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The West Wing: Abandoned
A job action by four money-hungry cast members has thrown the third season of "The West Wing" into doubt. John Spencer, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff and Bradley Whitford, who all play White House aides, were no-shows on Monday when NBC's hit drama was scheduled to start production.
Series stars Martin Sheen, who plays President Josiah "Jed" Bartlett, and Rob Lowe, his speechwriter, were on the set Monday morning with supporting cast members Janel Moloney and Dule Hill and 50 crew members. But they were all told to go home and "take the rest of the week off," while the producers try to renegotiate contracts.
Insiders say the quartet had hired a lawyer and vowed not to work until they get more money. But the actors are under contract and face firing if they don't show up to shoot the first episode next week.
The New York Post, Page Six
"The West Wing"
by Aaron Sorkin
Season 3, Episode 1
"Departures"FADE IN on THE PRESIDENT sitting in the OVAL OFFICE, his HEAD in his HANDS.
The President
Mrs. Landingham!
(Beat)
MRS. LANDINGHAM!
(Sighs)
Charlie!Charlie
(Appearing from nowhere)
Yes, Mr. President.The President
Where the hell is Leo?Charlie
I don't know, sir.The President
Don't know?Charlie
No, sir.The President
You don't know.Charlie
No, sir.The President
So if I were to ask you where Leo was, you'd say, "I don't know."Charlie
Yes, sir.The President
Then send Toby in. I've got something I want to talk about.Charlie
I don't know where Toby is either, sir.The President
What? What the hell is going on?Charlie
I don't know, sir.The President
Find out!Charlie
Yes, sir.CHARLIE turns and leaves. On his way out, SAM SEABORN passes him in the doorway.
Sam
Charlie. He in?Charlie
Yes, sir.CHARLIE knocks on the open door.
Charlie
Sam is here, sir.The President
I don't want Sam! If I needed a pretty boy I'll call the New York mayor's office and get my kid down here.Charlie
Yes, sir.DONNA appears in the open doorway, just in front of SAM.
Donna
Has anybody seen Josh?All
No!Donna
(Backing out)
OK, OK...Charlie
Have you noticed that nobody has missed CJ yet?
