Surprise award for Grey's Anatomy

[Kelda]

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/6557375.stm

Published: 2007/04/15 12:04:28 GMT



Surprise award for Grey's Anatomy

TV's Grey's Anatomy has been honoured by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, despite the use of a gay slur by one of its stars in January.
The Alliance demanded an apology after Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington allegedly used a derogatory term about co-star TR Knight last year.

Washington, 43, was then reprimanded by network ABC for repeating the word as he denied events at the Golden Globes.

The hit show won outstanding individual episode at the GLAAD media awards.

The annual awards recognise mainstream media for their "fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community".

The awards are split into four ceremonies in cities across the US.


Other winners at the Los Angeles ceremony included Ugly Betty, for outstanding television comedy series, and Oscar winner Little Miss Sunshine, which was named best film.

The Vanguard Award went to actress Jennifer Aniston for her efforts to increase "visibility and understanding" of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Washington, who plays Dr Preston Burke in hospital drama Grey's Anatomy, apologised earlier this year, saying the slur was "unacceptable in any context or circumstance".

"I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help," he said in a statement in January.

Grey's Anatomy, now in its third season, won this year's Golden Globe for best television drama.

It is regularly the most-watched programme in the US, and is shown on Five and Living TV in the UK.

[Kd5000]

Film went to Little Ms Sunshine. They had a gay character, but not that much of a gay subplot.   I guess last year was the "gay year" with Capote and Brokeback Mountain having leading gay characters.

Still waiting to see if THE FRONTRUNNER is going to be made into a movie. 2007 is the release date and no one has been cast.  Isn't it getting a bit late.   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486584/

I'm never really watched Grey's Anatomy so I don't know how it's contributed to gay visibility, etc or whatever they give the award for.  They have an out gay actor who plays a straight guy I believe.

[Meryl]

Very interesting, Kelda, especially after that flap about Isaiah Washington's remark.

Speaking of Jennifer Aniston, she and Jake were involved in the recent GLAAD awards.  Someone at LiveJournal posted photos of them hugging and kissing:

[Kelda]

'Gay jibe' Anatomy actor dropped

Actor Isaiah Washington will not return to US TV show Grey's Anatomy following his use of a gay slur, it has emerged.
According to ABC Television Studios, producer of the award-winning medical drama, his contract option has not been renewed for next season.

"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore," Washington said in a statement released by his publicist.

The actor, who plays Dr Preston Burke in the show, did not explain his words - a quote from the 1976 film Network.

Washington, 43, was involved in a scuffle with co-star Patrick Dempsey on the set of Grey's Anatomy last year after using a derogatory term about their co-star, T R Knight.

The actor denied using the term at the Golden Globe awards in January, but received a rebuke from ABC for saying the word in public.

He has since received counselling and met with civil rights groups to discuss ways to address homophobia.

The season finale of Grey's Anatomy, shown in the US in May but yet to be broadcast in the UK, opened the door for the departure of Washington's character.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/6733541.stm

[Kelda]

Actor Isaiah Washington, who was dropped from US drama Grey's Anatomy after using a gay slur, says TV network ABC "fired the wrong guy".
Washington, 43, was involved in a scuffle with co-star Patrick Dempsey last year after using a derogatory term about their colleague, T R Knight.

But, speaking to the Houston Chronicle, the actor said Knight should have been fired for stoking the scandal.

"I'm not angry. I'm disappointed," he said. ABC had no immediate comment.

The network announced earlier this month that Washington's contract had not been renewed for the next season of the award-winning medical drama.

Not fair

Washington maintains that he asked to be released from the show on two separate occasions, but said it was still "a shock" when he was told the news..

"I did everything I said I would do. I offered to go to counselling, to do a public service announcement. I wanted everyone to know I was remorseful.

"Then they didn't renew my contract. That's not fair."

Washington also denied using the insulting word in front of Knight, who publicly revealed he was gay after the incident was reported.

"I used the word during a disagreement with Patrick," he said. "I apologised for that. We shook hands and went back to work."

The third season of Grey's Anatomy is currently being shown in the UK on Living TV.




Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/6229294.stm

[Kelda]

Dear God man.. shut up already! You're digging yourself into a hole here!

From IMDB news.

Actor Isaiah Washington insists the only reason he was fired from TV show Grey's Anatomy for making a homophobic remark was because of the color of his skin. Washington infamously made an offensive comment about castmate T.R. Knight last October and repeated it at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year. But the 43-year-old claims he was fired from Grey's Anatomy earlier this month because America can't find it in its heart to forgive an African-American. He cites the examples of actor Robert Downey, Jr., who has rebuilt his career despite multiple run-ins with the police over his drug problems, and politician Arnold Schwarzenneger, who has fought allegations of sexual misconduct. Washington tells U.S. magazine Newsweek, "I apologized and showed my remorse for what I said and for the pain I caused anyone. If a black man can't get forgiveness in this country, when so many other people like Robert Downey, Jr. and the governor of California get second and third chances... I think that says a lot about race and this country where we stand."

[Meryl]

He is one sad puppy.