'Law & Order' DA subpoena for (Senator Fred) Thompson

Yahoo! News/Hollywood Reporter ^ | 8.16.02 | Nellie Andreeva

[mhking]

'Law & Order' DA subpoena for Thompson Thu Aug 15, 3:52 AM ET

Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Sen. Fred Thompson is on track to be the new chief prosecutor on Dick Wolf's long-running NBC drama "Law & Order," sources said.

The Republican senator from Tennessee is poised to join the cast of the Emmy-winning drama from Wolf Films and Universal Network Television in the fall as a regular. The deal will mark the first foray into series television for the lawyer and former actor, who appeared in 18 films before he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994.

In "Law & Order," Thompson will play a newly appointed district attorney assigned to supervise assistant district attorneys Jack McCoy ( Sam Waterston) and Serena Southerlyn ( Elisabeth Rohm). He is set to fill the void left by the departure of Dianne Wiest, who played the district attorney during the past two seasons.

Thompson, whose Senate term ends in January, also is expected to appear on NBC's other two "Law & Order" series, "Special Victims Unit" and "Criminal Intent," sources said.

The district attorney role on "Law & Order" will showcase Thompson's two careers in law and acting.

After early success as a lawyer in Tennessee and Washington, Thompson was appointed as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee at age 30.

As assistant U.S. attorney for Tennessee in 1977, he took the case of Marie Ragghianti, the former chair of Tennessee's parole board who sued the state over her dismissal, charging that Gov. Ray Blanton was involved in a cash-for-clemency scheme. Ragghianti was exonerated, and the scandal, which led to the toppling of Blanton, became the subject of a best-selling book and the 1985 feature "Marie: A True Story," with Sissy Spacek. Thompson, who originally was hired as a consultant on the movie, was later cast to play himself.

Thompson's acting debut in "Marie" was followed by roles in such movies as "The Hunt for Red October," "In the Line of Fire," "Die Hard 2" and "No Way Out."

Thompson played a senator in the 1993 feature "Born Yesterday." The next year, he won Al Gore ( news - web sites)'s seat in the Senate for the remaining two years of the vice president's term and was re-elected in 1996. Earlier this year, Thompson said he will resign at the end of his term, citing personal reasons.

"Law & Order," which also stars Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin and S. Epatha Markerson, is set to return for its 13th season Oct. 2. The show recently received its record 11th consecutive Emmy nomination in the best drama category. It won the top drama series statuette in 1987.

The flagship series of the formidable "Law & Order" franchise has become known for its constant casting changes, including the departure of such actors as Steven Hill, Angie Harmon, Benjamin Bratt and Chris Noth. The changes, however, have not affected the performance of the veteran show, which has been a consistent ratings winner for NBC in the Wednesday 10 p.m. period. Last year, "Law & Order" was the seventh most-watched program on broadcast TV with an average of 18.7 million viewers and ranked 11th in adults 18-49 with a 7.0 rating/19 share.

NBC, Universal TV and Wolf Films declined comment Wednesday. Calls to Thompson's office were not returned by press time.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Showing that this show is a complete fantasy.

After all, how could a republican southerner get elected DA in Manhattan?

;-)


Seriously, however, this show "jumped the shark" years ago, when every episode because the exact same formula": plot "ripped from the headlines," with startling twist in the third act to reveal that killer was actually...the white businessman.

Not to mention the fact that every frikkin episode had the exact same scene where McCoy's boss tells McCoy and his female assistant du jour to settle the case and, just as they were discussing why or why not to do so, the mail would deliver the defense attorney's motion to dismiss or suppress the evidence.

Every frikkin episode.

Scooby Doo plots have more variety.

[ken5050]

just wondering how many of your scripts they've rejected?....(g)

[Behind Liberal Lines]

They don't use script writers. They have one of those "mad libs" books and a daily copy of the New York Post.

[billbears]

Hey watch it. I like the Law and Order variation that has Ice-T on it. While I didn't agree with his political views a decade ago, he is a good actor. And I'll agree that they do have the same formula on many episodes, it does work

[holyscroller]

Maybe he should go back to acting. He's sure been a disappointment as a Senator. Then again, maybe he's just been acting as one.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I like this show.

The plot is simple, and all business. There is no delving into the characters' private lives.

The stars don't spend their time in each other's bed, which is nice for a change.

The popularity of the show without the gratuitous sex, says something about its quality.

[Coop]

I wonder why Nora left the show. She just got there! I liked her.

[denydenydeny]

His voting record is not that bad--he did vote to convict Clinton.

But when he allowed John Glenn to deep-six the Chinagate investigation (in return for his shuttle flight bribe), that was unforgivable. Unforgivable.

[B-Chan]

Yeah, but how can you not love Lenny Briscoe? Always with the droll Noo Yawk humor, usually while sipping coffee over corpse. Jerry Orbach rules.

