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Our pal Michael Ausiello over at TV Guide has posted his answers to our most burning questions. I was particularly shocked by the answer to this one:
Question: I’m confused. Is Isaiah Washington being replaced on Grey’s or not?— Gaby
Ausiello: It changes from day to day. Today it’s leaning more toward yes.
Oh reeeeally?
Well, well…
I suppose that could all change tomorrow, though it’s a very interesting thing indeed. Guess ABC is sick of the drama that’s not on their Thursday night slot.
Hm.
Further answers:
Question: Hey! Where’s the Grey’s Anatomy scoop? Hello, most popular show ever. Throw us a bone.— Hilary
Ausiello: Remember the ginormous February-sweeps ferry-boat-fire episode I first told you about two weeks ago? Well, it’s apparently too big to squeeze into just one hour, and will now encompass three whole episodes. Appropriately titled “Walk on Water,” the three-episode arc will kick off Feb. 8 and mark the arrival of Elizabeth Reaser as a patient who, per Shonda Rhimes, “will affect the lives of all the doctors at Seattle Grace.”
Hmm!! Let the speculation begin!
Whatever TV Guide says on the subject, Washington will NOT be fired or replaced. I do not believe that his job has ever been in jeopardy throughout this entire ordeal. The order of the day has been damage control.
Since their public statement about Washington, there have been several convenient “leaks” from ABC regarding how seriously they were considering firing him. They also orchestrated his meeting with gay leaders and trip to “Bigot Rehab”. Everything has been done to make the public think that the issue was taken seriously by the network and producers in hopes of quieting things down and avoiding a protest when they do NOT fire Washington. It’s Hollywood as usual.
what if george had called burke the “N”
word, would george be fired, you can bet on it he would have been fired that day, why is being called a faggot any different?????????
Thank you JCW and Ann. I second your well written statements. People are acting like Greys Anatomy is a religion instead of a business for profit industry. Mr. Washington committed 3 very serious workplace violations. Physical intimidation and verbal sexual harazement twice. These actions would warrant immediate termination period it the business work place. It isn’t about forgiveness it is about accountability in the work place. The producers of Greys Anatomy will be the losers when they the other good actors refuse to renew their contracts because they do not want to work with Washington. Damage control is and should be termination of Mr. Washington. And, yes George would have been terminated on the spot for the “N” word. ABC do the right thing. Fire Mr. Washington.
If he had called him the “N” word would he have been fired? Hell NO!! How many times has the N word been thrown around by whites lately? The same treatment is given, damage control. They parade them all over radio and tv apologizing for what was said,and soon all is forgiven. What makes this any different?
Just as blacks need to stop getting upset when people acknowledge what whites really think and feel about them, gays need to do the same thing.
Lets face it everyone is a bigot in their own way. Some just know how to hide it better, and know who to express their comments to.
Beverly,
The reason there has been no call to “fire” your Mel Gibsons, Michael Richards and Andy Dicks is because none of them are actually “employed” by anybody. Yeah, they’ve hired firms to provide them damage control, but their instances are not the same as an employee of a company (ABC) that puts a clause in it’s contract with employees about the use of such speech in the workplace.
Blacks do NOT need to “Get used” to being called the “N” word, and gays should NOT have to “Get used” to being called the “F” word.
In social circumstances where violence is not involved, there’s not a lot anyone can do about it.
However, in the workplace, in many companies and States there are rules and laws against such behaviour and they can and should be enforced.
I really am not totally in the “Fire Isaiah!” camp….So long as this serves to educate Isaiah and the public, and the cast does not object, should he remain employed all may have happened to serve a greater good.
I truly hope that is the case.
Yep, we’re all bigots in some way – no denying it. That doesn’t mean we have to settle for that and not try and improve ourselves and the society we live in.
As I stated above, this will pass. Washington shall remain employed and so long as he doesn’t repeat the slur it will end up forgotten. Just like those white guys you mentioned.
OH… and I don’t think that all white people think of blacks as the “N” word
as you say “whites really think and feel about them”. I’m sure a lot do, but please don’t try and put us all in that category. Anymore than all blacks think of gays in terms of the “F” word.
In the end, the whole thing was about a gay slur in the workplace. The “N” word has nothing to do with it.
The “N” word has everything to do with it. It’s used as a racial slur. The “F” word was used slur. Although it’s not racial, I guess it’s a social slur since gays come in all races. The point I was making is simply this, be it the “N” or the “F” it’s used to berate, humiliate and hurt.
Let’s be real, in corprate america racial slurs are used all the time, although behind closed doors, or in secret meetings, and if you are fortunate no one finds out about it.
I think blacks really do need to get used to it. Desensitize the word, that way when it’s said it can’t hurt or it’s rolls off your back. Yes the word has been a term of hate and degradation, however the way I see it, as long as someone knows a certain word, phrase, or term hurts you they will use it to break you.
I am not in agreement as far as what he said but it’s how he felt at the moment.
How may of us have allowed our true feelings to slip in the heat of passion and said or done something and later regret it?
I’m sorry but everyone now days try to hard to be politicaly correct.
rehab?!! this whole thing is so ridiculous…
I agree with James, freedom of speech, freedom. He has the right to say and express his thoughts. If america is so called free why is everyone making a big deal over it. How can it be a disrespect thing if its true. I dont use the word, and i do have gay friends, And i’m totally loving T.R Knight and Isaiah Washington. I think they should hug and make mends. We all say things that offend others, thats what we call the right to speak. God gave us a mouth to say what we want and he also gave us a brain to think what we want. Whats the difference. I say were not as free as we thing we are. If a black man has to go to REHAB for saying the word “faggot” its totally out rages. ABC keep up the good work, Keep Isaiah Washington on the show. And T.R Knight, there the best.
Well Tessa,
I understand your feelings, but I’d still just as soon not get to a place where you think that it’s your responsibility to “just get over it” if you work somewhere where someone refers to you as an ignorant c*nt. I would hope that you would stand up for yourself and demand to be respected in the workplace. I would also hope that you would expect your employers to stand with you.
How far do you want to go to defend inapproriate speech and actions in the workplace? Is it OK for some guy to grab your tit, or pinch your ass? Is it OK for someone make jokes about how you probably grew up screwing your father and brothers?
Where do you think the line should be drawn when it comes to acceptable behavior and language in the workplace?
Does anything go because you feel:
“freedom of speech, freedom. He has the right to say and express his thoughts.”?
The rehab thing? Don’t sweat it – it’s a joke. He attended 5 days of anger management classes – that’s it. “Re-hab” is the “in” term these days for anyone who needs to try and clean up their public image, that’s all.
I perhaps too shall agree with this opinion
The best blog which I saw
Why is it ok for black people to call each other the “N” word and every white person who hears this shall never speak the word. If it is so bad, why do you keep repeating it. I do not go up to my friends and say What’s up Cracker?. I just don’t understand if you don’t respect your own people, how can anyone else????
Washington is just using rehab as an ‘out.’ ABC isn’t going to fire him because he’s one of the major characters…Although many may want him to leave, he is pry staying put. His paycheck on the other hand, may suffer.
good blog.
guten tag