More Losses for ‘Designing Women’

CBS’ hit comedy “Designing Women” is now faced with the loss of two cast members and a producer next season, as actress Jean Smart and recently hired producer Janis Hirsch join Delta Burke on the rapidly growing list of former designers.

Unlike Burke, who was asked to leave by the series’ producers after months of feuding, Smart is giving up her role of office manager Charlene by choice.

“At this time she’s not returning to the show, and that’s her decision,” Smart’s publicist, Jim Broutman, confirmed. But the William Morris Agency is working with Columbia Pictures Television on the possibility of bringing Smart back for a few episodes next season so she can be written out of the series.

Smart just completed a feature film role with Robert De Niro in “The Mistress.”

Hirsch left the ABC comedy “Anything but Love” several weeks ago to take over as executive producer of “Designing Women,” apparently at Columbia’s instigation. But the show’s creator, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, and her producer-husband, Harry Thomason, who have been working on the CBS’ “Evening Shade,” demanded control of “Designing Women” back.

Hirsch could not be reached for comment.

Jan Hooks, formerly of “Saturday Night Live,” has been hired to join the “Designing Women” cast.