Source: Knight out, Heigl in on `Grey’s Anatomy’

[WillParkinson]

Source: Knight out, Heigl in on `Grey’s Anatomy’
By The Associated Press
06.19.2009 11:01am EDT

(Los Angeles) Dr. George O’Malley is checking out of “Grey’s Anatomy” but Dr. Izzie Stevens is likely to remain on staff.

A person with knowledge of contract negotiations with T.R. Knight, who plays George on the ABC drama and is openly gay, said Thursday the actor is leaving the show. The person, who wasn’t authorized to discuss the negotiations publicly, asked not to be identified.

But the person said that negotiations with Katherine Heigl were more successful and she’s expected to return as Izzie.

The season finale in May left the fate of George and Izzie unclear, with both characters at death’s door - or possibly beyond it.

A publicist for Knight declined comment. Heigl’s representative did not immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment.

===

Never watch the show, but figured some here might.

http://www.365gay.com/news/source-knight-out-heigl-in-on-greys-anatomy/

[Lerkfish]

1. that's sad for whatever reason

I think more openly gay characters are only a good thing.

but, if this rumor is true, it might be due to negotiations of other issues not having to do with whether the character is gay or not, like salary per episode, etc.

but, regardless of the reason, I feel the same way I did when they killed off the Asian actress on St. Elsewhere a while back.... at that time (and now, for that matter), there weren't enough good roles for Asians on TV.

Speaking of GLBT issues and television, i had never watched NCIS before a couple of weeks ago, and they've been running marathons of the show. I like show in general, but their views on GLBT issues are appalling.

[aquart]

2. George wasn't an openly gay character.

In fact, he was portrayed as a sad sack heterosexual stud. But how he came across to ME was as a man who preyed on vulnerable women foolish enough to call him a friend. If a woman was broken-hearted or in deep mourning for the love of her life, George was there and they had sex. But George always portrayed himself as the victim of these women. When they went back to their real loves and real lives, he was resentful and angry.

He was a revolting character whose reverent treatment never matched his actions. The adoration of George was a large part of why I didn't watch last season till the end.

[zipplewrath]

4. They ruined his character

There was a point where he was becoming the "moral compass" of the show. Then he turned into this self centered predator. There was some attempt at the end to rehabilitate his character, which was strange considering he was going to be leaving.

[Lerkfish]

5. oh, ok, shows you that I don't watch the show

sorry about that. I thought I heard his character was openly gay.

shows I should shut up unless I"m absolutely sure about what I'm talking about.

[zipplewrath]

3. Neither are such characters

Knight is an openly gay actor, but his character is not. Heigle is neither. There is a lesbian character (two actually) but they are both staying.

[Lerkfish]

6. yup, sorry, I was talking based on an assumption, my apologies

I don't watch the show.... but what I said could be applied to any openly gay character.