They wouldn’t dare.
Multiple sources are confirming that NBC is threatening to replace Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni on Law & Order: SVU if the actors persist in their demands for more money.
Last week, NBC closed a deal with L&O boss Dick Wolf for an 11th season of SVU — which, at 10.5 million viewers, remains the Peacock’s No. 1 scripted show. That opened the door to a new round of negotiations with the stars, whose $350K-per-episode contracts will expire in May. Yet a source close to the matter said talks stalled when the duo — who, like in their previous negotiations, are banding together — attempted to go after back-end profits, a perk that’s almost never granted in the L&O universe (although exceptions were made for Vincent D’Onofrio and Chris Noth).
As a result, NBC cautioned that it may be forced to replace the MVPs — a risky move considering how integral Hargitay and Meloni are
to the show. Many feel the Peacock won’t make good on its
threat (reps for the network, studio and the actors would not comment for
this story). “I don’t think in this environment, there’s any chance
they could re-launch the show with both of them gone,” says a
high-ranking exec at a rival network. “It’s a horrible time to retool a
show. They already have to change the time-slot, because it’s not going
to be airing at 10 pm next season.” At the same time, a Peacock
insider says, “I can’t imagine either actor walking away from over $7 million a
year.”
For now, Wolf is putting a positive face on the talks. Through his
spokesman, he said, “It is my fondest hope that both Chris and Mariska
will be back next season.”
What do you think? Can SVU exist without Chris and Mariska?! Cast your votes in the comments section below!
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Comments (1-30) of 675 Add your comment
No way could L&O SVU make it without the two main cast members. Remember wen everyone was making such a big deal about Richard Belzer being cut down in the number of Eps he did?
If they go I go.
i MH and CM leave, im gone.
ausiello, this if this is a belated april fool’s joke, shame on you!!!
They won’t be carrying on without them on my TV set!
I have seen every episode of SVU (not the other Law and Orders). I even watch the repeats, something I rarely do with any TV series; and I buy every season on DVD. I would stop watching it the second those two were gone. They ARE Law and order SVU. You think people are tuning in to watch yet another rape case? Please. We can see that on any of the many crime shows on air.
They are the whole reason people watch SVU. It’s not like regular L and O. Plus, my understanding is that SVU is the most popular L and O, don’t mess with that.
I hope that they come back, but I would give the show a shot if one of them left (if I had to choose, I’d rather lose Chris Meloni), but if both stars bolt, I think that could spell the end of the show…
But even if they do come back, I’d like to see the rest of it’s extensive cast used more often because Benson and Stabler are a little overused/exposed.
Maybe they could find a way to bring back Adam Beach’s character that didn’t quite work out last time.
Since SVU does have that big cast, a possible move that might work would be promote Ice-T to a lead and focus on other members of the team.
Not a chance. If Chris and Mariska leaves, I’m done. Rumor has it, Stephanie March hasn’t even been locked in to be a permanent member of the cast yet, either.
I was so excited she came back.
Isn’t Mariska Hargitay the only regular cast member on any of these procedural shows to walk away with an Emmy? L&O is the only one of these shows whose characters are actually written in a three-dimensional way. They may have a case to solve each week, sure, but the emotional investment of the characters in those cases goes waaay deeper than I’ve seen on other shows. Don’t they remember the episode where Elliott deals with his mother’s bi-polar disorder? Or when Olivia received a phone call from the little girl who’d been abducted by a molester and spent the whole episode trying to find her? These are classics. Chris and Mariska are the heart and soul of the show–if they left, you might as well just cancel the whole series and launch a different L&O franchise altogether with a completely different cast.
It doesn’t seem lawful or orderly to demand that much money. The economy is in a bad way right now. They should take their 7 million+ and be happy they still have work and an 11th season. The viewers will be the real special vicitims if they don’t return (as will the network).
I actually would like to see a shake-up soon. These characters have gone as far as they can and there isn’t much else to do. I hope atleast they replace 1 of the 2. Keep MH and let CM walk.
I would like to see a storyline arc (over many episodes) that would shake the foundation of SVU. Something like Stabler tracking down a serial rapist and killer who at end of the arc ends up dying but who kills Stabler’s family. Then the season ends with the presumed suicide of Stabler in his home when a gunshot is heard and fade to black. Stabler has always been at the edge, so it wouldn’t be a big shock.
