TVSquad

Just when you think it's over, they pull it back in! Actually, I think this is great news and nothing to bemoan. USA Network has ordered 16 new episodes of Law and Order: Criminal Intent. The third spin-off from NBC's venerable -- 18 seasons strong -- Law and Order, CI moved to USA -- part of the NBCU family -- last year after six years on NBC. What's the difference between the shows on NBC and the shows on USA? Absolutely nothing. The quality of the show and the talent in front and behind the camera has remained the same, so I'm really happy that there'll be new L&O: CI in the future. I prefer scripted drama to more reality TV.


Of course, that's assuming everything stays the same. According to USA, the actors are still unsigned for the new "season." Deals are being done with Vincent D'Onofrio, Chris Noth, Eric Bogosian, Julianne Nicholson and Kathryn Erbe right now, so keep your fingers crossed.

Interestingly, last season because of the Writer's Strike, CI episodes were used on NBC, helping the network through the work stoppage. That repurposing (don't you love it when the TV business invents new words?) could happen again in the second season if certain NBC dramas don't perform up to expectations. You see, no matter what some people think of the Law and Order franchise, it's tried and true and a sure-thing for NBC and USA.

And contrary to popular belief, they are not all the same. CI is much more quirky and idiosyncratic that L&O proper. SVU has a lot more character introspection. The finale of L&O the other night showed that it's the only one that veers into politics (and should more often).

The summer schedule of CI begins June 8 at 9 o'clock, providing a lead in for the new USA's original drama, In Plain Sight, starring Mary McCormack as a U.S. marshal working for the federal witness protection program.