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November 02, 2004
Allison Janney's at center of a shakeup on 'West Wing'
by Gail Shister
Philadelphia Inquirer
Allison Janney isn't ready for a promotion.
When West Wing boss John Wells told Janney that her press secretary C.J. Cregg would replace Leo McGarry (John Spencer) as the president's chief of staff this season, she freaked.
"There was silence for a full minute," Janney recalls. "I went, 'What? Are you sure? I don't know. This is kind of crazy.' I was terrified about taking over that job."
In last week's episode, Leo suffered a massive heart attack alone in the woods at Camp David, soon after he resigned over foreign-policy conflicts with President Bartlet (Martin Sheen).
Leo lives, and will continue to serve "an advisory role" for the staff, says an NBC rep. Spencer will remain with the show for all 22 episodes, his publicist says.
Tomorrow, Bartlet names C.J. to the post, passing over deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) and communications chief Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), both more senior advisers.
"The more John talked to me, the more it actually made sense for C.J. to have this job," says Janney, 43, a two-time Emmy-winner for the role. "It creates so many new dynamics and conflicts. It shakes up the chemistry."
In its sixth season, West Wing needs shaking. It ranks 32d on the Nielsen chart, averaging 12.3 million viewers.
Critics complain the show has grown tired. With the Bartlet administration winding down, new plotlines are preparing some of the main characters for the next occupant of the Oval Office.
"I knew they wanted to shake things up, but I thought C.J. would always be press secretary. John might as well have said that C.J. is going to be president. It's been a little daunting for me."
Josh and Toby are not thrilled by C.J.'s ascent. "They're above me in the chain of command, and now I'm their boss," she says. Also, C.J. "is still a woman in a man's world."
Ironically, Janney says she is nothing like the powerful women she plays.
"I'm the biggest wimp. I have a hard time saying no to anybody. I'm not the boss. I'm the team player. I'm very shy. I don't like to speak in front of people. I like to stay at home, not doing anything."
On West Wing, C.J.'s future may depend on Bartlet's successor.
Two contenders join the cast this season: Jimmy Smits as Matt Santos, a Democratic congressman from Texas, and Alan Alda as Arnold Vinick, a Republican from California. (Republican, California, Arnold. Get it?)
Smits debuts Nov. 10, but he doesn't declare until Jan. 5. Alda will debut in early January, as a candidate.
Though C.J. "could go on to do other jobs in another administration," Janney says she's not counting on it for next season. "I don't know what John will do with all of us... .
"Who knows? Maybe C.J. will be president. Why not? I would so love that. It wouldn't happen until season 15 or 20. Or maybe she'll find someone, fall in love and leave Washington."
Will art imitate life? Janney and her fiance, actor Richard Jenik, 37, a native of Delanco, Burlington County, are aiming to wed this spring. It's the first marriage for both.
Posted by Jo at November 2, 2004 06:47 PM