“Multiple sources confirm that T.R. Knight has asked to be released from his contract, a request that both ABC and Grey’s show-runner Shonda Rhimes appear poised to grant. “They’re working out the details now,” whispers an ABC insider. (A network rep was unavailable for comment.) There’s no word on when Knight would make his final appearance, but, contrary to a report on the gossip blog crazydaysandnights.com, he has not walked off the show. “He’s still working,” maintains my Grey’s mole. Rumors of Knight’s unhappiness at Grey’s date back to the early days of Isaiahgate. Per an insider, the actor was disappointed that it took Rhimes so long to publicly condemn Washington’s use of the F-word, even as his co-stars (Katherine Heigl, Patrick Dempsey, etc.) rallied to his defense. (The incident led Knight to come out as a gay man.)” [Ausiello]
T.R. Knight Wants to Ditch Grey’s Anatomy
Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...
We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?
Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated
David
I almost don’t blame him for wanting out, his story line since the new season started has been non-existent.
Charles J. Mueller
Another sad example of how the intolerance of another minority group, has been the cause of pain and unhappiness for a member of our minority group.
Hateful remarks spoken either accidentally or on purpose, once made, cannot undo the damage done, no matter how many public apologies, sincere or insincere, are made by the person who spoke them.
seitan-on-a-stick
Shonda Rhimes does not know how to write about Gays and Gray’s Anatomy is in danger of imploding from boredom and a bored audience much like Desperate Housewives which could now be called “Dowdy Suburbanites.” It’s a pity because both shows could use a gay continuity expert as many characters go over the cliff without interesting plot developments. Marc Cherry should be ashamed of himself and Shonda needs more outside writers to fix her anemic show.
blake
Seitan,
Knight’s character is straight. What gay character has Rhimes failed? By all accounts, the ouster of the lesbian character was done because of the network, and not Rhimes.
As for Knight, he’s kind of a whiner if this is true. Knight is part of an ensemble soap opera. The fact is that actors get put on the back burner all of the time. He’s not the star of the show; the show is about Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, and the people who revolve around her.
If Knight leaves, what’s the likelihood he would get another TV show or find a viable theatrical film career? Not great. He’s not a leading man. He’s a character actor. Remember what happened to David Caruso when he quit NYPD Blue? It took him 10 years to revive his career.
For better story lines, Knight has to do what every other actor does, get his fans to demand more air time and pitch his own ideas.
Also, it’s a terrible time economically for the television industry. NBC just announced it’s cutting 5 hours of network programming from primetime that are usually devoted to dramas (like ER).
David
@seitan-on-a-stick: I agree with you about the Grey’s Anatomy being mostly boring for now, but totally disagree when it comes to Desperate Housewives, it seems to me that the plot for this season has improved a lot.
blake
@David:
David,
That’s the thing about a successful program. One season can be so-so, the next can be great. Knight’s a whiner. It’s difficult to feel sorry for someone who makes a couple of million dollars a year being upset about having a boring story line for the first half of the season.
ABC needs Grey’s and won’t let it fail; it’s a huge moneymaker. The economy is going south and ABC’s schedule is not the best.
Adios, George!
The Gay Numbers
Hope has something lined up.
Tony
“George” is a pain, all he does is whine. That story line with him and Izzy was not believeable, neither was his “marriage” to Callie. I like the show, but agree this season is a stinker. Meredith Grey is the star, so too bad he feels he has to leave, goo dluck finding a straight role on TV
Bitch Republic
Thank God! George (T.R. Knight) has always been the worst character on the show.
http://www.BitchRepublic.net
Slayer
Are you kidding? George was always one of my favorites! I’ll miss him. But yeah, when he and Izzy were together I about shot by television. Who the fuck thought that would be a good idea?
Pugs
As a lesbian, I’m gonna hope he’s leaving because of the way they’ve handled their lesbian storyline this year. I’d like to think he has principals.
http://www.ComeTogetherGiftBaskets.com
Alan down in Florida
@ Tony
“”George” is a pain, all he does is whine. That story line with him and Izzy was not believeable, neither was his “marriage” to Callie.”
Does anyone recognize the truth of Tony’s remark and then look at it from TR’s point of view as an actor. Who would want to be playing a role that gets more woeful as time goes by. Lawdy they had George flunk his internship and have to repeat it. How absurd is that? The character has been turned into excess baggage and I applaud TR for recognizing it and looking to move on before it turns him into a complete joke.
Perhaps instead of turning Callie into a lesbian they had George realize after the Izzy disaster that he was gay and done a whole coming out storyline the character might have been salvageable. But George is on a one way journey to TV Palookaville and I applaud TR for bailing before all is lost.
Spud
I’m on the “he’s a whiner side” – actors work long and hard to get a long-term gig. When they pull out of a series early, it seems a big risk to the career (well, except George Clooney, perhaps!).
Mister C
GoodBye and Good Riddance T.R Knight
Not really all that talented to me. She’ll now be a Broadway queen. Because I doubt very seriously he’ll get that salary again.