Law & Order -- News Wire, Page 2
Below, snippets of news relating to Law & Order and/or its stars, past and present.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, 11.24.03 -- "Law & Order Channel Mulled"; A top NBC cable executive said Friday the network is hammering out plans to launch up to five new digital broadcast channels, just weeks after General Electric-owned NBC agreed to purchase Vivendi Universal's portfolio of motion pictures studios, cable channels and theme parks. In October, NBC executives said the company hoped to boost revenue by as much as 10 percent driven by the launch of new channels and emerging technologies such as the ability to order up shows and movies by clicking a remote control. NBC Entertainment president Jeffrey Zucker told Reuters that a crime channel built around NBC's hit "Law & Order" franchise and another that played movies from Universal's film library were two possible ideas.
TV GUIDE, October 22, 2003 -- "Billie Jean King to Guest Star"; Tennis great Billie Jean King will play a judge in an upcoming episode of Law & Order, her favorite TV show.
TV GUIDE, October 15, 2003 -- "March Madness"; Talk about a Law & Order twist! On last night's riveting Law & Order: SVU, we were led to believe that exiting cast member Stephanie March went out with a bang when her character, ADA Alex Cabot, was killed in a drive-by shooting. (Alex was marked for death after she pissed off a crazed drug lord. Never a good idea.) But in the episode's final moments, Alex was revealed to be alive and headed for witness protection. (Her death was just a ruse to throw off the evildoers.) The good news? This means the sublime March — who left the show to pursue other projects — could return someday! The bad news? For the time being, we'll have to get by without her.
TV GUIDE, August 1, 2003 -- Law & Order currently is shooting an episode to air this season that mirrors the New York Times/Jayson Blair scandal, FilmJerk.com reports. But in classic L&O style, there's a shocking twist: Sam Waterston and Elisabeth Rohm will actually have some chemistry.
TV GUIDE, July 17, 2003 -- This isn't going to make Dick Wolf very happy: For the first time in 12 years, Law & Order failed to score a best drama series nomination. (Its 11-consecutive nods tie the record set by Cheers and M*A*S*H.) Instead, voters gave that coveted fifth slot to CBS's powerhouse forensics thriller CSI, which will compete for top drama honors with Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, 24 and The West Wing. Sadly MIA: Alias, Boomtown, American Dreams and The Shield.
TV GUIDE, June 27, 2003 -- It's a good news/bad news scenario for fans of Law & Order. First, the good news: Sam Waterston, who plays ADA Jack McCoy on NBC's long-running drama, has signed a new deal that will keep him courtside through the 2004-05 season. Now, the bad news: Elisabeth Rohm's sticking around, too.
TV GUIDE, June 23, 2003 -- "Who's That Girl?"; Producer Dick Wolf has tapped a relative newcomer to replace Stephanie March on Law & Order: SVU. Actress Diane Neal, whose credits include Ed, Hack, and ironically enough, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has been cast as the show's new ADA.
IMDb, June 4, 2003 - "McCarthy Fired from Law & Order"; Pretty In Pink star Andrew McCarthy has been fired from the set of hit American drama Law & Order: Criminal Intent after falling out with show regular Vincent D'Onofrio. The 1980s movie pin-up was supposed to guest star in two episodes of the show, but series creator Dick Wolf gave him his marching orders when he failed to work amicably with the star. Wolf says, "Mr. McCarthy engaged in fractious behavior from the moment he walked on the set." An angry McCarthy fires back, "I was fired because I refused to allow a fellow actor to threaten me with physical violence, bully me and try to direct me."
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, March 4, 2003 -- "Banner Week for the Whole Law & Order Franchise"; LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT” SCORES REGULAR-SLOT SERIES RECORDS, “SVU” SETS RECORDS FOR AN ENCORE TELECAST AND “LAW & ORDER” DOMINATES HOTLY PROMOTED INTERVIEW SPECIALS. It was also a banner week for the “Law & Order” franchise, with Sunday’s “Criminal Intent” achieving its top numbers ever for a regular-slot telecast, Friday’s “Special Victims Unit” setting series records for an encore telecast, and Wednesday’s “Law & Order” matching its highest 18-49 rating since Dec. 11 while dominating aggressively promoted interview specials on the competing networks.
ZAP2IT, March 4, 2003 -- "CBS Goes Greek, Wins Week"; NBC was led by "Law & Order" at No.4 with a 13.1/22. The franchise's sister shows also made the Top 20 with "Law & Order: SVU" coming in at No11 with a 11.1/20 and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" at No.14 with a 10.8/16. NBC's only show in the Top 20 without the involvement of Dick Wolf was "Friends" which came in at No.10 with a 11.3/18.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, February 27, 2003 -- "Law & Order Provides the Answers at 10PM"; NBC’s “Law & Order” has dominated its time period against hotly promoted interview programs on a night in which NBC’s critically acclaimed Wednesday dramas all achieved recent ratings highs. NBC finished a strong second for the night among adults 18-49 and was the winner in overall total viewers. According to updated in-home viewing statistics from Nielsen Media Research, last night’s “Law & Order” (7.2 rating, 19 share among adults 18-49, 19.6 million viewers overall) matched its highest 18-49 rating since Dec. 11 and won the hour in virtually all key categories. Facing interviews of Robert Blake on ABC and Robert Chambers on CBS, “Law & Order” beat the combined competition among adults, men and women 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. On a night of exceptional competition, “Law & Order” was prime time’s most-watched program.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, February 16, 2003 -- "Law & Order's Appeal Tops ABC's Mile Finale"; NBC’s powerful crime drama “Law & Order” captured a decisive time-period win last night versus ABC’s finale of “Celebrity Mole.” According to updated in-home viewing statistics from Nielsen Media Research, “Law & Order” (6.6 rating, 17 share among adults 18-49, 18.4 million viewers overall) led its time slot in numerous key categories, including adults 18-49, men 18-49, adults, men and women 25-54, households and total viewers. From its first half-hour to its second, “Law & Order” increased its 18-49 rating by 6 percent while “Celebrity Mole” declined by 14 percent.
ZAP2IT, Feb. 5, 2003 -- "SVU Actor Accepts Paternity"; Even though he originally denied having ever slept with Linda Marie Sanchez, the 27-year-old woman who claims he is the father of her 15-month old son Kevin Ice Marrow, Ice-T waived his rights to a paternity trial on Tuesday (Feb. 4) after Manhattan Family Court Hearing Officer David Kirschblum told a judge that a DNA test proved that the "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" actor is the child's father, reports the AP. The court ordered Ice-T (who was born Tracy Marrow) to pay $4,000 a month in temporary child support until a final support amount can be decided on.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, January 23, 2003 -- "Wednesday's 10PM Verdict Goes to Law & Order"; AGAINST ALL FIRST-RUN COMPETITION, “LAW” LOGS ITS HIGHEST ENCORE RATING IN 10 MONTHS. NBC decisively won the 10-11 p.m. ET hour last night, as an encore presentation of “Law & Order” vanquished all first-run competition on the other major networks. It’s the top-rated encore “Law & Order” since March 20, 2002 among adults 18-49 and since March 13, 2002 in overall total viewers. According to updated in-home viewing statistics from Nielsen Media Research, “Law & Order” (6.0 rating, 15 share among adults 18-49, 16.6 million viewers overall) won its hour by a 20 percent margin among adults 18-49. “Law” also led the time period among women and men 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; households and total viewers.
ZAP2IT, January 14, 2003 -- "CBS's Robbery Homicide Victimized by Law & Order:SVU"; [T]he way CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves tells it, the decision to pull the plug on the police drama Robbery Homicide Division was [tough]. 'Robbery Homicide Division, we felt, was first class. It was high quality," Moonves told reporters this week at the TV Critics Association press tour. Viewers didn't flock to it, however. An average of just 7.1 million people a week tuned in at 10 p.m. ET Fridays, where it was regularly trounced by NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." "The problem with Robbery Homicide' was we didn't know where to move it where we thought it would do any more business than it was doing Friday at 10 o'clock," Moonves says. "The only other solution possibly could have been Wednesday night at 10 o'clock," Presidio's original timeslot. The show might not have done much better there, though, as it would have aired opposite the original "Law & Order," a Top-10 series.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, January 13, 2003 -- "Criminal Intent Captures Record Ratings"; NBC’s red-hot sophomore drama “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” has climbed to its highest-ever adult 18-49 and total viewer results for a regular-slot episode, according to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. Last night’s “Criminal Intent” (5.5 rating, 12 share among adults 18-49, 16.3 million viewers overall) jumped a big 25 percent above the show’s result for the same Sunday last year to set new regular-slot series records, pending Nielsen updates of these preliminary results. Previous high marks were 5.4/12 among adults 18-49 for the Nov. 10, 2002 episode and 16.2 million viewers overall for the Nov. 17 episode. The hit second-year drama finished a close second in 18-49 for the hour and won the slot, pending updates, among adults, men and women 25-54, women 18-49, women 18-34 and total viewers.
E! Online (Ask Marilyn), January 8, 2003 -- "Sexy Rohm"; Q: What do you know about Law & Order's sexy Elisabeth Röhm? A: I know the sexy Röhm was born in Germany, where her father was a corporate attorney, and that she moved to New York when she was an infant. Rohm's mother (a writer) and father divorced when their daughter was eight. At age five, Röhm began a love affair with horseback riding and remains an active equestrienne. She began acting during her freshman year at Sarah Lawrence College, and after graduation from that prestigious school, landed a role on One Life to Live. That led to a recurring role on Angel, which led to a costarring berth on TNT's series Bull and then to her current role as Assistant District Attorney Serena Southerlyn on NBC's Law & Order.
