People: Isaiah’s anatomy: foot inside mouth
“Grey’s Anatomy” star Isaiah Washington is again apologizing for using an anti-gay slur after being publicly rebuked by ABC.
During a backstage interview at Monday’s Golden Globes, Washington denied previously using the slur against castmate T.R. Knight – and in so doing, repeated the word again.
That led to criticism from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
“We are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed ‘unfortunate’ in his previous public apology,” ABC said, adding: “His actions are unacceptable and are being addressed.”
For his part, Washington said: “I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I’ve asked for help.”
He previously apologized for his “unfortunate use of words” during an October dispute on the set of ABC’s top-rated show.
Checkered career
Kelly Clarkson will soon be showing her racing stripes in the biggest partnership NASCAR has ever made with a music artist.
The former “American Idol” will be “integrated into all aspects of NASCAR,” starting with the Nextel “Tribute To America” concert airing live on Fox just before the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.
“Anyone who knows me knows I’m a race fan and love NASCAR,” Clarkson says. “I look forward to hanging out with the fans, drivers and the entire NASCAR community.”
Not changing his stripes
Donald Trump is continuing to fly an oversized American flag above his Mar-A-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., despite a Thursday vote by town officials to fine him $1,250 a day for violating zoning guidelines.
Trump previously filed a $25 million lawsuit against the town, arguing that flying the 15- by 25-foot flag atop an 80-foot pole is constitutionally protected free speech.
Unfair trademark?
Meanwhile, Martha Stewart‘s plan to trademark a line of furniture named for her new hometown of Katonah, N.Y., has riled some of her neighbors.
Stewart’s “Katonah Collection,” which includes a four-post bed and a tailored English sofa, is already on sale.
Some local merchants fear the trademark would prevent them from using Katonah, an Indian word, in their business names.
Oprah, moolah
Oprah Winfrey holds the top spot on Forbes.com’s list of “The 20 Richest Women in Entertainment” with a fortune of $1.5 billion.
“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling ranks second at $1 billion, followed by Martha Stewart ($638 million), Madonna ($325 million), Celine Dion ($250 million) and Mariah Carey ($225 million).
The birthday bunch
Singer Slim Whitman is 83. Actress Patricia Neal is 81. Comedian Arte Johnson is 78. Director David Lynch is 61. TV host Bill Maher is 51. Actor Lorenzo Lamas is 49. Actor James Denton (“Desperate Housewives”) is 44. Country singer John Michael Montgomery is 42. Actor Rainn Wilson (“The Office”) is 39. Drummer ?uestlove (The Roots) is 36.