Post by NikkiGreen on Jun 6, 2007 14:28:56 GMT -5
ocregister
The Watcher: Picking 'L&O's' best cast
By MICHAEL HEWITT
Special to the Register
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
What's the best show in television history?
That's a topic we can debate forever. At their peaks, series such as "Seinfeld" and "The Sopranos" simply could not be missed. Classics such as "I Love Lucy" and "The Twilight Zone" maintain rabid followings after 50 years.
But what about a show that has never hit those heights, but has been consistently entertaining for nearly two decades?
What about "Law & Order"?
NBC recently renewed "Law & Order" for its 18th season, making it only the second prime-time drama to reach that mark. ("Gunsmoke" lasted 20 years.)
"Law & Order" has never been the best show on the air, but it's always been watchable.
Part of what has kept the show fresh is its constantly changing lineup. The roles are always the same – but the actors in them keep shifting.
More changes are coming next year. The latest report – hinted at in the season finale – is that Sam Waterston will step into the district attorney role, now that Fred Thompson is considering running for president in real life.
Another change will bring Jeremy Sisto on board, reportedly to replace Milena Govich as Jessie L. Martin's partner.
All of those changes suggest another discussion topic: Who did the best job in each of the roles?
Here is the Watcher's all-time, all-star "Law & Order" dream team:
• The detectives: Lenny Briscoe (Jerry Orbach; 1991-2004) and Mike Logan (Chris Noth; 1990-95). By far the hardest choice, as the casting of the street cops has been uniformly successful through the years. But the pairing of jaded wiseacre Lenny and hotheaded Logan brought a credible tension to the first half-hour of the show. (A nod to the very brief but very interesting coupling of Dennis Farina and Michael Imperiole.)
• Their boss: Lt. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkeson; 1991-present). Van Buren brings a wry sense of humor to the role. Capt. Donald Cragen (Dann Florek; 1990-93) was fine, but he's a better fit with the Special Victims Unit.
• The lead prosecutor: Jack McCoy (Waterston; 1994-present). This might seem like an easy choice, but watch some of the early episodes. Michael Moriarity was great as Ben Stone. Still, McCoy must get the nod, if only for his longevity.
• The assistant prosecutor: Abbie Carmichael (Angie Harmon; 1998-2001). This has been the biggest casting problem for the show over the years, with most of the characters too colorless or too un-prosecutorial. Harmon was the lone unqualified success. Jamie Ross (Carey Lowell; 1996-98) ranks a distant second.
• The D.A.: Arthur Branch (Thompson; 2002-07). Of the three district attorneys Manhattan has elected over the years, Branch is the one who seemed like a real politician. (I wonder why?) Adam Schiff (Steven Hill; 1990-2000) was perpetually dyspeptic and Nora Lewin (Dianne Wiest; 2000-02) was simply too nice.
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Personally, I think Adam Schiff was the best DA. And, I've always preferred Claire Kincaid and Jamie Ross over the rest.
The Watcher: Picking 'L&O's' best cast
By MICHAEL HEWITT
Special to the Register
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
What's the best show in television history?
That's a topic we can debate forever. At their peaks, series such as "Seinfeld" and "The Sopranos" simply could not be missed. Classics such as "I Love Lucy" and "The Twilight Zone" maintain rabid followings after 50 years.
But what about a show that has never hit those heights, but has been consistently entertaining for nearly two decades?
What about "Law & Order"?
NBC recently renewed "Law & Order" for its 18th season, making it only the second prime-time drama to reach that mark. ("Gunsmoke" lasted 20 years.)
"Law & Order" has never been the best show on the air, but it's always been watchable.
Part of what has kept the show fresh is its constantly changing lineup. The roles are always the same – but the actors in them keep shifting.
More changes are coming next year. The latest report – hinted at in the season finale – is that Sam Waterston will step into the district attorney role, now that Fred Thompson is considering running for president in real life.
Another change will bring Jeremy Sisto on board, reportedly to replace Milena Govich as Jessie L. Martin's partner.
All of those changes suggest another discussion topic: Who did the best job in each of the roles?
Here is the Watcher's all-time, all-star "Law & Order" dream team:
• The detectives: Lenny Briscoe (Jerry Orbach; 1991-2004) and Mike Logan (Chris Noth; 1990-95). By far the hardest choice, as the casting of the street cops has been uniformly successful through the years. But the pairing of jaded wiseacre Lenny and hotheaded Logan brought a credible tension to the first half-hour of the show. (A nod to the very brief but very interesting coupling of Dennis Farina and Michael Imperiole.)
• Their boss: Lt. Anita Van Buren (S. Epatha Merkeson; 1991-present). Van Buren brings a wry sense of humor to the role. Capt. Donald Cragen (Dann Florek; 1990-93) was fine, but he's a better fit with the Special Victims Unit.
• The lead prosecutor: Jack McCoy (Waterston; 1994-present). This might seem like an easy choice, but watch some of the early episodes. Michael Moriarity was great as Ben Stone. Still, McCoy must get the nod, if only for his longevity.
• The assistant prosecutor: Abbie Carmichael (Angie Harmon; 1998-2001). This has been the biggest casting problem for the show over the years, with most of the characters too colorless or too un-prosecutorial. Harmon was the lone unqualified success. Jamie Ross (Carey Lowell; 1996-98) ranks a distant second.
• The D.A.: Arthur Branch (Thompson; 2002-07). Of the three district attorneys Manhattan has elected over the years, Branch is the one who seemed like a real politician. (I wonder why?) Adam Schiff (Steven Hill; 1990-2000) was perpetually dyspeptic and Nora Lewin (Dianne Wiest; 2000-02) was simply too nice.
************
Personally, I think Adam Schiff was the best DA. And, I've always preferred Claire Kincaid and Jamie Ross over the rest.