Newsweek Magazine features Sam Waterston

There is a great article about Sam Waterston in the recent Newsweek. It is also available on their website, at link:

Newsweek Sam Waterston


Here's an excerpt:

"Sam Waterston is sitting inside downtown Manhattan's City Hall restaurant, shooting a scene for what will become his 317th performance as tenacious prosecutor Jack McCoy in NBC's unsinkable crime drama "Law & Order." Today, his thespian pas de deux is with Jayne Atkinson; they're filming a type of scene that's among the show's staffs of life—the negotiation of a cozy deal in a cozy restaurant booth. For Waterston, 67, this has to be like tying a pair of shoes. Actually, like fastening a pair of Velcro shoes. But on this oppressively gray morning, Waterston is peppy, punchy even, as he and Atkinson, who's playing a politician, run lines from the script. "Have you ever heard of New Yorkers for Good Government?" she says. "No." "They want you to run for a full term in the next election." "They do?" "They admire you because you're not a politician." "So they want me to become one." "Ironic, isn't it?"

Ironic indeed. The scene is clearly a wink at Fred Thompson, who left his role on "Law & Order" (as District Attorney Arthur Branch) to mount a presidential campaign. It's also ironic because Waterston, who this season is taking over Thompson's D.A. chair, is himself circling politics, though from a safer distance. He's become the spokesman—he prefers "cheerleader"—for Unity08, a reform movement that aims to put a bipartisan ticket on the presidential ballot in all 50 states. But because cruel irony is the most excellent kind, the best part is that while Thompson is the "Law & Order" actor who is running for president, Waterston is the "Law & Order" actor who arguably cuts the best shadow of a president.

Have a look at this pedigree: he was born in Massachusetts to a semanticist father and a Mayflower-descendant mother; he graduated from Yale and spent a year studying abroad at the Sorbonne; he's deeply absorbed in his Episcopal faith; he's got two vertical inches over Bush 43; he's devoted a large chunk of his professional life to putting away special-guest bad guys while modeling fine suits. In fact, many of his roles suggest a fascination with morality, justice and human suffering. He earned an Oscar nomination in 1984 for his work as journalist Sydney Schanberg in "The Killing Fields." His first notable TV role came on the short-lived drama "I'll Fly Away," which was rooted in the social tumult of the 1950s. But lest you think he's humorless, he also appeared in a faux commercial on "Saturday Night Live" endorsing insurance for the elderly against robots who "eat old people's medicine for fuel." He has a folksy demeanor, not as genteel as you'd expect, but close. His natural speech is the stuff politicos practice—it's just eloquent enough that it doesn't sound calculated. "



Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

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

A Special Christmas Greeting, Law & Order Style: Now on YouTube

By popular demand, I have recorded my special L & O Christmas Greeting from Elf Yourself(Office Max®), and uploaded it on YouTube, video below.

You can still see the original at this link:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1191299294
It may take some time to load there, but the quality is much better.

It stars the faces of Law & Order franchise favorites Sam Waterston, Chris Noth, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Chris Meloni.

Enjoy!




Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

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

Law & Order Locations: The New York County Supreme Courthouse Building

The New York Supreme Court itself is actually in more than one building, all located near Foley Square in New York City. But, one of those buildings stands out to fans of the Law & Order franchise. It’s the ubiquitous New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street. I wonder over the years how many times Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) and his various ADAs have traipsed up and down those stairs, not to mention the occasional fictional defense attorney or criminal.

Here’s a little information about the building. The architect, Guy Lowell, was from Boston, and his original design for the building was round. After a construction delay, it was changed to the current hexagonal design, and in Roman classical style. Construction began in 1919, and the building was opened in 1929.

The stairs leading to the courthouse are 100 feet wide, reaching to Corinthian style columns, above which are the words of George Washington: “The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government" In 1966, the building was designated a national landmark.

Of course, it’s a big landmark for Law & Order fans.

Aerial from Microsoft Virtual Earth

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

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

Law & Order actors in other roles: Featuring (and remembering) Jerry Orbach

Many people identify Jerry Orbach with Law & Order, but his initial claim to fame is his work on Broadway and in off-Broadway performances.

In 1968, he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a musical for his role of Chuck Baxter in the musical "Promises, Promises". He was nominated in 1965 for a Tony as Best Supporting or Featured Actor in a musical for a revival of "Guys and Dolls. In 1976, he was also nominated for a Tony for Best Actor in a musical for the original production of "Chicago." His last appearance on Broadway was in 1981, playing Julian Marsh in 42nd Street.

Here are a few YouTube videos that show Jerry in some memorable performances. The first is from a performance at The White House, I believe from 1988, singing, “Try to Remember” from the Fantastiks. Also here is a performance of "The Lullaby of Broadway" (from 42nd Street).

Jerry died on December 28, 2004, but he continues to live on for Law & Order fans as Lennie Briscoe.






Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

Bobby Goren: Untethered – or Unhinged?