ZAP2IT, December 22, 2002 -- "Mandy Patinkin Sweeps for Law & Order"; Despite his relationship with producer David E. Kelley, actor Many Patinkin won't be showing up on The Practice anytime soon. Rather, he has signed on for a February sweeps role with another legal drama, Dick Wolf's "Law & Order." The two-part episode, "Absentia," will on NBC and takes its title from the legal rarity of a defendant not being present for his or her trial. Patinkin will play the victim of a jewelry store robbery who is ultimately revealed as something more, ending up in the courtroom being grilled by Sam Waterston's Assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy. "Mandy is an incredible actor and the chemistry between his character and McCoy is electric," says Michael Chernuchin, an executive producer on the show. Patinkin was a regular cast member on Kelley's medical drama Chicago Hope, and has also made appearances on Boston Public, Touched by an Angel and The Simpsons.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, December 19, 2002 -- "Law & Order Recruits Mandy Patinkin for February Sweeps"; Versatile actor and Broadway star Mandy Patinkin is currently filming a plum role for a February Sweeps episode of “Law & Order.” This return to the small screen marks a rare television appearance for Patinkin since his Emmy winning performance as Dr. Geiger in “Chicago Hope.” The episode, entitled “Absentia,” concerns two seemingly unrelated murders, stolen jewels and mistaken identity. The title comes from a rare legal occurrence---when a defendant is tried for a crime without being present at trial. Patinkin’s character, at first the victim of a jewelry store robbery, isn’t all he appears to be as he eventually winds up in a courtroom showdown with Asst. D.A. Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston). “Mandy is an incredible actor and the chemistry between his character and McCoy is electric,” said Michael Chernuchin, Executive Producer, “He is welcome back to the show anytime.”
ZAP2IT, December 17, 2002 -- "The Sopranos Finale Whacks Competition"; The season finale of "The Sopranos" was a huge hit for HBO, outdrawing even the broadcast networks in its timeslot. The 75-minute episode, in which the marriage of mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and his wife, Carmela (Edie Falco), imploded, averaged 12.5 million viewers Sunday night (Dec. 8). It was the second-most-watched telecast in the show's history, behind only September's season premiere, which drew 13.4 million viewers. Remarkably, "The Sopranos" beat every broadcast network's 9 p.m. offering, despite the fact that HBO only reaches about a third of the 106 million homes with television in the United States. The broadcast networks reach virtually every TV household. NBC's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," with 12.15 million viewers, came the closest to HBO for the hour.
TV GUIDE (Matt Roush), December14, 2002 -- "50 Things I Love About TV"; # 27. Law & Order Reruns. Call it a smart drug. Addicts can get a fix of this ingeniously structured, relentlessly intelligent drama all day long thanks to cable replays. How often have you started watching an oldie but goodie (preferably with such fondly remembered veterans as Chris Noth, Jill Hennessy or Steven Hill), unable to recall if you'd seen it before, and finally not caring? Formula TV doesn't come more satisfying than this.
ZAP2IT, December 13, 2002 -- "ABC Pulls the Plug on 'MDs'; The low-rated ABC medical drama "MDs" has been given its last rites. ABC executives liked the creative direction of "MDs," which centered on two doctors (John Hannah and William Fichtner) bucking the system at an HMO-run hospital in San Francisco. It never was able to build an audience, however, against NBC's stalwart "Law & Order" and the similar "Presidio Med" on CBS. The show averaged only about 6.8 million viewers in sev
ZAP2IT, December 10, 2002 -- "NBC Pulls Ahead of CBS in Ratings"; NBC had a strong showing for the week ending Dec. 8 -- taking wins in the 18 to 49 demographic, total viewers and household ratings and shares. Averaging a 7.9 rating/13 share and 12.03 million viewers, NBC edged rival CBS, which finished second with 7.4/12 and 11.14 million. ABC was in third place with 6.3/10 and 9.67 million followed by FOX, 4.7/7 and 7.66 million. The WB finished fifth with 2.3/4 and 3.69 million; UPN trailed at 2.1/3 and 3.31 million. NBC had 11 of the top 20 shows last week, led by "Friends" in second place with 15.8/24 and "ER" in third with 15.2/25. "Scrubs" tied "Will & Grace" for fifth place with 12.2/18 each. A repeat of "Law & Order" was ninth with 11.2/18 and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" finished 10th with 11.1/19. The NBC comedy "Good Morning Miami" (9.9/15) was 13th last week, followed by "Crossing Jordan," 8.3/14. A repeat of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (8.2/12) was 16th and "Third Watch" was 18th, 8.0/12. The special "Christmas at Rockefeller Center" rounded out NBC's entries at 19th with 7.9/12.
 December 8, 2002 -- Here's what Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune had to say about Benjamin Bratt's recent film, Abandon: "As a thriller, Abandon is admirably lacking in hype - Gaghan doesn't feel the need to pump up tense moments with shrill music or jarring camera effects - but also somewhat slack. Bratt's Wade Handler is a low-intensity gumshoe as he investigates what happened to Embry, and the movie mirrors his approach, preferring deliberate contemplation to urgency." Also starring Katie Holmes, Abandon was released on October 18; thus far it has grossed only $10 million at the box office, a major disappointment for Paramount.NBC ENTERTAINMENT, December 8, 2002 - "Special Victim's Unit Ties Its Season High...NBC remains undefeated on Fridays this season as "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" beats its combined slot competition in all categories...THE 11 HIGHEST-RATED FRIDAY TELECASTS OF THE SEASON ARE THE 11 EPISODES OF “SVU”...According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, Friday’s edition of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (5.7 rating, 17 share among adults 18-49, 16.3 million viewers overall) matched the hit drama’s highest 18-49 rating of the season and beat its combined competition in virtually all key categories. Not only was “SVU” the night’s No. 1 telecast among adults 18-49 and total viewers, but the top-11 Friday programs of the season in both categories are the 11 episodes of “SVU.”
Zap2It, December 6, 2002 -- Among the nominees for the 34th Annual NAACP Image Awards: Pam Grier, for her recent guest appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Fox will broadcast a taped version of the award ceremonies on March 13, 2003.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, December 5, 2002 -- NBC finished a strong second last night among adults 18-49, led by a decisive 10 p.m. ET victory for “Law & Order.” According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing statistics from Nielsen Media Research, an encore edition of “Law & Order” (5.7 rating, 14 share among adults 18-49, 15.9 million viewers overall) defeated its first-run competition in virtually all key ratings categories.
Zap2It, December 4, 2002 -- "People Make Their 2002 Choices"; The short list for the 29th annual People's Choice Awards were announced on December 4. Law & Order made the list for Favorite TV Drama, along with CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and ER.
Zap2It, December 2, 2002 -- "Michael Moriarty to Appear in Ambitious SciFi Miniseries": On Dec. 6 and through Dec 9-13, the Sci Fi Channel will air a 20-hour miniseries examining the phenomena of alien visitation and abduction. Michael Moriarty of Law & Order. The series also stars Catherine Dent, Julie Benz, Willie Garson, Matt Freyer and James McDaniel.
TV GUIDE, November 30, 2002 -- From The Robins Report....Not long ago USA Network was on the ropes with the loss of wrestling, but now ratings are up 13 percent with 18-to-49-year-old viewers....Original series Monk and The Dead Zone are hits, and second runs of Law & Order:SVU and Law & Order:Criminal Intent have worked well....Once a perennial Top 5 cable network, A&E is in a tailspin....Reruns of Third Watch don't draw the same numbers that Law & Order (now on TNT) brought in, and signature series Biography has faded.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, November 16, 2002 -- "Law & Order:Special Victims Unit" is Friday's # 1 Show for Eighth Week in a Row": According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, the top-rated program of the night was “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (5.4 rating, 17 share among adults 18-49, 16.1 million viewers overall), which has led all Friday competition in the 18-49 and total-viewer categories during all eight weeks of the season to date. The Nov. 15 telecast of “Special Victims Unit” defeated its combined time-period competition among adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, key adult female demographics, households and total viewers. It’s “SVU’s” 52nd victory among adults 18-49 in the drama’s last 54 regular-slot telecasts.
TV GUIDE (Insider), November 14, 2002 -- [A "mystery" is] how one might describe [Bruce] Davison's role on Friday's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (10 pm/ET on NBC). He portrays a neurologist suspected of raping one of his comatose patients. In typical L&O fashion, expect a last-minute surprise. "There's certainly a teeth-kicker twist in the end," he teases. "It has to do with stem-cell research." The SVU gig also marks the first time the 1990 Oscar nominee (for Longtime Companion) is sharing the screen with his real-life bride, actress Lisa Pelikan, who plays a researcher in cahoots with Davison's character. "We've [talked] over the telephone in the [1997] Showtime movie Color of Justice, but we've never been in the same shot together," he says. "It's difficult because we know each other's tricks; it's very easy to derail each other." So, how did they manage to pull it off? Pausing, he says: "We just sat there [in the courtroom] and looked very guilty."
DAILY NEWS, November 8, 2002 -- "SVU Actors Do Part for Foster Kids"; Actors from the hit television series "Law & Order: SVU" will step out of character Sunday to help recruit mentors for the city's foster children. Called the Day of the Child, the event aboard the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum will treat hundreds of foster-care children to a day of fun, games, rides and other activities. Cast members who will spend the day as big brothers and big sisters include Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Richard Belzer, Dann Florek, Ice-T and Stephanie March. The kids will hear live performances by City High, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Prymary Colorz. Officials at the city Administration for Children's Services hope the star-powered event will boost the ranks of adults who want to mentor a foster child. "Whether you dedicate a few hours a month as an academic tutor or several hours a week to build a deeper relationship, your commitment can make a difference in a child's life," said ACS Commissioner William Bell. The event is sponsored by Children United Nations, the mayor's office, the Daily News and American Express.
TV GUIDE: Televisionary, November 5, 2002 -- Question: My husband and I have noticed an almost comical connection between actors from the HBO series Oz appearing in roles on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (as well as the other Law & Order shows). We realize that two of the major characters in SVU are from Oz, but several of the other Oz characters have appeared in minor roles. Is there some kind of contract agreement between these two shows? Or are these just fellow actors helping one another out? — Carol B., Monterey, Cal.
Televisionary: It goes a lot higher than the actors, Carol. It's actually Oz creator Tom Fontana and Dick Wolf helping themselves to each other's cast members, a phenomenon both men laugh about since they get along rather well.
"Dick and I are old buddies," Fontana told The New York Post in 1999. "What can I say? He's got great taste in actors — because he keeps stealing mine." For his part, Wolf said, both he and Fontana "have been lucky enough to have found people we can utilize in our shows that can travel effortlessly between the disparate worlds we have created."
Disparate — and desperate, too. Thus you end up with Christopher Meloni going from sexual offender Chris Keller on Oz to SVU cop Elliot Stabler, the former being the kind of guy the latter would throw in jail, as the actor has pointed out in interviews. Likewise, you see Dean Winters, who plays the conniving Ryan O'Reilly on Oz, portraying SVU detective Brian Cassidy. Kathryn Erbe, who played nutty Oz murderer Shirley Bellinger, can be found on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and J.K. Simmons works as both Oz white supremacist Vernon Schillinger and Law & Order doc Emil Skoda.
