The revolving door at Grey’s Anatomy has taken another shocking spin.
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.) The boss lady
eventually released a statement denouncing Washington’s behavior, but
word is, it was too little, too late. Nonetheless, my Grey’s source insists Knight does not want out of his contract for that reason, adding, “He just feels it’s time to move on.”
A spokesperson for Knight declined to comment for this story.
Knight’s probable exit comes at a time when his character, George, has been
given little to do, save for express concern over Izzie’s mental state. There’s no
word if he’ll be given a big on-screen send-off or be banished to
Seattle Grace’s parking garage with fellow gay Dr. Hahn. (I smell a spin-off!)
Got an exit scenario of your own you’d like to pitch? Shocked by
Knight’s decision? Given his lack of screen time this season, can you blame the guy for wanting to move on? Do you hope he takes his real-life BFF, Katherine
Heigl, with him? Is Grey’s cursed? Comment below!
Oh, and I saved the biggest surprise for last: Knight was not — I
repeat not — the subject of my “fired actor” blind item last week.
More Grey’s Scoop:
Izzie/Denny mystery explained!
Mrs. Jon Hamm checks in
Brooke Smith discharged
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HAHA. This show is an absolute MESS.
What a bunch of premadonnas.
And Ausiello what happened, Korbi from zap2it had this way before you!
I KNEW it wasn’t him. He’s a sweet guy, gets along with his castmates really well. Well, everybody has a right to move on, if he’s not happy, it’s time to let him go. I dropped Grey’s a while ago, i’m happy he’ll leave this show too. I love George, but common, this show is unbearable.
To film the sequel 28 Dresse? Oh, wait, he’s not the one with a potential film career. I’m afraid moving on for TR might mean starring in a CBS spin off in 10 years (Caruso, anyone?) but not much else. I haven’t been missing him on Grey’s. I don’t see why I’d start.
Here is a thought how about Shonda goes and the cast stays with a new and better writer/producer? Or in the absence of that how about SGH shuts its doors for good there is nothing there worth watching anymore.
If TR goes can he take Sara Ramirez with him she so needs to more on to bigger and better things that display her incredible talent.
I think A Callie/Hahn spin off with George in tow would work!!!!!
Please Shonda call it a day or let someone else who has a backbone and will fight for good story lines and characters have your job.
Ok, I’m beginning to sense a pattern. T.R. wanting out of his contract + somebody else probably getting fired from Greys + complaints about the ‘revolving door’ cast this season + the casting of a serial killer for an arc….perhaps its me just putting 2 and 2 together but still!
To David: I’m not Ausiello’s biggest fan, but Korbi just rehashed that random gossip blog’s story. This story on EW appears to have legs.
What is that?
I know I know, I was just yankin his chain
I haven’t watched Grey’s Anatomy since about halfway through last season. And from what I’ve read about the stories so far this year, it’s a show I’m not too concerned about missing.
He has had nothing to do all season. I don’t blame him especially with the fans all screaming about how the show has jumped the shark. I wouldn’t want to stick around either. At this point George’s character has become such a non-entity that we won’t even miss him. Which is sad.
Was this posted before or after this article?
http://spoilertv-greysanatomy.blogspot.com/2008/12/tr-knight-not-leaving-greys-anatomy.html
Colour me confused.
I’m sorry, WTF is a “zap 2 it”?
How dumb can you be? Take the money and shut up, TR! You can always fade into obscurity when the show gets canceled.
What’s a “premadonna”?
ABD hates gay people? Hahn disappears into the parking lot, Rebecca Romajn leaves Ugly Betty, Justin Suarez’s big gay love ends before it starts, and now this?
Korbi from the site zap2it did NOT have it right though – she had TR walking off and quitting.
I say that there should be no big story for his exit. He’s a total ingrate at this point. If you want off – fine – play out your very expensive character like the adult you supposedly are then.
To still be pissey cause Shonda did not jump into the public frying pan like his friends did is childish and stupid. In hollywood, like the real world, sometimes being in charge means having to hold your personal feelings in check and do what is right for the show/company. No just use your fame to spout off every little feeling that you have.
So I think they should just parking lot this character ! But they won’t! Instead they will reward his bad behavior with a great emmy-like exit
I’ve been doing a Grey’s Anatomy rewatch on DVD and I’m just remembering how much I really love George. I know TR hasn’t had a lot to do on the show recently, so as an actor that must be really frustrating. I’ll be very sad to see him go, but I hope when he leaves, it’ll be done with respect to his character and fans.
The show has so much drama behind the scenes, but I would hate for that to impact the storytelling. A Hahn-like exit (which was insulting to both the actress and the fans) would be even more unimaginable for such a long-standing and adored character. I know not everyone likes George, or TR Knight, but you have to admit that he has been a core part of the show, and a reason it’s done so well.
I hope he takes Izzie with him. I can’t stand her. I really think this is a bad move for him. He’s not a big name, he hasn’t been in a lot of other stuff. He isn’t that great of an actor. He will have a hard time finding work is my guess. I think he will regret leaving when he has no jobs.
Do you hope he takes his real-life BFF, Katherine Heigl, with him? Yes GOD yes!!! take her toooo! YES it is time for a ‘change ‘ . I will be sad to see him go but NOT HER!
Somebody please, please, PLEASE take this lame horse of a show out back and shoot it.
Actually, check that – this is no longer a show. It’s a farce, a joke, a comedy of errors of herculean proportions.
Kristen – I don’t think you give him enough credit. He’s a theatre man, and he’ll have plenty of work when he leaves. TV shows and movies aren’t the only avenues for actors.
It’s time to cut the cast down to size, and George (after being in the forefront for four seasons) really doesn’t have much of a story left. It’s really time for the character to go.
Peace out, TR, and take Heigl with you.
So, now who is the blind item? When are we going to get more info on that? I am done with the random hinting. Just tell us already!
I hope Izzie stays because if she leaves I will have no reason to watch. Katherine Heigl makes the show for me. That said, she has plenty of film work lined up so if she does go I think it would probably be the best move for her. Grey’s is certainly not getting any better is it?
Can we get rid of Meredith and Derek instead?
This version sounds like spin control, because we all know once the story hits mainstream media, it’s been watered down and diluted. Ausellio, after all, is just a puppet being fed information that wants to be published.
Perfect solution – Izzy goes crazy because of the whole Denny-thing and in her madness kills George. That way they can both leave. Now that would be awesome!
Why would he leave? Does he have another job lined up? I’m a little worried about him – although I do admire his honesty.
p.s Ausiello – thanks for clarifying he’s not the blind item! That had been my first thought!