Why did Meloni leave ‘SVU’?
Q: I wonder if you would be able to explain why Christopher Meloni left “Law & Order: SVU” many years ago. I love that show and am happy that he is back in “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”
A: Fans were astonished when Meloni, who had played detective Elliot Stabler, left the long-running drama a decade ago. Different theories have been offered for his departure, including that money issues during contract negotiations played a role.
Meloni, meanwhile, told the New York Post in 2020 that his departure “had nothing to do with the ‘Law & Order’ people, the ‘SVU’ people or with Dick Wolf,” referring to the maestro of “Law & Order” shows.
“I left with zero animosity, but I did leave clearly and open-eyed in going forward and finding new adventures,” Meloni added. “I was like, ‘That’s what I want to do, keep moving forward.’ I had done the ‘Law & Order’ way of storytelling, which they do really well, and I was interested in telling stories from a different angle — whether comedic or inhabiting a new world or doing it on different platforms.”
He has certainly tried out an array of roles on TV and in movies since then, and even “Organized Crime” is different in tone and style from other programs with the “Law & Order” brand.
Q: Being a big fan of “Blue Bloods,” I am wondering what happened to Frank’s grandson. I thought he was going to be a big part of the show.
A: Joe Hill, played by
Will Hochman, will return. He is in the CBS drama’s last two episodes of the season, which will air backto-back May 14. And the network has renewed “Blue Bloods” for its 12th season this fall.
Q: I was a huge fan of the TV series “Monk” with Tony Shalhoub. I think I have seen every episode about 50 times. About a month ago a
friend said they were going to make a madefor-TV movie with Shalhoub reprising his role. I am wondering if the rumor is true.
A: There was talk about 10 years ago about a TV-movie reunion of the 2002-2009 series, but it did not happen, reportedly because of budgetary concerns. In May 2020, Shalhoub did play Adrian Monk again in a short pandemic-themed piece for Peacock’s “At-Home Variety Show.” It also featured “Monk” co-stars Ted Levine, Traylor Howard and Jason Gray-Stanford, as well as a closing note where Shalhoub says he and his wife,
Brooke Adams, had both had COVID-19. You can still find the piece, titled “Mr. Monk Shelters in Place,” on Peacock with the “At-Home Variety Show” listing.
Q: The Hallmark Channel has two lead actors, Ryan Paevey and Luke Macfarlane, who look very much alike. Can you tell me if they are related?
A: They are not.
Do you have a question or comment about entertainment past, present and future? Write to Rich Heldenfels, P.O. Box 417, Mogadore, OH 44260, or brenfels@ gmail.com. Letters may be edited.