Richard Belzer took an entire character (Det. John Munch) from Fontana's Homicide: Life on the Street to SVU, and so many character actors have played criminals and victims on Fontana and Wolf shows that it would make me dizzy to try and list them all. (And I'll ask fans of both producers' shows to have mercy on my mailbox and spare me all the examples I haven't listed here. Please?)
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 31, 2002 -- "NBC IS NO. 1 ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT"; NBC has claimed a provisional 18-49 victory and a decisive win among total viewers in last night’s ratings results. The triumphant Peacock lineup was led by “Law & Order,” which beat its combined time period competition in virtually all key categories. According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing statistics from Nielsen Media Research, “Law & Order” (7.4 rating, 20 share among adults 18-49, 19.9 million viewers overall) scored its second-highest 18-49 rating of the season and improved on its result for the same night last year by 14 percent. “Law & Order” beat its combined time-period competition among adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 18-49; adults, men and women 25-54; households and total viewers. “Law & Order’s” winning margin for the hour is a gigantic 131 percent among adults 18-49 and 12.5 million viewers overall.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 26, 2002 -- "SEASON-HIGH 'SVU' GIVES NBC ANOTHER FRIDAY WIN"; NBC's Friday lineup remained undefeated this season among adults 18-49 and total viewers as "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" set a season high in both caregories..."Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (5.6/17 among adults 18-49, 16.6 million viewers overall) scored its highest 18-49 and total-viewer tallies since May 10. "Special Victims Unit" beat its combined time-period competition among adults and women 18-34; adults, men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54, as well as households and total viewers, pending Nielsen updates. It's the 49th "SVU" victory among adults 18-49 in the drama's last 50 regular-slot telecasts.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 21, 2002 -- "LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT EQUALS ITS BEST 18-49 REGULAR-SLOT RATING EVER"; “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (5.2/12 among adults 18-49, 14.6 million viewers overall) equaled last week’s series-record 18-49 rating for a regular-slot episode and won the hour in several key demographics. Pending Nielsen updates of these preliminary results, “Criminal Intent” led all broadcast competition among adults 18-49 and 25-54 and all key adult-female demographics. Adjustments to Fox’s preliminary World Series results could alter some of these rankings. “Criminal Intent” is up 16 percent versus 18-49 results for the same night last year, giving it another commanding margin of victory over ABC’s rival drama “Alias.”
VARIETY, October 20, 2002 -- "Douglas Raises the Bar on Law and Order: SVU": Illeana Douglas (Grace of My Heart) will guest-star in a recurring role on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as a public defender. Douglas, who received an Emmy nomination for her guest performance as an embalmer in Six Feet Under, will first appear in a SVU episode set to air on Nov. 22. She's committed to at least three episodes. "Illeana brings wit, brains and style to the role of Gina Bernardo," said SVU executive producer Neal Baer. Douglas' feature credits include Ghost World, "Message in a Bottle, Goodfellas and Cape Fear. Her television performances include a starring role in the series Action. She also played one of George's girlfriends in an episode of Seinfeld.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 19, 2002 -- "SVU LOCKS UP ANOTHER FRIDAY WIN"; NBC’s Friday lineup has remained undefeated this fall among both adults 18-49 and total viewers, winning the Oct. 18 ratings race as “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” once again defeated its 18-49 competition combined. According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (4.8 rating, 16 share among adults 18-49, 15.1 million viewers overall) won the 10-11 p.m. ET hour in virtually all key categories and topped the combined competition among adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 and several other categories. It’s the 48th “SVU” victory among adults 18-49 in the drama’s last 49 regular-slot telecasts.
ZAP2IT, October 18, 2002 -- "Douglas Takes Cases on 'SVU'; Emmy-nominated actress Illeana Douglas will joining the NBC legal drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." in a recurring role as a tough, experienced public defender on the show. "We're thrilled to have Illeana join us as a public defender. She brings wit, brains and style to the role of Gina Bernardo," says Neal Bader, executive producer of the series. The granddaughter of Oscar-winning actor Melvyn Douglas, the actress has appeared in such films as "Goodfellas" and "Cape Fear." She was nominated for an Emmy for her guest starring role on the HBO drama "Six Feet Under," and has also appeared in the series "Action," "Frasier" and "Seinfeld." "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" airs Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. Douglas' first episode, "Juvenile," will be broadcast on Friday, Nov. 22.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 15, 2002 -- THE “LAW & ORDER” FRANCHISE NOW ACCOUNTS FOR THE SEASON’S NO. 1 SHOWS ON WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS IN TOTAL VIEWERS. “Law & Order” has solidified its position this fall as the top franchise in television history, now accounting for the No. 1 programs on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights among total viewers. For the past two weeks, all three “Law & Order” programs have also dominated their hours in the key adult 18-49 category. During the October 7-13 week, Sunday’s “Law & Order” Criminal Intent” led all broadcast competition by a 24 percent margin among adults 18-49 and by 4.2 million viewers overall, Friday’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” won by a 56 percent margin among adults 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall and Wednesday’s “Law & Order” won by a 53 percent margin among adults 18-49 and 7.1 million viewers overall. Sunday’s “Criminal Intent” scored its highest 18-49 rating ever for a regular-slot episode. All three “Law & Order” shows rank in the top 20 among total viewers and in the top 25 among adults 18-49 for both last week and the season to date.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 14, 2002 -- NBC highlights for the night include a record 18-49 rating for a regular-slot edition of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” a powerful 27 percent build from half-hour to half-hour for “American Dreams” and more strong second-place numbers at 10 p.m. ET for the critically acclaimed “Boomtown.” At 9 p.m. ET, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (5.2 rating, 12 share among adults 18-49, 14.4 million viewers overall) achieved its highest 18-49 rating ever for a regular-slot episode. “Criminal Intent” defeated all broadcast networks for the hour among adults 18-49 and scored its biggest margin of victory ever over a first-run episode of ABC’s “Alias,” 21 percent. “Criminal Intent” also led all broadcast competition that hour in overall total viewers by a commanding margin of 3.5 million persons.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 12, 2002 -- NBC’s Friday lineup has claimed another convincing ratings victory, as both “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Dateline” won their hours among adults 18-49, total viewers and numerous other key categories. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (5.1/16 among adults 18-49, 15.6 million viewers overall) dominated in all key adult and adult female demographics, plus households and total viewers. “Special Victims Unit” beat its closest entertainment competitor by overwhelming margins of 96 percent among adults 18-49 and 6.8 million viewers overall. In the 18-49 category, it’s “SVU’s” 47th regular-slot win in 48 telecasts. From its first half-hour to its second, “SVU” increased its 18-49 rating by 13 percent while all major-network competition was either flat or down.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 10, 2002 -- "Law & Order" Beats the 10 PM Drama Competition Combined; NBC has won another Wednesday among adults 18-49 and total viewers with its highly acclaimed, highly rated dramas “Ed,” “The West Wing” and “Law & Order.” It’s NBC’s 12th-straight win among adults 18-49 on an in-season Wednesday. The victory was keyed by “Law & Order” (7.5 rating, 20 share among adults 18-49, 20.2 million viewers overall), which beat the hour’s combined ABC-CBS drama competition in virtually all key demographics, households and total viewers, according to updated in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. “Law & Order” won the hour by gigantic margins of 53 percent among adults 18-49 and 7.1 million viewers overall.
[ADDITION: Zap2It.com: "Law & Order," 13.5/23, blew away the 10 p.m. competition. FOX was second at 6.7/11, with CBS' "Presidio Med," 5.3/9, in third ahead of ABC's "MDs," 4.6/8.]
TV GUIDE, October 10, 2002 -- Turns out, there are two Vincent D'Onofrios making a living in Hollywood — but only one of them is suing Madonna. Despite reports that D'Onofrio the actor (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) is suing the Material Girl over her new film Swept Away, it's actually D'Onofrio the producer who's crying foul. He claims he pitched Madonna the idea of doing a remake of the 1974 film of the same name.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 7, 2002 -- Highlights of last night’s impressive NBC performance include more time-period dominance for the red-hot “American Dreams,” which topped last week’s spectacular premiere performance; the biggest 18-49 win ever for “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” over first-run competition from ABC’s “Alias”; and a 24 percent year-to-year gain for the network at 10 p.m. with the critically acclaimed “Boomtown."....“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (5.0/11 among adults 18-49, 14.6 million viewers overall) climbed within 0.1 of a rating point of its highest regular-slot 18-49 rating ever. “Criminal Intent” led all broadcast networks for the hour among adults 18-49 with its biggest margin ever -- 16 percent --over a first-run episode of ABC’s “Alias.” “Criminal Intent” also beat all broadcast competition that hour in overall total viewers by a commanding 4.4 million persons. From its first half-hour to its second, “Criminal Intent” increased its 18-49 rating by 10 percent while all other major-network programming was flat or down. “Criminal Intent” also topped its 18-49 rating of one year ago by 43 percent (5.0/11 vs. 3.5/8) while slot rival “Alias” declined by 2 percent (4.3/10 vs. 4.4/9).
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, October 5, 2002 -- "SVU LEADS NBC TO FRIDAY VICTORY"; NBC has claimed another convincing Friday victory, led by “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” which topped its combined time-period competition among adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54, men 18-34 and women 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54. All three NBC Friday series, “Special Victims Unit,” “Providence” and “Dateline,” built substantially in adult 18-49 rating from their first half-hour to their second, by more than any other major network in those respective time periods. According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (5.2 rating, 16 share among adults 18-49, 15.0 million viewers overall) led the 10-11 p.m. ET hour by overwhelming margins of 108 percent among adults 18-49 and 7.0 million viewers overall. In fact, “SVU” was No. 1 for the night over every Friday telecast on every network by margins of at least 49 percent and 2.6 million viewers overall. In the 18-49 category, it’s “SVU’s” 46th regular-slot win in 47 telecasts. From its first half-hour to its second, “SVU” increased its 18-49 rating by 8 percent while ABC’s “20/20” declined by 15 percent and CBS’ “Robbery Homicide Division” dropped by 4 percent.
ZAP2IT, October 3, 2002 -- NBC left the other networks in the dust Wednesday night, while "The Bachelor" and baseball provided a lift for ABC and FOX....The season premiere of "Law & Order" averaged 12.8/22 at 10 p.m., making it the highest-rated show of the night. FOX's baseball coverage averaged 6.9/12. CBS' "Presidio Med," 5.6/10, bested rival doctor show "MDs" on ABC.
