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September 19, 2002
Entertainment
By Michael Fleming
Variety
Much of the media focus on "The West Wing" has concerned castmember contract negotiations. Emmy-nominated "Wing" star John Spencer feels that the focus will quickly go back to the episodes, which he said have taken the show to a new quality level.
"We are dealing with something that hasn't been dealt with openly in the world, the idea that the administration might have assassinated somebody, and we have to go to a world court over it," Spencer said. "It is fiction which has to adhere to the parameters of the American government, and given all that has happened in the country over the past year, I have to say that (series creator) Aaron Sorkin has responded with the best season of writing he has ever done."
Spencer said he has grown script spoiled, because David E. Kelley wrote his lines on "L.A. Law" and then he moved right along to Sorkin's scripts.
He feels there has been too much attention given to the negotiations he and his castmates had last year, and the salary dispute that led Rob Lowe to exit this season. He thinks that it gives the mistaken impression there is discord on the set.
"We all get along incredibly well, and I'm still hoping that Rob is going to stay. I can remember during 'L.A. Law' when I attended the goodbye party for Jimmy Smits, Harry Hamlin and Susan Dey. Jimmy and Harry said their farewells, and then Susan got up, she said that a deal had just been made in the back room and that she'd be staying.
"All I know is we've signed through seven seasons, and because the president can only go two terms, eight would be the max unless they brought in a whole new cast and made a transition to a new White House administration. Whether it's seven or eight, this will be my swan song to one-hour dramas, and that I will go back to the stage, do a few movies, and take a big dose of downtime."
While Spencer is now one of several "Wing" members to express hope that Lowe might change his mind and stay, the fact is there has been no movement toward a negotiation that would give Lowe a pay hike. He'll be out of there before the season's over.
Posted by MorganG at September 19, 2002 12:26 PM