Last week we told you that Julianne Nicholson had decided not to come back to Law and Order: CI after having a baby, and in the same post we hinted that other changes might be coming to the USA show too. This could be those changes.
The Hollywood Reporter and set sources are both saying that Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, and Eric Bogosian are all being written out of the show. That would mean that Jeff Goldblum would be the star of the show and that new cast members would have to be hired. D'Onofrio might make guest appearances in the future.
I can see Bogosian going, since he always seemed like a recurring character at best and you can replace those. But D'Onofrio and Erbe are the heart of the show, really, and it's interesting if Goldblum (who I always assumed would last for a season or two and then be on his way back to the movies) would be the lead character on the show now.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-25-2009 @ 4:18PM
horsenbuggy said...
And... Goodbye TV Squad. You obviously don't care about a portion of your readers. Nothing we've said about casting changes being a spoiler has sunk in for you.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I leave you to your spoiler policies - Willy and Nilly.
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9-25-2009 @ 4:29PM
Parl said...
Damn. I hope they give Goren some closure. He basically made that series.
Also, I can't believe some how strongly people react to posting casting changes on the front page. When Swayze died, were you pissed that people were reporting it because it was a casting change on his show?
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9-26-2009 @ 2:30AM
litehousebeacon said...
That wasn't a casting change as the show had not been renewed.
9-25-2009 @ 4:36PM
Dan Chichian said...
I hope this is just a bad rumor because I hate the idea of them leaving. Yes, I would give the new version a chance as the mother ship has always managed cast changes but I can't recall them ever losing three main characters in one season.
As to the cry of spoilers. This site is called Tv Squad and not TV Recap Squad or TV Review Squad. You guys have not in my memory just been about recaps/reviews. Am I to take it that when this site reported John Ritter's death it should have been marked as a spoiler?
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9-25-2009 @ 4:52PM
evie said...
Horrendous. Those two are the reason I watch the show, especially Vincent.
so bummed. It was the only L&O I watched.
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11-11-2009 @ 6:44AM
Michele said...
I agree. CI is the one I watch and look forward to watching mainly because of Vincent (and Kathryn)!!! I won't be watching it now because of this cast change. Bye Bye to L&O CI!
9-25-2009 @ 4:54PM
kit-kat said...
Getting rid of Goren and Eames is a terrible, terrible idea! They are awesome. I never watch the show when the other people are on.
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9-25-2009 @ 5:23PM
Justin said...
Are they insane? These two are the only reason this show is so good. Jeff Goldblum is cool, but he can't hold a candle to Vincent or Erbe. Big mistake to loose these guys. This show will surely tank now.
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9-25-2009 @ 5:53PM
Edward said...
Ausiello on EW just announced that D'Onfrio will not be returning next season. His final episode will be the season 9 premiere...
damn, I hate this news...I think CI is on its last legs, CI and SVU were focused on the leads and now they are gone...
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9-25-2009 @ 6:38PM
Arclight said...
I quit watching back in 2004 when I heard about D'Onfrio's conniption fits during the run up to the 2004 Presidential elections. If Chris Noth wasn't busy on The Good Wife, I would have enjoyed seeing him return yet again.
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9-25-2009 @ 7:16PM
Scott said...
To Dan & Parl,
As far as I have read, D'onofrio, Erbe & Bogosian have not died. So your comparisons to Swayze & Ritter are not valid comparisons.
I think if a news/review/recap site warns of spoilers for some things...such as plot points...it should do so for casting changes as well. It is pretty obvious that a cast change will impact a storyline...therefore should be considered a "spoiler"...I think any sane person would understand the reporting of an actors death will change plot developments of a show and accept it as the tragedy that it is.
Just my thoughts.
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9-25-2009 @ 9:17PM
bcarter3 said...
Scott--
I see what you're saying but I disagree. Where do you draw the line? The cancellation or renewal of a series will obviously also affect the storyline, and so, by your logic, should be considered a spoiler. Should TVSquad try to suppress the news that "Deadwood" isn't coming back?
As others have mentioned, this is not simply a review site--it's a news site, too. A damn good one.
9-25-2009 @ 8:22PM
Owloo said...
FuC* THAT SH!T !!!!!!!!!!!
if Goren & Eames are gone so am I, might as well cancel the show really as Goldblum's character was BLAH !
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9-27-2009 @ 12:23PM
Fido said...
Jeff Goldblum rocks. His eps were the only ones I watched last season, and if Goren is in the next one I'll do the same again.
As for Julianne Nicholson deciding not to return I've always wondered if the ptb take out some kinda insurance for this. They spend time & money developing a series, a storyline and that's all got to change with one of their characters just up and leaving.
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9-25-2009 @ 8:42PM
Edward said...
People need to calm down about recent posts on TVSquad. Both the House and CI cast change are all over the media. Yahoo! has it on its main page.
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9-25-2009 @ 8:45PM
Joyce N. said...
I like Goldbloom but skip his episodes often. D'Onofrio and Erbe ARE the show as far as I'm concerned. If they go, so do I.
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9-25-2009 @ 9:55PM
Mikey Mike said...
I am sooooo tired of Vincent violating the civil rights of most of the people he interviews while acting ADHD. Give us more real life interviews (see NYPD Blue or Homicide, Life on the Streets).
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9-25-2009 @ 10:29PM
c3 said...
D'Onfrio and Erbe have always been the series, I didn't mind Noth coming back it gave his charcter closure. I do like Goldblum & wanted to like his character in the series, but wasn't drawn or interested. There are many shows out now & being able to watch online gives even more choices. I will find something else, Goldblum will not be able to hold my attention. I'll miss D'Onfrio and Erbe, they've been with the show too long to be replaced.
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9-25-2009 @ 11:49PM
Eliz said...
Well it was awesome while it lasted but unless ... and I apologize to the non-shipper inspired... Eames and Goren are being forced to split up because their secret affair has come forward, taking them off the show is the end of the road for me.
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9-26-2009 @ 4:46PM
Robynn said...
Very sad news! Goren is one of my favorite characters on television,along with Tommy Gavin from Rescue Me and Jax from SOA. Eames was the perfect foil for him and I will miss both when they leave.
Sadly, this is my favorite L&O and I think this will be the death of the series. I liked Goldblum, but I don't think he can carry the series on his own. USA has a marathon today, guess I should watch it while I still can!
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