Strike reunion: Isaiah Washington and Shonda Rhimes picket together

Isaiah Washington, who was let go last season from "Grey's Anatomy" following a furor that erupted when he used a homophobic slur in reference to costar T.R. Knight, was back in step with Knight and several other cast members of the show Wednesday during a Writers Guild of America, West, picket in front of Paramount Studios spotlighting diversity.

Washington, who mingled easily in the crowd of more than 500 marchers, stayed mostly on the line with other marchers while Knight, Katherine Heigl, Sara Ramirez and Shonda Rhimes, who created the series, conducted interviews in another part of the studio driveway and posed for photographers in between their stints on the picket line. At one point, Washington kissed Ramirez as they passed each other on the line.

Rhimes, who informed Washington last June that the show's studio was not picking up his contract option, said she and Washington greeted each other warmly when they spotted each other.

"We gave each other a big hug," Rhimes said. "I love him. Isaiah is an incredible talent, and I wish him all the best in the world. What happened with him has nothing to do with him as an individual. As they say, love the sinner, hate the sin."

Orlando Jones, Rex Lee of "Entourage," "Everybody Hates Chris" co-creator Ali LeRoi and members of the NAACP also joined in the march.

More news on the strike

-- Greg Braxton

Comments

[JozieLee]

Don Imus is back on radio after being fired from making a racist statement directed at the Rutgers woman's basketball team. Why? Because he's talented and can make money for the radio station. Could it be that Isiah Washington will be equally forgiven, and will return to Grey's Anatomy after being fired for making a homophobic statement about a fellow actor? He's so talented and missed from the Grey's lineup. Come on, ABC. Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?

[Dee]

JozieLee, I for one as a former viewer of the vastly-diminished-without-Isaiah show that is now "Grey's Mortuary" would welcome the return of Mr. Washington with pure delight!!

The exaggerated level of outrage was totally out of proportion with the offence, and given that criminals have been treated more leniently, I think it would be healing to see less of the judgmental and hypocritical attitudes that have been so nauseating, and a little less recognition that as human beings we are all fallible.

I'm so pleased that Sara and Shonda greeted him warmly!