Law & Order: Criminal Intent Becomes Watchable

So how is VDO a lunatic? His character is on show or he is, personally, in real life?

If you didn't watch the show earlier because his character was a lunatic, I can understand that... but if you didn't watch the show earlier because he's a lunatic in real life, it sounds to me like you're irrationally transposing real-life expectations onto the fantasy that is scripted television drama series.

There are many actors/actresses who are lunatics in real life but who are still very talented and whose shows are still worth seeing (unless the show itself isn't interesting).

there will be 11 of each, and they are planned to run every other week, so you can schedule your CI viewing accordingly.

Mike Logan was always my favorite. When they canned him to Staten Island I quit watching in protest for a while.

VDO is considered a lunatic because he was so distraught over Bush winning re-election that he went on an on-set tyrade and then collapsed out of distress and had to be hospitalized for a nervous breakdown.

That and he is way too twitchy on the show itself.

Part of me is actually disappointed that VDO is off the show. I kept hoping the cameras would show him freaking out or throwing chairs while screaming something about being John Kerry's lovechild.

But alas, so goes life.

Sorry, I guess I do the apparently uncommon thing of separating the actor/actress from the role he/she plays... and determine whether I want to watch/listen to either one on a case-by-case basis... not letting one influence the other.

It's ok, I forgive you.

Actually, it's I who should be forgiving you. I'm not the one judging the actor's role based on the actor's personal beliefs.

Your smarmy attitude notwithstanding, of course.

VDO? I never knew the guy's name until now, but his role on L&O has always caused me to gag. And change the channel. Not necessarily in that order.

His best role ever played was the alien-bug-infested-corpse in the movie "Men in Black". He should have kept that part.

Mark,

You said sorry, so I forgave you. I can't have you wallowing about in cyber-guilt for the rest of your life just because you think you're better than the rest of us! I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!

I personally prefer the terms insincere, ingratiating, slick, nauseating to "smarmy," if you must resort to name-calling.

It's ok Mark, I now forgive you for calling my attitude "smarmy."

I agree, gaw. I always thought that on CI he was playing a bug in a "Bobby suit" rather than in an "Edgar suit".... It's like the same character, with the same twitchy chicken head thing.

VDO is part of why I watch the reruns of Law & Order: CI. He does a splendid job of portraying a very, very smart person who is clearly tormented both by his own demons (I suspect not entirely medicated bipolar disorder, or perhaps the relatively rare schizoid form of bipolar disorder) and growing up with a schizophrenic mother. It is powerful to watch his character do his job--and yet struggle to keep it under control.

Although from what you say, perhaps VDO isn't doing as much acting as I have assumed.

DD said: "You said sorry, so I forgave you. I can't have you wallowing about in cyber-guilt for the rest of your life just because you think you're better than the rest of us! I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!"

Well, I wouldn't be as quick as you apparently are to lump yourself in with "the rest of us".

DD said: "I personally prefer the terms insincere, ingratiating, slick, nauseating to "smarmy,""

You say "tomahto", I say "tomayto".

DD said: "if you must resort to name-calling."

Oh come now, it's not name-calling... unless you equate yourself personally with your attitude as depicted in cyberspace.

If that's the case, then I suppose I'll be the one who forgives.

Wow, quite a few comments for such a short post.

I definitely agree with Michael about VDO. There's such a clear devolution in the Law and Order spin-offs. The original is case-driven, with a balance between the two aspects. SVU is character-driven, focusing on the police. Criminal Intent is driven completely by the out-sized ego of VDO's character. He's insufferably arrogant, in the show and in real life.

If Chris Noth is replacing him, then maybe it's worth watching now.

I think D’Onofrio may be getting his character Pvt. Pyle from Full Metal Jacket confused with his real life.

Mark,

Whether you think you're better than me or better than others on this site, it makes no difference. Arrogance is arrogance, regardless of the number affected by it.

Come on, Mark, I'm disappointed in you! You are so blind to your arrogance. Maybe that's why you have trouble making friends.

I forgive you for being arrogant.

