• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Is anyone else following this whole Greys Anatomy scandal?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Brian Fellows said:
I dont give a shit. Burke is one of the best characters on the show and I dont wanna see him go. I also wish they'd kill off every single O'Malley on the show. Jesus I hate those people.

Only post needed in this thread.
 
I don't watch the show, but it seems to me they have a rare opportunity for a "ripped from the headlines" storyline that transcends the usual. Are these views totally inconsistent with Washington's character? Could he not be exposed and confronted for them via plotline? Plus an epilogue featuring an apology from Washington would do far more to educate than apologies written and released by publicists and being fired. I'm usually not in favor of punishing people for thoughts, however misguided they may be.

It's telling that, in this thread, people dance around the word "nigger," masking it with asterisks or euphamising it, but "faggot" doesn't have the same stigma.
 
i cant believe this is causing so much fuss in america of all places. He called a gay guy a faggot..so what? Its not particularly nice but all this crap about losing a job over it??
 
painey said:
i cant believe this is causing so much fuss in america of all places. He called a gay guy a faggot..so what? Its not particularly nice but all this crap about losing a job over it??

If you call a gay guy a faggot at just about any workplace in America, and someone complains, your job could very well be on the line. If you do it and the national media picks it up, the chances probably slightly increase. If you can get fired for commenting on a womans breasts I am sure biggoted slurs can be grounds for dismisal. This is not a coal mine or a police station we are talking about here.
 
whytemyke said:
So it's okay for me to say n*gger now? Any black people care to chime in on this, or is this just a bunch of white people speaking for black people? I'm just trying to trivialize it, ya know?

It should be. The only effective way to dull the edges is to drag it into the mainstream. Every god damned time people go into hissy fits about shit, shit gains more negative strength.
 
here's the thing that clinches it for me...

if someone reportedly called a black guy the N word, and there was a bunch of media hullabaloo about it...

and then months later, the same guy gets up on the mic at the golden globes and says "i didn't call him a nigger!" there would be hell to pay... seriously!!!
 
i can't believe there are people who say he shouldn't be fired because he's important to the show or because they like him. Sadly, i don't doubt CBS will probably try to sweep this under the rug instead of having to write Williams out of the role.
 
who cares? If his castmates can forgive him and don't mind keeping him around, then he should stay. They're the ones that have to work with the guy. It shouldn't be "america's vote".
 
Ninja Scooter said:
who cares? If his castmates can forgive him and don't mind keeping him around, then he should stay. They're the ones that have to work with the guy. It shouldn't be "america's vote".


Katherine Heigl(Izzy) was pretty pissed at Isiah, and blantantly said on camera after the Golden Globes that he shouldn't be allowed to talk in public, she doesn't know why he says the things he says, and that "maybe" he doesn't mean to come across the way that he does(namely the golden globes, not the original incident), but it was still a stupid thing to do.

Anyway, those who are trying to diminish what's going on, as well equating vocalizing criticism over his use of the word as "throwing a hissy fit"(which in itself means you're trying to "feminize" opposition to his use of the word "Faggot"), need to really try to look at it from the other side. It's oh so typical to treat slurs based on sexuality as something trivial. HATE IS HATE...DISCRIMINATION IS DISCRIMINATION...you can try to seperate race and sexuality as much as you want, but the point is "faggot" and "nigger" are both used to try to make someone "less than...". Less than human, less than someone deserving of respect.

Burke is HARDLY integral to the show...his chracter is boring, his relationship with Christina is forced and hollow, and i've never been a big fan of Isiah Washington period.

That said I don't care either way if he gets fired or not, but he's obviously had direct conflicts with Patrick and T.R., which in turn has caused animosity from Katherine and probably some others...as a result, it can't be that comfortable on set when any combination of them have to do scenes together.
 
