silversolitaire

I've been collecting these news bits for half a year now since I've been waiting for the shit to hit the fan. It never happened, so I never posted it. It still hasn't, but I just thought today's news bit was the perfect closure for the entire saga of "Cruise vs. Germany". Here it goes:

26 June 2007
Germany To Limit Cruise Filming -- Because He's a Scientologist

In an ironic act that some commentators said revealed yet another display of German religious intolerance, the German Defense Ministry has barred the producers of a film about the World War II "generals' plot" to assassinate Hitler from using German military sites because it stars Tom Cruise, a Scientologist. Cruise portrays the leader of the plot, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. In a statement, Harald Kammerbauer, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said that United Artists, which is producing the film and which is headed by Cruise, "will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, who has publicly professed to being a member of the Scientology cult. ... The [Federal Armed Forces have] a special interest in the serious and authentic portrayal of the events of July 20, 1944 and Stauffenberg's person." Cruise's partner, Paula Wagner, issued a statement saying that the movie, titled Valkyrie after the plot's codename, depicts Stauffenberg as a "heroic and principled figure" and will remind "the world that even within the ranks of the German military, there was real resistance to the Nazi regime." She said that Cruise's "personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie's plot, themes or content."


27 June 2007
Cruise Responds to German Filming Ban

Tom Cruise has vowed Scientology will have no impact on his portrayal of a legendary German assassin, after being banned from filming at the country's military bases because of his controversial beliefs. The actor is set to begin shooting Valkyrie in Germany this summer. In the film he plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolf Hitler during World War II. However, permission to film scenes on genuine army sites has been denied by the country's Defense Ministry because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. However, Cruise is adamant his beliefs have nothing to do with characterization, and is desperate to shoot the movie on location in von Stauffenberg's homeland. His producing partner and United Artists CEO Paula Wagner says, "Aside from his obvious admiration of the man he is portraying, Mr. Cruise's personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie's plot, themes, or content. And even though we could shoot the movie anywhere in the world, we believe Germany is the only place we can truly do the story justice." Von Stauffenberg's briefcase bomb in 1944 only succeeded in wounding Hitler. He was executed by firing squad for the plot the next morning.


28 June 2007
Controversy Over Cruise Movie Spreads in Germany

Word that Scientologist Tom Cruise will portray the leader of the so-called Generals' Plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler during World War II has touched off an ever-growing political firestorm in Germany, according to an Associated Press report from Berlin. Following a decision by the German military to bar the producers of the film, titled Valkyrie, after the code name used by the plotters, from using military bases as locales, a number of German lawmakers have gone on record to denounce the entire project. Social Democratic lawmaker Klaus Uwe Benneter said that having a Scientologist play Col. Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg, who is now regarded as a national hero, represents "a slap in the face to all upstanding democrats, all resistance fighters during the Third Reich, and all victims of the Scientology sect." But a Scientology spokeswoman in Berlin called the response a call to religious discrimination. And in an interview with the AP, Carl Woebcken, head of Babelsberg studio, which is co-producing the movie with United Artists, commented, "This is not a Scientology film, it is a Bryan Singer film, and Bryan Singer is Jewish ... and they want to make this film to show that during the Nazi regime there was heroic resistance. [Tom Cruise] is one of the best, if not the best, actors in the world for heroic roles and that is why Bryan Singer approached him."


29 June 2007
Germans Relent, Give Cruise a Pass

German military officials are backing off from their earlier remarks that filmmakers would be barred from shooting scenes at military locations for the forthcoming Valkyrie, about the World War II "generals' plot" to assassinate Hitler, because the star, Tom Cruise, is a Scientologist. Producers had indicated that they wanted to shoot several scenes at the Bedlerblock memorial in Berlin where Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, played by Cruise in the film, plotted the assassination. The German Defense Ministry said Thursday that while it shares part of the building with the memorial tenants, the location is actually run by the Finance Ministry and it would be up to them to decide whether to issue a filming permit.


