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Post by annabelleleigh on May 12, 2009 8:53:11 GMT -5
Sad news has come to me on good authority:
Because the mothership is still on the bubble, the show has lost one of its most talented writers -- Stephanie Sengupta. I understand she's taken a guaranteed gig with "The Ghost Whisperer" for next season. Her departure from L&O is reportedly amicable.
We all know Sengupta from her many early CI collaborations with Rene Balcer as well as her fine work these past two seasons for L&O original. I think her departure is a great loss to the L&O franchise but -- like many of you (I assume) -- I wish her well.
Meanwhile, the tumult continues at Wolf Films. The Hollywood Reporter has a story out today that NBC has passed on Wolf's cold case series (with Katee Sackhoff) "Lost and Found" and that he's trying to work a deal for it with USA network. Hargitay and Meloni are still unsigned for SVU, and no one knows the fate of a CI Season 9. Geez.
AL
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Post by tjara on May 12, 2009 10:07:02 GMT -5
Aw, that's sad. I don't watch the Mothership, but I liked Ms. Sengupta's work on CI, and she's a loss to the franchise.
It seems the sea is very stormy for the franchise right now...
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Post by NikkiGreen on May 12, 2009 10:44:53 GMT -5
Unfortunate loss for the mothership. Good luck to Ms. SenGupta on her new ventures, though.
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Post by Patcat on May 12, 2009 11:16:07 GMT -5
Great writer of some great episodes and friendly to this board. I wish her luck in her new endeavors, but she's a better writer than GHOST WHISPERER.
Patcat
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Post by jeffan on May 13, 2009 11:04:30 GMT -5
Bad news indeed and she will leave a vacuum in the writing team. Understandable given the circumstances.
I would think that Dick Wolf will have to do a hard-sell on USA given that they already air In Plain Sight.
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Post by annabelleleigh on May 15, 2009 11:20:24 GMT -5
No, I have no news but as we move toward May 19th (next Tuesday) when NBC Entertainment will announce its full fall schedule, I wanted to note the following:
NBC is the fourth-ranked broadcast network but in its own miserably failing universe the truth is that Law & Order original continues to be one of its strongest series. It's a workhorse -- consistently one of NBC's top 10 performers and often one of its top 5. This, according to Nielsen viewing numbers over the last few years.
The fact that there's no new deal yet for a 20th season conveys a serious lapse in judgment in the network's senior ranks. Yes, indeed, it is an expensive program to produce. Yes, Dick Wolf has a sweetheart ownership deal that no new producer (in this era of changing media habits and shrinking audiences) will ever be able to secure.
True, NBC's investment in L&O will never be as lucrative as for crap like the now anemic "Deal or No Deal." Or even for new dramas at which payrolls are much smaller and rights are much weaker.
However, for NBC, L&O is a symbol of its glory years. It stands for a commitment to something now rare at the network: Excellence. In storytelling. In artistry. In production values. In integrity of intent and -- more important -- success in execution.
It endures because its purpose stretches beyond mere entertainment. It investigates meaningful issues. It reflects deeply-held values. For millions of Americans (both casual and committed viewers), it comforts the spirit and satisfies the soul.
There are just two new stories left to Season 19. Not nearly enough. This show must go on.
AL
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Post by Patcat on May 15, 2009 12:19:55 GMT -5
And NBC throws LOCI reruns to the ratings wolves to fill empty spots in its schedule. (Shakes head in wonder.)
Is it evil of me to hope the Jay Leno experiement flames out like the Hindenburg?
Patcat
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Post by bermuda on May 15, 2009 12:51:50 GMT -5
AL-thanks for your constant updates. It's a pity that Stephanie Sengupta is leaving for Ghost Whisperer. I enjoy her writing. I might have to stop in on GH next year, to see her superior writing at work. As far as the Mothership goes, I did stop watching consistently a few yrs. ago but I do catch up usually at some point. I did watch the latest episode, "Exchange" which was very good. I'm a devoted LOCI and SVU fan (even though SVU's writing, imho, has taken a dive in the past years). I wish the 19th was here already so I would know what is happening as far LOCI. I know that some NBC shows such as Medium have been renewed for 13-18 eps for next season already. It's frustrating for all this to be up in the air. PatCat, it's not that I want Leno to fail, I do not see the appeal of an hour of Leno during primetime hours next season. If it works, good for him but I have a distinct feeling that it may not perform as well as expected. And it annoys me that 10pm slot will always be filled by Leno next season, which has forced NBC to shuffle, etc. Btw, I'm new to the board. I've been lurking for an extremely long time. I look forward to all the regular's who post on this board.
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Post by DonnaJo on May 15, 2009 14:00:41 GMT -5
Welcome Bermuda. I was also a long time lurker before I joined, so don't be embarrassed. ;D
Excellent big picture view, annabelle. With "ER" now gone, NBC really only has the Law & Orders as long running, well written scripted series that consistently deals with ethical & moral issues & ambiguities. What a shame to dump any of them, especially the mothership, in order to save money.
Would the network be so short sighted?
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Post by annabelleleigh on May 15, 2009 14:57:31 GMT -5
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Post by outerbankschick on May 15, 2009 21:42:12 GMT -5
Not evil at all Patcat. No offense to Leno, but I hope it turns out to be a big disappointment to the network. (And all the rest of the stupid reality/variety/fluff/nonsense shows can go down in flames, too!)
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angua
Detective
Posts: 281
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Post by angua on May 16, 2009 7:27:21 GMT -5
Here, here, outerbankschick.
I'm trying to imagine a Ghost Whiperer that does not suck. Even with Sengupta on the writing staff, the main character's actor cannot act whatsoever.
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