REUTERS, OCTOBER 1, 2002 -- "NBC Scores With Dramatic Debuts": NBC closed out a winning opening week of the fall season on Sunday with promising premieres for new dramas "American Dreams'' and "Boomtown'' and a powerful ratings score from the returning "Law & Order: Criminal Intent.''...."Law & Order: CI'' (preliminary 16 million viewers, 5.0/11 in adults 18-49) improved by 11 percent in the demographic vs. a year ago and 25 percent in total viewers despite additional drama competition from HBO's "The Sopranos.'' The 9 o'clock anchor show served as a tentpole for NBC's two new Sunday dramas, which received solid sampling....If NBC clicks with either or both of the dramas surrounding "Law & Order: CI,'' it could become a real player on a night on which it has long struggled. Third-place ABC failed to draw audiences to its "Prince William'' movie (preliminary 7 million, 2.0/6 in 18-49). The season premiere of "Alias'' (preliminary 11.7 million viewers, 5.0/12) followed and was in a close battle with NBC's "Law & Order: CI'' for the lead in 18-49 and in first place among adults 18-34 (4.4/11). Like "The Practice'' at 10, though, "Alias'' was off more than 20 percent from its year-ago premiere.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, September 30, 2002 -- “AMERICAN DREAMS,” “LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT” AND “BOOMTOWN” VAULT NBC TO SUNDAY WINS IN PRELIM 18-49 AND TOTAL-VIEWER RESULTS.At 9 p.m. ET, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (5.0/11 among adults 18-49, 16.0 million viewers overall) tied for first among adults 18-49 and dominated in total viewers. It Was “Criminal Intent’s” second-best 18-49 rating and highest viewer total ever for a regular-slot episode. The total-viewer margin of victory was a hefty 4.3 million persons.From its first half-hour to its second, “Criminal Intent” increased its 18-49 rating by 13 percent, while ABC’s “Alias” declined by 2 percent, CBS’ “Mission Impossible 2” dropped by 3 percent and Fox’s “The Matrix” increased by 6 percent. “Criminal Intent” topped its premiere 18-49 rating of one year ago by 11 percent (5.0/11 vs. 4.5/10), while slot rival “Alias” declined by 19 percent (5.0/12 vs. 6.2/14). NBC also got a scintillating start at 10 p.m. ET from the innovative “Boomtown” (4.9/12 among adults 18-49, 13.6 million viewers overall), which retained a hot 98 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from “Criminal Intent.”
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, September 30, 2002 -- NBC wins Sun. in 18-49 demo in dramatic fashion. Sunday was a big night of premieres for NBC. The peacock easily won the night on the strength of two new dramas and the return of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." At 8 p.m., NBC's new period drama "American Dream" got off to a strong start, climbing solidly from its "Dateline: NBC" lead-in to an average of 13.3 million viewers and a 4.5 rating/12 share in the adults 18-49 demographic. At 9 p.m., "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" climbed to nearly 16 million viewers and a 5.0 rating/11 share in the 18-49, and at 10 p.m. the new drama "Boomtown" held on solidly with 13.6 million viewers and a 4.9 rating/12 share in the 18-49
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, September 28, 2002 -- "SVU TOWERS OVER THE FRIDAY COMPETITION": NBC has scored the new season’s most dominant nightlong victory among adults 18-49, as last night’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” towered over all Friday prime-time competition. NBC won the night by a commanding 44 percent margin among adults 18-49, marking the fourth night in a row NBC has convincingly vanquished the premiere-week competition. Pending Nielsen updates of these preliminary results, Friday’s 44 percent is the biggest 18-49 winning margin through the first five nights of the 2002-03 season. According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, the fourth-season premiere of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (5.2 rating, 16 share among adults 18-49, 14.6 million viewers overall) scored Friday’s highest results among adults 18-49, total viewers and numerous other key categories. “Special Victims Unit’s” 18-49 rating was the night’s highest by a 58 percent margin and “SVU’s” total viewer count was No. 1 for the night by 2.0 million persons. “Special Victims Unit” won the 10-11 p.m. ET slot in virtually all key demographics, plus households and total viewers and beat the hour’s combined ABC-CBS competition among adults, men and women 18-34. The margin of victory over ABC’s second-place “20/20” (3.0/9 among adults 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall) was 73 percent in 18-49 results and 5.3 million viewers overall. In the 18-49 category, it’s “SVU’s” 45th regular-slot win in 46 telecasts.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, September 19, 2002 -- Despite facing mostly first-run competition and some early season premieres, NBC’s three Wednesday dramas all scored their highest ratings results since the May sweep last night, led by a slot-dominating performance from “Law & Order.” According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, the 10-11 p.m. ET telecast of “Law & Order” (4.9 rating, 14 share among adults 18-49, 14.6 million viewers overall) scored its highest 18-49 rating and overall viewer total since the show’s 12th-season finale May 22. “Law & Order” won its hour last night in virtually all key demographics and total viewers despite an encore telecast that faced all original competition. Demographic categories won by “Law & Order” include adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54. It was “Law & Order’s” 37th time-period win among adults 18-49 in 39 regular-slot telecasts.
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, September 17, 2002 -- NBC has ordered a second season of "Crime & Punishment," the Dick Wolf-produced documentary series that chronicles the work of real-life prosecutors. As part of the 13-episode pickup, the Wolf Films/Universal Television Distribution series will have a second run on USA Network. Most of Wolf's series have a split window with USA, the cable sibling of Universal, but the initial 13-episode run of "Crime & Punishment" was exclusive to NBC. The hourlong series, which premiered in June, has performed respectably this summer in the Sunday 10 p.m. slot following reruns of Wolf's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." It's understood that the new batch of episodes is eyed for a summer run next year, but there's a chance the show could be called up earlier as a midseason replacement.
 TV GUIDE, September 7, 2002 -- Returning Favorites: Law & Order (starts October 2).....Where we left off: Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) won a case against a terrorist-killing vigilante. It's back because: When you're the No. 1 primetime franchise and heading into your 13th season, you rule. Wiest disposal: Dianne Wiest steps down as the head D.A. "We loved Dianne, but we just felt that character had gone as far as she could go," says executive producer Michael Chernuchin.Cop drama: Green (Jesse L. Martin) and Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) will butt heads even harder. "I want more tension among (the regulars) this season," says Chernuchin. "My mantra to the writers is: 'Let's not have everyone agree'." Matt's forecast: As unstoppable as its repeats are unavoidable, Law & Order will remain Wednesday's most-watched show. TV GUIDE, September 7, 2002 -- Returning Favorites: Law & Order: SVU (starts September 27).....Where we left off: Detectives Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Benson (Mariska Hargitay) solved a transvestite's murder -- and uncovered a sex scandal -- in a local Catholic diocese. It's back because: This three-year-old Law & Order spin-off is the fifth highest-rated drama and the No. 1 series on Friday nights. But this season it faces more serious competition with Michael Mann's new Robbery Homicide Division for CBS. Paging Dr. Huang: This year the SVU will deal with thornier social issues. "The show is really different from its first years," says executive producer Neal Naer, who adds that episodes will address elder abuse, the witness protection program and pedophilia. "We're grappling with tough issues that don't have easy answers," he says. Helping the detectives is B.D. Wong, whose Dr. Huang becomes a series regular. Law and glamour: Guest stars include Sherilynn Fenn, Sharon Lawrence, Pam Grier and Mary Kay Place. Matt's forecast: The most improved of all [the] Law & Order shows, should still continue to rule the time period.
TV GUIDE, September 7, 2002 -- Returning Favorites: Law & Order: Criminal Intent (starts September 29).....Where we left off: Detectives Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Eames (Kathryn Erbe) cracked an Enron-type scandal. It's back because: This third installment of the ever-popular franchise gave NBC a much-needed ratings toehold on Sunday nights. It's all about Vince: Unlike Law & Order: SVU, this series is light on big-name cameos -- but will feature plenty of talented guest stars, including Olivia d'Abo, Stephen Tobolowsky and Liam Aiken. "We have no intention of becoming The Love Boat of detective shows," says executive producer Rene Balcer. "Besides, this is really Vince D'Onofrio's show." Matt's forecast: It's all about the name, and Law & Order's is powerful enough to keep this weak Columbo clone afloat -- but the return of The Sopranos could steal away even the most loyal viewers.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, September 6, 2002 -- (Review) ''We're not big on guest stars,'' says exec producer Rene Balcer, presumably dissing sister show ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.'' ''We don't want to be the 'Love Boat' of crime dramas.'' Okay, there is one notable guest: ''The Wonder Years''' Olivia d'Abo as a Professor Moriarty-like nemesis for the Sherlock Holmesian Detective Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) and his Dr. Watsonian comrade, Detective Eames (Kathryn Erbe). Does it irk Balcer that the time-slot-winning ''CI'' gets less press than ABC rival ''Alias''? ''Not really, because I don't think 'Alias' will be around past this season,'' he says. ''We're not about to put our people in rubber dresses and red wigs.'' Nope, he doesn't sound irked at all.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, September 6, 2002 -- (Review) More like ''Law & Order: Special Guest Stars.'' Among the celebs who'll share screen time with Manhattan cops Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are Pam Grier (as a foxy federal attorney), Sharon Lawrence (as a hooker suspected of serial killings), and Sherilyn Fenn (as a wealthy woman who may be sleeping with her 17-year-old stepson). ''Family Ties''' Michael Gross also turns up as a socialite lawyer. Can ''SVU'' withstand competition from CBS' new ''Robbery Homicide Division''? ''Michael Mann is going to put something glitzy on the air,'' says exec producer Neal Baer. ''And we've got the sexy Sherilyn Fenn, Sharon Lawrence, and Pam Grier to attack.'' May the best Mann -- er, man --win.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, September 6, 2002 -- (Review) In its 13th season, the drama will stick with its pulled-from-the-New York Post formula, as Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Green (Jesse L. Martin) investigate cases inspired by the Carnegie Deli murders, former NBA star Jayson Williams' accidental-shooting scandal, and the 9/11 attacks. The revolving-door policy continues, as Dianne Wiest's DA Nora Lewin exits (''she was the interim DA, so her term ended,'' explains exec producer Michael Chernuchin) and retiring U.S. senator Fred Thompson enters as the new DA. ''He's a little more right-wing,'' says Chernuchin. ''He's our post-9/11 DA.'' Is Chernuchin concerned about the two new medical dramas opposing ''L&O''? Nah. ''Two of anything going up against us is a good thing because they'll split the audience.'' Case closed.