DD: You proceed from a false assumption... that I think I'm better than you and/or others on this site. I merely indicated earlier that I subscribe to the apparently-unpopular notion that the real-life persona of an actor/actress shouldn't dictate how we react to the characters they play... and that each should be judged worthy or unworthy of our time separately.

It is you who first suggested that this meant I believe myself to be better than you and/or others here. When I said it was I who should be forgiving you, I was imitating your smarmy "I forgive you" motif.

I enjoyed D'Onofrio's character in the "old" NBC series "The Pretender" (1996-2000).

Of all the issues to spawn a heated debate, this one is surprising.

I liked D'Onofrio's character and had very little problem with the performance. On the whole I find the aversion to be a little bit odd. Even if one follows the actor's exploits, odd actor playing an odd detective (and as an aside, I find the need of many conservative's to point out that liberal actors are poor actors to be giving in to a corrolation between someone's acting skill and intelligence that the rest of the time they swear doesn't exist).

Besides, the few instances where Det. Logan got political, he was rather smugly liberal.

D'Onofrio also ably-played one of the villains in Strange Days. Also a cop, interestingly.

Every time "Law and Order" replaces someone I am ready to argue it is a downgrade. And I would start with the departure of Paul Sorvino, who said he was quitting to become an opera singer. Yet the shows stay watchable.
I like Vincent D'Onofrio so much.
In "The Thirteenth Floor" he played a couple of different characters. Wow. The only part of the movie that I didn't like was its picture of the future.
I also like Kathryn Erbe, who was very appealing in "Stir of Echoes". That movie also contains Jennifer Morrison, now on "House, M.D.".

Mark:

I know.

I was just seeing how much I could irritate you.

I don't think D'Onofrio was on The Pretender atleast not a regular role on the show. He could of been a guest on a show that I just don't recall.

DD: I don't get irritated by discussions with strangers on the Internet.

tP: D'Onofrio was in every episode of the show that I saw. He played the doctor at The Center that taught Jared from when he was a small child. Jared often called him.

At any rate, whether D'Onofrio's character was a regular or not is irrelevant.

It was just a question don't get so sensitive, but you may want to email imdb and inform them of their error.

tP: It's not a sensitive-insensitive thing. It's very matter-of-fact. Whether D'Onofrio had a regular role on "The Pretender" or not is irrelevant of the fact that he did play a character on the show... and that's the extent of it that I referred to originally.

From my memory (and internet verification) Jarod's trainer/psychiatrist/handler/doctor was Sydney, who in addition to trying to caputre him was also an ally and often talked to him on the phone. Unfortunatly that role was played by Patrick Bauchau. Of course there were parts when Angelo helps Jarod, but he was played by Paul Dillon.

http://www.saltyrain.com/epguides/pretender.html
http://www.loisdailyplanet.com/01-01-pilot.htm
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115320/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000352/

Ahh yes, that's it. I confused the two actors.

Mark,
Of course you don't.

Howdy, Pirate.

DD: Of course I don't what?

Nevermind... I understand. I don't know why you'd think I get irritated. It's just words exchanged between strangers over the Internet. Strong words and smarmy attitudes like yours are just a part of the game.

Mark,

Gosh, don't take everything so seriously.

Anyway... I liked D'Onofrio in "The Cell". It was a strange movie, to be sure, but I enjoyed it.

For myself, I just find VDO to be an annoying actor, and his personal views are icing on the cake. I don't like funding loony leftists, when there's plenty of things for me to spend my time watching instead.

MW: Why do you find him to be an annoying actor? Is it the roles he plays or his personal views?

I'm not really sure how you're directly funding loony leftists by watching network television programs... unless you're a Nielsen household.

I will miss Vincent I know I have a right to my opinion, I might not watch the show any more.

Mark,

I believe you are missing one very important aspect of capitalism. As several actors and musicians have discovered recently, they are entertainers and nothing more. Their political views are without merit and many of them prove their own ignorance every time they open their mouths.

For me to personally be accountable to my convictions and beliefs then I do not see or listen to music or movies of those that I have utter disdain for in the real world. Kayne West and Sean Penn are two that are easily named. No matter how good the music may be or the script of the movie I will neither listen to the music nor see the movie.

