If you caught the Halloween episode of Blue Bloods that aired two weeks ago, then you got to catch Jennifer Esposito's last scene on the show. The scripted explanation to her character's exit was a weak one in my opinion, but the actress has been very vocal about the shadiness she's received from CBS.
The reason why we haven't seen Esposito, who plays Donnie Wahlberg's partner Jackie Curatola on Blue Bloods as much is because her battle with Celiac disease prevents her from working the long hours required for a one-hour drama. Producers had her written off the show when she became briefly sidelined by medical issues. There was even a time back in August when she collapsed on set.
Back in October she put CBS on blast for their “shameful behavior” in dropping her from the series following an August incident in which she collapsed on set and had to take medical leave for circumstances related to her Celiac disease. After she was strong enough to come back to work, she soon discovered that she had been replaced by another actress.
Esposito, who is worried about paying her bills took her story to FOX Files, saying:
“Last week I was told I was on suspension, which meant I am still in contract, not being paid,” she’s quoted as saying. “It’s completely illegal, but they also knew that I didn’t have the money or the means to sue them.”
Esposito says, ”I have been in the business for 20 years. There has been so many [types] of injustice in this business, but it’s what you sign up for; it is what it is. This, though, is something that is not about me. This is about a disease that people don’t understand. What happened was ugliness. It makes me sick.”
Here's what Wahlberg had to say recently about Esposito at the International Emmy Awards: "She's a friend and I hope she's doing good. I love working with her, so we'll see what happens."
The network has said that they hope Esposito will return, but in the meantime, actors who will rotate the role as Danny Reagan's partner are Megan Ketch and Megan Good.
There's always some kind of shadiness going on with the major networks, and I say if there's no way she can get a settlement, it may be best to work with the folks over at basic or premium cable. Sure they may not pay as much as the majors, but at least they have quality shows you can get on. I wish Jennifer luck with all this drama and I actually liked her on Blue Bloods and thought she had great chemistry with Donnie. So sad that it has come to this.
Watch her interview talking about her battle with Celiac disease below...
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