STUDIO BRIEFING, September 5, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. American Idol: The Search for a Superstar (Wednesday), Fox, 9.7/16; 2. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 9.7/15; 3. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Monday), CBS, 9.5/16; 4. Law and Order, NBC, 9.1/16; 5. American Idol: The Search for a Superstar (Tuesday), Fox, 8.7/14; 6. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Thursday), CBS, 8.6/14; 7. Dateline NBC (Tuesday), NBC, 8.5/15; 8. NFL Pre-season Football: Green Bay Packers vs. Cleveland Browns, ABC, 7.8/13; 9. 60 Minutes, CBS, 7.3/16; 10. Dog Eat Dog, NBC, 7.1/11.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, September 4, 2002 -- has capped its eighth-straight summer atop the adult 18-49 standings with a win during the August 26-September 1 18-49 week, the network’s 20th victory in the last 23 weeks....“Law & Order” (4.5/13 among adults 18-49, 12.9 million viewers overall) earned its highest 18-49 rating since the May sweep and led the Wednesday 10-11 p.m. ET hour for the 35th time in 37 telecasts. “Law & Order” won its time slot last week in total viewers and virtually all key demographics....NBC won Friday among adults 18-49 and total viewers, as “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” led both the 9 p.m. ET hour (2.3/8 among adults 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) and its regular time period at 10 p.m. ET (3.0/10 among adults 18-49, 9.4 million viewers overall) in most key demographics and total viewers. “SVU” has won that 10-11 p.m. ET time period among adults 18-49 with 41 of its last 42 telecasts....NBC won another Sunday among adults 18-49, led by time period wins from “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (2.7/9 among adults 18-49, 9.3 million viewers overall) at 9 p.m. ET and “Crime & Punishment” (2.2/7 among adults 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) at 10 p.m. ET. It’s the seventh regular-slot win for “Criminal Intent” since the May sweep and the eighth in a row (and 10th in 11 weeks) for “Crime & Punishment.”
STUDIO BRIEFING, September 2, 2002 -- During an appearance on Meet the Press Sunday, Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who is resuming his career as an actor after his term expires in January, joked about a scene he has filmed for an upcoming episode of Law & Order that was shown on the newsmaker show. The clip shows Thompson, as a conservative district attorney, condemning U.S. drug policy. "And you thought I wouldn't find work," Thompson remarked afterwards. A moment later host Tim Russert asked, "What is the difference between politics and movies or TV?" Without missing a beat, Thompson replied, "The pay."
BROADCASTING & CABLE, August 30, 2002 - "A&E: Bye-Bye 'Law & Order'"; Parting really will be sweet sorrow for A&E Network, which is about to lose its prized acquired drama, Law & Order. As of Labor Day, Turner Network Television becomes the exclusive cable home for the hit NBC drama. TNT and A&E have been sharing Law & Order since last summer, airing different seasons at different times. It's been a ratings workhorse for both, regularly popping averages above 1.5. Under a 10-year deal, TNT is paying about $800,000 for the most recent episodes and $250,000 for shows A&E has already played. Beginning Sept. 2, TNT will air Law & Order weekdays at noon and 7 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. The show has been a tremendous bargain for A&E, which has paid just $155,000 per episode since September 1994.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, August 29, 2002 -- “Law & Order” dominated the 10-11 p.m. ET hour last night with its highest adult 18-49 rating since the May sweep. NBC also got a summer high at 9 p.m. ET from “The West Wing.” According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, “Law & Order” (4.4 rating, 12 share among adults 18-49, 12.7 million viewers overall) led the 10-11 p.m. hour in most key demographics and total viewers. This is “Law & Order’s” 35th time-period win in its last 37 regular-slot telecasts.
STUDIO BRIEFING, August 28, 2002 -- SEN. THOMPSON ALREADY IN FRONT OF CAMERAS....U.S. Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) has begun work as an actor on Law and Order for the fall season, even before his current term ends at the end of the year, the Los Angeles Times reported today (Wednesday). "It may be without precedent for a sitting U.S. senator to have a regular part in a dramatic TV program," the Times observed. A spokesman for Sen. Thompson said that "his commitment to the Senate would be foremost" until his term ends. The senate is currently on Labor Day recess. The Times said that Thompson will play a conservative district attorney and will appear in all three Law & Order series.
STUDIO BRIEFING, August 28, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:
1. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 9.6/15; 2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Monday), CBS, 9.4/16; 3. Law and Order, NBC, 8.9/15; 3. American Idol (Tuesday), Fox, 8.8/14; 5. Becker, CBS, 8.7/14; 6. Law and Order: Criminal Intent, NBC, 8.3/14; 7. American Idol (Wednesday), Fox, 8.0/13; 8. NFL Pre-season, ABC, 7.6/13; 9. Law and Order: SVU, NBC, 7.4/14; 9. 60 Minutes, CBS, 7.2/14.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, August 27, 2002 -- NBC also enjoyed impressive post-May highs from Wednesday’s “Law & Order” and Thursday’s “Friends” and “Scrubs,” while Sunday’s “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” continued to build summer momentum with series-record numbers for an encore episode. According to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, NBC claimed seven of the week’s top 15 ratings among adults 18-49, more than any other network. Among dramas, NBC earned four of the week’s top five 18-49 ratings with Wednesday’s “Law & Order,” Sunday’s “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” Friday’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and Thursday’s “ER.” Sunday’s “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” built impressively on momentum generated by a five-episode marathon during the August 12-18 week. During that week, NBC ran extra editions of “Criminal Intent” on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights. The marathon allowed “Criminal Intent” to score that week’s No. 2, 3, 4 and 5 drama ratings among adults 18-49 (including a tie for fifth). Then this week, “Criminal Intent” overwhelmed the Sunday competition and soared above its regular-slot first-run averages for the 2001-02 season.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, August 26, 2002 -- NBC has won a share of last night’s adult 18-49 crown and taken the night in overall total viewers, according to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing results from Nielsen Media Research. Leading the Peacock’s powerful Sunday schedule was the highest-scoring encore episode ever of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” With a strong lead-in from the NBC premiere of “Forensic Files,” last night’s “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (4.2 rating, 11 share among adults 18-49, 12.3 million viewers overall) built impressively on the momentum generated by a five-episode “Criminal Intent” marathon during the August 12-18 week. Last night’s edition scored the highest 18-49 and total-viewer results ever for a “Criminal Intent” rebroadcast and topped the show’s first-run regular-slot averages for the 2001-02 season (4.1 rating among adults 18-49, 12.2 million viewers overall). “Criminal Intent” dominated the 9-10 p.m. ET hour, winning among adults 18-49 by a 31 percent margin (4.2/10 vs. Fox’s second-place 3.2/8) and by 4.1 million viewers overall (12.3 million vs. CBS’ second-place 8.2 million).
TV GUIDE (Insider), August 23, 2002 -- This fall, [Judith] Light returns to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in her recurring role as Elizabeth Donnelly. "She's the new head of the Special Victims Unit," the thesp says, "and she basically is somebody who kicks your ass if you're not doing your job!" Given this Boss lady's penchant for Italian men — she shared on-screen amore with co-star Tony Danza — might she and SVU stud Chris Meloni combine police work and play? Cracking up, Light laments: "Not that I know of right now!"
STUDIO BRIEFING, August 21, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:
1. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 8.3/14; 1. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 8.3/14;3. Dateline NBC (Tuesday), NBC, 8.2/15; 3. Law and Order: Criminal Intent (Wednesday), NBC, 8.2/14; 5. 60 Minutes, CBS, 8.0/16; 6. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Friday), CBS, 7.8/14; 7. 48 Hours (Monday), CBS, 7.6/13; 8. Becker, CBS, 7.5/12; 9. American Idol (Tuesday), Fox, 7.4/12; 9. Law and Order: Criminal Intent, NBC, 7.4/12.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, August 17, 2002 -- FOR A THIRD NIGHT IN A ROW, NBC SUPER-SUB “LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT” IMPRESSES IN ONE OF THE NETWORK’S STRONGEST HOURS. “CRIMINAL INTENT” SCORES NBC’S SECOND-BEST NON-SPORTS 18-49 RATING IN THE FRIDAY 10 P.M. HOUR THIS SUMMER, AND THE NET’S NO. 1 NON-SPORTS VIEWER TOTAL. “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” dominated the 10-11 p.m. ET hour night, marking the third night in a row the red-hot rookie drama has delivered a decisive victory in a key time period for NBC.Compared with this summer’s time-period average for the hit “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” last night’s “Criminal Intent” generated a 24 percent increase (3.6/11 vs. 2.9/10). “Special Victims Unit” is the dominant regular series in that time slot, having won the hour among adults 18-49 with 39 of its previous 40 telecasts.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, August 16, 2002 -- LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT” APPREHENDS NBC’S HIGHEST THURSDAY 10 P.M. 18-49 SCORE IN EIGHT WEEKS AND HIGHEST VIEWER TOTAL IN THE SLOT THIS SUMMER. For a second-straight night, NBC’s powerful rookie drama “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” has substituted in one of the network’s strongest time periods and delivered exceptional results. Last night, “Criminal Intent” ran in the usual “ER” time slot and posted NBC’s highest 18-49 rating in the hour since June 20 and largest overall audience since the May sweep.
On Wednesday night, in the usual “Law & Order” time period, “Criminal Intent” matched NBC’s second-highest 18-49 rating of the summer in that slot (4.1) and achieved the second-highest viewer total (11.7 million). “Criminal Intent” also gets a special telecast tonight at 10 p.m. ET. The popular first-year drama airs regularly Sundays at 9 p.m. ET, where it’s won the time period among adults 18-49 five times this summer (including a tie).
ASSOCIATED PRESS, August 16, 2002 -- Retiring senator returns to acting with 'Law & Order'...Thompson will be the new chief prosecutor on the popular show...Retiring U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson is returning to his acting and legal roots as the new chief prosecutor on NBC's "Law & Order." His term ends in January, but he'll appear regularly during the show's 13th season beginning Oct. 2, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Tennessee Republican replaces Dianne Wiest, who played a district attorney the past two seasons. He'll also appear on two "Law & Order" spin-offs, "Special Victims Unit" and "Criminal Intent." This will be Thompson's first foray into television after appearing in 18 feature films, including "The Hunt for Red October," "Die Hard 2" and "In the Line of Fire." He was assistant U.S. attorney in Tennessee and a lawyer in Washington, serving as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee at age 30. The 59-year-old won former Vice President Al Gore's seat in the U.S. Senate in 1994 and was re-elected in 1996. He said in March that he's retiring for personal reasons.