It is my opinion that your rationalization of the fact that just because the actor recieves nothing if Michael watches the show, is in direct contradiction to the true principles of integrity and capitalism.

In my opinion VDO is an idiot. I will not watch a show that he is in. I am no less off for not having seen the show. In contrast, I am probably better off.

Think this doesn't sometimes work in the long run, remember the Dixie Chicks?

Eric: By your own standard you're violating your convictions and beliefs by even paying attention and talking to me... as someone with significantly different views than you. I mean, that's what this is really about, isn't it? You say it's a betrayal of your convictions and beliefs to pay attention (by watching a show or movie they're in, etc.) to anyone who doesn't share your beliefs. That's fine for you, of course, because your beliefs are your beliefs.

I think your belief on this issue is ridiculous... because entertainers are entertainers. You should watch/listen to their performances if their performances entertain you... and you shouldn't watch/listen to their performances if those performances don't entertain you. Their ability to entertain doesn't hinge upon their social or political views, and you're not watching or listening to them *because* of their social or political views... so I think it's quite unreasonable to apply such lofty institutions as "capitalism" and such lofty personality traits as "integrity" onto something so trivial as entertainment and the entertainers involved with it.

I don't agree with Sean Penn, Kanye West, or probably VDO on social or political issues... but I don't really care what their social or political views are, because their views don't have to be my views in order for me to enjoy their performances as entertainers. I watch TV or go to a movie to ESCAPE reality... not remain further entrenched in it.

I've enjoyed Vincent D'Onofrio's work for many years. He's an excellent actor. I especially enjoyed his performance as Robert E. Howard in "The Whole Wide World." If you dislike him for his politics, you'll have to dislike about 55% of Americans. If they were going to can him, they'd just can him; they've done it on other L&O shows, sudden departures aren't uncommon. This is unusual to expand the cast. In fact, the show's just about perfect. Chris Noth's character Logan is a favorite of mine from the early days of the show. They brought Noth back to reprise Logan in a TV movie several years ago, so to my thinking the producers have been looking for a way to bring him back into one of the L&O series. Remember, it was just last season they had him on CI as Logan for a guest role. My big hope: they put Noth and D'Onofrio together, let them bounce off each other. Two great actors working together, I'd pay a dollar to see that.

Points for using the word "smarmy", but you're all a bunch of fuckheads. I type in a search to see what's up with Vincent D'onofrio (see how a fan can spell the whole name?)because I just heard the nasty rumor about why they picked up Logan on CI. Instead of the articles I expected on "VDO"'s (????) hopefully improving mental health, I get a bunch of cybergeeks mouthing off Pyle comparisons. And as far as morals and politics are connected with art : Woody Allen is funny. What else is there to say? I hope you all get laid. Oh, and READ A BOOK now and then. All Law & Order is good Law & Order, but it doesn't mean you have to watch it EVERY TIME it's on. - em

Em

"You're all a bunch of fuckheads."

Remind me never to doubt your intelligence ever again. You've obviously put thought into your argument.

"I just heard the nasty rumor about why they picked up Logan on CI. Instead of the articles I expected on "VDO"'s (????) hopefully improving mental health, I get a bunch of cybergeeks mouthing off Pyle comparisons."

Sounds like you're the geek...researching the mental health of a B-rate actor.

"I hope you all get laid."

Don't worry, I can personally vouch for Michael Williams getting laid on a regular basis, since I'm his wife and all. You can see my site here: www.thedailyspork.com.

Also, I can personally vouce for me and my husband (getting his PhD in a couple of weeks, as a matter of fact)'s book reading abilities. As for me personally, I enjoy a good romp through some Tolstoy as much as the next girl.

You may also want to think about the Caps Lock button. Your similuated yelling undermines any point you want us to take seriously.

Love,

DeoDuce
The Daily Spork
www.thedailyspork.com

now i've got to look this vdo clown up on the net. i don't care enough about these ex-waiter types to know their names.

