'Grey's' Washington, gay organization meet
NEW YORK, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington has agreed to meet with a U.S. gay education organization to discuss ways to educate youth about anti-gay slurs.
During an on-set discussion, Washington called "Grey's' co-star T.R. Knight a "faggot." Washington subsequently apologized.
The New York-based Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, in a release, commended ABC and Washington for recognizing the harm of Washington's using the slur and for meeting with GLSEN to turn the incident into an opportunity for a dialogue with youth.
"We would like to thank Isaiah and ABC for reaching out to GLSEN in what hopefully will be an important step in the healing process for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and all those who were offended by the remarks," said Kevin Jennings, GLSEN executive director.
The meeting coincides with the organization's "No Name-Calling Week" in schools. GLSEN is a national organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students.
"We are encouraged by the apparent sincerity of Isaiah Washington's apology and his recognition of the power of a word that, like so many others, has no place in our society," Jennings said.
Network to meet on British 'Big Brother'
LONDON, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Officials of the British channel that airs "Celebrity Big Brother" will meet to discuss the show in light of complaints of racism on the "reality" program.
The board's eight non-executive members will be briefed on racist comments made to or about Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty by other housemates during the show, the BBC said. Two housemates -- one of whom was the latest evicted -- apologized to Shetty.
The broadcaster has faced criticism for not stepping in to curb nasty confrontations between housemates and is facing calls to cancel the show. Channel 4 last week said the program would not be pulled and that any conflict in the house had been monitored.
The program's sponsor withdrew its support in wake of the controversy.
Board chair Luke Johnson has been asked by Commission for Equality and Human Rights to apologize for how the situation was handled. The government's Office of Communications said it has received more than 40,000 viewer complaints.
Now that one of her main antagonists is gone, British bookmakers installed Shetty as the favorite to win.
Jazz composer, teacher Jimmy Cheatham dies
LA JOLLA, Calif., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Jimmy Cheatham, a jazz trombonist, arranger and composer, died in a La Jolla, Calif., hospital of a heart-related problem, his wife said.
He was 82.
Cheatham, who underwent a heart-related procedure in December, was preparing to tour with his band, including a performance scheduled in May at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, the Los Angeles Times said.
In a decades-long career, Cheatham played bass trombone with the giants of jazz, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Ornette Coleman. Most recently, he played with his wife, Jeannie, in their Sweet Baby Blues Band, formed in the mid-1980s.
Cheatham took his knowledge and love of jazz into the classroom in 1971, when he was invited to teach jazz at Bennington College in Vermont. In 1978, he was asked to head the jazz program at UC San Diego.
Cheatham retired from UC, San Diego, in 2005.
Besides his wife, Cheatham, who died Jan. 12, is survived by a daughter and a son.
Razzies 'honor' Hollywood's worst
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- "Basic Instinct 2" and "Little Man" garnered seven Razzie Award nominations, handed out to what voters considered the worst Hollywood offered in 2006.
"Basic Instinct 2" competes with "Bloodrayne," "Lady in the Water," "Little Man" and "Wicker Man" for worst picture "dishonors," a Razzie news release said.
Other nominations for "Basic Instinct 2" included Sharon Stone for Worst Actress, David Thewlis -- a double nominee for his work in "The Omen" -- for Worst Supporting Actor and Worst Sequel,/Prequel.
Besides Worst Picture, "Little Man," the story of a bank robber who hides out as a baby, was nominated for worst remake (the original was a Bugs Bunny cartoon), worst actor, director screen play and screen couple.
This year's newest Razzie category salutes "the dearth of quality G- and PG-rated movie fare in 2006," the organization said. Nominated as Worst Excuse for Family Entertainment were "Deck the Halls," "Garfield 2," "RV," "Santa Clause 3" and "Shaggy Dog."
Oscar winning director Ron Howard led the Worst Director field for "The Da Vinci Code."
Winners of the 27th annual Razzie Awards will be announced Feb. 24 in Hollywood. The trophy is a spray-painted raspberry atop an 8-mm film canister.
