Posts Tagged ‘Isaiah Washington’

Patrick Dempsey: I Don’t Know What Happened

November 12th, 2008

After producers issued a “do not resuscitate” order for Brooke Smith — whose character, Erica Hahn, was involved in a same-sex relationship with Sara Ramirez’s Dr. Callie Torres — fans are fearing that an ailing Grey’s Anatomy is going into shock.

Brooke’s Erica made her last appearance in a Nov. 6 episode before admitting she was “floored” by the abrupt termination of her contract. The 41-year-old’s co-stars are equally shocked.

 

“I don’t know what happened,” Patrick Dempsey admitted on a Nov. 5 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Dr. McDreamy showed Ellen a statement provided by ABC about Brooke’s exit.

 

“The conclusion has been an orgasmic… I’m sorry, organic ending to the story line,” he deadpanned.

 

On Nov. 11, Isaiah Washington, who was axed from the show for using an anti-gay slur, weighed in, “For [Brooke] to be treated this way, I find very interesting.” But Grey’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, explained. “We did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke’s character would sustain in the long run.”

 

This isn’t the first drama to rock Seattle Grace. Movie star Katherine Heigl, who plays Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, is rumored to want out, although sources close to the show deny reports of trouble.

 

Meanwhile, an insider tells OK! that 26-year-old Chyler Leigh is being groomed to replace her onscreen sister, Ellen Pompeo, 39. Ellen’s reps, however, assure OK! that “Ellen is contractually obligated to the show for seven seasons.”

Isaiah Washington: Grey’s Firing “Disgusting”

November 10th, 2008

Former Grey’s Anatomy star Isaiah Washington is opening up about the latest scandal to rock the show: the firing of actress Brooke Smith.

Washington, who was axed from the show himself back in 2007 for reportedly making a homosexual slur against co-star T.R. Knight, had this to say about the show’s decision to get rid of Smith, who plays a  gay character.

"I look at a brilliant actress, whom I have adored since I first saw her in Silence of the Lambs. For her to be treated this way, I find very interesting," he tells TV Guide’s Nov. issue. "The fact is that, just before the holidays, you have a mother, a wonderful actress removed from a steady income without the proper reasoning behind it…You look at the way another consummate professional [is] treated because her character, her story line potentially made producers uncomfortable."

Washington adds, "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. It’s unfortunate because it was probably at the time,the most progressive show on television. Now I see it [being] systematically torn apart. Bring Burke back!"

New Beginnings…

March 6th, 2008 / Author: cwillett

I’ve been in L.A. five and a half days now. Sorry I haven’t written in a couple of days. I usually write around 2 a.m. or just before bed and I have yet to get wireless at my house — or a TV, couch, microwave, toaster or much else for that matter, yet. Furniture shopping will hopefully happen this weekend, but in the meantime I’ve begun the transition to an L.A. lifestyle with dinner the first night at normally celeb-studded The Ivy (where I sat next to Simon Cowell) and then last night I had drinks (well, I milked a single glass of chardonnay over the course of three hours and dinner because I was driving) at the Four Seasons where I saw Isaiah Washington inside as I was being swept away to a table outside. Am I the only one who finds it funny and ironic that as Isaiah tries to fix his public image he’s playing a priest in his next film (filming now) and his character’s name in Bionic Woman is Antonio Pope. Maybe I’m reaching.

In any case, now that I’m immersed in this world where I fall over celebs near daily, look for this blog to become more about them and less about me other than my perceptions of them and their interactions with me

T.R. Knight Waxes Philosophical About Dating

November 2nd, 2007

Two of his co-stars are engaged. A former one just tied the
knot.

With all the romance in the air in the Grey’s Anatomy family, it’d be
easy to assume love is easy to find. Not so, T.R. Knight says.

“I think dating is hard anywhere,” he tells OK! at the
Matthew Shepard Foundation Honors. “It’s difficult anywhere.”

The 34-year-old infamously came out last year during
ex-colleague Isaiah Washington’s
f-bomb scandal and guesses it is fear that inhibits people from finding their
soulmates.

“Partnering up seems like an important thing in so many of
our lives yet it remains difficult and I’m not exactly sure why.”

T.R. has kept mum on his love life, but has been linked to Brothers & Sisters actor Luke McFarlane and Katherine Heigl’s mother of all people, he revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last month.