TV GUIDE ONLINE, August 15, 2002 -- What would a new season of Law & Order be without another cast change? Actor-turned-Republican senator Fred Thompson is poised to replace Dianne Wiest as the show's district attorney, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Thompson's term as Tennessee senator ends in January. Prior to entering the political fray, Thompson appeared in such films as The Hunt for Red October, In the Line of Fire, Die Hard 2 and No Way Out.
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, August 15, 2002 -- Thompson's 'Law' ....Sen. Fred Thompson is on track to be the new chief prosecutor on Dick Wolf's long-running NBC drama "Law & Order," sources say. The actor-turned-legislator is poised to join the show in the fall as a regular.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, August 15, 2002 -- Law & Order: Criminal Intent” turned in powerful numbers last night, substituting in the regular time period of the original hit “Law & Order” series. “Criminal Intent” won the hour solidly among adults 18-49 and matched the second-best “Law & Order” rating of the summer to date. “Criminal Intent” performed impressively in place of a series, “Law & Order,” that has dominated the Wednesday 10-11 p.m. ET hour. “Law & Order” has led that time period among adults 18-49 with 34 of its last 35 telecasts. Additional special episodes of “Criminal Intent” are scheduled for tonight and Friday night at 10 p.m. ET. “Criminal Intent” airs regularly Sundays at 9 p.m. ET, where it’s finished first among adults 18-49 five times since the May sweep.
STUDIO BRIEFING, August 14, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:
1. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 9.5/17; 2. 60 Minutes, CBS, 8.6/18; 3. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 8.3/14; 4. Law and Order, NBC, 8.0/14; 5. 48 Hours (Monday), CBS, 7.8/13; 6. Dateline NBC (Tuesday), NBC, 7.7/14; 7. Becker, CBS, 7.5/12; 7. Dateline (Sunday - 7:00 p.m.), NBC, 7.5/14; 9. Dog Eat Dog, NBC, 7.4/12; 10. Law and Order: Criminal Intent, NBC, 7.3/12.
STUDIO BRIEFING, August 7, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 10.5/18; 2. 48 Hours (Monday), CBS, 8.6/15; 3. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 8.5/14; 3. Law and Order, NBC, 8.5/15; 5. Becker, CBS, 7.8/13; 6. Dateline NBC (Tuesday), NBC, 7.6/13; 7. 60 Minutes, CBS, 7.5/15; 8. American Idol (Tuesday), Fox, 7.1/12; 9. Friends, NBC, 6.8/13; 9. Primetime Thursday, ABC, 6.8/12.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, July 29, 2002 -- “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” is still the order of the day as it dealt yet another crushing blow to the competition Friday night in nearly all key adult demographics according to preliminary “fast national” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. “SVU” averaged a 2.7 rating and nine share in adults 18-49 and amassed more than 9.3 million viewers overall. The victory is the series’ 34th straight regular time slot win.
TORONTO SUN, July 25, 2002 -- What does Law & Order boss Dick Wolf think about filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer copying his cloning idea and spinning off CSI with CSI: Miami? "You know, I wish Jerry would stay in the film business," says the always outspoken Wolf. "Why did he have to come in here? He's got all those big movies." Counting the summer reality series Crime & Punishment, Wolf currently has four hit Law & Order shows on NBC. What's the secret to extending one idea into an entire franchise? "I've used the Campbell's soup simile before," says Wolf. "Tomato, chicken noodle, they're all going to be good if they have that red label on it."
STUDIO BRIEFING, July 24, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 9.4/16; 2. Law & Order, NBC, 8.0/14; 3. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 7.8/13; 4. Dateline NBC (Tuesday), NBC, 7.6/14; 5. 60 Minutes, CBS, 7.1/14; 6. 48 Hours (Monday), CBS, 7.0/12; 6. Law and Order: Criminal Intent, NBC, 7.0/12; 8. Becker, CBS, 6.9/11; 9. "Primetime Thursday," ABC, 6.8/12; 10. 20/20 (Friday), ABC, 6.4/12; 10. Dog Eat Dog, NBC, 6.4/11.
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, July 19, 2002 -- "Law & Order" boss Dick Wolf was proud as a prosecutor who just sent a bad guy up the river about his long-running NBC drama landing its 11th consecutive best drama series [Emmy] nomination. But Wolf said he's equally proud of the nom that Martha Plimpton earned for guest drama series actress for her turn on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." "Getting those for the past few seasons on 'SVU' makes it easier and easier to pitch actors to come on the show," Wolf said. "When they can see there's a good shot at getting nominated for an Emmy, they won't worry as much about getting tagged with the 'Oh my God, I'm doing TV' thing."
STUDIO BRIEFING, July 17, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. Fox MLB All-Star Game, Fox, 9.5/17; 2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 8.8/16; 3. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 8.1/14; 4. Fox MLB All-Star Pregame Show, Fox, 8.0/15; 5. Law & Order, NBC, 7.9/14; 6. 60 Minutes, CBS, 7.4/16; 7. Becker, CBS, 7.2/12; 8. 48 Hours (Monday), CBS, 7.1/12; 8. (Tie) ABC Monday Night Movie: The Horse Whisperer, ABC, 7.1/12; 10. CBS Sunday Movie: Holy Joe, CBS, 6.2/11; 10. Dateline NBC (Tuesday), NBC, 6.2/11; 10. Law and Order: SVU, NBC, 6.2/12.
STUDIO BRIEFING, July 10, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. 60 Minutes, CBS, 8.6/18; 2. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 7.9/14; 3. CBS Sunday Movie: A Time to Kill, CBS, 7.7/13; 4. 48 Hours (Monday), CBS, 7.4/13; 4. Dateline NBC (Tuesday), NBC, 7.4/13; 6. Becker, CBS, 7.3/12; 7. Law & Order, NBC, 6.6/13; 7. Law and Order: Criminal Intent, NBC, 6.6/11; 9. Crime and Punishment, NBC, 6.3/11; 10. CBS Friday Movie: Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest, CBS, 6.2/13.
ZAP2IT, June 18, 2002 -- "Ex-'Law & Order' Producer Back on Case": After several years working on other series, Emmy-winning writer and producer Walon Green is returning to NBC's "Law & Order" and its creator, Dick Wolf. Green will serve as a consultant on "L&O" and "Dragnet," which Wolf's company, Wolf Films, is producing for ABC as a midseason show. Green was an executive producer of "Law & Order" in 1993 and '94. "[Green's] career and reputation have marked him as one of the preeminent writers of world-class television and movies," Wolf tells The Hollywood Reporter. "It's truly an honor that he has decided to return to Wolf Films." Green and Wolf have known each other for two decades, since they worked together on "Hill Street Blues." After leaving "L&O" in 1994, Green worked as a writer on "Millennium" a co-executive producer on "NYPD Blue" and "ER." He shared "Blue's" Emmy win for best drama in 1995. He's also earned Emmy nominations for writing on both "Blue" and "Law & Order."
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, July 8, 2002 -- How bad will Emmy voters screw up?....It must be written in the Academy's bylaws that ''Law & Order'' be nominated for Best Drama every year, even though it's only won the trophy once. But did anyone notice that the franchise's first spin-off surpassed the original in quality last season? While Dianne Wiest and Elisabeth Rohm were sucking the energy out of ''L&O,'' Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, and scene-stealing guest stars like Henry Winkler and John Ritter were pumping fresh blood into ''SVU.'' It would be a crime to snub them.
ZAP2IT, June 22, 2002 -- "Neal Takes "SVU" DA Duties"; Diane Neal will enter the DA's office on Dick Wolf's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." The actress has signed on for multiple episodes of the NBC drama with an option to become a regular. Neal will be filling Stephanie March's shoes. The actress left at the end of last season, having spent three years as Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot. Neal, who made an unrelated guest starring appearance on "SVU" in 2001, will play a ADA new to the sex crimes unit.
ZAP2IT, June 18, 2002 -- ""Ex 'Law & Order' Producer Back On Case"; After several years working on other series, Emmy-winning writer and producer Walon Green is returning to NBC's Law & Order and its creator, Dick Wolf. Green will serve as a consultant on L&O and Dragnet, which Wolf's company, Wolf Films, is producing for ABC as a midseason show. Green was an executive producer of Law & Order in 1993 and '94. "[Green's] career and reputation have marked him as one of the preeminent writers of world-class television and movies," Wolf tells The Hollywood Reporter. "It's truly an honor that he has decided to return to Wolf Films." Green and Wolf have known each other for two decades, since they worked together on Hill Street Blues. After leaving L&O in 1994, Green worked as a writer on Millennium a co-executive producer on NYPD Blue and ER. He shared Blue's Emmy win for best drama in 1995. He's also earned Emmy nominations for writing on both Blue' and Law & Order.
STUDIO BRIEFING, May 30, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. Law & Order, NBC, 12.9/21; 2. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 12.8/19; 3. The West Wing, NBC, 11.3/17; 4. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (9:00), CBS, 11.1/19; 5. Becker, CBS, 110./16; 6. Frasier, NBC, 10.8/17; 7. JAG, CBS, 9.8/16; 7. Judging Amy, CBS, 9.8/16; 9. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (8:00), CBS, 8.8/17; 10. "Academy of Country Music Awards," CBS, 8.6/14; 10. King of Queens (Monday 8:30), CBS, 8.6/13.
STUDIO BRIEFING, May 22, 2002 -- The top 10 shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. Friends, NBC, 21.1/34; 2. ER, NBC, 17.5/28; 3. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (9:00 p.m.), CBS, 16.3/25; 4. Will & Grace, NBC, 14.6/22; 5. Survivor Marquesas Finale (Sunday), CBS, 13.4/21; 6. Law & Order, NBC, 12.8/21; 7. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 12.7/19; 8. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (10:00 p.m.), CBS, 11.4/18; 9. Frasier, NBC, 11.3/17; 10. The Cosby Show: A Look Back, NBC, 11.2/17.
STUDIO BRIEFING, May 15, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. ER, NBC, 18.6/30; 2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 16.5/25; 3. Friends (8:00 p.m.), NBC, 15.4/26; 4. Friends (8:30 p.m.), NBC, 13.2/21; 5. Law & Order, NBC, 13.0/22; 6. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 12.5/19; 7. Survivor: Marquesas, CBS, 12.2/20; 8. Will and Grace, NBC, 11.5/17; 9. The West Wing, NBC, 11.2/18; 10: Law and Order: SVU, NBC, 11.2/20.
