Why Cherry Jones Quit Emmy Race

Cherry Jones quit the Emmy race because she knew 'when to leave well enough alone and be grateful'

June 7, 2010 | 4:07 pm

Last year's Emmy champ Cherry Jones insists she didn't quit the current race for best supporting drama actress because of alleged fury with producers over her final days on "24."

"I love and adore everyone I worked with on '24' and am actively missing them," Jones says via e-mail to Gold Derby. "This job has offered me time with my elderly parents, given me new lifelong friends, a bank account, and the memory of last year's Emmy night which was one hell of a delicious ride. So honestly it never occurred to me (or my two agents who know me well) to submit me this year. One of the lessons in life is to know when to leave well enough alone and be grateful."

When Gold Derby broke the news that Jones would not be on the ballot as Emmy voting commenced on Friday, neither her agent nor a rep for "24" would address the reason why. Inevitably, that fueled negative rumors triggered by an interview Jones gave to Entertainment Weekly about how she and her role were treated during the last year of "24." While she said was satisfied with how her character played out, she also was frank about how producers dangled her throughout the final season, not mapping out a clear story arc for the part, dismissing her from the show, then bringing her back willy nilly.

But Jones insists that her comments were misunderstood and have nothing to do with her decision to exit the Emmys 10 months after winning. Such negative assumptions are "exactly wrong," she adds. Below, her full explanation:

Hey Tom,

Cherry Jones here writing from balmy Manhattan. I wanted to clear up the mystery surrounding my not submitting myself for Emmy consideration.

I love and adore everyone I worked with on "24" and am actively missing them.

I relished playing poor old Allison Taylor's descent into Logan Hell. Like all actors on "24" who realize their characters are being sent to the Dark Side, I resisted at first and then, of course, realized what a seductive playground the Dark Side presents for a dramatic actor.

This job has offered me time with my elderly parents, given me new lifelong friends, a bank account, and the memory of last year's Emmy night which was one hell of a delicious ride. So honestly it never occurred to me (or my two agents who know me well) to submit me this year. One of the lessons in life is to know when to leave well enough alone and be grateful.

I will however be watching the Emmy's from New York this year and rooting for all my "24" team and the other actors I've had the pleasure to get to know in Hollywood during my West Coast baptism.

I genuinely appreciate your interest and hope you will find the space to clear up the assumption which was being made....which, as my old movement teacher used to say, was "exactly wrong."

Thanks so much, Tom.

Warmly,
Cherry

Sent from my iPad

Photo: Associated Press

Source: goldderby.latimes.com