Desperate Housewives' Actor Fired for Improper Conduct!

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Page Kennedy, aka Guy in the Basement, kicked off for improper conduct; ABC
seeks replacement

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,17735,00.html



Actor Evicted from "Housewives"
by Marcus Errico
Nov 8, 2005, 2:30 PM PT
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Wisteria Lane is suddenly in need of a new cellar dweller.

Page Kennedy, who played the shadowy Caleb, aka the Guy in Betty's Basement, was evicted from Desperate Housewives, ABC confirmed Tuesday.

Show spokeswoman Janet Daily said the role would be recast after Kennedy was terminated for "improper conduct." There were no details released on the nature of said misconduct, but Daily said the action was taken following a "thorough investigation" by producers at Disney's Touchstone Television.

Citing an anonymous source, the Associated Press reports Kennedy's alleged transgression did not involve another cast member.

There was no immediate comment from Kennedy (who, in an AP interview, referred to his Housewives gig as a chance of "making a name for myself") or his agent.

The 28-year-old actor joined the cast this season and has only briefly been seen as the captive locked up by neighborhood newcomer Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard). Caleb's story line has become central to this season's goings-on. Although it was initially hinted that Caleb was Betty's husband, the Oct. 23 episode suggested Caleb might be Betty's offspring. A conversation between Betty and son Matthew (Mehcad Brooks) indicated that Caleb is a fugitive from justice for the murder of a teenage girl in Chicago; it also appears Caleb has some kind of developmental disability.

Kennedy's final appearance will be on this Sunday's episode. Previews show his character escaping from his basement chains and running wild through Wisteria Lane.

Before joining Housewives, Kennedy had small roles on Six Feet Under (as a football player cum corpse) and in the movie version of S.W.A.T. (as one of the bad guys). He said he turned down roles on Showtime's Barber Shop, WB's upcoming Rebecca Romijn series, Pepper Dennis, and UPN's Love, Inc. so he could commit to Housewives.

He will also appear in the Usher film In the Mix, which opens Nov. 23--Kennedy's 29th birthday.

While he might not make a suitable sub for Caleb, Elton John has shamelessly been campaigning for a role on Housewives. The popster, who cast show star Teri Hatcher in his new video, tells Extra that Housewives is one of his fave shows ("it's so bitchy and funny!") and he'd love to put in some face time.

Then again, Elton-as-Caleb could shake things up for the show, which has been losing viewers and critical goodwill in its second season. Backlash aside, Housewives is still the second-most watched show on TV behind CSI, averaging nearly 25 million viewers a week.