DRUDGE REPORT 2002®
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN APRIL 14 2002 15:41:22 ET XXXXX
'CANCELED' SERIES 'ONCE AND AGAIN' SET STAYS UP, ACTORS NOT RELEASED; SELA WARD FAINTS DURING PRODUCTION OF FINALE
**Exclusive**
LOS ANGELES -- The set of the "canceled" DISNEYABC series ONCE AND AGAIN has not been destroyed, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, just as lead actors of the drama have been told they cannot pursue other projects.
The developments raise a possibility that ABC has not completely ruled out bringing back the program.
"The new pilots for Fall are coming in horribly weak," whispers a top network source in Burbank. "All options may need to be considered. It's going to be a scramble."
[Despite being moved into seven different time slots over its three year run, ONCE AND AGAIN pulled in more viewers last week than DISNEYABC's renewed DREW CAREY. ABC sets its new schedule in mid-May.]
Meanwhile. actress Sela Ward dramatically collapsed during production of this week's emotional finale [Monday 10 PM ET/9 PM CT], the DRUDGE REPORT can reveal.
Ward, who was taken to the hospital, fainted on the set from stress and high-blood pressure.
MORE
"She had just lost her mother," says a ONCE AND AGAIN insider. "DISNEY only shut down production for a week, to allow her some healing, before she was ordered back."
The uncertainty of the show's fate added to Ward's fragile emotional state, says the insider.
"We all loved working on this series, with all our hearts and souls, we all feel like we're dying."
The show's finale was shot over 8 days. Production wrapped on March 20. [Ward returned to do pickups, missed after her collapse, the following week.]
The closing scenes include a controversial break in The Fourth Wall, which has led to wide-speculation among production staffers that creators Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick want out -- even if DISNEYABC U-turns and comes home to conscience.
The superduo continue to expand into movies. Zwick is directing a new Tom Cruise fuss-film being produced by Herskovitz.
As the lights come and the camera pulls back -- ONCE AND AGAIN fans and lovers of intelligent entertainment may find direction from the bumper sticker featured on the Range Rover driven by Ed Zwick's wife.
It simply reads: "KILL YOUR TV"
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There was not a dry eye in the house during a wrap party held at GOTHAM as a special retrospective ONCE AND AGAIN video played. Cast and Crew plotted their futures and smiled on their recent past. "I know I'll never be this happy professionally again, this proud of my work," giggled a top star choking tears.
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Filed by Matt Drudge
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(c)DRUDGE REPORT 2002
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