I don't believe Isaiah Washington is a true homophobe, just as I doubt Michael Richards is a total racist. I do believe both of them have some serious mental issues they need to deal with, and in Washington's case, I feel like his arrogant attitude/oversize ego is going to seriously ruin his career. Its not so much that he made such an offensive statement (twice), but to not even honestly acknowledge what was said (even after the fact).. is pretty shitty. I know folks make mistakes, but when your a celebrity (possibly admired/viewed by millions), you have to be even more responsible for your actions. I'm not totally for firing the guy (it would be a total waste of talent), though personally I can't sympathize with the situation that he put himself in. Regardless, its sad seeing a program that promotes such diversity, be brought down by a sickening remark.

Also for the individuals who believe that they have the *RIGHT* to speak/promote such hateful words (especially when it can severely damage someones life), I hope they also understand many others have the *RIGHT* to have less respect for them as human-beings. You can go around with such an disgraceful attitude in life, but don't expect to get to far in the end. Regardless, if anything positive came out this dreadful incident, is that T.R. finally did speak out against this horrible act on Ellen. T.R. seemed like a shy guy, but an overall friendly fella at heart (thats pretty private about his personal life). So its a shame that he had to be forced out the closet in such a disrespectful manner. No one should feel like they have to take such abuse from whomever, and hopefully this uplifts more individual to stand up for who they are.
 
It'd be pretty easy for them to write Washington off the show, though,
with his shaking hand and everything.

I doubt they'll do anything about it.
 
On a bit of a tangent...

despite the fact that aetheists are america's most hated group, worse than homosexuals or muslims... there's no hateful slur for the group.

I mean... what are they gonna call us? Godless? Satan spawn?

Revealing your own ignorance much? :p That kinda slur would just make me laugh.

Right. You're making fun of me for been the logical one.

I guess it helps that you can actually choose this one, as opposed to been gay, black, muslim, etc.

Anyway... I hope he isn't written out. He's a pretty cool character on the show... if anything, I think T.R. Knight has the most annoying character on show... next to Izzy.
 
Really? I've never been pulled over by the cops or given lesser service because I don't believe in God.
 
Ninja Scooter said:
who cares? If his castmates can forgive him and don't mind keeping him around, then he should stay. They're the ones that have to work with the guy. It shouldn't be "america's vote".

I agree. This is a TV show, and at the core there are bosses and higher ups who employ the actors. They will make the final decision, not Oprah. I'm sure there are a lot of gay people watching the show, but I don't know if it'll be enough to dip such a big show's ratings through protests. I don't think most of this show's fans care much about this; they'd rather see the show continue as it is.

That being said, the word is hateful and the guy is a complete pussy for saying it. It comes back to the physically superior bullshit angle: there are guys out there who feel gay men are "not men" basically, and are weak, so they treat them as such with verbal abuses and disrespect. But I find it more pathetic that this is a black dude showing hostility to a fellow minority.
 
Zaptruder said:
On a bit of a tangent...

despite the fact that aetheists are america's most hated group, worse than homosexuals or muslims...

Are you joking? Seriously. I don't seem to remember aetheists not allowed to work at certain places because of their belief, or stopped by the cops, and I certainly don't remember any proposed legislation that would take away their right to marry. Give me a break
 
Yeah personally I think the guy should be fired. There's no excuse for what he said. Hopefully, if we're lucky, this leads to Grey's being cancelled.
 
the year 20XX said:
I hope this somehow leads to the title character on Grey's Anatomy getting fired. I hate her.

"Choose Me, Pick Me"

Yea, I wish they drop her whiny/squinty ass as well (not going to happen though).
 
I think its being blown way out of proportion, Burke has denied that he ever said that, this story should have dead and buried but the media keep bringing it up. On the flip side you have the guy who plays the George character playing the victim which only makes Burke look like a complete homophobe. I think ultimately the blame lies with the producers of the show for letting this whole mess continue. I still don't think Burke should be fired, he just has been caught in this media storm.
 
vangace said:
I think its being blown way out of proportion, Burke has denied that he ever said that, this story should have dead and buried but the media keep bringing it up. On the flip side you have the guy who plays the George character playing the victim which only makes Burke look like a complete homophobe. I think ultimately the blame lies with the producers of the show for letting this whole mess continue. I still don't think Burke should be fired, he just has been caught in this media storm.

