Bartlet4America News Archive

Lowe not the only unhappy one

By Dusty Saunders
Rocky Mountain News

HOLLYWOOD - Is The West Wing in turmoil?

Rob Lowe's announcement last week that he would leave the show 16 episodes into the new season triggered a variety of comments from industry sources and his co-stars, some of whom indicated there's a lot of unhappiness on the set of the award-winning drama series.

Syndicated columnist Marilyn Beck reports that a source closely connected with the NBC program said, "The show's in turmoil because scripts are not given to the actors until minutes before a scene starts and they usually have no idea when to report for work."

Beck also reported that Sheen cried upon learning Lowe would be leaving while adding that he understood the decision.

Co-star John Spencer told Beck he was "shocked" at the manner in which the story of Lowe's upcoming departure was leaked to the press. "I'm angry they've done that to Rob," Spencer said, indicating a spin was making Lowe the bad guy.

Other cast members reportedly were angry because Lowe did not receive a salary increase after being promised one by producers.

Lowe, who's been earning $75,000 an episode since the series premiered in 1999, is unhappy because he's the only cast member who hasn't received a raise. Also, his character hasn't had as high a profile during the past two seasons.

Last summer, co-stars Spencer, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford and Richard Schiff negotiated, as a group, new contracts that put their weekly salaries at $70,000. Meanwhile, Sheen makes a reported $300,000 per episode, several industry sources say.

Ironically, Lowe was the key star when the Warner Bros. series, created by Aaron Sorkin and former Denverite John Wells, was pitched to NBC. The initial concept had Lowe as a headline actor, with Sheen making "guest appearances" as President Josiah Bartlet.

However, the focus quickly changed after Sheen's strong portrayal in the pilot, and he became the lead performer, with Lowe and other cast members working in subplots around him.

In a written statement, Lowe said: "As much as it hurts me to admit it, it has been increasingly clear for quite a while there was no longer a place for Sam Seaborn on The West Wing."

Lowe, professing his gratitude at having been on the show, added, "We were part of television history, and I will never forget it."

While neither Sorkin nor Wells were available for comment, several NBC program executives indicated that Lowe has felt like the odd man out on the series, particularly since he was the only member of the ensemble cast not to get an Emmy nomination this month.

His major cohorts were nominated, as they were during the two previous seasons. Also, Stockard Channing received her second nomination in the supporting-actress category, while Dule Hill and Janel Moloney were honored for the first time.

Whitford, a close friend of Lowe's, talked with the actor, advising him not to make an impetuous decision. "I wanted to make sure he thought all this out. Rob said he did," Whitford says.

No decision has been made on how Lowe's character, the White House deputy communications director, will be phased out, says NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker.

Before Lowe made his announcement, series producers had announced two cast additions: Mary Louise Parker, who gained an Emmy nomination for her guest-starring role as a women's-rights lobbyist, and Lily Tomlin, who portrayed a woman applying as Bartlet's secretary. Both will appear in 13 episodes in the coming season.