STUDIOBRIEF, IMDb, May 10, 2002 -- Joe Friday and his partner will be working the day watch out of homicide again if a new hour-long version of Jack Webb's Dragnet materializes as planned. Today's (Friday) Hollywood Reporter said that ABC plans to air the series -- which originated on radio in 1949 and aired on NBC from 1952-59 and from 1967-70 -- beginning midseason 2002-03. In an interview with the trade paper, writer producer Dick Wolf (Miami Vice, Law & Order) observed that Dragnet "provided the blueprint on which everything [in the cop-show genre] has been built." Wolf also said he had not yet decided whether the Joe Friday character will be revived, but presumably it's a safe bet that the dum-de-dum-dum theme will be.
STUDIO BRIEFING, May 8, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. ER, NBC, 16.6/27; 2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 15.9/24; 3. Friends (8:00 p.m.), NBC, 15.4/25; 4. Friends (8:30 p.m.), NBC, 13.1/21; 5. NBC 75th Anniversary Special, NBC, 12.7/21; 6. Law & Order, NBC, 12.5/21; 7. The West Wing, NBC, 11.4/18; 8. Survivor: Marquesas, CBS, 11.3/18; 9. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 11.2/16; 9. Law & Order: SVU, NBC, 11.2/20; 9. Will & Grace, NBC, 11.2/17.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, May 8, 2002 -- Eric Stoltz (“Jerry Maguire,” “Mask”) will guest-star in the topical season finale of NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Fridays, 10-11 p.m. ET) as a priest who is accused of molesting a young man who later admits to a murder. The episode, “Silence,” will be broadcast on Friday, May 17 (10-11 p.m. ET). When Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) are called to the scene of a murder in a church, they find that Bobby Douglas (guest star Sean Dugan), the young man responsible for the crime, had been receiving payoffs from the church to cover up his sexual abuse by a priest. Bobby’s accusations involve Father Michael (Stoltz) -- who also soon becomes a suspect in the detectives’ investigation. Dann Florek, Richard Belzer, Ice-T and Stephanie March also star.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, May 4, 2002 -- Last night’s episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” defeated its combined time-period competition in virtually every key demographic and total viewers to lead NBC to a decisive nightlong victory on the second Friday of the May sweep. Last night’s episode of “SVU,” which tied for the series’ fourth-highest 18-49 rating ever, featured guest appearances by Mary Steenburgen, Martha Plimpton and Estelle Parsons.
STUDIO BRIEFING, May 1, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: ER, NBC, 15.9/26; 2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 14.5/22; 3. Friends, NBC, 14.4/23; 4. Law and Order, NBC, 12.6/21; 5. The Bachelor Special, ABC, 12.2/18; 6. Friends, NBC, 12.0/18; 7. Survivor: Marquesas, CBS, 11.1/18; 8. 60 Minutes, CBS, 11/20; 9. CBS Sunday Movie: Living With the Dead Pt. 1, CBS, 10.4/16; 9. Everybody Loves Raymond: The First Six Years, CBS, 10.4/17.
STUDIO BRIEFING, April 24, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 13.9/22; 2. Survivor: Marquesas, CBS, 11.5/20; 3. Friends (8:30 p.m.), NBC, 11.2/19; 4. (tie) 60 Minutes, CBS, 10.9/20; 4. (tie) Friends (8:00 p.m.), NBC, 10.9/19; 6. (tie) Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 10.5/16; 6. (tie) Law & Order, NBC, 10.5/18; 8. Will & Grace, NBC, 10.4/17; 9. (tie) Becker, CBS, 8.9/14; 9. (tie) Primetime Thursday, ABC, 8.9/15.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, April 22, 2002 -- NBC has enjoyed strong performances from all three of its “Law & Order” dramas over the last three prime-time evenings. The regular Friday 10-11 p.m. ET episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” dominated that night, as usual, delivering NBC’s 28th Friday nightlong win among adults 18-49 in this season’s 30 weeks. Then Sunday’s regular “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” tied for second place in its hour among adults 18-49 and a special Sunday “Law & Order” led the 10-11 p.m. hour in virtually all key young-adult and male demographics.
STUDIO BRIEFING, April 17, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 13.7/21; 2. Law & Order, NBC, 13.1/22; 3. CBS Sunday Movie: The Pilot's Wife, CBS, 12.5/20; 4. Friends (8:00 p.m.), NBC, 11.7/20; 5. Friends (8:30 p.m), NBC, 11.5/19; 6. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 11.4/17; 7. Survivor: Marquesas, CBS, 11.1/19; 8. 60 Minutes, CBS, 10.9/21; 9. Will & Grace, NBC, 10.7/17; 10. King Of Queens, CBS, 10.3/16.
STUDIOBRIEF, IMDb, April 16, 2002 -- Diversity Takes A Dip. Seven programs appeared on the top-20 lists for both black and white households compiled last fall by Initiative Media -- down one from the record high of eight series in 2000. They included Monday Night Football, ER, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Judging Amy and 60 Minutes. Each of those programs, said Initiative Media's Stacey Lynn Koerner, featured African Americans in prominent roles. The top-rated program among blacks is Fox's The Bernie Mac Show, which ranks 94th (out of 121 primetime series) among whites.
STUDIO BRIEFING, April 10, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. ER, NBC, 18.2/30; 2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 16.1/25; 3. NCAA Basketball Championship, CBS, 15.0/24; 4. Friends, NBC, 14.7/24; 5. Law & Order, NBC, 12.8/22; 6. Survivor: Marquesas, CBS, 12.2/19; 7. The West Wing, NBC, 11.4/18; 8. Prelude to a Championship, CBS, 10.9/17; 9. Law & Order: SVU, NBC, 10.8/19; 10. 60 Minutes, CBS, 10.4/19; 10. Will & Grace, NBC, 10.4/16.
STUDIO BRIEFING, April 3, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. ER, NBC, 16.1/27; 2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 15.4/25; 3. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 13.9/21; 4. Friends, NBC, 13.7/23; 5. Law and Order, NBC, 13.1/23; 6. (tie) NCAA Basketball Championships (Saturday), CBS, 11.3/21; 6. (tie) Survivor: Marquesas, CBS, 11.3/19; 8. The West Wing, NBC, 11.2/18; 9. Yes, Dear, CBS, 10.9/17; 10. (tie) JAG, CBS, 10.3/17; 10. (tie) Judging Amy, CBS, 10.3/17.
STUDIO BRIEFING, March 27, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. Academy Awards, ABC, 25.4/42; 2. On the Red Carpet: Oscars 2002, ABC, 17.1/28; 3. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 13.4/20; 4. Friends, NBC, 13.0/21; 5. Survivor: Marquesas (Wednesday) 2, CBS, 12.6/20; 6. Barbara Walters Special, ABC, 11.8/20; 7. Becker, CBS, 11.5/18; 8. Law and Order, NBC, 11.1/20; 9. Leap of Faith, NBC, 10.0/16; 10. ER, NBC, 9.9/17.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, March 21, 2002 -- “Law & Order” equaled its combined time-period competition last night among adults 18-49 and beat the combined competition in total viewers, despite airing an encore episode against all first-run programming on the rival networks. According to updated in-home viewing statistics from Nielsen Media Research, it’s the second-highest “Law & Order” encore rating in nearly a year, since March 28, 2001. “Law & Order” averaged a 6.0 rating, 17 share among adults 18-49 and 16.2 million viewers overall. That matched the combined first-run competition of ABC’s “Downtown” (3.0/8 among adults 18-49, 7.3 million viewers) and CBS’ “48 Hours” (3.0/8 among adults 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall). “Law & Order” also beat the combined competition among men 18-49 and adults, men and women 25-54. The only encore episode of “Law & Order” to score a higher 18-49 rating since March 2001 was last week’s episode, the highest-rated rebroadcast in the drama’s 12-season history.
STUDIO BRIEFING, March 20, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. Friends, NBC, 13.6/22; 2. Law and Order, NBC, 11.6/20; 3. Survivor Marquesas (Wednesday), CBS, 11.5/19; 4. 60 Minutes, CBS, 11.2/19; 5. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 10.9/16; 6. JAG, CBS, 10.7/17; 7. Becker, CBS, 10.5/16; 7. Leap of Faith, NBC, 10.5/17; 7. Primetime Thursday, ABC, 10.5/17; 10. The West Wing, NBC, 10.0/16.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, March 14, 2002 -- NBC’s acclaimed drama “Law & Order” dominated its time period last night with an encore presentation that earned the highest adult 18-49 rating for a rebroadcast in the show’s 12-season history. In overall total viewers, it’s the most-watched “Law & Order” encore telecast in its 10 seasons as a Wednesday regular. According to updated in-home viewing statistics from Nielsen Media Research, last night’s rebroadcast of “Law & Order”(6.6 rating, 18 share among adults 18-49, 17.0 million viewers overall) beat the combined results of its first-run competition - ABC’s “Downtown” (2.9/8 among adults 18-49, 7.3 million viewers overall) and CBS’ “48 Hours” (2.6/7 among adults 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall) - in total viewers and virtually all key demographics. This is the highest 18-49 rating ever for a “Law & Order” rebroadcast. Last night’s viewer total of 17.0 million is the show’s highest for an encore telecast since Tuesday, January 21, 1992 and sets a series record for a Wednesday, where “Law & Order” has aired since the fall of 1992. Last night’s episode, involving the killing of a parolee, featured a guest appearance by Cathy Moriarty.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, March 12, 2002 -- Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”) and Mary Beth Hurt (“The World According to Garp”) will guest-star on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Fridays, 10-11 p.m. ET) as a married couple who are investigated by police after the husband arrives home to find his wife sexually assaulted and their home burglarized. The episode, “Greed,” will be broadcast on Friday, April 26 (10-11 p.m. ET). In the story, Winkler portrays a duplicitous married man who appears to take loving care of his recovering wife (Hurt) while Detectives Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Benson (Mariska Hargitay) discover a similar sexual assault and burglary in Brooklyn - and uncover some curious oddities in both cases.
STUDIOBRIEF / IMDb, March 7, 2002 -- Condit's Wife Claims NBC Show Defamed Her. Claiming that the Feb. 6 episode of Law & Order defamed her, Carolyn Condit, the wife of Congressman Gary Condit, has demanded a "retraction" from NBC and that it be featured at the beginning of an episode of the dramatic series "reasonably soon." Mrs. Condit objected to the storyline of the episode, which concerns the death of an aide to a state senator following her disappearance. It implies that the wife of another official may have been involved. "It is undeniable that the viewing public would identify Mrs. Condit as the wife depicted on the episode," a letter from her attorney said. Spokespersons for Studios USA, which produces the series, and for the network observed that the program is fiction and carries a disclaimer noting that "it does not depict any actual person or event."
