My opinions about the premiere of the new Grey’s Anatomy spin-off starring Taye Diggs have been validated. Even ABC thought it needed an overhaul. But while I counted the name (”Private Practice”) and Mr. Diggs among the shows shortcomings, the network decided to can Merrin Dungey (Alias, Summerland) as the black female lead in favor of Broadway superstar Audra McDonald. I guess they hope that this fall no one will remember that the woman in the role looked totally different in the first episode. Since it wasn’t so memorable anyway, this shouldn’t be a problem.
[LAT]
Isaiah Washington seems bitter that he was fired from Grey’s Anatomy, an action producers took because of his off-screen anger management/gay slur problems, but would go back in a second if asked. But, let’s face it, that’s probably not going to happen.
He’s now working on an indie thriller, The Least of These, and he isn’t dwelling on whether the firing will affect his career. “I can only apologize so many times,” he says. “I can only accept so much responsibility. All the players involved have taken care of what we needed to take care of in-house – and the media took it in a different direction. I hope that everyone is happy for the outcome for Isaiah, but Isaiah will go on and do what I love to do.”
Oh, no. To make matters worse, Washington’s the kind of ac-tor that refers to himself in the first third person. Whatever, forget about him in real life. Dr. Burke is one of the best cardiothoracic surgeons in the world. What is Seattle Grace going to do????
[People]
While some were preparing for a too-long, not-funny-enough awards show in LA this weekend, others were getting dressed up for a ball to raise money for the homeless. Almost the entire cast of Grey’s Anatomy — with the glaring exception of Isaiah Washington — attended the Chyrsalis Butterfly Ball, along with Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige. Even Heavy D crawled out from under his rock to show love to the less fortunate.
- Sisters have got to really love each other to compete all the time and keep the peace. Venus is out of the French Open; Serena’s still in it to win it. [USAT]
- A contestant in the National Spelling Bee was named Jasmine Shaquielle O’Neal Willis. And that’s all I have to say about that. [CNBC]
- Tyra thinks wine is nasty, but it’s sexy to order it and hold the glass. Way to teach the little ones how to avoid peer pressure. [INO]
- Amerie tried to reorganize Destiny’s Child (and take Michelle’s place) using the Sims computer game. Surprisingly, she was unsuccessful.[Starpulse]
- It looks like Isaiah Washington was apologetic on the set of Grey’s Anatomy — not that it matters now. [QT]
- Speaking of Isaiah, let’s not invite him to this club any time soon. Baby steps. [Urb]
With heavy doses of seriousness and solemnity, Isaiah Washington warns us of the power of words (like ones that being with f and end with t…and have a-g-g-o in the middle) in this GLAAD public service announcement. Unfortunately, in the eyes of the brass at ABC, Washington may have taken a bit too long to come to this conclusion gay-friendly conclusion. Too little too late?
[QT]
Homophobia rehab and a planned GLAAD public service announcement have done nothing to improve Isaiah Washington’s image on the Grey’s Anatomy set. His character packed up his stuff and moved out of his apartment at the end of the season finale, and it looks like art was imitating life.
“He will not be back as a series regular,” a source close to ABC tells Us, noting that the star, 43 – who has been under fire ever since calling costar T.R. Knight, 34, a “f—got” – “could possibly show up for a few episodes” next season.
Still, Washington’s rep insists, “Isaiah is not off the show. We do not have a contract yet, but we expect to.”
Katherine Heigl, 28, said her costar “just needs to stop talking” after Washington used the f-word again at the January 15 Golden Globes, but the damage had been done.
“The cast – especially the women – just don’t like him,” says a Grey’s source.
I simply can’t see why the ladies wouldn’t like a belligerent, insensitive, and arrogant guy like Isaiah. It must be because he’s black.
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Entertainment Weekly threw a party last night to celebrate the network upfronts, and someone who should have been a happier camper was Taye Diggs. His Grey’s Anatomy spinoff show, tentatively and unfortunately titled, Private Practice (cringe), is a sure thing for next season. Okay, so maybe he doesn’t have to look happy, but he could have at least put on something over his undershirt. And wife Idina Menzel could be a little more excited for him, too.
The annual Costume Institute gala was held in NYC last night, and many of our brightest stars came out, although I’m not sure why some were invited. I’ve been missing the glamorous, evening gown version of Jennifer Hudson since awards season ended, so I’m thrilled to see her in formal mode.
According to US Weekly, Isaiah Washington, who is “committed to making amends” to the gay community, plans to appear in a GLAAD public service announcement. If you’ve been living under a rock and don’t know what he needs to make amends for, check out the video above.
The public service announcement is kind of drastic — I guess a stint in homophobia rehab wasn’t enough. I commend Washington. This is definitely all about setting things right and has nothing to do with him trying to keep his job.
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