# Fellow Law & Order fanatics - did you see the season premiere? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 19, 2000, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546 "2000-10-19T16:38:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/1 "2000-10-19T16:38:38Z")
I didn’t know Adam Schiff (I don’t know the actor’s name) wasn’t coming back this year. That sucks! I loved the way he always seemed uncomfortable and cranky. I hope to model myself after him when I get old. Too soon to tell from the premiere, but I suppose Dianne Weist (Wiest?) will do OK in that role. They certainly have a good track record for replacing valuable people and maintaining continued excellence - the best in television history, in my opinion. It was neat seeing Rudy Guiliani play himself in the cameo where Weist was introduced to Jack and Abby. But I have to say, it was a pretty mundane ‘L&O’ episode for a season opener. Don’t you usually want your first and last episodes of a season to be really spectacular (a la ‘West Wing?’) Jamie Martin’s character (Briscoe’s partner) is really starting to grow on me, too. I’m liking him a lot better now than I did at first. Some damn big shoes to fill playing a detective on that show, though. ---
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/2 "2000-10-19T16:49:05Z")
Valerie & I were doing a play by play during the last 15 minutes or so in chat. I thought the case was a pretty lousy one for a season opener. (Especially after that kickass ep of West Wing…I loved Martin Sheen slamming that “Dr. Laura” chick. :D) Next week’s looks good, and would be more of what I expected for last night’s ep. I also wasn’t a fan of Jack wimping out on going for manslaughter. It didn’t seem to fit with his character. Also…did ANYONE else want to smack that defense attorney? The new DA looks ok…be interesting to see how she interacts with everyone. She kinda seemed to be a non-entity last night. Oh, and best line? Defense attorney: “Objection! Counsel is mocking the witness!” Jack: _pause_ “Yes, yes I am.” ---
**Author:** ![little\_bit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@little\_bit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/little_bit)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/3 "2000-10-19T16:53:47Z")
I’m sorry to say that I am only an occasional watcher. (I work late a lot) That being said… _THAT_ was the season premiere??? ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/4 "2000-10-19T17:00:22Z")
> [@](#): > > I also wasn’t a fan of Jack wimping out on going for manslaughter. It didn’t seem to fit with his character. I agree. He wanted to let off someone who had clearly broken the law, leading to someone’s death? Maybe we missed the first five minutes, when the body snatchers laid their pods in the NY DA’s office. I was disappointed - it was a pretty boring show, especially for the season opener. Maybe once they got Giuliani to be on the show, they figured they didn’t need to work as hard. If so, they were wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/5 "2000-10-19T17:06:15Z")
**Milossarian:** _“I didn’t know Adam Schiff (I don’t know the actor’s name) wasn’t coming back this year. That sucks!”_ Yeah… this was discussed among L&O fans earlier this summer. Some folks didn’t like Dianne Wiest as an actress, and weren’t looking forward to seeing her in the role, either. But don’t forget the most important “actor” on the show is the show itself. L&O has a history of revolving-door characters and **that** is what keeps the show fresh. **Falcon:** _“I thought the case was a pretty lousy one for a season opener. (Especially after that kickass ep of West Wing…I loved Martin Sheen slamming that “Dr. Laura” chick)”_ I wasn’t watching West Wing, but after the episode was over, **Obfusciatrist** came up and said, “I want to vote for Martin Sheen’s character for president. He’s so _cool_!” LOL **Falcon:** _“The new DA looks ok…be interesting to see how she interacts with everyone. She kinda seemed to be a non-entity last night.”_ Just give her time. This was her introduction episode (with a nice intro by Hizzoner, too!). **Falcon:** _"Oh, and best line? Defense attorney: “Objection! Counsel is mocking the witness!” Jack: pause “Yes, yes I am.”_ Even L&O took a bit of a jab at Dr. Laura with that expert witness! Her credentials vs. what she does on her radio show, sounds rather parallel with the criticisms that have been levied against Dr. Laura. [Hmmmm… me here smells a conspiracy??? :wally] ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/6 "2000-10-19T17:12:40Z")
I have always thought of myself as the reason the show stays on the air. I watch religiously. I fell asleep last night at 8:30. D’oh! Why is Schiff not returning? The character, not the actor. I care not for reality! ---
**Author:** ![magdalene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@magdalene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magdalene)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/7 "2000-10-19T17:15:16Z")
I loved all the interaction between McCoy, the judge, and the defense lawyer. McCoy’s facial expressions and the judges’ put-downs were priceless. Other lawyer looked like an idiot, but he won. Not sure if there was supposed to be a lesson in there. The think I love/hate about Law & Order is that every show is exactly like every other show. You always know it’s going to be good, but it’s always going to be pretty much like the last one. In episodes where they are looking for “the killer” I usually have him or her singled out about 15 mins. into the show. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/8 "2000-10-19T17:28:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ellykat \* > \*\*I have always thought of myself as the reason the show stays on the air. I watch religiously. I fell asleep last night at 8:30. D’oh! > \*\* ::Hanging head in shame:: I fell asleep too. However, I didn’t miss the Dr. Laura jab. I found that to be pretty entertaining! This episode wasn’t one of their best. But, like The Simpsons, one of their worst shows still beats a lot of the crap out there! ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/9 "2000-10-19T17:48:57Z")
