With the departure of Executive Producer Warren Leight from Law & Order Criminal Intent, it looks like it’s going to take the work of two people to replace him. It could also mean that we may get different approaches to the show, with each producer corresponding to each of the two lead actors (Vincent D'Onofrio and Jeff Goldblum). Here’s the story that was reported exclusively by Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood Daily:New 'Law & Order: CI' Exec Producers
EXCLUSIVE: Talk about flattering. I've just learned that Warren Leight has been replaced by not one but two executive producers on Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Sources tell me that Dick Wolf's plan is to break the 16-episode season into two sets of 8 episodes each. Walon Green will exec produce the 8 episodes starring Vincent D'Onofrio, while Robert Nathan will exec produce the episodes starring newcomer Jeff Goldblum who replaced Chris Noth. And of course Wolf supervises everyone. I broke the news back on May 31st that, within days of USA Networks renewing CI and in the middle of hammering out his new CI deal, Leight jumped to HBO's In Treatment. (See my previous, Leight Leaves 'Criminal Intent' For HBO.) But CI is in great hands: both Green and Nathan are Law & Order veterans.
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Quite an interesting concept. Can't wait to see season 8! :)
ReplyDeleteBoth men are from the Mothership's early years, and good men. Green left by Season 4 or 5, then returned for Seasons 15-16. Nathan is still with SVU (last I checked), and recently did Angie Harmon's Women's Murder Club revamp (post WGA strike). I wish they returned to CI for Logan's run, as they were decent to good at writing him. So, in a sense, that's why I'm frustrated by this.
ReplyDeleteEither way, I'm glad Leight's out. He and Balcer made wonderful episodes, yes, but it was clear he didn't know how to run the show by itself. He wanted Wheeler to be Logan's greatest partner since Lennie, and hasn't exactly followed through (barring the actress' materity and other factors).
Also, it could mean that we'll be rid of CI's melodrama of the past two seasons and focus on the criminals and the story again. And I'll certainly rejoice for that.