2 July 2007
Cruise Presses Ahead with Film Plans

Tom Cruise's latest movie will go ahead, despite attempts to ban filming on German military sites because of his controversial beliefs. The celebrity Scientologist is set to begin shooting Valkyrie in Germany this summer. In the film he plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, leader of an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolf Hitler during World War II. However, permission to film scenes on genuine army sites was denied last week by the country's Defense Ministry because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. Despite the opposition, producers of the Cruise movie claim relevant permits needed to film in the country have now been obtained. Carl Woebken, head of Berlin's Babelsberg studios, says, "They have given us permission like they have done for other Stauffenberg films before. From our point of view, everything is ready to go." The locations include the so-called Bendlerblock where Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators were shot after the attempt to kill Hitler failed. The Bendlerblock is located in what is the now the Defense Ministry complex in Berlin. However, part of it is run by the German Resistance Memorial Centre and not the ministry, and Babelsberg Studios says it can shoot there.


3 July 2007
German Ministry Denies "Crucial" Filming Location for Cruise Film

Germany's Finance Ministry has banned Tom Cruise from filming his forthcoming movie at the Bendlerblock memorial site, despite pleas from the studio the location is "crucial" to the film. Cruise is playing World War II hero Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg - who lead an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in new film Valkyrie. Despite the Defense Ministry's claims last month they would not permit Cruise to film at any of the country's military sites, the Finance Ministry - who oversee the properties in question - said the star was welcome to film in Germany - the only exception being Bendlerblock. Bendlerblock is a military building, which includes a memorial to Von Stauffenberg, who was executed at the site in July 1944. The Defense Ministry announced they wouldn't allow Cruise to film Valkyrie on any of its sites, because they objected to his controversial Scientology religion, which is regarded as a money-making cult by German authorities - but the Finance Department denies their decision is related to Cruise's Scientologist beliefs. Spokesman Stefan Olbermann says, "They will not be permitted to film at the Bendlerblock but this has nothing to do with (Scientology). We welcome the fact that such a film is being made. We don't think it would be appropriate to film there." Von Stauffenberg's eldest son Berthold von Stauffenberg has publicly denounced the casting of Cruise, saying, "He should keep his hands off my father."


5 July 2007
Russell Defends Cruise Movie

Veteran British director Ken Russell is the latest moviemaker to leap to the defence of Tom Cruise, insisting Germany's Defense Ministry is wrong to ban filming on military sites because of the actor's controversial Scientology beliefs. Cruise is playing World War II hero Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg - who lead an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in new film Valkyrie. However, permission to shoot scenes on genuine army sites was denied last week by the country's Defense Ministry - allegedly because Scientology is viewed as a "money-making cult" instead of legitimate church by the German government. On Tuesday German director Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck waded into the debate, urging his government to be more tolerant and reverse the ban - and Russell agrees. Writing in British newspaper The Times he says, "It seems stretching it to make Cruise take the flak for his philosophy of choice while he seeks, with all sincerity and a huge amount of resources, to promote Germany's favorite son. Give the guy a break. Everybody knows Hollywood types are eccentric and daredevil weirdos, don't they? Where's the news in that?"


6 July 2007
Germany Blasts Cruise Flick, Then Gives It $6.5 Million

In an action that appeared politically schizophrenic, the German Federal Film Fund agreed on Thursday to contribute $6.5 million to the funding of Tom Cruise's Valkyrie, just one day after the German Finance Ministry turned down an application by the production company to shoot key scenes of the film at a historic location. In the movie, Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who headed the so-called Generals' Plot to assassinate Hitler during World War II, but some German politicians -- and the son of von Stauffenberg -- have objected to Cruise portraying von Stauffenberg because of the actor's association with Scientology. A spokesperson for the film fund said Thursday that it granted the subsidy because "the criteria for the grant were fulfilled." Production is scheduled to begin in Berlin on July 18.


23 July 2007
German Protestants Condemn Cruise

The German Protestant Church has added its voice to the chorus of German critics who have objected to Tom Cruise portraying a German hero in the forthcoming film Valkyrie, currently being shot in Berlin. Thomas Gandow, chief spokesman on religious cults for the church, charged Sunday that Cruise plans to turn the film into "propaganda for Scientology" and compared it with filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl's documentary about the 1936 Berlin Olympics. "This film will have the same propaganda advantages," he said. Gandow called Scientology, of which Cruise may be its most prominent member, a "totalitarian organization" for which Cruise is its "Goebbels," referring to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi's minister of propaganda.


14 September 2007
Extras Ruled To Have Caused Accident on 'Valkyrie' Set

Extras hurt on Tom Cruise's new movie Valkyrie have been told the production company was not responsible for the accident. Eleven extras were injured when they fell off a driving truck last month. Authorities for occupational health and safety insist no major safety defects were found on the vehicle - contrary to the claims of some extras. An inspection had shown the truck was safe. It is claimed the extras failed to close the truck's side covering properly, causing it to open in transit - absolving the production company of any blame. Filming will now have to be controlled by a safety manager at all times.


