Emmy Watch: Who Does She Think She Is…

It’s a common refrain by women targeting other women — who does she think she is? It’s a tribal thing. And now, Katherine Heigl is being told to shut it by NY Mag (thanks for the link, ONTD). What this shows is that Heigl may have passed into David Caruso “ungrateful star” territory. That means instead of going to the top she’ll be stranded at base camp for a while, maybe a long while. Is it fair? Nope. But it is the way things work. You have to be a super star to be able to get away with mouthing off and even then it can cost you. I find myself on Heigl’s side this time, though. I like that she mouths off and I like what she has to say so I’m not going to join in on the tampon throwing (“plug it up”).

But, if you’ll indulge me a point-by-point:

So you‚Äôve acted out once again (no pun intended!). You‚Äôve withdrawn your name from Emmy eligibility, because, in your words, ”I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination.” And now you‚Äôve started a fight with the writers of Grey‚Äôs Anatomy. Their feelings are hurt, Katie: “It’s an ungrateful slap in the face,” one show insider told EW. You actually won the Emmy for supporting actress last year, which was really so lovely for you. So why, this year, are you so sure your material doesn‚Äôt even warrant a nomination? Let‚Äôs think.

Again, I don’t agree that she was insulting the writers at all – she speaks the truth. And the Emmy voters are inclined to vote for the same person over and over again, whether they deserve it or not. Taking out her name gives other more deserving players a chance to win. As for the writing for her character – yeah, a slap in the face is what the writers deserve. Major suckage there, folks. Why pretend any different?

Okay, Heigl, we agree that Izzie’s story lines have become increasingly marginal and unbelievable. Lately, everyone on the show seems to think that Izzie’s completely irritating. So do we! We actually groan aloud when your perky face appears onscreen! There’s a theory we have about this, Katherine, so listen closely. Have you ever thought that maybe the writers are incorporating your own personality into that of your character? Because we read a lot of women’s magazine and gossip sites, and we think we kind of know you at this point. And guess what? You’re totally annoying and self-righteous, just like Izzie!

Yes, blame the actor when the writing sucks. Good one! The worst move was having Heigl have a romantic entanglement with Knight for ratings gold. It sold out her character who was already on the fringes anyway after the dying guy, the clinic, the adopted-away baby. Such a huge mistake it almost ruined the show. And that’s….Heigl’s fault? They should have quit while they were ahead – given Izzie some real problems to deal with instead of making her break up a marriage on the show and thus making everyone hate her. They needed sex on the show and there weren’t many available men so … George? Bad idea for all involved. Now Callie is dabbling with Dr. Hahn, George is flailing about with Meredith’s kid sister and Izzie is, well, who knows anymore.

Of course, we, too, were offended by Isaiah Washington. He called your on- and-off-screen best friend, T.R. Knight, a faggot, and that’s just uncalled for. You established yourself as Knight’s defender and kept speaking to the press about how Washington should be fired. So we guess that’s nice of you and all, but you really should have let your friend fight his own battle. You ended up looking pretty darn priggish.

Yes, god forbid she looks priggish instead of standing idly by. Let’s always remember when someone wrongs our friends we should remain silent because our own careers are at stake. Let’s keep our priorities in order! We are the only the thing that matters. How we are testing in Canoga Park is the only thing that matters. Ratings! Careers! Oscars! By all means, remain silent or risk everything.

And then (and then!) you called your own hit movie, Knocked Up, “a little sexist.” You have a right to your opinion, and we might even agree with you. But you were Apatow’s first choice for that movie, you did it, you made lots of money, and it made you a certified movie star. What possessed you to bash it? Do you think you’re above the work that you do? It was a comedy, and you profited tremendously. You’re no Streep, honey, and even she does Abba with a smile.

Well, here is where I agree with you. The time to talk about how sexist the character was wasn’t in the post publicity phase. If she didn’t like the part she shouldn’t have taken the role. Also, couldn’t she have charmed Apatow and Co. into writing her character better? If charm didn’t work perhaps she could have stayed in her trailer until better pages were delivered. However, the fact remains that the character is poorly written.

[snip]

So please take our advice. Grey’s Anatomy is a soap opera. Get off your high horse, missy. You talk all about the integrity of the Academy? Ha! You know they’re giving an Emmy to a reality-TV show host this year, right? Stop pissing off your writers and directors and castmates. We want to like you, Katherine, really. Please stop making it so hard to do so.

Yes, by all means, shut up and be a good little girl. Your career and likability among the press depends on it.