"Grey's" Creator: Isaiah Insulted Everyone

Isaiah WashingtonMoments after reports circulated that Isaiah Washington went into therapy, "Grey's Anatomy" creator Shondra Rhimes weighed in with a statement which sounds like she's hedging her bets on her embattled star:

"I speak for all the executive producers here at 'Grey's Anatomy' when I say that Isaiah Washington's use of such a disturbing word was a shocking and dismaying event that insulted not only gays and lesbians everywhere but anyone who has ever struggled for respect in a world that is not always accepting of difference ... We applaud and encourage Isaiah's realization that he needs help and his subsequent choice to seek immediate treatment for his behavioral issues."

What Rhimes didn't mention, was whether Washington would be fired or not. TMZ spies in high places in the production of "Grey's Anatomy" say Washington's fate will be determined by ratings, not moral outrage -- namely, whether his presence helps or hurts the show.

Tags: grey's anatomy, Grey'sAnatomy, isaiah washington, IsaiahWashington

Reader Comments

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91. Fags, Faggots,Queers,Fruits, Fagalas and Gays. What's in a name? Sticks and Stones will break my Bones, but Names will never Hurt Me!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 6:12PM on Jan 24th 2007 by Marvino

92. PEOPLE ANY THING THAT IS SAID TO HURT SOMEONE IS WRONG. YOU PEOPLE ARE CONTINUING THE HURT WITH YOUR HURTFUL COMMENTS.CAN'T WE KEEP THE NASTY COMMENTS OUT.

Posted at 6:15PM on Jan 24th 2007 by SAD WORLD

93. If his firing depends on a ratings slide then he stays. Most people will watch the show anyway. The best solution is a televised apology face to face. If he's willing to humble himself and admit wrong he can stay. Being the immature jerk that he appears to actually be, the next solution is the best: Fire his ass.

Posted at 5:54PM on Jan 26th 2007 by Richard

94. Isiah Washington checking into rehab--so who's surprised? Maybe he can encourage Michael Richards to join him--wouldn't that be interesting? I'm not sure, but I assume he was offended by Richards' racist references last winter. At least, to my knowledge Richards has not checked himself into rehab. Washington is a bigoted, hot headed, semi-talented actor who has found himself on a top-rated program riding on the backs of much more talented actors such as T. R., Knight, Patrick Dempsey, Katherine Heigel, Sandra Oh, and Chandra Wilson. He is dispensible, so dispense of him!

Posted at 6:21PM on Jan 24th 2007 by Cheryl

95. OK PEOPLE, SO ROSIE SHOULD GO TO REHAB FOR SAYING CHING CHANG CHONG CHINESE PEOPLE AND DONALD SHOULD GO ALSO FOR DISRESPECTING FAT UGLY PEOPLE, RIGHT! THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT NO! BECAUSE THEY ARE WHITE AND THE MEDIA DOESN'T MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF IT, ISIAH IS A BLACK MAN IN HOLLYWOOD ANYTHING WE HAS A RACE DO WRONG THEIR ALWAYS QUICK TO TRY AND FIRE SOMEONE. WHY CAN'T PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT HE DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING BY IT. GREY'S ANATOMY IS A GOOD SHOW, HAS SOON HAS WE GET TO THE TOP, PEOPLE WANT TO BRING US DOWN. BLACKS CAN'T MISTAKES LIKE ANY OTHER PEOPLE.

Posted at 6:25PM on Jan 24th 2007 by partygirl

96. Too bad he didn't think of going to this so called 'rehab' when he first said it. Funny, it was only after the second time saying it and after the uproar (again) that his publicist thought of this job saving idea. I agree, his acting isn't so great that he can't be replaced. I won't stop watching just because of him and the producers know that others won't either.

Posted at 1:57PM on Jan 25th 2007 by Craftlady

97. I UNDERSTAND, THAT IT TOOK WASHINGTON'S NAME CALLING , FOR T.R. TO COME OUT OF THE CLOSET? MUST HAVE BEEN STUFFY IN THERE????????????

Posted at 12:19AM on Jan 25th 2007 by Marvino

98. It just goes to show you!! The networks think more about ratings than the cast members of shows. You can be a bigot and a pain in the a-- to other cast members, and you won't get fired as long as you don't cause the ratings to dive!!!
It says something about our ethics!

Posted at 9:46AM on Jan 25th 2007 by Audrey

99. First of all, you need to learn the difference between REHAB and THERAPY. The man is going to THERAPY. Hopefully, he will learn to keep his mouth shut and to be a nicer, kinder human being. He obviously has SOME kind of issues.

I really like Grey's Anatomy and agree that his story line is very strong. Other shows have changed actors with little difficulty. I know this one is old, but look at Bewtiched. I have a hard time remembering the difference between the two Darin's. Mr. Washington is not indispensable whatever he may think.

Posted at 6:44PM on Jan 24th 2007 by Sandy Jones

100. name calling is not necessary nor should it be accepted by anyone.however, people do it every second and don't get caught. like throwing a rock and hide your hand. Tell Issie and George to hold the phone... they talk to much..

Show me a person that says they have never said something mean about another group of people ...that is different from them.. and I will call them a liar.

This is a Good show ... jealous is raising it's ugly head. FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT MY FRIENDS.. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO. I APPLAUD Mr. Washington for taking the high road.

Posted at 6:38PM on Jan 24th 2007 by top of the line

101. How is it racism when it deals with someone sexual preference? I thought it was called sexism.

Posted at 1:11PM on Jan 28th 2007 by Ben

102. maybe he sould join the same rehab that kramer was sent to ..but i think he should be fired hes not that good on the show you can tell jsut ny the interviwes the cast doesnt like him and he is jsut a a**hole

Posted at 7:10PM on Jan 24th 2007 by proud gayman

103. Pretty interesting that so many people are wanting this man fired! What he said was wrong true enough but I live in the real world and people are not fired for using racial slurs,reprimanded sometimes but not fired! I think this is such an issue because of the fact the Isiah is a black man! Gave a lot of people on this web site a chance to attack African Americans and to use the nortorius "N" word!
Isaih Washington a man, called another man a bad name, its done every single day in this country some of you commenting probably have yourselves, I say let T R handle Isaiah and get on with the show!

Lisa D

Posted at 2:15PM on Jan 25th 2007 by Lisa D

104. I think Shonda Rhimes laugh was a reaction to the surprise. She had just won a coveted award and probably didn't even realize what this bigot said. If someone had called Isaiah the "N" word, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, et al would have been in the news already, screaming for the firing of the person who said it.

The beauty of Grey's is that race, color, creed has never entered what you feel for these characters and their relationship to one another. Isaiah blew it. He reopened something that had died a quiet death.

Some of these people forget that they were pretty much nobody before a hit that they alone did not create.

Posted at 7:16PM on Jan 24th 2007 by JC

105. The rehab center's in hollywood cure EVERYTHING!

Posted at 7:23PM on Jan 24th 2007 by Gail

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