Burke de Grey's Anatomy anti Gay?????

Anatomy of an Insult: ABC Is Stung by an Actor’s Anti-Gay Slurs


By EDWARD WYATT
Published: January 22, 2007

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 21 — Executives at ABC and its parent, Disney, are mulling the future of the actor Isaiah Washington, a star of the hit series “Grey’s Anatomy,” after Mr. Washington last week publicly used an anti-gay slur for the second time in roughly three months, a Disney executive said Friday.

The situation has potentially great implications for ABC, which is reaping millions of dollars in advertising revenues from a show that, in its third season, is among the highest rated on television.

The executive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because company officials were instructed not to go beyond a prepared statement, said that Mr. Washington’s behavior could be considered grounds for dismissal under Disney’s corporate antidiscrimination policy.

ABC and Touchstone, Disney’s television studio, called Mr. Washington’s behavior “unacceptable” in a statement issued on Thursday, three days after Mr. Washington’s most recent remark, which occurred in the backstage press room at the Golden Globes ceremony last week.

Mr. Washington later apologized for the remark and said that he was seeking help for “issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul.” But the damage might be done for Mr. Washington, 43, who portrays Dr. Preston Burke on “Grey’s Anatomy,” which this season has attracted an audience of more than 18 million viewers each week, according to Nielsen Media Research. On Thursday, the first broadcast since the show won for best dramatic television series at the Golden Globes, the audience numbered nearly 22 million, according to ABC.

Mr. Washington first got into trouble for using the same slur during an off-camera dispute on the set of the show in October. The remark was aimed at T. R. Knight, who portrays Dr. George O’Malley on the series and who had not previously talked publicly about his sexuality. It followed a brief fight between Mr. Washington and a third actor on the show, Patrick Dempsey. After that incident became public, Mr. Washington apologized, and Mr. Knight publicly acknowledged that he was gay. The October fight has continued to be the subject of gossip around the show, and after the Golden Globe victory for “Grey’s Anatomy,” the show’s actors and creator gathered backstage to answer reporters’ questions. One asked about the fight and the remark.

Mr. Washington moved to the microphone and denied that he ever used the slur to describe Mr. Knight, at the same time repeating the word. Fellow cast members who were with Mr. Washington appeared shaken, quickly going from jubilant to solemn. After the awards show another “Grey’s” actor, Katherine Heigl, publicly repudiated Mr. Washington’s remarks.

Mr. Knight appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Wednesday and disputed Mr. Washington’s denial of using the slur in October.

As discussion of the incidents grew, Mr. Washington remained silent until after ABC issued a statement chastising him.

“We have a longstanding policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees,” the ABC statement said. “We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed ‘unfortunate’ in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously. His actions are unacceptable and are being addressed.”

An ABC spokeswoman declined to comment on how the issue was addressed in October and what steps were being considered now.

After ABC issued its statement, Mr. Washington again apologized, after first firing his publicist. He expressed his regret to Mr. Knight, colleagues, fans “and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance.”

The statement appeared to acknowledge that Mr. Washington had used the slur before, despite his most recent denial. “By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ” the statement said. “I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. 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.

“I know the power of words, especially those that demean,” the statement continued. “I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T. R. and my colleagues. With one word, I’ve hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I’ve opened.”

Mr. Washington added: “T. R.’s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T. R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity.”

Neil G. Giuliano, the president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, told CNN on Friday that he expected to travel to Los Angeles this week to meet with ABC executives and Mr. Washington.

Kelly Mullens, Mr. Washington’s new publicist, declined to comment on Mr. Washington’s plans for a meeting or his expected future with the show.

“Grey’s Anatomy” ranks fifth overall among prime-time shows. It ranks second overall among viewers ages 18 to 49, the demographic group for which networks charge the highest advertising premium.

(si quelqu'un veut traduire ce sera avec plaisir )

lol je viens de lire que le docteur burke vient d'entrer dans uns clinique pour suivre une thérapie pour comprendre pourquoi il a osé prononcer des injures anti gays!!!

