Posted on 08/16/2002 7:54:43 AM PDT by 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.
Interestingly enough, they had Robinette (Brooks) come back for an episode where he played a defense attorney. Did you catch that episode? I thought it was good because, when I see the older repeats on A&E, I can see how his character could become the fervent "black rights" supporter they wrote him as in the episode I mentioned.
Anymore I can't see L&O anymore, as most television, since I've become a full fledged internet addict, but the L&O's I sometimes catch seem ok.
SVU holds the record for most PC attacks in 2 seasons: 1. Conservative Universities.
2. Anti-Abortion activists.
3. Anything said by Ice-T and the conspiracy nut from "Homicide".
I don't see what good Fred Thompson will do here.
Can't he do something useful like go after Republicans bought by the ChiCom lobby? Instead he will be sucking up to the Ochs-Sulzburger clan.
PS.I miss Paul Sorvino and Michael Moriarty.
As I recall, Moriarty, allegedly one of Hollywood's few conservatives, "quit" the show (some would say he was forced out) because he was disgusted with producer Dick Wolf's increased pandering to the Clinton administration.
If so, that would explain the sharp turn to the left when Watterson took over.
This is not quite accurate. If I remember correctly, Fred Thompson had a recurring role on the Wiseguy series with Ken Wahl in the 80s. Thompson played a evangelist/con man whose organization was overrun by white supremcists.
Anyway, I hope this means that Sam "hear me shout" Waterston is leaving the show.
And it hardly matters anyway since the Law and Order to watch is Criminal Intent with Vincent D'Onofrio.
You are probably thinking of Kevin Spacey, as the drug lord who was far too fond of his sister. Wahl was sweet on her also.
Like...for the History Channel, this is Sam Waterson.
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