An HBO executive is apologizing after making comments that the salary demands of the "Big Little Lies" cast "raped" the network.

HBO SVP of drama Francesca Orsi spoke on a panel at the INTV Conference in Israel about the network's upcoming programming. She talked about the final table read for "Game of Thrones" Season 8 as well as the five proposed spinoffs, which led to a discussion about the budget for them and the network's finances in general.

Orsi said, "From a budget standpoint, going into Season 2 of 'Big Little Lies' without any options in place, we've been ... um ... short of raped."

Now, Orsi has issued an apology.

"Obviously, I am embarrassed by my poor choice of words," she said in a statement. "We are extremely proud of 'Big Little Lies' and excited for the second season."

It was a particularly bad choice of words considering rape is a major issue in "Big Little Lies."

Most of the stars of the Emmy-winning drama are returning for Season 2 and are receiving hefty raises. Witherspoon reportedly will be paid triple, for which the actress can thank Apple, since that company's new streaming TV service is paying her $1.25 million per episode for an upcoming morning show drama.