Of course, since Claire Kincaid died in that tragic t-boning, it just hasn't been the same. Claire forever... B-chan

[Inkie]

Yes, I like those new L&O permutations. My favorite is Criminal Intent with Vincent D'Onofrio. I do think that "Sergeant Green" brought some bite back to the original L&O, though. He is a bit of a bad boy. They could get rid of the sermonizing by Sam Waterston, though he does get some good lines reflecting that sometimes a situation is so complex there is no right answer to it.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Yeah, but how can you not love Lenny Briscoe? Always with the droll Noo Yawk humor, usually while sipping coffee over corpse. Jerry Orbach rules.

Orbach is good, but I was always more partial to the Paul Sorvino character. In part because they didnt delve into his personal life the way they do with Orbach's (troubled daughter, drinking problem, etc.) Of course, since Claire Kincaid died in that tragic t-boning, it just hasn't been the same. Claire forever... B-chan

Yeah, but she's soooo much cuter in "Crossing Jorden" Drool.... (too bad that show's no good either).

[Rummyfan]

Yes I had a major thing for Claire Kincaid / Jill Hennessy. For that matter Angie Harmon too. The show has declined in the last couple of years - maybe Nora leaving and Fred entering will shake things up. As always Lenny Briscoe is CLASSIC.

Who can argue with the formula? First half hour, the search for the perp. The second half hour, the trial and punishment phase.

too bad they won't bring back Adam Schiff (can't remember the actor's name).

[WindMinstrel]

I was an interrogator in the Army, and lemme tell you, D'Onofrio has that part down pat. They have some good consultants for that show.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

I like the Law and Order variation that has Ice-T on it. While I didn't agree with his political views a decade ago, he is a good actor.

Watching two cop haters like him and Belzer play cops ruins that show for me. I could sort of tolerate Belzer on "Homocide" but then that show also had Ned Beatty, Andre Braugher and Yappet Koto.

And I'll agree that they do have the same formula on many episodes, it does work

Well, it worked for "scooby doo" also. I just got tired of it.

I used to really like L&O back in the days of Michael Moriarity, when you were never sure if they would win the case. It wasn't as formulaic back then.

[B-Chan]

A rumor went around earlier this year that Miss Hennessey might return to the cast of L&O (as Claire Kincaid!) next year. We shall see.

(Personally, I prefer her put-together lawyer look as Claire K. to her Dr. Jordan Cavannaugh Crossing Jordan look -- the latter is much too glam for my taste. If Hennessy comes back to L&O, I hope they bring Ken "White Shadow" Howard with her -- he's one of the best small-screen actors around and has always been a favorite.)

After Claire, my favorite Jack McCoy sidekick is ADA Serena Southerlyn, played by knockout Elisabeth Röhm. Her cool Teutonic looks and preppie Sarah Lawrence style are a winning combination.

My favorite L&O actors after Mr. Orbach are Benjamin Bratt (Det. Rey Curtis -- a good actor, recently promoted to big-screen duty) and the incomparable Michael Moriarty as Executive ADA Ben Stone ("I'm a Catholic, sir; I can feel guilty about anything.")

B-chan

[egarvue]

I loved Jill Hennessy as Claire on L&A, too. But I don't see how on earth they could bring her back - she's dead. Unless....the last scene we saw of her was her getting hit by the car with Lenny. We never actually saw her die. Hmmmmm........

Anyway, Crossing Jordan is a good show in its own right, different from L&A in that you do delve into the character's personal lives - I like L&A as a better show, but I cared about Crossing Jordan's characters more. Either way, I'm glad to see she's on TV no matter what!

[Rummyfan]

"I'm a Catholic, sir; I can feel guilty about anything."

Love that quote...... Actually, I at first didn't like it when they dropped Richard Brooks and brought on Jill Henessy. I quickly changed my mind! Still prefer Michael Moriarty too - I have watched so many reruns on A&E that I think the new episodes don't stand up. Really liked Chris Noth as Mike Logan. S. Epatha what's-her-name I can take or leave..... I even liked Carey Lowell till I found out she was married to Richard Gere - she was supposed to be smart!

Have never checked out CROSSING JORDAN... will have to give it a watch.

[B-Chan]

The funny thing is that the character of ADA Paul Robinette (Richard Brooks) was axed by the direct order of the NBC Television brass -- who insisted that the L&O cast was a 'boys' club" and demanded that Wolff add women characters for balance. Ironically, they succeeded in eliminating the only black regular on the show (besides Lt. Anita VanBuren [S. Epatha Merkerson]) until the advent of Jesse L. Martin's Det. Edward Green character.

By the way: J.K. Stevens, who plays police psychiatrist Dr. Emil Skoda, is also a fine actor.

I don't actually watch L&O that much (I own a small freelance practice and am too busy for TV most nights) but I still enjoy the occasional episode when time permits.

Ripped From the Headlines,

B-chan

[ItsOurTimeNow]

"By the way: J.K. Stevens"

Quick correction, it's J.K. Simmons, I think. But I agree, he's fantastic. He played the role of J. Jonah Jameson in this summer's Spiderman, and also plays Leader of the Aryan Nation - Vern Schillinger on HBO's prison drama 'Oz'.