As we heard last week, Christopher Meloni is closing down his private gun show on Law & Order: SVU. Meloni has had a long rumored desire to leave the successful show, and I guess he was just asking for too much money during his contract renegotiations, because Meloni and the producers have now established that Meloni isn’t coming back next season. Many of us wondered if they should just discontinue the series instead of forcing them to limp on, Meloni-less. Mariska Hargitay is good, but is she good enough to go it alone? Well, if I was in charge of the show, I would simply put Mariska in more episodes with Belzer and Ice-T, because she has chemistry with both men and that could totally be a watchable show. Unfortunately, it looks like Mariska already has one foot out the door, and they’re probably going to cast Jennifer Love Hewitt and the Lollipop Guild.
Anyway, Hargitay has now released a statement about Meloni’s departure:
One of TV’s longest-running – and hottest-looking – couples are to be no more.
This week brought the official announcement from NBC that Christopher Meloni, who has played Detective Stabler on Law & Order: SVU since the series began in 1999, will not be back for a 13th season this fall. Contract talks reportedly broke down.
That leaves his costar, Mariska Hargitay, partner-less. But the week also brought the unsettling news that the actress will be not be appearing in all of next season’s episodes.
Regarding the departure of her costar, Hargitay – who plays Detective Olivia Benson – said in a statement released late Friday:
“For the past 12 years Chris Meloni has been my partner and friend, both on screen and off. He inspired me every day with his integrity, his extraordinary talent and his commitment to the truth. I love him deeply and will miss him terribly – I’m so excited to see what he’ll do next.”
[From People]
Aw. Has anyone else seen Mariska’s E! True Hollywood Story? She and Meloni have always been tight, ever since the first time they auditioned together. They simply have great chemistry, and they make for a great on and off-screen partnership. I do think she’s going to miss him quite a bit, to the point where it might not even be fun for her to work on the show anymore.
I really feel like this next season of L&O: SVU will be the last. Or SHOULD be the last. Fingers crossed.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Jesus. 12 years is a long time to work in that capacity with someone.
After Mariska leaves, the should should be cancelled.
I like them both, but can’t say I’ll miss the show. The subject matter is too gruesome and disturbing to me.
Then don’t watch the show, idiot.
This is one of the few shows I enjoy watching because it isn’t glamorized or full of young actors. If the show does go away, I am going to miss it.
@ kiki: I agree…totally!
@Jen34: Just curious why you would watch a show that too gruesome? Wouldn’t you just steer clear of it? (Or are there some parts that you like about the show EXCEPT for the gruesome parts?)
Either way, he is YUMMY! : P
I was very disapointed to hear about this.
I’m hoping Ice-T gets more screen time now.
I can’t watch the show too formulaic and too much rape and abuse for me but I like Mariska & Chris. The idiot who thinks JLH can replace either one is really clueless.
“Too much rape and abuse for me” made me laugh. It kind of can’t be SVU without that, since rape and abuse are the crimes the unit investigates. 😉
Haven’t watched this show in years, but I do love that Mariska isn’t a twig, and works those gorgeous curves her mama gave her. Chris Meloni, meh, never thought he was good-looking…his eyes are too close together and he has a giant head.
@Jen I get SVU is about sex crimes I just can’t understand why people find those subjects entertaining on a weekly basis the premise turns me off…I used to work in group homes and when one these marathons was on forget about it there was always going to be a fight 1/2 the girls wanted to sit there and watch it for hours and the other 1/2 couldn’t stand it because they themselves had gone through that kind of thing.
@DoMaJoReMc
I’m not a regular viewer, but I’ve watched certain episodes because they have some great guest stars.
I’m gonna miss him on the show. When Mariska leaves they should cancel the show. It won’t be worth watching. The viewership is going to drop off, even more so when Mariska leaves
Love both of them on the show. I am going to miss Meloni terribly but half bread is better than none so go Mariska! Bubblegum Hewitt should not be allowed on the show.
Yeah, it won’t be the same without Stabler. The show needs to end on a high note. I did see Mariska’s THS and the L&O producers got it right with those two!
Those two look awesome. They have the chemistry plus they look like attractive and most importantly REAL people, like the ones you could actually meet or see on the street but still good looking. I wonder could it be the same without them?
I love him. I will miss him. I hope he does LOTS of great things, because otherwise I will be relegated to re-runs of OZ and SVU. And if you think SVU is disturbing, I GUARANTEE you haven’t seen OZ.
Mariska wants to reduce her role so she can focus on her babies – nothing wrong with that. But I will miss her too.
Belzer and Ice-T? GOLD!
PS – They are totally “CI’ing” this show. And we all know how well THAT worked out.
PPS – I don’t think you could do a show like this for this long without some AWESOME chemistry and developing friendships with their co-workers. I sure couldn’t! Not boffing; just true friends.
Mornin bellaluna!
@ brin – Mornin!
@min76 – I’m with you. I usually watch the teaser at the beginning when they set up the story, then I turn it off. I love those little setups.
The show’s getting old and creaky. Time to put it on ice.
The original L&O still had some life in it. Moving it to LA was the kiss of death. I heard they are cancelling the LA series after one year.
What a shame – these two are great and hold the show together. And they can act.
this makes me sad 🙁
this duo was getting really tired. i’m not surprised. still, i’m not sure where they go from here. the writing is so cop-show paint by numbers, the only thing that keeps people watching is they like the actors, even as they choke on their awful lines.
I’m sad that he’s leaving too. I always had the little fantasy that if the show ended Olivia and Elliot would finally get it on, then take off and become private eyes or something. SVU has been my favorite Law and Order for years and I think it’s time to end it, especially if Mariska leaves.
How about a show with Belzer and Ice-T?
They have great chemistry together.
Haven’t watched SVU in ages, but I love Mariska’s statement – that’s how you respond when a co-worker of that long is leaving. They’ve always seemed to be buddies off-screen too.
I wish Christoper Meloni was MY BFF! Make that…my friend with benefits!
I love this show (as much as anyone can love this subject matter) and it becomes new each time because it is based on real cases to a degree. It is smart, with a fair degree of accuracy and focuses primarily on the cases, as opposed to being ALL about their personal lives.
Its possible it could work with a new cast, I felt this way about the original Law and Order with Paul Sorvino / Jerry Orbach and Chris Noth.
I am amazed at the love for this show. I’m trying to adjust my outlook. At my house we refer to it as “Rat Bastard and Whiny Ass”. ’nuff said.
This has to be the best show ever! I am addicted. What a big mistake by the network to allow Chris to leave the show. Olivia is so so good she may be able to pull it on her own with the help. As much as I love the show, I would rather see it cancelled that see Jennifer Love Hewitt replacing Mariska. What idiot suggested that?
Replacing Mariska with Jennifer Love Hewitt?? Who thought of that? No wonder the networks are in the trouble they are in. SVU is the best show on TV, why would they kill it this way? Bring back Chris Meloni and let him do what he does best with Mariska. They are worth every penny!!! Wake up NBC!!!