9 October 2007
Cruise Film Reshoots Unusable Bendlerblock Footage

Tom Cruise's latest movie Valkyrie has suffered a setback - after finally having a ban on filming inside an important German historical location overturned, the footage shot there has turned out to be unusable. Crucial scenes filmed at the Bendlerblock in Berlin, where a number of German officers were executed after an abortive attempt to assassinate Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in 1944, will now have to be reshot by director Bryan Singer. A spokeswoman for the production company tells German newspaper Bild, "A majority of the film material is unusable. We have to film it again." Colin Ullman, a representative for the firm that delivered the footage shot to a post-production studio in Munich, adds, "The production company told us that there were problems with the negative development in Arri Munich, one of the top post-production companies in Germany. The images were wiped away." Fortunately for Singer and Cruise, the German government has agreed to allow them further access to the Bendlerblock. They had previously been banned from filming at there because officials did not want the "dignity of the place" to be violated. In the movie, Cruise portrays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who was put to death after plotting to blow-up Hitler.


30 November 2007
Cruise Honored in Germany

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise will be honored for his "willingness to take risks in his movies" at an awards ceremony in Germany. The Magnolia star will be awarded the courage prize for pursuing "brave projects" at the 59th annual Bambi Awards in Dusseldorf on Thursday night. The prize committee say Cruise has pursued brave projects that otherwise would not have been made, including his under-fire movie Valkyrie. Last month, Cruise was banned from shooting the movie - about a colonel who led an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler - in Bendlerblock in Berlin. The decision was later overturned.

Yeah yeah, I know. Way back then I said the saga was over. Apparently it isn't! How naive I was to think that! To be honest, I understand that Washington is pissed. I really think they screwed him over with this. And I have to say, the gossip is delicious. So TR Knight is a conniving little rat who wants to get rid of the male leads to gain larger importance? No clue how true that is, but the mere idea seems hilarious. Has anyone ever watched the show? Who'd even remotely consider George a male lead?

I really don't know what it is about Grey's Anatomy... I have this love/hate thing going on with it. I don't really like the show, yet I keep watching it. There isn't a single character in the entire cast that I find likeable or sympathetic. They all are annoying and need to be beaten with a stupid stick, repeatedly. I especially get aggressive thinking about George with his droopy eyes and unrelenting, unforgiving nature. He always has issues and he drags them on forever, sometimes being downright nasty about it. So, seriously, if TR Knight manages to get George into a bigger role because of that... good-bye GA!

Anyway, here's the news round-up. I really was going to stop, but this is just too hilarious. It basically writes itself!

14 June 2007
Washington Breaks His Silence Over 'Grey's Anatomy'

Isaiah Washington has hit out at producers of hit TV show Grey's Anatomy for firing him with such ease. The troubled actor's future on the medical drama had been in doubt ever since he made a homophobic remark about cast mate T.R. Knight last October - a comment he repeated at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year. At the end of season three, his character Dr. Preston Burke was seen packing his bags in a cliffhanger finale and last Washington received a call from producer Shonda Rhimes revealing his services were no longer required. At the time, the 43-year-old star released a statement, simply saying, "I'm mad as hell" - and Washington still can't believe how calm and collected Rhimes was when she made the fateful call. He says, "I'm saddened by the outcome. I did everything that the producers and the network asked me to do. I came back under great duress and stress, and thought I was doing the job I was hired to do. Shonda Rhimes called me on Thursday of last week and told me that I would not be returning to the show. Just like she personally called me and invited me to the show. It was full circle."

[source]

22 June 2007
Washington: "They Fired the Wrong Guy"

Disgraced Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington has fired back at the TV executives who fired him from the show, insisting they picked the wrong guy. The actor was axed from the medical drama on June 7 and now claims producers should have fired T.R. Knight, the show regular who claimed he had been targeted by a gay slur uttered by Washington, because he turned an on-set fight into a major controversy in a bid to boost his salary. Angry Washington insists his use of the word "f****t" wasn't targeted at Knight, but used in a fight with co-star Patrick Dempsey. Knight took offense to the use of the derogatory gay term and came out shortly after news of the on-set drama leaked to the media. Washington tells the Houston Chronicle, "They fired the wrong guy. I have to clear my name... My livelihood, my honor, my dignity and my name have been so challenged. So here's the truth... I used the word during a disagreement with Patrick. I apologized for that. We shook hands and went back to work." Washington admits he was shocked when he was axed from the show because he did everything that was requested of him when gay groups demanded action for his use of the word. He continues, "I did everything I said I would do. I offered to go to counseling, to do a public service announcement. I wanted everyone to know I was remorseful."

