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Friday, January 9, 2009
Swayze, hospitalized with pneumonia, skips press conference

The room was packed for A&E's "The Beast" in anticipation of Patrick Swayze's appearance here this morning, but the session begins with the announcement that the show's star, who's being treated for pancreatic cancer, has been hospitalized with pneumonia.

"We learned only this morning that Patrick has checked himself into the hospital," said Abbe Raven, president of A&E Television Networks.

Hard to say how many in the room are actually surprised, though Swayze's appearance had been one of the most-anticipated events of the cable portion of the Television Critics Association's winter meetings.

"Patrick did want me to tell you that he is very sorry," said Bob Bitetto, A&E's president and general manager, "and that he plans to get back to promoting 'The Beast'" when he's feeling better.

"The Beast," which premieres next Thursday, was filmed during Swayze's ongoing treatment. (The pilot was shot before he knew he was ill, something he discovered a few hours after the show was picked up by the cable network.) His interview earlier this week with Barbara Walters on ABC's "20/20" was taped last month.

A&E execs and the show's producers continue to insist that the show could continue for a second season, refusing to address the question of whether it could do so without Swayze, whose character is central to the show. He plays an undercover FBI agent who's mentoring a younger agent, played by former model Travis Fimmel.

Fimmel, asked if Swayze had appeared to be ill at times during the filming, said no.

"The sickest thing about him is probably his jokes," he said.

 

Posted by Ellen Gray @ 3:23 PM  Permalink | 2 comments
Comments   
Posted 04:56 PM, 01/09/2009
CA Scum
Swayze.......
Posted 05:04 PM, 01/09/2009
FLabZiLLa
This is sad. That's usually the final blow b/f passing. I pray he beats the odds. Just saw him on Barbara Walter's Special last night too.
2 comments