Christopher Meloni Fooling Around - at NY City Ballet Fall Gala

- 2011.09.25 - 23.20 pm -

The stars were out for the premiere of Sir Paul McCartney's new ballet, 'Ocean's Kingdom' at the New York City Ballet Fall Gala at the David Koch Theatre. Among the guests attending were: rocker Jon Bon Jovi, who didn't stop for the photographers; E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt, wearing his trademark bandanna and actor Christopher Meloni. 

Click Here to see video Meloni arrives at 00.43 sec.

Christopher, known for his role in the 'Law & Order' spinoff 'Special Victims Unit', turned back to pose for photographs as he was on his way into the building. When one photographer called out 'to your right', Christopher turned to his right, much to the amusement of the photographers. New York City, USA - 22.09.2011

 

Source: ContactMusic.com

SVU' Viewers Lament Christopher Meloni's Absence in Season Premiere

- 2011.09.23 - 15.00 pm -

Law & Order: SVU fans are already missing Christopher Meloni.
In May, it was revealed that the actor would not be returning for the show's 13th season, which premiered Wednesday night. Meloni had played Detective Elliot Stabler on the NBC procedural since the show's inception in 1999, co-starring opposite Mariska Hargitay as Detective Olivia Benson.

But he parted ways with the show after contract negotiations broke down.
In his place, SVU producers recruited Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish to join the cast along with guests like Andre Braugher. Stephanie March and Diane Neal also returned to the show this season.

After the SVU premiere, viewers took to Twitter to weigh in on Meloni's absence. While one who goes by the handle "Dora Deal With It" wrote that "SVU 2.0" was "amazing," many others weren't happy about the cast changes. Reality star Mary Carey tweeted: "So sad that Stabler is going to be gone tonight on Law and Order SVU."

And she wasn't the only one. Among the viewer tweets:

Todd Collins
Law & Order SVU just isn't the same without Stabler. Can't believe Christopher Meloni didn't come back.
Krysta
SVU just aint SVU without Stabler...
Emily Pask
Law and Order: SVU definitely won't be the same without Chris Meloni. Him and Mariska were the best team.
Sydney Jung
And my favorite dude is gone from SVU. #disappointed
Jordan
+ idk if I can do this w/o Elliot ... #SVU
Porcia Lewis
I refuse to watch this season of SVU!
Kate Minton
SVU with out Stabler = EWWW
Tori Weatherless
SVU will end once Mariska Hargitay leaves. Swear it will. Her and Christopher made the show, along with Ice-T and Richard Belzer.
Roy George
Awkward moment when you're watching #SVU and Chris Meloni isn't even in the opening credits and all these new people are. #endofanerra
Clarissa Says Relax
benson with no stabler is like koolaid with no sugar. #SVU
BrentiaDevoTION
#SVU without Stabler is like The Fresh Prince without Will Smith.
Sheena_Marshe
SVU without Stabler is like peanut butter without jelly. Sure it can stand alone but they compliment each other so well.
Candy_r_baby
Man y they take stabler off #svu
Trini Trent
but...where is Elliott on Law & Order SVU? The least they could do is give the dude a final moment :(
Megan
The credits are not the same w/o Christopher name up there, bring him back @nbcsvu #SVU
Essence Shawty!
Who's the new bish? THAT'S who's replacing Stabler? ARGH #SVU
B. Ambers
New SVU.....mad af Stabler is gone he had a great run Olivia hold me down baby!

Source: HollywoodReporter

'Law & Order: SVU' exec: 'Stabler exit will be abrupt'

- 2011.09.09 - 19.10 pm -

Law & Order: SVU showrunner Warren Leight has dropped new hints about Stabler's departure.

Christopher Meloni confirmed in May that he would not reprise his role as Elliot Stabler for the NBC drama's 13th season.

Discussing the character's exit, Leight told TV Done Wright: "A squad room is a family, and the dynamic will change enormously when a leader departs. I want to track those changes and shifting alliances. I also want the audience to know the loss will be dealt with, not ignored."

He also confirmed that Stabler's exit will occur off-screen, but insisted that the "abrupt" departure will be addressed.

"The reality is Chris left abruptly, and so in the squad room, his character's departure will be handled similarly," he explained. "Closure is something therapists strive for, but real life has lots of jagged endings."

Leight, who replaced Neal Baer as SVU's executive producer, also admitted that Christopher Meloni had been "guarded" on the two occasions they had met.