[source]

25 June 2007
Washington: "Knight Was Jealous of My Success"

Former Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington insists T.R. Knight wanted him and co-star Patrick Dempsey off the show because of they were getting better storylines. The actor was fired from the medical drama earlier this month in the wake of a homophobic remark he made about cast mate Knight last October - a comment he repeated at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year. However, Washington claims Knight turned the remark into a major controversy because he was jealous of the storylines he was getting. He says, "T.R. Knight was very tactical in trying to remove me from the show because he knows that I know, and I was gagged, that he has been working on a conspiracy to get Patrick Dempsey and myself off the show for the last year and a half. I know Patrick Dempsey has supported me by stating that if there is anyone that needs to be fired it is T.R. Knight because he has created such a negative environment on that set because he felt like he has not been treated and given the same leading man kinds of story lines."

[source]

29 June 2007
Washington: "I Was Fired Because I'm Black"

Actor Isaiah Washington insists the only reason he was fired from TV show Grey's Anatomy for making a homophobic remark was because of the color of his skin. Washington infamously made an offensive comment about castmate T.R. Knight last October and repeated it at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year. But the 43-year-old claims he was fired from Grey's Anatomy earlier this month because America can't find it in its heart to forgive an African-American. He cites the examples of actor Robert Downey, Jr., who has rebuilt his career despite multiple run-ins with the police over his drug problems, and politician Arnold Schwarzenneger, who has fought allegations of sexual misconduct. Washington tells U.S. magazine Newsweek, "I apologized and showed my remorse for what I said and for the pain I caused anyone. If a black man can't get forgiveness in this country, when so many other people like Robert Downey, Jr. and the governor of California get second and third chances... I think that says a lot about race and this country where we stand."

[source]

Now this is just... ROFL!!!!!!! Yes, let's bring the black issue in here again. Didn't we have that gay vs. black wank already in October? "500 years of slavery can't be compared to homophobia!!!!". Oh please, spare me...

Randomly, I notice there's an inordinately large percentage of people of color on most medical show casts. Not sure if that's a realistic representation, but when you look at shows with large casts, such as GA or ER (lots of letters, lol) there's a lot of "non-white" (nasty word) people. I wonder if that's a desperate attempt of the producers to demonstrate multi-cultural tolerance. Or maybe I'm just sorely mistaken and that's exactly what US hospitals look like on the inside. I wouldn't know. But it's just noticeable to me. I noticed that especially about GA where exactly half the cast is of color. And yes, I counted *g*.

Edit July 3rd
Just gonna tag this one on here since I doubt anyone cares. But since I've started collecting I don't want to just stop.

3 July 2007
Washington: "I Tried To Resign"

Fired Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington has revealed he twice tried to resign from the show following the fuss caused by the gay slur he uttered during an on-set fight - but TV bosses wouldn't let him walk. The actor made his first full television interview appearance since his firing on CNN's Larry King Live on Monday - and confessed he's still reeling from his departure from the show. Washington is annoyed because he offered to do the right thing after using the word 'f****t' in an argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey last year - and then repeating it at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this year. The scandal outraged gay groups and prompted gay co-star T.R. Knight to come out. Washington agreed to publicly apologize for his comments and met with gay community leaders to ask their forgiveness - and then he offered to quit. He told King, "I expected something. I didn't know that it would happen (firing) because I resigned. I tried to resign twice." Washington also used his chat with King to reiterate the fact he's not anti-gay. He claims an unfortunate word simply slipped out in the heat of the moment and the fight was leaked to the press. He added, "I am not homophobic, no way, shape and form... I made a huge error in judgment." During the interview with King, Washington broke down as he talked about the support he has received from his cast mates. He fought back tears as he explained, "I got a wonderful email from Sandra Oh from Spain."

