Entertainment Weekly confirms that T.R. Knight has been released from his contract at his request. I guess George’s fate after last season’s finale is no longer a cliffhanger.
This comes as a surprise to…let me see…oh, yeah, no one. On one hand, I’m glad Knight won’t be required to stay in a job he wasn’t happy in, and I’m impressed he’s got enough integrity to walk out on a gig that paid truckloads of money. On the other hand, the economy stinks and he’s leaving to do theater, which pays about $12 a week after taxes.
What would you do if you were in his shoes? Will you miss George next season or are you thinking, “Good riddance”?
7 Comments
BIZMAN5
June 18, 2009 at 6:53 amLove the show, but let’s face it, the cast is way too big these days and T.R. Knight was barely getting any scenes.
Never really had a problem with him. He really integrated well with the rest of the ensemble.
It seems to be the trend with most shows when they become popular, they bring in too many guest stars rather than focus on what made people watch the show in the first place which is the appeal of the main cast and how the writers wrote to serve those series regulars. Then the show starts to suffer in the ratings. So it makes perfect sense for an actor to want out if he/she isn’t getting any scenes. On the one hand, it’s probably smart to leave what many perceive to be a sinking ship. Bottom line though: Leaving a well-paying job in this economy is just plain silly. And I don’t think Knight has the star potential to survive in this industry. Shouldn’t have done it, T.R.
Same with Catherine Heigl. She made a mistake as well.
popculturenerd
June 19, 2009 at 7:36 pmKatherine Heigl is coming back next year.
I would have been fine with her leaving.
EIREGO
June 18, 2009 at 9:47 pmWhat? Ugh, what was he thinking?
Good riddance. George was getting weaker and weaker by the minute.
Shelley P
June 19, 2009 at 4:56 amI almost forgot George was in it – and we’re still a few weeks out or so from the season finale. I don’t get his decision, but I hope it works for him.
Poncho
June 19, 2009 at 10:25 amI think George was being less of an interesting character each episode, you know? I think there’s been very little of him in the story as the show goes on.
I mean, he was a really good character throughout the series, but I feel that most people couldn’t relate to him as much as to other characters (I think during the Callie-George-Izzie theme, Callie and Izzie stole the show, for example), and when he failed his exams and turned to be an intern again, I felt his “elevation” to resident as a patch-up.
I just don’t know, I think the character lost all his potential, so it’s easy not to miss him that much (If they loose Christina, for example, the show will certainly fail).
And I’m glad T.R. Knight has the integrity to leave a show because he’s got no “growth opportunities”, but I just wish he’d find something worthwile. He’s not one of my favorite actors, ‘though.
popculturenerd
June 20, 2009 at 4:16 amIf Sandra Oh leaves the show, I’d stop watching. She’s the best actor on there and Christina is a nice dose of tartness and confidence amongst a lot of neuroticism.
Poncho
June 22, 2009 at 12:38 pmMe too… she’s the best character of all!
I am loving Owen (maybe ’cause of Christina), and I kinda liked -and hated- the cancer thing with Izzie.