It's getting to the point that there's almost as much turnover on the work force at NBC's "L.A. Law" as there is at the average fast food restaurant.
First Susan Dey announced last year would be her last. (She later changed her mind.)Then both Harry Hamlin and Jimmy Smits said they were calling it quits. (Although Smits may make a few brief appearances.)
Then the producers brought on three new actors to fill the gaps - Amanda Donahoe, Cecil Hoffman and John Spencer.
Not to mention that executive producer Daniel Kelley bailed out to go to CBS - or that Diana Muldaur was written out of the series when her character, Rosalyn Shays, plummeted down an elevator shaft to her death.
Now Michele Greene, who has played Abby Perkins for five seasons, says she won't be back in the fall.
In a statement released by her publicist, Greene said, "My five years on `L.A. Law' were just terrific, but it's time I start thinking about the next step in my career. I want to try other things, and I want to move in other directions. With the changes taking place on the show at this point in time, I felt this was the perfect opportunity to take a giant leap in another direction."
Of course, what Greene failed to mention is that one of the changes that took place on the season finale of the series was that her character, long-suffering Abby, was made a partner in the firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Cheney & Becker - meaning the writers have their work cut out for them as they try to explain her departure.
Twentieth Century Fox, which produces "L.A. Law," is negotiating with Greene to try and bring her back for one or two episodes in the fall, presumably to find a way out of this plotting pickle.OLD MEETS NEW: When "Star Trek VI" hits movie screens late this year, hitching a ride with Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy and the crew of the Enterprise will be Lt. Worf.
Well, not exactly Lt. Worf, but Michael Dorn, the actor who plays the Klingon on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is in the cast of the latest (and possibly last) big-screen Star Trek adventure.
And despite the fact that "Next Generation" is set about 80 years after the original "Star Trek" (it's the 24th, not the 23rd century), there won't be any time traveling here. Dorn will portray Worf's grandfather in the movie.CALLING ALL `EXPOSURE FANS': If you're particularly enamored of the CBS series "Northern Exposure," there's an official fan club for you to join - although it's situated a good ways from Cicely, Alaska.
Write to Northern Exposure Fan Club, P.O. Box 2605, Orlando, FL 32802-2605. Annual dues are $15, and you'll receive four newsletters and various gifts "with that certain moosey, northwoods allure."
And speaking of "Northern Exposure" fans, the Television Critics Association (of which your local television editor is a member) certainly seems taken with the series. Voting for TCA's annual awards is under way, and "Exposure" is a finalist for the year's best comedy, best drama and program of the year.
(And, by the way, I didn't nominate it in the drama category.)
"Exposure" wasn't the top nominee, however. "The Civil War" is nominated in the drama, specials, news & information and program of the year categories.