"Blue Bloods'" Jennifer Esposito Departs Show, Slams CBS For Its 'Shameful Behavior'
by Michael Ausiello
Oct 21, 2012


Jennifer Esposito is temporarily turning in her badge on "Blue Bloods" amid a contentious behind-the-scenes dispute with CBS.

On Saturday, CBS released a statement to our sister site Deadline saying the actress, who plays Det. Jackie Curatola on the Friday night procedural, “informed us that she is only available to work on a very limited part-time schedule. As a result, she’s unable to perform the demands of her role and we regretfully had to put her character on a leave of absence.”



Esposito, who has been very public about her battle with Celiac Disease, quickly shot back on Twitter that “CBS put me on unpaid leave and has blocked me from working anywhere else after my doctor said you needed a reduced schedule due to Celiac. CBS didn’t listen to my doc and I collapsed on set. Which everyone saw! After a week off my doc said I could return to work but CBS implied that I was not truly ill and this was a scheme to get a raise! It’s been almost two months without bringing me back to work + keeping Me from working anywhere else!… Absolutely shameful behavior.”



Esposito’s “final” "Blue Bloods" episode will air Nov. 2.

In the meantime, Deadline reports that the show will bring in guest stars to fill the void. First up: Relative newcomer Megan Ketch, who will serve as Danny’s temporary partner in at least four episodes.

http://tvline.com/2012/10/21/jennifer-esposito-leaving-blue-bloods-season-3/

Way to go CBS. :rolleyes:

http://www.deadline.com/2012/10/blue-bloods-megan-boone-to-sub-for-jennifer-esposito-as-dannys-partner/

Megan Boone To Do Arc On ‘Blue Bloods’ As Danny’s Partner, Subs For Jennifer Esposito

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Thursday October 25, 2012 @ 7:10pm PDT
Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: CBS and CBS TV Studios have recruited another actress to fill the void left by co-star Jennifer Esposito being sidelined with Celiac disease. Law & Order: LA alumna Megan Boone has been tapped to play a new temporary partner for Detective Danny Reagan (Donnie Wahlberg). Her deal is for three episodes with a series option behind it.

In a move that has stirred controversy, Esposito was put on medical leave recently after her doctor advised her to reduce her work load from full- to part-time, a request the studio said it could not accommodate given the demands of the role. CBS left the door for Esposito to return but in the interim, it is bringing in actresses to play revolving partners for Danny, starting with Megan Ketch, who is filming four episodes. She will be followed by Boone. Coincidentally, Esposito was among several actresses tried out as temporary partners for Danny in guest arcs at the beginning of Season 1 before she got the gig full-time. Boone’s option also allows her to become a regular should a need arise. UPDATE: Jennifer Esposito took to Twitter to react to Boone’s casting. “There it is. CBS got rid of the only minority cast member so they can have an ALL WHITE CAST like CSI,” she wrote.

Also on Twitter, Esposito last weekend called the move to sideline her “shameful behavior.” She has expressed her desire to return to Blue Bloods, and there are several online petitions by fans launched in her support. Boone, recently seen in Step Up Revolution, is repped by Gersh and Circle Of Confusion.

Jennifer Esposito's "Blue Bloods" Dismissal: Actress Says "What Happened Was Ugliness"
11/17/2012


Last month, Jennifer Esposito returned to the set of "Blue Bloods" after taking medical leave for celiac disease to discover she had been laid off. Now, she's still fuming over CBS' decision to let her go.

The actress, who played Donnie Wahlberg's partner Detective Jackie Curatola on the drama, was written off the show in October after she collapsed on the set due to her medical issues. But when she returned to work, her job was no longer available.



In an interview airing on Nov. 18 with FOX News Channel's Arthel Neville, Esposito opens up about what really went down.

"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," Esposito explains to Neville. "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."

"Last week I was told I was on suspension, which meant I am still in contract, not being paid. It's completely illegal, but they also knew that I didn't have the money or the means to sue them."



She adds that "Blue Bloods" fans are obviously frustrated with CBS' decision to use a rotating cast of characters to replace her.

"When 'Blue Bloods' goes on on a Friday night, Twitter starts going crazy," she continues. "Someone released pictures of Wahlberg and a new partner -- fans don't like that. People don't like change, especially with Donnie."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/17/jennifer-espositos-blue-bloods-dismissal-actress-says-what-happened_n_2151302.html?

Jennifer Esposito Not Returning to "Blue Bloods"
by Michael Ausiello
1/6/13


What was initially billed as a medical leave now appears to be a permanent one.

Sources confirm to TVLine that "Blue Bloods" actress Jennifer Esposito — who departed from the CBS drama in October amid controversy — is not expected to reprise her role as Det. Jackie Curatola this season. Or next season.

Or ever.



As reported back in October, CBS says the actress requested “a very limited part-time schedule” that the demands of the role could not accommodate, so they put her (and her character) on a leave of absence.

Esposito, however, claimed the network knew her request was the result of her battle with Celiac Disease and at the advice of her doctor, and claimed she was being kept from working elsewhere during her “unpaid leave.”



"Blue Bloods" meanwhile is rotating in new characters played by Megan Ketch and Megan Goode to sub for her Detective Jackie Curatola.

http://tvline.com/2013/01/06/jennifer-esposito-leaving-blue-bloods-celiac/

CBS Boss Talks Jennifer Esposito's "Blue" Exit!
by Michael Ausiello
1/12/13


Regarding Jennifer Esposito’s controversial exit from "Blue Bloods", “We’re sorry to see her go,” said Tassler.

“We tried to resolve it. It didn’t quite work out. We wish her the best.”

http://tvline.com/2013/01/12/angus-t-jones-rant-two-and-a-half-men/