More cast changes coming
By Gary Levin
USA Today
Forget those homicidal maniacs: There's even more drama behind the scenes at "Law & Order."
The shows easily have weathered their share of cast changes, proving that compelling scripts — not stars — draw viewers.
Rohm
Imperioli
Masterson
But this season brings more than the usual revolving-door changes.
Elisabeth Rohm exits the original "Law & Order" (9 p.m. Wednesdays) in early January in what creator Dick Wolf calls a surprise "water-cooler" moment. She will be replaced a week later by Annie Parisse ("As the World Turns"). As the show's sixth assistant D.A., she "has the most sophisticated, almost European sexuality; she's smart and hot," he says.
Jesse L. Martin is departing early to film an adaptation of "Rent" but returns next fall. And Michael Imperioli ("The Sopranos") guest-stars in the final four episodes as nephew and temporary partner of Detective Fontana (Dennis Farina).
And on "SVU" (9 p.m. Tuesdays), the only "Law" to gain viewers, Mary Stuart Masterson filmed a multi-episode arc to pinch-hit for B.D. Wong, who's performing in Broadway's "Pacific Overtures."
Lately, the rumor mill has been in overdrive about other changes both real and imagined. Wolf sets things straight:
• Vincent D'Onofrio, star of "Criminal Intent" (8 p.m. Sundays), is not being replaced by Chris Noth. Rumors started swirling that the combustible D'Onofrio posted anti-Bush screeds on the set, irritating other cast and crew members. Rumors were compounded when the star had two fainting spells, forcing a brief hospital stay.
The Bush-bashing rumors amounted to "tabloid journalism," Wolf says, and the offending "signage" actually took place on upcoming fourth edition, of "L&O" spin-off "Trial by Jury," which D'Onofrio has nothing to do with. Wolf acknowledges that Noth, previously on "L&O," was on a short list of possible replacements drafted during the hospitalization. But D'Onofrio is back, so "that step was not necessary. Vincent's done an incredible job the past 3 1/2 years and I would like him to be there for the rest of the show's run."
• Jerry Orbach's prostate cancer did not force his exit or stall production on "Trial by Jury." The decision to shift Orbach, 69, from an "L&O" lead to a "Trial" supporting player, Wolf says, "was made prior to my knowledge of his medical problem," revealed last week. But it had the side effect of shielding "L&O" from delays, because his new role is part time. Scenes are being shot around his treatment, and "it has not impacted production."
