By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith

Josh Brolin has wrapped work on "Mister Sterling." Perhaps forever.

Says the actor who stars as an idealistic U.S. senator in the critically acclaimed fresh NBC drama, "The last episode airs March 14, and I have absolutely no idea if it will be renewed, because reality TV has become such a thing."

He say of the latter, "Yes, it's truly one of the curses of our civilization, and it won't last, I don't think. But it's infiltrating everything at this point."

It's reached the point, he says, "where networks want to see huge ratings for scripted series. It's even harder for new dramas, and if they're not gigantic hits at the beginning, there's not a great chance for them to come back."

He is holding out hope for his show because, "It has gotten such a good response and has done better than anything else in its time slot." He adds, "to not bring it back would be a shame because people should at least be able to dream that someone like Mister Sterling does exist."

If the series is renewed, it will start second-season production in July. Until then? "I might do a play back East or a movie," he says. And how would that work into the schedule of his love, actress Diane Lane?

"We're both very family oriented, and we just always manage to find a way to be together. I've heard that you can't have a career and a relationship, too ó and I don't believe it. Two people can alternate work assignments, or you can work once a year and still have a strong career."

Right now, he says, Diane is "dealing with all that Oscar stuff" as she prepares for the March 23 Academy Awards. Josh, of course, will be with her on that night when she could take home Best Actress honors. As for other nights, "We always work things out. If I go to my ranch for a few days, we'll meet halfway. I'm driving there today, and before I'm even out of the house we're already making plans to make sure we'll be together."

Click on picture for larger view.

By Mike Hughes 
Gannett News Service

FRIDAY'S MUST-SEE: "Mister Sterling," 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., NBC.

This solid series wraps up its 10-episode run tonight. Then we'll hope NBC picks it up for the fall. Josh Brolin stars as a handsome young idealist and son of an ex-governor who was suddenly appointed to the U.S. Senate.

"Some stories might seem far-fetched," says Audra McDonald who plays his chief of staff, "but our producer (Lawrence O'Donnell Jr., a top Senate aide for seven years) has been there. Nine out of 10 times, the stories come from real life." Mixed in there are the senator's maverick tendencies. That comes out in tonight's first hour. "He pulls a surprise in a way that really throws me for a loop," McDonald says, avoiding specifics.

McDonald, a gifted Tony award-winning singer, says she initially was against auditioning for the "Sterling" role. "I didn't think I would get it because I'm African American," she says.

The producers insisted. She auditioned and started work four days later -- all while continuing to perform concerts on weekends. 

March 12, 2003