"I came in as Chris was walking out, and I don't think anyone saw it coming," he recalled. "Usually these negotiations go down to the wire and end with a new contract. This time it broke late, the other way."

He added: "I guess someday he might come back, or make an appearance. But the show has to move on as if he won't. I can't spend a whole season pining."

Meloni previously insisted that he has "no regrets" over his SVU exit and will next be seen in Zack Snyder's Superman film reboot Man of Steel.

Source: DigitalSpy.co.uk

Man of Steel

- 2011.09.01 - 19.40 pm -

Black helicopters, guns and soldiers have all turned up on the set of the Superman reboot in Plano, Illinois.

Photos from the shooting on Facebook confirm Christopher Meloni being on-set as Colonel Hardy, while other shots show off Henry Cavill as Clark Ken.
You can find more pictures from the set - here -

Source: DarkHorizons.com

SVU Chris Meloni to not appear in multiple-episode goodbye arc

- 2011.08.16 - 18.40 pm -

Law & Order: SVU won’t be glossing over the disappearance of Chris Meloni’s Det. Stabler when the show returns this fall. A week after NBC Robert Greenblatt ruled out the possibility of Stabler dying off screen, new showrunner Warren Leight tells TVLine exclusively that the character’s departure will be explained — and there will be fallout.

“The reasons for his absence,” says Leight, “and the effect it has on the squadroom — and Olivia (Mariska Hargitay)  — will be explored in the first several episodes.”

The show’s boss declined to elaborate, but it’s safe to say the events of last May’s finale — in which Stabler shot and killed a young girl — will figure into his exit. Meloni’s 12-year SVU stint came to an end in May after the actor and NBC failed to come to terms on a new contract.

To help fill the void, SVU is introducing new detectives played by Danny Pino (Cold Case) and Kelli Giddish.

Season 13 kicks off on Sept. 21 at 10/9c.

Source: TVLine.com

NBC Boss Reveals the Real Story Behind SVU Cast Shakeup!

- 2011.08.05 - 20.00 pm -

Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay were set to be the lone Law & Order survivors on NBC until Meloni's exit. And then there were rumors that Hargitay would be shortening her number of episodes. Today, however, NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt gave reporters the bottom line regarding Hargitay's SVU shooting schedule.

Despite rumors that Hargitay would be appearing in fewer episodes during Law and Order: SVU's 13th season, Greenblatt insist that she will be in "every episode" this season.

"There were some rumors of her dropping down, and bringing in new cast members. But Mariska is there in every single episode, and it's my goal to see that continues past this season. In the past couple years, to my understanding, she's lightened her load a little bit. The show's going into its 13th year, so I think it's not unreasonable to think she might want to lighten her workload. There might be a day every couple of weeks she's not working, but I don't think you'll notice [her missing]."

As for Meloni's exit, Greenblatt insists that the way he is being written out is "not a big sort of shocker," meaning he probably won't be killed off. Take a deep breath, Stabler fans. "There was no renegotiation after Chris left. Somebody wrote there was a rumor that Jennifer Love Hewitt would be joining the show. That would mean Mariska would be in fewer episodes, and that is not the case." Apparently, Det. Benson will be taking on more of a boss role this season.

Source: Eonline.com

Chris Meloni Attends EA Sports Madden NFL 12 Pigskin Pro-AM - 2011.07.29 - 00:05 am - -

Chris Meloni (Law & Order SVU) attended the EA Sports Madden NFL 12 Pigskin Pro-AM at Bryant Park in New York on July 27, 2011. Video.

More Turnover at SVU as Another Star Leaves the Show

- 2011.07.27 - 17.30 pm -

Following the exit of Christopher Meloni, another of the stars of NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" has announced that he’s leaving the show, reports TVLine.com.

In a live tweet for the USA Network "L&O: SVU" marathon, B.D. Wong said, "I actually do not return for Season 13." Wong has played psychiatrist Dr. George Huang in more than 200 episodes.

Wong said he will be in the NBC midseason replacement "Awake." He's playing a psychiatrist on that show, too, one of two therapists treating the program's star, Jason Isaacs.

Wong also tweeted on Sunday: “I don’t know if or when I’ll be back [on ‘SVU’]! It was amazing to have such a cool job for 11 years and to be a real NY Actor.”

A number of cast changes have taken place recently on “SVU,” including the departure of Meloni and the additions of Danny Pino and Kelli Giddish as series regulars. Stephanie March and Diane Neal are also expected back in smaller roles.