And if he does get fired he could play the "woe is the you know what man" on Oprah.

Yeah, this could get REALLY ugly:lol
 
I'm really only familiar with the Human Rights Code in Canada (specifically in Ontario) however in a place of employment you are protected against discrimination and hateful speech, even if it is meant as a joke. This includes race, sexuality, religion etc.

Not sure how human rights violations work in the US, probably on a state by state basis, especially in regards to employment.

I would like to see him fired, since he is a public figure it's important that there be some sort of punishment. People should know better.
 
vangace said:
I think its being blown way out of proportion, Burke has denied that he ever said that, this story should have dead and buried but the media keep bringing it up. On the flip side you have the guy who plays the George character playing the victim which only makes Burke look like a complete homophobe. I think ultimately the blame lies with the producers of the show for letting this whole mess continue. I still don't think Burke should be fired, he just has been caught in this media storm.

Sadly its the way Mr. Washington dealt with the situation, that made this whole entire incident much worse. And I believe T.R. handle himself pretty darn well during all this drama, considering he was attacked verbally. I mean the guy has rarely discussed the event (pretty much only talking to Ellen), and has continued to show Issiah the up most respect in public.
 
See, we didn't hear about the remark in context. Washing called TR Dempsey's little bitch, basically. I have a few gay friends, and they would (some of them) would love to be Dempsey's bitch, i.e., submissive to Dempsey. In this context the remark is jocular, i.e. in a jesting manor. IMHO.


If I am right about the whole deal, that it's just coworkers busting each other's balls, then......The people that don't understand it as such are probably just little catty bitches that what to whine, i.e., voice their opinion bleeding heart, emo style.

...you can try to separate race and sexuality as much as you want, but the point is "faggot" and "nigger" are both used to try to make someone "less than...". Less than human, less than someone deserving of respect.

I seriously don't think this is the case.



Not that I really give a shit about this.... I don't. I tell you good folks, and the world, suck it up. Walk it off.
walk_off.gif


Do you not think that there been similar arguments on Saturday Night Live and other popular shows? Is ABC and their parent company, their programing, intellectual property and employees somehow better than the rest of the world's or T.V. Land's staff and entertainment? Can a parody world's Garth Brooks not chase Mango? Can Robert Goulet not croon nigga in his a capella songs? Not have the approval of whatever rappers where in the back of Goulet's car in subsequent skits? yOU think Lauren Michaels would let his staff either on or off screen misbehave? Does he have a line he thinks his staff shouldn't cross? What would Lauren do? He'd probably write a skit about the whole thing. Maybe he should, and maybe Gray's Anatomy's cast should make an appearance? Maybe they should just to make light it the situation.

It shall blow over. If not, then the gay/LBGTg community will have some kind of an uproar until they laugh about it somehow and then proceed to say how hawt the think all parties involved are.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
 
Seems like the worst thing you can do in America is use naughty words. If he was constantly harassing Knight I could see why it might be a good idea to fire him, but he used the word once in a heated argument. People are free to overblow this but to call for his job smacks of a totalitarian mind set.
 
malek4980 said:
Seems like the worst thing you can do in America is use naughty words. If he was constantly harassing Knight I could see why it might be a good idea to fire him, but he used the word once in a heated argument. People are free to overblow this but to call for his job smacks of a totalitarian mind set.


I dont think he should be fired but I think some form of disciplinary action is required. Not a slap on the wrist but something inbetween.
 
Zaptruder said:
despite the fact that aetheists are america's most hated group, worse than homosexuals or muslims
I believe the point Zaptruder is making is he believes (or can cite) that aethiests are most hated, not most discriminated against or most feared.

And didn't Washington's remark come during a fistfight with Dempsey? I seem to recall he was choking him or something. Whatever, it was not in a joking context.
 
