Before I write another word, I must make a deep, dark confession. This is just between us. That's because it is absolutely critical for a journalist to remain impartial. Each story must be approached with an open mind.

That isn't the case with reviews. Remain impartial in a review and every movie or TV show will get a C grade. Eventually that kind of middle-ground approach can lead to a new career.

The impartial approach is needed when writing features and news stories. It should not matter whether the writer hates or loves the person, place or thing that is the subject. Each story just has to be approached with a wide open mind.

That is tough in one particular case. Here’s my confession. And I hope you can forgive me.

"Grey’s Anatomy" star Katherine Heigl has always been a great interview. The first time I talked to her was for the series "Roswell." What makes her such an enjoyable interview is that she is smart, funny and goes out of the way to make you feel comfortable.

That's why the report on the L.A. Times blog Gold Derby that Heigl's name is not on the the list of Emmy contenders is both depressing and understandable. It is sad that she won't be able to defend last year's win. This wasn’t a great year for her, but there were at least enough episodes to make her worthy of consideration.

Heigl, according to the Web site, did not submit her name for consideration. She did not think the writing was good enough to make her worthy of a nomination. This reason will not sit well with the writers of "Grey's Anatomy." And that is a bridge Heigl will have to cross when the new season starts shooting in a few months.

But you have to give Heigl credit for not just taking the easy road. No matter the reason, it is nice to see someone take a stand like this.

Some of you may think this was just a way for Heigl to avoid the embarrassment if she had not gotten a nomination. That’s certainly a possibility. The impartial part of me accepts that as one of numerous possibilities. But when I allow myself to be just a slight bit biased, it is hard to believe Heigl has become so cynical in such a short amount of time. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt for taking the high road.