Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/88972
BY JACQUELINE CUTLER 'SVU' nabs EPISODE In the cottage industry that was "Law & Order," one show remains: "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." And this alone proves procedural shows can shine. Stories make sense, writing is tight, and actors are sharp. The result is a gritty drama celebrating its 300th episode Wednesday, Oct. 24. Though the show shoots all over New York, its home base is a cavernous studio on a Hudson River pier. Here, actors, directors and producers speak with Zap2it while shooting the milestone episode. This plot, as expected, deals with an excruciating topic – kidnapping. As a dad bends down to retrieve a $20 bill on a subway platform, a stranger snatches his 7-year-old son and jumps onto a departing train. The cops are off and running, stopping at nothing until they find the perps. Three actors have starred on the show since the 1999 premiere: Mariska 300th Hargitay, Richard Belzer and Dann Florek as Detectives Olivia Benson and John Munch and Capt. Donald Cragen. They have grown close over 14 years, but in between scenes, they retreat to their DAILYNEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 own dressing rooms. Dogs belonging to Ice-T, Kelli Giddish and Belzer roam these rooms, and the thwack of a speedball echoes. Belzer, who plays the conspiracy-minded Munch, shows off his boxing moves. It is a good thing his character is armed. Belzer talks about how grateful he is for this role. "Everywhere in the world I go, I get recognized," he says. He's been stopped in Istanbul, Paris and Vienna. This series continues to work, Belzer says, because "every script is new. Every story is a case. That's the genius. Every week there is a formula, but the writing is so good it never gets boring" I'm getting my butt barbecued." He picked this over another role because "it was like nothing else." Florek infuses Cragen with a sense of decency. This season began as the cliffhanger ended, with Cragen implicated in a murder and cover-up involving city officials and prostitutes. During the course of the season, Cragen rebuilds his reputation. "That's what becomes the rest of my journey," Florek says in his dressing room. It's been a very long day on the set, and Hargitay wants to return to her three young That formula was used in the 1990 pilot for "Law & Order," which Florek was in. He recalls his first line from the first show: "Come on, fellows, I need something. Your "Local" Daily Newspaper Since 1885 To Subscribe Call Today! 1 x 2" ad 527-2151 3:00 p.m. (ESPN2) NFL32 (Live) (HD) 5:00 p.m. (ESPN2) College Football Cincinnati at Louisville. (Live) (HD) 6:30 p.m. (CSNBA) 49ers Central News, analysis, interviews and game breakdowns. GOLF TUESDAY children. As the rest of the cast heads out, she settles into a couch to reflect on how her character, Olivia Benson, evolved. "She has matured so much," Hargitay says. "She is a protective lioness, this fierce mother you want on your team and wants to right the wrongs." "This changed my whole view of the world," Hargitay says. "I have gotten a whole awareness from this show. It changes lives. I have heard that so often, and it just absolutely thrills me." (ESPN2) College Football Live (Live) (HD) 5:00 p.m. (ESPN2) College Football Arkansas State at Louisiana-La- fayette. (Live) (HD) 10:00 p.m. (ESPN2) NFL Live (HD) WEDNESDAY 11:00 a.m. (ESPN2) Mike and Mike's Best of the NFL Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic discuss NFL action from the previous week's games. (HD) 11:30 a.m. (ESPN2) NFL Films Presents (HD) 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) College Football Live (Live) (HD) 1:00 p.m. (ESPN) NFL Live (Live) (HD) 2:00 p.m. (CSNBA) Inside Notre Dame Football Weekly update discuss- ing Irish football with head coach Brian Kelly. 3:00 p.m. (ESPN2) NFL32 (Live) (HD) 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) Mike and Mike's Best of the NFL Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic discuss NFL action from the previous week's games. (HD) 6:30 p.m. (CSNBA) 49ers Central News, analysis, interviews and game breakdowns. 7:00 p.m. (CSNBA) College Football BYU at Notre Dame. 10:00 p.m. (CSNBA) 49ers Central News, analysis, interviews and game breakdowns. This Saturday in the DAILYNEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY THE VOICE OF TEHAMA COUNT Y SINCE 1885 2 x 5" ad October 20 - 26, 2012 (ESPN2) NFL Live (HD) THURSDAY 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) College Football Live (Live) (HD) 1:00 p.m. (ESPN) NFL Live (Live) (HD) 3:00 p.m. (ESPN2) NFL32 (Live) (HD) 35 E7DH;57 EB75;3> +refrigerant, (134A) Be prepared. Have your car AC serviced. "'//5 Auto repair and refinishing, glass repair, custom paint and matching Red Bluff Collision The Daily News and North Valley Community Newspapers 530.527.6160 • 915 Madison St., Red Bluff2 x 3" ad © Tribune Media Services select TV 5 It's heating up outside. 4:00 p.m. (ESPN) College Football Live (Live) (HD) (ESPN2) Audibles A rotating cast of analysts answers fan-generated questions. (Live) (HD) 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) College Football Clemson at Wake Forest. (Live) (HD) 9:00 p.m. (ESPN2) NFL Live (Live) (HD) 10:30 p.m. (ESPN2) NFL Live (HD) FRIDAY 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) College Football Live (Live) (HD) 1:00 p.m. (ESPN) NFL Live (Live) (HD) 4:00 p.m. (TNT) PGA Tour Golf Grand Slam of Golf, Day One. From the Port Royal Golf Course in South- ampton, Bermuda. (HD) WEDNESDAY 4:00 p.m. (TNT) PGA Tour Golf Grand Slam of Golf, Day Two. From the Port Royal Golf Course in South- ampton, Bermuda. (HD) SOCCER SUNDAY 6:00 p.m. (ESPN) MLS Soccer FC Dal- las at Seattle Sounders FC. From CenturyLink Field in Seattle. (Live) (HD) MONDAY 3:00 p.m. (CSNBA) MLS Soccer Phila- delphia Union at Houston Dyna- mo. From BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.