ABC Exec Calls Katherine Heigl’s ‘Grey’s’ Complaints ‘Unfortunate’

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Katherine Heigl on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
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Katherine Heigl looks beautiful in blue at an advance screening of ‘The Ugly Truth’ hosted by InStyle managing editor Ariel Foxman in New York City on July 20, 2009
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Katherine Heigl poses at the 2009 People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles
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Katherine Heigl poses with the award for Favorite Comedy Movie People’s Choice Awards on January 7, 2009 in LA

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FIRST PUBLISHED: August 10, 2009 1:33 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: August 10, 2009 3:36 PM EDT

PASADENA, Calif. --

The brass at ABC apparently isn’t too happy about Katherine Heigl’s recent complaints over returning to the set of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

During an appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” in July, Heigl noted her return to the set was greeted by some long days.

“Our first day back was Wednesday [of last week], and I keep saying this because I hope it embarrasses them – [it was] a 17-hour day,” she told Dave on July 20. “I think it’s cruel and mean.”

And while Heigl may have said the comment in jest, ABC entertainment president Stephen McPherson didn’t find her remarks too funny.

“I think it’s unfortunate,” McPherson told reporters during the ABC TCA presentation on Saturday in Pasadena, Calif., according to The Hollywood Reporter. “People are going to behave in the way they choose to behave. There are so many people who work so hard on ‘Grey’s,’ and all of our shows, without any notoriety and those are the ones I’d be concerned about, people who feel like they’re being criticized or looked down upon.”

When Season 5 ended, fans were left wondering if Heigl’s “Grey’s” character – Izzie Stevens – was alive or dead. And now that she’s back on board for Season 6, does her 17-hour day indicate she’s up and moving?

“I’m guessing if you’re working 17 hours, that means you’re not dead,” Letterman joked at the time.

“What if, however, Dave, I was in a bed in a coma for 17 hours. They could do that to me,” she quipped.

However, it wasn’t all bad news for Heigl upon her return to the Seattle Grace set.

“It was actually kind of… great to be back,” she added. “All my friends are there and at this point, they’re sort of like family.”

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