[source]

Hyde Pierce Officially Comes Out

Former Frasier star David Hyde Pierce has revealed he is gay, after keeping his sexuality secret for decades. The actor, who played Dr. Niles Crane in the long-running sitcom, has always refused to talk about his personal life, despite rumos about his sexual orientation. But the 48-year-old has allowed his long-term partner Brian Hargrove's name to be mentioned in an interview on CNN.com. In a paragraph carefully buried in the article, the journalist writes, "Pierce got to Los Angeles in the early 1990s when his partner, actor-writer-producer Brian Hargrove, wanted to write for television." Pierce's spokesperson has since confirmed Hargrove is the star's partner.

[source]

Show of hands, who didn't think Nigel Crane was gay? *g* Okay okay, I realize it's just a character, but even apart from that I always thought Hyde Pierce has always broadcasted certain gay vibes. There must be a reason why basically all characters he plays or voices come off as slightly gay... I think he needs to play a really butch character some day soon... >.>; Anyway, congratulations to you, David! Well done!

Minor non-sequitur: Again, funny how things work out. I'm reading the IMDB news, right? And before this item I just posted was a note about that commemorative coin for The Rise of the Silver Surfer being illegal or something. I randomly realized that I have no clue who the Silver Surfer plays. So I click the link to the movie. I discover that it's Doug Jones. For those of you who don't know, he's the guy who always plays people in tight costumes *g*. Not what you think. He just seems to be really good with it. He played the Pale Man in Pan's Labyrinth for example and Abe Sapien in Hellboy. I thought that I have no idea what he looks like and that he must be really skinny or something, so I clicked his link and confirmed that. Very skinny indeed. Btw, by that time I wasn't actually thinking about Hellboy yet. Anyway, as I was clicking through his gallery I suddenly remembered that David Hyde Pierce was doing the voice of Abe Sapien in Hellboy. Haha! Full circle, eh?

I neither like TR Knight or Katherine Heigl particularily (I mean, nothing against them, but I wouldn't usually save their pictures either), but for some reason I find this picture very endearing. As a matter of fact, I'm tempted to iconify it even. What do you think? (source: WireImage.com)

Or doesn't Simon Cowell make any sense here?

Cowell Blasts Hudson for 'Stepping Stone' Comment

Simon Cowell has blasted Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson after she called American Idol "a stepping stone" - insisting she wouldn't have been cast in Dreamgirls without the talent show. Hudson was a contestant on Idol in 2004, but was voted off before the final. Over a year later, she auditioned for the role of Effie White in the big screen version of the musical Dreamgirls and was cast. When Hudson accepted her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Dreamgirls last month, Cowell was disappointed she declined to mention the show. He says, "Jennifer Hudson said American Idol was a 'stepping stone' for her. Stepping stone? It was her big opportunity to become noticed and she got noticed and she got Dreamgirls. "Singers like her deliberately turn against the show that made them successful. The reason (people) come on the show is because all the doors had been slammed in their face."

[source]

I get the feeling he's complaining about her calling the show exactly what it was and he's even insisting that it was! Especially this: "Jennifer Hudson said American Idol was a 'stepping stone' for her. Stepping stone? It was her big opportunity to become noticed and she got noticed and she got Dreamgirls." Uh, isn't that exactly what a stepping stone is...? *scratches head in confusion*

Just rounding up the news bits for posterity... Last week's news items on the "F-Bomb" incident in chronological order.

( cutting because there are a bunch )

I've already said this to others I've talked with about this deplorable incident. I really think Network executives are doing the gay community a disservice with this. By pushing this incident like that and blowing it out of proportion they've managed to alienate basically everyone, including people who feel strongly about gay rights. I know I do, but I really don't think it's that big of a deal to talk about firing an important character without making it plauible plotwise, basically harming the show that way. It doesn't matter what I personally think about the character or the actor, but you just don't do that for a few simple reasons.

The only people who are really concerned with this (or should be) are fans of the show. People who don't watch it don't really give a shit either way which means they're not the Network's customers so they shouldn't really worry about those. I sincerely doubt that anyone is going to start watching Grey's Anatomy now because they're so impressed with the swift and unforgiving way they've dealt with this. So, seriously, it's only the fans.

