07/17/2007
Isaiah Washington Grateful for Second Chances
Isaiah Washington talked to the Associated Press about his upcoming extended guest star role on the new fall show Bionic Woman:
"I'm humbled by this opportunity. What I always wanted to put at the forefront is my creativity, that thing I want to do, which is act...If there are issues with other actors (he is referring to a tiff about cast tardiness with Patrick Dempsey that he says began the whole incident), it's not my problem. I'm not a hero, babysitter, big brother. I'm the employee, too."
And NBC's Ben Silverman recalled his decision to hire the actor following his firing: "[I thought] 'Gosh, it would great to get him, get a great actor on our air.' It's like A-Rod leaving the Yankees in midseason...I really thought about him as an actor. I feel like he's a wonderful actor and everyone deserves a second chance."
Posted 1:00 PM EST by Andy Towle in Isaiah Washington, News, Television | Permalink
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Michael, get off the cross, someone else needs the wood.
Posted by: Jesus | Jul 17, 2007 2:59:30 PM
JLS is a douchebag. Ironic statements tend to be difficult to express on the Internet - particularly in the comments on a blog where no one knows who you are, your humor, history, sensibilities...
The only class that has been dismissed is your own, as you clearly have no class.
Posted by: Gregg | Jul 17, 2007 3:01:08 PM
What I can't believe no one has addressed is the concept of second chances, and who in this situation will actually get one, and who really won't. I knew virtually the second that I heard Isaiah's option hadn't been renewed and this whole drama got started that he would indeed bounce back quickly and get the glorious second chance that some producer, network or other industry would tout in order to raise a show's profile in the press. But what about second chances for T.R. Knight? I'm curious to see what opportunities he'll get after Grey's Anatomy. He is now an OUT gay actor in Hollywood, which essentially means he will likely never get another lead role in a network series, or even a 5 episode guest star arc on a prominent series, unless it's as the wisecracking gay sidekick of the show's female lead. He might get a 2-line flashback scene on the occasional crime procedural, but as for anything that doesn't stereotype him as a gay character, forget it. I hope he's socking away every penny of that Grey's Anatomy money, because once that gig's over, T.R.'s most likely doomed to crappy gay indies and bit parts here and there.
Posted by: MrRoboto | Jul 17, 2007 3:04:10 PM
RDM, while I agree there are other individuals who deem more attention for their homophobia, IW is a celebrity who physically attacked a co-worked, called another co-worker a homophobic derogatory name, then recanted, then called him that term again on live television, then apologized, made a half-assed attempt at recanting (seemed more for his career than actually realizing he was sorry), then after being fired went off that T.R. Knight over reacted in order to gain attention, an increased salary and star power on "Grey's Anatomy". It seems the lady doth protest too much, as he has been the one making the most of this, not T.R. Knight and certainly not any one from "Grey's Anatomy" (who have backed T.R. Knight). So, in sum, if we ignore this issue we are merely saying that it is ok for a celebrity to behave in this manner and treat us as less than human and a conspiring group to garner attention. I find this very ironic as it is the direct actions of IW that has garnered the most attention. If we ignore this, what happens the next time a celebrity calls someone a f**got or n****er or (insert derogatory term here)? Rehab? A slap on the wrist till someone else does it?
Posted by: Cory | Jul 17, 2007 3:05:06 PM
thanks for the youtube link to madtv...that was freakin' hilarious. god, what a turd that show grey's anatomy is...
Posted by: dan | Jul 17, 2007 3:05:36 PM
MRROBOTO: Excellent point. That was in the back of my head, and while others will state that this may not be true, that Hollywood is changing, etc., the reality is it is not. Who knows what the future holds, but based on Hollywoods track record it doesn't look as promising as it has been for T.R. Knight. Interesting that people seem more concerned with IW as if HE'S the victim. People need to get a grip and realize how wrong they are.
Posted by: Cory | Jul 17, 2007 3:08:35 PM
I truly hate to say this, but you are acting like a bunch of FAGGOTS. We LGBTQ need to STAND STRONG. We must FIGHT BACK against the people who keep us down, who feel that we are inferior because we DARE to MAKE LOVE to other MEN. But it brings us down to the level of this person to try to control what he says. You sound weak, almost LISPY, when you screech and trill about how "Isaiah" should be BANNED or FIRED or GAYCOTTED.