Last night’s (December 6) Criminal Intent brings the question to the forefront: is Bobby Goren finally going over the edge? The second question that comes to mind is: does the “Big Guy” need to go on a diet?

First, the episode. It was billed as an extended episode, but where was the extra time? I expected some time tacked on to the ending of the show, but I suspect the extra time may have been a result of less commercials. A little misleading, I think.

The story itself was good. Frankly, I think I may have liked it a little better had they not made Goren’s involvement a family issue. I suppose that had to be a big part of it to rationalize Goren’s behavior in getting so personally involved. Still, one of the things I always liked about the Law & Order franchise is we used to get so little personal stuff about the characters. Criminal Intent seems to have thrown that out the window, and I’m not sure I like it. I really do not care to know any more about Goren’s family, so I hope the show moves off the subject from here on end.

Vincent D’Onofrio pulled off one of his best CI performances ever. In fact, it was so good I wondered if he was pulling it from any personal experience. I even felt a little closed in and squeamish when he was restrained on that table.

I feel sorry for Eames (Kathryn Erbe) who continues to be caught in the Goren whirlpool, getting sucked into trouble with him. It’s clear, though, that she cares for Bobby and will do anything she can, including getting herself in trouble, to protect him.

Continuing to underwhelm me is Eric Bogosian as Captain Danny Ross. His delivery, even in scenes that should be very dramatic, is at best, lifeless and wooden. What made it even worse was the scene with Ross and medical examiner Rogers (Leslie Hendrix) in the elevator, clearly dressed for a night on the town together. They just strike me as a creepy pair.

Funny – but also not funny – was the continued reference to Goren as the “Big Guy”. Funny because he could have overpowered those guards if he really wanted to, not funny because D’Onofrio is really looking too large in an unhealthy way. The last few episodes, it even appears his walk is being affected by the extra weight. I find myself more concerned about D’Onofrio’s increasing girth than I am Goren’s increasing mental imbalance.

Oervall a great episode, but here's hoping that Criminal Intent reverts back to being a show about the crimes and not about personal matters. And a special note to Vincent D'Onofrio - take off some of those extra pounds, for the sake of your health!


Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

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

A special Christmas Greeting – Law & Order style

Many thanks to the people at OfficeMax®, who created a nice little template for people to create a holiday greeting, using photos of friends, family, etc. I've already made a few containing some of my family members (and their pets), but being the true Law & Order junkie that I am, you know what I had to do next.

At the link below is a special Law & Order greeting that I created, with some of our L&O favorites Sam Waterston, Vincent D’Onofrio, Chris Noth and Chris Meloni. The greeting at the link has sound, and you’ll probably laugh when you see it, so just be mindful if you're at work and don't want your boss to know your goofing off on the Internet. I know you will enjoy it.


Here you go!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1191299294

(This elfin' greeting brought to you by OfficeMax®)

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

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

Law & Order Criminal Intent Returns to NBC

Various news sources report that Criminal Intent will be moving back to NBC on Wednesdays at 9:00 PM, starting January 9. These will be rebroadcasts of new episodes aired on the USA Network. USA will continue to show the first run episodes.

This is great news for all CI fans like me, who don't get the USA Network in HD. I'll gladly watch reruns if I can see Vincent D'Onofrio (in all his largeness) and Chris Noth, in HD.

Now if they can just get rid of Alicia Witt I would be happy beyond reason. It would be great if Kathryn Erbe could do double duty for both shows. I can only wish.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!

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

12 Days Of Christmas – Law & Order Style

Here’s my version of the 12 Days of Christmas, but done with Law & Order in mind. I would like to have them delivered by Sam Waterston, please. He doesn’t have to wait until Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me,
Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the third day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Four ADAs,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Five guilty pleas,
Four ADAs,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Six won appeals,
Five guilty pleas,
Four ADAs,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Seven judges gaveling,
Six won appeals,
Five guilty pleas,
Four ADAs,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Eight smart detectives,
Seven judges gaveling,
Six won appeals,
Five guilty pleas,
Four ADAs,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Nine short arraignments,
Eight smart detectives,
Seven judges gaveling,
Six won appeals,
Five guilty pleas,
Four ADAs,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Ten Briscoe punch lines,
Nine short arraignments,
Eight smart detectives,
Seven judges gaveling,
Six won appeals,
Five guilty pleas,
Four ADAs,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Eleven allocutions,
Ten Briscoe punch lines,
Nine short arraignments,
Eight smart detectives,
Seven judges gaveling,
Six won appeals,
Five guilty pleas,
Four ADAs,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Twelve repeat offenders,
Eleven allocutions,
Ten Briscoe punch lines,
Nine short arraignments,
Eight smart detectives,
Seven judges gaveling,
Six won appeals,
Five guilty pleas,
Four ADAs,
Three Logan ties,
Two “Doink-Doinks”,
And Jack McCoy drinking 12 year old scotch.

Check out my blog home page for the latest Law & Order information,
HERE!