You wouldn’t think that NBC could afford to lose a hit show right now, but that’s what may happen. Sources tell me that NBC is playing hardball with stars Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni, not wanting to pay them big increases if they stay for a ninth season next fall. “It’s not Dick Wolf,” my source says of the notoriously capricious producer. Wolf is infamous for constantly replacing and substituting actors on the original “Law & Order.” But so far the cast has remained stable for “SVU” since it launched eight years ago. NBC, however, according to insiders, doesn’t seem to care whether the show returns or not. “They’re acting like they want Chris and Mariska out of there,” says my source. Negotiations, which have gone on this week, are said to have been brutal. One thing NBC probably didn’t count on was Emmy nominations for both stars and a win last year for Hargitay. The awards and kudos have come toward the end of the series’ run and are considered surprising for a “cop” show. The awards attention, coupled with consistently high ratings, would ordinarily give actors leverage with the network. But with cost cutting and layoffs going on, NBC is said to feel that they don’t mind losing the show or starting over with new, less expensive actors. The ratings for ‘Law & Order SVU’ are what make this news all the more perplexing. The show wins its Tuesday night time slot easily every week, with an average 9.4 rating and a 16 share. Ironically, the ratings have only gone up as the fall season has plodded along, making “SVU” one of the lone shining lights in the otherwise dimmed NBC firmament. Either way, Meloni and Hargitay would leave “SVU” well off financially but even better off career wise. They are each a hot property and would likely be snapped up rival networks to star in their own series immediately. Stay tuned…
Fox 411 (story) and Law & Order: SVU (photo)
I think NBC would be making a huge mistake if they didn’t pay up! This show gets the ratings and Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni deserve the raise. And I am saying all this and I don’t watch the show!