I didn't know about "VDO"'s politics before. I just enjoy watching the series for the psychological aspect. I enjoy watching Goren and Eames as I find them to be very well cast with each other. I didn't think I would like Chris Noth either but along with his partner, I think both sets of detectives compliment each other. And I continue to watch each episode just to see how they will "get the bad guy(s)".

That story about VDO collapsing because of the election was bunk. D'Onofrio laughed it off. It was the grueling schedule. He shoots twice as many scenes as any other L&O actor. VDO told the producers that they had to bring in another team of cops if they wanted him to stay.

I think Mr.VDO is a good actor and I think he does an awesome job on CI, along with the other actors. Nothing against Chris Noth, but I will no longer be watching the new CI. I think that Mr. Wolf is hurting the show by replacing Mr.VDO and Ms. KE with new characters. No one can ever replace them. They are a great team. But, I did read that Mr. VDO was in the hopspital for exhaustion not mental problems. I think you need to show repect and not kick someone when is he down.

Yes VDO is a great actor, he acts well in CI. I don't understand how can someone dislike his acting for his politics that's senseless.

VDO did *not* collapse because of Bush's re-election - he actually got a laugh out of the story. That was a fabrication by Rupert Murdoch's rag The New York Post, probably in retaliation for comments by VDO and because of the line by Det. Eames about Tom DeLay in the episode "False Hearted Judges."

Ah, so this IS all about politics. Well, I guess Michael Williams's opinions of all things artistic just flew out the window.

If you think that someone who disagrees with your political views is an idiot, you really need to grow up.

I have seen all of VDO movies and all of his Criminal Intent shows. He is a great actor, intelligent, handsome, sexy, tall and big. Cris Noth is a fine actor, but VDO makes the show. He can be serious and funny. I do hope he will stay with Crimial Intent.
Cathy

Vincent is tall, sexy, rugged, handsome, funny, extremely talented and a fine actor as far as law and order is concerned. How's that. I can see that there's nothing but a bunch of wanna be haters in here who obviously aren't smart or generous enough to hand down a compliment when necessary. Just as I’m also certain that you are not the type who is gracious enough to render an apology when necessary. Unfortunately, this country is overrun with your sort just chomping at the bit to be heard and spew your jealousy in any direction hoping that it will stick. You need to be heard. Just know this: when we're reading your infantile ranting, the only thing that crosses our minds is how lonely, miserable and unfulfilled you are in your lives. Clearly this man has a track record that is something to be proud of. He makes his living as an actor while the rest of you are STILL trying to be heard. How did I land on this site? I was watching a marathon of sorts on Bravo and was so impressed by his CONSISTENT portrayal of his character detective and wished to get an update -- primarily because I had heard a while back that he had (and I believe they phrased it) a nervous breakdown. Nonetheless, I felt if that were true he would have surely made his way back. Such is life. I believe we all suffer through mini-breakdowns at some point in our lives. It's one of those "he who is without sin" kind of things. Instead of simply finding an update, I find this "I'm so jealous cause I'm not an actor" whining. I tell you what,the next time you wish to smear someone's reputation because you're a nobody, consider this instead. Refill your 32 ounce Big Gulps of Hatorade, go to the nearest mirror and BLAST THE FUCK OFF because that's the only performance you'll ever get close to that anyone can appreciate. Hopefully, you'll end up in another universe because I'd like to run all you blogging [Matt Lauer/Katie Couric wannabes], gossiping, hatin jackasses out of MY COUNTRY. If you don't have anything nice to say, SHUT THE FUCK UP. That's it. Plain and simple. SHUT THE FUCK UP. What? You want to rebut. Didn't you hear me the first time? I said SHUT THE FUCK UP. I'm not interested.

Icytalk: I wasn't aware that getting paid to pretend you're someone else constitutes "being somebody". The only mention I see of "jealousy" on this page is from you... I'm not really sure why you care so much about defending VDO, but suit yourself. I'm not the one looking foolish here.

I like VDO so much I googled him to see whats going on. Stumbled across this site and have enjoyed the posts. Now for my unpopular opinion... I adore this guy and it is by far my favourite Law and Order. Not enjoying it nearly as much with the cast changes. Cheers!