Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Chuck Barney column: Fired actor gets spot on 'Bionic'.

Byline: Chuck Barney

Jul. 17--BEVERLY HILLS

NEWS AND NOTES from the television critics press tour:

Isaiah Washington's stint on the unemployment line turned out to be very brief. New NBC entertainment chief Ben Silverman announced Monday that the embattled actor will be joining the network's remake of "Bionic Woman" this fall.

"He's a wonderful actor and a great performer. ... I've always admired his work," Silverman said of Washington, who was fired from the ABC hit "Grey's Anatomy" last month after an on-set conflict that included the use of an anti-gay slur.

Washington will appear in at least five episodes of the new drama, which has Michelle Ryan stepping into the role of Jamie Sommers. He'll play a "mysterious person" brought into …