Isaiah Washington is off “Grey’s Anatomy” after much ado over calling T.R. Knight a little f*****, which prompted T.R. to come out of the closet. Katherine Heigl chimed in on the on-set controversy after Washington brought it up himself at the Golden Globe awards, using the f word again but saying how much he loves the gays. He eventually made a public service announcement for glaad telling people not to use hateful words and it seemed like the story that would never end.

Overall it sounded like “Grey’s” was a tough and stressful set. There was the fight that occurred after the f word was hurled, with Washington choking and shoving Patrick Dempsey when he tried to defend Knight. There was another on set fight between Dempsey, aka Dr. McDreamy and Dr. McSteamy, actor Eric Dane. Dane accused Dempsey of cheating during a card game and was said to have lunged at him, with the crew separating them before a hot fight could ensure.

In March came news of trouble with Katherine Heigl’s contract, and Heigl broke off contract talks with the network at the same time it was announced that fellow cast member Kate Walsh was getting her own show, making it seem like she wanted a spin off too. Heigl has a burgeoning career in film and her new movie Knocked Up is a hit, so that probably wasn’t the issue and she just wanted a raise. Heigl got a pay raise, and will remain on the show.

Two days ago came news that T.R. Knight will be returning to Greys, and now we know that Washington is off.

One insider, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, speculated that the decision was likely due only in part to the T.R. Knight homophobic slur scandal and the subsequent fallout. “There was a pattern of problematic behavior going back before he used the F-word,” says my spy. “I imagine [his dismissal] was the result of all of that.”

Washington’s rep, Howard Bragman, confirmed the news, adding that his client was informed by Grey’s executive producer Shonda Rhimes earlier today that he was not being invited back to the show. In a statement, Washington, referencing the iconic line from Network, said, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” (He’s kidding… I think.)

Plot-wise, it won’t be difficult to explain Washington’s absence. In last month’s season finale, Burke left Cristina at the altar and moved out of their apartment.

[From the Ausiello report on TVGuide.com]

I just started watching Greys here in Switzerland, and am undoubtedly at least a season behind, but it’s an excellent show even though the music and themes get a little shmaltzy. I can’t stand hospital shows like ER, but Grey’s has a lot of great characters and that’s good to know that the best ones will be on next season. Washington’s character wasn’t that likable anyway, and it doesn’t seem like he will be missed.

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