Interviewing Isaiah

Billy I am in agreeance with you about the Isaiah Washington interview. Someone had to say it because obviously there is some information missing as far as the facts of the story. I am glad that NBC is giving Mr. Washington another chance. Whatever the original story, he did make an inappropriate comment, though in denial, at the awards show. Not necessarily worth getting fired over, but when a network wants to get rid of someone they will use any excuse. Keep up the good reporting and interviewing. Someone has to ask the tough questions and not just do the fluffy interviews. I like that you are a thinking television journalist. Good Work!

What a shame that Billy's comment about Patrick Dempsey was not aired in context, it did appear as if he was being critical of Patrick. Isaiah Washington's story has changed many times, and yet no interviewer that I have seen has really challenged him on his version of events. It was a good question, if what Isaiah is saying is true, then why is it that no one else has come forward to support or substantiate his story. It's cowardly that he is critical of the other actors knowing that they are gagged by the network and can't respond to his comments. Goodbye, good riddance to this cancer of negativity that has plagued Grey's for too long.

I'm glad that you were able to ask some pointed questions of Isaiah Washington. As difficult as he may be on set it is completely ridiculous that he was fired over something so petty. That's right, I said petty. Name-calling is childish and petty, but not worth firing a man. Grow up America. I'm sure b**** is being used on the set and whose getting fired for that?!

I agree with Sarah's comment above. The insinuation by IW that Patrick Dempsey was the only one that could substantiate his version of the story is ridiculous. Others have said they heard it as well, for example, Ellen Pompeo has stated she heard the entire argument. I was dismayed to see Billy's interview allow IW to continue his "blame PD" campaign. One person chose their actions and words - IW. No one else is at fault or responsible for cleaning up IW's mess. I'd like to see Billy do a follow up to this interview and set things right in regards to Mr. Dempsey. Good riddance to IW, Grey's will be better off without his hostile attitude on set.

AH is owned by NBC/Universal, who recently hired IW for Bionic Women. Then there is this interview that attempts to paint IW in a positive light and Mr. Dempsey (ABC show) in a negative light. What a transparent attempt by NBC to create publicity buzz.

In response to Danessa: I think he was fired because he became physical during the argument (reportedly choking Dempsey) which he aparantly has a history of doing on movie sets as those who have worked with him on movies have reported. He's a time bomb and reportedly made the set very uncomfortable. TR and the others shouldn't have to work under those conditions IMO.

My advice to Mr Washington is to think before you use a slur that is offensive. I'm quite sure he wouldn't want one used toward him.It doesn't matter who he called that name just the fact he used it is wrong. He should also take responsiblity for his own actions and stop blaiming everyone else. I personally won't be watching any show this man is on. He really needs to redeem himself in my eyes..owning up would help. And stop giving interveiws if you can't tell the truth.

I don't personally know any of the actors involved, but I am a fan of Isaiah Washington's and believe that he has been the victim of false reporting and assumptions not grounded in fact. I do not believe you should have let sleeping dogs lie and am glad you asked the questions you asked.

I believe that TR Knight got caught up in all of the rumor and speculations about his public "outing" and conveniently lead the press to believe it was related to the incident on the set of Grey's Anatomy in October. Whether he purposefully and with premeditation used it to advance his career at Isaiah's expense or just took advantage of the situation as it presented itself, Isaiah is right when he says it served to promote Knight. No one even knew his actual name prior to the hue and cry from the tabloid press over this supposed offensive word directed at him. Now we hear that this was not true, that he was not present, and that the word was not directed at him at all. Actually Isaiah's story corresponds to some of the original reports of the incident that contradicted the National Inquirer's report, which was apparently all wrong.

Regardless, firing Isaiah or anyone over anything said in a private argument on a closed set among "family" and not intended to hurt or humiliate anyone was completely ridiculous and an over the top reaction. In my opinion, so would be firing him for trying to defend himself against months of attacks on his integrity at the Golden Globes. How much different the outcome if it had been Dempsey who had taken the mic at the Golden Globes after the repeated questions about the altercation in October and said, "Isaiah did not direct a slur at TR Knight. It never happened."

Don't back down from your question and stand, Billy. Neither you nor Isaiah were blaming Dempsey. You were both trying to figure out why the only other person actually involved in the argument hasn't come forward to clear up the contradictory stories. I believe that the entire cast is under a gag order in hopes that it will just fade away. But how terribly unfair to Isaiah to prevent him or Patrick from coming forward with the facts of the disagreement and yet allowing Knight to sound off on Ellen with what were apparently lies.

You state as a reason for thinking TR Knight is a nice guy that Kate Walsh likes him. Well Kate Walsh has also been supportive of Isaiah, as have Jim Pickens, Chandra Wilson, Sandra Oh, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Eric Dane and Patrick Dempsey himself. So, why do you make a statement about him being difficult. I have not heard this substantiated by anyone else on the cast either. It is really funny what we chose to believe and whom we chose to believe. I, for one, will never consider TR Knight a "nice guy" after allowing this rumor to perpetuate and even lying about it on national television. To me that is not a nice guy. I wish Isaiah great success on NBC and for me Grey's is history. Any company or organization that could treat one of their own in this manner will not get my support.

No matter what the truth life goes on and all the new developments in "I's" life is worth dwelling on and the past is done. My favorite word NEXT!!! So next. Congrates to "I".

I think your question about PD was entirely appropriate and raises some interesting questions about why he won't support IW. But why the comment about IW's "difficulty" on set? Everyone is now using that as a convenient excuse as to why he may have been fired, hoping that we'll all simply forget that TR lied, that PD is covering his butt and that ABC have been uneven at best in their attitudes towards individual cast members, such as allowing TR and KH to run their mouths off, yet gagging IW. Quite frankly, this whole thing stinks to high heaven and I, like many others, applaud IW for standing up to the hypocrisy and injustice.

Danessa, obviously racism has never effected your life. The F word Isaiah chose to use towards T.R. was like T.R. using the N word towards Isaiah. Now what do you think would have happened then? Words are very hurtfull and can be very damaging and leave long lasting results as history as proved time after time.
Isaiah never denied in his first interviews it was directed toward T.R. he appologized nothing more was said about T.R. not being there.