Shannon Splits After seven years as the armpit-sniffing Mary Katherine Gallagher and portraying an eerily similar likeness to Monica Lewinsky, SNL's Molly Shannon is leaving the show. Just like most of her predecessors, she's pursuing a film career. She's already got a mini-jumpstart, appearing in Analyze This, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and SNL takeoffs A Night at the Roxbury and Superstar. Mike Myers and Adam Sandler are two of the crossover success stories. Hopefully, Molly will have more luck than other recent cast departures: Tim Meadows and Cheri Oteri.
Robert Dumped & Picked Up "Sweetheart, this is ours." Robert Downey, Jr.'s heartfelt acceptance speech to Ally McBeal co-star Calista Flockhart could've sparked something in Deborah Falconer. So who's Deborah? She's Robert's estranged wife. The two married in 1992 and separated in 1996. But she's finally filing for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Perhaps Ally creator David E. Kelley helped cheer Robert up. David asked him to return for 11 more episodes. Meanwhile, Robert must return to court to face drug possession charges. While he and Calista hold tight to the "We're just friends" story, they were very cozy at the Golden Globes. Robert won a best supporting TV actor award for his work on Ally.
Dr. Greene to the ER Anthony Edwards won't be answering those pages to the ER after the 2002 season. He's leaving the show to spend more time with his family. Since 1994, Anthony's portrayed Dr. Mark Greene as several of his equally - if not more - famous cohorts have passed through the hospital's doors...stat! George Clooney, Julianna Margulies and Gloria Reuben all left the #1 hit show. But ER's woes aren't over yet. Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle are both up for contract renewal at the end of 2002. Eriq's already said he's not sure if he'll re-sign. Noah's not talking at all. As far as Anthony is concerned, he doesn't want Dr. Greene to succumb to the brain cancer his character was diagnosed with. He wants Dr. Greene to go out with a bang. "There are a lot of El trains in Chicago," Anthony joked. "You could trip in front of any one of them."
