Law & Order: Criminal Intent Discharges Vincent D'Onofrio and Three Regulars
House isn't the only television program shuttling out original characters. It was announced late last night that Law & Order: Criminal Intent is gearing up for dramatic cast changes during its upcoming ninth season that include four regular cast members leaving the Major Case Squad. Vincent D'Onofrio who plays Robert Goren, the startlingly intense and intuitive badge with his own sordid past, will exit next March. Who will he take with him?
Kathryn Erbe, who plays Goren's partner Alex Eames, will also be phased out next season, along with Eric Bogosian, who plays the force's captain. As reported earlier this year, Jeff Goldblum's on-screen partner Julianne Nicholson (who played Megan Wheeler) will be replaced by Saffron Burrows.
Other details about the casting shake-up are still unclear. Law & Order's franchise creator, Dick Wolf has dealt with his fair share of casting roulette in the past, often remarking how the viewers prefer the story lines to the actual actors: "I'm a firm believer that the Law & Order audience, in a sense looks forward to these casting changes."
There is a chance that D'Onofrio could return for future guest appearances to assist the new central detective partnership played by Goldblum and Burrows.
- Vincent D'Onofrio exiting 'Criminal Intent' [Hollywood Reporter]
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"Dick Wolf has dealt with his fair share of casting roulette in the past, often remarking how the viewers prefer the story lines to the actual actors: 'I’m a firm believer that the Law & Order audience, in a sense looks forward to these casting changes.' " The man couldn't be more WRONG. He was lucky to have Vincent Donofrio, and he's got to be the stupidest person in Hollywood to let him go. This show is done.
There wouldn't be so many cast members leaving, if Vincent hadn't snuck in jelly doughnuts after hours.
Vincent Donofrio gives the show its class. Without him, I will put up with Goldblum now and then, but--not Jeff's fault--Vincent has just the right back story and intensity for the role. It isn't the stories nearly as much as Vincent's edgy, nearly tragic performance that keeps me watching. And I bet there are a lot of folks out there like me. Dick Wolf is being foolish. Jeff and Vincent could alternate. Kathryn Erbe nails her role every time as Vincent's understanding sidekick with her irony shining through.
And Eric Bogosian is flawless. How can he be on the firing line, too?
God, why do people watch these shows.
I'm still mourning Lenny Briscoe.
i agree with Lastparker. Vincent is a talented actor and truly reflects the "Criminal Intent" affect. Professionally he may not want to pigeon hole himself based on one character. I have seen him in several other productions ( besides Men in BLack) He commands a presence on screen. No disrepect to Jeff Goldblum who I think his a fine actor in his own right. As a loyal watcher of all the Law and order series I don't see him carrying the show. The concept of varied storied lines is fresh Dick Wolf. Please don't forget that Vincent and Kathryn talent for many seasons provide the base for storyline variety.
Removing D'onofrio, Erbe, and Bogosian is an imbecilic moved on Wolf's part. I agree with the poster above "this show is done". Goldblum is a clown! Are they trying to turn CI into "Monk" I watch the show for the actors. After all you can read the stories in any newspaper which is where 90% of the plots come from. At any rate without these three actors, I have watched my last CI.
While I like the addition of Jeff Goldblum over Chris Noth, the main reason that I watched the show was for D'Onofrio & Erbe. Oh well time to switch over to the reruns on Sleuth.
With Monk gone and L&O:CI dead why don't they just kill off pscyh to complete the whole thing.
Oh and one other thing "White Collar" hasn't even aired and I'm already sick of it. Over promote much?
Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe are Law & Order CI...Jeff Goldblum is great...he and Vincent's characters compliment each other...Mr. Wolf states that viewers like the show and are not attached to the cast.. I disagree...I no longer watch the original Law & Order as I grew tired of the cast changes. The back storis of all the characters add interest and depth to the shows. Please rethink the cast changes. Keep D'Onofrio, Erbe and Bogosian - I will rethink my interest and loyalty to the show if these fine actors and the characters they portray leave.
Well, I must admit, when tormented with Elizabeth Rohm for 6 years of L&O, I was desperately looking forward to a casting change. Unfortunately, she was there at a time when the writing was fantastic, so I suffered through her. It's an interesting strategy Wolf has: Why make your viewers enjoy the entire experience of the show when they'll gladly wince and cringe through bad acting anyway? With that thinking in mind, he boots Erbe and D'onofrio.... and gives us Saffron Burrows.
Why not just give the script to various New Yorkers to read on the street each week? That would be cheaper. And it can't be worse than Rohm. It really can't.
I'm a huge Criminal Intent fan preferring Goren and Eames above all, liked Chris North's with Julianne Nicholson and could take or leave Saffron Burrows but do not care for Jeff Goldblum's at all. He is too quirky and sadly just over powers the show in my opinion.
I love Vincent D'Onofrio and am very concerned by his severe change in appearance, I hope he is not ill. I have heard stories that he is an alcoholic which led to his departure on the show, hope its not so. I would have liked to have seen Kathryn Erbe continue as Eames, her character shined a little more while D'Onofrio's Goren transitioned off...