I don't think he should face any disciplinary action. They should tell him not to do it again and move on.

Re: Atheists
A recent poll showed that atheists were by far the most hated and distrusted group in America. However it's hard to identify an atheist so this hatred really only manifests itself in an abstract manner. Since atheists are on average smarter and more educated they are less likely to be around people who would be hostile to them. As an example only 7% of the members of the National Academy of Sciences believe in a personal God, compared to 85% of the general US population.
 
adamsappel said:
I believe the point Zaptruder is making is he believes (or can cite) that aethiests are most hated, not most discriminated against or most feared.

And didn't Washington's remark come during a fistfight with Dempsey? I seem to recall he was choking him or something. Whatever, it was not in a joking context
.


Yea, I think it was Dempsey and Washington arguing initially (probably some egotistical bullshit). Then Isaiah said something like "I'm not your little faggot" responding back to Patrick, but referring to Knight. This further infuriated the battle, and Dempsey began trying to stick up for Knight. Finally things became physical, and I guess you know the rest.
 
I'm following this only as closely as Perez is, but since that's my favorite website... that means a lot.

I'm over it, though. Fire the dude!
 
Star, did you hear Perez say Grey's Anatomy took a hit in the ratings over this whole ordeal? I'm not sure if it was just because CSI was really good last week, but if true, it definitely shows just how broad of an appeal Perez has these days. He's been riding on this subject for months.
 
Yeah I read that. I don't know, I'd feel kind of bad if the guy got fired even tho what he did was wrong, but they're going have to do something if the ratings start sliding. I'm surprised Perez has such reach.. but I've been seeing him on TV a lot lately, so I think his influence is only growing.
 
Star Power said:
I'm surprised Perez has such reach.. but I've been seeing him on TV a lot lately, so I think his influence is only growing.

specially since he's such a terrible blogger. his childish comments and "cocaine lines" on the pics are never funny.
 
A television show is a job. If he made that kind of comment about a co-worker in any other company in America, he'd be fired. If his personality and actions caused significant amounts of internal strife, he'd be fired. If his choices had a measurably negative impact on the bottom line, he'd be fired.

So why is this even an issue? He said something hateful about a co-worker, has caused all kinds of internal problems on the set, and if the statement about ratings being down since the incident is true, he's costing the network money. His ass should be out of there...right?
 
I just watched the Golden Globes on Youtube. God, what an idiot. If he would have shut the hell up, he would have been in the clear and forgotten about. Just an FYI, using the word "faggot" is just as offensive as the N-word or White trash, or whatever slur you make towards a specific miniority. Granted, just like how African Americans are allowed to call each other the N word and have it be fun or funny or whatever, gay guys usually say it to each other and it means nothing. When that word is used in a different context, that is when shit starts getting offensive.

Fire this guy and let him rot in the D-list celebrity trash heap that Michael Richards is already headlining.
 
The ratings are down slightly from a week ago, but CSI aired a repeat the previous week while they had a brand new episode this week.

The CSI repeat did a 7.9/12 while this week's new episode did a 13.2/19. Clearly some people watched Grey's last week because CSI was a repeat and then went back to CSI this week.
 
-jinx- said:
A television show is a job. If he made that kind of comment about a co-worker in any other company in America, he'd be fired. If his personality and actions caused significant amounts of internal strife, he'd be fired. If his choices had a measurably negative impact on the bottom line, he'd be fired.
/thread
 
There are a few reasons why I'm on the fence/think GLAAD, Perez & Co. are overreacting, though I am leaning towards the 'fire him' camp:

1. When he said "faggot" the first time, he didn't say it directly to TR, so TR wasn't really in harm or anything, it was more of something he said to get at Patrick Dempsey. And then the second time he said it, he didn't mean it maliciously, he was trying to clean the situation up (in his mind I guess), and I guess he thought his co-workers would all back up his "it never happened" story.

2. I sort of feel like people are just trying to make an example out of Isaiah, and that there are far more worthy causes/things for GLAAD and other activists to be pissed off about.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom