‘Wing’ commander: ‘Nobody holding out’
“West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin is denying reports that co-stars Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff and John Spencer are holding out for more money.
“There is some business stuff going on, some contract things with the actors,” Sorkin told last night’s “Access Hollywood.”
“But nobody is holding out,” Sorkin said. “Like I said, work starts on Monday and that’s when everybody will show up.”
The four actors failed to show up this past Monday when “West Wing,” TV’s third-most-popular drama, began production on its third season – fueling speculation they were unhappy over their salaries.
All four co-stars are represented by public-relations giant PMK, whose leader, Pat Kingsley, told The Post yesterday that Janney, Whitford, Schiff and Spencer each earn less than $40,000 per episode.
By comparison, their NBC stablemate, “Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer, reportedly earns $1.6 million per episode.
Your kid could be a ‘Millionaire’ champ
Disney is getting set to release a kids version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” on CD-ROM.
Regis Philbin, who’s “hosted” both CD-ROM “Millionaire” versions will do the same for the kiddie edition, which will be released Sept. 18 and will be targeted to kids ages 8 to 13 (think Adam Sandler instead of Peter Sellers or The Backstreet Boys instead of The Beatles).
All the same rules apply in this aged-down version, including the use of lifelines (phone-a-friend, ask the audience and 50/50) and the fastest-finger round.
The CD-ROM will be priced at $19.99.
Meanwhile, if you’re a Regis Philbin wannabe, Disney’s California Adventure is holding auditions for hosts/emcees – at, oddly enough, the St. Regis and Warwick Regis hotels in Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively.
Open auditions for “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It!,” which opens later this summer, will be held this Monday at the St. Regis in L.A. and Friday, July 20 at the Warwick Regis in S.F.
Prospective hosts will be asked to perform a one-minute, lighthearted monologue.
This just in . . .
R&B artist Alicia Keys and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs live on today’s “GMA” (7-9 a.m./Ch. 7). Tomorrow on Ch. 7, Roz Abrams anchors “McDonald’s GospelFest 2001” (7 p.m.).
“As the World Turns” co-star Annie Parisse (Julie) will be appearing off-Broadway – as a pimp – in “Shyness Is Nice” at the Westbeth Theater.
“The Hughleys” star D.L. Hughley will be at Caroline’s (1626 Broadway) tonight through Sunday. Call (212) 757-4100 for info.
Ch. 4 movie critic Jeffrey Lyons will guest star on HBO’s “Arliss” in two weeks. Says Lyons: “I play myself – but I’m not very convincing.”
Brooklyn’s own Jackie Cahill won a BMW Z3 roadster in VH1’s “Free Ride” contest, which is giving away 31 BMWs in July.