And I can hear every Law and Order: SVU fan screaming at the same time, "Noooooooooooooooooooooo!"Michael Ausiello is reporting that stars Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are asking for more money (they currently get $7 million a year), and sources say that the network might replace them if the stars keep asking for that money. The show was recently renewed for an 11th season.
I'm not too sure they couldn't be replaced. I mean, it would, of course, depend on who they go to replace them, but haven't they replaced the cast of the original Law and Order quite a bit? Characters left, characters died, some actors died in real life, and they brought in new people. Though I wonder if Meloni and Hargitay, since they have been on the show for so long, are the show and just can't be replaced. Or maybe they can just have it be John Munch: Private Eye.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-09-2009 @ 5:29PM
Ryan said...
Yes.
In fact I think it would be good for the show.
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4-09-2009 @ 6:04PM
Parl said...
Agreed. I'm a little tired of Mariska's character. Her development seems to have just stopped and she's actually pretty annoying at this point. I prefer early seasons when she was more laid back.
I like Meloni but I could take him or leave him.
4-09-2009 @ 5:30PM
Edward said...
They are the show, but having Munch and Ice T be the leads would be great!
Isn't that an old pic with Diane Neal?
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4-09-2009 @ 6:04PM
Jimmy said...
Yes. CI has been quite good with changing leads.
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4-09-2009 @ 6:22PM
stewartwallace said...
With declining ratings for the show, generally shrinking network audiences, and the daunting task of moving to a new time period once Leno comes to primetime, I don't think I would be asking for a RAISE. Maybe it's a pre-emptive tactic to avoid being asked to take a pay CUT.
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4-09-2009 @ 7:47PM
T said...
Um...short answer: no way. Bob, I love your logic of if-other-L&O-actors-have-been-replaced-they-can-to, because that tells me right there that you don't watch the show. Mariska and Chris *are* the show, because this L&O is way more character-driven than the original or CI. You think I watch it for the stories? The heinous crimes, a good majority of which are against children? Absolutely not. I'm an elementary school teacher - most of that stuff makes me want to turn off the TV. I get a change to process the horrible stuff because of Olivia Benson and her empathy for the victim, because Elliot often mirrors my rage, and because they both pursue justice for the wronged. Change the leads? If NBC is stupid enough to do that, I get to change the channel on the one NBC show that I do watch. Next time, why doesn't someone who actually watches the show write the article???
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4-11-2009 @ 1:01PM
rowan said...
I completely agree.
4-09-2009 @ 8:06PM
Rain said...
I stopped watching the show because of those two so I'd have no problem with replacements.
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4-10-2009 @ 11:17AM
cherie said...
I also stopped watching because I just couldn't take unStabler and his constantly whining partner. If they had more IceT and Belzer, I would come back, but they seem to get put on the back burner.
So, please, get rid of Hargitay and Meloni.
4-10-2009 @ 11:59AM
pam said...
I totally agree. I wouldn't miss them. I wish they would show more of Ice-T and Belzer. The best episodes are one in which they were the lead.
4-09-2009 @ 10:17PM
Gill said...
No one can get award noms like Mariska.
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4-09-2009 @ 11:25PM
bc said...
OTOH, her costars would probably welcome not having constantly to dodge chewed-up chunks of scenery being spat in their general direction.
4-09-2009 @ 10:43PM
amy said...
If they i will stop watching the show. svu is my fave show. and chris and mariska are are the best
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4-09-2009 @ 10:41PM
Vincent J. Murphy said...
I'd actually start watching if they got rid of those scenery-munching, Emmy-mongering blowhards. Every frickin episode seems like one of them going for an Emmy nom.
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4-09-2009 @ 11:48PM
Jeff N. said...
I would not watch without these 2 stars.
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4-11-2009 @ 1:41PM
Joan said...
I agree. I probably would not watch if these two people do not return. I watch re-run after re-run on the marathons and love every minute. The show would not be the same without Mariska and Christopher. I love both of them.
4-10-2009 @ 12:47AM
KaeDee said...
I don't watch the show, but from the track record of the other Law & Order programs, I would think Meloni and Hargitay could be replaced and the series would live on. The other ensemble players are very strong, from what I've glimpsed.
I sympathize with working people wanting a raise. But in this tough economic climate and considering the struggles of NBC to re-establish a primetime presence in recent years, couldn't these two agree to another couple years at the same pay rate? Seven million a year isn't chump change. I find it difficult to sympathize with these two not getting a raise when 95% of the US population would be happy with a very small fraction of what they are earning a year. I know: apples and oranges. But maybe seven million a season could hold them another year or so. Otherwise, I'm sure there are other actors who would be ecstatic to claim the roles.
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4-10-2009 @ 12:20AM
Picviewer said...
Quick name the originals on the original L&O and ask would it survive without them? Both from the police side and the DA side of the show. Last I check you could probably run a whole channel just of L&O reruns not just the few TNT shows in a cycle.
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4-10-2009 @ 12:52AM
DapperDan said...
cancel the dang show and return Law & Order : Criminal Intent to NBC from USA its the better show.
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4-10-2009 @ 1:54AM
nate282 said...
Chirs is HOT and Mariska is AWESOME!!! What would SVU be without them???
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