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The unthinkable has happened. After eight seasons, Law & Order: Criminal Intent will be without lead detective Robert Goren for the first time, as Vincent D'Onofrio will be leaving the show to do more film work. And he's not alone, either -- Kathryn Erbe (Det. Eames), Julianne Nicholson (Det. Wheeler) and Eric Bogosian (Capt. Ross) are all leaving the show, as well. Who does that leave? Pretty much just new hire Jeff Goldblum, who just finished his first season as Det. Nichols. While it can't feel good to have all of your fellow cast members quit on you, we're glad Goldblum is sticking around, because now he can be the lead detective in a show cast entirely by us! Well, almost -- they've already replaced Nicholson with Saffron Burrows, formerly of My Own Worst Enemy. But here's who we think should fill the rest of the vacant spots.
Senior Detective: Dean Winters
His cop character got killed on Rescue Me a season ago, and he's been on a Law & Order before, playing Det. Cassidy on the first season of Special Victims Unit. An ill-fated relationship with Olivia Benson (and the generally disturbing cases they dealt with) led him to transfer to Narcotics, but if you bring him back on the Major Case squad, just a little bit of that patented "Beeper King" cockiness from 30 Rock will propel him to greatness.
Back-Up Piece: Christian Slater. He was great with guns on My Own Worst Enemy, but we really don't think The Forgotten has much life in it. Just give him a haircut to go with the badge.
Junior Detective: Carla Gugino
Gugino has played a law-enforcement professional before -- specifically, a Federal Marshall on the short-lived Karen Sisco. But after her sexy turns in fighting crime in Sin City and Watchmen, we'd like to see her strap a holster on again and back up the hot-headed Winters with her cool, collected intelligence.
Back-Up Piece: Lizzy Caplan. She was ruthless on True Blood as Jason's V-stealing girlfriend Amy.
Captain: Ving Rhames
Although he's played a lot of gangsters and convicts, Rhames was the man who brought Kojak back to television (albeit for only nine episodes), and he was a cop in the remake of Dawn of the Dead. We say make him the first African-American captain on Criminal Intent, and have him suck on a lollipop every once in a while as a nod to his last TV cop role.
Back-Up Piece: William Baldwin. He's played cops before, and his senator character on the late Dirty Sexy Money prepared him for the political touch that the job requires.
Who would you like to see join Criminal Intent? File a report below.
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I'M VERY UPSET THAT VINCENT D'ONOFRIO & KATHERINE ERBE WON'T BE ON LAW & ORDER ANYMORE. THEY WERE SO BELIEVABLE AND ENTERTAINING. I LOVED THE SHOW. I WON'T WATCH IT ANYMORE WHEN THEY LEAVE.
i will miss vincent donofrio&katherine erbe.it will never be the same and my husband and i will not be watching it anymore.
That's it for me , I never watched the ones with Noth and Goldblum anyway. Looking forward to seeing what D'Onofrio will be doing next.
While I really enjoy D'Onofrio, I think this is the right choice. He has been sleepwalking through this role for the past year and it was just getting painful to watch. Hopefully he can find a film role to spark his interest and transform back into the captivating actor he is when he is at his best.
I'll miss D'Onofrio and Erbe; I won't miss the "how can we torture Goren" plots.
I almost watched Striptease for Ving Rhames, that's how much I love him.
Criminal Intent won't be the same when D'Onofrio and Erbe are gone, in fact I never liked it without them. I guess I'll have do some recording of the old episodes to get my daily dose of Goren.
D'Onofrio made his character so interesting to watch with his quirkiness in the first years and later with his deepening depression and family problems. Without him, I have no interest in watching.
I think Jeff Goldblum did a good job. I liked Goren the first few seasons, but recently he's become too intense for my liking. I'm sad to see him and the others go but it won't stop me from watching.
I will not be watching Criminal Intent without D'Onofrio and Erbe. I think the rating will definitely drop without them.
I've watched this show since the beginning. D'Onofrio and Erbe are great. Goldblum is also terrific. They need to pair him with someone outstanding..........I will continue watching.....