I have the episode on tape to watch this evening. I’ll miss Adam. He was my favorite on the show. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/10 "2000-10-19T19:31:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Milossarian \* > **They certainly have a good track record for replacing valuable people and maintaining continued excellence - the best in television history, in my opinion.** Well, I think this is true with one notable exception. Angie Harmon. She stinks, or at least she stunk in her first season. That’s what you get in a model turned actress. I really couldn’t bear to watch, and after about 6 or 7 episodes I kind of abandoned watching L&O regularly. I also disliked the character the script writers gave her. There were lots of ideological spats where she would play the fascist and Jack would play the liberal. Blech. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/11 "2000-10-19T19:35:15Z")
[Official NBC Law and Order Website](http://home.nbci.com/LMOID/bb/fd/0,946,-0-2192,00.html?tv.idx.az.show-drp.2192) ---
**Author:** ![randomlyblanks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@randomlyblanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randomlyblanks)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/12 "2000-10-19T20:26:38Z")
Did I miss something, but what happened to the Supreme Court decision on the Chilean? ---
**Author:** ![poohpah\_chalupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/91b2a8/32.png) [@poohpah\_chalupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poohpah_chalupa)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2000, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/13 "2000-10-19T20:49:18Z")
1: The Wiest character, to me, was simply espousing the same lines that Adam Schiff would’ve said. Just imagine Steven Hill saying them…it was totally in his character. Hopefully, the writers will develop her character more substantially as the season progresses. 2: Angie Harmon. _love_ her, _hated_ Carey Lowell. People (characters) were always remarking how “gorgeous” Lowell’s Jamie Ross was, but she always came off as dull, sort of a doormat. Angie’s Abbie Carmichael is feisty and passionate…and quite the dish. She’s a hundred times better than Lowell and probably twenty times better than Jill Hennessey, who was the previous ADA. 3: I wish Mrs. Chalupa was home to see the smarmy Defense Attorney…she would’ve reached into our TV and slapped his arrogant ass around on national television. 4: Mr. Sheen’s diatribe on the Dr. Laura clone was **priceless**! Does anyone know where I could get a transcript of it? L&O still rocks although I agree–this was a surprisingly mundane season premiere episode. But, pound for pound, it’s still the best show on the air, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/14 "2000-10-20T08:26:42Z")
**neuroman** complained: _“Angie Harmon. She stinks, or at least she stunk in her first season. That’s what you get in a model turned actress. I really couldn’t bear to watch, and after about 6 or 7 episodes I kind of abandoned watching L&O regularly.”_ Ack! There are many models-turned-actresses… **Angie Harmon** … _Mmmmmmm._ She’s cute! ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/15 "2000-10-20T08:59:33Z")
So far, Diane Wiest’s character isn’t nearly crotchity enough. But, maybe she’ll get more cantankerous as the show progresses. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/16 "2000-10-20T09:01:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neuroman \* > [Angie Harmon. She stinks, or at least she stunk in her first season. That’s what you get in a model turned actress. \*\* How dare you besmirch a hottie like Angie Harmon! ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/17 "2000-10-20T13:42:34Z")
Yea, I was disappointed, too. Loyal follower (yea A & E), have had fun watching the various comings and goings of the “staff”. It was an ok show, but certainly NOT first of the season. I’ve also appreciated watching the various guest stars and their roles afterward - the Practice has several alum’s (all the lawyers in the firm except Bobby have had guest roles on L&W). What I think is the magic of the show is a combination of the topical nature of the stories (often taken from headlines), coupled with the fact the “good guys” don’t always win. They show bad judges, bad lawyers, quirky juries etc. Love it. OTOH. Really, really pissed at TV guide. why??? L&O Special victims unit (admittedly not as good as the original), had the big “cliffhanger” at the end of last season, with a psych eval on each team member and the psych recommending that some one would have to take an emergency leave. WHo, Who who. Well, I was looking forward to finding out. But then the damn TV guide in it’s little preview for the show told the secret. I won’t repeat it here in case somebody hasn’t heard yet (by the way when Bobbie was in the shower, it was all a dream). ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/18 "2000-10-20T14:12:21Z")
Does anybody else get a kick out of recognizing a L&O character actor from previous roles. “Hey, that guy also played a basketball coach, and Brutus the cop-killer”. Or am I watching too much Law and Order? ---
**Author:** ![jesuslynch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e99b99/32.png) [@jesuslynch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jesuslynch)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/19 "2000-10-20T14:16:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spooje \* > \*\*Does anybody else get a kick out of recognizing a L&O character actor from previous roles. > > “Hey, that guy also played a basketball coach, and Brutus the cop-killer”. Or am I watching too much Law and Order? \*\* The defense attorney was a recurring character from the _X-Files_. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2000, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546/20 "2000-10-20T14:22:22Z")
I think spooje is talking about times when “Law & Order” actors appear in other episodes of L&O. Fer instance - S. Epatha Merkerson played a grieving mother before she landed the role of Lt. Van Buren (if I’m remembering correctly). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-law-order-fanatics-did-you-see-the-season-premiere/37546.md?page=2)