Post by kacesq on Apr 22, 2011 12:08:31 GMT -5
So apparently there was a conference call for the media yesterday with Dick Wolf and Vincent D'Onofrio. Here are two stories on it; I'm showing both because each has something the other one doesn't...hopefully someone will post a complete transcript so I can over-analyze.
www.tvline.com/2011/04/dick-wolf-law-order-criminal-intent-reprieve/
Dick Wolf must be feeling a bit of deja vu this spring. Just as a year ago he was lobbying for NBC to pick up the original Law & Order for a 21st season (allowing it to set a record as TV’s longest-running drama series), the L&Overlord is now hoping that Criminal Intent‘s imminent 10th season won’t be — as announced by USA Network — its last.
“Being the unbridled optimist that I am, I still have hope that this is a ‘victory lap’ and not a ‘swan song,’” Wolf said during a Thursday conference call. “Based on the work so far, I think the audience is going to be very happy, relieved, and welcoming… and hopefully enough fans will come out so the powers-that-be reconsider their decision.”
Jay Mohr to Channel Charlie Sheen on Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Weighing in Criminal Intent‘s favor, of course, is the much anticipated return of two original series leads, Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe (as Detectives Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames) — not that Wolf ever wanted them long gone in the first place.
“It was never a decision to have them disappear into the wilderness,” Wolf says of the duo’s single-season extraction, during which Jeff Goldblum rode solo as Detective Zach Nichols. Looking forward, Wolf says, “I don’t think Vincent and Katie have been any better ever in the series. [Criminal Intent] is back to the power of the first two seasons.”
Criminal Intent Lines Up Guest Stars for Final Season
Of course, there is the none-too-small matter of getting Goren back onto the Major Cases Squad, fired as he was for insubordination at the start of Season 9. That segue is orchestrated by a new captain, Joseph Hannah (played by Jay O. Sanders), whom Goren knows from the police academy.
There’s also a bit of head-shrinking involved in Goren’s comeback. As Wolf explains, “In getting him back in the good graces of the police department, part of the agreement was for him to go back into psychological counseling.” As such, there will be one scene per episode where Goren meets with a therapist played by Julia Ormond (CSI: NY).
Those scenes, Wolf says, “will answer some questions that have been hanging since the first season, and over the course of [Season 10's] eight episodes you’re going to see something about the redemptive power of psychotherapy. This is an attempt to move [Goren] back to the psychologically complete detective that he was in the first season of the show.”
Whether this run of episodes kicking off Sunday, May 1, at 8/7c, is a “swan song” or “victory lap,” Wolf says, “This has been a great experience…. There is a real power in seeing this show come back at full-octane, with stories that are really interesting.”
Will you be tuning in for Criminal Intent‘s return?
----------------------------------------------
And from The Voice of TV:
thevoiceoftv.com/blog/law-order-criminal-intent-the-return-of-goren-and-eames/34531
When Dick Wolf got a call from USA network asking if he would like to bring back Law & Order: Criminal Intent with original Detectives Robert Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Kathryn Erbe (Alexandra Eames) for a final season, he didn’t have to think twice. “Being the optimist that I am, I think there is real power in seeing this show come back at full fire power and renewed energy. We all hope that this is a victory lap as opposed to a swan song.”
During a conference call hosted by USA network Thursday, D’Onofrio and Wolf discussed the series’ return May 1st for the 10th season and were enthusiastic about the renewed energy the return brings and hopeful that audiences will want to see more.
“The work the cast and crew are doing is better now than in the last six years, and in my 30 years of experience, it’s as good as episodic TV gets.” Wolf went on to explain that 22 years ago (when the original Law & Order franchise was born), “I had no idea this would evolve and go on this long; I was just hoping to get 22 decent episodes out. Law & Order was very different for TV back then; it did not start out with a bang, it was an acquired taste.”
It was a taste widely acquired, as the franchise went on to become a dynasty and spawned versions in Europe, Russia, and the UK, as well as the current American versions Criminal Intent, Special Victims Unit, and Law & Order: LA.
D’Onofrio was enthusiastic about returning to reprise his roll as Goren, and to reunite with his former on-screen partner.
“Dick has supported me and my feelings about this show. You have to trust his intuition and his instinct. I was ready after the time off to go back to the feeling and the tone that we had in the first 4 seasons. On the first day, even in the first scenes, I put the suit back on and I was rockin’ – it just felt right. It wasn’t hard at all.
