Gugino Leaves "Spin City" in Mid-Season

Wed., Dec. 4, 1996 1:00 PM PST by

First, it was Sherry Stringfield exiting ER. Now, for the second time in less than a month, an actress is leaving a high-profile television series in mid-season. This time, it's Carla Gugino, who on December 17 will leave her role as Michael J. Fox's main squeeze on ABC's three-month-old Spin City.

All concerned parties are spinning this as an amicable separation. DreamWorks, which produces the series for ABC, says it can now focus on Michael J. Fox's exploits at New York's city hall--which, they claim, have more comic potential than his love life. For her part, Gugino says she can now concentrate on a film career.

Producers have wanted to beef up the Nielsens for a show that had "big-hit" written all over it but hasn't lived up to its billing. Spin City debuted with a 17.0 rating and 25 share, but slipped steadily to a 14.1 rating and 22 share for the season. It ranks eighth in the cushy slot between Home Improvement and NYPD Blue. Good, but not great.

Gugino's spokesman says the door remains open for a return but that she'd really rather do films. Even before today's announcement, Gugino--who's biggest previous success was a Pauly Shore movie--said she didn't want to be typecast as Ashley. "I want this in no way to limit my ability to do many different roles," she told USA Today.

And while her small screen days are numbered, she can be seen in one of four films either at or about to hit the local cineplex: Emilio Estevez's The War at Home (now playing), Michael with John Travolta (opening Christmas Day), and the independent features Love Life and Jaded.

As for her character, well, Fox won't be getting a new love interest anytime soon. "We don't want to replace her. The storylines weren't going anywhere with her character and Michael's," DreamWorks' Scott Acord said.

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