Richard Belzer’s Conversation (Videos)

Here are two videos from a series called “Richard Belzer’s Conversation” – the first features Richard Belzer (Law & Order SVU)  with Ice-T,  the second is of Richard with Gilbert Gottfried. Enjoy!









Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.


All Content (Recaps, Review, Commentary) Copyright © allthingslawandorder.blogspot.com unless otherwise noted

Law & Order SVU “Home Invasions” Episode Information

Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, “Home Invasions.”

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Home Invasions" can be found at this link.

Law & Order SVU “Home Invasions” Air Date February 15, 2012 (10 PM ET/9C Wednesday NBC)

WHEN A FAMILY IS MASSACRED IN THEIR HOME, THE INVESTIGATION INTO THEIR LIVES FORCES DETECTIVE ROLLINS (KELLI GIDDISH) TO REVEAL A CAREER-THREATENING SECRET. JAKE T. AUSTIN AND ESAI MORALES GUEST STAR.

A gunman storms a family’s home, killing the parents and leaving their teenage daughter in critical condition. When a hate crime investigation turns into a dead end, Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and the SVU detectives struggle to find a motive for such violence. The clues lead to a surprising revelation about Detective Rollins (Giddish), which threatens her future in the Special Victims Unit. Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen) and Danny Pino (Detective Nick Amaro.)





Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.


All Content (Recaps, Review, Commentary) Copyright © allthingslawandorder.blogspot.com unless otherwise noted

Richard Belzer Behind The Scenes on SVU “Educated Guess”

From Wolf Films, here’s a video of Richard Belzer talking about working on SVU; the behind the scenes footage is from Law & Order SVU "Educated Guess."



Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.


All Content (Recaps, Review, Commentary)  Copyright © allthingslawandorder.blogspot.com unless otherwise noted

Law & Order SVU “Russian Brides” Behind The Scenes Interviews

From Wolf Films, here are 2 Law & Order SVU "Russian Brides" videos with some behind the scenes footage and cast interviews.  The first video features Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish discussing filming the episode; the second video features guest star Timothy Busfield.







Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

All Content (Recaps, Review, Commentary) Copyright © allthingslawandorder.blogspot.com unless otherwise noted

Law & Order SVU: A Message from Mariska on “Personal Fouls”

Here is a special message featuring Mariska Hargitay that aired last night on NBC with the re-airing of Law & Order SVU "Personal Fouls."

(A still photo from that video shoot was posted yesterday: Law & Order SVU Mariska Hargitay On SVU Set )



Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU Mariska Hargitay On Set (Photo)

Here is a new photo of Mariska Hargitay on the set of Law & Order SVU; the photo description was listed as “Wraparound Promo Shoot.”

Update January 26, 2012 The video from that promo shoot can be found here:
Law & Order SVU A Message from Mariska on “Personal Fouls”

Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC © NBCUniversal, Inc.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Spiraling Down” Behind The Scenes & Cast Interviews

A behind the scenes video plus cast interviews with guest stars Stephanie March and Andre Braugher have just been made available for Law & Order SVU "Spiraling Down" . The episode will be re-airing on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 9PM ET on NBC.

NOTE: The videos are no longer available.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Father’s Shadow” Episode Information

Here are the details for a new episode of Law & Order SVU, “Father’s Shadow’:


Law & Order SVU “Father’s Shadow” Air Date February 8, 2012 (10 PM ET/9C Wednesday NBC)

DETECTIVE BENSON (MARISKA HARGITAY) FINDS HERSELF IN DANGER WHEN A RAPE INVESTIGATION SPIRALS INTO A HOSTAGE CRISIS. HARRY CONNICK JR., MIRANDA LAMBERT AND MICHAEL MCKEAN GUEST STAR.

An aspiring actress is found unconscious in Central Park with drugs in her system and evidence of sexual trauma. Detectives Benson (Hargitay) and Amaro (Pino) pay a visit to the reality show producer (guest star McKean) for whom she had auditioned just before the attack, and stop him from assaulting another actress (guest star Lambert) on the casting couch. The detectives arrest the producer, but the situation turns dangerous when his distraught son takes drastic action in order to get his father out of jail. Meanwhile, Benson and Executive ADA David Haden (guest star Connick) grow closer. Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen), Richard Belzer (Sergeant John Munch) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins.) Special appearance by Linus Roache (Bureau Chief Mike Cutter.)


My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Father’s Shadow" can be found at this link.







Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Official Story” Recap & Review

Law & Order SVU “Official Story’ had a lot packed into this episode, including an assault on the CEO of a big company, the Occupy Wall Street protest, an old rape case that happened in Iraq, a murder of a witness, an attempted murder of the father of the rape victim, another attack on the initial rape victim, a threat to Amaro’s family, a new EADA and a love interest for Benson. Whew! Despite having so much going on, I am actually having a hard time writing the review for it.

