NBC Says Casting Washington Allowed Them to Give a “Great Actor” a “Second Chance”
NBC recently gave some insight into the decision to cast Isaiah Washington in Bionic Woman, a controversial move that was announced shortly after Isaiah was fired from his job playing the brilliant Preston Burke on ABC’s hit show Grey’s Anatomy.
“”‘Gosh, it would great to get him, get a great actor on our air,’” Silverman recalled thinking. “It’s like A-Rod leaving the Yankees in midseason … I feel like he’s a wonderful actor and everyone deserves a second chance.”
Bionic Woman producer Jason Smilovic has also defended the casting of Washington and adamantly denied that this choice will cause a rift between the show and the gay community:
“We embrace the gay community. We are hoping that they are going to watch the show and we are in no way making any judgments or statements . . . about what was said or what was done. This is about making a television series. It’s about making some great entertainment.”
For his part, Washington has said he is “humbled” to have the opportunity.
Isaiah Washington, Preston Burke, Grey’s Anatomy, Ben Silverman, NBC, Universal, A-Rod, Yankees, ABC, Jason Smilovic
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