Post by DonnaJo on Jun 14, 2009 9:06:06 GMT -5
Rene Balcer, who is always honest, speaks out on the new timeslot his show has been given by NBC, and other matters.... ;D
LAW AND ORDER CANUCK GUNS FOR WESTERN RECORD
By Lisa Wilton, Sun Media
June 12, 2009
There aren't many shows that can boast the kind of success and longevity Law & Order has enjoyed since hitting TV screens in 1990.
In fact, Gunsmoke is the only program that has made it into its second decade, holding onto the title of longest running live-action TV show for 34 years. But when Law & Order's new season begins this fall, it will tie that record set in 1975.
"It will be nice to shove it up to the 21st season to actually beat Gunsmoke," says writer and executive producer Rene Balcer.
"After that, I just don't care."
Balcer, who is a master class speaker at this year Banff World Television Festival, realizes the crime procedural is seen as old hat by TV viewers who prefer the slicker and gorier action of CSI and Criminal Minds.
But Law & Order and spin-offs Criminal Intent and Special Victims Unit do have their loyal fans.
The addition of fresh blood to the L&O cast has shaken up the series.
"But it's hard to say what's the right way to do things because there haven't been any shows that been around this long. We're kind of in uncharted territory."
The Montreal native joined Law & Order during its first season and spent 10 years writing for the show before creating Criminal Intent.
After overseeing CI for five years, he returned to the original Law & Order production three years ago.
Balcer says as Law & Order progressed, writers had to delve more deeply into the intricacies of the American legal system.
"A lot of the law stuff at the beginning was pretty primitive," he recalls. "It'd be like, 'Oh my God, they went into the house without a search warrant!' And that would be the premise for the whole show.
"The audience is (now) much more sophisticated."
"They stuck us at 8 p.m. on Friday nights, which is not a great time slot," says Balcer.
"But even in the cave that they stuck us in, we're going to scream and shout. My motto for this year is taken from Glenn Close (in Fatal Attraction) 'We will not be ignored.'"
www.edmontonsun.com/entertainment/tv/2009/06/12/9772906-sun.html
LAW AND ORDER CANUCK GUNS FOR WESTERN RECORD
By Lisa Wilton, Sun Media
June 12, 2009
There aren't many shows that can boast the kind of success and longevity Law & Order has enjoyed since hitting TV screens in 1990.
In fact, Gunsmoke is the only program that has made it into its second decade, holding onto the title of longest running live-action TV show for 34 years. But when Law & Order's new season begins this fall, it will tie that record set in 1975.
"It will be nice to shove it up to the 21st season to actually beat Gunsmoke," says writer and executive producer Rene Balcer.
"After that, I just don't care."
Balcer, who is a master class speaker at this year Banff World Television Festival, realizes the crime procedural is seen as old hat by TV viewers who prefer the slicker and gorier action of CSI and Criminal Minds.
But Law & Order and spin-offs Criminal Intent and Special Victims Unit do have their loyal fans.
The addition of fresh blood to the L&O cast has shaken up the series.
"But it's hard to say what's the right way to do things because there haven't been any shows that been around this long. We're kind of in uncharted territory."
The Montreal native joined Law & Order during its first season and spent 10 years writing for the show before creating Criminal Intent.
After overseeing CI for five years, he returned to the original Law & Order production three years ago.
Balcer says as Law & Order progressed, writers had to delve more deeply into the intricacies of the American legal system.
"A lot of the law stuff at the beginning was pretty primitive," he recalls. "It'd be like, 'Oh my God, they went into the house without a search warrant!' And that would be the premise for the whole show.
"The audience is (now) much more sophisticated."
"They stuck us at 8 p.m. on Friday nights, which is not a great time slot," says Balcer.
"But even in the cave that they stuck us in, we're going to scream and shout. My motto for this year is taken from Glenn Close (in Fatal Attraction) 'We will not be ignored.'"
www.edmontonsun.com/entertainment/tv/2009/06/12/9772906-sun.html