First and foremost, I did like the episode and there were many elements that I enjoyed. The writing team has been doing a great job this season of coming up with very interesting cases, and they are telling the stories very well. The cast is all performing well (Munch is MIA again, though) and things seem to be clicking. I think my hang-ups with this episode, and why I am struggling, revolve around two issues:

1. The investigation of Rand’s company’s involvement in the cover up of a years old rape in Iraq had no business being handled by SVU. Forget Amaro’s argument (or excuse) that it could speak to O’Keefe’s motive - I don’t think that was a valid reason for SVU to be involved any further. O'Keefe already gave them the motive and it should be up to his defense to determine whether that motive mitigates the crime he committed. As the case progressed, it became even more clear that SVU was in way over their heads. Later on, after Benson’s apartment is ransacked, a witness killed, a girl attacked and her father stabbed, THEN Cragen makes the observation that they are dealing with a private army. Well, no kidding – that should have been glaringly obvious the minute that the company name “Battle Tested Security” was mentioned and its CEO attacked. SVU sticking their noses in a case that was far beyond their abilities contributed to a witness being killed and the girl and her father being attacked. If SVU would have used their brains, the witness would have never been left in his hotel room without a guard outside. (Update: Amaro did comment that the uni (uniformed officer) said no one came to the room after he left, so possibly someone was watching the room. If so, how did the liquor get in... maybe the officer wasn't stationed right at the door?)   SVU’s sloppy handling of the case led to far too much collateral damage.  This case may have fit much better as a Law & Order or better yet a Criminal Intent episode,   or, if either of those series still existed. this story could have made a for a nice SVU crossover/double episode.

2. I adore Harry Connick Jr.'s music and I own many of his recordings gong years back. But it pains me to say that his acting was awful. His delivery was flat and lifeless in every single scene. Yes, I am thrilled that Benson may have someone who – at least at this point in time – makes her happy, and Harry is certainly easy on the eyes. But his acting was no better than someone reading lines. I literally cringed with every one of his scenes.

I’m also not a big fan of focusing on the characters’ personal lives. While I don’t mind this episode’s focus on Mariska/Benson – after her years with SVU she deserves it - I am already a little tired of the focus on Amaro’s family.

Here is the recap:
Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Detective Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Richard Belzer – Sergeant John Munch
Dann Florek – Captain Don Cragen
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro


Guest stars:
Harry Connick, Jr. - EADA David Haden
John Doman - William Rand
Laura Benanti - Maria Grazie
Holt McCallany - Donald O’Keefe
Annie Meisels: Dr. Rausch
Lola Glaudini – Virginia Pell
Lisa Masters – Tina Heller
Jacob Wallach - Kenny Taylor (the protester)
Billy Brown – Joe Marshall
Craig Walker – George Coleman
Megan Ketch – Cory Green
Caris Vujcec - Counselor Bree Price
Alison Fernandez – Zara Amaro



At an Occupy Wall Street protest, William Rand steps out of his limo and a protester asks him how he sleeps at night. Rand says he is serving his country and sleeps just fine. Later, on a news program, Rand, who is CEO of Battle Tested Security - the largest private military contractor in the world – talks about how well business is going. Meanwhile, Detective Nick Amaro comes home with his daughter Zara and surprises her when she sees her mother is home. Amaro welcomes his wife Maria home and kisses her.

Later, Rand exits the TV studio and is in his limo and when the driver asks if it has been a long day, Rand says they are all long. Rand drinks some bottled water but he looks a little ill. He notices the driver is not going the right way and he asks why they are going uptown and not the heliport. The driver tells him to relax, there is tunnel traffic. Rand continues to look ill.

The next day, a boy on a school outing, at a memorial for soldiers and sailors, points out a man laying on the ground. The teacher sees a man laying on the ground with his pants down and the words “Payback is a bitch” written on his leg. His shirt is open and he is gagged. It is William Rand. She calls 911.

Later, in the hospital, Rand tells Benson and Amaro he does not know what happened. Benson says they think he was drugged. The last thing he remembers is being in the limo with the driver and he went the wrong way. He was not one of his regulars, he was sent by the TV studio. Amaro asks for the name of his contact and Rand says Jenny can get that for him. Virginia Pell, Rand’s general counsel, introduces himself and says she is emailing for the information now. Rand says he did have some bottled water in the limo. When Benson explains that the tox screen will show if he was given any sedative, Rand asks don’t they need his permission to look at those records? Amaro says they are there to help him. He asks Beth to see where the nurse is and she leave to find her. He asks Benson if they think she was raped, and she reminds him that he was found drugged and beaten with his clothes ripped off. Rand gets upset and says he wasn’t raped, he was attacked by the enemy because of the work he does. Pell says Rand has been through a lot, and tells the detectives that Rand needs to rest now.