I did like Jeff Goldblum last season, yet with my favorites (D'Onofrio and Erbe) leaving...I'll watch something else. Thanks Mr. D'Onofio for one of TVs most compelling characters...Det Goren will be missed.
BENJAMIN BRATT !
Det Goren won't be missed for his character started sucking deeply when he brought his family problems onto the show. He is better at movie roles such as the crazy lunatic soldier in "Full Metal Jacket."
Finally! D'Onofio's performance and tics just annoyed the crap out of me. I will miss Erbe, though, saw her first on Oz and loved her there, loved her here.
And btw, Carla Gugino didn't fight much crime in Sin City. She got kidnapped, had her hand cut off, and then was shot and killed.
Vinnie, no! Say it ain't so! That guy knows crazy. Eames was just Goren's foil -buh bye. Goldblum's too LA for NYC. Jeff Weiss played a judge on the show once - he's good at crazy; maybe as a retired cop called back due to the shortage of experienced homicide dets. who's secretly looking for an old serial killer and makes short work of other cases? How about pairing him with Lili Taylor? Rhames sounds good for captain. It's gotta be good to keep me coming back! I need a job - let me write an episode or two!
Well Vincent's leaving, So am I
Im not going to watch it anymore
no vinnie,no jackie.Show will suck without him and erbe.Never liked capt ross either.
Who said that VDO, Erbe & Bogosian quit? That isn't true. They were all asked to take a severe pay cut. The show wanted them gone, so they could hire cheaper actors, like Saffron Burrows.
The show will certainly not last without Goren & Eames.
This isn't over and they didn't quit. So how about this: Let's cast Vincent D'Onofrio as Detective Robert Goren and Kathryn Erbe as his partner Detective Alex Eames? Wouldn't that be an amazing show?
You just lost another viewer. I always watched the Goren & Eames shows. I became concerned when Goren was not in the last few episodes. Offer them more money and beg them to come back!
When LOCI moved to USA I invested in a tv satellite system so I could watch my two favorite detectives Goren and Eames. Won't need it anymore. I will be tossing the box.
Before D'Onfrio leaves, please let the guy get laid.
Facebook keeps asking me to add Vincent D'Onofrio as a friend. Could it actually be him?
This was most depressing news. I've admired D'onofrio for years and eagerly awaited the new season--not anymore. I'll have to wait for his movies. One less TV show I'll spend time on
Here is a something to think about, bring the both back in made for tv movies. That worked with other shows. Fans would look foward to that for sure.
I am done watching the show now that D'Onofrio and Erbe are leaving. They MADE the show so intriguing and believable. What a shame!!
D'onofrio and Erbe were the show! I like Chris Noth! Never ever, ever cared for Bogosian. I'll have to make do with old ones. ):
http://savegorenandeames.blogspot.com/
Campaign to save Goren and Eames!
Goren hasn't been an interesting character in years, and poor Eames wasn't really allowed to be her own character, so I think this news can only be for the better of the series.
No Goren and Eames = NO MORE USA PROGRAMMING AT MY HOUSE. PERIOD.
It ain't over till it's over and there is no way these actors are leaving of their own volition. They are being pushed out! Join the fight to save Goren and Eames!!!
http://savegorenandeames.blogspot.com/
Join The Fight To Save Goren and Eames!!!
Dick Wolf is wrong. Some actors aren't replaceable. USA execs: Ditching VDO/Goren and Erbe/Eames yet expecting LOCI to survive is arrogant and dumb as a rock. Stop reading your own press releases and get in touch with your viewers real wants and needs.
I've been taken for a great ride - the fabulous evolution of Robert Goren. He began as a precocious puppy and matured through adversity to a dignified mature man, all incarnations brilliantly and subtly portrayed by Vincent D'Onofrio. Kathryn Erbe’s Eames is his perfect fit. Yin to his Yang. I mourn the loss of their characters and celebrate the pleasure they have given me. When they are gone from Criminal Intent, so am I.
