Ellen Pompeo Backs Former ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Costar Katherine Heigl’s Claims of ‘Cruel’ Production Schedule

thewrap.com:

podcast “Tell Me” with her guest, “Grey’s” alum Kate Walsh.“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,” Pompeo said. “But she’s ahead of her time, made a statement about our crazy hours and of course, let’s slam a woman and call her ungrateful.”She added, “When the truth is, she’s 100 percent honest and it’s absolutely correct what she said.

She was f—ing ballsy for saying it. And she was telling the truth. She wasn’t lying!”Pompeo admitted that much of the cast was willing to put up with the difficult production schedule because “when you’re younger, you’re so excited to be there, and you’re so happy to be invited to the party.”Walsh agreed with Pompeo’s assessment of the early seasons of “Grey’s,” adding that not much had changed over the years in terms of television production overall.“There’s nothing human about [the work hours],” she said. “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 kind of healthy habits.”The comments that Pompeo addressed were from a 2009 appearance Heigl made on “The Late Show With David Letterman.” At the time, the show was in its sixth season.During the appearance Heigl called out the fact that she’d recently been on set for a 17-hour day. “I’m gonna keep saying this ’cause I hope it embarrasses them,” she said.