INSIDE SCOOP

-- Compiled by the Daily Pilot staff

This year’s elections aren’t even over (we wish they were, too), but

Newport Beach resident Ron Winship is already looking ahead to the 2002

race.

Last week, he declared himself “the first to throw his hat into the

ring for the Republican U.S. Senate primary.”

Winship, who has thrice run unsuccessfully for Newport Beach City

Council, may be putting forth his efforts to unseat Democratic Sen.

Barbara Boxer in vain. Boxer, who was first elected to the U.S. Senate in

1992, will not be up for reelection again until 2004.

Boxer was voted into her second six-year term in November 1998.

You do the math.

The Wedge could go prime time

Is Newport Beach ready for television?

An entertainment trade magazine reports that screenwriter-director

Gary Ross of “Pleasantville” fame has teamed with “Nash Bridges”

executive producer Carlton Cuse to write a television series based on

Cuse’s experiences growing up in Orange County.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “The Wedge” would be a family

drama set in 1975 Newport Beach. Ross will direct the pilot for the WB

Network and both will executive produce.

If all goes well, the show could be on the airwaves next season.

If they can figure out how a young Dennis Rodman could make an

appearance, it’s almost a lock to get picked up.