The heartfelt announcement may have been spawned by guest Regis Philbin's presence. Regis underwent the same procedure in 1993. He said, "You never know if he's kidding or not, but it became clear he was serious."
And it was just two days before this procedure that David's show received its highest ratings in 6 years. His guest: Hillary Rodham Clinton. An estimated 11 million viewers watched David give Hillary a housewarming present as a new New Yorker: A lawnmower.
Michael Quits Spin City
Michael J. Fox is leaving his hit show Spin City at the end
of the season. His crusade to fight his debilitating nerve disorder, Parkinson's Disease, lead to his decision. "I
could not be more proud of the show, our cast, writers, crew and all that we have
accomplished over the past four years, yet I feel right now that my time and energy would
be better spent with my family and working toward a cure for Parkinson's disease,"
Michael said. He will leave after the show's 100th episode and fourth season. But he's
not retiring from acting, producing or directing. He says he only wants to relieve the
strain of producing and performing a weekly series. ABC says it's too soon to tell whether the show will go
on without it's lead character.
Michael became a household name in the 80's as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties.
He's also starred in the trilogy of Back to the Future films and has three children
with his wife, actress Tracy Pollan.
Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991 and has since undergone surgery to alleviate some of
the worst tremors caused by the disease. He also takes medication to control the milder
symptoms including rigidity in his hips and tremors in his hands.
The results of this disorder can leave some patients unable to walk and talk. Parkinson's
disease affects an estimated one million Americans, including Muhammad Ali, U.S.
Attorney General Janet Reno and the Rev. Billy Graham.
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