In the age of declining viewership and channel-surfing, networks are desperate to hold on to their audiences–particularly NBC, which has seen a sharp ratings drop this year.
Apparently, the network has decided changing the characters in its shows will grab new viewers.
On many NBC dramas, you can’t tell the players without a scorecard these days. Here’s a rundown on who’s coming and who’s going.
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SHOW: “Law & Order” (season finale May 18)
IN: Michael Imperioli (“The Sopranos”) as Detective Nick Falco, a temporary transfer from a tougher precinct. He’s in a total of four episodes through the season finale. Previously played a guest star bad guy in a 1996 episode.
OUT: Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green. His character was seriously wounded in the April 13 episode, giving Martin a short-term out to film scenes for the movie musical “Rent.”
SHOW: “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (season finale May 22)
IN: Christopher Noth as his old “Law & Order” character, Detective Mike Logan, plus a female partner to be named later. Noth already had been booked for a guest role when the need to replace D’Onofrio arose, and show runner Rene Balcer says he liked Logan’s “fish out of water” fit in the elite squad.
OUT: Vincent D’Onofrio and, in a guilty-by-association move, Kathryn Erbe in half the episodes beginning next fall. D’Onofrio, who plays Detective Robert Goren, needed a lighter workload.
SHOW: “ER” (season finale May 19)
IN: To be announced. The male lead hat is more likely to be passed to an established star such as Goran Visnjic or Mekhi Phifer than a series newcomer.
OUT: Noah Wyle, the last original core cast member. His Dr. John Carter will reunite with his lover, Kem (Thandie Newton), in Paris and return to County General in Chicago for a farewell. He will make a a few guest appearances next season.
SHOW: “The West Wing” (season complete)
IN: Next season, both Alan Alda as Sen. Arnold Vinick and Jimmy Smits as Rep. Matt Santos as presidential contenders. If Smits’ character wins, supporting players such as John Spencer (as Leo McGarry) and Allison Janney (as C.J. Cregg) are likely to remain. If Republican Vinick wins, expect a near top-to-bottom cast change.
OUT: By the end of next season, Martin Sheen’s Josiah Bartlet and some or most of the rest of the cast, depending on the outcome of the series’ presidential election.
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Edited by Curt Wagner ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])