March 26, 2004
The Lennie Briscoe Question
The big mystery today is not what cry-for-help notes come from the Tyco trial but is Jerry Orbach leaving Law & Order. There was some word of this in September, but today a Reuters report says that Orbach, and his alter-ego, Lennie Briscoe, will leave the 27th Precinct after this season, perhaps to help launch Dick Wolf's next Law & Order spin-off, Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Now, while this is certainly unsettling news to Law & Order fans, Gothamist is determined to look at this from all angles. Jerry Orbach has given us twelve wonderful years of playing Detective Lennie Briscoe, which is about 280 (through the end of this season) episodes of wise cracks, weariness, and wisdom. Of course, we'd love 280 more, but we can't always be greedy. And we agree that it's good to leave on a high note. Besides, Orbach will be 70 next year, and probably wants to enjoy living off the L&O residuals. Maybe he'll go back to Broadway! Either way, people should settle down and relax - Lennie and Jerry will always be in our hearts. However, Gothamist will freak out if Lennie dies - DON'T DO IT, DICK.
What about the show, you ask. There is speculation that Detective Green will get promoted and will take on the "wise veteran" dynamic of the group. While Gothamist has utmost faith in Dick Wolf and his producers decisions (even though we don't forgive them for giving us Serena Boring Bones Southerlyn), we foresee a rocky start for the newbie to fill Lennie's shoes.
A trip to the set of Law & Order. And thanks for everyone's concerned emails.
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Although the likelihood is about as much as the return of "Profit" to FOX's schedule, Chris Noth's return as Det. Logan would be sweet. Ah, to dream.
Logan and Green fighting for the flirty ladies? I LOVE IT.
I'm surprised to learn that he is 70. I would have guessed late 50s/early 60 as his age.
HOw about if Lennie just retires and fades into the sunset...
Lennie is 68 now, birthday is in October, so October 2005, he'll be 70. And he does look damn good.
Maybe we'll finally get a woman detective. Just not that pathetic excuse for an actor that filled in on L&O:CI...
Not the regular Criminal Intent {yawn} chick though, right? A.K.A.: Anna from What About Bob.
two words... benjamin bratt. A girl and LO addict can dream....
Yes, I like Kathryn Erbe on L&O:CI too! How about another good woman detective?
Lets bring back Paul Sorvino...
or maybe not...
George Dzundza?
If Lennie left, I could fill his shoes. But then again, I am black and we all know black people have no ability to be in power. Whoops! Did I say that! I guess that Gothamist knows that a black many will have a "rocky start" since he's black, right?
PULLLLEEEEZ!
L&O has had cast changes since season one so this is no big deal. Get over it and deal with a black man in power.
Hey, "Detective Green," Gothamist is one of Detective Green's biggest fans. What I mean by rocky start is that filling Lennie's shoes will be a big deal - people didn't know how to react to Jill Hennessy, Sam Waterston, Benjamin Bratt, Carey Lowell, and Jesse L. Martin when they took over for Richard Brooks, Michael Moriarity, Chris Noth, Jill Hennessy, and Benjamin Bratt respectively. I think the transition from Brooks to Hennessy and Noth to Bratt are most notable for it taking a while for the show to regain its pace after the first few episodes. I think people are more used to the change-ups with the female ADAs at this point.
Hi All!
I'm new here. I love Jerry Orbach/Lennie Briscoe and I certainly hate to see him leave, but I'm anxious to see how Jesse L. Martin/Ed Green will go forward with the show. This will be a marvelous opportunity for his character and as all L&O fans know and have known, Lennie had to leave sometime and that the show is "story-driven, not character driven." How many times have we heard that?! :-)
Being a long lover of L&O I'd love to see Mike come back (OH PLEASE!!!!). But, actually it would be nice to finally see a woman detective! Someone smart and witty like Lennie!
i am very sad to see lennie/jerry leave, in fact as i sat watching tv last night i had no clue until the commercial came on and it almost brought me to tears. maybe im a little addicted to l & o but i must admit that ive seen every episode atleast 3 times except this season. and to be quite honest its on right now, tnt re runs. gotta love it. so i was looking for a way to send an email to jerry to express how much ive enjoyed watching him over the years but i cant seem to find a way to do so. im so going to miss lenny on the show. but all great things must come to an end. anyone with info about contacting jerry please post info. im sure hed love to hear from his fans.
that sucks that Jerry Orbach died.
DETECTIVE LENNIE BRISCOE BADGE NYPD#8220 FATHER
DETECTIVE REY CURTIS BADGE NYPD#9921 OLD