Just an idea.
If they go, I’ll go. Period.
Come on NBC, be smart here! SVU is your most successful scripted show, and if you think you’ll get the same or similar results with two new leads you have another thing coming!
There is o way in hell that SVU could survive without Chris or Mariska. The two of them ARE the show. NBC is all talk, I imagine that both sides will ease up a little. Mariska and Chris will agree to work for less money, and the network will agree to pay them that sum.
The show would end if Chris and Mariska left. Pay them what they deserve and if necessary, send Ice-T home instead and use his salary to hike their salaries. Ice-T is by far the worst actor on television. He has two expressions – angry and confused. It’s amazing that he is still working on a show that routinely utilizes talented local talent. They all make his acting look amateurish by comparison.
I love the show, but I’d still watch it if they weren’t on it. I don’t think they realize that they make more money on one episode than a lot of their viewers do in a year (many times over, in my case.) If they want to hold out for more money, let them go find another job. Right now is NOT the time to be waving your income on other people’s faces.
How many times do we have to say it!!! NO CHRIS…NO MARISKA..NO SVU!! They might as well shut down production! There will be no good in letting these two walk away. GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT!
I love SVU and these two actors, but are they really playing hardball for more money in this economic climate? They make more in one week than I do in four years. I am sure there are myriad issues relating to why they want more money, but right now it just makes them look bad. Resign for one or two years at the same pay and revisit the issue then.
If Mariska and Chris are not on next season- I am done. I love the other characters- but w/out the 2 main characters- its done…simple as that.
I don’t think the show can survive without them. And, as far as demanding more money is concerned, they are not exactly doing that. They are asking for a share of the back end profits, which they help to earn. The reason that exception was made for D’Onofrio and Noth is the same reson they should give it to Hargitay and Meloni – they are integral to the show.
i agree that it will be hard without these two but at the same time how much money do they want for crying out loud? they went through this a couple of years ago and they got a big raise but now they want more then 350k an episode which comes out to 7 million a year? i mean really i love these two on the show but it’s not like it’s the number 1 show on tv for them to keep demanding more money.
If that happens, they may as well cancel the show.
“If you can’t live on $7 Mil a year given the state of this economy maybe it’s time to find a better paying job. I’m sure 2 out of work actors won’t have any trouble landing another gig that pays at least that much”, he said with sarcasm dripping off every word.
I believe, 10 years into it, you can not take Mariska and/or Chris off the show and have it remain “SVU”, you just can’t. No disrespect to the other actors, but Mariska and Chris made SVU what it is, at least to me and I know A LOT of fellow fans. They drew me to the show and kept me watching all these years. How do I know I would be gone in a heartbeat without them? Well, I just look to the “light” Benson/Stabler shows of the past and know it is just not the same without them front and center. I think I would give it a “try” without them, but it wouldn’t hold my interest for very long without them. I think NBC will will have to think long and hard before they make any decisions to call them on their negotiations. While I don’t believe actors should hold shows hostage in these negotiations, in this case I have to believe that Mariska and Chris deserve their take after 10 years.
Law & Order:SVU is really going to suck if they get rid of Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni. They are the best duo the show has and without them the ratings are going to drop, plus the show will lose fans. I hope they reconsider and keep them on the show.
No, the show cannot go on without these two – simple as that.
At $7 million a year,have Hargitay and Meloni managed their money well? Or does Dick Wolf have them at a disadvantage?Hargitay seems to remember that her mother,Jayne Mansfield made the mistake of saying no to a tv series.But is either actor in a position now to walk?
This is just further proof that NBC is being run by morons. How can getting rid of 10year vets seem remotely like a good idea…
Stupid….
its a lot of money but look at the ratings that they bring in,if they go so will the show it will be a hard act to follow thats for sure….
I would not continue to watch without them. It just would not be the same! Give these two the money they deserve!
Those complaining about the money issue, did you read the article?
It says “are banding together — attempted to go after back-end profits, a perk that’s almost never granted in the L&O universe (although exceptions were made for Vincent D’Onofrio and Chris Noth).”
This is not the money now, but the profit later. You can’t say SVU without immediately thinking Meloni and Hargitay. If the same thing was granted to D’Onofrio and Noth, why not Meloni and Hargitay? They mean way more to the L&O franchise than the other two. It’s about RESPECT!