On Tuesday, “Law & Order: SVU” collared its new time slot. On Wednesday, “Law & Order” kicked sand in the face of “The Bachelor.” On Thursday, “L&O” franchise creator Dick Wolf was the object of signature seekers at Manhattan’s legendary restaurant, Elaine’s. The scene was to honor one of the most unlikely coffee table books ever: “Law & Order: Crime Scenes,” on which Mr. Wolf shares writing credit with Jessica Burstein, who has been taking stills of the series’ grim and gory scenes for nine years.
“It’s not so bad,” Mr. Wolf said with a grin, when asked how his week was going.
In the crowd of famous faces: Wolf ensemble members Jesse Martin, Jerry Orbach and Dann Florek; guest stars including former Big Apple first lady Donna Hanover and actor Michael Nouri; and at least one member of another TV crime family, “The Sopranos”’ Vincent Curatola. Also there was lawyer-commentator Mickey Sherman, who unsuccessfully defended Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel in the Martha Moxley case.
Among the familiar faces: Former HBO Chairman Michael Fuchs, who was beaming, positively beeeeeeaming, and who had recently brought together about 150 former HBO players, including Court TV Chairman Henry Schleiff, who raved about the reunion.
Mr. Schleiff, who is the life of many parties, was making evening rounds for the third time last week (“a hat trick,” he called it) with his wife, Peggy. He reminded former NBC censor turned “L&O” co-executive producer Roz Weinman that he’s to be honored Nov. 6 by the Anti-Defamation League (“They’ve run out of people”) at a black-tie event emceed by his pal Regis Philbin. He revealed there will be a “Smoking Gun TV” awards show hosted by Mo Rocca in December. The Insider can hardly wait.
But she can keep secret the identity of the partygoer whom Mr. Schleiff thought was hitting on actress Nicole Vicious, whose job was to play dead at a cafe table on the sidewalk in front of Elaine’s.
WESTWARD HOME FOR DAVID NEUMAN
On Sept. 22, David Neuman, who joined CNN during the Jamie Kellner era at Turner Broadcasting, dropped a farewell e-mail into the CNN system in which he described his two-plus years as in-house development and talent consultant for the news network as “the most memorable and stimulating experience of my career.”
Some sources said his contract was breached with the restructuring that had him reporting to new CNN/U.S. VP and General Manager Princell Hair rather than directly to CNN News Group President Jim Walton. The Insider hears that Mr. Neuman is headed back to Hollywood, where, a friend said, he has numerous options.
The Insider
Sep 29, 2003 • Post A Comment