PAYCHECK WARS HOLD LAW & ORDER HOSTAGE! Shows fall captive to greedy stars who want more, more, more!
THE Law & Order universe has broken down into a wild west shootout over money, with top earners Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni and even Sam Waterston accused of being greedy while underlings complain they’re getting stiffed, The National ENQUIRER can reveal.
“No matter who it is and what show they’re on, it’s never enough,” spills an insider.
Sources snitch that a war of egos has been simmering between longtime Law & Order: SVU star Mariska, 58, and Law & Order: Organized Crime stud Chris, 61, in spite of their over-the-top show of affection in public.
“Mariska and Chris can flirt up a storm and ham it up in front of the cameras — but behind the scenes they’re constantly angling to one-up each other,” dishes our spy. “Whatever Mariska gets, Chris wants too, and that goes for salary and all those other extra perks. It really pushes Mariska’s buttons and it’s testing their friendship, but if Chris hears Mariska’s getting a masseur, he’ll demand one too — and he’ll get it!” Readers of The ENQUIRER may recall that money-hungry Meloni went on the lam from SVU in 2011 when bosses cut his salary from $395K to $300K per episode. After a long absence, the actor was lured back to star in the latest franchise spinoff, Organized Crime. “Obviously, they had to offer him equal to what Mariska earns there — which translates to roughly $540K an episode,” tattles the insider. Others assert that Mariska is envious of Waterston, 82, who returned this fall to lead a new cast of characters in a reboot of the original Law & Order. “Mariska always wants to be on par with Sam, who is the most respected actor of the whole franchise but doesn’t mind cashing his outrageously high paychecks,” snips a source.
“But Ice-T and Jeffrey Donovan, who make half of what Mariska and Chris and Sam do, are finding this repulsive and want more equity.
“The supporting cast members are the glue that keeps these shows running smoothly, and no one would be surprised if they go on strike to get what they feel should be coming to them!”