I read in the newspaper yesterday that, in addition to losing Briscoe, our favorite cops-and-lawyers show will be rid of Serena Southerlyn at some point in the middle of the upcoming season.
Oh, darn!
I have nothing against Elizabeth Rohm, but the character never worked, for whatever reason.
Any ideas on what delectable plate of legalness will take her place? Failing that, we could compile a wish list.
Yes, yes, yes.
I can see the announcement. “To save costs, Elizabeth Rohm has been removed from the show. However, the costumer has been careful to keep all the outfits purchased for her character. Rohm’s part next year will be played a fine silk-coated ash and maple coat hanger stolen from Saks, which shall be draped with Rohm’s used business suits and covered with a blonde wig. The increased number of facial expressions that will result coupled with the abandonment of her monotonic voice work is expected to raise ratings among acting buffs by at least 16%.”
I have everything against Elizabeth Röhm, so this couldn’t be better news for me. Hell, I may just become a regular L&O viewer again.
She can’t act worth a damn, and that bizarre little hand-flip she does at the end of one of the TNT “We Know Drama” ads (you know, the “…and that’s drama!” flip) drives me up a wall, but there’s no way, NO WAY, I’d kick her out of bed. She’s hoooooooooooot.
But Diane Neal from SVU is hotter. 
When she tightens her mouth to show she is in her serious mode, I always expect Donald Duck’s voice to come out. Minus the passion.
I’m pretty sad to hear that. I’m the odd one out here - I really liked Serena and thought she was a huge improvement on Angie Harmon.
I always liked Ms. Rohm reasonably well… but it had nothing whatever to do with her acting…
Sometimes I think excellent realistic acting looks ‘wrong’ or ‘bad’ to those who are used to ‘Hollywood’ acting. And I am a big fan of realistic acting.
I found her to be a perfectly fine actress in that role and can’t for the life of me see why so many here have such a thing against her.
Vincent D’Onofrio, on the other hand, is a scenery chewing hack.
L&O hasn’t been the same for me since Jill Hennessey left. Damn, I miss her.
My husband and I are as avid about Law & Order as it comes, and when I told him this, he picked me up and kissed me and whirled me around shouting “No more LawBot 2000!”
LawBot 2000. Says it all.
Serena won’t be missed in my household.
I always liked her. And why on earth are they even continuing without Briscoe? He’s the best person on the show.
I thought Serena’s character was rather interesting, in that they often gave her an ability to make three-step leaps in convoluted logic.
Elisabeth Rohm, however was utterly unconvincing in the part. Since she grew up in Germany, I have to wonder how much of her wooden performance is due to having covered up an accent.
I certainly think they’ll stick with the usual impossibly hot Assistant DA. I have no idea who it will be.
As for the absence of Lenny Briscoe, considering the season of his arrival was the season the ratings really took off, I have to wonder if the show has enough momentum to continue without him,
During the cop half, we’ll have S. Epatha Merkerson, Jesse Martin and Dennis Farina. As I said in another L&O thread, if we get the Dennis Farina from the movie “Snatch”, I think we’re in for a really good time. If we get the one from “That Old Feeling”, we’re doomed.
During the lawyer half, we get Sam Waterston, Fred Dalton Thompson, and whoever replaces Rohm. So think about that when considering casting.
I have a copy of the L&O coffee table book “Crime Scenes”, which is an EXCELLENT behind the scenes look at the show, and includes a profile of every regular character up to this past season’s cast. What amazes me is that Dick Wolf has a rich and complex personal history for every character that almost never gets discussed explicitly onthe show, but when you see them after reading these, you say “Of course!”
I think they should get a man. Jack’s never had a male assistant on the show.
I think some hotshot punk, fresh out of Harvard, who is just making time until he can run for political office. He’s rich, he knows everything, and Jack is in his way.
Say it, sister! Testify!
These are my rankings of the L&O ADAs, in terms of my own ill-defined mix of character development, acting ability, and on-screen charisma.
Holy God, this is true!
No, actually . . . most things I’ve seen Vincent D’Onofrio in, he was ok. But his character on L&0:CI - he’s annoying, stupid, makes me want to do violence . . .
But then, the characters on the show suck. Partially because they seem to have farmed out the writing to child sweatshop workers in the Philippines.
Anyway, I miss Stephanie March on L&O:SVU. More character than Diane Neal.
I’ve never been able to watch Criminal Intent because I hate that guy. Is it just me, or does Vincent D’Onofrio have an extremely annoying voice?
I’m thinking they should have gotten a female detective, just to rile things up a bit. (What really would have rocked is if Mike Logan could have returned. Alas, no hopes there).
Serena always seemed a bit too young, to me. An intern working for (in more ways than one with McCoy!) the DA, sure. ADA herself? I can’t see it.
There’s a Law & Order coffee table book? I am so there.
Elisabeth Rohm didn’t grow up in Germany. I went to boarding school with her in Tennessee. I think she is an awful actress (sorry Liz) but she is even prettier in person.
Elizabeth Rohm ain’t a great actress, but what the hell is Vincent D’Onofrio’s excuse? I’ve seen him in movies where he put on great performances, but in CI…
well, the first time I saw him in that show I thought his character was sick or kidding around or trying to act himself. And then in the next scene, same thing. When did the evil spirit of David Caruso possess Vincent D’Onofrio?
Guin, it’s not uncommon for young, beautiful women to be bigshot prosecuting attorneys. We’ve had a few around here who could give Elizabeth Rohm a run for her money, and Rohm is certainly beautiful. Prosecuting attorney can be a very political job, and beautiful women have a big advantage in politics, at least at that level.
Stephanie March, who played Alexandra Cabot on L&O: SVU, was 26 when she first landed the role.