USA Network is finalizing a deal to bring Law & Order: CI back for a ninth season, but there’s a catch. Actually there are a few catches. Here’s what I’m hearing…
* Julianne Nicholson is out. The actress, who recently gave birth to her second child, has opted not to return. Saffron Burrows (My Own Worst Enemy) has emerged as the frontrunner to replace her.
* Burrows would be partnered with Jeff Goldblum, although his deal is also not 100 percent done.
* Where does that leave Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe? The CI vets are in talks to return in some capacity.
Any questions? Reaction? Head to the comments.
PHOTO CREDIT: Goldblum: Will Hart/USA Network; D’Onofrio: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC; Burrows: Albert L. Ortega/PR Photos
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They should just partner Erbe with both and rotate Goldblum and D’Onofrio.
Best suggestion I’ve heard so far. Plus Saffron was horrible on Boston Legal, no no no
ITA with both of you.
I agree as well best Idea there is at the moment
Compromise–Bring back Alicia Witt AND Boston Legal
I agree with both EMB and CJ – Erbe is the only one worth watching on the show so use her as a partner to both male leads (I was suprised how much I liked Goldblum this past year, perfect setting for his acting style).
Also, Saffron is terrible. I have never liked her.
Totally love that idea. Erbe & Goldblum were great at those few eps we got of them. Why add another girl, none of them are as cool as Eames. The closest was Annabelle Sciorria (sp) she was cool.
Annabella Sciorra was awesome. i hated that they got rid of her so quickly.
I agree. Erbe works well with both. But oldblum has really perked up the series.
I’m in ageement with first 2 comments- Goren and Eames have to stay on board, don’t care so much for Goldblum- he just doesn’t fit the part to me
EMB is right on target!
thats exactly what i thought
I agree. I like her and would like to see more of her. Give her a few more lines too!
I totally agree…although Erbe and Vincent are unbeatable.
I agree with you. They are a great team……My favorite, actually…
Co-sign, would give some stability to the show instead of the annual revolving door casting.
keep the two oldest on the show, that’s why i see.there are really good actors, you would be a fool, if you let them go.
thank you
maria
Erbe gets on my nerves — I’d rather have Alicia Witt work with both detectives. Or, as a way to freshen the show, partner Goldblum with Erbe and D’Onofrio with Witt.
I agree. Rotate Eames with Goldblum and Goren. Good idea. I didn’t like Alicia Witt.
Why not just keep the orginals? Vincent is the best one here. NOONE can replace him, NOONE! He is intense and fabulous. Why in the hell would you let those two CI Vets go? If you do I will never watch again…….sad because been a fan from day one.
Goren and Eames must stay. If they’re gone, so am I. Goldblum is boring and too quirky. I miss Chris Noth. He had some gravitas at least.
I agree. Goren and Eames will be back “in some capacity?” WTF? It’s THEIR show! It’s bad enough Noth is gone, but if Erbe and D’onofrio are off the show, it’s not worth watching for me.
Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!
AGREE!!! Goren and Eames ARE the show for me. I love Vincent D’Onofrio as Bobby Goren..just the right mix of intelligence, compassion and psycho. I don’t watch the show when he’s not on.
I agree…Goldblum is too choppy…it’s like he keeps forgetting his lines and has to be prompted. I know it’s his style, but it’s annoying.
Unless Erbe’s in, I’m out. She’s the only thing that keeps this show watchable.
Agreed, CJ. She makes the show, even with the minimal screen time they give her.
I’m with you on that. D’onofrio ues to be the big draw but he hasn’t been on his game for a while. Erbe is the only reason I watch now. I don’t care if they want to switch partners but if she’s gone so am I.
Amazing that the official Twitter account for CI is quoting you rather than providing much info & won’t confirm or deny this. That tells me the big wigs aren’t putting much money into CI.
For the record I hate this time of year as every time it’s about USA Network (and before it NBC) cheaping out on the show.
I’m emotionally ready for D’Onofrio to either go or stay (in fact I have been for the last 4 years). He’ll be fine no matter what happens in CI crazytown.
I’m saddened to hear that Nicholson is leaving. She and Goldblum have such delightful chemistry.
Burrows would work well with Goldblum but I’ll still miss Nicholson.
Saffron Burrows doesn’t exactly scream elite NY cop. She’s more suited to the Avengers.
Is being “more suited to the Avengers” supposed to make me want to watch it LESS???
I’ve kind of lost interest in general. Maybe it’s time to hang it up. I use to be a HUGE fan of D’Onofrio, and still like him, but haven’t been so into his character as of late. I do like Goldblum and I’ll miss Nicholson. Maybe they will make it work.
This sucks, big time. I liked the Wheeler/Nichols pairing, they made a great team. I’m so sick of the b-team with the disposable cast mates. I was excited for a return, now, I’m not even sure I want to tune in, especially if Erbe and D’Onfrio might be out also.
As much as I enjoyed Jeff Goldblum this season as his character was rich and quirky as heck there is no CI without Goren and Eames. Reading they are in talks to return in some capacity is depressing as heck. Looks like I will have more time to read if my CI is destroyed.
Too bad Julianne is not coming back, I actually liked her.