Dick Wolf has stated that it more about the crime stories than the personal stories or actors. Why would he then focus on Hargitay and Meloni getting a raise for S11 but throw CI to the wind. After viewing SVU's opening numbers last week, NBC and Wolf and co. should be highly concerned. NBCU is making a grave mistake. D'Onofrio embodied his character. Kate Erbe did an excellent job with the material that she was given. I feel bad for Bogosian too. It's not Goldblum's fault, I saw the writing on the wall this past season. Goldblum makes an okay detective but they should create another show, not call it LOCI. It will not be the same. Also, the USA network brands itself as "characters welcome"-Det. Goren was a huge character. USA showing episodes out of order, postponing the premiere date. They have treated all LOCI fans like fools.
If you are interested in attempting to save the show, click on the links that two people have provided.
I know I have one least tv show to watch now.
ok...thats it for me...without D'Onofrio there is no reason whatsoever to watch this show..i can not believe these fools are going to let him (and her) go.Do they really not realize that he MADE this show???? Stupid is as stupid does.
Iam from the UK and got into watching all the Law and Order shows because i loved C.I so much. Goren (D'Onofrio) is one of the greatest characters ive ever watched and could not be replaced. Ive bought all the Law and Order box sets and would never watch or buy anymore of the shows if they release him. He should be paid $500,000 per episode min for the ratings he brought. Boycot anythng conected to this stupidity
My name is Nantz and I wanted to make you aware of a massive writing campaign that the fans of LOCI have been involved with. We have been sending postcards, emails, snail mail, tweets and posting everywhere we can to get our message out there of our displeasure at the dumping of Vincent D’Onofrio, Katie Erbe and Eric Bogosian. In answer to USA Network’s trending towards “lighter fare” and “fluff” I have come up with the idea to send jars and jars of “Fluff” (that’s the marshmallow crème) to the execs to let them know they can “stuff their fluff”. As soon as the season premiere airs and all the aforementioned actors are gone, so are we, and long with us the ratings will go too. Not such good news for a cable network that is currently #1 and the reason they have such high ratings is because of shows like LOCI in the first place. Our voices have been heard as we have been highlighted in “Examiner.com” twice now. Soon cases of Fluff, cotton balls, polyfill will arrive and right now they are being inundated with thousands of letters and postcards. WE control the numbers and if it’s all about the almighty dollar in cutting these actors because of their salaries then they will find out what exactly numbers really mean.
http://nantzeefantzeepantz.blogspot.com/
YOU can do something to help save Goren & Eames! It only takes a minute. Sign the petition at
http://www.gopetition.com/online/31034.html
Donofrio and Erbe were totally played in my opinion. I remember an interview last year where Donofrio stated that from what he understood, S8 would have a lot about Goren finding his nephew and that we didn't see the last from him. Dick Wolf said Goren was 'down but not out' and now look at it. Not only did Goren have new family members that popped up out of nowhere (which was just weird), they didn't touch the Donny storyline at all, and they didn't even get to progress his character past the grieving process. I heard in an interview awhile back that Eames was supposed to have a more equal role and that didn't really happen.
Looking back, all of the above, plus the writing blunders (Josh Snow anyone?), and the major pay cuts they asked them to take, it's clear there really wasn't a choice here. Regardless of their feelings, Donofrio/Erbe were pushed out when the quality of the show started to decrease this past year.
I hope the show begs them to come back with lots of money and good storylines (one where Goren isn't tortured)...OR Donofrio/Erbe go on to do regular (good) work that will allow us fans to watch and enjoy.
With Goren and Eames leaving I will not be watching the show Big mistake taking them off.
i AM JUST SICK THAT VINCENT D'ONOFRIO WILL NO LONGER BE PLAYING BOBBY GOREN WHO S ONE OF THE ALL TIME MOST DEVELOPED CHARACTER THERE WAS.
i AM DISSAPOINTED THAT, WITH ALL THE MONEY THAT SHOW HAS MADE FOR EVERYONE THAT WOLF LACKED THAT THE INTEGRITY TO OFFER CLOSURE TO THE GOREN/EAMES ROLL. THEY ARE THE SHOW. IN PROTEST I WILL BE DROPPING ALL LAW & ORDER SHOWS, ESPECSIALLY THE SOAP-SEXUAL VICTIMS.