It was great to work with Katherine again. We are at ease with each other. We knew each other before working on the show, I can’t imagine anyone else playing that part and it just works – it never fails.”
Just what can L&O: Criminal Intent fans expect for this special eight episode “final season?”
Both Wolf and D’Onofrio are quick to jump in and assure me that they are not approaching this season as a final one.
“There is renewed energy there. The series has more stories to tell; we haven’t run out of steam. I can not imagine this is going to be the end of this show,” Wolf explains. “It’s operating better now than anytime in the last 4 years. Everyone is at the top of their game. I am an optimist; I think a lot of our old audience will watch again, and they are going to want more.”
D’Onofrio agrees and is eager to explore his character as he comes to terms with his past.
“It starts with the scripts, and then the ideas come from there. I hope this isn’t the last season, that people react to this as I have reacted to it and see this is some of the best work of the series and want to see more. This is more than just a collection of episodes; after 10 years, this is a life you see unfolding every week. I think it’s fascinating.”
This season sees the addition of actor Julia Ormond playing a psychiatrist who Goren is required to see as a condition of his return to the Major Case Squad. These scenes provide an opportunity for the viewer to gain new insight into the character.
“We really get to the bottom of Goren, and there is a kind of freedom that comes from these scenes with her character and mine in a room, and you get to learn things that have been hanging for a long time. Goren returns to top form, and it’s going to be entertaining and surprising.”
What do we tell fans about the prospects for future seasons?
“Well, everyone working on this season is hoping that people tune in in the kind of numbers they tuned in 4 or 5 years ago. If the season outperforms what the networks expect it to do, they will want more. I believe in how good the show is. Anyone who has ever liked Vincent in the past should tune in; they will be impressed. This show has legs and staying power; if we get the viewers back the network will want more. So it’s in the hands of the viewers.” Wolf goes on to remind viewers, “Tivo doesn’t count. If you want to see more of this show you have to tune in. We are hoping for a stay of execution here.”
Law & Order: Criminal Intent returns May 1st on USA network and on the CTV network in Canada. Photos courtesy of USA network.
----------------------
Sounds like Dick and Vincent want the show to go on. I hope we get an interview with KE at some point.
www.tvline.com/2011/04/dick-wolf-law-order-criminal-intent-reprieve/
Dick Wolf must be feeling a bit of deja vu this spring. Just as a year ago he was lobbying for NBC to pick up the original Law & Order for a 21st season (allowing it to set a record as TV’s longest-running drama series), the L&Overlord is now hoping that Criminal Intent‘s imminent 10th season won’t be — as announced by USA Network — its last.
“Being the unbridled optimist that I am, I still have hope that this is a ‘victory lap’ and not a ‘swan song,’” Wolf said during a Thursday conference call. “Based on the work so far, I think the audience is going to be very happy, relieved, and welcoming… and hopefully enough fans will come out so the powers-that-be reconsider their decision.”
Jay Mohr to Channel Charlie Sheen on Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Weighing in Criminal Intent‘s favor, of course, is the much anticipated return of two original series leads, Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe (as Detectives Robert Goren and Alexandra Eames) — not that Wolf ever wanted them long gone in the first place.
“It was never a decision to have them disappear into the wilderness,” Wolf says of the duo’s single-season extraction, during which Jeff Goldblum rode solo as Detective Zach Nichols. Looking forward, Wolf says, “I don’t think Vincent and Katie have been any better ever in the series. [Criminal Intent] is back to the power of the first two seasons.”
Criminal Intent Lines Up Guest Stars for Final Season
Of course, there is the none-too-small matter of getting Goren back onto the Major Cases Squad, fired as he was for insubordination at the start of Season 9. That segue is orchestrated by a new captain, Joseph Hannah (played by Jay O. Sanders), whom Goren knows from the police academy.
There’s also a bit of head-shrinking involved in Goren’s comeback. As Wolf explains, “In getting him back in the good graces of the police department, part of the agreement was for him to go back into psychological counseling.” As such, there will be one scene per episode where Goren meets with a therapist played by Julia Ormond (CSI: NY).
