[TV] Meloni/Stabler out at Law & Order: SVU

Dairy Ashford · May 25, 2011

Along with Hargitay asking to only be in 13 episodes next season to spend time with her kid, looks like Dick Wolf is circling the drain.

New York Daily News

"Law & Order: SVU," the last remaining broadcast outpost of the once-omnipresent "L&O" franchise, will have to carry the flag next season with something close to a full body makeover.

Christopher Meloni, who has played Detective Elliot Stabler on "SVU" since its inception in 1999, has decided not to come back for the program's 13th season on NBC, TVLine reports.

Costar Mariska Hargitay had already put one foot out the door, announcing she wants to downsize her role this season by only appearing in the first 13 of the show's 22 episodes. Jennifer Love Hewitt apparently will replace Hargitay's Detective Olivia Benson.

So far there is only preliminary speculation on replacements for Meloni, a popular fixture whose gruff detective also simultaneously appeared for five seasons on creator Dick Wolf's flagship "Law & Order."

One of the most lucrative and popular franchises in TV history, "Law & Order" is now in the midst of a gradual fadeout to the TV retirement home of reruns.

The flagship was cancelled by NBC last season and its quasi-replacement, "Law & Order: LA," sputtered through one season before being officially cancelled earlier this month.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" was moved to NBC's cable sister USA several years ago and right now is running through what is billed as a final shot of eight episodes. NBC has hinted that if it does well, it could get additional episodes, but only on USA.

"SVU" has performed well for NBC, where a general lack of hit dramas makes it easier for a show to survive. It will air next fall at 10 p.m. Wednesdays.

One thing that could help smooth the transition for "SVU" is that Wolf designed the "L&O" franchise not to be dependent on individual stars. It's the quintessential TV "procedural," crisply focused on the action of the storyline rather than in-depth character development.

So even though audiences have developed favorites, actors like Chris Noth and Vincent D'Onofrio have often shuttled out and sometimes back in over the years.

Wolf has said he has no plans right now for any other "L&O" spinoffs.
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Sajan · May 25, 2011

pouhe said: ↑

Along with Hargitay asking to only be in 13 episodes next season to spend time with her kid, looks like Dick Wolf is circling the drain.

New York Daily News
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boobs out. boobs in.

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[TV] Meloni/Stabler out at Law & Order: SVU

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