Nicollette Sheridan might be a hot older actress scorned, but was she a victim of wrongful termination when she was dropped from Desperate Housewives in 2009?

California's 2nd District Court of Appeal struck down her lawsuit against Touchstone Pictures today.

The main reason?


SNL Desperate Housewives Parody by connie161

The court ruled that Sheridan wasn't fired. She just wasn't rehired.

While that might amount to failing to continue to employ a sexy old lady, it does not constitute firing for all the wrong reasons, the court stated:

Sheridan cannot pursue a cause of action for wrongful termination in violation of public policy because, contrary to what she claims, she was not fired, discharged or terminated.

The judges quoted precedent:

Touchstone

We are unaware of any case, and [Sheridan] presents none, in which an employer was held liable in tort for refusing to renew an employment contract that had expired by its own terms.

Sheridan claims she was fired following a physical altercation with show creator Marc Cherry, who she alleged hit her in the head on-set.

Touchstone can recover its legal costs, the court said.

Sheridan is free to go forward, however, with her claims of retaliation for complaining about alleged labor code violations on the set.

This drama ain't over just yet.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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