Grey's Anatomy

Chandra Wilson's outspoken Grey's Anatomy character, Dr. Miranda Bailey, probably wouldn't have been as diplomatic in her choice of words.

But given the chance to respond to co-star Katherine Heigl's controversial remarks about the writing on their show, Wilson decided to play nice.

Having won for Outstanding Supporting Actress last year, Heigl said she wouldn't be submitting her name for a nomination this year. Why?

Sparking outcry and speculation, Katherine Heigl said the material she was given this season wasn't good enough for consideration.

Was she griping? Was Katherine angling for an early departure from Seattle Grace, as some speculate? Or was she just being truthful?

Chandra Wilson wouldn't be drawn into speculation. She dwelled, instead, on how and why actors submit work for the Emmys to start with.

"All actors have to do the exact same thing every single year," said Wilson during a panel for her Hallmark Channel movie, Accidental Friendship.

"How do I submit? If I submit? Which clip to submit? And I think the public at large doesn't understand that it's not about your body of work, it's not necessarily about your season. It's about the show you submit."

"You can have a great seasonal arc, but if you don't have that show that's your show and you were breaking out in tears," said Wilson, a multiple-time nominee herself, "Then that's not the right thing for the category."

Chandra Wilson plays a homeless woman befriended by a police officer in Accidental Friendship, which is based on a true story.

The cable film co-stars Ben Vereen, a former Grey's Anatomy guest star, and a Tony winner for the Broadway production of Pippin.

Recently a judge on a reality TV show, he talked about the changes in television since the days when he played Chicken George in Roots.

"You know, my stock answer for why a realty show or a regular TV show is employment," Vereen said.

"We have to adjust to the time and what is present. Whatever is given to us, our job is art. What you are seeing now is transition - even for you."