HOLLYWOOD - Quick, someone call a doctor. A real doctor.Five cast members of the CBS sitcom Becker called in sick on Wednesday, according to Variety.
Since the actors involved--Terry Farrell, Hattie Wilson, Alex Desert, Shawnee Smith, and Saverio Guerra--haven't had their contracts renegotiated since the series began four years ago, many see this as a "sick-in."
Failure to appear without a reason would be a breach of contract, as the quintet is currently under a binding contract.
With the studios acting and talking tough, the five actors involved seem to be in a precarious position, as none of them is a household name and that the sitcom revolves around Ted Danson (starring as the show's titular beleaguered doctor). Danson showed up for filming Wednesday, unaware that his costars wouldn't.
"We could re-cast this thing in 20 minutes," a show insider told Variety.
Additionally, studios are not necessarily in a position to pay more. The current economic climate has meant that ad sales are off $1 billion for the 2001-2002 season for the six major networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, the WB and UPN.
It's also understood that cast members of NBC's hit drama West Wing and Tyne Daly of CBS' Judging Amy were in tense negotiations over similar salary increases that have only recently been resolved. Studio sources maintain that the increases aren't fiscally responsible given the economic downturn.
Worse, as Becker hasn't yet been sold into syndication, the actors can't claim a raise is due since the backend syndication fees will make up for it. Studio sources say lack of a syndication deal is what's keeping studios from renegotiating with actors on the set of NBC's Third Watch and UPN's Roswell.
Paramount is apparently taking a hard line with the Becker five. In response to the actors not showing up, Kerry McCluggage, Paramount TV Group chairman, sent over some real live, board-certified doctors.
"Paramount has said that they're not negotiating and have slammed the door on these actors' faces," Joel King, whose firm Pakula/King & Associates represent some of the cast, told Variety.
All actors on Becker are due back on the set 10 a.m. Thursday.