Glitch in the Bionic machine

Photo: Getty Images

Bionic Woman is already turning into the most talked about show on the fall television schedule, both because of its apparently strong pilot and its ongoing recasting and casting issues.

From the Hollywood Reporter:

[Katee] Sackhoff has become a lesbian icon because of her character Capt. Kara "Starbuck" Thrace on "Battlestar," and her no-show [at a panel promoting Bionic Woman] raised speculation that she might be boycotting "Bionic" in light of Monday's announcement that Isaiah Washington, fired from "Grey's Anatomy" for reportedly using an anti-gay slur, is joining the new NBC series.

Her absence seems to be explained better as a play for a better contract, but Out's Bill Keith reports that the overall confusion and potential controversy doesn't end there:

When asked whether the network was concerned about working with Washington, [NBC head Ben] Silverman offered only, "He's a wonderful actor and a great performer and we think inside the Bionic Woman, the character that's been created for him is a really strong one that he'll do a great job with. Whatever support we can give to the Bionic Woman as possible. I think he is a wonderful actor."

In a bit of a switch, at today's official press conference for Bionic Woman, the show's executive producer, Jason Smilovic, refuted that the character was created for Washington at all, clarifying that a smaller role already in place had been expanded to accommodate Washington when Silverman presented him as an option for casting. When pressed as to whether he was ignoring the concerns of an audience that could potentially boycott the show, Smilovic said, "Absolutely not. We embrace the gay community and hope they watch the show. But we believe in second chances, and we aren't about making assignations or judgments on what happened [on Grey's Anatomy]. This is about making good TV. We've found that the best way to handle a situation like this is not to cast people out or excommunicate them, but to let them make amends."

Here's hoping the people in charge can get along long enough to at least give us a chance to make up our minds for ourselves. Nothing ruins a new show's chance of success like the smell of trouble.

Comments

[Mike in Bama]

"Here's hoping the people in charge can get along long enough to at least give us a chance to make up our minds for ourselves. Nothing ruins a new show's chance of success like the smell of trouble."

It seems some people are willing to give one little TV show a chance to succeed, but are not willing to give another human being a chance at redemption. Can we just let go of the "I hate Isaiah" stuff long enough to give the man a chance to learn from this horrible mistake? What he said was disgusting, I know. But everyone has had to learn the hard way that words have power. Have none of the Washington-bashers never said something they later realized they should have never said? Hmmmm.... Let's turn the mirror on ourselves before we return the same disdain that fight to overcome.

[Gera]

I agree. Isaiah is not the enemy. He is exactly the kind of person who can be educated. Ending racism and homophobia is not about shaming and shunning the perpetrator. It's about identifying the behavior and creating a space for change. I don't know why a 40 something is expected to change so quickly, or why his crime was punished so harshly. He said he wasn't going to be somebody's faggot. He didn't say he was going to kill one. He equated being a faggot with being weak. A common belief in every single playground to high school locker room in this country. Why aren't we up and arms about that?? If indeed this story is accurate and Isaiah is not wanted as part of the cast of the Bionic Woman, it's a sad day. They might as well pin a large scarlet 'H' on his chest and parade him through West Hollywood...

[bloomsburyboy]

I continued to watch "Grey's Anatomy" after Washington showed himself to be a bigot and a liar because I loved the show and continued to support the other actors. However, I will not be wasting my time on "Bionic Woman," a show I had previously planned to watch, or any other new series of which Washington is a part.

Do I think he should be martyred for his ignorance? No. But I do not think he deserves another shot at being rich and famous. Celebrities need to be held to a higher standard. He had his once-in-a-lifetime chance and he blew it.

It's a shame because the series sounded like it could have been awesome, and I was looking forward to seeing Katee Sackhoff in it. Now I would feel like I'm betraying my convictions to support the show.

[Don]

For a generation and even today the gay community has demanded that straight America show virtues of respect, tolerance and forgiveness of all people. Now comes along this incident with Isaiah Washington. Suddenly, there is no tolerance for an ignorant statement nor forgiveness to be found for Isaiah from many of those so adamant that these virtues be shown to them. Bigotry and hypocrisy comes in all colors and preferences. I believe life provides each of us with opportunities to practice and evolve as human beings. Isaiah will not be the last to insult, demean, or disrespect a gay person or community. Be outraged, angry, demand change. However at some point, we must allow ourselves to forgive - not for his sake, but for our own.

[James]

I too believe it's time to move on from Mr. Washingtons remarks and let him prove he's become a better person. Let the judgements end already and show the world we are capable of forgiveness.