Law and Order

Not too worry. You seem to be a few years behind in England. There is a replacement for Curtis who has been on for a couple of years. (Ed, a handsome and charming guy). My only worry is that Briscoe is getting a bit long in the tooth for chasing the bad guys. He is starting to look like the next run would bring on a coronary.

I never cared for Curtis, and like Ed much better. So you folks in England have something to look forward.

BTW, I happen to be a L&O freak. They have it on, three in a row, in reruns one night, and well as other reruns, and the new episodes. I have been known to watch all three!

It is a great show! I've been watching for years and it's one of the few shows that has been able to maintain the same standard of quality all along even though cast members come and go.

Phoenix, you have put my mind at rest.

Law & Order
Law and Order is by far, one of the greatest police dramas ever to hit the small screen, and undoubtfully the best one out there today. Although most likely inspired by the 60's tv show, "Arrest and Trial", Law and Order has consistently maintained it's strength through nine seasons, despite a parade of character substitutions.

I mean, what competition is there ? We have NYPD Blue, which in it's own right happens to be a great show - however, it's not even in the same league as L & O. PD Blue is far too soap - opera for me, and the writers end up way out there in outer space, more often than not. Between Sipowicz death curse for anyone around him, and the fact that the writers simply can not conceive of two colleagues working together, without hopping into the sack...it just gets stupid. Nonetheless, I do like the show. But my god, they need to streamline the writing a great deal. The 3 week death sentence for Bobby Simone, is where I began to realize that the plots were getting out of hand. I began to wonder if the show could even be considered a 'crime drama' any longer.

We have "The Shield". A decent show, but often it seems as if the writers push the envelope for the mere shock value alone. Shock value is good, if it complements and supports the story...but to throw a bunch of shocking scenes into the episodes, for shock value in and of itself...is transparent. But it's worth watching, I enjoy the show.

homicide: Life on the Streets. Here's a good one - not nearly L & O, but I don't have too many complaints, beyond the fact that Baltimore ain't NYC.

colombo Reruns: I can never get sick of these. Columbo was an awesome character. For the time, it was such an innovative and enjoyable show - Peter Falk is a great actor, very underrated. Columbo is second only to L & O.

Law and Order Spin Offs: Silly. What's next ? Law and Order: Special Elevator Investigation Unit ? They don't cut it, when you have the real thing to compare.

You can't beat Law and Order. Did I mention how incredibly attractive the assistant DA's are, from Angie harmon, to Jill Hennessy, to Richard Gere's wife...c'mon. Jack Mcoy is awesome, as well as was benjamin Stone. Adam Schiff ? Incredible - reeks of wisdom, and has some of the best lines ever - lines that I wish i had thought of myself. The show rarely if ever gets personal, and when it does - it's a necessary detour. I can't think of a single weak episode - none. How does this show maintain the strength after so many seasons ? Most great shows lose steam - but Law and Order, and The Simpsons, are the only two that I can sincerely say - have been running strong, after over 300 episodes.