I barely survived 9/11. I was THERE when the towers came down! But now I am officially ashamed to be gay.
Posted by: MidnightPrince69 | Jul 17, 2007 3:10:01 PM
Midnightprinceaa69,
What are you talking about? You are ashamed to be gay because people use their free speech rights. Move on please.
Posted by: James | Jul 17, 2007 3:20:24 PM
I know in one of posts above, "Jesus" asked Michael to get off the cross 'cause someone else needed it, but I don't think it was meant for you to use, Midnightprince69.
Seriously, get off of it.
On the bright side, now that you're ashamed to be gay, maybe you could be IW's ass-istant.
Posted by: silverskreen | Jul 17, 2007 3:26:31 PM
I rescued a kitten today
Posted by: Dali Llama | Jul 17, 2007 3:27:24 PM
Maybe we should bury the "F" word just as the NAACP did with the "N" word???
Posted by: Merkyl | Jul 17, 2007 3:34:40 PM
Midnight...what does 9/11 have to do with anything? I'm sorry you experienced such a horror first-hand, but if you're using it as an excuse to vent you're internalized homophobia, I think you made a wrong turn. Does that make you a "real man"? Lispy? Weak? Faggots? Wow. Those are the words you choose to associate with LGBTQ people? I think, on the surface, the Washington story is overblown, too, but look what it represents. More double-standards. Would TR Knight get a second chance, as an out gay man, if he called Washington "the N word"? TR Knight, as it's been so well put, will most likely never act again because he's out and gay. When we point out inequities in society, we're lispy, weak, and faggots? Interesting. If we keep our mouths shut and take the crap the world throws at us, then we're manly? Just like straight guys? YIKES...
Posted by: Nathan | Jul 17, 2007 3:35:32 PM
Lord, I hope it wasn't a little black kitten, even if he's gay, he'll catch hell here.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jul 17, 2007 3:36:11 PM
I is from Holland and do not make sense of what this is wrong. Is black peoples not the same as gay peoples? In Holland we not discriminate at anyone, not even midgets.
Posted by: Onnie | Jul 17, 2007 3:42:32 PM
MICHAEL, Actually now I am calling you faggot, and a nigger!
OMG!!! YOUR HEAD MIGHT EXPLODE!
Gregg, how's that for classy, eh? eh?!
Posted by: JLS | Jul 17, 2007 4:11:09 PM
"MICHAEL, Actually now I am calling you faggot, and a nigger!"
You can call me whatever you want, while remaining safely hidden behind your computer at home. zzzzz
As hard as it may be for a racist like you to grasp, your words don't define or affect me in the least.
We both know that in the real world, you don't have the guts to call anyone a NIGGER to their face.
You're not much of a man or human being.
Posted by: michael | Jul 17, 2007 4:57:46 PM
Anyone else think this "Bionic Woman" show will implode before it even hits the airwaves? Like some backstage drama will occur, and it will be over before it starts?
Posted by: John | Jul 17, 2007 4:58:31 PM
I find it disappointing that Mr. Washington is forgiven by "the industry", and those that think all this is racist because he is black.
Has anyone actually forgiven Michael Richards? How about Don Imus? Mel Gibson?
Does it depend on the color of your skin whether you should be forgiven or not? Does it depend on the color of your skin what words you can use? Is the 'N' word, 'nappy ho's', being anti-semitic worse than spewing the 'F' word? I tire of people calling racism when it has nothing to do with racism. Has anyone ever read the story about the boy who called wolf? I know Sharpton and Jackson haven't.
He used the 'F' word twice, once on set, and the other time denying he said it at all - in front of the press. Finally, he puts the blame on everyone else. The man deserves no respect, no matter what color his skin is!
Posted by: MaskedPoster | Jul 17, 2007 5:29:30 PM
"Has anyone actually forgiven Michael Richards? How about Don Imus? Mel Gibson?"
No one that I know of is actively trying to derail and destroy their careers either. Mel Gibson is still making films, Don Imus will be back on radio, and Michael Richards is back to doing whatever it is he does.
Isaiah Washington made a mistake by calling someone a fag once on the set, so does that mean he should be destroyed?