Source: TvWeek.com

Christopher Meloni talks 'Wet Hot American Summer' - 2011.07.17 - 13:40 pm -

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did you get cast in Wet Hot American Summer? CHRISTOPHER MELONI: I was called to audition. I remember very clearly, I was in the waiting area and I heard what they were doing through the wall and I was like, “Mmm, that’s not the character.” Someone else went in, did their thing, and I just went, “That’s NOT the character!” I knew exactly who the character was. So I went in there and I see Michael Showalter and I’d bumped into him at a chess shop. I’d played chess with him. My first thought was, “S—, I shouldn’t have beaten him.” [Laughs] But he was a very sweet guy and blah-blah-blah. And that was it. I knew I’d done well and, this is rare, I felt they were going to hire me. And they did. How did you tackle the part differently from the other people who were auditioning? Well, they were playing him big. They were playing him a little out-of-control. And I thought his natural weirdness was kind of inherent in the lines as written, so you didn’t need to add any extra sauce to him. David Wain and Michael Showalter had written enough weirdness and you really had to kind of pick your shots as to how behaviorally out of bounds you were going to play the guy. What did you think of the script? It is in many ways an odd film. It’s a summer camp movie, but it’s also a spoof of a summer camp movie… I got it. I mean, I recognized it as a new wave of comedy. It really wasn’t your daddy’s comedy. It wasn’t in the same vein as Animal House or Stripes. Some parts I would read and I would go, “That’s funny, I wonder how it will play?” Other things, I just thought, “That’s so f—ing out of bounds and outlandish, it’s got to play. And to be honest, some stuff I didn’t understand. But I knew that these guys were from The State. I said to myself, obviously they have a very clear idea of how to handle this comedy. This is theirs, this is their baby, this is what they do. So I never had any worries. What was the shoot like? Let me put it this way: Day four into I think a 28 day shoot, the local paper said, “Four Year Drought Ended, Rain Expected to Continue.” And by the end it had rained, I think, 24 out of 28 days. Every f—ing day it rained. And it was a summer camp, right? They literally set you up on these circa 1938 bed springs with a one-inch thick plastic mattress, if you want to call it that. I don’t know if you know what a “steakum” is. I do not. It’s like calling a piece of baloney a porterhouse steak. It wasn’t a mattress. There was mud everywhere. You didn’t take off your clothes, because you’re not going to be comfortable anyway. You just laid out a sleeping bag. Everything was muddy. Everything was damp. And it was nothing but fun, because everything was awesome. There was a lot of extracurricular partying, right? Oh, Jesus Christ, it really was the lunatics were running the asylum. I tried to get some sleep and you know, someone would come stumbling in, going [adopts drunken voice], “Oh, let’s talk.” I’m like, “Oh, s—!” And, you know, I am a weak man, so, yeah, we’d go drink. A lot of the cast would go on to be big stars. Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Cooper… Who’s Bradley Cooper? I’m sorry? Who’s Bradley Cooper? I can’t remember him. I actually have no idea if you’re joking or not. You really don’t remember Bradley Cooper? Nah, it doesn’t ring a bell. Anyway, go ahead. I’m sure he’s very talented. I’m sure he’s done quite well for himself. Anyway, go ahead… Um… Actually, I’ll give you a f—ing Bradley Cooper story! So, right before my big monologue at the end of the movie, I’m just looking at a map, waiting to roll and Bradley settles up to next to me. He says, “Hey, do you mind me asking what you’re doing?” I look at him. I go, “What do you mean?” He goes, “Are you looking at Vietnam, remembering where your character came from?” He thought I was like looking at the map to get some kind of inspiration, or get to the moment by my sense memory work. I was like, “No. I’m just looking at the map!” What was it like to act with a talking tin can? Probably the most talented actor on the set. [Laughs] That was actually really difficult. But, you know, you do the best you can with what you’re given. David Wain and Michael Showalter say they’re going to start working on another Wet Hot script later this year. Would you be up for appearing in that? Oh, f— yeah. In a heartbeat. What if they could only pay you scale? You know, ironically, I didn’t get into the business for the money.

