Isaiah Washington: Grey's Treatment of Brooke Smith Is "Disgusting"
Isaiah Washington
Who doesn't love a little irony?
Former Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington, who was publicly derided and ultimately fired from the series after making a homophobic slur at gay costar T.R. Knight, is now chiming in on the show's treatment of the recently axed Brooke Smith and her lesbian character.
"I looked at a brilliant actress, whom I have adored since I first saw her in Silence of the Lambs," Washington says in the Nov. 17 issue of TV Guide. "For her to be treated this way, I find very interesting."
Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes quickly released a statement last week, denying that Smith's departure had anything to do with her playing a lesbian. "We did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run," she said.
While Washington has harsh words for the choices made behind the scenes, he also sympathizes with Rhimes.
"You look at the way another consummate professional [is] being treated because her character, her story line [has] potentially made producers uncomfortable," he says. "Now that I see what they're doing to a show that I love and I care about, I think it's disgusting. The fact that Shonda has been put in this position is extremely unfair."
And what's Washington's idea of damage control? "Bring Burke back!" he says.
Given his history with the show, what do you think of Washington's comments?
