Something about SVU? –Felicia
The episode which series star Mariska Hargitay directed last week revolves around a date rape at a high school.
Samantha: Debra Messing and Mariska Hargitay are my favorite celeb BFFs. Now that they're both detectives on NBC, will they get some screen time together?
I don't want to burst any bubbles, but…maaaaybe. Messing plays Detective Laura Diamond in The Mysteries of Laura, and the first episode makes a reference to Law & Order: SVU being a TV show. However, that doesn't mean a crossover can't happen. "In the world of TV, anything is possible," Messing explains. While the two shows are "very different" in terms of tone, Messing would be down to cross paths with Hargitay's Olivia Benson. "She's my best friend, I've been on her show before. I'm game for anything if it's done with finesse."
Can you tell me anything about the SVU episode directed by Mariska Hargitay? — John
Even though Alec Baldwin is guest-starring, don't expect Jack Donaghy to show up. (His character, newspaper columnist Jimmy MacArthur, shares more DNA with Baldwin's character in Glengarry Glen Ross, which gets a nice little homage.) And although "Jimmy Mac" flirts with Benson during his first interview, don't expect sparks. In fact, when his headlines interfere with Benson's rape investigation, things get heated in a completely different way.
Sean M.: Law & Order: SVU scoop, please!
While Alec Baldwin is quitting public life, we managed to get a new detail about his SVU character: his name! Baldwin will play Jimmy "Mac" MacArthur when he guest stars in Mariska Hargitay's directorial debut, executive producer Julie Martin spilled on Twitter.
Question: Do you have any spoilers for Law & Order: SVU? There’s loads of rumors going around that Olivia might die in the finale. —Kayley
Ausiello: OK, so… apparently Mariska Hargitay has not yet inked a deal to return next season, despite my earlier assertion to the contrary. (In my defense, this is the only time I’ve ever been wrong about anything ever in the history of everything.) So, that little development, coupled with Kelli Giddish’s promise that the May 22 finale is “insane,” makes me wonder if the rumors might be true. “I cannot believe they ended it this way,” Giddish adds. ”I gasped, myself, when I finished reading it. The fans are going to go nuts. It’s jarring and emotional, because so often our detectives never, ever let the perp get the upper hand, and that happens in this episode.” The episode opens with the detectives enjoying “a day off,” elaborates co-star Danny Pino. “It’s a very unusual way to go into an episode, where we’re all relaxing, doing our own things. And then it does this slow descent into a very dark place. It’s probably one of our darkest. And by the end of it… I mean, I really don’t know how we’re going to get out of it. I feel like the writers have really painted themselves into a corner.” As to whether Benson makes it out alive, all I can tell you is what Warren Leight tells TVLine: that the finale is “a struggle for survival between Benson and [a perp nicknamed] the Beast… I guess it can go one of three ways, you know?” Not exactly comforting, is it?
Question: Since NBC renewed Law & Order: SVU for next season before Mariska Hargitay signed her contract (as opposed to last year), does this mean she is having trouble with her negotiations? Are they trying to get rid of her? —Jessica
Ausiello: What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis? Her deal is done. She’s returning. End of story. (Unless you know something I don’t. Which is possible. But unlikely.)
