# Lennie to leave "Law and Order"? Say it ain't so! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 26, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652 "2004-03-26T23:30:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/21 "2004-03-27T05:11:26Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > God dammit. Who’s going to provide the snappy one-liners at the end of the very first scene??? In honor of his going, the first episode without him should be wisecrack-less. ---
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Personified](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Beauty\_Personified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Personified)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/22 "2004-03-27T07:39:02Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > In honor of his going, the first episode without him should be wisecrack-less. I mentioned in another thread that the new _Law & Order_ spin-off that Orbach is moving to will be… _Law & Order: Briscoe_ Now that would be a great show! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/23 "2004-03-27T07:44:07Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > Like **Nonsuch** , I think Jerry Orbach leaving could really give the show a shot in the arm (they could bring back Profaci!). Umm, I though he was revealed to be a traitor on the Mob payroll in Exiled? It’d take a lot to bring back a cop character from THAT. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/24 "2004-03-27T08:01:10Z")
> [@Boyo Jim](#): > > Personally, I don’t think Elizabeth Rohm is any worse an actress than Angie Harmon, but she’s way lower on the Babe scale. I loved Carmichael! She was tough, smart, and not a twit. Also, Angie Harmon is extremely hot, and I say this as a straight woman. My L&O dream team: Van Buren, Logan, Briscoe, Carmichael, Schiff. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/25 "2004-03-27T13:22:13Z")
Maybe I’m misunderstanding the article. It not only says Briscoe is leaving, but that Green and Van Buren will be on the new show? So there will be an entirely new police dept? :eek: I saw a story once where Orbach was talking to Epatha on their first day of filming, and they looked at each other, grinned, and said, “They’re going to have to carry me out of here in a pine box.” I mean, they get star status for what amounts to half a show. All the glamour for half the work. I want Chris Noth and Benjamin Bratt back as partners…yummy yummy yummy. Personally, I think Claire was very good, with Jamie running a close second, if not a tie. Abby grew on me, and I can tolerate Serena in small doses. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/26 "2004-03-27T13:30:06Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Umm, I though he was revealed to be a traitor on the Mob payroll in Exiled? It’d take a lot to bring back a cop character from THAT. :eek: Then again, maybe “Exiled” isn’t really L&O canon. It certainly wasn’t an especially good movie. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/27 "2004-03-27T17:25:31Z")
I feel like howling at the moon. Even though it’s noon and I’m generally not prone to canine behavior. But I agree that the L&O cast needs a shake-up. One of the reasons that I prefer SVU is that I like most of the characters better. Here’s what I’d like to see happen: Briscoe: I want him to stay, goshdarnit! But if they replace him, I hope they don’t try to get someone just like him. It won’t work. Green: For some reason, I’ve never liked Jesse L. Martin. He bugs. Get rid of him. Bring back Bratt or Noth. Or bring in someone new altogether. Van Buren: Love her! McCoy: I may be the only person in the world who feels this way, but I cannot stand Sam Waterston. And I dislike the character, too. I loved Michael Moriarty in this role. One way they could change things up would be to replace McCoy with someone who isn’t so damn righteous. They could make a character that tends to win not with courtroom rhetoric, but with backroom dealing. But they need to get rid of him. He’s stale. Southerlyn: Blech. She’s such a bad actress. It’s so pathetic when she tries to be “fiery and outraged.” They need to rethink the role a bit, sort of like they did over at SVU. Branch: I like him. The one played by Dianne Wiest was just boring, so this one’s a big improvement. I like the way his Southern good ol’ boy manner is so incongruous in New York. Maybe the new spin-off will be: **Law & Order: Dirty Dancing.** Could you imagine? Patrick Swayze could play Briscoe’s sidekick. In the first episode, they could find a neglected infant under a side table. Swayze would say… Nobody puts baby in a corner! ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/28 "2004-03-27T18:37:56Z")
Awwww… Lenny rocks! However, L&O does need some revitalizing. Perhaps they’ll get a female detective – like a Cagney & Lacey type. No, wait, that would make it SVU. Oaky, get an _older_ Cagney & Lacey type. A solidly experienced detective - like a grittier Van Buren. The format of DA and female ADA and two male detecitves has gone on for quite a long time now. I could see a change there. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/29 "2004-03-27T18:41:03Z")
> [@Green Bean](#): > > Maybe the new spin-off will be: > > **Law & Order: Dirty Dancing.** > Could you imagine? Patrick Swayze could play Briscoe’s sidekick. In the first episode, they could find a neglected infant under a side table. Swayze would say… > > Nobody puts baby in a corner! Boom boom. He’ll be here all week folks. ---
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Personified](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Beauty\_Personified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Personified)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/30 "2004-03-27T19:05:25Z")