Those fans I'm going to haphazardly divide into two groups (even though I'm sure there's more). Those who care about gay rights and those who don't. Those who do care are understandably upset at this whole thing and are now pleased to see that such anti-gay sentiments are not sanctioned by the cast and crew and everyone's happy. Obviously, until timemachines are invented and we can jump back in time and undo that incident where Washington forgot to switch his brain on briefly before talking, we just have to get over this. Really. So, fans are okay now and they really don't want to see their show get harmed like that because of some ill-perceived sense of rightness. Better live with the memory of one "faggot-uttering" than permanently put up with a show that no longer makes sense continuity-wise. Plus, there may be people out there who genuinely like the character of Burke.

Now, those fans who don't care about gay rights are going to be put off very much by now. Either, they don't really care enough at all to see why this is that big of a deal that we need to drag the show through the mud continuously for weeks, or they actually kinda agree and don't like gays and then they find it offensive even. I'm not saying that we should protect the sentiment of people who think that way, but what I'm saying is this. For these people, the fact that all this is happing over "protecting a faggot" is all the more reason to hate gays. They'll just get more reason to bash gays, say mean things about them and just feel generally supported in their opinion that this society already is way too gay friendly as is.

I'm not saying that dealing with anti-gay sentiments (I really hate the word "homophobe" because I really don't think there's any phobia involved in what we're talking about here) automatically does the gay community a disservice and thus should be let slip by without notice. Of course not, but I think there is an end to this. We have established that what Washington did was bad. We have established the executive producers do not approve. We have established the cast does not share these sentiments either and support the gay member of their cast wholeheartedly and condemn what Washington said. What more do we need? Do we really need to grind a TV show into the dust to heal the pain? I really don't think so.

This is why I say everyone just needs to STFU about this. Not just Washington. So maybe Washington is a huge asshole privately (I have no idea really) and nobody gets along with him and just jump at the opportunity to get rid of him. Who knows. But they really should consider what else they're sinking when they continue drilling hole into their own rescue boat. Not to mention the ridicule the show and gay rights advocates in general have been subjected to over this. Not even the GLAAD thinks it's that big of a deal. Maybe Knight should just call Washington a nigger and we can move on. Just kidding.

Seriously, when are the people of GA going to shut up about this?? If you recall, I've already posted about this like... a dozen times before. Other links to this incident are here, here and here (in chronological order).

Heigl Slams Co-Star Over Homophobic Slur

Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl has slammed co-star Isaiah Washington for using a homophobic slur at the Golden Globes on Monday night. The actor tried to set the record straight regarding reports in October he got into a scuffle with Patrick Dempsey after Washington allegedly used a homophobic slur toward their co-star TR Knight. After a reporter questioned him on the validity of the on-set incident, Washington denied his involvement saying, "No, I did not call TR Knight a faggot. Never happened, never happened." Heigl told Access Hollywood reporter Shaun Robinson that she disapproved of his use of the slur when referring to the incident saying, "I'm not okay with it. I'm going to be really honest right now, he needs to just not speak in public. Period. I'm sorry, that did not need to be said. I just find it hurtful. I just feel like this is something that should be very much in house we need to deal with and it's among us and the cast and crew and among Shonda (Rimes, the show's creator) and the producers." Washington immediately tried to defend himself after making the comments, insisting he and Dempsey have moved beyond the incident. He adds, "I kiss Patrick Dempsey. We purposely sing 'Ebony And Ivory' every night since October 9 and nobody has written about it."

[source]

Please don't let that be related to the mysterious lack of House-ness earlier...

29 November 2006
BitTorrent Goes Legit

Paramount, Lionsgate and 20th Century Fox are expected to join Warner Bros. in providing movies over the Internet via BitTorrent, the video web service that they once universally scorned, the Los Angeles Times Times reported today (Wednesday). As part of the deal, BitTorrent has agreed to use filtering software to prevent pirated content from going out over its service. However, the newspaper indicated, analysts generally believe that the switch-over from an outlet for pirated versions of movies to one where users must pay a fee to receive them is likely to fail; it noted that similar Internet-based movie-download services are struggling. Josh Bernoff, an analyst with Forrester Research, told the Times: "The problem is consumers are not convinced that paying for and downloading video is worth it. ... The other problem is it doesn't end up on the TV set. The mechanisms that do get it to the TV, like DVD burning, are not quite what they need to be." Meanwhile, Wal-Mart on Tuesday launched a new service that allows anyone who buys a DVD copy of certain features to download a copy of it onto their computer or portable digital device. The additional charge will be $2-4 dollars.

[source]

Randomly, why the FUCK do I have a "nazi" tag in my list?!?

