'Law & Order: SVU' minus Meloni & Mariska?
Well, we know "Law & Order: SVU" will return for an 11th season this fall, but that doesn't mean lead actors Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni will.
As hardcore "SVU" fans know, Hargitay and Meloni's contracts are set to expire at the end of this current season and where the show will go from there has long been a topic of internet discussion. According to EW.com, NBC seems to think the series can survive sans its two stars.
Apparently, Hargitay and Meloni are demanding a piece of "SVU"'s back-end profits in exchange for their 11th season acting services and the-powers-that-be are not only holding out on them, but threatening to replace both actors if they don't drop the issue.
Of course, it's hard to believe NBC would actually follow through with such a threat. However, both "Law & Order" and "L&O: CI" have had leads come and go over the years, so who's to say it won't happen?
Also, with Mariska's recent health problems holding production back, perhaps NBC would be relieved to have that risk off their hands.
My knee jerk reaction? There's no way. This is stupid. Just give the guys their stock in the franchise. I'd say their involvement in the show has been fairly pivotal in its overall success, so yeah, it's deserved.
You?
Related Posts:
Mariska Hargitay absent from 'SVU' for rest of season? Rep says no
'Law & Order: SVU's' Mariska Hargitay rushed to hospital
'Law & Order: SVU' star has collapsed lung, continues to work
Stay connected to the latest in TV scoop via Korbi's Tweets. Start following http://twitter.com/Zap2it today.
NBC "relieved" not to have MH, Korbi? Not in not million years, health problems (which are not exactly chronic, btw) notwithstanding. MH and CM make SVU the hit it is, NBC knows that, even if they act like replacing them would be no biggie - which is the only smart way to act considering they're in the middle of contract negotiations and trying to save as much money as possible. SVU is NOT The Mothership or CI, if TPTB replace Meloni and Hargitay the ratings will drop like crazy and SVU will be canceled after 1 season with the new leads.
I hope both sides will reach a compromise. If they don't, when CM and MH go, I'll go.
*not in a million years
NBC and **** Wolf would be crazy to let CM and MH go. These two make the show with their incredible acting and the incredible chemistry between them. With NBC already down in the ratings and not many great dramas on the network, they would be shooting themselves in the foot if they did not work with CM and MH to get them signed up for Season 11. If 11 is to be the final season why not have CM and MH in it and let the show end on a high note instead of a whimper, which will happen if they leave the show at the end of this season. Wake up NBC, wake up **** Wolf, MH and CM=SVU!
I agree, Korbi. It's stupid on NBC's part to even consider not re-signing Chris and Mariska. They ARE SVU. The addition of Adam Beach and the canning of Diane Neal for Michaela McManus were major flops...that should tell you something right there. Tati is right in saying SVU isn't like the Mothership or CI. It's a world unto itself...and we need the leads to remain. Otherwise, the show will die a miserable death. Give the what they want, NBC!
Why would NBC make a good programming decision now? They're this far away from becoming "The CW" 2, and this would be just the thing to get them there.
no way no how
SVU without CM and MH is unthinkable to me. They are the show - they are the reason I tune in week after week. Somebody show the comments from the fans to the powers that be over at NBC... they need to know that we will not watch if Chris and Mariska are not there every week. I love SVU, and I want it to return next fall - but only with my Elliot and Olivia investigating those heinous crimes!!
Actually, I think both character's story lines have been dragged out for so long that its time for a change. Although replacing both would be too dramatic all at once. Maybe bring Lupo over from the main show if it doesn't get renewed
When MH and CM go then so do I. They MAKE SVU what it is and without them the show just won't be the same. I need EO on my Tuesday nights. If NBC really thinks that they can replace them and be 'okay' they are sadly mistaken I know many people (including myself) will be losing the remote next season during SVU if they do that. NBC and TPTB suck it up and deal with it and maybe do us all a favor and realize that you are retarded to threaten to replace them. Give them what they want and get one more season with good ratings seeing as how all your other shows are in the toilet it seems like a pretty simple effing solution to me.
Give them their back end profits and get on with season 11. This is NBC's best rated scripted show and Mariska and Chris' chemistry and acting ability have carried the show for 10 years, so they deserve what two other actors on the lower rated L&O and CI were given. If Mariska and Chris leave, I won't watch the show.