Ellen Pompeo Admitted Katherine Heigl Was “100 Percent Right” About ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Long Hours; “Had She Said That Today, She’d Be A Complete Hero”. As you might remember, Katherine, who described Dr. Izzie Stevens on the hit medical drama from 2005 until 2010, met a huge wave of backlash after publicly naming the series’ long hours on set “cruel.”
Pompeo said on the podcast:
I remember Heigl said something on a talk show about the insane hours we were working, and she was 100 percent right. And had she said that today, she’d be a complete hero. But she’s ahead of her time, made a statement about our crazy hours, and of course, [it was like] ‘Let’s slam a woman and call her ungrateful.
Pompeo further added:
“The truth is, she’s 100 percent honest, and it’s correct what she said. She was fucking ballsy for saying it; she was telling the truth. She wasn’t lying!”
The ABC medical drama was in its season 6 at the time. Heigl told the show had a typical 17-hour workday, which she expressed as “cruel and mean,” and added, “I’m gonna keep saying this ’cause I hope it embarrasses them.”
Ellen Pompeo was joined on the “Tell Me” podcast by “Grey’s Anatomy” star Kate Walsh, who added:
“There’s nothing natural about [the filming process]. There’s nothing human about it. It’s made for a machine; it’s as if we’re a camera or a mic that just goes and goes and goes. And it’s not conducive to any healthy habits.”
“Grey’s Anatomy” is now airing its 18th season on ABC.