Source: EW.com

Christopher Meloni's replacement on 'SVU' is ... - 2011.06.28 - 20:00 pm -

"Cold Case" star Danny Pino! As TVLine reported June 20, the actor was one of five up for a role to replace longtime "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star Chris Meloni, who did not renew his contract to return for a 13th season as Det. Eliot Stabler. (According to our pals at The Hollywood Reporter, Meloni rejected an $8 million salary to return.) Pino played senior detective Scotty Valens on the CBS procedural for seven seasons. Also joining the cast as a detective next season is "Chase's" Kelli Giddish, who is no stranger to "SVU." The actress guest starred in the 2007 episode "Outsider." Star Mariska Hargitay will be cutting back on her hours next season, which leaves room for Giddish's new detective. Hargitay's Det. Olivia Benson will be getting a promotion around midseason to allow for a shorter schedule for the actress. "L&O" creator Dick Wolf had this to say in a statement about the new cast members: "I'm very pleased that we have two amazing actors joining the cast. I know this combination will give us the opportunity to explore the world of 'SVU' with new eyes. Though fans will no longer get the duo of Stabler and Benson, Dets. Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) and John Munch (Richard Belzer) will be back. Both actors have already renewed their contracts for season 13. Also returning will be Dan Florek as Capt. Don Cragen.

Source: theclicker.today.com

SVU's Chris Meloni Joins Superman Cast - 2011.06.28 - 20:00 pm -

Considered to be a sort of police superhero by devoted fans of his long run on "Law & Order: SVU," Christopher Meloni is about to join up with the ultimate crime fighter. Meloni, the former "SVU" star who announced that he was leaving this spring after 12 seasons when contract negotiations went south, is on the verge of signing on to Zack Snyder's Superman reboot, "Man of Steel," Deadline reports. Meloni will be playing a general (not Zod, of course) in the film; whether that makes him a good or bad guy remains to be seen. Meloni will shoot scenes with Henry Cavill, Superman himself. Along with Julia Ormond, who signed on earlier this week to play Superman's Kryptonian birth mother Lara Lor-Van, Meloni joins an all-star cast that, aside from Cavill, includes Russell Crowe as Kryptonian dad Jor-El, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Pa and Ma Kent, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Michael Shannon as baddie General Zod.

Source: HuffingtonPost.com

Stabler wont be coming back to Law & Order SVU - 2011.05.25 - 23.00 pm -

Law & Order: SVU star Ice-T is going to be a little lonely next season. Nearly a week after news broke that Mariska Hargitay is cutting back on her screen time, it was announced yesterday that Christopher Meloni is walking away from the hit NBC show after 12 years of crime fighting. So what does Ice think of Meloni's unexpected departure from the series? "I was surprised," Ice exclusively told us earlier today while promoting his new E! reality show Ice Loves Coco. "We all negotiate separately... I'm not somebody who's dying to leave the show, but at the end of the day you still have to sit down with the execs and hammer it out. So I guess with Chris, it didn't go his way. I'm sad though. Me and Chris have been together a long time." But it's not like Ice is calling Meloni ungrateful. "You gotta understand, when you're No. 1 or on those shows you have no life," he says. "I mean, they're working 14 hours a day. They're not being greedy. It's really hard." A rep for Meloni did not give a reason for the actor's departure from the show, only saying it was "time for the next chapter." As for reports that former show guest star Jennifer Love Hewitt is in talks to join SVU as a regular, the former rapper doesn't know if it's true but says, "I wouldn't diss Jennifer Love Hewitt. I think she's a great actress."

Source: uk.eonline.com

Chris Meloni's Dog Always Gets what She Want - 2011.05.25 - 23.00 pm -

Christopher Meloni may play the resident tough guy on television as Detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: SVU, but when it comes to his dog, Frida, he's a big softie. He soon learned that, with Frida, "telling her to get off the couch five times" meant that he was the one who would eventually have to get off the couch so that she could have it. "When we got her, her name was Lady Sophia, and she is everything about that word [lady]," Meloni told PEOPLE Pets at the Joyful Revolution 4th Annual Gala earlier this month. "She is very prim and proper." Meloni's dog, a rescue, wasn't one of the more attractive dogs at the shelter. She had an injured foreleg and couldn't use it that well, but the actor believed that his new lady could teach his two young children about tolerance and life's imperfections. Now that her name is no longer Lady Sophia, Frida has shown a few other personality quirks. "She is a very willful dog," Meloni said. "She's constantly angling to get her way." As far as the couch goes, Frida will get what she wants. "But that doesn't mean the kids' beds, does it?"

Source: PeoplePets.com