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Michael Ausiello has just broken the news that Brooke Smith and her character, Erica Hahn, will soon be parting from Seattle Grace. As soon as this Thursday’s episode, even.
Apparently, the network – ABC – had issues with the gay relationship on the show and demanded that they get rid of Hahn as soon as possible.
Shonda – it seems – had no choice but to deliver the bad news to the actress. And it kind of sounds like the whole thing was so abrupt the rest of that storyline will be held together with staples.
In an exclusive interview with Brooke Smith, Ausiello digs into the how’s and why’s of this unexpected turn of events.
Smith reveals that this came as much as a shock to her when they told her, that she was “naive” thinking that people were ready to see a gay relationship on TV. She’d had no sense of the impending doom at work, that fans seemed really supportive of the relationship, but then back in mid-September (after they shot the “I’m gay” monologue) they (more specifically Shonda) came down to tell her that she was being let go. “I was floored when they told me.”
Apparently, Shonda seemed upset about the whole thing, assured Smith that it wasn’t her. The decision, it seems, came from above.
Regarding Sara Ramirez’s reaction: “She was shocked. I’m the one that told her. It took her a few days to get back to me because she was surprised. It was surprising to everyone.”
Um. Yeah. I’m typing this and I’m personally so shocked that I can’t even believe it. I was finally getting excited about this storyline and they cut it out? They fire the actress?
Smith has no idea what happens with her character as they didn’t even get around to writing her out. She says her last scene had her walking toward her car. Lovely.
You can read the full interview at EW.
Let it out people, your glee or your outrage. How do you feel about this?
Via | EW
I know alot of people that will once again be tuning in to what used to be there favorite show. (And YES we did stop watching!) For as many people that complain about not being able to watch trash, there are many more of us that actually enjoy the drama, comedy and romance that does not include two females gettin it on. (I believe they have channels for that.) Way to go ABC!
How can this happen in USA? Weren’t you proud about that thing called freedom of speech? Or did it become obsolete?
I have to say that I’m extremely disappointed with GA & ABC with these turn of events. I mean, c’mon people! Seriously!?!?!
Brooke Smith was playing the role of Dr. Erica Hahn with conviction and remarkable credibility…& they gave her the boot just like that!?!?! What is up with that? Can’t you recognize a really good actor when you have one? Besides that, the storyline about her & Callie was just getting off the ground!
They were so bent on getting Isaiah Washington off the cast because of his anti-gay booboo, now they axe Brooke/Erica because of the character she plays?! TR Knight may have a point about wanting to get out of GA & ABC…even Joe the Bartender isn’t getting anymore airtime! OMG.
All these actors were/are doing really good jobs portraying their respective characters…but I guess that’s not important, is it?
All in all, I think ABC brass really need to re-evaluate their POVs on gay relationships and its impact on today’s society.
From what I read Brooke is working on a project with the producer David Milch from the show NYPD BLUE. She goes on to say that her firing.
Was what it was. And she has no hard feelings. She is a better person than I am. Cause I”m still pissed over this. LOL!!! Different people have spoke of her being hard, kinda hateful. She played that same hard person on the show Crossing Jordan. But that is just how she plays a part. On one of her interviews while on Grey’s, she said that Dr Hahn is all about the work and didn’t have much of a personal life and she didn’t show lot of emotions. When she did feel emotional about anything she got critized for it. So poor girl couldn’t win. But if you watch any of her videos when she isn’t playing a part that has to be a bad ass. You can see her kindness. Brooke Smith is a sweet ,kind, beautiful person.
i don’t think that’s a very good move, since T.R. is planning to leave the show and they didn’t get a golden globe nod (i think this show needs all the help it needs to stay afloat).. erica brought something different and edgy to the show, and the callie/erica relationship should bring a whole new (very much needed) fanbase.
anyways, i love this show and wish it the best of luck!!!
Mark, I never thought of her in that light, but you are absolutely right about her character portrayal. I can’t wait to see what other projects she is working on (http://www.greysanatomynews.com/2008/12/12/brooke-smith-discusses-life-after-greys/).
I think Brooke Smith was one of the few actors on Grey’s who came across as intelligent enough to be a real doctor. Unfortunately, the story line got too heavy for the right wingnuts, and they probably launched a crusade, possibly through an influential executive, about removing sponsors and the like. American society is still very homophobic. I liked the story line.
its so stupid, its not about carry or hahn, or even about a tv show relationship.
we must learn to respect each other for what we are!
come on people its the freakin’ 21ste century!!!
I think that maybe the part everyone is calling forced was the part of them not really knowing what they was doing. When you first get with your g/f you don’t really know what your doing. So it might look forced. I have been a lesbian for 47 yrs. I don’t think that I’de ever go to a male friend and get advise on how to have sex with my lesbian g/f. In the heat of passion you figure these things out. There relationship was to fast they should have dated awhile and got to know each other better before they jumped into the sheets. Felt the desire and wanting of each other. And talked to each other about what they wanted, instead of talking to Sloan and Bailey. Those scenes where funny, but not something that actually would have happened. I think that Glaad has alot to learn. And to my way of thinking really messed up. And caused Brooke her job. I’m sure Glaad does alot of wonderful things, but this was not one of them.
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AMEN JP!!!!!!!!
personally, she is not my favourite character, but she makes the storyline good. She should not be fired because there are some people that do enjoy the storyline, though it may show gay content. Live with it, thats life. :D
Amy I have heard that thing about being forced allll day on other web sites and for the life of me. I don’t know what was forced about there relationship. Could ya please tell me what that is supposed to mean. I don’t have a clue. Cause I didn’t see it.
I was about to stop watching GA. I can’t stand TV shows that try to put “messages” and teach “lessons” in their story lines. I’m glad this storyline is over, it seemed forced.
i sre hpe burke’s gna retrn. it ll b such an intrsting twist..!!!
Well I’m suprised they are completely getting rid of Dr. Hahn, but I didn’t care much for the relationship between her and Callie. The gay thing didn’t bother me as much as they way they were portraying it. I figured they could have ended the relationship, but somehow keep Dr. Hahn around.
Mike according to all the lesbians. Dr Burk isn’t going to make the ratings go back up. I care very little about him. I can’t speak for all lesbians. But this one don’t give a chit about what he thinks after calling TR a fag. But I have to say it is kinda weird. That Burke is fired after the word he said and Brooke is fired after the lesbian relationship she had. And she isn’t even a lesbian. Just played one on tv. Oh well, maybe we will get our freedom in years to come. You would think that people are smarter. But they aren’t it is like we are living in the 1950′s again.
This means the return of Dr. Burke! hmmmm, very interesting-he’ll bring the ratings back up for sure!
I personally think this shows the close minded state of the people running this network. Are we all not adults, can we not handle the fact that in the REAL world people are openly gay, married to their “life” partners? Look at Will and Grace, two openly gay characters on that show! Brothers and Sisters, gay people on that show, hell even Buffy the Vampire Slayer had a gay main character and that show was directed towards Teens, same with Degrassi. In this day and age, having a gay character is like having characters of color. Get over it people, let there be reality in T.V. I think firing this woman because of the story line was and is ridiculous. I am not a gay woman myself, however I see no reason to fire her or to write out the story line, it’s reality.
Everyone needs to just quit watching. I might watch next week, cause it looks like Erica is going to be killed off. I think she was on the operating table. On the preview of next weeks show. And Callie is standing there crying. After they killer her off. That is when I watch something else on another network thursday night at 8 pm. This is so unfair. The rating of this show should go in the toilet now.