PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: INSIDE MEDIA: PALEY AFTER DARK: LAW & ORDER: TWENTY YEARS AND COUNTING {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's Inside Media events. Held at the Paley Center in New York, this seminar marks the twentieth anniversary of "Law & Order," a series of dramas that deals with the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of criminals. The evening begins as Pat Mitchell (President and CEO, The Paley Center for Media) comments on the show's storied history and introduces a clip reel featuring numerous highlights from the show.
Afterward, Mitchell introduces the panelists: executive producer/creator Dick Wolf; executive producer/writer Rene Balcer; and cast members Sam Waterston (Jack McCoy) and S. Epatha Merkerson (Anita Van Buren).
Panelists touch on such topics as: how political changes in the last two decades affected the show's evolution; if the "perfect episode" has yet to be written; how Wolf continually makes the program controversial; which plots have proven most thought-provoking to Balcer as a writer; if the actors have input in the scripts; which episode has "pushed viewers' buttons the most"; why liberals and conservatives have been equally critical of the series; the most recent season having included an "entirely new twist"; how Waterston has kept his character fresh; and ways in which the series has shown two decades of change in its New York City-setting.
Next, clips are show from the following episodes: "Sanctuary," "Refuge Part 2," "Life Choice," "Dignity,' "Just a Girl in the World," "Rumble," "The Drowned and the Saved," "Memo from the Dark Side," and "Vaya Con Dios." The panelists then address topics which include: the genesis for storylines; how the subjects have remained so topical; the wide range of guest stars over the years; Waterston and Merkerson's experiences with fans in New York City; how the show was affected by 9/11; if Wolf suspected that the program could have such longevity; whether the network was consistently supportive of the series; and Merkerson having formed a special relationship with co-stars Chris Noth and the late Jerry Orbach.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: how long the show might last; if the plots' gravity makes them less entertaining; what subjects are taboo; the future for the "Law & Order" franchise; "Law & Order" scripts being adapted for viewers in Russia and England and shot there with a local cast; if Wolf fought network executives' decision to move Jay Leno's talk show into "Law & Order's" 10 p.m. time slot; if the program has had an effect on potential jurors; how far ahead scripts are written; and why Wolf is obsessed with watching "Law & Order" reruns.
Cataloging of this program has been made possible by Verizon Communications.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 16, 2009 6:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:25:18
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 100483
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Pat Mitchell … Moderator
- Dick Wolf … Panelist
- Rene Balcer … Panelist
- Sam Waterston … Panelist
- S. Epatha Merkerson … Panelist
- Jay Leno
- Chris Noth
- Jerry Orbach