Sadly after 8 yrs of being a die hard fan, I guess its time to find a new show, but it wont be the same...
You can't blame someone as talented as D'Onofrio - and, lest we forget, Erbe - for wanting out after so many years. I'll just miss the continuing arc and frisson that seemed to finally be coming to a head after all these years. Bogosian's been amazing, and I just hope we get some kind of a huge denouement rather than a petering out. Then, we can see D'Onofrio in some non-arthouse films again, where he belongs.
Well you can say goodbye to this viewer. I like Jeff Goldbloom, but I love Vincent D'Onofrio. He is what I looked forward to week after week. And Kathryn Erbe is the best partner. Why do people mess with the shows I like.
Law & Order CI will never be the same with out Goren and Aims they r the greatest team ever to play drama on television. I'll miss them on marathon Saturday's.
I am terribly disappointed that Dennis D'Onofrio and Erbe will be leaving the show. I feel that they have been the cornerstone of the show and create the atmosphere of Criminal Intent. Jeff Goldblum is okay, but he is poor Copy of D'Nofrio. I feel he has merit in his own right but he is no way in comparison and Will not be able to carry the show.
I have watched Law and Order since the beginning of the original Series and record the shows when I am not able to watch them...I feel that the original Law and Order, Special Victim's Unit and Criminal Intent are the three best shows and no shows have come close to replacing them.
Please reconsider in Changing the cast memebers...I do not like the changes...I feel that the consistency of characters gives merit and substance to the show and the presentation of the characters lines.
Changing guest characters in fine and that is nice...but not main characters!
Let me say that again...Please do not change the main characters!!!
I was just getting used to switching beteen D'nofrio and Noth...I didn't like it...but I was willing to give Noth a try when Wheeler came along...
If D'nofrio goes off completely...I will not watch as much...and that is sad...Already I do not watch if Goldblum is on and something else may come up.
Pls forgive the wordy disortation...I am just vexed that there will be yet another change!
LOCI and Goren & Eames fans: Why get angry when you can take action? NBCU senior management has made a costly mistake in its effort to save money by firing D'Onofrio and Erbe. Let them know. The Campaign to Save Goren & Eames is underway. E-mail your displeasure to bonnie.hammer@nbcuni.com and jeff.gaspin@nbcuni.com and tell them directly (short, sweet, clean) why they need to reverse their decision.
SAVE GOREN AND EAMES...
http://savegorenandeames.blogspot.com/
SAVE GOREN AND EAMES...
http://savegorenandeames.blogspot.com/
New sites for Saving Goren and Eames Now!
http://savinggorenandeamesnow.blogspot.com/
http://savinggorenandeamesnow.com/
I find the remarks regarding Jeff Goldblum various yet interesting. As a long time Vincent D'Onofrio fan I have to admit I will not be watching this show once he is gone; I will be tuning into the USA reruns instead. Please keep in mind that the show is written for Goren and that is what makes Goldblum's character look so childish. The writers should have given Jeff's character (cannot even remember the name) his own identity rather than being just another grown up boy like Goren. Big mistake. And by the way, Vincent's weight gain was not because of Jelly Donuts, Dumb Dumb, it was because of medication he had to take off screen, not on. Now there is just more of him to love! I wish I could.
WEll, that will be it for me...vincent and kathryn are the reasons i watch Criminal Intent faithfully...the cast does matter and this is the wrong move...
the show's popularity will definitely diminish...
Sorry, but donuts aren't the issue in Vincent's weight gain. As fewer and fewer actors delve into their characters with the same intensity and dedication as D'Onofrio, he immersed himself in the role of Orson Welles - complete with the weight gain that was mandatary to Welles' larger-than-life impact. Using the same method, he has captured the Goren character, made it evolve and has carried Wolf's plots into even finer realms. Eames couldn't possibly be Eames without Erbe. She has consistently brought depth, wry humor and enormous talent to complement D'Onofrio's role. While many, many gifted actors exist, there may be none who could replace Erbe's interpretation. As a retired TV/radio writer and programmer, I have to say that Wolf has committed role murder in letting these two get away. Shameless ego, sir.
I watch Criminal Intent for Vincent & Kathryn. I love the characters they portray. Will not watch the show if they're gone. I will probably not be the only one.
HOW STUPID ARE YOU? DONOFIO WAS THE ONLY ONE I WOULD WATCH.I WATCH ALL THREE OF THE L&A SERIES BUT WHEN DONOFRIO IS ON I WOULDN'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD. HE IS A GREAT ACTOR AND HE MAKES THE STORY SEEM SO REAL. HOW DUMB ARE YOU PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT THE VIEWERS WANT???????
The Only reason i watched this show was because of Vincent D'onofrio and Kathryn Erbe. If they let them go. This show is done. I believe a lot of viewers were loyal to the show because of these two characters. They are such great characters and they are great actors. I will boycott this show and Wolf i dont think i am along ratings will drop dramatically drop.
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