Those scenes, Wolf says, “will answer some questions that have been hanging since the first season, and over the course of [Season 10's] eight episodes you’re going to see something about the redemptive power of psychotherapy. This is an attempt to move [Goren] back to the psychologically complete detective that he was in the first season of the show.”
Whether this run of episodes kicking off Sunday, May 1, at 8/7c, is a “swan song” or “victory lap,” Wolf says, “This has been a great experience…. There is a real power in seeing this show come back at full-octane, with stories that are really interesting.”
Will you be tuning in for Criminal Intent‘s return?
----------------------------------------------
And from The Voice of TV:
thevoiceoftv.com/blog/law-order-criminal-intent-the-return-of-goren-and-eames/34531
When Dick Wolf got a call from USA network asking if he would like to bring back Law & Order: Criminal Intent with original Detectives Robert Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Kathryn Erbe (Alexandra Eames) for a final season, he didn’t have to think twice. “Being the optimist that I am, I think there is real power in seeing this show come back at full fire power and renewed energy. We all hope that this is a victory lap as opposed to a swan song.”
During a conference call hosted by USA network Thursday, D’Onofrio and Wolf discussed the series’ return May 1st for the 10th season and were enthusiastic about the renewed energy the return brings and hopeful that audiences will want to see more.
“The work the cast and crew are doing is better now than in the last six years, and in my 30 years of experience, it’s as good as episodic TV gets.” Wolf went on to explain that 22 years ago (when the original Law & Order franchise was born), “I had no idea this would evolve and go on this long; I was just hoping to get 22 decent episodes out. Law & Order was very different for TV back then; it did not start out with a bang, it was an acquired taste.”
It was a taste widely acquired, as the franchise went on to become a dynasty and spawned versions in Europe, Russia, and the UK, as well as the current American versions Criminal Intent, Special Victims Unit, and Law & Order: LA.
D’Onofrio was enthusiastic about returning to reprise his roll as Goren, and to reunite with his former on-screen partner.
“Dick has supported me and my feelings about this show. You have to trust his intuition and his instinct. I was ready after the time off to go back to the feeling and the tone that we had in the first 4 seasons. On the first day, even in the first scenes, I put the suit back on and I was rockin’ – it just felt right. It wasn’t hard at all.
It was great to work with Katherine again. We are at ease with each other. We knew each other before working on the show, I can’t imagine anyone else playing that part and it just works – it never fails.”
Just what can L&O: Criminal Intent fans expect for this special eight episode “final season?”
Both Wolf and D’Onofrio are quick to jump in and assure me that they are not approaching this season as a final one.
“There is renewed energy there. The series has more stories to tell; we haven’t run out of steam. I can not imagine this is going to be the end of this show,” Wolf explains. “It’s operating better now than anytime in the last 4 years. Everyone is at the top of their game. I am an optimist; I think a lot of our old audience will watch again, and they are going to want more.”
D’Onofrio agrees and is eager to explore his character as he comes to terms with his past.
“It starts with the scripts, and then the ideas come from there. I hope this isn’t the last season, that people react to this as I have reacted to it and see this is some of the best work of the series and want to see more. This is more than just a collection of episodes; after 10 years, this is a life you see unfolding every week. I think it’s fascinating.”
This season sees the addition of actor Julia Ormond playing a psychiatrist who Goren is required to see as a condition of his return to the Major Case Squad. These scenes provide an opportunity for the viewer to gain new insight into the character.
“We really get to the bottom of Goren, and there is a kind of freedom that comes from these scenes with her character and mine in a room, and you get to learn things that have been hanging for a long time. Goren returns to top form, and it’s going to be entertaining and surprising.”
What do we tell fans about the prospects for future seasons?
“Well, everyone working on this season is hoping that people tune in in the kind of numbers they tuned in 4 or 5 years ago. If the season outperforms what the networks expect it to do, they will want more. I believe in how good the show is. Anyone who has ever liked Vincent in the past should tune in; they will be impressed. This show has legs and staying power; if we get the viewers back the network will want more. So it’s in the hands of the viewers.” Wolf goes on to remind viewers, “Tivo doesn’t count. If you want to see more of this show you have to tune in. We are hoping for a stay of execution here.”
Law & Order: Criminal Intent returns May 1st on USA network and on the CTV network in Canada. Photos courtesy of USA network.
----------------------
Sounds like Dick and Vincent want the show to go on. I hope we get an interview with KE at some point.