Washington Explains 'Grey's Anatomy' Spat

Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington has spoken out on TV for the first time after he was left disgraced following a spat on the set of the medical drama. The actor released a statement apologizing for his actions after a tirade with co-star Patrick Dempsey went public, prompting fans to fear his job was in danger - but he has yet to appear on TV to talk about the incident. Washington pulled out of a planned TV interview with Ellen DeGeneres earlier this month, but he couldn't miss out on an Oprah Winfrey set visit to Grey's Anatomy, which aired on TV in America on Friday. And when Winfrey asked him to comment on the spat, Washington opened up. He explained, "It was a combination of fatigue, pride, passion... I've been working with these beautiful men for three years now and we had an argument as brothers. It came about at a time and a place that was overwhelming for both of us and we resolved it easily. What it was not was a brawl, fisticuffs and all that stuff. I lost my cool... It was coming out of a place of trying to stay focused about the work and the one thing I understand about myself and my passion about everything I do is that the opposite of love is indifference... Out of that caring, we got ourselves into a debate that had to happen."

[source]

You know... The more I read of this the more I wonder... WHAT? They should just stand up and fucking say what this was about instead of constantly beating around the bush like that. All these half-explanations and insinuations are really only adding to the confusion and starting more rumors. "I've been working with these beautiful men"...? Wtf? LOL. What a weird way to refer to your colleagues! XD

If anyone's interested, here are the other newsbits that lead to this:

The first round about the fistfight, ensuing mockery and a surprise coming out! And the usual grovelling afterwards (as continued here).

I don't know if you guys have heard about the almost fist fight that broke out on the set of Grey's Anatomy last week. Anywhere, here's the news bits about it as of yesterday:

October 12th
Dempsey and Washington Have On-Set Spat

Grey's Anatomy co-stars Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington were involved in a heated argument on the set of their hit show on Monday which nearly ended in a fist-fight. Dempsey, 40, and Washington, 43, nearly came to blows during a spat over shooting issues. Washington tells US publication People, "We were like two baseball players... nose-to-nose. We had a difference of opinions while working on set but we've resolved it." Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke says the fight began over "time and (keeping) the production going. The communication was lost in translation." But he says no punches were thrown adding, "Our faces are too beautiful for that!" Dempsey's representative says, "In close families arguments happen. They worked it out." Washington added jokingly, "I've never been that close to (Patrick) before. He has really pretty blue eyes."

[source]

Here's what Craig Ferguson had to say about it on the Late Late Show
McFighting on Grey's Anatomy

"Anyway, everybody is fine now on the set of Grey's Anatomy. You know, the muffin baskets were exchanged between the actors, Dr. McDreamy said Dr. McOtherGuy... they had terrific make-up sex. It's all... Man, for people who work in a hospital they have a lot of time for shagging on that show, ey?"

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October 19th
Walsh Denies Reports of 'Grey's Anatomy' Unrest

Grey's Anatomy star Kate Walsh insists everything is fine on the set of the hit TV show one week after co-stars Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington got into a fight. The pair nearly came to blows on October 10 during a spat over shooting issues on the series. Walsh, who plays Dr. Addison Montgomery-shepherd on the show, claims its back to business as usual on the set. She explains, "We're all good. They had a squabble. I actually wasn't there that day. I can tell you that we were shooting in Seattle (Washington) just a week ago. All I know is I was there for one scene and there was no one there. And then the guys were there, both Isaiah and Patrick, doing their stuff, and there were literally throngs of women, like 300 women and everybody was going crazy. It's all good." Walsh is grateful that she wasn't involved in the scuffle adding jokingly, "I have big peasant hands. Who knows what I'm capable of."

[source]

October 20th
'Grey's Anatomy' Star Confirms He's Gay

Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight has confirmed he is gay. The actor, who plays unassuming Dr. George O'Malley on the hit series, decided to go public after rumors began surfacing about his sexuality. Knight confirms to American publication People, "I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumours that may be out there. While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me." Media reports have suggested that Knight was forced out of the closet after details of a fight between co-stars Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey became public. According to the National Enquirer, the two got into a fight while Filming the show last week and Washington allegedly yelled to Dempsey, "I'm not your little faggot like (name deleted)." The publication said they withheld printing the actual name of the co-star Washington mentioned "because of the extreme nature of the slur."

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Hahaha! Seriously! Why do they even bother shooting the show? Just keep dishing out these babies! XD