Ah ces américains, ils me feront toujours rire!!
Ya t'il des thérapies pour les racistes aussi?

Quelle hypocrisie!!

'Grey's Anatomy' Star Enters Counseling
Washington seeks help 'understanding' gay slur
January 25, 2007


Isaiah WashingtonIsaiah Washington of "Grey's Anatomy" has entered therapy to help "understand" what caused him to utter a gay slur about castmate T.R. Knight.

The show's creator has also issued a statement saying she was shocked by Washington's use of the word "faggot" backstage at the Golden Globes last week and hopes that counseling will help Washington.

"With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling," Washington says in a statement. "I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again. I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally."

Related Stories
Washington Meets with Gay Groups
The 43-year-old actor has been at the center of a controversy since the Golden Globe Awards -- at which "Grey's Anatomy" won the award for best TV drama -- on Jan. 15. A reporter asked about an on-set incident in the fall in which Washington reportedly directed a slur at Knight, who is gay.

A reporter at the Globes asked about the incident -- which Washington had subsequently apologized for -- and Washington denied having used the epithet. That set off the current swirl of stories, with Knight and co-star Katherine Heigl taking Washington to task and gay organizations demanding an apology from Washington.

He did apologize last week, and met with leaders of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network earlier this week.

Rhimes remained silent on the matter until Wednesday, when she issued a statement saying that "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."

She adds that ABC and Touchstone TV, which produces the show, are working with her to handle the matter "in a way that underscores the gravity of the situation while giving us all a foundation for healing."

"We applaud and encourage Isaiah's realization that he needs help and his subsequent choice to seek immediate treatment for his behavioral issues," Rhimes says.

It's unclear whether Washington's counseling will affect the production of the series.

Histoire sans fin......

TR Knight serait sur le point de quitter la série!!

L'acteur qui joue le Doc George O’Malley dans la série serait très bouleversé par les insultes faites à son encontre par Isaiah Washington et songerait à quitter la série...

La chaine lui aurait demandé de ne pas faire de commentaire sur l'incident!

Is T.R. Knight about to exit “Grey’s Anatomy”?

The actor was the subject of a widely-publicized homophobic slur by a cast mate and he “is so upset about the situation and so disgusted by how it was all handled,” that he’s planning to leave the show, says a source.

“He was told not to say anything about the whole incident,” says the insider, referring to an on-set dust up in October when fellow cast member Isaiah Washington referred to Knight, who plays Dr. George O’Malley, with a derogatory word used to describe gay men.

“He kept his word, but then the whole thing blew up again at the Golden Globes, and when he was asked about it, he basically called Isaiah a liar,” says the source. “He feels that the atmosphere there is so toxic and unhealthy. I suppose things could change and we would stay, but for now, he’s planning to leave the show.”

When asked if Knight planned to leave the show, his spokeswoman told The Scoop: “We’re not commenting on that.” She later called back and said that the story was “Completely, one thousand percent false.” A rep for the network also called to add that “rumors of T. R. Knight’s departure from the show are irrefutably untrue.”

Bonjour
j ai lu quelque part que finalement Burke reviendrait et que Georges aurait signé pour la saison 4 donc...apparement tout va bien non ????
il y a une petition en ligne pour je cite "sauver le docteur Burke" sur un site gay.
compliqué dans la série, compliqué dans la vie !!! lol

Oui chaque semaine, il y a de nouveaux rebondissements dans cette histoire! Au bout du compte, je crois qu'ils en profitent pour faire parler d'eux!

oui c est clair que cela fait encore et toujours de la pub......
affaire a suivre, on verra bien si a la saison 4, Burke, sera toujours là aux cotés de George.....

C'est officiel le Dr Burke a été viré de la série
La créatrice et productrice Shonda Rhimes a finalement prit la décision de le renvoyer après toutes ces péripeties