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Paris Enquêtes Criminelles ~ the French version of LO:CI

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Thank you to Seb of lawandorder-fr.com and VDO Vault!

Producers prepare for possible strike

Los Angeles Times
By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times
4.24.07

Schedules for TV shows and movies are moved up ahead of contract talks with writers.

excerpted ~

Guild leaders have alleged that studios are trying to scare writers by suggesting they are stockpiling scripts and shows. There has been little evidence of a large-scale stockpiling like there was in 2001, when fear of strikes by actors and writers caused a major acceleration of production.

"We've never seen stockpiling to be a significant negotiating strategy," said Chuck Slocum, assistant executive director of the Writers Guild of America, West. "We don't see any reason a deal cannot be reached and we look forward to negotiating to that end."

Nonetheless, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has started shooting its ninth season, two months earlier than usual.

"I firmly believe that the potential for a strike is much greater and more ominous than many people are saying," said Dick Wolf, the show's executive producer. "Therefore, we're going to make as many episodes as possible before a strike takes place." Full article.

'Law & Disorder,' Part 2: No More Noth?

By Roger Friedman Fox News
4.24.07

'Law & Disorder,' Part 2: No More Noth?
I told you yesterday about the turmoil at Dick Wolf's "Law & Order" shows on NBC. Here's a little more.

Wolf, sources say, is in a huge cost cutting move at the moment to keep classic "L&O" and "Criminal Intent" on the air. For the former show he has already fired a producer and is thinking of axing the actors who play the cops. He would replace them with younger, cheaper people.

For "Criminal Intent," it's a different story. There is talk that Wolf has suggested eliminating long time "L&O" player Chris Noth from "CI." Noth came on in 2006 to alternate episodes with Vincent D'Onofrio. The latter actor had become very difficult and the company required a soothing change.

But D'Onofrio, they say, has calmed down. He is also less expensive than Noth, who is such a bona-fide star that he could easily carry his own show. On top of that, Noth has already gone through one co-star, Annabella Sciorra. Now I'm told that Julianne Nicholson, who replaced Sciorra, is already not coming back thanks to her pregnancy.

Here's an interesting theory about why "CI" might survive while classic "L&O" might not. Apparently, "CI" is a hit in France, where the scripts are refilmed with French actors. The French production company pays a high fee for this.

"They don't like the original 'Law & Order' because their judicial system doesn't allow for the way the show is divided between the cops and lawyers," an observer said. "'CI' is much easier for them to replicate."

Stay tuned. ...

*********************************************
Part One of this story, 4.23.07
- thank you to SEP

It's chaos in the world of Dick Wolf and "Law & Order."

Last year at this time, we told you NBC was going to cancel the series after 17 seasons and countless, ceaseless reruns in syndication. But our story did the trick, and the network relented.

Now NBC is sharpening its ax again, looking at both classic "L&O" and spin-off "Criminal Intent" as prime shows to cross off its schedule for next year.

Last week, Variety and other outlets noted this situation, but there was plenty they missed and some things they could not know. The latter included the newest dilemma at NBC about Alec Baldwin and "30 Rock."

Will the peacock's feathers withstand one of its stars calling his 11-year-old daughter a "rude, thoughtless pig"?

Meanwhile, NBC is still dealing with the quiet demise of "Studio 60 on Sunset Strip." That hour must be filled next season.

And then there's all the weird stuff going on in the Wolf's den to keep the two shows on the air. "Law & Order: SVU" has already been renewed; it's a bona-fide hit.

Already told she's out at "Law & Order" is producer Jamie Crowell Blank. She was a controversial presence anyway based on a still unsettled sexual harassment brought by a former staffer.

Wolf is also telling insiders that if "Law & Order" is renewed, he's dumping Jesse L. Martin and Milena Govich, who play the cops on the show.

Wolf is coming up with a plan to cut the show's weekly budget in half, and replacing those actors with less expensive ones would be a way to do that, sources say.

But there's another problem on "Law & Order": S. Epatha Merkerson, the much-admired actress who has been with the show from the start, is unhappy.

Merkerson, who plays a desk-bound cop, has been complaining for years of not having enough airtime. Lately scripts have had her out on investigations, but Merkerson's recent raft of awards and nominations for HBO's "Lackawanna Blues" has emboldened her to make demands and to consider leaving the show altogether.

New Films

Vincent will appear in a new film titled "The Narrows".
The film will also feature actors Kevin Zegers ('Mike Manadoro')"Transamerica", Sophia Bush('Kathy Popovich')"The Hitcher", and Eddie Cahill ('Nicky Shades') "CSI:NY"

TITLE: THE NARROWS, Feature Film.
EXEC PROD: Michael Nozik
PROD: Leslie Urdang, Ami Armstrong
DIR: Francois Velle
SCR: Tatiana Blackington.
Shoot Dates: April, 2007 (in New York).

STORY: The film is about 21 years old Mike Manadoro struggling to find his place within two worlds; the life he wants, as an aspiring photographer and promising NYU student, and the life his father seems to want for him: making fast money running dangerous, mysterious errands for the neighborhood mobster. Details.

Thank you to my friend, Steve

********************************************************

We have also received confirmation that Vincent will appear in "Staten Island", directed by James Demonaco. Vincent plays the leader of a Staten Island mob ring. Stars Ethan Hawke.

Thank you to Moderator Rowe, from the NBC LO:CI boards
*******************************************************

**Both films are small indie films.
**Both films are currently filming in NYC - as of 4.23.07

OVER & OUT? Creator hoping to save Law & Order, spinoff

By Bill Carter, NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
4.22.07

The future of Law & Order, one of the most enduringly popular shows in television history, will be decided over the next few weeks as its network, NBC, and its creator, Dick Wolf, mull over a wrenching decision:

Is it finally time to shut down production of a series that has churned out almost 400 episodes, fueled ratings for several cable channels with its voluminous repeats and spawned two successful spinoffs, all the while generating enormous profits for both NBC and Wolf? More.

Thanks Denise

Interview about "Brother's Keeper"

Thank you to Lisa H. and to Eliza.
Thank you to 895654 from Imdb boards for the link.

Interview with Vincent on BreakTV

CI Intern

Read Jason's blog, "a Michigan college student thrown into the Big Apple to work as an intern for Law & Order: Criminal Intent."

Thanks Barb

Gene D'Onofrio's Light Repertory Co.

Williams and his very desperate women
by Alison Harman
3.12.07

~ interview with Gene D'Onofrio

-excerpted
Both D'Onofrio's children have followed in their father's footsteps. His daughter, Elizabeth D'Onofrio, is an actress, film producer, acting coach and a cofounder of the Run River Film Festival in Winston-Salem. His son, Vincent D'Onofrio is an actor and plays the character Robert Goren on NBC's Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

"That's my little boy. Well, he's actually not so little anymore, he's 6'4"… I started [him] off in community theater, and then he went on to acting," D'Onofrio said. "[My children] are both extremely talented." Full article.

Thanks Judy


Gene D'Onofrio