« Vinick for president! Saving 'The West Wing.' | Main | NBC announces fall schedule »
May 15, 2005
'West Wing' actor to speak at Jewish Federation
By John Kiesewetter
Cincinnati Enquirer
'The West Wing" actor Josh Malina is looking forward to his trip to Cincinnati next week, though he doesn't want to make a habit of doing too many speaking appearances.
He'd rather be a full-time actor - though his future on NBC's White House drama is iffy. His character, Will Bailey, worked this season for lame-duck Vice President Bob Russell (Gary Cole), who failed to win the Democratic presidential nomination in the April 6 season finale.
"Truthfully, I don't know if I will be back," says Malina, 39, who addresses the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati May 24. Those who donate to the fund-raiser will be invited to his talk at Rockdale Temple.
"I asked (the producers) before we finished the season, and was basically told, 'We don't really know.' I want to come back. I feel it's one of the greatest shows ever to be on television," he says. Despite declining ratings, the drama has been renewed for a seventh season.
Next season will feature Democrat Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Republican Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) campaigning to succeed President Josiah Bartlett (Martin Sheen). In the April 6 finale, Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) bought a beer for Bailey and Donna Moss (Janel Moloney), hinting they could join the Santos staff this fall.
"If I'm not invited back, I won't take it personally. The show is going in a new direction," he says.
In the short term, Malina might have to rely on poker - again - to pay the bills. He's executive producer of Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown" with actor Noah Emmerich ("The Truman Show"), his roommate at Yale. They frequently paid the rent with poker winnings, he says.
Six new "Celebrity Poker Showdown" episodes air in August. .
"This is our hobby, and it has turned into this fantastic thing," Malina says.
Posted by Jo at May 15, 2005 09:43 AM