RIP Law & Order

Watched the two NBC eps tonight. Still a great show. It's kind of like the Rod Carew of TV. Consistent, almost to a fault. My favorite episodes have always been those that go from the projects to Park Avenue. The writing actually requires research and provides more depth into the criminal justice system than most newspapers. It's not sexy, there are no stunts, flashbacks, forward or sideways, but it's always good storytelling.

 

NBC canceled JAG after one season. CBS picked it up and it ran for 10 more seasons.

 

Sirs, Madames,

If only it could go to HBO, an even grittier, nastier L & O.

L & O should have a HOF for guest stars. I'd say that those considered would have to be in reruns for five years.

George Grizzard as Arthur Gold
Lisa Eichhorn as Mary Kostrinski (and others)
Ron Leibman as Mark Kopell (mob lawyer)
Bruce Altman and Christine Baranski as Harv and Katherin Biegal
Matthew Cowles as Lemonhead Tatum
Larry Miller as Dobson
Graham Sack as Colin Harrigan
David Groh as Judge Thayer (and others)
John Ramsey as Judge Walter Schreiber

o-<

 

Don't forget Elaine Stritch.

 

And Lorraine Toussaint as Shambala Green.

 

Glynnis O'Connor was an occasional guest star as an opposing lawyer; Mia Sara as well.

Edward Herrmann too, as an upper-crust crook of some sort.

 

I think he was an anti-abortionist condoning clinic bombings. But with L&O, it could be all of the above..

 

Denis O'Hare has got to be a first-ballot entry. He's been a yuppie who beats the shit out of a homeless guy with rebar; a schizophrenic who hacks up a beauty salon and then defends himself; a militia leader; and a priest who kills a drug dealer.
I think he's 2-for-3 on his acquittal rate, with one tie (the schizo, who went back to the insane asylum after he went off his meds and melted down in the courtroom).

 

L.A. Law & Order, starring Harry Hamlin as the sexy but tough prosecutor.

Or starring Jill Eikenberry as the crusty old prosecutor who's now a lesbian because she was married to Michael Tucker.

Or starring Corbin Bernsen as the Z-move actor prosecutor.

Or starring Whoever Played Roxanne as the homely prosecutor.

Or starring What's His Face as the mentally-challenged prosecutor.

 

Mr Guy,

Wasn't Ed Hermann the cult leader whose act included faux crucifixion (palms bleeding on the stand) that led to mass suicide of his followers? Dovetails nicely with The Lost Boys (where he was the love interest for the future DA.)

o-<

 

Ahem. This list does not include Tovah Feldshuh as defense attorney Danielle Melnick, and is therefore incomplete!

 

Jeanne Garafaolo was also a guest star, in a quite subdued performance.