"Grey's Anatomy" star
Isaiah Washington has apologized in Los Angeles to co-star T.R. Knight for calling him a name "that is unacceptable in any context."
Knight told
Ellen DeGeneres this week he went public about his homosexuality after he overheard Washington call him a ****** in October during a conversation with another
actor on the show.
ABC issued a statement Thursday saying Washington used "inappropriate language" at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, Calif., when he answered a reporter's question about the matter. "No, I did not call T.R. a ******," said Washington. "Never happened, never happened."
"I'm going to be really honest right now, he needs to just not speak in public. Period," co-star
Katherine Heigl told "Access Hollywood" at a Golden Globe after-party. "I'm sorry, that did not need to be said. I'm not OK with it." "I don't think (Washington) means it the way he comes off," Heigl said. "But T.R. is my best friend. ... I will use every ounce of energy I have to take you down if you hurt his feelings."
Isaiah Washington's denial is pretty awkward, and nobody is really sure what he meant by it. After Washington's denial, Knight stood his ground during a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show Tuesday. "He referred to me as a ******," Knight said. "Everyone heard it."
In a statement issued Thursday to the
TV show "Extra," ABC reinforced its policy of maintaining "respectful workplaces" for its employees.
"We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved," the statement read. "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."
Washington apologized Thursday to Knight, other colleagues, fans of the show and the lesbian and gay community, and said he would seek counseling, TMZ.com reported.
"I can neither defend nor explain my behavior," he said. "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 by repeating the language Monday night, when "Grey's Anatomy" won a Golden Globe for best
TV drama series, he "marred what should have been a perfect night" for the show.
TV Guide Consulting Editor Mary Murphy told "Extra" ABC might have no choice but to fire Washington. "He's already been marginalized," she said, "and I'm sure he's very angry about that."
However, Washington said Thursday he welcomes the chance to meet with gay and lesbian community leaders "to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I've opened."
"I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity," Washington said.
Also on Thursday, GLAAD president Neil Giuliano said he was encouraged by Washington's latest remarks. "We are ... optimistic that it may mark a turning point in this deeply troubling situation," Giuliano said.
E! Online reports that "a well-placed" source told them that Washington will have a face-to-face sit down with the entire Grey’s cast tomorrow where his coworkers plan to tell him how they feel about his behavior. "It’s a meeting so he can hear them all out," their source says. "And it will go on as long as it needs to go."
http://www.playfuls.com/news_0004647_Greys_Washington_to_Meet_with_GLAAD_Over_Homophobia_Row.html
(The ****** were edited by me)