As they leave, Pell says she appreciates their concern but they will take it from there, they have their own team of investigators. Benson explains SVU does not subcontract their investigations. Pell asks if they understand the delicacy of the situation and they need to control the publicity. Benson says all of their cases are sensitive and Amaro adds that they need their cooperation, unless they want them to start issuing subpoenas. Pell agrees and says she will be in touch, and she walks off.

SVU on Location with Danny Pino (Photos)

Here are a few photos of Danny Pino filming Law & Order SVU on location in SoHo on January 17, 2012.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Official Story” Preview Clips

Here are 3 preview clips from Law & Order SVU “Official Story” which will air on January 18, 2012 at 10 PM ET/9C on NBC. The previews feature Mariska Hargitay, k, Danny Pino, Dann Florek, and new recurring cast member Harry Connick Jr.

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Official Story" can be found at this link.

Please note: These video clips are available for a limited time only and must be removed shortly after the episode originally airs, so please catch them while you can!

Also see:
Cast interviews and behind the scenes video for Law & Order SVU “Official Story”








Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Official Story” Cast Interviews & Behind the Scenes Videos

Here are cast interviews and a behind the scenes video for Law & Order SVU “Official Story” which will air on Wednesday January 18, 2012 at 10 PM ET/9C on NBC. The interviews feature Mariska Hargitay, Dann Florek, Danny Pino, and new recurring cast member Harry Connick Jr. Kelli Giddish is also in the behind the scenes video. Enjoy!

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Official Story" can be found at this link.

Also see:
Preview clips for Law & Order SVU “Official Story”














Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Theatre Tricks” Recap & Review

I was little worried about this episode before it aired; NBC virtually ignored promoting it, and the network finally released a few preview clips the day the episode aired. That is usually the sign that the episode is a dog. It was not as bad as I expected; it was, however, very predictable.

The story was well written and the premise of the crime interesting. This season of SVU has provided far better cases and far better writing than in recent years. I also really enjoy how they are using all members of the cast (with the exception of Richard Belzer, who is missing from this episode) which gives the feel of a real working team of detectives. While I am still not sure if it is Amanda Rollins or if it is Kelli Giddish that doesn’t quite fit, it was less of a problem for me in this episode. The bonding attempts between Rollins and Benson seem forced, however.

Gilbert Gottfried’s TARU character simply does not work for me. His presence is jarring. The role is also a stereotype of tech people, implying that they all descend into geek speak even in situations where it is not appropriate. It is times like this where I miss Mike Doyle as Forensics Tech Ryan O'Halloran.

Once the judge explained that the encounter was arranged via email, someone should have asked him if he knew for certain that the emails came from Meghan. It also amazes me that any adult with any sense of brains would participate in any sexual encounter such as this without making sure that there was proper – meaning IN PERSON – consent. I suppose that people that engage in this kind of behavior are not always thinking with their brains.

At the end of the episode, Rollins tells Benson that she did not see it coming. She may have been the only one as I suspect the audience likely did.

Here is the recap:
Cast:
Mariska Hargitay – Detective Olivia Benson
Ice-T – Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola
Richard Belzer – Sergeant John Munch
Dann Florek – Captain Don Cragen
Kelli Giddish - Detective Amanda Rollins
Danny Pino - Detective Nick Amaro

Guest stars
Stephanie March - ADA Alex Cabot
Fisher Stevens – Ted Scott
Kevin Pollak – Judge Gerald Crane
Gilbert Gottfried - TARU Tech Leo Gerber
Jenn Proske – Meghan
Grant Shaud _ theatre critic
Gayle Rankin - Holly
Adam Driver – Jason Roberts
Angela Pietropinto _ Estelle Roberts
Jacqueline Hendy – Crane’s attorney
Coco Nicole Austin – Venus
Larisa Bond – Woman #4
Gabra Zaxhman _ Counselor Debra Wagner
Molly Montgomery - Eve
Micah Stock – Goat Mask Actor
Mark David Watson = Paolo

An interactive theatre production is in progress. People begin to put on masks. The director Ted Scott brings in a bouquet of red roses in to one of the female actors, Meghan, for her first opening. She wants to take a photo for her scrapbook and says this is her first show and it seems like a dream. He tells her most of the critics are coming tonight and her life will never be the same. He moves to kiss her but she turns her head and he kisses her on the cheek and tells her to break a leg.

