Jan 17, 2007 11:47 am US/Pacific
Knight Speaks About Slur On 'Grey's' Set
Says Isaiah Washington Was Lying When He Denied Using Derogatory Remark
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
In an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" actor T.R. Knight adds fuel to the fire that seems to be engulfing the hit show "Grey's Anatomy."
Knight said the on-set fight in which Isaiah Washington called him a "faggot" forced him out of the closet and shifted his perspective on the issue because he had never been called that to his face before.
It was then, he told DeGeneres, that he decided to tell People magazine that he is gay. "Everyone heard (the slur), on the set," Knight said.
Knight said that his friends on the set knew he was gay, but that following the incident "it became important for me to make a statement" publicly about it.
In regards to the remark Washington made in the press room at the Golden Globes, Knight told DeGeneres, "I don't know what to say, really, about that."
"I don't either, except that we should not say hateful words to one another," DeGeneres said. Her interview with Knight is scheduled to air Wednesday.
The tension is rooted in a squabble that took place on set in October. According to the New York Daily News, stars Patrick Dempsey and Washington nearly came to blows about cast members being late for production.
After Dempsey and Washington had words, Washington reportedly fired the slur Knight, which prompted Dempsey to say, "Pick on someone your own size," according to the National Enquirer.
A source told the Enquirer that Washington got angry and allegedly grabbed Dempsey by the throat and shoved him a few feet. But the Daily News' source says no punches were thrown, but rather "Isaiah said some disgusting things … I think Isaiah has issues."
The situation again came to the forefront when Washington, responding to a reporter's question at the Golden Globe Awards, said, "No, I did not call T.R. (Knight) a faggot. It never happened."
At the press conference, Washington's comment prompted gasps from the crowd and the rest of the briefing was spent watching Sandra Oh trying to keep Knight from bolting the platform, according to Hollywood Reporter.
The denial also upset co-star Katherine Heigl. At the In Style Warner Brother's party later, she told "Access Hollywood's" Shaun Robinson that Washington was way out of line.
"I'm going to be really honest right now … he needs to just not speak in public, period," Heigl said of Washington. "I'm sorry, that did not need to be said, I'm not OK with it."
When Robinson asked Heigl if she thought things would work out, she replied: "I hope so, you know, I don't think he means the way he comes off. You know what I mean? But T.R.'s my best friend. So I will throw down for that kid. I will beat you up … I will use every ounce of energy I have to take you down if you hurt his feelings."
After the press conference, Washington continued to talk about the on-set fight and the reports about what happened, telling "Access Hollywood," "There is no way I could do anything so vile, and so horrible, not only to a castmate, but to a fellow human being."
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