence with fun?

[Rictracee]

I like Dr. Han too.. but Grey's decision to take off characaters who had great dynamics like Isaiah Washington, Kate Walsh, and Brooke Smith was a wrong move.. this show was good because of their diverse characters and the development.

[betzyboop]

I wish he'd convince Kathrine Heigl to go too. He's not a strong actor and I think this is probably the best gig he will ever have. Why Kathrine Heigl was offered movies, I will never know but I think her time as a star has played itself out. She is not a strong actor either. The behavior of these two actors will not work well for them in their careers. They appear troublesome and not that talented.

[Rictracee]

all i can say is God does not like ugly, you reep what you sew.. Heigle, and Knight both knew that Washington didn't do what the media portrayed him to do but they both perpetuated the lie, so if they careers get washed up .. good for them.

[trish74]

His character has become a serious bore. I wouldn't miss him.

[siney]

agreed...

[DeloresT]

I tried watching after Washington left, but it's such a bore now. I read somewhere that many former viewers now call the show "Gay's Anatomy". I assume that's because the producers have gone out of their way to appease those folks who were upset with Isaiah Washington and have devoted many episodes to showcasing the gay lifestyle. Anyway the show is simply no longer appealing to me.

[siney]

"the gay lifestyle".....hmmmm, wonder what that is? .....gosh, could you possibly mean a lesbian like me who runs to the market to buy milk and cereal? or like when i went to the gym after class to workout on the treadmill? or maybe you mean when i invited friends over for spaghetti dinner last saturday night...or how about when i met a friend for coffee and a movie yesterday?... or like how i'd like to start dating again but after an 8 year relationship and subsequent long breakup it's difficult getting back out there... is this what you mean by "gay lifestyle?" hmmmm, must be... no wonder you find grey's boring --- my life does sound pretty uneventful to me, too....very much like the hetero lifestyles i'm acquainted with actually...

[justwaitandsee]

Oh get a grip and stop thinking every reference to G A Y S is a person attack on you; I clearly understood what the post was saying; seriously who actually watches this show any more; it"s quite interesting that the moment Washington left the show the rating when down; not because of punishment for the way they handled the situation but because the quality of the show went down; The show thrived because it had a cast of many kind and as at tense as the show could be at times it was extremely enjoyable¦. I guess one can probably assume the other two trouble makers on this show wish Washington was back also because the show hasn"t stuck the right tone sense.

[fanifesu]

:)

[jdmba]

Yeah, the show is just terrible now. It was so good several years ago, but it has completely fallen off. I'm surprised its still on the air.

[Yovovi]

This dude seriously cannot act. The only genuine performance I ever saw him give was on Ellen's couch after he came out.

[Eric8869]

He was on Broadway

[OverIt]

So was Clay Aiken!

[ListenPeople]

Izzie is having sex with a ghost! This show is on life-support.

[losangelian1]

I know, the Izzie storyline is infuriating.

If you remember, Katherine Heigl was not very kind to the writers last season, saying they didn't provide her good enough material to deserve an acting award.

In my opinion, this is payback.

[Rictracee]

LOL.. it is payback but the show is on a sinking ship.. the show sucks

[firelord5000]

Don't let the door hit you on the way out TR.

Hopefully this means Isiah is on the way back in, only he can save the c r a p that is Greys now days.

[lovsn12b]

I am happy for him and hope that as an openly gay actor he NOW gets roles that are CONSTANTLY going to straight actors who are playing gay roles. It must be frustrating to play straight week after week -

[DougNTexas]

Yeah moving on will likely be a bad choice in the long run. Wont be the first star to find that the star wasn't as bright and didn't shine as long they thought it would.

[fanifesu]

Yeah, look at Jeff Conoway...

[Eric8869]

Or sarah palin

[chicagopolitics]

This is absurd. He signed a contract. Like any other job that requires a contract, you do the job until the time is up. Just because he is in entertainment that makes him any different? Please.