In the theatre. as a woman convinces another guy to put on a hawk mask, a voice announces that no one here knows them or will judge them. As they enter a doorway which is marked “Abandon all hope” they are told to strip off their inhibitions. Women begin to remove their clothes and everyone is encouraged to join in to touch the world of the forbidden.. A woman playing "Lust" enters and begins to kiss another woman. People begin eating food that is spread out over a woman’s unclothed body. The voice continues to encourage participation. The interactive play continues as the female character Francesca tells Paolo – who is not masked - that they are alone and he tells her to kiss him. But a man – who seems to be portraying the husband Giovanni – announces he is back, and "Francesca" and "Paolo" look shocked. Francesca tells Paolo to go and he runs off. The masked man who entered as Giovanni begins to attack Francesca and as another person holds her down, he says that she betrayed Giovanni and he saw the whole thing. She screams for help but the audience simply stands around and does nothing.

Later, after the audience is leaving, Meghan is still laying on the bed on the “stage” and Ted comes in and asks her what happened and she missed the finale. He asks if she is OK but Meghan stares blankly off and does not answer.

Law & Order SVU “Official Story” Promo

Here is the promo for Law & Order SVU “Official Story” which will air on January 18, 2012 at 10 PM ET/9C on NBC. The episode features guest star Harry Connick Jr.





Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

New Law & Order SVU Cast Photo

Here is a new Law & Order SVU cast photo (provided by Ice-T) which  features Kelli Giddish, Dann Florek, Danny Pino, Richard Belzer, Ice-T, and Mariska Hargitay.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Official Story” Advance Photos

Here are two advance photos from Law & Order SVU “Official Story” which will air on January 18, 2012 at 10 PM ET/9C on NBC. The photos feature Mariska Hargitay, Danny Pino, Jacob Wallach (as Kenny Taylor), and recurring guest star Harry Connick Jr. (as Executive ADA David Haden).

Photos by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC © NBCUniversal, Inc.

Added January 14, 2012

Photos by: Will Hart/NBC © NBCUniversal, Inc.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Harry Connick Jr. To Guest Star in NBC’s Law & Order SVU (NBC Press Release)

NBC Press Release January 6, 2012
EMMY AND GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING HARRY CONNICK JR. TO GUEST-STAR IN NBC’S ‘LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT’


UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- January 6, 2012 -- Three-time Grammy Award winner, two-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Harry Connick Jr. will have a multi-episode, guest-starring turn on the Wolf Films/NBC drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET).

Connick will guest-star as Executive ADA David Haden, a dedicated, straight-shooting prosecutor who is assigned a case with Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay). Although Benson is at first wary of Haden, they are both surprised to find they work well together. As the case develops, so does their relationship. Connick’s first episode will air January 18.

“This is a home run on so many levels,” said Hargitay. “The show is very fortunate to have Harry's extraordinary talent, and I'm lucky because I get to work with my friend. I think Olivia couldn't have asked for a better companion to take her through a new stage in her life and career.”

A star in music, theater, film and television, Connick recently won his second Emmy for musical direction of his live concert television special, “Harry Connick Jr. in Concert on Broadway.” He currently is starring on Broadway in the musical “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” about which USA Today said: “Harry Connick Jr. has never sung or acted more powerfully.” The musical is directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer, who also is the director of NBC’s upcoming Broadway-themed drama “Smash.”

This year Connick starred in the hit film “Dolphin Tale” which debuted at #1 at the box office with Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman and Kris Kristofferson. He also added author to his credentials with “The Happy Elf,” his beloved song and children’s Christmas stage musical turned into a keepsake children’s book with an accompanying instrumental jazz CD released by Marsalis Music. On television, Connick is best remembered as Dr. Leo Markus on NBC’s “Will and Grace.”

A proud New Orleans native, Connick and longtime friend Branford Marsalis opened the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in The Musicians’ Village in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans last summer, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. From music to dance, theater to film, the goal of the Center is to harness the exceptional talents of the residents and students of the surrounding Musicians’ Village in a collective effort that will provide an invaluable resource to New Orleans.

“Law & Order: SVU” is a Wolf Films production in association with Universal Television. Dick Wolf, Warren Leight and Peter Jankowski are executive producers.

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Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order SVU “Theatre Tricks” Promo

Here’s the promo for Law & Order SVU “Theatre Tricks” which will air on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 10 PM ET/9C on NBC.

My recap and review of Law & Order SVU "Theatre Tricks" can be found at this link.




Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.

Law & Order UK Series 6 Cast Photo

Here is the cast photo for the “new” season of Law & Order UK which will begin airing on ITV on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 9 PM, beginning with the episode “Survivor’s Guilt.” (These episodes have already aired – as the last half of series 3 - in the U.S. on BBC America and also in Canada).  The photo features Peter Davison, Dominic Rowan, Freema Agyeman, Bradley Walsh,  Paul Nicholls, and Harriet Walter.

My recap and review of Law & Order UK "Survivor’s Guilt" can be found here.


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information, on All Things Law And Order.

Also, see my companion Law & Order site,These Are Their Stories.