Just saying the word FAGGOT doesn't make you a homophobe. Am I supposed to logically accept that because he said the word in the front of the press, he should be destroyed for it? It's just a fucking word. GET OVER IT.
If any of this nonsense illustrates anything, it's just how deep racism goes within the gay community.
Posted by: michael | Jul 17, 2007 6:07:52 PM
Michael, please, buy yourself a clue, and stop making this the "Michael" blog. You need a hobby, how about needle point.
Posted by: Vanna White | Jul 17, 2007 6:27:55 PM
Oh Lordy, Masa Michael, wont ya pleeaaase forgive me, Masa Michael?! ... Ya know, ya know what I is, I evil. I see the evil in us white folk Masa Michael... Oh Lordy, forgive us Masa, FORGIVE US poor, ignant whities for eva kwestionin' the Black man, cuz ya Black folk is righteous, 'n everything ya do is righteous... I never say such tings, Masa. Never again, I sweeAAARRRRRR!!! ... The Black Folk can say whateva is in yer harts, Masa... Y'all can call us faggots, homo's, whateva is in yer hearts, Masa, cuz ya is rite. Masa Washington cen say 'n do whateva is in dat Masa's hart, cuz saying such ting's is okay for Masa Washington cuz he is a righteous Black Man, and we is nuttin' but poor ole whities, rite Masa Michael??? ...
Oh Masa Michael, I is soooo sorry, please, PLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEE forgive us poor, ignant white folk for being racist 'n sayin' that Masa Washington was wrong in callin' us poor faggots for what we is - FAGGOTS. Rite Masa Michael??! Masa?! MAAASSSSAAAA?!?!?!?!
Posted by: Poor white folk | Jul 17, 2007 6:52:49 PM
lol @ Poor White Folk
Michael honnie, you seem to have a hard on for Washington, and you seem to believe that a black man can say anything he wants about any body since being black means that you have that right, and if any one disagrees and criticizes a black man such as Washington then they are automatically racist.
I think the racist here is you Michael, for
1) assuming that Washington has the right to call any one anything he wants
2) believing that those who oppose Mr. Washington are all white
3) arguing that Washington deserves all the chances he can get since he is black
Michael, you need to rethink your strategy and get back to us once you've had your meds and a visit to what I like to call....
REALITY!!!!!!
Posted by: Cane | Jul 17, 2007 7:06:05 PM
Poor White Folk,
Maybe you should read Chesnutt or Hurston if you are going to try to "mimic" a form of black speech. I can give you some suggestions if you want.
Cane,
I can't speak for Michael but he could be responding to how the Washington thing has played out (especially here at Towleroad). While Andy has just given us the facts a few folk have decided to turn the affair into a racial hate fest. Washington has been called a "filthy nigger" by someone who went on to explain how his lovah was black. Then there has been the standard "this just shows how hateful those black folk are" rhetoric.
Now before you go off and accuse me of supporting Washington, that's not the case. Do a search on this site if you want. All my comments about the man have been negative. However, while I can be critical of him I can also say the way this whole thing has been discussed is problematic.
Posted by: James | Jul 17, 2007 7:32:35 PM
1. Isaiah does have the right to say whatever he wants. It's called freedom of speech here in america.
2. I never said anywhere in my comments that only whites oppose Isaiah. I am willing to bet that most of the comments here about boycotting NBC, the show, and starting letter writing campaigns, aren't coming from people of color. Just a wild guess.
3. Again, I have never said anywhere that he deserves a second chance just because he's black. Where did you read that????
He deserves a second chance because he's a human being, and we all make mistakes. He called someone a faggot, he didn't shoot anyone.
If being called a faggot upsets some of you this much, then perhaps you should examine your own internalized self loathing and homophobia. Faggot is only a word, and has no power that we don't give it.
Btw, thanks POOR WHITE FOLK for proving my previous post so eloquently.
Posted by: michael | Jul 17, 2007 7:39:50 PM
jesus christ you guys -- what a bunch of vile spew...seriously. what is wrong with you? so the guy said faggot, big deal...people use that word all the time, it doesn't mean anything, and in the context he used it, it really didn't mean anything. but seriously, even if it was, stop being such victims and get over it, but don't use it as an excuse to be racist pigs. good god.
Posted by: dan | Jul 17, 2007 8:00:38 PM