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March 29 - April 4, 2021 Page 3 ACROSS 1. Krasinski of "The Office" 5. Role on "The King of Queens" 9. Farr or Foxx 10. Buddy, for one 12. Extremely cold 13. "__ __ Wonderful Life" 16. Jack of "Barney Miller" 17. Actress Kidder's initials 18. Actress Danes 20. Many a hospital employee 21. "__-__-You.com"; 2006 Beau Bridges film 23. Villain in "Othello" 25. "The New Adventures of __ Christine" 26. Word of mild surprise 27. VP Rockefeller's monogram 28. Mrs. Clinton's initials 29. __ Cotler of "The Waltons" 30. "Lizzie Borden __ an ax ..." 32. "Star Trek __: The Voyage Home"; 1986 sequel 33. "The Smothers Brothers __ Hour" 38. "Studio 60 __ the Sunset Strip" 39. Role on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" 41. One of the Three Bears 42. King Kong, for one 43. __ Durance of "Smallville" 45. Ms. Zellweger 47. "The Five-__ Engagement"; Jason Segel film 48. Close DOWN 1. Role on "Grey's Anatomy" (2) 2. "Peg __' __ Heart"; popular song of the past 3. Casual greeting 4. Diamond, for one 5. "__ John" 6. Initials for actor Bean 7. Letters before Arizona or Missouri 8. Role on "Young Sheldon" (2) 9. Singer Hendrix 11. "__, __, Nanette" 14. Casual farewell 15. Acapulco affirmative 18. Star of "The Neighborhood" 19. Valerie Harper's age 22. Actor Jack 24. Prefix for space or dynamics 29. Toy with a tail 31. Part of the leg 34. Actor Epps 35. Edith Bunker, to Gloria 36. Character in "The Wizard of Oz" 37. "That __ Cat!"; 1965 Hayley Mills film 40. "To __ For"; 1995 Nicole Kidman movie 42. "I'd like to buy __ __, Pat" 44. Neighbor of Nev. 46. Suffix for train or absent Solution is on page 2. CoverStory By Jay Bobbin After years of sug- gestions and rumors, it's finally official: Elliot Stabler is back. Following a decade away from the police-de- tective role he originated on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," Christopher Meloni reprises the part in the latest addition to the NBC franchise from exec - utive producer Dick Wolf with the Thursday, April 1, premiere of "Law & Order: Organized Crime." Rein- troduced in the "SVU" epi- sode immediately preced- ing the new show's debut, Stabler now heads a New York task force targeting the title criminal activity; cast members also include Dylan McDermott, Tamara Taylor and Charlotte Sulli - van ("Rookie Blue"). "When you say 'Yes' to something like this," the amiable Meloni reflects, "you can have all the fantasies you want about what it's going to be like, how it will turn out, etc. I must say the reality has been very comfortable, though I wouldn't say 'effortless,' since getting back into being the lead of a one-hour show takes effort. But it feels right and good, OK in all ways." Many viewers are fa- miliar with the Stabler character — who has remained very evident in frequent "SVU" repeats on such cable outlets as USA Network and ION Televi - sion — but Meloni attests there are new differences to him, too. "I think what plays into it is the environ- ment that he finds himself in," the actor notes. "Polic- ing in society is a big topic now, and certain aspects of the show will reflect where we're at with that. We hopefully find Stabler a little older and wiser, but also with the heroic qualities that I think he possessed before." While he maintains his reason for agreeing to play Stabler again is a story for "years down the road," reappearing on "Special Victims Unit" means Mel- oni has a much-anticipat- ed reunion with Mariska Hargitay, who has played Olivia Benson since that show started 22 years ago. She's the real-life godmother to Meloni's daughter, indicating their closeness, but Meloni ad- mits to having had butter- flies over reteaming with her on camera. "Prepping for it was nerve-wracking," he says. "I had no doubt that the chemistry would find its familiar place, and that's how it played out ... but I did have the thought, 'How is this going to work?' " Though "Law & Order: Organized Crime" hit a couple of speed bumps on the way to premiering, Meloni considers it "a hall pass" to be back filming on the streets of New York. "We're doing it under very strict guidelines, and everybody has to follow the protocols, but we're getting things done." Christopher Meloni returns to the 'Law & Order' beat with 'Organized Crime' The identity of the featured celebrity is found within the answers in the puzzle. In order to take the TV Challenge, unscramble the letters noted with asterisks within the puzzle. I FOUND IT! Whether you are looking for the latest garage sale bargain, a reliable car, a home or a new job. You are sure to find what you want in the classified section of … Nobody Covers Your Hometown Better!

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