I think Jeff Goldblum has done a great job, and is a good addition to the cast. D’Onofrio is great, but the writing for him hasn’t been strong lately. Erbe is fabulous…I like the idea of having her paired with both. Not crazy about Eric B. but he’s not on much.
The only thing I want is Vincent D’Onofrio. He IS Criminal Intent. Vincent has kept this show going since the beginning. If he ever goes, and I hope he never does, I go too.
Finally… true D’Onofrio Love.
Love him! LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love Goren.He’s the type of actor who has you setting on the edge of your seat, because, you never know what he’s going to do next.If he’s gone then so i’m i.
I agree. I just love Goren. Your right Vincent is Criminal Intent. I don’t know why this show didn’t stay on NBC, but USA if you don’t use your freaking brains and let this man go, and this show, well without him it won’t be a show so if you let him go, I see letting the show go. CI is the best spin off of Law and Order, hell it is BETTER than Law and Order and the other spinoffs. Listen to the fans dammit.
It’s a shame to see Nicholson go. I truly hope that Goren/Eames are going to return, because if they’re not, I may just stop watching it. However, if they do continue on, they really need to get Goren out this funk, I was very displeased with his generally crappy attitude this past season.
I will miss Wheeler.
Erbe and D’Onofrio are the reason I watch the show. I like Goldblum, though. Good addition. However, I know that if the show wishes to sustain a run like its parent show, it’ll eventually have to rotate in new actors. But they’ve got to create good, solid, UNIQUE characters in the newbies and replacements, because that’s what’ll keep it going.
Kathryn Erbe had great chemistry with Goldblum, and if he does in fact return, she should just work with both detectives.
The show would lose many many fans if D’Onofrio did not come back. In fact, many believe he IS the show.
Goldblum showed great promise; in fact, if D’Onofrio did not return and Goldblum did, Jeff would be the only person who could maybe soften the blow of losing D’Onofrio.
I deplore Jeff Goldblum and wish CI would flush him down the nearest commode. Sad to see Juliana go. Will watch Goren+Eames only.
I never cared for J. Nicholson so that’s fine with me. I prefer Goren & Eames but they do need better scipts.
Vincent IS Criminal Intent. If he leaves, then what’s the point. I stopped watching CSI (Vegas) after Williamson left cause he was that show. Ya know? I love Jeff Goldblum in this show – excellent choice. Umm, why does there have to be a male/female pairing??? Why not Vincent and Jeff? Oh man – talk about those two characters trying to out-do each other LOL. I am sad to see Julianne leave, but family does come first. I don’t know this Saffron lady, but I can’t see her in this show. Bring in a “rookie cop” … one who messes up cases and such, something to change up the usual personalities of these characters. Overall, I really hope Vincent and Jeff stay … it’s not CI without them, especially Vincent.
I agree, Vincent is the only reason I watch
Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe is CI
That’s too bad. I got away from watching CI until I heard Jeff Goldblum was cast. I really liked the Nichols/Wheeler partnership, but I did enjoy him working with Eames as well. I can’t see Saffron Burrows working in this role.
Sorry for the second entry, but thought of additional things. I agree with what others have mentioned – the scripting have been a bit weaker this past season. The personal story lines between the characters seem to have faded somewhat. Chris Noth’s character provided a lot of personal story line that carried over through the shows – we need something of that nature back again. We need some of the original writers back on the show – from all the L&O franchises – the ones who are familiar with the characters.
They should get rid of Goldblum. He’s awful. More D’Onofrio is always good. They never needed a second team, but I didn’t mind Julianne Nicholson. More Eames and Goren, please. Also, better writers.
Law Order CI is not the same without Erbe and Vincent.
I really liked Wheeler. I’ll miss her.
More onscreen time for the medical examiner! Dr Rodgers rules. Plus, she is a historical member of the Law & Order boat.
Here here! I second that! Rodgers is and always was awesome.
“There’s a reason why I only work with dead people.”
Best line last season was Erbe asking Nicholson which hospital she’s supposed to have her baby at. Bogosian and Goldblum look at her with a “what?” expression, then notice Nicholson’s water broke. Erbe gives a very sarcastic “Detectives.” I agree that if Erbe isn’t part of the show I’m out.
Criminal Intent can not survive without Goren and Eames. I liked when Chris Noth was on. I just wished they did more eps with him and Goren teamed up. Maybe bring Benjamin Bratt back to team up with Jeff Goldblum. Or scrap him altogether and bring over Ice-T from SVU since it’s become the Benson and Stabler show almost exclusively now.
I think D’Onofrio, as a modern day type Sherklock homes is underated. He is still the show.
i agree, if d’nofrio and erbe are not remotely close to centre stage, i’m out……..what a team and that’s why i gained a huge interest….
I agree with the person that said they should just partner Erbe with both and rotate Goldblum and D’Onofrio. Great idea. And CI without D’onofrio is not CI!
I doubt it would happen, but I would love it if Witt came back. She was terrific with Noth.
Flavia – I’m with you and the other people who’ve said that Erbe should be paired with Goldblum & D’Onofrio. The episodes with Eames and Nichols were probably some of the most entertaining of the season. I know I wanted more of that. (Though I will miss Julianne – she was excellent)