NEW YORK, NY, March 06, 2002 (INTERNET WIRE via COMTEX) -- USA Network's Sunday, March 3 airing of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit scored its highest rating ever on the Network. The show, which airs Sundays at 11pm ET/PT, cemented its dominance among multipurposed shows by scoring primetime numbers in latenight -- an impressive 2.3 household rating, representing nearly 2 million households. The 2.3 rating on March 3 is up 89% from the show's previous four-week average (1.2).
STUDIO BRIEFING, March 6, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. Friends, NBC, 17.4/27; 2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 17.1/26; 3. E.R., NBC, 16.3/27; 4. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 14.0/21; 5. Leap of Faith, NBC, 14.0/21; 6. Survivor, CBS, 13.0/20; 7. Law & Order, NBC, 12.3/20; 8. Will & Grace, NBC, 12.1/18; 9. Grammy Awards, CBS, 11.9/19;10. 60 Minutes, CBS, 11.6/19.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, February 27, 2002 -- Three generations of actresses - Oscar winner Estelle Parsons (“Bonnie and Clyde”), Oscar winner Mary Steenburgen (“I Am Sam”) and Martha Plimpton (“Beautiful Girls”) - will likewise guest-star as three generations of women who share a horrific secret that’s haunted them for years in NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Fridays, 10-11 p.m. ET). Their casting marks a reunion of sorts for Steenburgen and Plimpton who starred together in the 1989 hit family feature film “Parenthood.” The episode, “Denial,” will be broadcast in May. In the storyline, Plimpton portrays a drug-addled daughter whose sexual assault at a party eventually unveils a lingering family secret implicating her icy mother (Steenburgen) in the possible murder of another child many years before.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, February 19, 2002 -- Judith Light -- who starred for eight seasons on the lighthearted hit comedy “Who’s the Boss?” -takes a dramatic series turn when she guest-stars on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Fridays, 10-11 p.m. ET) in a new recurring role as the tough new bureau chief of the investigative police unit. Light’s first episode, “Guilt,” is scheduled for broadcast on Friday, March 29 (10-11 p.m. ET). In her initial appearance, she begins as the new head of the S.V.U. legal division who crosses swords with Assistant D.A. Cabot (Stephanie March) over her handling of a complex child molestation case.
STUDIO BRIEFING, February 13, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies (Friday), NBC, 25.5/42; 2. Friends (8:00), NBC, 17.8/28; 3. E.R. NBC, 17.6/28; 3. Winter Olympics Sunday. NBC, 17.6/27; 5. Friends (8:30). NBC, 17.2/26; 6. Winter Olympics Saturday, NBC, 17.1/30; 7. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 15.8/23; 8. Will & Grace, NBC, 15.5/23; 9. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 13.5/20; 10. Law and Order, NBC, 12.6/20.
STUDIO BRIEFING, February 6, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. Super Bowl XXXVI, Fox, 40.4/61; 2. Fox Super Bowl Post Game, Fox, 24.7/39; 3. Friends, NBC, 17.8/28; 4. Friends (Special), NBC, 16.6/25; 5. E.R. NBC, 16.0/25; 6. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 14.8/22; 7. Law and Order, NBC, 13.7/23; 8. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 13.1/19; 9. Will & Grace, NBC, 13.0/19; 10 . The West Wing, NBC, 12.3/19.
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, January 26, 2002 -- -- NBC’s hit Friday drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” has delivered the network’s 17th victory among adults 18-49 and total viewers in 18 Fridays this season. According to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research, last night’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (5.7 rating, 17 share among adults 18-49, 16.7 million viewers) matched the program’s second-highest 18-49 rating ever. It was a case of complete time-period dominance for the Dick Wolf-created drama, which beat last night’s combined competition - ABC’s “20/20” (2.7/8 among adults 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall) and CBS’ “48 Hours” (1.7/5 among adults 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) - by 30 percent among adults 18-49 and by 1.8 million viewers overall. In fact, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” topped the hour’s combined ABC-CBS competition in virtually every key demographic, including adults, men and women 18-34; adults, men and women 18-49; and adults, men and women 25-54. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” has now won its time period among adults 18-49 on all 18 Fridays of the 2001-02 season to date.
STUDIO BRIEFING, January 24, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. Friends, NBC, 17.5/27; 2. AFC Divisional Playoff: Patriots vs. Raiders (Saturday), CBS, 17.4/29; 3. E.R. NBC, 16.8/27; 4. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 14.9/22; 4. Golden Globe Awards, NBC, 14.9/23; 6. Law and Order, NBC, 14.0/24; 7. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 13.4/20; 8. Will & Grace (8:30 p.m.) NBC, 12.8/19; 9. The West Wing, NBC, 12.5/19; 10. JAG, CBS, 11.8/18.
STUDIO BRIEFING, January 16, 2002 -- The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research: 1. E.R. NBC, 16.3/26; 2. Friends, NBC, 16.1/24; 3. Survivor: Africa, CBS, 14.7/22; 4. AFC/NFC Playoff Game 2, ABC, 13.9/24; 5. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 13.7/20; 6. 60 Minutes, CBS, 13.3/21; 6. Law and Order, NBC, 13.3/22; 8. NFL Monday Night Football, ABC, 12.3/20; 9. The West Wing, NBC, 12.1/18; 9. Will & Grace (8:30 p.m.), NBC, 12.1/18.
ZAP2IT, January 15, 2002 -- "Wolf Doing 'God's Work' With SVU"; While Law & Order gets plenty of media attention, creator Dick Wolf is complaining that it's spin-offs, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Criminal Intent are being ignored by the press. "I don't know why SVU and Criminal Intent are not getting written about more," Wolf complained to a roomful of reporters at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif. "Because all three shows in the last two weeks have been in the Top 20 [in ratings]. I don't know how many of you watch the show, but it has become truly extraordinary," he added, speaking of SVU in particular.
Wolf mentioned that a number of cops had approached him over the last year about the drama series, which deals with sex crime cases, complimenting the show on how it deals with its subject matter, which has some benefits in the real world. "Reporting of sexual crimes and crimes against women is up significantly in a lot of major cities and they have been very clear about giving credit to SVU," Wolf said. In addition, an episode dealing with New York's five-year statute of limitations for a rapist led to an examination by the state's legislature, according to Wolf. "I think the show is vastly under-appreciated by many of you and your colleagues in this room," he added. "We're doing God's work on that show." He also had words for Criminal Intent's lack of press, much of which has been devoted to the show's timeslot competitor, ABC's Alias. "You look at these two shows; one is a cartoon and one is really, really good television," he said. "Sorry."
WENN, January 11, 2002 -- Jodie Foster To Make Rare TV Appearance. Reclusive Oscar-winner Jodie Foster is set to make a guest appearance on the TV series Law & Order. The respected actress, who played a gang rape victim in The Accused and a child prostitute in Taxi Driver, will take on the role of a battered wife who murders her husband. Foster is thought to be a close friend of the writers behind the series and admits the acclaimed drama is one of the few programs she follows. She says, "It's a class act, and there aren't many around. I have never been a snob and said television is beneath me. It is always a question of the role."
ZAP2IT, January 10, 2002 -- "Orbach Says Being on 'Law & Order' Helps NYC": In the wake of Sept. 11's terrorist attack on New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., citizens across the country wanted to do their part to help the country heal from its wounds. New Yorker Jerry Orbach feels he is doing his part to help repair the city by starring on NBC's "Law & Order."
"Having the opportunity to do this in this long of an arc has given me, and is continuing to give me, a feeling that I'm doing something for the city and the people of it and for the cops," he told reporters at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif., on Wednesday (Jan. 9). "The way the city feels about us, it's like we're part of the good things that happen in the city."
"I can't go down and physically remove I-beams from the rubble of Sept. 11," he says. "But I get a feeling that we're helping in some way by the image we're portraying. It's that old like of the cops saying to me, 'Keep making us look good."
Unlike many of the show's other stars who have left the show for greener pastures, such as Chris Noth, Paul Sorvino, Jill Hennessey and Benjamin Bratt, Orbach says he plans on staying put.
"I've haven't been tempted to leave. The idea that I can stay home in New York as an actor and I don't have to be on the road and away from my wife… it's just been wonderful," he said. "I wouldn't want any other job, at least for the time being."
STUDIOBRIEF / IMDb, January 10, 2002 -- Moriarty Hospitalized After Attack In Canada. Former Law & Order star Michael Moriarty, whose alcohol addiction has landed him in U.S. and Canadian courts on various charges in the past, has now landed in the hospital after being attacked by three to five men in Vancouver following an evening of drinking. The Canadian Press wire service quoted sources as saying that the attack was unprovoked. The extent of Moriarty's injuries were not disclosed, although one TV report said that Moriarty was bleeding from both ears. The actor, who moved to Canada six years ago after condemning the policies of former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, is a Grammy, Tony and Emmy winner. The CP commented that since moving to Canada, "Moriarty has appeared a troubled man."
NBC ENTERTAINMENT, January 5, 2002 -- This week’s edition of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” has soared to series-record ratings among adults 18-49 and total viewers, according to preliminary “fast affiliate” in-home viewing statistics from Nielsen Media Research. Last night’s episode achieved a 6.1 rating, 17 share among adults 18-49 and 17.7 million viewers overall. The 6.1 rating eclipses the previous record for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” set February 18, 2000 with a special 9-10 p.m. ET episode (5.6/16). The total viewers count tops the previous series record set October 12, 2001 (17.2 million). The top-rated January 4 edition of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” featured guest star John Ritter and a powerful story involving a beaten pregnant woman and her missing fetus. “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” easily doubled any network competitor in the time period. In fact, the Dick Wolf-created hit drama beat the combined 10-11 p.m. ET competition -- CBS’ “48 Hours” (2.2/6 among adults 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall) and ABC’s “Vanished” (2.2/6 among adults 18-49, 5.6 million viewers overall) -- by 39 percent among adults 18-49 and 4.4 million viewers overall. NBC’s spectacular results from “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” delivered the network’s 14th Friday victory in 15 weeks this season and kept the network’s Friday lineup undefeated for the season in total viewers.
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