“Recently Kate and her fiancé, Josh Kelley, and me and her
mom went out to dinner, and it was reported that it was with me and my new
boyfriend. But that was really her mom,” he said. “So I
guess I’m dating Katherine’s mom right now.”

OK! Interview: Chyler Leigh

October 15th, 2007

At 25, Chyler Leigh seems to have it all — an actor-husband,
Nathan West, two kids, son Noah, 3, and daughter Taelyn, 13 months, and a blossoming
career thanks to her new gig on Grey’s Anatomy as the other Grey intern, Lexie.
But it hasn’t all been rosy for the striking brunette, who battled a drug and
alcohol addiction in her late teens. The star opens up to OK! about overcoming
her demons, working on the country’s hottest show and being a role model to
young girls.

Are you having fun on the Grey’s set?
I’m having such a good time! I can’t say enough about how wonderful
everybody is. There is so much great stuff coming up — the new episodes are so
fantastic and so much fun. There’s a lot of drama, of course, but there’s such a
lightness to it. Every week when we get a script I’m just so excited to read it
and I’m loving it more and more each day.

Is there any tension remaining on set after the controversy
with Isaiah Washington?
I didn’t really feel much of the tension. I was there
briefly — two scenes total, two days in that last season — so I didn’t really
pick up on any of that stuff and no one really said anything to me about it
directly. I don’t know the details of the incident and I don’t really want to
know because, you know, it isn’t really going to do me any good. Everybody has
been really great, and as far as I know, everyone just seems really excited
about the new season.

So as far as you can tell Isaiah’s departure really hasn’t
adversely affected the cast chemistry?
No, not at all. They are very much a family — it is really
cool to see. Really nice to see when people can work so well together but also
joke around. For as serious a scene you may be filming, there is still so much
joking and laughing going on in between takes so it is a nice atmosphere — it
really is.

You’ve admitted to having some wild days in your youth. What
brought you through those times?
At the risk of sounding too cliché, I found a really
fantastic church. That is what keeps me grounded. I know the other side — I’ve
been through the Hollywood scene and when you just get so wrapped up in that,
you just realize that isn’t who you are. Starting clean is a theme for me —
starting fresh and understanding what’s important about life. Instead of being
passive, becoming passionate about what I do, what I want. It is just living
life intentionally — that is what I want instead of just existing.

How do you remain grounded in Hollywood?
At the end of the day who knows how long this (Grey’s) is
going to last? I don’t know. I need to look past it and set things up for the
future so that however long this does last, great, I’m so flattered and so grateful
to work in this town. There are so many people who are so incredibly talented
that just don’t get that. How many thousands of people are there in SAG and
they just don’t get much of a chance. I know — I am grateful — I know that this
could never have happened for me. You can’t take yourself and all of this too
seriously because then it just thwarts everything.

What are your ultimate career goals?
I think television is great because it gives you
consistency. I think, though — and I say this now, who knows! — I would eventually like to move into films
more, so that I can do a couple films throughout the year hopefully and then
have the rest of the time to spend with my family. And see the world and
travel!

Who are your film actress role models?
Gwyneth Paltrow is great at being able to take time off and
come back into it and get back into the swing of things seamlessly. I think
also the heavy-hitters like Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, I
think they are not only phenomenal actresses but they also make really
excellent choices.

Are you conscious of being a role model for girls now?
Absolutely. I have a really big heart for young women —
having been one — when there aren’t a lot of good examples for young women. Yes, I do strive to be someone young women can look up to. It is important to
find worth in yourself.

For more on Chyler, check out her gallery and pick up the current issue of OK! on newsstands now.

Ellen Pompeo Not Rushing into Marriage

September 12th, 2007

Her former Grey’s Anatomy co-star Kate Walsh just tied the knot after a whirlwind six-month romance, but Ellen Pompeo is certainly in no rush to do so with her fiancé, music producer Christopher Ivery. “I want it to happen organically," she tells OK! at the L.A. Confidential party celebrating her cover. "I don’t need a piece of paper to declare my love. We declare it every day.”

Ellen and Chris have been dating since 2003 and got engaged on her 37th birthday on Nov. 10 last year.

As she slowly prepares for a new beginning in her personal life, the star’s professional life has already turned over a new leaf. Production has started on the fourth season of the Emmy-nominated drama with a few less faces – Kate and Isaiah Washington have left to star on new shows, Private Practice and Bionic Woman, respectively. And you can bet Ellen will be watching them.

"I’m excited for them. They’re beginning new things."

By David Lasky

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