| Bellsario's interview with TV Guide. *whatever, jack@$$*
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Why JAG Discharged its Star
David James Elliott did not jump ship; he was forced to walk the
plank. Elliott, who plays Navy attorney Cmdr. Harmon "Harm" Rabb
Jr. on JAG, is leaving the show when it concludes its 10th season in
May.
Elliott, 44, has already signed a series development deal with
ABC. "David left, and we wish him well," JAG creator Donald
Bellisario says. "His contract was up, and we never expected it to
go on. We had to cut costs. [So] we started doing episodes with less
of David, and it became obvious to him the we were not going to
renegotiate." Elliott's manager says CBS never responded to his
client's salary request for another season, but "David loves CBS
[The role] has run its course. He has made a lucrative deal with
ABC."
That said, there may not even be another season. CBS won't announce
its fall lineup-including JAG's fate-until May, but Bellisario has
made a preemptive strike by adding a new attorney to anchor the
show. Chris Beetem, a 32-year old As The World Turns veteran, joined
the cast February 18 as Lt. Gregory Vukovic and has already been
signed for a potential 11th season. "We want a younger, hipper JAG,"
Bellisario says. JAG attracts nearly 10 million viewers on average,
but only a quarter of them are in the 18-to 49-year old demographic
coveted by advertisers.
One character who won't be swept overboard is Lt. Col. Sarah "Mac"
MacKenzie, played by Catherine Bell. "It was always intended that
Catherine would be [on] the show next season but [Elliott] would
not," says Bellisario, who promises a surprise in May that will wrap
up the relationship between Mac and Harm. But don't pick out wedding
gifts just yet. -Mary Murphy __________________ Beware the Eye of Botox killer of many threads! Fear my fiery words! Cower at my frightening pictures!
Beward the pink daleks! Exfoliate! Exfoliate! |