I like to an S. Epatha Merkerson/Paul Reubens reunion. Pee-Wee might make an interesting choice for a detective. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Personified](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Beauty\_Personified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Personified)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/31 "2004-03-27T19:08:04Z")
> [@TOTBP](#): > > I like to an S. Epatha Merkerson/Paul Reubens reunion. Pee-Wee might make an interesting choice for a detective. 😃 That would be, “I’d like to see…” Almost every time I don’t use “preview”, I make a mistake… And Pee-Wee would _definitely_ make an interesting detective! ---
**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/32 "2004-03-27T19:33:02Z")
Am I the only person in the universe who actually _likes_ Elisabeth Rohm? She always seemed to have fine acting skills to me. Obviously I don’t like Serena as much as Claire, and Jamie always seemed to have a special relationship with Jack so I liked her too. But I like Serena/Elisabeth just as much as I liked Abbie/Angie. And I liked _her_ a lot, even if she did seem a bit harsh. Maybe I just have a soft spot in my heart for Ms. Rohm because I first saw her on one of my favorite short-lived shows, the 1998 remake of _Fantasy Island_, where she played the post-wish version of an “ugly duckling” woman who got her wish to be beautiful. Also, if Elisabeth Rohm is still on the show next season, won’t she be the longest running assistant DA in the show’s history? ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/33 "2004-03-27T20:09:13Z")
In fairness, I don’t know if it is Rohm’s fault, I’ve never seen her in anything else. They have neglected to give her character any kind of distinctive voice, to me she seems mushy and bland. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/34 "2004-03-27T21:21:23Z")
> [@Murcielago](#): > > In fairness, I don’t know if it is Rohm’s fault, I’ve never seen her in anything else. They have neglected to give her character any kind of distinctive voice, to me she seems mushy and bland. She was on the first half of the first season of _Angel_. Maybe that’s why I have a soft spot in my heart for her. Well, that and she’s kinda hot (but nowhere near as hot as Angie Harmon). ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/35 "2004-03-27T21:50:19Z")
Back in 1972, Jerry Orbach had dinner at Umburtos Clam House, in Little Italy, in Manhattan. His dining partner was the Columbo mob capo, Crazy Joe Gallo. Shortly after Jerry left the restaurant, Crazy Joe was wacked. Mr. Orbach was questioned, of course, but stated that he was only researching a part while he dined with Joey. ‘Gangland’, Jerry Capeci ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2004, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/36 "2004-03-27T21:50:39Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > She was on the first half of the first season of _Angel_. Maybe that’s why I have a soft spot in my heart for her. Oooooh, _that’s_ where she’s from. Didn’t really like her on _Angel_ either, but at least she had a bit more character. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/37 "2004-03-28T01:43:04Z")
> [@ltfire](#): > > Back in 1972, Jerry Orbach had dinner at Umburtos Clam House, in Little Italy, in Manhattan. His dining partner was the Columbo mob capo, Crazy Joe Gallo. Shortly after Jerry left the restaurant, Crazy Joe was wacked. Mr. Orbach was questioned, of course, but stated that he was only researching a part while he dined with Joey. > ‘Gangland’, Jerry Capeci I’ve read that Orbach’s wife at the time, Marta Curro, was helping Crazy Joe write his memoirs. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/38 "2004-03-28T04:00:50Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > If they don’t get someone reeeeeeeally good to replace him, that show’s done. Assuming _Tremors: the Series_ won’t be back, maybe they could get Michael Gross. ---
**Author:** ![WaryEri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ea666f/32.png) [@WaryEri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WaryEri)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/39 "2004-03-28T05:29:46Z")
Maybe they’ll go for a female Cop#2 for once, and then they can get rid of the female Lawyer #2 thing. It feels like that role exists only to fill the female quota for the show, and it’s gotten progressively more bland as each new actress steps in. I _liked_ Robinette. Surely they can figure out how to write for something other than a pretty, bone thin young female ADA again? I’d be great to see Mike Logan back, but I get the feeling that from the amount of other work he’s been doing lately, an L&O return for him is about as likely as Jill Hennessy reprising Clair… ---
**Author:** ![Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambi_Hassenpfeffer)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652/40 "2004-03-28T05:39:50Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > I loved Carmichael! She was tough, smart, and not a twit. Also, Angie Harmon is extremely hot, and I say this as a straight woman. > > My L&O dream team: Van Buren, Logan, Briscoe, Carmichael, Schiff. You and I have much in common. I loved Hang ‘Em High Carmichael – Angie Harmon was good for the part and even this gay man thought she was freakin’ hot. I like your dream team too. I liked Rey also, but Logan / Briscoe was the best pairing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lennie-to-leave-law-and-order-say-it-aint-so/236652.md?page=1)