Isaiah, Oh the Places You Could Have Gone

As I write this, I’m trying not to let my blood boil. Trying, not succeeding. I’m disgusted with the debacle that is “Isaiah-gate.” Of course, I’m referring to the now much discussed and media-covered allegations that Isaiah Washington called his Grey’s Anatomy co-star and “fellow human being” T.R. Knight a faggot. Not once, but twice. The first was on-set, and quickly covered up by the powers-that-be. Stupidly, they didn’t know the power of crewmembers and non-homophobes that heard the slur and forced it into the public eye. The second incident was a clumsy, hubris-filled declaration of innocence at the Golden Globes: “No, I did not call T.R. a FAGGOT.” Oh, Isaiah…when will you learn!

But before I rant, I’d like to take a trip down a happier Isaiah memory lane.

I am a huge fan of Grey’s Anatomy. From day one, I was all over this show like a cheap suit. The casting on this show deserved an Emmy. I sympathized with Meredith, was charmed by George and Izzie, cracked up at Cristina and Bailey, and Dr. Shepard (Patrick Dempsey) haunted my dreams with those eyes (and still does…yummy). And who was this revelation that was Isaiah Washington? He was dignified, handsome -elegant almost. I knew I had seen him in other movies, but never like this. I really, really dug this guy. I dug his character Burke, and his on-screen relationship with crazy Cristina. And then, I got to see him in person. Wow.

Every year my writer friends and I go to the Paley Television Festival at the DGA in Los Angeles. There, they screen the season’s hottest new shows, and then have the executive producers/writers and the whole cast on stage for a lengthy Q&A session. As we waited in line, we could see the press buzzing, and cameras snapping away as the cast arrived. They filtered past, smiling, laughing and enjoying their success without ego or envy. Right then, Isaiah came into the front of the press, looked over at all of us in line and waved with a huge smile flashing across the room. My jaw dropped. What a hottie! And he seemed so sweet too! My friend Alex and I swooned.

We were the LAST two to get in the door. I almost cried I was so happy as I watched the episode with the other fans/industry people. We laughed, cried, and clapped when it was over, some even giving a standing ovation. Then, the Q&A. Everyone was fun, self-deprecating, happy, shiny and seemingly just grateful to be there. Isaiah spoke at length about the gift of acting, and what it meant to him. I sat there as he spoke and thought, this guy could be the next Sidney Poitier.

Cut to over a year later - egos have grown, movie deals have been made, bonuses are being handed out, storylines are changing and tensions have obviously boiled over climaxing in this alleged confrontation between Patrick Dempsey and Washington. I didn’t believe it at first. Not possible coming from the man I saw at Paley! Unfortunately, the evidence became overwhelming…and then, the Golden Globes happened. Furthermore, there was Washington’s endless denials, or bald-faced lies to save his job. Finally, unable to keep quiet, Katherine Heigl publicly stood up for her friend T.R., and T.R. himself, went on Ellen to set the record straight. Insert nails into coffin.

Oh Isaiah, the places you could have gone! You could have been Sidney and now you’re no better than a schoolyard bully. You’ve embarrassed yourself, the network, and sponsors. Finally responding to public scrutiny, ABC forced Washington to do public service announcements, go for a stint in Gay-Hab, and apologize to the cast and crew. He will now be harassed by every reporter in the world for the rest of his time at Grey’s.

Little did we all know how short that time would be.

Isaiah was just fired by ABC. It was clear to me in May he wouldn’t be back when I watched the finale. His character was ruined. I found myself not being able to separate the character from the anger I felt at his big mouth. I was actually relieved to hear he was going. I don’t agree with how he was fired…he did everything they asked him to do, and they still let him go. But as he went on a rampage of defensive interviews, even crying on Larry King, all I could do was shake my head and mourn for the guy I saw at the Paley Festival.

Thank God I still have Patrick Dempsey.