Members dipsetla Posted April 26, 2006 Members Share Posted April 26, 2006 'Law & Order' in Trouble as Actress Quits Things are pretty dicey over at "Law & Order," NBC's 16-year-old police series. For one thing, the actress who plays the assistant district attorney just quit. For another, insiders from the show are "convinced" that their beloved employment is about to be terminated. "They're either getting cancelled or getting a one-year renewal," a source said. One of the many reasons is lower ratings thanks to being up against ABC's powerhouse "Lost" on Wednesdays in the 9 p.m. timeslot. In recent weeks, NBC finally moved "Law & Order" out of harm's way, to 10 p.m., but it may too little too late. There are, of course, three "Law & Order" shows: the mothership (as it is known), "SVU" (or fondly, SUV) and "Criminal Intent." The latter are still doing well enough that their pick-up seems assured. Nevertheless, there's been trouble at "Criminal Intent" this week. S. Epatha Mekerson, the Emmy-winning actress who appears on the main show, was written in and then written out of the final episode when she didn't like the way her character was being treated. "Whoopi Goldberg is the guest star. She plays a con man. Epatha's character was supposed to be her old friend. But Epatha didn't like it that her character was clueless about how evil Whoopi's was," a source said. To make matters even more complicated, sources tell me that Annie Parisse, the talented brunette who had been playing the assistant district attorney on the main show, has quit. "She saw the writing on the wall," an insider said. "They never treated her very well. They were always complaining about her hair. And they also thought she looked too young next to Sam Waterson." Parisse joins a long list of actresses who have played the assistant district attorney over 15 seasons including Jill Hennessey, Angie Harmon, Carey Lowell and Elizabeth Rohm (who discovered her character was a lesbian in her final scene). The problem now is that creator and executive producer Dick Wolf can't cast a replacement because no one knows if the show is coming back. There's a significant morale problem, too. Sources say that there have been "a lot" of firings, including a portion of the camera crew. "None of the original writer-producers are there anymore," a source said. "They've all been replaced by people from L.A. who don't get the show." And then there's the issue of Jerry Orbach. Everyone I spoke to said the same thing in one way or another: Without the late beloved actor, "Law & Order" isn't the same. "And people don't like Dennis Farina" is the comment I got about the actor who was hired to succeed Orbach even before he died. If "Law & Order" does get cancelled, or renewed just long enough to do a finale season, it won't be a tremendous surprise. Sixteen years, after all, is twice the length of the run of a regular hit show. Still, insiders blame the constant reruns on TNT for over-saturating the brand. "Even they're cutting back now," a source said. And then there were the problems with the show's lead-ins. All three forgettable shows are already gone, as well. But that doesn't mean we won't be seeing the other two "Law & Order" shows in syndication for years to come. "The 'CI' deal was too rich," a source said. "It will be on NBC for one or two more seasons definitely." NBC declines comment except to say: "It is the producers' desire to keep the season finale of 'Law and Order' under wraps because of some surprising developments." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shawn Posted April 26, 2006 Members Share Posted April 26, 2006 What source did you get this from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MzHuggable Posted April 26, 2006 Members Share Posted April 26, 2006 Ausiello's latest says they've put the word out to recast a lot on Law n Order. He's including the possibility of Sam Waterson going bye bye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dipsetla Posted April 26, 2006 Author Members Share Posted April 26, 2006 The source is Roger Friedman (sp?) of foxnews.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tina m Posted April 26, 2006 Members Share Posted April 26, 2006 Wow, that would be something if NBC just up and cancelled Law & Order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members King Posted April 26, 2006 Members Share Posted April 26, 2006 I really cannot see this happening. If it does, then NBC has officially gone done the tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members poohbear19 Posted April 26, 2006 Members Share Posted April 26, 2006 That's the main reason I stopped watching the show... after three episodes of watching Farina, I took the show off my primetime watching. I didn't find him enjoyable as the other detectives that has come and gone over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shawn Posted April 26, 2006 Members Share Posted April 26, 2006 I don't think that they will cancel the show, but frankly, if Sam Waterston left, I don't see it lasting past next season. Law and Order SVU is the show to watch right now, and it has stolen the crown from the original as the best of the franchise long ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chrishntr Posted April 26, 2006 Members Share Posted April 26, 2006 I know that's the reason I stopped watching it. I continue to watch the other two, I love them. But the orginal L&O just isn't the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bellcurve Posted April 27, 2006 Members Share Posted April 27, 2006 WOW. What is the world without that classic LAW AND ORDER twist? I was hoping L&O would make it past GUNSMOKE, but I doubt that is gonna happen now. I'm hoping NBC doesn't give up on L&O or at least revives the TRIAL BY JURY series to continue with the process of the prosecution. NBC is going down the tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KMan101 Posted April 27, 2006 Members Share Posted April 27, 2006 Although Annie Parisse looks like a sure bet to exit, LAW & ORDER isn't going anywhere, it seems: (from thefutoncritic) NBC RENEWS 'LAW & ORDER,' 'LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT' AND 'LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT' DRAMAS FOR 2006-07 SEASON BURBANK, Calif. -- April 27, 2006 -- NBC has renewed "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" for the 2006-07 season, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment. "Since 'Law & Order's' inception 16 years ago, these well-crafted series have come to define quality dramatic television," said Reilly. "All of us at NBC are grateful to Dick Wolf and his amazing team for producing these extraordinary shows, and we're glad they'll be back again next season." "We are thrilled that we are continuing to do what this remarkable team has done so successfully for the past 16 years -- create episodes that excite, educate, disturb and sometimes, even infuriate our audiences," said Dick Wolf, creator and executive producer of the "Law & Order"-branded series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cat Posted April 28, 2006 Members Share Posted April 28, 2006 Well, at least my Criminal Intent is safe. L&O hasn't been the same since Jerry Orbach died. His last episode on the show when he cleans out his desk had me sobbing like a baby. Especially knowing that he died not long after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sweet_VeeVee24 Posted April 30, 2006 Members Share Posted April 30, 2006 I really haven't watched Law and Order as much as I did when Jerry Orbach was on the show....I really loved the zingers he had when he was arresting perps....I think that is one of the reasons why the show isn't what it is today; everyone could really get into the team of Jerry Orbach and Jesse L. Martin.... From the previews they were showing, maybe Sam Waterson will be leaving; maybe he will be killed off or something, which would be a shame because I liked him as well. Did they say why the actress of Law and Order quit? I still watch L&O SVU....I really love watching that one in reruns too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MzHuggable Posted May 2, 2006 Members Share Posted May 2, 2006 i dont think they're killing off McCoy... i think they're going to have him do something that jeopardizes his career (again) only this time he cant get out of hot water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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