T.R. Knight has asked to be released from his contract with "Grey's Anatomy." The actor, who plays Dr. George O'Malley, has asked to leave the ABC medical drama because he is unhappy with his storyline, the person said. Knight has three years left on his contract and the network has indicated they will release him, said the insider, who could not be identified because they were not authorized to discuss negotiation details.
ISF: "Oh, boo woo. Woe is me. I'm unhappy that I'm making only $125,000 an episode doing a story I don't even like. I know I signed a contract, but it's not legally binding, right? I want to star in movies like my friend Katherine Heigl. However, since I came out a couple of years ago, I'll probably be typecast as gay and never get a "real" film role other than some cheesy independent gay film or alongside Anne Hathaway as the "gay friend." But that would be better than my making $125,000 an episode doing a story that makes me -- sob! -- unhappy..."
The standoff between "The Simpsons" voice cast and series producer 20th Century Fox TV is over. After months of negotiations, the cast of Fox's long-running animated series reached a new four-year deal with the studio during the weekend. Under the pact, the top actors will be paid nearly $400,000 per episode. While this is lower than the reported $500,000 the cast originally sought, it remains a significant increase from their current paychecks of about $300,000 an episode. (By contrast, Charlie Sheen is the highest-paid sitcom star, reportedly earning $350,000 per episode in 2006.)
WP: What a relief! I was worried they might actually have to go out and get real jobs instead of coming to work in their jammies and sitting in a soundproof room for a couple of hours.
Former "Quincy, M.E." star Jack Klugman sued NBC Universal Friday, claiming the studio is lying about the show's profits and owes him money. Klugman, 85, played the crime-busting Dr. R. Quincy on the show from 1976 to 1983.
WP: Was Jack in a coma for 25 years? This is 2008, right? Does he have a gambling debt to suddenly pay off?
T.R. Knight has asked to be released from his contract with "Grey's Anatomy." The actor, who plays Dr. George O'Malley, has asked to leave the ABC medical drama because he is unhappy with his storyline, the person said. Knight has three years left on his contract and the network has indicated they will release him, said the insider, who could not be identified because they were not authorized to discuss negotiation details.
